Summers County has a rich and fascinating history. Of course, some events are more memorable than others. Many stories are sadly often forgotten. Events, businesses, situations, buildings and other vital moments are lost to time. However, the people who lived or passed through the area are at the heart of every tale, both known and unknown. To help keep the history of the area alive, one local, William Jones, consistently searches for rare items with significance to the county’s past.
In an effort to spread awareness of these little-known items and their importance, Jones is providing pieces of his collection and the background of each object for a weekly column, exclusively at The Hinton News. In this first edition, Jones chose a stamp from the short-lived Talcott Bank and Guaranty Company for discussion.
“This is a truly rare piece of history. I venture to say very few people living today know that there was once a bank in Talcott, WV. The Talcott Bank & Guaranty Company was very short-lived! Having been chartered with the West Virginia Secretary of State on April 6, 1907, but was dissolved as a corporation and ceased doing business on May 28, 1907,” Jones said. “Although it was officially formed in 1907, it had been around since September 28, 1906, as state documents and the stamp itself, reflect. It did not have its own building and was operated out of Chattin’s Store in Talcott, as many new businesses at that time did. I acquired this fantastic piece of local history after seeing it on a Facebook page called Talcott WV: A History in Photographs, because I consider myself to be a Summers County historian, especially in the eastern part of the county.”
After discovering the piece, Jones went through a lengthy process to add the item to his collection. He said, “Tamara Nelson put me in touch with Jim Monroe, whose grandfather Percy Holloran had given it to him nearly 50 years ago. Mr. Holloran bought the home of Nate Bacon. Mr. Bacon, who has Bacons Falls and Bacons Mountain, which is near Talcott, named after him, was one of the founding members of the bank.”
Additionally, Jones obtained documents from West Virginia Archives & History detailing information about Talcott Bank and Guaranty Company. According to those records, the founding members were L.G Rhodes, G.B Dunn, W.W. Jones, N.M. Bacon and N. Bacon, all of Talcott. Judge James H. Miller of Hinton is also on the list. According to Jones, all the men listed were prominent businessmen of the time.
Official records do not indicate a reason for the bank closing so quickly. However, Jones noted that there is a pervading theory among some locals.
This stamp shows the existence of a short-lived business that once existed in the Talcott area of Summers County. In turn, preserving the item aids in conserving the small town’s history.
Check back next week for another fascinating item and a glimpse into Summers County’s past. This column will be available online and in print.
