The regular monthly meeting of the Roane County Historical Society was held 27 Sept 2012 at 7 p.m. at the Roane County Library. Rick Greathouse, President, called the meeting to order and led an opening prayer. Mike Hill led the pledge to the American flag.

Linda Liss read the minutes from the August 23rd meeting as provided by the recording secretary, Susan Tucker. The minutes were approved as amended. Corrections and additions include:
1. Pledge to flag led by Local Scout Master, Michael Myers.
2. Opening prayer led by society member, Mike Hill
3. Treasurer’s report: Aug. Balance $17,812.22 [copy to be filed with minutes]
4. Fujitsu ScanSnap Sheet-Fed Scanner, Cost $414.49, plus CD’s & supplies $167.95
5. RCHS Membership as of Aug 23rd was 207 [report copy filed with minutes]
6. Attendance for Cornstalk presentation, approx.. 50. Business meeting att. Not available.
7. Refreshments were served between the Cornstalk presentation & the business meeting.

Carol Board-Westfall, Treasurer, reported a Sept. balance of $18,071.79 [Copy filed with minutes for annual audit]

Linda Liss, Corresponding Sect’y, reported that she sent sympathy cards were needed. She reported that an inquiry was rec’d through the society’s website regarding photos of the past & present courthouses of Roane County. Deb Warmuth, Project Mgr., The Walk-About Co., Wheeling WV & with the Ohio Valley Chapter of the National Academy of Arts & Sciences is researching courthouses of WV and is seeking historic courthouse photos/images that might be available for use in publications. The first courthouse was destroyed by fire in 1887 replaced by the two-story brick structure which was torn down to build the third present bldg. in 1964-5. Linda has photos of the three buildings, but needs to research the copyright on the first two. She will report back at next meeting.
As Membership Secretary Linda reported that the current membership is 210. Three new members were rec’d during the September Gen. Fair. She also noted that 22 members have NOT paid dues for the fiscal year 2012-13. All have been notified regarding their past due memberships. Report copy filed with minutes.

Carol reported that several books have been purchased or donated to the society:
1. Clay County Marriages w/Index by the Kanawha Valley Gen. Society
2. Mt. Heritage / Blennerhasset Island
3. Lewisburg Landmarks
4. Forebearers of Taylor/Cromwell Family
5. Jackson Co. WV Deaths
6. Hans Jacob Gandee Descendants pub. by the Lockharts

Johanna Nutter reported that the Sept 22nd Genealogy Fair was deemed a success. Vendors did well, the American Legion Auxillary food was a hit, 127 registered attendance plus many who came but did not register. Those attending had a good time and enjoyed the fellowship. The Heritage Park Community Bldg has been reserved for the September 28, 2013 fair. Special thanks to everyone who helped in any way to make the event successful. The society cleared well over a thousand dollars from table rentals and book sales at the fair.
At a past meeting it was discussed that the society perhaps purchase some sort of sound system to use at meetings and other society events. Johanna Nutter volunteered to check on this and report back at the next meeting.

It was reported that the Vol. 20, Issue 1 of the Roane County Journal was mailed and rec’d by the membership of the Society. Carol Cronin is to be complimented for her work as our newsletter editor.

Linda Liss asked if the RCHS wishes to continue the Annual Scholarship Essay with the Roane County High School. The past two years we have presented a scholarship to a deserving senior who wrote the best essay portraying their family genealogy. After discussion, motion was made by Melissa Swisher and properly seconded that the society offer a $750 scholarship to a senior who writes the best genealogy essay. Motion carried unanimously. Linda will meet with school officials and present the essay guidelines and applications.

P.J. Miller brought a local community concern to the society for consideration. Recent newspapers articles indicate that the local food pantry is in need of non-perishable food items. Even with generous monetary donations the food pantry is still in need of food. Therefore, by general consensus of those members present, it is agreed for each person attending the next meeting of the society on Oct. 25th be asked to bring a can/box of non-perishable food to be donated to the pantry.

