Exeter

By Evelyn Scalf

From The Heritage of Wise County and The City of Norton - Volume I

 

            At one time Exeter, Virginia was a bustling mining community. Stonega Coke and Coal Company operated a mine as well as a company store. Residents were able to take advantage of the use of the store, post office, theater, two hotels, a doctor's office, elementary school and Methodist Church. There were activities such as Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, skating, and community dances.

          Jobs were plentiful due to the mine. Everyone planted gardens and raised hogs, cows, and chickens. Food was canned, frozen and dried for use during the winter. Neighbors were always willing to help out when someone's supply was low.

          As always, changes began to take place. The mine closed, taking with it the store, hotels, doctor's office, and school. Company houses were sold to individuals and everyone began commuting to other areas for supplies and services. Recently our post office was closed, and we began receiving our mail via a route.

          Amid all the changes, there has been one constant. The Exeter Methodist Church is still active in our community. Attendance has decreased as population has dropped. However, the church is open to all, and our small "family" is very close.

          Although there have been and will continue to be major changes in our community and way of life, most of us would not choose any other place to live. Raising children in such a small area allows a freedom of which others can only dream. Knowing our children are safe as they play outside or walk to the bus is a comfort in these troubling times. Having neighbors who are friends and who care is fast becoming a novelty rather than the norm. Thank God for small communities and caring people who still believe in lending a helping hand.

          Many of us feel truly blessed at having shared in this special experience. We would not trade it for anything. While Exeter may one day be gone, it will always be in our hearts.

 

 

 

Exeter, As I Remember

Pauline Grubb Nichols

From The Heritage of Wise County and The City of Norton - Volume I

 

            Before 1900, Exeter was called Pigeon Creek and most of the people who lived there were farmers. A coal mine was started, a sawmill was brought in, and timber was brought out of the mountains to build the houses. The company rented the houses for six dollars a month. My grandfather, John Henry Morris, and my uncle, Elbert Morris, helped get the timber out.

          The mining company was Stonega Coke and Coal Company. A company store, theater, and two hotels were built. The farmers stayed at the hotels and paid room and board rather than give up their farms. They also built a church and post office. There was also a night watchman.

          Later, a swimming pool was built. The water came out of the mountains and was very cold. There was also a large playground. There was a four-room schoolhouse with grades 1 through 7. An hour was given for lunch and most everyone went home.

          The miners had to furnish their own tools, dynamite and caps. They had to do what was then called "dead work" to get to the coal. There was no pay for that. Some days they would work all day long and not make a penny.

          Most families farmed on the side raising hogs, chickens  and cows. That's how they were able to survive the depression. The neighbors were always there to help each other.

          The company would give the men a scrip card. When they had time in, they could draw out so much scrip, maybe one or two dollars, and spend it at the company store. They would also let you have installments at the store to buy clothes. So the song Tennessee Ernie Ford wrote, "I Owe My Soul to the Company Store" was true. Many miners never received a dollar in money in their pay envelopes.

          At Christmas time, the company would give what was called "pokes" for each child in the family. It was what today is called a shopping bag. Each bag would have a gift, perhaps a sweater, cap, gown, or gloves in each bag. There might also be a large apple, orange, nuts and a bag of hard candy. Everyone really looked forward to these treats as it was probably all one got for Christmas. There would also be a huge Christmas tree at the church, and Sunday school teachers usually got the children a gift and also a bag of treats. The Christmas plays were always wonderful and inspiring.

          In later years, the company sold the houses and they are now privately owned.