Charleston WV – The following events happened on these dates in West Virginia history.
To read more, go to e-WV: The West Virginia Encyclopedia at www.wvencyclopedia.org.
Dec. 4, 1876: The state capitol was dedicated in Wheeling—the second and last building in that city to hold that distinction.
Dec. 4, 1883: Social reformer Stella Fuller was born Stella Lawrence Cremeans in Point Pleasant. In the 1940s, Fuller opened a relief operation on Huntington’s Washington Avenue. Eventually, the Stella Fuller Settlement expanded into the area’s largest haven for the disadvantaged and homeless.
Dec. 4, 1901: Construction of the present Cabell County Courthouse was completed. An extensive remodeling was completed in 1940.
Dec. 5, 1892: Daniel D. T. Farnsworth died at age 73 in Buckhannon. As state senate president, Farnsworth succeeded Governor Boreman, who resigned in the last days of his term after being elected as a U.S. senator by the state legislature.
Dec. 5, 1916: A patent was issued for the Gravely Motor Plow, and by 1922 Gravely had started his own business.
Dec. 6, 1814: Tyler County was formed. The county was named for John Tyler, governor of Virginia (1808-11) and father of President John Tyler.
Dec. 6, 1865: Artist Annie Virginia Latham Bartlett was born in Grafton. Her clay sculptures included conventional busts as well as figurines interpreting West Virginia’s historic and cultural past, with such titles as The Moonshiner.
Dec. 6, 1907: The deadliest coal mine disaster in U.S. history occurred at Monongah, Marion County. At least 361 miners were killed, although the exact number was likely much higher. Many of the victims were recent immigrants, particularly Italians, Hungarians, and Russians.
Dec. 7, 1941: The USS West Virginia was badly damaged on Battleship Row during the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, marking the United States’ entry into World War II. At least 27 West Virginians are known to have died in the attack.
Dec. 9, 1829: West Virginia’s fourth governor, John Jeremiah Jacob, was born in Hampshire County. He was the first governor born within the area that became West Virginia and the first Democratic governor of the state.
Dec. 9, 1932: Songwriter, musician, playwright, humorist and poet Billy Edd Wheeler was born in Whitesville.
Dec. 10, 1841: Logan County preacher “Uncle Dyke” Garrett was born on Big Creek. His greatest fame was for converting and baptizing Devil Anse Hatfield in Main Island Creek in 1911.
Dec. 10, 1949: The first class of 20 cadets graduated from the West Virginia State Police Academy in Institute. The State Police purchased property for the academy on a hilltop overlooking Institute in Kanawha County for about $3,200. Construction began in 1948, and the building was completed the next year.