Melissa Swisher noted that she had worked a shift at the Heritage Park Depot Museum during the Genealogy Fair. The building is owned by the City of Spencer. Many area residents have never visited the museum or perhaps do not know about it. She said the old Depot building is in need of some t.l.c. and cleaning. There are no photos displayed there! No heating/cooling. Is this something the R.C.H.S. may want to attempt as a community project to clean up the museum and perhaps pursue a grant to get h/c installed? Society member, Teresa Parker, is caretaker of the museum. Carol Board-Westfall will talk with Teresa to get ideas on how to proceed……and report back at next meeting.

For the good of the society, it was discussed having some sort of genealogical report or family history report at each meeting of the R.C.H.S. Since we are a society to promote genealogy and our Roane County family’s history this would be an excellent way of learning about some of the families our members are researching.
Mike Hill volunteered to be the first in this series of presentations. He will discuss the Roane County pioneer families of Meadows and Bonnett at the October meeting.

It was also suggested to have a future program on the use of DNA research in making family connections.

Carol and Melissa reported that the 5 cemetery books published by the RCHS have been scanned and put on CD’s. They were offered for sale at the September Genealogy Fair.

Shirley Hill will serve refreshments for our October 25th meeting.

Announcements:
October 6, 2012 – Battle Days at Point Pleasant, Mason Co., WV, Tu-Endie-Wei State Park.
October 6, 2012 – Wirt County Heritage Days at Elizabeth, WV.
Oct 11-14, 2012 – WV Black Walnut Festival, Spencer

Meeting adjourned.
Those present were: Carol Board-Westfall, Rick Greathouse, Linda Cottrell Liss, Hazel E. C. Gandee, Mike Hill, Shirley Hill, Roger Skinner, guest, Johanna Nutter, Betty Moore, Melissa Swisher, Brenda Whited and Phill “PJ” Miller.

The Roane County Historical Society, Inc., met Thursday, July 26, 2012 for their regular monthly meeting at the Roane County Public Library. Rick Greathouse, president, called the meeting to order and opened the meeting with prayer. The pledge to the flag was recited by all. Thirteen members and one guest were present.

No regular Recording Secretary minutes available so Linda Liss, Corresponding Secretary, read the notes which she prepared as a July Newspaper article. These were accepted as minutes and approved as read. Copy to be filed with regular minutes.

Carol Board-Westfall gave the Treasurer’s report reflecting a balance of $17,700.22. Copy filed for audit.

Linda Liss reported one new family membership, George & Ramona Wenmoth of Vienna, WV, bringing the membership to 206. As of 7-26-12 forty-five members have not renewed membership.
Correspondence included: 1. sympathy card to Phil “PJ” Miller at the death of his sister
2. Request for certain copies of “The Journal” newsletter to be placed in a special binder at WV Archives & History Library in Charleston. Those back copies will be delivered by Rick.
3. Mrs. Annette Spaur, Spencer resident, requested information about building at 345 Market St. which she & her husband are buying. They want photos inside & out during the 1920-30’s & 40’s era to help restore the bldg.. to that time period.
4. Linda reported that she had sent thank you letters to Mr. Hart SAR & Mrs. Simmons of DAR for their presentations at the June meeting.

Carol B-W reported that she had purchased the rest of the Calhoun County birth record books compiled by Judy Hildreth for the historical society’s library.
Carol also reported that she had rec’d a thank you letter from Mr. Joe Geiger, Director of the Archives & History Library in Charleston, for the donation of $350 toward subscriptions, books, etc. The society voted in June to make a donation of the Roane County newspapers to the Archives but she later learned that they receive those issues free of charge.
Further, Carol reported that she had checked on the [Uriah] Gandee property at Gandeeville. The present owner, David Gandee, told her he was living in the house but wanted to donate the log house center part of the structure to some group or someone who may be interested in it because of its historical significance. Carol said she had researched the property and had gotten back to Book 3 that had records to 1866, but to go further back she would need to go to Kanawha County records.
She also stated that it is not planned for the near future to publish any new cemetery books, however, if anyone knew of a cemetery that was not previously recorded, to submit that information and it could be put in the historical society’s reference file.

Purchase of a scanner for the Historical Society was again tabled for a future meeting.

No further report on the 2012 Genealogy Fair scheduled for September 22nd.

Rick read a press release provided for our August 23rd meeting’s guest speaker. The 18th century Shawnee leader Cornstalk will be portrayed by Dan Cutler of Milton, at our August meeting. The presentation is made possible through the History Alive! Program of the West Virginia Humanities Council. As hosts we are encouraged to present the press release through different media and invite area groups to come explore events that has shaped our history.
Refreshments will be served.

