THIS WEEK IN WV HISTORY: June 28–July 4

Presented by the WV Humanities Council,

Charleston WV – The following events happened on these dates in West Virginia history. To read more, go to e-WV: The West Virginia Encyclopedia at www.wvencyclopedia.org.

June 28, 1936: Athlete Chuck Howley was born in Wheeling. Howley starred at West Virginia University and played linebacker for 12 seasons for the Dallas Cowboys. A six-time All-Pro, he is the only Super Bowl MVP in history to play for a losing team. 

June 29, 1845: George W. Atkinson was born in Charleston. In 1896, Atkinson was elected governor in an upset victory over Cornelius C. Watts of Charleston, ending 26 years of rule by the Democratic Party.

June 29, 1952: Writer Breece D’J Pancake was born in South Charleston and grew up in Milton, Cabell County. Many of Pancake’s stories are set in Milton, fictionalized as “Rock Camp.” 

June 29, 2012: A violent storm called a derecho raced across West Virginia, leaving downed trees and damaged homes in its wake. About 688,000 homes and businesses lost power for a week during a widespread heat wave.

June 30, 1914: Statewide prohibition of alcohol sales became law years before it was enacted for the whole nation.

June 30, 1929: The Wheeling Symphony Orchestra gave its first concert at Oglebay Park.

June 30, 1944: Harpers Ferry National Historical Park was authorized as a national monument, the first in West Virginia.

July 1, 1861: Francis Pierpont, governor of the pro-Union Reorganized Government of Virginia, called the legislature into session. The general assembly re-established governmental functions, provided for the raising of military units and elected new U.S. senators and representatives.

July 1, 1937: Watoga State Park was opened to the public. The Pocahontas County park is the largest of the state parks and among the oldest. 

July 1, 1971: Southern West Virginia Community College was formed by joining the Marshall University branch campuses at Logan and Williamson. In 1995, the name changed to Southern West Virginia Community and Technical College.

July 1, 1980: Congressman Riley Moore was born in Morgantown. He is the grandson of former Governor Arch Moore and nephew of U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito.

July 2, 1934: Woodchopper Arden Cogar Sr. was born in Desert Fork, Webster County. He won nine national championships, set numerous records and exhibited his skills at the 1965 New York World’s Fair.

July 3, 1863: At Gettysburg, Union troops in the 1st West Virginia Cavalry took part in a fruitless charge against Confederate infantrymen during the waning moments of that historic battle. 

July 4, 1882: The steamboats Scioto and John Lomas collided on the Ohio River as they were returning from holiday excursions. The Scioto sank almost instantly, and 70 people drowned.

July 4, 1918: Poet Muriel Miller Dressler was born in Kanawha County. Her poem “Appalachia,” published in 1970, was her signature piece.

July 4, 1928: West Virginia dedicated its first state park—Droop Mountain Battlefield. Droop Mountain was one of the most important Civil War battles fought on West Virginia soil. 

July 4, 1938: Musician Bill Withers Jr. was born into a miner’s family of 13 children in Slab Fork, Raleigh County. In 1971, he released his first album, Just As I Am, including his first Grammy-winning song, “Ain’t No Sunshine.” In 2015 he was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. 

July 4, 1944: Jazz drummer Butch Miles was born in Ohio. He grew up in Hinton and Charleston and eventually performed with Mel Torme, Count Basie, Frank Sinatra, Lena Horne, Ella Fitzgerald, Benny Goodman, Tony Bennett, Itzak Pearlman, and many others.

e-WV: The West Virginia Encyclopedia is a project of the West Virginia Humanities Council.  For more information contact the West Virginia Humanities Council, 1310 Kanawha Blvd. E., Charleston, WV 25301; (304) 346-8500; or visit e-WV at www.wvencyclopedia.org.