Milton

The photograph was taken in 1915, the same year that my father, Fred B. Wise met my mother Maggie M. Harshbarger. They were engaged in 1916 and married in November of 1916. My father was building a house west of Milton on what is now known as Electric Road. He was 20 years of age and helping my grandfather Samuel David Wise. They would come to Milton from Hurricane on the train which was a lot easier than driving over the James River and Kanawha Turnpike or the recently-vacated C & O right-of-way from Milton to near Hurricane, neither of which was paved.
One will notice that Main Street is not paved and there is no indication of automobile travel. One also sees a walkway which probably led over to the train station. On the left side of the street, one can see a sign with the name J. M. Perry written on it. Also one can see the Parish Buildings and in the distance on Smith Street, one can see Heck’s Big Store.
On page 37 of Charles Murphy’s History of Milton, it is possible to find out that O.W. Shreve was elected Mayor and G.F. Rader was elected Recorder. Mr. Shreve resigned in April and G.A. Blake filled the unexpired term. Dr. Bowles, who served the town for many years, died earlier in the year. We can also find out from the same source that bus service was inaugurated in the same year to Huntington by J.M. Lewis, who was also elected the first president of the Chamber of Commerce, organized to improve the town.
By Charles D. Wise