The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1922-06-13
TUESDAY EVENING. JUNE IS. 1s22
EDUCATION FOR THE SMOKE HOLE.

9TVTfsT VIRGINIA has no more wonderful bit
asVN Of scenery in all the states magnlhcience of
seenerySthan the Smoke Hole over in Pendleton
and#Gran Counties A narrow valley riven be-
tween mountains, inaccessible, and indescribably
SSremotesfrom modern life: 1t is the strong hold
@of an absolutely pure strain Of pioneer American
#astock,#prinitive and unchanged IN hdot anu
thought for. generations.
SSThe&people live, a life of utter isolation, content
with their surroundings, and suspicious or
strangers: Recently a state prohibition officer
went into this stronghold and hailed forth a moon
shiner.SHenry Hours. The course of the prohibi-
stion#oficer in serving this warrant is something
sgtoS wonder%at, as the entire population OF the
ESmoke#Hole rise as one man in defense of any
aoyert&inyasion from the outside. However, the
warrant was served and Henry Hours brought forth
to# face a new heaven and a new earth almost
literally, for the laws bearing upon the morals
andsthe8 social welfare of his native land were as
much a closed door to him as was the dizzy round
#the#dail life beyond the enclosing mountain
walls Of the Smoke Hole.
For years Hours father, and his father before
nmng8hay made whisky. From youth to border
singaons old age Hours himself has made it, never
@aSauestiongof of his right to do it, never a question
Sof8anyskind about its being right and proper. l
shaye been making whisky for nigh onto forty
years and this is the first time I ever knew there
asFas AM law agin 1T" was Hours astonisned eA-
&cIamation&when arrested.
IgnnoranceS does not excuse, of course, but the
fwordsSs9Eearry an edict, education must
abesbrought into the Smoke Hole. 1t is
#ah2alrIdIN to believe that any man could live
HNAfA4A
ali of his life and never even hear of the laws
of the United States regarding the manufacture
ndssaIeso Of liquor, both when it was governmental
#ly|licensed, and when its manufacture became II
Illegal altogether. Nobody wishes to see TINS pure
American stock haled from its mountain recesses
and Gagged like untamed animals behind bars. They
sareJnot5t to be regarded as the law regards criminals
ingcontact$with the life Of the day, who understand
gthe@eyils that brought about the adjustment OF
s#liquor, and who knowingly and viciously set about
8Mto##manufacture and dispose of whisky and other
$intoxicants. No person who has Won his way into
ahthe#hearts Of the mountain people would for an
SNinstant# class them with the SLY, sneak1ng, vicious
5#bootlegging criminal against whom the prohibition
&oficersEwage their fight in the cities and towns.
SEducation is all that the Smoke Hole needs.
gsHeartsS there are loyal. honest as the day, accord
inssto%their lights, true and generous. Heads are
held high. The eyes of this isolated mountain
people fall before no one. West Virginia needs
sthem.##Here is a problem for the State Board OF
ssducatfon, for the brightest teachers who are will
sInEstoSundertake the hardships that must be IN
countered.. 1t is aajob which must be done right
away, a great big job, but one tremendously vital
and worth while.