Motion was made by Carol Board-Westfall and properly seconded to go ahead & send Mrs. Marilyn Craig a check in the amount of $286 for the Craig portion of the sales of 20 “Once Upon a Tuesday” books which were printed recently. The motion carried unanimously.

Patty Wyatt reported she had placed all obituary clippings she had in the obituary file. She had made copies of all the clippings but would keep those as she wanted index them.

It was suggested we get microphones for the officer's table as it was difficult for some members to hear what is being said during the meetings. The proposal will be noted for further discussion, prices, etc.

Linda Liss, Nominating Committee Chairman, reported a slate of officers for the 2012-13 fiscal year.
President............Richard I. “Rick” Greathouse
1st Vice President.......................Jack Nida
2nd Vice President.................Melissa Swisher
Recording Secretary...................Susan Tucker
Corresponding Secretary........Linda Cottrell Liss
Treasurer....................Carol Board Westfall
A motion was made and properly seconded to elect the slate of officers as presented. Motion carried unanimously.

The business meeting was closed and the program continued with a time of Show and Tell of items the members had
to share from their past;
Linda Liss brought a small leather coin purse she had inherited from her grandmother who was born 1867 and died 1948. The purse has a double-clasp pockets and lined with red velveteen. In it was a silver dollar that Linda had inherited that her grandmother had given her father with his birth year of 1901. Linda also told about a tortoise-shell ornamental hair comb that her grandmother had given to her mother when she married in 1927 as she had very long hair. Linda's mother gave it to her when she married in 1971 as she also had long hair. Linda gave it to her eldest son's wife when he was married in 2001 as she, too had long hair. Maybe someday the daughter-in-law will pass it on to one of their daughters.

Carol Board Westfall brought a framed envelope that depicted the “first day cover envelope” sent from the new Post Office in Spencer dated February 26, 1937 with a 3 cent stamp. Mr. Brumbaugh gave it to her the first day the post office was opened. Carol is donating it to the Historical Society. Carol also brought a friendship quilt that was made by several members of the community which included three blocks made by three of her older sisters 63 years ago. as a wedding gift. Carol said when she got it, it was not in good shape, however with the help of four other members of the Society, they were able to repair it back to almost new.

Hazel Cottrell Gandee said she had brought a gift that had been passed to her by her uncle. The story behind it was that her mother loved to whittle. Her mother had told her father, Fleet Duffield, she wanted him to bring her a couple of logs (she indicated the size she wanted) so she could whittle a gift for her mother. Hazel said she watched her whittle it and she had given it to her mother (Hazel's grandmother). Sometime after the grandmother’s death, Hazel said she had gone to visit her uncle and he told her he had a gift for her but she was not to open it until she got home. She said when she got home she was surprised to find the rolling pin her mother had made for her grandmother years before. The rolling pin was made & dated 1935.

Peggy Starcher brought two quilts with one being made in 1898 by her grandmother who died in 1902. The quilt was handmade and the stitches were very close. The quilt was beautiful. She also had the pattern. The second quilt was one that had been made by the Keffer Church community with their signatures embroidered for Preacher Kennedy when he retired from the Church. She was able to come by the quilt through her daughter’s learning where it was and then she bought it. She knew many of the people who had made the blocks for the quilt.

Melissa Swisher brought two graduation diplomas from her husband’s Swisher ancestor. The dates on the large diplomas were May 25,1917 and then in 1920. Her presentation also included photos of that ancestor.
Melissa also brought clippings and pictures of Charles deForest Chandler, called the Father of Aviation who had flown an hot air balloon from St. Louis, Missouri to Walton West Virginia, a distance of 437 miles and won the race for the longest flight in an air balloon at that time. His original destination was Charleston, WV but the balloon went off course. He had left St. Louis September 19, 1907 and arrived in Walton October 18, 1907. He reported the “roads in West Virginia were the worst he had ever traveled”. The event was nationwide news but received only two lines in the local papers.

When Patty Wyatt was called on to tell what she brought, she said she brought her husband, Bernard, as he was in her past in 1947 and had not seen him for 58 years until 2005...Everyone laughed.

