Information Requested for a New History Book

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I am currently doing research, requesting information, and gathering photographs for a new history book that will include the towns and regions surrounding: Mingo, Monterville, & Valley Head in Randolph County, and Slaty Fork, and Spruce in Pocahontas County, WV.  If you have family stories, documents, photographs, or history about any of the above areas that you would like to share for possible inclusion in the book, please contact the author at the addresses below.  Below are some of the information I am looking for.

 1.   Looking for historical, enlightening, courageous, and/or entertaining stories about the people 

       who grew up or lived in the above areas.   

 2.   Picture(s) of the Ralph Parrack's theater & Troy Swecker's  theater, Clara Crickards Store, Harris 

       Morton's Store, Ray Hilborn's Store, Gene Riggleman's beer garden, Teddy's Place, Lester 

       Hamrick's Store, Maynard Woods store, Lanta Ware's store, John Beale's gas station or other      

       historic buildings in the area.  Photos should be scanned at 600 dpi for clarity and the author will 

       gladly visit you scan any photo.   

3.   Valley River Railroad history and/or pictures      

4.   Sawmills, logging & timbering stories and pictures      

5.   Stories and information about coal mining and coal miners     

6..  Civil War Stories      

7.   Soldiers and military history     

 8.  Native American Indians      

9.   Schools, teachers and/or students     

10. Other historical or current events that occurred in the area     

11.  Hunting and/or fishing stories and adventures about the area or the people.      

12.  A picture of the Minds Coal Company Store that was located on top of Point Mountain along 

      Route 15.   

If you would like to set up an interview with the author to talk about the history of the area, please contact me by one of the methods listed below, and I can meet you at your home or location you choose.

Anyone who submits information or photos that I use in the book will receive credit for their contribution in the endnotes or captions.  I will scan your  information and return the original items in good condition.  Pictures should be scanned at 600 dpi for clarity in order to use them in the book.

Please contact me by email at: Stevebodkins03@gmail.com or by letter at: Steve Bodkins, 1217 Linton Road, Independence, WV  26374.   if you wish to be part of telling the story of this region.      I look forward to hearing from you!  "Help Give the Past a Future."