The Roane County Historical Society met on Thursday, April 24, 2014 at the Roane County Library for their regular monthly meeting. Those present were: Carol Board-Westfall, Rick Greathouse, Paul Hughes, Linda Cottrell Liss, Carl Paxton, Reva Paxton, Peggy Starcher, Melissa Swisher, Susan Tucker, Brenda Whited, Bernard Wyatt and Patty Wyatt.

Rick Greathouse, President, called the meeting to order at 7 p.m. Paul Hughes led an opening prayer and the Pledge to the Flag was recited. Minutes from the March 2014 meeting were read by Recording Secretary, Susan Tucker, and approved. Carol Board-Westfall, treasurer, reported a balance of $15,231.24 The Membership Secretary, Linda Liss, reported membership steady at 198.

Inquiries: 1. From Peggy Stewart of Elyria, OH. Liss reported that she had followed up on a recent inquiry on the McClellan “Mack” W. Wilmoth, George M. Falls, Bertha May & Tuda May families, all having Roane County roots.
2. Member Eloise Boggs is looking for information on the old log church known as Pleasant Hill Baptist Church, Wallback, Clay County near Roane County line.
3. Carol Landers of Charleston, SC is looking for information on the 1918 flu epidemic. How many people died ? How many from Roane County?

Susan Tucker and Melissa Swisher represented the Roane County Historical Society at the Sat., March 29th Ritchie County Gen. Fair. They sold some of the society’s books & CD’s, had a good time and made some good contacts.

Essay Scholarship: Linda Liss, Scholarship Chairperson, reported that the committee met and read the submitted essays. After much deliberation the committee voted to select the essay of Miss Janie K. Matics as the 2014 Essay Scholarship in the amount of $1,000. The scholarship will be awarded on Tuesday, May 20, 2014 at Roane County High School’s annual awards ceremony. Committee included: Reva M. Paxton, Paul M. Hughes, Carl E. Paxton, and Linda Cottrell Liss.

Liss reported that a folder of papers was donated recently to the R.C.H.S. by Mr. Bernard Taylor of Spencer. The folder contained 1920 era papers from Spencer residents Ernest Clark Munson and his wife Lakie Board Munson. Mr. Munson managed Robey Theatre for a time and had a print shop in the basement of the building where he printed show bills, newspaper ads and booklets, one in particular titled, “Munson’s Money-Making Manuel. Mrs. Munson was a Roane County school teacher. Mr. Taylor reported that he did odd jobs for the Munson’s over the years until her death in 1981.

The society’s president, Rick Greathouse, will be working on a schedule of programs for future meetings. If you have suggestions, please contact him at rick@wvroane.org

The next meeting of the society will be held on Thursday, May 22, 2014 at the Roane County Library at 7 p.m. Our special guest will be Miss Janie K. Matics, 2014 Essay Scholarship recipient. Janie is a graduating Senior at Roane County High School. She will read her winning essay and tell us about her future plans. Refreshments will be served. Mark your calendar and plan to attend.

Questions, membership requests and comments may be directed to Linda Liss at WVRoots@aol.com