This Week in Affrilachian History: November 1 – November 7

Presented by the WV Humanities Council

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

Nov. 6, 1863: Confederate troops led by Brig. Gen. John Echols were defeated at Droop Mountain by a larger federal force led by Brig. Gen. William W. Averell. This was one of the most important Civil War battles fought on West Virginia soil.

Nov. 6, 1923: A methane gas explosion killed 27 men inside the Glen Rogers coal mine in Wyoming County. The mine, which opened in 1921, became one of the state’s largest. A total of 160 fatalities over a 31-year period occurred at the mine before it was closed.

Nov. 5, 1927: Musician “Ellie” Mannette was born in Trinidad and helped popularize steel drum music worldwide. In 1992, he became an artist-in-residence at WVU, coordinating the school’s steel drum program. In 1999, he was named a National Heritage Fellow, the nation’s
highest honor in folk and traditional arts.

Nov. 1, 1968: Fayette County native Charles Rogers earned the Medal of Honor for actions that began on this date near the Cambodian border during the Vietnam War.

Nov. 4-5, 1985: Heavy rains led to devastating floods in parts of West Virginia. Forty- seven people were killed, and several towns were severely damaged.

Nov. 2, 1996: Baseball player Toni Stone died. Born in Bluefield, she joined the Negro American League in 1953, becoming the first woman to play pro baseball in a previously all- male major league.

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.