Tag: Roane County

Sept. 4, 1964: Businessman A.W. Cox Dies at 79

Businessman A. W. Cox died on September 4, 1964. He was 79 years old.  

The Roane County native attended a one-room school through the eighth grade. And, by 17, he was operating his father’s sawmill. After a brief teaching career, he got a part-time job at a store in Clendenin in northern Kanawha County. While working there, Cox decided to make a career of retail sales. He moved to Charleston in 1914, when he was 29, and bought out a downtown department store. It became the first in a chain of 21 A. W. Cox Department Stores in West Virginia, Virginia, Ohio, and Kentucky. 

In the 1920s, he partnered with Wehrle Geary to found two Charleston landmarks: Their Diamond Department Store opened in 1926 on the site of the former capitol building, and, in 1929, they opened the nearby Daniel Boone Hotel, which became headquarters for out-of-town state legislators and eventually hosted celebrities ranging from Bob Hope to Elvis Presley to Bob Dylan.

A. W. Cox is also remembered as a prominent philanthropist who gave money to several churches and to Morris Harvey College—today’s University of Charleston.

July 18, 1893: Spencer State Hospital Opens

Spencer State Hospital opened in Roane County on July 18, 1893. It was intended to relieve the overcrowding at Weston State Hospital in caring for people with mental illnesses. At times, its mission was expanded to treat diseases such as typhoid fever, tuberculosis, and pneumonia.

Spencer State Hospital’s connected brick buildings extended a quarter-mile in length, and some have suggested it was once the longest continuous brick building in America. The hospital’s farms included dairy cattle, hogs, chickens, and vegetable gardens, all of which provided food for patients and staff. The hospital also had its own water and power supplies.

The institution maintained an open-door policy—with patients free to come and go—but a fence was erected around the hospital to separate patients from the town of Spencer. Between 1973 and ‘76, the administrative building was torn down and replaced. Spencer State Hospital closed for good in 1989. Four years later, the city auctioned off most of the equipment left behind. A local employer, Monarch Rubber (later Armacell), took over the hospital’s familiar-sounding whistle so residents of Spencer could continue hearing its blasts morning, noon, and night.

$4.8M for State Health and Social Service Agencies

West Virginia’s U.S. senators say social service and health care agencies will share $4.8 million in federal funding to support Head Start programs in Raleigh County and Oceana and medical services in Roane County and other areas.

According to Sens. Joe Manchin and Shelley Moore Capito, funds are going to MountainHeart Community Services, Roane Co. Family Health Care, Raleigh County Community Action Association and West Virginia Department of Health and Human Services.

The $1.8 million going to the state agency is for maternal and child health services for families in West Virginia.

The federal Head Start program provides early childhood nutrition, education and health services.

Sheriff Who Admits Meth Addiction Charged with Stealing Meth

A newly elected West Virginia sheriff who admitted to authorities that he was a meth addict was charged Tuesday with stealing the drug from a police evidence storage area.

A criminal complaint filed by state police in Roane County Magistrate Court says Bo Williams is charged with grand larceny.

Williams made an initial appearance on the charge Tuesday before a magistrate in Calhoun County after two magistrates in Roane County recused themselves. He signed a rights statement informing him that he is charged with a felony punishable by up to 10 years in prison upon conviction. He was freed on $50,000 property bond.

Williams was elected as Roane County’s sheriff in November and his term started Sunday. While serving as a police officer in Spencer, Williams was placed on leave and he resigned last month after evidence went missing. The complaint says more than $1,000 in evidence was involved, mainly methamphetamine.

Prosecutor Josh Downey said Williams told him, Spencer Police Chief Greg Nichols and a state police sergeant in November that Williams had been addicted to meth for more than a year.

Downey said Williams admitted removing methamphetamine from a police case file and consuming it.

“I know Bo Williams,” Downey said. “It’s a sad situation.”

A preliminary hearing for Williams was set for Jan. 11.

It wasn’t immediately known whether Williams plans to resign. An attorney whose firm represents Williams declined to comment.

The county commission has started removal proceedings against Williams. Downey said if a circuit judge finds the allegations are sufficient, a three-judge panel would be appointed to hear the removal process and make a recommendation to the state Supreme Court.

A recent court order sought by Downey bars Williams from entering the sheriff’s department’s law enforcement and tax offices at the Roane County Courthouse. Downey said case evidence is stored at the department.

The county commission has appointed former Roane County Sheriff Todd Cole to serve as chief deputy in charge of law enforcement operations. Cole served two terms as sheriff from 2000 to 2008. In 2014 he was appointed to fill the unexpired term of the previous sheriff who left for health reasons. Cole’s term ended last Saturday.

Deadline Looms for Volunteer Fire Department in Roane County

A volunteer fire department in Roane County has six months to fix its problems before the State Fire Marshal’s Office closes it.

WCHS-TV reports state fire officials have given the Newton Volunteer Fire Department 180 days to get the department up to par with state guidelines, or they’ll have to shut down.

A recent evaluation found several deficiencies in the department’s equipment.

Newton VFD Fire Chief Christopher Underwood says they’re about $150,000 in the hole, and they need about 16 sets of new gear for firefighters.

Their fire trucks and equipment on them also need to be updated.

Underwood said issues have been building at the department for years. In January, former fire chief Sean Mccarty was charged with embezzling $130,000 from the department. He’s still awaiting trial.

Spencer State Hospital Opens: July 18, 1893

Spencer State Hospital opened in Roane County on July 18, 1893. It was intended to relieve the overcrowding at Weston State Hospital in caring for people with mental illnesses. At times, its mission was expanded to treat diseases such as typhoid fever, tuberculosis, and pneumonia.

Spencer State Hospital’s connected brick buildings extended a quarter-mile in length, and some have suggested it was once the longest continuous brick building in America. The hospital’s farms included dairy cattle, hogs, chickens, and vegetable gardens, all of which provided food for patients and staff. The hospital also had its own water and power supplies.

The institution maintained an open-door policy—with patients free to come and go—but a fence was erected around the hospital to separate patients from the town of Spencer. Between 1973 and ‘76, the administrative building was torn down and replaced. Spencer State Hospital closed for good in 1989. Four years later, the city auctioned off most of the equipment left behind. A local employer, Monarch Rubber (later Armacell), took over the hospital’s familiar-sounding whistle so residents of Spencer could continue hearing its blasts morning, noon, and night.

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