Fifty Years Ago

Thursday, June 20, 1968

Pioneer Days

Now is the time to start preparing for the Pioneer Days Parade. In these times of rockets going to the moon, it is interesting and worthwhile to show the youngsters and bring to the remembrance of the oldsters, the transportation, dress, etc, of days gone by. In addition to the fun, there are handsome trophies to the winning entries, purchased this year by the Marlinton Chamber of Commerce. There will be three divisions in the Parade with first, second and third prize trophies in each of three divisions for the most original Pioneer outfit as follows:

1. Horse and rider
2. Horse or ox drawn wagon, buggy or cart
3. Walking class

Pocahontas Belle

Mrs. Eleanor Howard McNeill, of Buckeye, has been selected as the “Belle of Pocahontas County” and will represent us at the Glenville Folk Festival. As one of the Belles, she will be among honored guests at a luncheon June 21, and many other activities portraying the life that once was common among the hills of West Virginia.

Mrs. McNeill was born in Rundelltown, Pennsylvania, April 4, 1896, the oldest daughter of Judson L. and Jennie B. Howard. She came to West Virginia with her family on November 4, 1904, and settled in Buckeye, where her father was engaged in the lumber business. She was educated in the county schools and taught at Watoga and Harter before her marriage to Lock Harrison McNeill on June 30, 1915. To this union eight children were born. One little girl died at the age of two, and a son lost his life in World War II. In 1940 her husband passed away suddenly, leaving her a family of six to rear.

Interested in all community affairs and always busy crocheting, embroidering, sewing, listening to music, playing the piano, writing poetry or keeping up the family correspondence, she lives a very full life.

Mrs. McNeill is a member of the Swago Methodist Church, Order of the Eastern Star and the Swago Home Demonstration Club. For many years, she edited a paper for the club which she has belonged to since 1936.

Her escort to the Festival will be her youngest sister, Mrs. Beatrice H. Gladwell.

WEDDINGS

Bream – Sheets

Miss Carolyn Kay Sheets, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Orville Sheets, of Green Bank, and Gary J. Bream, of Gardners, Pennsylvania, were united in marriage Saturday, June 8, 1968, at two o’clock at the Liberty Presbyterian Church at Green Bank. Rev. Thomas E. Henderson officiated at the double ring ceremony…

Friel – Barrett

The double ring wedding vows were exchanged Saturday, June 8, 1968, by Miss Lucille Barrett and Gary Lee Friel, in the Baptist Parsonage at Healing Springs, Virginia. The Rev. Joseph Crosier performed the ceremony.

BIRTHS

Born to Mr. and Mrs. Wallace McLaughlin, a son.

Born to Mr. and Mrs. Keith Plyer, of Huntington, a daughter, named Jacqueline Victoria.

DEATHS

Odell Underwood was killed Tuesday night when his car wrecked leaving the road near his home on Beaver Creek.

Mrs. Hattie E. Evans, 80, of Marlinton; born at Brownsburg, a daughter of the late Louis and Jane Truss Wheeler. Burial in the Brownsburg Cemetery.

Donald L. Ray, 42, of Marlinton; a son of the late Howard and Maude Sutton Ray. Burial in the Boyer Cemetery.

Houston J. Jefferson, Sr., 66, of Charleston; born at Iron Gate, Virginia, a son of Mrs. Florence Jefferson, of Covington, Virginia, and the late Harry Jefferson. Burial in the Pleasant Green Cemetery at Seebert.