West Virginia has a rich and varied history, with significant events occurring throughout the years. Here’s a look at notable occurrences during the early days of August.
On August 4, 1824, John Jay Jackson Jr. was born near Parkersburg. He became a notable figure as a judge who took a hard stance against labor unions in West Virginia, famously blocking initiatives led by Mother Jones and United Mine Workers leaders to organize miners in the northern part of the state.
This date also marks the birth of musician William Jennings “Billy” Cox, born in 1897 near Charleston. Known as the “Dixie Songbird,” Cox emerged as one of West Virginia’s premier country music vocalists and songwriters during the 1930s.
In an unexpected intersection of climate records, August 4, 1930, saw Lewisburg set a state record for the highest temperature at 112 degrees. Martinsburg would tie this record six years later.
Fast forward to August 5, 1958, when Jennings Randolph triumphed over former governor William Marland in the Democratic primary for U.S. Senate. Randolph then served the state as a senator for 26 years.
The military history of the region was highlighted on August 7, 1864, during the Battle of Moorefield. Union troops under General William W. Averell launched an attack on Confederate troops led by General Bradley Johnson. The Union forces succeeded, capturing 500 men and 400 horses while forcing the Confederates to retreat south into the town.
In 1877, voters decided on the capital city for West Virginia, choosing Charleston over Clarksburg and Martinsburg.
The town of Parsons gained a significant designation in 1893 when it was established as the county seat of Tucker County, named after Ward Parsons, a notable local landholder.
August 8, 1915, welcomed Alex Schoenbaum into the world. After moving to Charleston in 1943, he ventured into the restaurant business, leading to the creation of Shoney’s restaurants, which were named after his nickname selected in an employee contest.
A tragic event occurred on August 8, 2006, when the Morgan County Courthouse in Berkeley Springs was destroyed by fire.
In a catastrophic flood on August 9, 1916, a storm system unleashed nearly six inches of rain in less than five hours in eastern Kanawha County. This flooding resulted in the deaths of 71 people and destroyed 900 homes.
Don Chafin, a notorious figure in labor relations, died on August 9, 1954. As sheriff of Logan County, Chafin fiercely opposed union organizers, backed by financial support from coal companies to keep them out of the county.
Finally, on August 10, 1920, General Frank Kendall “Pete” Everest Jr. was born in Fairmont. A military aviator, Everest became a pioneer in U.S. rocket plane flying, notably exceeding 1,900 miles per hour in a 1956 flight of the X-2.
For more details, readers can check e-WV: The West Virginia Encyclopedia at www.wvencyclopedia.org.
