Morgan T.

Anderson
By Bill Anderson Edwards Ridge in 1923 was a sparsely settled farming community, if it could indeed be called a community at all. The modest homes that dotted the mountaintop were surrounded by fields that grew green with corn in summer and were often blanketed by snow in winter. It was a "right smart" walk down the steep hillside to Sand Lick. Life was difficult at best, in a time when women worked beside their men in the fields, and cared for children, cooked and did other household chores in the home. Most of the farming was accomplished with horse or mule, plow, sled, and hoe. Fences, mostly rail, were built around fields to keep livestock out rather than in. Across the Cumberlands, cows, sheep and sometimes hogs roamed at will and foraged on lush foliage that grew in the woods or on roadsides. More men didn't work in the coal mines than did. Families were large and so were gardens and fields. Not only did family members have to be fed, but so did the horses,
cows, chickens, hogs, and other livestock. Table fare often consisred of poultry, pork, beef, wild game, corn, beans, bread, honey, molasses, coffee, and sometimes milk. Nobody can truthfully say that most mountain families didn't eat well, although there wasn't a great variety in their diet. But no doubt there were some lean times. Among the large mountain families was that of Morgan T. and Eunice, or Unicy, Anderson who were married Feb. 14, 1896. Both these people were from respectable an d wellestablished families of the Sand Lick area, that had settled here long before there was a Dickenson County. Morgan was born March 31, 1873, the son of John and Sarah "Sally" Deel Anderson. Whi Ie Morgan never united with any church, he attended regularly. "Aunt Nicy" was the daughter of Daniel and Margaret Counts Sutherland of Lick Creek. She was a member of the Primitive Baptist Church from July, 1925 until her death on Dec. 16, 1967.

~-

Photo Courtesy

Of Shelby Anderson

Left to right, front row: Stanford Anderson, Shelby Anderson, Morgan Anderson, .Lena Anderson, Unicy Anderson, Gallie. Anderson; back row, Banner Anderson, Kilby Anderson, Nannie Anderson, and Virgie Anderson. Photo was made around 1914.

.Mo r q an and N1Cy'S children included: Virgie, Maudie (died young), Nan'nie, Kilby, Banner, SheIQY, Stanford, Laurel (died young), Gallie, Julia, Hallie, Morgan Jr., Lena, and

Aub.rey.

Morgan's younger brother John Henry Anderson served as sheriff of Dickenson County from 193236 and 1946-48. Several years ago, while talking with Colonel Charles H. Woodson Jr.,

superintendent of Virginia' State Police, he inquired if I was related to former sheriff John H. Andersoh.1 told him that I indeed was probably atourth cousin or
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The Dickenson Star -

Pioneer Days Edition 1987 fluenza, whooping cough, rents and muscular mounpneumonia and measles, tain timbermen rode the and so did some adults. If rafts the entire journey. one was fortunate enough ' ,It was during one such to . reach adulthood, he' high water that Morgan might live to a ripe old aqe, was on a float of logs in Many did. But, then, there Lick Creek. Suddenly, he was a chance that a man lost his balance, which was rniqht die young of a gun'always a danger to the shot wound inflicted by a Imen. The deep and swift disgruntled neighbor, water gripped him in its drown, or lose his life in a death-threatening clutlogging accident. j~ ~.ches, and he might have Morgan Anderson w~'-~~Iost his life that day if a no exception. Like other fellow worker had not rushmountain, men, he was ed to his aid and extended vu Inerable to all these a cant hook to the flounderdangers. ing man. Rafting or floating logs Recreation for the hardwas a common method, in working mountaineers was fact the only way, to get what they could create for this forest product to a tFiemselves. There was market outside Sandy nobody waiting to entertain Basin. For months, work them at the flick. of a crews would cut down switch. Men often found virgin timber and roll or their pleasure, and some . skid the logs into or along fresh meat for the table by creeks and rivers. Eventualhunting wild game or catIy, there was a "fresh" or ching fish from the many "tide" when the water, rivers and creeks that flowusually during the late ed through the mountain winter or spring; rose suffivalleys. Dances, story tellciently to carry the logs ing, horseshoe pitching, downstream. Of course, and workings often where there were brought men and women splashdams water was together to share in the acreleased and the gigantic tivities and catch up on logs were transported at news. Church meetings man's convenience. Often, were always an excellent the logs were rafted opportunity to socialize together for' the long trip and visit with friends. that ended at Catlettsburg, When the menfolk Ky. The rafts rode the curgathered to talk,. work or

so of the sheriff. Colonel Woodson then began to reminisce about his brief acquaintance with Sheriff Anderson while jassigned to strike duty in Dlckenson County' in the 1930's. He admitted that when he left . the southwestern hills to return to his regularly assigned duty post in eastern Virginia he took with him as a souvenir a scrawled sign which read "No Trespassing, by .order .of Sheriff John H. Anderson." The sign stayed in his possession throughout his state police years, and when he was promoted to the highest position in the department, the sign went with him to his Richmond office, apparently a treasured memento of. bygone years. But Col. Woodson confided to me just prior to his retirement, "Some ----- stole my sign." Besides his farrning, Morgan T. Anderson work.ed at various' jobs, including logging and as a team driver. Before railroads were built into this ,........................... area, manufactured