The meeting was dismissed at 8:12 PM. Those present were Carol Board-Westfall, Linda L Cottrell Liss, Hazel E. C. Gandee, Evelyn D. Starcher, Peggy L. Starcher, guest Scott Starcher, Marvin Stemple, Rick Greathouse, Melissa Swisher, Phillip J. “PJ” Miller, Reva Paxton, Bernard and Patty Wyatt and Paul Hughes.

The Roane County Historical Society, Inc. met at the Roane County library on Thursday, June 28th for their regular monthly meeting, with twenty-seven members and guests in attendance.
The meeting was called to order by Rick Greathouse, President. Phill “PJ” Miller led the opening prayer and the pledge to the flag was recited by all.

Our special guests for the evening were Mr. Steven D. Hart of the Daniel Boone Chapter, Charleston, WV of the National Society of the Sons of the American Revolution and Mrs. Jaime Simmons, Research Specialist, WV Division of Culture & History, Charleston, WV representing the Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution.
Mr. Hart, dressed in Rev. War period attire, presented an interesting and informative program explaining items on display used in the day-to-day life & survival of a revolutionary soldier. He also told about the different chapters of S.A.R. and membership requirements. Mrs. Simmons, an expert on researching family lines to and/or from Revolutionary War soldiers, offered research tips, where to find proof of an ancestor’s service and how to complete the forms for application to the societies. In either case, to become a member of S.A.R. or D.A.R. one must have documented proof from ones’ self to the Revolutionary War participant.
Applications can be downloaded from WVSSAR.org or from NSDAR.org or one may contact Linda Cottrell Liss, historical society corresponding secretary, WVRoots@aol.com for application copies.

Items of business included the reading of minutes from the May 2012 meeting which were approved as read. The Membership Secretary’s report reflected present membership at 205.
We are reminded that membership dues for the 2012-13 fiscal year are now due. $12 annually.
Make checks payable to Roane County Historical Society & send to P.O. Box 161, Spencer, WV 25276.

Motion was made and passed unanimously to provide 5-year subscriptions to the two county newspapers, The Times Record & Reporter, to the West Virginia Division of Culture and History Library in Charleston.

The proposal to purchase a sheet-fed scanner for R.C.H.S. use was tabled to next meeting.

We are also reminded about the Annual Genealogy Fair scheduled for Sat., September 22nd 9 a.m.-3 p.m. at the Heritage Center Community Building in Spencer. Reservations are now being accepted for table-space for vendors and others wishing to display family histories.

Programs for up-coming meetings:
July 26 – Show and tell. Each person attending is asked to bring an item, picture, etc. of personal or historic value or interest and tell about it.
August 23rd – The 18th century Shawnee leader Cornstalk will be portrayed by Mr. Dan Cutler of Milton, WV. This presentation is made possible through the “History Alive!” program of the West Virginia Humanities Council. It will be educational in nature and hold the Shawnee Chief in highest regard using his own words, writings & speeches in a historically accurate characterization.
Mark your calendars for these two important programs. Guests are always welcome.

June is typically the Roane County Historical Society’s birthday month, serving Roane County for nineteen years, so the meeting adjourned with cake and ice cream being served to: Susan Tucker, Paul Hughes, Melissa Swisher, Orton Jones, Reva Paxton, Hazel E.C. Gandee, Mike and Shirley Hill, Dean and Pat Combs, Melba Starcher, Sandy Nester, Carol Cronin, Peggy L. Starcher, Bernard and Patty Wyatt, Phill “PJ” Miller, Denver Gandee, Robert Skinner, Johanna Nutter, Theresa Ann Boggs Parker, Carol Board-Westfall, Rick Greathouse, Linda Cottrell Liss, Valarie Hart and our guest speakers, Steven Hart and Jaime Simmons.

The Roane County Historical Society's August meeting will feature the 18th century Shawnee leader Cornstalk portrayed by Dan Cutler of Milton. The meeting is scheduled for Thursday, August 23, 2012 at 7:00 PM at the Roane County Library in Spencer, West Virginia and is open to the public. This special presentation is possible through the History Alive! program of the West Virginia Humanities Council.

The 18th Annual Genealogy Fair, is scheduled for Saturday, September 22, 2012, from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM, at the Heritage Park Community Building in Spencer.