Wyoming County Report

History of Wyoming County

History of Wyoming County
  • Oceana was nearly wiped out by fire in 1907

    Editor’s note: This is reprinted from the Nov. 28, 1907 issue of The Raleigh Herald.

    February 6, 2012

  • Origin of county’s name continues to be a mystery

    Editor’s note: This story is reprinted from the Aug. 26, 1950 issue of the Beckley Post-Herald.

    January 30, 2012

  • Pioneer women instilled family traditions of service

    Editor’s note: Paul Ray Blankenship passed away Sept. 30, 2010, after a long illness. He was a retired teacher and college professor, who wrote several books about the history of Oceana and surrounding areas. As a tribute to his achievements, his columns will continue in this newspaper. The following excerpt is reprinted, with his permission, from “From Cabins To Coal Mines, 1799-1999, Volume I.”  This is part three of  “Three Remarkable Pioneer Women.”

    January 16, 2012

  • Three pioneer women played key role in history

    Editor’s note: Paul Ray Blankenship passed away Sept. 30, 2010 after a long illness. He was a retired teacher and college professor, who wrote several books about the history of Oceana and surrounding areas. As a tribute to his achievements, his columns will continue in this newspaper. The following excerpt is reprinted, with his permission, from “From Cabins To Coal Mines, 1799-1999, Volume I.”  This is part one of  “Three Remarkable Pioneer Women.”

    January 2, 2012

  • War-weary Rebs, Yanks returned home in 1865

    Editor’s note: Paul Ray Blankenship passed away Sept. 30, 2010 after a long illness. He was a retired teacher and college professor, who wrote several books about the history of Oceana and surrounding areas. As a tribute to his achievements, his columns will continue in this newspaper. The following excerpt is reprinted, with his permission, from “From Cabins To Coal Mines, 1799-1999, Volume I.”  This is part 14, and the final segment, of “The Civil War Era 1861-65.”

    December 26, 2011

  • Store ledger offers glimpse of Christmas in 1894

    Editor’s note: Paul Ray Blankenship passed away Sept. 30, 2010 after a long illness. He was a retired teacher and college professor, who wrote several books about the history of Oceana and surrounding areas. As a tribute to his achievements, his columns will continue in this newspaper. The following excerpt is reprinted, with his permission, from “From Cabins To Coal Mines, 1799-1999, Volume II.”  This is one of the most requested “Blankenship History” excerpts and is an annual part of The Wyoming County Report’s Christmas edition.

    December 19, 2011

  • ‘Naturally-trained’ doctor healed soldier’s wounds

    Editor’s note: Paul Ray Blankenship passed away Sept. 30, 2010 after a long illness. He was a retired teacher and college professor, who wrote several books about the history of Oceana and surrounding areas. As a tribute to his achievements, his columns will continue in this newspaper. The following excerpt is reprinted, with his permission, from “From Cabins To Coal Mines, 1799-1999, Volume I.”  This is part 12 of “The Civil War Era 1861-65.”
     

    December 5, 2011

  • Wills’ Hollow named for soldier killed in skirmish

    Editor’s note: Paul Ray Blankenship passed away Sept. 30, 2010 after a long illness. He was a retired teacher and college professor, who wrote several books about the history of Oceana and surrounding areas. As a tribute to his achievements, his columns will continue in this newspaper. The following excerpt is reprinted, with his permission, from “From Cabins To Coal Mines, 1799-1999, Volume I.”  This is part 11 of “The Civil War Era 1861-65.”

    November 28, 2011

  • Personal disputes were resolved during Civil War

    Editor’s note: Paul Ray Blankenship passed away Sept. 30, 2010, after a long illness. He was a retired teacher and college professor, who wrote several books about the history of Oceana and surrounding areas. As a tribute to his achievements, his columns will continue in this newspaper. The following excerpt is reprinted, with his permission, from “From Cabins To Coal Mines, 1799-1999, Volume I.”  This is part 10 of “The Civil War Era 1861-65.”

    November 21, 2011

  • Home guards committed atrocities for both sides

    Editor’s note: Paul Ray Blankenship passed away Sept. 30, 2010 after a long illness. He was a retired teacher and college professor, who wrote several books about the history of Oceana and surrounding areas. As a tribute to his achievements, his columns will continue in this newspaper. The following excerpt is reprinted, with his permission, from “From Cabins To Coal Mines, 1799-1999, Volume I.”  This is part seven of “The Civil War Era 1861-65.”

    October 20, 2011