Memories and events

The News

WELLSTON HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION
JULY UPDATE
We did not have a regular meeting in July. It was our annual picnic at
Lake Alma and there was not business meeting. We had a lot of good food,
everything from chicken and noodles, to KFC chicken, salads, soup beans
and
corn bread, lots of delicious desserts and salads. Most of all there was
a
lot of good fellowship and conversation. If you did not make it this year
maybe you can be there next year. Oh yes the picnic was held at the Lake
Alma shelter house below the dam.
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The photo I have included is of caning memorabilia belonging to Sharon
Current. Jane Chevalier contacted Current and made the very interesting
display.
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Congratulations to:
Nick Warrington our student member and a 2008 grad of WHS. Nick also
had a good year at the Jackson County fair winning Reserve Champion

Rabbit.
The grand champion was purchased by Jim Riepenhoff of Wellston.
President Shannon Weber on the opening of his new law office on
Second Street
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We need to be thinking about what we can decorate our window for the
Coal Festival. The theme this year is "Hollywood Light Shines Bright with
Coal". If you have ideas or suggestions please get in touch with us.
Also we will be discussing our participation in the Coal Festival. Late
year after reviewing our part in thefestival there was talk of hosting a
Hospitality House at our office instead of having a booth out on the
street.
We will be discussing that issue and if that is what we do we will need
stafers for the hours we will be open.
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We will have our regular meeting August 5 at 7 p.m.. A major point of
discussion will be the need for repairs for the office building and we
have
at least two local people interested in doing the work. We need to
decide
on the scope of the work and designate one or two people to contact these
folks and see if they can do the work --how much it will be and when the
work can be done. Wouldn't it be nice to get the building improvements
made
before the Festival? come to our meeting and helps us with that project.
We
have a donor for the paint.
Also bids are bring taken for work on the Harvey Wells House and
president Weber will be reporting more in that project.
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We had a contact from a gentleman in Newark Ohio who was researching
his
genealogy and was looking for a Samuel Whetstone and for Jeremiah Hollow
in
Jackson County. If anyone knows anything about either Mr. Whetstone or
Jeremiah Hollow please let us know.
Hope to see you Tuesday Aug. 5.
Mark your calendar for the first Saturday in November as that will be
our annual dinner to be held at the Depot.
Secretary President
Shannon Weber
Barbara McKinniss

WELLSTON HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION

February 5, 2008

Meeting

There were 16 members present at the February 5, 2008 meeting including President Shannon Weber, Treasurer Linda Walton, Secretary Barbara McKinniss; Board of Trustees Mary Louise Perkins, Lois Nilson, Ruth Hayth and Dottie VanKirk. Absent was vice president Floyd Hollberg due to illness.

During the business meeting President Weber gave an update on the new Wellston Historical Association web site that has been created by Matt Ginter and Karen Davis of the Wellston Public Library He reported the site includes various photos and other information and will be updated as time allows. Ginter is a 2007 WHS graduate and is a freshman at the University of Rio Grande. The web site can be accessed www.wellstonhistory.com . Ginter reported he is still working on the site so that photos can be enlarged for better viewing.

Weber also reported they are still working to get the movie of Wellston in the 1930's transferred from the film to DVD and the process should be completed and the DVD put on sale by the end of March. Also there is interest in this old film being put with film archives in Hollywood. There are believed to be only two other films by Don Newland in existence . He traveled across the country making films of various communities. There will only be 300 copies made and the proceeds from the sale will be split between the Wellston Rotary Club and the Historical Association.

Weber's update on the Harvey Wells House included a recommendation from the architect that separate craftsmen be employed for the various stages of the renovation rather than one company for the entire project. The complete drawings are expected in the very near future so that the project can be advertised for work to begin this summer.

He also reported Tony Cox is continuing to work on getting the Harvey Wells House listed on the National Register of Historical Sites. A discussion was held concerning the importance of having the goal of a grand opening in 2011 the 150th anniversary of the Civil War.Ohio is planning an observation of this date and the Historical Association would be part of that. It was noted that a major fund drive will have to be made for this to be accomplished.

Weber complimented Jane Chevalier for the Valentine display in the Historical Association window for February . Chevalier said the items in the window are from the collection of Sam Jenkins.

Treasurer Walton reported after paying utility bills and making deposits from the recent membership drive that the bank balance is $2,218.54. She also reported that approximately 25 percent of the folks who received the membership letters responded with dues.

A discussion was held concerning getting photos and other items better organized with a tentative date of February 12 set as a work session.(This did not happen because of the bad winter weather)

Other items of business included:

*Thanks to Lois Nilson for the donation of the address stamp for our mailings

*The Association donated one of the Wellston Family History books to the Wellston High school library.

*The Jackson County Genealogy Society is helping with the Sale of the Wellston Family History Books The books are being sold for $10. each plus shipping.

*Sam Howell attending for the first time asked about coal mines and the mine ponies which were an important part of the mining operation for getting coal out of the mines. (for information about coal mines of the county see Frank Morrow's History of Industry . Mr. Morrow lists over 180 mines located in the county. He lists the mine name, owner, location, type of coal , year opened and year closed.)

