Clinch Valley news. [volume] (Jeffersonville, Va.) 18??-2019, 1917-02-02
ed through hearing OF the Wonderful

ed through hearing of the Wonderful
"Tazewell."
AS at present advised, in the prep
aration of the history, l will divide it
into five distinctly marked periods,
as follows:
First. The Aboriginal Period, which
will embrace statement of what is
known of the history of the partic-
ular tribes of Red men who occupied
or claimed dominion over this section
of the State prior to the coming of
white men.
the first settlement made by white
men on the headwaters of the Clinch
river to the year 1900, when Tazewell
was organized as county.
Third. The Ante-Bellum Period;
from the organization of the county
10 the secession of Virginia from the
Union.
Fourth. The War and Reconstruc-
tion Period; from the beginning OF
the civil war to the end of military
rule in Virginia
Fifth. The Post-Bellum Period
from the restoration of Virginia to
the Union down to the present time
There has been much conjecture in
dulged in by local and general his
torians as to the origin of the Red
men; and various opinions have been
expressed as to what tribes of Indians
may have lived in this region prior
to the advent of the white men. l
will discuss these matters briefly, but
satisfactorily, | hope, in the First, or
Aboriginal Period.
The Second, or Pioneer Period is
so replete with daring adventure and
splendid heroism that even very or
dinary writer should be able to ex-
cite intense interest by recounting
the historical events connected with
the early settlers of Clinch Valley.
The brave men and women who trav-
eled. hundreds of miles through un-
broken, painless wilderness, scaled
rugged and lofty mountains, and fore
ed their way across rapid and danger
GUS streams to plant colony in the
region now known as Tazewell coun-
ty, are worthy of songs and praise
from the most gifted pen; and, their
dc scendents, who now occupy this
fair land, should unite to see that the
need due their ancestors is bestowed.
When | write about these noble men
and women. l shall not hesitate to
sing of their heroic deeds with as
much freedom as Homer claimed
when recounting the mighty deeds of
his Greek heroes, or as did Virgil
when he sang "of arms and heroes"
in his beautiful Aeneid Romance is
the poetry of history. And when the
achievements of the Tazewell pion-
GERS are told, there will be given
another instance of the verify of the
saying that truth is stranger than
fiction"
The Third, or Ante -Bellum Period
will be one of great value, as it will
embrace an account of the formation
Of the county into an organized So
ciety of county republic; and will
show during this formative period,
covering sixty years, the citizenship
advanced along the path of true civ
ilization.
The Fourth, or War and Recon-
struction Period, though of but 1ine
years duration, will rival in interest
the pioneer period. When / write
about the events Of this period, it will
ec q relation of how nohly the gal
liant men of Tazewell responded to
the call of their country when Vir-
ginia seeded from the Union; and
how they proved themselves in the
war the worthy sons of their heroic
ancestors. What may aptly he term
ed the "War History of Tazewell
County" will be given ample consid-
! Grafton in my work; and every incl
dent of sufficient moment connected
Herewith will be earnestly sought
and accurately recorded. Fortunately,
/ was in the county Il large portion
of the four years the civil war was
in progress, and witnessed many i'm
portant ncidents-among the raid of
Colonel Toland and the raid of GEN
eral Averill. And in my investiga-
tions / expect to be valuably aided
by my old veteran friends and COM
rades who are still living. Some of
them have already pledged me their
hearty cooperation.
The Fifth, or Post-Bellum Period,
from material standpoint, is one of
| great Importance. In the early
eighties of the last century the branch
line of the Norfolk & Western Rail
way reached Pocahontas, and mining
operations were begun in the coal
| fields .haC have made Pocahontas coal
famous throughout the world. A few
years thereafter the Clinch Valley di-
vision of the Norfolk and Western
was built, and for the first time in
its history the great natural resources
of the county were made available to
the outside world. These, combin-
ed with its wonderful agricultural
possibilities, have easily made Taze-
well the most noted county in the
State. Since the railroads were built
into and through the county it's
wealth has increased with amazing
strides, and it's social, educational
and industrial progress has been
equally as great.
/ am a descendent of the pioneer
settlers of Tazewell county. My
great grandfather on my mothers
side, Thomas Witten, was the first
white man who built cabin in the
county and brought his wife and chill