This week in Affrilachian history: Sept. 6 through Sept. 12
Explore key September moments in Affrilachian history: WV’s first Black legislator, Harlem Renaissance author John Matheus, and John Henry’s legend.
Presented by The West Virginia Humanities Council
The following events happened on these dates in Affrilachian history. To read more, go to e-WV: The West Virginia Encyclopedia at wvencyclopedia.org.
Sept. 7, 1848: Christopher Harrison Payne was born in Monroe County. In 1896, Payne became the state’s first Black legislator when he was elected to the House of Delegates from Fayette County.
Sept. 10, 1887: Author and scholar John Frederick Matheus was born in Keyser. He became a prominent writer of plays, short stories and other works during the Harlem Renaissance of the 1920s.
Sept. 12, 1872: The Great Bend Tunnel was completed at Talcott. The tunnel, also known as Big Bend Tunnel, is the place where John Henry defeated the steam drill, becoming one of the world’s great folk heroes.
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.
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