The next meeting will be March 4th at 7 p.m. at the Historic Association office. Members and guest welcome. The window decoration will feature basketball memorabilia. Folks are asked to bring items in for display.in the window. Topic of discussion will be Lake Alma past and present.

Please feel free to send this information of our meeting to friends and acquaintances who might be interested in Wellston and what we are doing.

Respectfully Submitted by President

Barbara McKinniss Shannon Weber

WELLSTON HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION

MEETING

DECEMBER 4, 2007

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Meeting called to order by president Shannon Weber asking everyone to introduce themselves.There were 18 members and guests present including President Weber, Treasurer Linda Walton, Secretary Barbara McKinniss; Trustees Wilbur Ward, Eldon Shook, Ruth Hayth, Mary Louise Perkins and Dottie Vankirk.

President Weber reported:

*This is the 100th meeting of the Wellston Historical Association

*The property tax exempt status has been granted for our property and we have gotten a property tax refund of $312., that includes interest on the property taxes we have paid since owning the building on Ohio Avenue.

*Necessary steps have been taken to transfer the treasure duties and paper work to newly elected Treasure Linda Walton.

. *Complimented Linda Walton and Ruth Hayth for the lovely Christmas decorated Window.

*The architect will have drawings for Harvey Wells House for our January meeting, which will be Jan 8 the second Tuesday of the month since the first Tuesday is New Years Day.

*He has been working with the CDC at City Hall and there is a really good possibility of us getting funding through the city CHIPS program for some of the renovation at the Harvey Wells House, especially for handicapped restrooms, for the first floor and the CDC representative Whittaker Wright is working to arrange a meeting with a state official for more funding for the house renovation.

*That Tony Cox is continuing the work to get the Harvey Wells House on the National Registry of Historical Homes. This is a project through Hocking Technical College where Cox is attending.

*The historical compass used by town founder Harvey Wells, to plat out Wellston, is being placed in a safe deposit box at the bank for safe keeping. the compass was donated to the Association at the annual meting by Wells Descendants--- the Lego family of Indinapolis.

In other business it was decided that:

*The Annual Meeting will be held the First Saturday of November each year and next year it will be on Nov. 1 at the Depot. We are accepting suggestions for speakers for that meeting and other meetings through out the year.

*Permission was given for Larry Patrick to use photos and information from our annual meeting in the Jackson County Historical Society news letter.

A letter was received from Steven Vixner of Monroe Connecticut and Edna Plummer Kearns of memories of the businesses in downtown Wellston in the early 1900's as remembered by Vizner's father-in-law Alfred Tisch. Mr. Tisch and Mrs. Plummer. both in their mid 90's

Larry Patrick reported on the first organized football game played in Wellston and reprinted from the Nov. 19, 1898 issue of the Wellston Sentinel. The report said the game was held on The Common near the Wellston Furnace The report said no goals were kicked or attempted by either team. The time of the halves was fixed at 35 minutes colors for Jackson were black and crimson and Wellston's colors were blue and white.Jackson scored two TD's in the first half and one in the second half'-- Wellston one TD in the second half.The score was Jackson 15 --Wellston 5. Members of the Wellston team was John Richardson, Clyde Scott, Delver Townsend, Bruno Schade, Denny Reagan, Mathias James, Mose Gee, Tom Larcamp, W. E. Thomas captain, C. E. Brooks and John Elias, subs were Roy Eblen and Albert Schwartz.

A discussion was held for ideas for speakers and window decorations, more on this later..

MEETING NOTICE ---- JANUARY 8 AT 7 P.M. INSTEAD OF JANUARY 1 WHICH IS NEW YEARS DAY.

Respectfully Submitted President

Barbara McKinniss Shannon Weber

MINUTES
WELLSTON HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION
OCTOBER MEETING
There were 17 members present at the October meeting of the Wellston Historical Association. President Shannon Weber conducted the meeting and welcomed everyone asking them to introduce themselves. Folks attending for the first time included Mel and Paula Christian, Katie Woolum and Sara McLain of Pittsburg the sister of Linda Walton. Officers present included President Weber, Vice President Floyd Hollberg and secretary Barbara McKinniss. Board members present Lois Nilson, Linda Walton and Mary Louise Perkins.
It was announced that the annual meeting originally scheduled for October 13 was cancelled and the annual meeting was rescheduled for Nov. 3. The reason for the change was the unavailability of the Depot for the annual meeting and many other community activities on October 13.
The annual dinner meeting willL be held November 3 at the Depot at 6:30 p.m. Tickets are $10. each. Advance payment is requested by October 24.. To register for the dinner meeting contact any member or officer, or mail you dinner fees to the office at 111S. Ohio Avenue, Wellston, Ohio. Speaker to be announced later. Make checks payable to the Wellston Historical Association.