goods, items that could not be grown' or made at home by the mountaineers were transported into Sandy Basin from rail stations at Honaker and El khorn. Morgan was one of the men who crossed .the mountains with a wagon and team of horses or mules to bring back merchandise to the few stores that had sprung upin "Sandy," that were needed or would make life a little easier for Dickenson County residents. At best, a mountaineer's life in those days was an unsure prospect. Look in any old cemetery or read a family Bible and you might get the idea that life often stopped at birth, that being born was one of the most hazardous undertakings of life. Sometimes the mother gave up her Own life while bringing new life into the yvorld. However, most moms and offsprings did survive. This fact is reflected in the large families our ancestors raised. Children sometimes succumbed to smallpox, in-

Photo Submitted. By Darold Phipps

Wilburn Lloyd (Little Doc) Phipps and Mary Calie Hughes Phipps. They lived Little Doc hollow, west end of Clintwood. just pass the time Of day it was not unusual to share a few drinks of hornebrew, brandy or moonshine, which was almost always manufactured locally. Some men made these spirits for the drinking pleasure of themselves and their friends, while others found this a source of extra income, or sometimes their only income. Howsoever, most people saw no great harm in one having a drink as long as he didn't overindulge.
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The DickensonStar

-.-.:Pr6'nee~

Days

EditiOn 1987~Page15

Some homes saw more social activities than others, or so it. seemed. Perhaps it was because of the hospitality shown by the occupants, or because .the home was located so that it was convenient to the most neighbors or to passersby. Jim a nd A I Ph a .Robinson's house may have been one such home where neighbors and friends often stopped to talk awhile and pass away some time. Always friendly and ready to make conversation, Jim was an interesting fellow to visit with. And the Robinsons lived in a place that would seem to be just right for stopping off awhile before turning down the hill to Lick Creek or after ascending the steep climb from Lick Creek.' A cold winter day, the inviting warmth of a stove or fireplace, friendly conversation, a suce of hot apple pie or molasses cake fresh out of the oven, a nip of spirits, or a cup of coffee shared could cause one to stay at a neighbor's house

young men who had left the Robinson house a short time before, heard shots but did not know what had occurred until later. A search for Compton by police officers followed. My dad Victor Anderson, was was only 16 years old, remembered that he joined in that hunt in an effort to help lawmen locate the accused man. Another member of the. "posse" was John H. Anderson. We could find no record to indicate how long after Morqan's death it was until Robert was arrested. Shelby Anderson believes the arrest occurred at the CharlieSelfe place, which was in the Russell Prater., area not far above the': mo~th of Greenbrier. Among the arresting officers was Gus Long. When seeing the man accused of killing his brother, John H. Anderson became so infuriated he had to be held to prevent h.im from attacking Robert. "He could have killed Robb right there," we were told. At the time of Morgan's death, Pridemore Flerninq

Compton's fate.The accushave lived the life of a not re~ponsible'for What" ed man entered a plea of model citizen and had no one younq man did so long not guilty. more "run-ins with the aqo.. _ .. A multitude of witnesses law." -In ttie course of writing was summoned for both This terrible tragedy in.,-- this article, I' learned. that the Commonwealth and volved two large families of. Robert's son reo.ently the defense, some for both mostly good people. There - visited his relatives if) Jhis sides. Testimony was apis no doubt that in 1923 area for the flrst.tlrne.and patently heard on June feelingswere strong, tosay maybe the only time ever. 27-28. On the 28th, the jury .the very least. But those ...--. rendered a verdict. harsh feelings have now The tragic. circumstances' Albert-Lowe, jury been washed-away by the herein described have foreman, handed down the tides of time. At age 17, denied him the privilege, group's decision which Shelby Anderson lost his and pleasure of a family" read; "We the jury find the father,butheholdsnoconrelationship with his . defendant guilty of murder tempt for the Compton father's relatives his in the first degree and fix family. He knows they are own.kin. his punishment at 20 years in the penitentiary. A.M. Lowe, Foreman." It', A motion for a new trial I.~. was denied and Compton was remanded to the Russell County jail. The story does not end here. Aunt Nicy Anderson' re'-' mained a widow until her _~e~th on Dec. 16, 1967, at:most 45 years after "MOrgan's death. . 'iAfe~ months after his senten~lng, Robert made g~)Od his escape, to never b recaptured. As far as we k~ow.' he n.ever returned to Southwest . Virginia. More than one per~on told. us ~H,athe made his home In a west.ern st<;lte, where ~e marned, raised a family .:, '... ..... ... . .... .-. Dr8Wi.p9:,8y: D~IfOld:,P:h~J)pS . .F,lrst Dickenson C(;iunty:JaJC.: .-, ';';,,~~<, and died. He was said to

