Eddie Lee Cornett, who was born in Pocahontas, was kind enough to share his memories of growing up near Pocahontas, Virginia. His grandfather "was a miner. His name was George Shotto. The name is Hungarian. However, not exactly sure if Ellis Island butchered the name. He passed away in the 1960s. I had uncles that worked in the mines near Carswell, near Kimball W.Va. on the way to Welch. I lived on Peel Chestnut Mountain, as did my grandfather, before he moved into a duplex house in Pocahontas. Last time I was on Pocahontas, the town was practically gone! But I can remember the sweet smell in the air in the morning from coal burning in the coal stoves in the homes, the cemetery there in Abbs Valley, and of course the local tavern besides the Cricket, It was called Posies after the owner Mr. Posie. There was also a small little playground there with a maypole you could swing on. Well I often was intrigued while crossing Peel Chestnut Mountain from Pocahontas on the way to Maybeury and then on to Northfork. On the top of the mountain there was an overgrown cemetery that I believe was for Afro-Americans in the area. Really never was able to confirm that. It was sad to see the old headstones buried in the overgrown resting place. I often stopped to just walk around. I also stopped to have a drink of cold spring water that came down the side of the mountain, and my father often stopped to drink this mountain elixir, as well. Hairpin turns were common on the mountain road, some approaching 180 degrees with no guard rails and you could see the houses just off the road and below the road's edge. I wondered if anyone ever missed a turn? There were stretches of road that allowed you to see oncoming vehicles which allowed you then to make broad turns and use the entire lanes. A great treat when you survived the mountain road trip you drove through a tunnel with a railroad above it and my father, once inside the tunnel, would toot the car horn for the echo it created. I also remember open mines in the area near Carswell, Gary mines, Crumpler. I did go to the company store when it was still there in the late 50's early 60's. I met the coal company doctor, Dr. Ballard who delivered me. My uncle was killed in the mines in Carswell while pinning a top and a 'kettle bottom' fell and killed him. He was laid out at home in the traditional wake fashion. Been in the Pocahontas Exhibition Mine many times by walking through it. Have more memories. One of my favorites is Edgar Shew the Peel Chestnut mountain man. Was my the brother of my uncle's wife, Mary Lee Shew. Edgar was a real character. Edgar Shew, mountain man of Peel Chestnut Mountain, Pocahontas Va. His favorite expression was, 'Scarce as hens teeth, ain't they?' addressing the name of whomever he was with. Edgar as a young child would visit the theater in Maybeury, a small town on route 52 on the other side of the mountain, near Pocahontas. He from an early age kept and collected old one sheet movie posters of all the cowboy heroes of the day. Edgar lived on the mountain with his mother his entire life and would often walk off the mountain into Pocahontas. His classic pipe, bib overalls and hat were well known to the locals. Their home was modest with the coal and wood burning stove for cooking and heat, as well as the fresh mountain water well, was what Edgar grew to know well his entire life. His collection of guns was also vast and his pride was his Buntline special which he was vastly proud of, and after showing it off, was often followed by his well known expression, 'It's scarce as hens teeth.' Edgar was an icon of the area.

"Abbs Valley in Pocahontas, Virginia is host to the Pocahontas Cemetery that was created from the historic mine explosion in 1884 that took the lives of local miners. The cemetery is on a hillside, and one can see the many headstones, many heavily worn and tattered from the years marking the resting places of many. My grandfather resided in Pocahontas as did my uncles and aunts and I spent wonderful times visiting Pocahontas and my relatives. My grandfather George Shotto came to Pocahontas in 1910 after residing in nearby Keystone and Eckman. He worked in the mines for a while and was able by the Grace of God to find other ways to sustain a living. He raised hogs as well as making wine and I dare to venture into what additional spirits he concocted. We shall leave those stories for another time. Grandpa was a quiet man. He had so many stories and loved telling them. However, there was one that I never forgot even to this day. His oldest daughter, Julie, died after bearing a child, who, in addition, succumbed at birth. Julie was laid to rest in the Pocahontas Cemetery as I was told by my mother and aunts and uncles. It was late one evening, as we enjoyed our Nehi orange sodas and Honey Buns, which Grandpa always stocked up on when he knew he was expecting his grandchildren to come to visit. We sat around the coal stove to listen to the stories Grandpa had to tell. One in particular is still with me. His oldest daughter, Julie, died giving birth as well as the newly birthed child. Julie and the child were laid to rest together in the Pocahontas Cemetery as my mother had imparted to me. Grandpa was superstitious and often had many strange stories. He loved imparting his strange stories to us around the coal stove while enjoying our Nehi sodas and honey buns. Grandpa often would take flowers to Julie's resting place. On one evening at dusk, Grandpa was taken back by what he saw and experienced. He described a headstone which was encircled by a blue flame that appeared to move around the stone. He froze in his tracks that evening and watched the blue ring fire just lift up above the headstone and disappeared into the now dark starry night. He said he experienced a strong sense of being chilled… [in July?]. He recalled a strong odor of sulfur briefly. He went away and left no flowers for Julie. He never returned there."

A February 23, 1975 article in the Bluefield Daily Telegraph stated, "The company store in Pocahontas, Va. is divided into four sections with the bookkeeper's area at the hub. There's the dry goods department, the grocery store, the appliance section and the furniture floor upstairs. They are divided by customers carrying different-sized bags.

Rand Wagner manages the Pocahontas Fuel Company store. He's been there some 30 years, not counting a five-year stretch of odd jobs.

Pocahontas Fuel, a subsidiary of Continental Oil that operates Consolidation Coal, maintains eight stores in this area, including facilities at Lynco, Buckeye and Turkey Gap ...

One of the big advantages of company stores, be they Pocahontas Fuel or Island Creek, is their credit allowance. Company employees can have their store purchases deducted from their checks. This fact, plus the traditional convenience of the stores, has made them a favorite of mining families.

Wagner remembers when the stores did even more. "About 35 or so years ago, Pocahontas Fuel was involved in church life, helping to support community worship places, and in entertainment, subsidizing a movie theatre for after work recreation ...

Wagner is convinced that the rumors of high company store prices (hinted at in the Tennessee Ernie Ford song, 'Sixteen Tons') must have started in the early 1900s when some shady dealings may have gone on. 'It's simply not true any more. There is full competition now and no company store is certain of a man's business just because of location. If a customer isn't satisfied, he can jump in his car and go somewhere else.'

New stores are being constructed all the time. For instance, Island Creek has built four new facilities in the past four years and recently completed remodling work in five others.

Wagner is very optimistic of the future. He sees his own store doing well. And the Pocahontas area thriving. But right now he'll brag on his sugar prices to anybody ..."

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