President Weber announced a successful participation by the Association in the Coal Festival again this year with the festival proceeds being $800. and the badges were a hit for festival folks to purchase. Weber thanked all the volunteers helped with he festival booth. Plans for the 2008 Coal Festival were discussed with the possibility of the Association having a hospitality room instead of a booth next year--more on this later.
Weber also reported the Ghost Hunters of Bridgeport spent the night of Sept. 8 at the Harvey Wells House with their ghost hunting equipment but a report of their findings has not been made. Weber said one of the members of the ghost hunters got quite a scare when he entered the room believed to be the room in which Wells jumped out the window and at that moment the first boom of the festival fireworks went off, giving the ghost hunter quite a start.
Weber also reported members of the Kessler family has stories of their time spent in the Harvey Wells house in which a member of their family took his life in the basement area of the house.
Ruth Hayth who is a registered nurse and worked in the house when it was a nursing home, reported that the nurses and personnel working the late night shift heard unexplained footsteps during the night.
Weber further reported that he is still working on getting blue prints and other documents the state wants prior to awarding the renovation money to the Association. He also said that other agencies in the area are having the same problems getting the state money for their projects. The grant has been awarded but there is a delay and problems with the state actually releasing the money for the projects like the Harvey Wells House in Wellston and the Markay in Jackson..
In other reports
*Matt Ginter reported he is still working on the Historical Association web site and is asking for suggestions or information to be put on the web site. He said he has found a biography of David Payne he is planning to put on the Web site. and will feature other historical people as time allows. Matt is a freshman at the University of Rio Grande and a recent graduate of Wellston High School..
* Hayth also reported the Remy family is donating a World War One uniform and paper work to the Association.
*Nick Warrington reported the school is still working on the school property near the Bundy House clearing weeds around the foundation and making a path through the wooded area that will eventually connect with he city's bike path.
The election of officers for the coming year was held and those results will be announced at the Annual meeting on November 3.
The next regular meeting will be December 4.
SEE YOU AT THE ANNUAL MEETING IN NOVEMBER.

Respectfully submitted by President

Barbara McKinniss Shannon Weber

MEETING
WELLSTON HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION
AUGUST 7, 2007
There were 18 members and guests at the August 7, meeting including the following officers-- Shannon Weber, president; Floyd Hollberg, vice president and Barbara McKinniss , secretary.
Reports included President Weber telling about the discovery of the 1922 movie made in and about Wellston and the possibility of having that 35 millimeter 15 minutes movie made into a DVD to be sold. The movie was found by former Louvee Theater owner jerry Ghearing and given to theater manager Matt Fields. He also said Fields and Ghearing told him the movie shows various scenes around Wellston.
President Weber reported the annual dinner would again be held in October and there is a possibility of the speaker being a descendant of town founder Harvey Wells. Details, and dates yet to be announced. This will be a catered dinner at the Depot .
Tony Cox reported on the 14 day archeology dig being made at the Harvey Wells House by archeology students from Hocking Technical College in Nelsonville. He said there were a lot of old bricks found there as well as other artifacts including some fine china pieces . He also reported that during the dig Senator John Carey Jr. had visited the site as well as Congressman Zack Space. Cox said he is trying to get the site put on the National Register of Historic places. He said their dig indicates that there had been a fill made there and that the top of the hill is artificial. He also reported they have found 38 and 22 caliber bullet shells there plus brass from a Winchester rifle. The dig also revealed children's toys and artifacts from pre-historic days. There are 14 students plus advisors at the site according to Cox. He said several town folks stopped by to observe the dig including member Jane Chevalier and her grandchildren.
Approval was given for the purchase of souvenir Coal Festival buttons to be sold at the Coal Festival and folks signed up to staff the festival booth. Brenda Weber donated the cost of the production of the buttons which will be sold. The association will also be selling split the pot tickets and member ship tickets
During show and tell time Virginia Grow shared a large framed newspaper page featuring her sister Mrs. Thelma Iron and her husband who had been killed in the South Pacific during World War Two. The page also featured a signed letter from WWII General Douglas McArthur and Lt. Lawrence Carew.
Tony Cox shared a Japanese flag that had been given to him. This was a flag from WWII and had Japanese writing on it aroudn the big red rising sun symbol of Japan.
It was announced that the Historical Association window would be dedicated to the theme of the festival "A Salute to Veterans --Then and Now. "Folks are asked to donate items to be used in the window during the festival To donate items contact President Weber , Linda Walton or Barbara McKinniss.
Matt Ginter demonstrated the Historical Association Web site he is working on and everyone was really pleased with Matt's work. More on accessing the site in the future, it is still under development. Matt is using a lot of photos and other info for the site.
Nick Warrington reported progress is being made toward the development of the walking path near the school. This is a school project and will feature the historic Bald Cypress tree on the former H. S. Bundy property now part of the campus of the Wellston City Schools.This is a 3/4 mile trail according to Warrington that they hope to eventually connect with the bike path to Lake Alma.
Prior to adjournment Bonnie Morrow again shared a number of photos she has found including one that features a Casino on the island at Lake Alma. She reported that she has donated a number of historic photos to the City which is to be framed and hung in the downstairs of City Hall.

Submitted by Secretary
Barbara Mckinniss