Thursday, February 27, 1969
Boys and Girls in Service
Staff Sergeant Edward G. Rockafellow has been awarded the Air Force Commendation Medal. Sergeant Rockafellow distinguished himself by meritorious service as an aircraft electrical repairman at Udorn Royal Thai Air Force Base, Thailand. During this tour of duty, he contributed significantly to the successful performance of the maintenance mission of the 132nd Field Maintenance Squadron. The distinctive accomplishments of Sergeant Rockafellow reflect credit upon himself and the United States Air Force. He is married to the former Louise Taylor, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Charlie J. Taylor, of Dunmore.
Walt Jett Named Cattleman of the Year
When most Pocahontas County beef cattle farmers need a good herd sire, they call on their County Extension Agent to go with them to a bull sale, or they give him a blank check and ask that he go buy one for them.
That’s the kind of confidence farmers in this West Virginia county have in Walter E. Jett, who began his agricultural career in the county immediately after he was graduated from West Virginia University in 1941.
Pocahontas County is carved out of some of the highest elevated terrain in the Mountain State, and it’s noted for its feeder calves and cattle. Walt has developed one of the strongest beef cattle programs in the State by maintaining a balance between production, management and breeding practices.
Anyone familiar with West Virginia’s topography knows that there are many mountain pastures where conventional farming is impossible. Grazing livestock is difficult unless the grasses can be kept healthy by proper fertilization.
In order to get the most out of this hilly land, Walt has been concentrating on an aerial fertilization program for several years. In fact, Pocahontas County has one of the best agronomy programs in the State.
“Grazing mountainous pastures without giving the grasses something to grow on will result in erosion, and the land will go back to brush,” Walt explains.
“We have one of the best rainfall averages in the nation, and elevations are ideal for growing cattle and sheep. Livestock programs are some of the most practical ways to turn this land into economic production,”
Walt is a confirmed believer in good herd sires as a means of producing good calves and a good herd. Before he will give a producer his approval in purchasing a sire, the animal must show good qualities with ability to produce fast gaining offspring.
Walt is secretary of the Pocahontas Cooperative Auction Market. Owned and operated by livestock producers in the county. Last year he conducted three calf sales, totaling 2,574 feeder calves, of which 82 percent graded in the three top grades. He also conducts special yearling sales in the Spring and Fall.
Pocahontas County has nine beef cattle herds enrolled in the West Virginia University Beef Cattle Performance Testing Program, with a total of 630 cows.
Walt is a product of the Mountain State. He was born in Oxford and attended Salem High School and Salem College in Harrison County. Following graduation from Salem where he attained his teaching certificate, he taught in a one-room school in Doddridge County from 1935 to 1939.
He went then to West Virginia University to acquire his B. S. degree in Agriculture and received it in 1941. He received his first assignment with the Extension, as assistant County Agent in Pocahontas County. He was named County Agent in December of 1942.
During most of World War II years, 1942-1945, he was in the U. S. Navy.
Throughout his Extension career, Walt has served in several offices in the County Agent Association. He is married and the father of three children, and is a deacon in the local Presbyterian church.
Walt Jett may not own many cows. His acreage may be small.
But, when one does so much for the cattle business in an unselfish way – so much that his fellow cattlemen ask him to either accompany them to a sale, or give him a blank check to buy their bulls for them – he must be a darned good cattleman.
And, that’s why Walt Jett, Pocahontas County Agent, is West Virginia’s “Cattleman of the Year.”
BIRTHS
Born to Mr. and Mrs. Richard Workman, of Marlinton, a son, named Richard Dale.
Born to Mr. and Mrs. George Moore, Jr., of Falls Church, Virginia, a daughter, named Stacey Louise. The mother is the former Louise Burr.
DEATHS
Mrs. Ruth Withers Dunbrack, 50, of Marlinton, a daughter of Mrs. Elsie Hayslett Withers and the late Isaac W. Withers. Burial in Mountain View Cemetery.
Gloal Brison Sampson, 68, of Durbin, a son of the late Henry and Elizabeth Ryder Sampson. Burial in the Arbovale Cemetery.
Mrs. Nora Turner, 86, of Durbin; born at Back Creek, a daughter of the late Tom and Virginia Terry. Burial in the Arbovale Cemetery.
Homer Preston Hill, 67, of Lewisberry, Pennsylvania; born at Droop, a son of the late Samuel G. and Maud Cutlip Hill. Burial in Emmanuel Cemetery, near Lewisberry.
Antonio Leo, 73, of Rupert, a son of the late Agostino and Antonia Leo, of Contangaro, Italy. Father of Louise Barnisky.
Clyde W. Sutton, 68, of Durbin, a son of the late Winters W. and Nannie L. Sutton. Burial in the Arbovale Cemetery.
