My grandfather survived the Layland No. 3 Mine Disaster on March 3, 1915. Some people gave him credit for saving himself and 40+ men by building double barricades to keep the poisonous gases out. They were trapped underground for 4-5 days until rescuers found a note that they left stating where they were located.
My sister in law came from a family if 13 kids, in Fayetville . It took us many years to decipher a lot of what she was saying. Shucking corn and she would scream and stand up "Oh look a spotter! Which turned out to be a spider. And "Oh look a snake doctor!" Which to us in Michigan was a dragonfly. If you asked where she was from she'd reply "Fatville!" (Fayettville.) She has completely lost that accent all these years later.
Great video & series! I'm originally from South Charleston, now living in Fort Worth, TX. I have a beautiful photograph of the New River from the lookout at Hawk's Nest on my living room wall.
Charles Rogers, who was awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor, came from Thurmond. He attended a black school in Mount Hope called Dubois. There is a bridge at Chimney Corner in Fayette County named in his honor.
