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. 21, 1798: Wood County was established by the Virginia General Assembly. It was
named for James Wood, governor of Virginia from 1796 to 1800.
Dec. 22, 1928: Radio station WMMN of Fairmont began operations as one of West
Virginia’s pioneer stations. For nearly two decades beginning in 1935, WMMN was an
important outlet for country and western music performers. The highlight of this era was the
“Sagebrush Roundup,” a Saturday-night live-audience show which began in December 1938 and
was broadcast weekly for nearly ten years.
Dec. 23, 1987: Lynette “Squeaky” Fromme escaped from the Federal Prison Camp in
Alderson. Fromme, who was serving a life sentence for trying to kill President Gerald Ford, was
captured two days later near the prison.
Dec. 24, 1852: The last spike was driven on the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad between
Baltimore and the Ohio River. The event occurred at Rosbys Rock near Moundsville. To mark
the spot where the final spike was driven the following words were carved upon the
rock: Rosbbys [sic] Rock Track Closed Christmas Eve 1852.
Dec. 24, 1942: The Committee on Fair Employment Practices ordered that Jehovah’s
Witnesses be reinstated to their jobs at Pittsburgh Plate Glass in Clarksburg. The workers had
been fired for refusing to participate in union-sponsored flag-salute ceremonies at the plant.
Dec. 25, 1887: Folk artist James Tyree Rexrode was born in Pendleton County. He
created a visual record of rural West Virginia life in the early 20th century. He died in 1976.
Dec. 26, 1917: Instrument maker Harold M. Hayslett was born in Putnam County.
Hayslett’s violins, violas and cellos have received awards for tone and workmanship, and are
cherished by collectors and players alike.
Dec. 27, 1797: The county seat of Ohio County was moved from West Liberty to
Wheeling.
Dec. 27, 1923: Businessman and Point Pleasant native Michael Owens, who
revolutionized the glass industry through automation, died at age 64.