Tag: Arch Moore

January 16, 1989: Gaston Caperton Sworn in as Governor

Gaston Caperton—our state’s 31st governor—was sworn into office on January 16, 1989. He was born in Charleston in 1940 and eventually worked at his father’s insurance company, where he rose to president.

By the late 1980s, the McDonough-Caperton Insurance Group was one of the nation’s largest privately owned insurance companies.

Although he’d campaigned for fellow Democrats before, he’d never run for office prior to challenging incumbent Governor Arch Moore in 1988. The state was in a down time due to a long economic recession, and Caperton soundly defeated Moore to become governor.

After being sworn in, he appointed a bipartisan team to review the state’s financial situation. The task force discovered the state faced nearly $400 million in immediate liabilities and a potential $4 billion shortfall in its teacher pension and workers’ compensation systems. At Caperton’s urging, the legislature enacted a major reorganization of state government, new ethics legislation, and the largest tax increase in state history.

During Gaston Caperton’s eight years as governor, West Virginia’s economic outlook improved significantly. He’s also remembered for introducing new technologies into education and spurring new school construction.

January 14, 1977: Governor Moore Accepts $1 Million Settlement

On January 14, 1977, Governor Arch Moore accepted a $1 million settlement from the Pittston Coal Company related to the 1972 Buffalo Creek Flood. It was one of many lawsuits filed against Pittston after an improperly built coal dam collapsed, unleashing a muddy torrent that killed 125 people. 

In 1974, 645 survivors of the flood and family members reached a settlement with Pittston for $13.5 million, averaging out to $13,000 for each plaintiff after legal fees. West Virginia’s own lawsuit against Pittston had initially asked for $100 million for damages to state property and losses to residents. The case dragged on for years until Governor Moore settled the $100 million case for $1 million just three days before leaving office.

The deal dogged Moore for the rest of his career. Having faced several corruption allegations when serving as governor, Moore left office with a further blemish on his record. The state later had to pay the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers more than $9 million for recovery work along Buffalo Creek.

The flood prompted Congress and West Virginia to pass new laws regulating dam construction and maintenance.

October 21, 1940: Gov. William Conley Dies at 74

On October 21, 1940, former West Virginia Governor William G. Conley died at the age of 74. The Republican started his career as a schoolteacher and became superintendent of Preston County schools at age 25. After earning his law degree, he opened a legal practice in Tucker County and founded the Parsons Advocate newspaper. He also served as mayor of Parsons and Kingwood before being appointed West Virginia attorney general in 1908.

After a defeat for Congress in 1912, Conley focused on his legal work and became involved in the coal industry. In 1928, he returned to politics and won the governorship. But troubling times were just around the corner. The stock market crashed during his first year in office. Over the next three years, West Virginia lost more than 30,000 coal jobs. Despite his distrust of government intervention, Conley promoted efforts to distribute food and create jobs.

The Great Depression was a turning point for West Virginia politics. During Conley’s term, the state became solidly Democratic. Since Conley left office in 1933, only two Republicans, Cecil Underwood and Arch Moore, have served as West Virginia’s governor.

Former Governor's Estate Sells Pieces at Auction

The estate of three-term West Virginia Gov. Arch A. Moore Jr. is selling pieces of history and personal items at auction.

Behm’s Auction and Real Estate Services held the first of a series of auctions for the estate on Tuesday at the Marshall County Fairgrounds. Other auctions will be conducted through October.

The Intelligencer and Wheeling News-Register reports that items offered for sale included gifted glassware from Moore’s meeting with President Ronald Reagan and a collection of Moore’s suits and ties.

Behm’s Auction owner Jim Behm says much of the proceeds will be donated to West Virginia University.

Moore died at age 91 on Jan. 7. He served six terms in the U.S. House of Representatives before he won gubernatorial elections in 1968, 1972 and 1984.

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