Jackson County Historical Society

The Jackson County Historical Society was organized in 1969

Objectives of the Society

To discover, procure, preserve and publish whatever may relate to Jackson County’s natural, traditional, civic, military, literary and genealogical history of interest to this and future generations.

To encourage study of and research into the archaeology, genealogy, sociology and other matters of history of this area.

Preamble of our Constitution:

There is a personal and patriotic obligation resting upon the citizenship of every community to assemble and preserve its traditions, customs and history.

The programs, efforts, and resources of the Society exist for the benefit of every person in our community who desires to inform themselves of their heritage.

An extensive library of historical documents has been published by the Society for research use and is available at the public library.

The many activities of the Society are carried out by volunteer efforts of the members.

Operating Year: January - December 2021

JCHS Officers

President:	Mike Ruben
Vice President:	Dallas Skeen
Secretary:	April Wolfe
Treasurer:	Frank Crum

JCHS Board of Directors

Board Member:	Frank Crum
Board Member:	April Wolfe
Board Member:	Nancy Burford
Board Member:	Dallas Skeen
Board Member:	Maxine Landfried
Board Member:	Mike Ruben
Board Member:	Mike Kelly
Board Member:	Marjie Parsons
Board Member:	Lesley Shockey
Board Member:	Tina Faber
Board Member:	Mike McGrew
Board Member:	Gayle Thompson

Genealogy Society

President:	Marjie Parsons
Vice President:	Geneal Bailey
Secretary:	Linda Murdock
Treasurer:	Maxine Landfried
Programs:
Publicity:	Gayle Thompson

Old Hickory DAR Chapter

Registrar:

Geneal Bailey

Website Maintenance

Contributor:	Maxine Landfried
Contributor:	Tina Faber
Contributor:	Geneal Bailey
Contributor:	Mike Ruben

Our Meetings

The Jackson County Historical Society meets the third Sunday of each month (except December) at 2:00 P. M.. in the large meeting room at the Ripley Library. Occasionally a meeting will be held elsewhere when a larger venue is needed.

Last Public Hanging in West Virginia

On December 16, 1897 the last public hanging in West Virginia was held at Ripley. John Morgan had been convicted of the brutal slaying of widow Chloe Pfost-Green and her two children, Matilda Pfost and Jimmy Green on November 3. Morgan was sentenced to hang by Judge Reese Blizzard. While awaiting the imposed sentence Morgan managed to escape, but was apprehended. Sheriff J. O. Shinn was sworn to carry out the sentence. Publicity for the event swiftly spread across the country and many reporters came to cover the event. It was described in the newspapers as having a carnival like atmosphere with an estimated crowd of 5,000 in attendance. During the following session of the West Virginia Legislature Senator John Darst of Cottageville sponsored a bill, which passed, ending public hanging in the state of West Virginia.