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reo. 4, 1923 could well, County. Cowan Smith was have been one such winter Commonwealth Attorney, day. Morgan Anderson had Willie E. Rasnick was CirAnd one day his body just By Judy K. Mullins down Norey," stopped by Jim Robinson'scuit Court Clerk, and . "Quit causin' me all this woreout. house, not too far from William E. Burns served as : Our family grieved, but ~ The old mule team I'll never worry." Morgan's own home. After circuit judge. Some Dickenthat's not all, forget,' staying awhile, Morgan son County deputies were ThOSe mules just stood I can close my eyes and Pa's voice rang out loud was said to have laid back R.J. Johnson, J.R. Turner, . there in their stall. see them yet. and clear, on a bed. At this point, it and J.O. McCowan. They were just my age, I'm surprised the neighbors should be remembered that Circuit Court records inBarney and Norey, Their bodies; too, were getdidn't hear, in that day and time room dicate that on. March 22, tinq-worn, Our life together would The few choice words my usage in most rural homes 1923, after listening to nine .from all the hard work they, make a story. Pa selected,' was not as well defined as witnesses, a grand jury had borne. When he had that team it is today. Beds could returned a true bilrof inOne day my Ma called me Rising at dawn, or even connected. often be found in every dictmerit against Robert and said,' ' _before,' . room in the house, except Compton, accusing him of "I hate to tell you.Barney's We'd see Pa going in the Over' the years they the kitchen were food was causing the. death of dead." , became a part " old barn door, prepared and eaten. So we Morgan Anderson by To hitch up the team for his__ And parcel of my Pa's big do not know fn which room shooting him in the head It wasn't long till Norey, dai Iy tasks, . heart, of Robinson's house and breast. Fletcher too, We knew to get moving, no They were like family, Morgan had chosen to lie Powers was grand jury Decided to "throw in her; one had to ask. Barney and Norey," down. foreman.' shoe." . And that's just part of this Some folks said there Dickenson County CirDoggoned if Norey was little story. were bad feelings between cuit Court documents, There was work to be done blame .. Morgan and Robert Compwhich are a matter of and it couldn't wait, Without Barney and Pa life They earned their keep, ton, a brother-in-law of Jim public record, reflect that We'd dress and meetPa by wasn't the same. those two blame mules, Robinson. Shelby Anderon May 21, 1923, Compton the front yard gate, I'don't suppose mules go to And made some of us feel son knew of no feud betwas bonded by himself and Hoeing the corn, puttinq up Heaven, like f001s, ween his dad and Compsix other men in the hay, _ But just the same, . this They did things we couldn't ton. 'Another person, now amount of $20,000,.to There was a lot-to do in a thought is given, do. deceased, once told me guarantee his appeara!1ce,"""",-J~_rmer'sday. For friends' like Pa, and ' Why! In. summer they even that during an argument in court. Bail Commis- ~,.'-r . . Barney and Norey, wore shoes. . Robert had called Morgan a sioner was R.W. Wright. "',!~arney and N~r~y were . There has to be a happy en"bad name," and Morgan The trial -Iasted three mght there sweatm , ding to this story. had slapped him. This, like days, June 26-28, 1923. A lHow hard they worked, I'm They pulled, and hauled" so many other things we jury could not be paneled \ not forgettin', -and plowed, and carried. heard, cannot be verified or Trom those men called for !"Git over there Norey your They were so close, you'd Sometimes I just sit and' disproved after a lapse of jury duty, therefore, a group .!a 'trompin' the corn," . think they'd married. wonder, '. so many years. of bystanders or spec\:'Haw there Barney,you And in a way I guess they If somewhere in the wild The story was most oftentators, were ~rdered to .son of a gun,:' had, . blue yonder, .. '. . heard, which again could serve as jurors. From a list . J "Gee-haw" my Pa would They were married to my There's a mule train in the-' not be verified, is that while of 20 names the attorneys : say, dear old Dad. sky, . Morgan. lay on the bed struck eight, leaving 12 : Whistling _ merrily 00 his . _ , . ,I,' Where Pa, Barney an"d ,RO: pe .Sh..oth.im .. f.iV .... .;rt.. ..e~i.~m ....... ci.,.t e.s.:.,' ize.n.. t .n.' e.. ;aw'e som<e s . ............. ; '.\ ' .-:< ..' :_........ __ ..:L;{c . _ :..'.;:.;:';., t.t..' w..-.a. y . '-.' ..\" .. ... ... e(~a"tl~ a,_P'a"woasn:Ls.o';L.-, A ~.NGte\l,;aJi.eJiHiin.t b,igh.. ,._<i".;'-.,/:':;, .withe. ..32-20 revolver,;Tw6- __-responsibilii\(>'oT"decldir1('", ..f%rf";:'''(j;p~""a'atri&Y'''""'stOW'~''rsfo.uc , _ --. ,..",. ",..~:.,,:J. '.-- .--

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