Jackson County in the Civil War

This section contains information on the various events that happened in Jackson County during the Civil War and is dedicated to Delmer R. Hite who cherished the history of Jackson County and her people.

Delmer was born in 1920 and served 23 years in the United States Air Force, retiring in 1965 as a Master Sergeant. He was interested in all military history. Delmer served as the editor of the Jackson County Historical Society Newsletter from 1971 - 1991. He passed away in 1998.

All articles are written by Delmer R. Hite, unless otherwise noted.

**Civil War Information printed in the JCHS Society Newsletter during the years 1970-1990**
Article
A. F. Parsons captured
Big Run and Upper Mill Creek Troubles
Buffington Island
Horse Stealing
Incidents Pertaining to Jenkin's Raid in Ravenswood
Jackson County in the Civil War
James Smith Guerrilla
Joab Smith - Journal of a Soldier 1861
Phelps Letter
Sheriff King Captured
4 Month Campaign of the 9th Regiment
A Confederate Prisoner of War Diary
The Casto Hole
Tidbits of Civil War
Safreed Diary
Colonel Daniel Frost
Aplin
Duskey's Raid on Ripley
Civil War Letters
Ripley was Jackson Court House
Memoir of a Youthful Confederate
Bounties and Officers
Roster of Jackson County Civil War Union Soldiers Abbot-Donahue
Roster of Union Soldiers Donelson--McBride Roster of Union Soldiers McBrien--Sheppard Roster of Union Soldiers Sheppard--Young
Roster of Confederate Soldiers
List of Home Guards Adams--King
List of Home Guards King--Young
Pensioners

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.

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