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History and Progress of the County of Marion, West Virginia
by George A. Dunnington, Publisher 1880

PREFACE

We have designed in the following pages to relate in
deatil to principal events that have transpired in
Marion county from its first settlement to the
present. We are aware that the work has many
imperfections, but they could not be helped. To write
a history without having any authentic or written
records to aid us, was almost akin to "creating
something out of nothing." The early settlers of this
section have all died, their children have, with a few
exceptions, followed them; and many events of interest
in connection with the early history have been lost in
oblivion. We have endeavored to rescue as many as
possible, however, and herewith present them.

In giving the history of the county since its
organization, we have aimed to incorporate only the
principal events which have transpired, and which are
worthy of being preserved. This part of the book is
necessarily written in a somewhat rambling manner, for
reasons which the intelligent reader can plainly
discern.

A considerable amount of the information connected
with the formation of the county, and on down to the
present has been gleaned from the memoranda left by
the late Richard P. Lott, whose purpose was to write a
history of the county during that period, having been
solicited to do so by the undersigned. The hand of
Death interrupted him, however, ere he could commence
the work.

In the narrative proper, we have made but little
reference to the political history of the county--this
will be found largely in the biographical sketches
annexed. They are mostly of the men who have taken the
most prominent parts in the politics of the county.

For much of the information received, we are indebted
to Gov. F. H. Pierpoint, Messrs. Charles Morgan,
William Cochran, Robert P. Nixon, Zebulon Musgrove,
George Merrill, Luther Haymond and others; besides
Wither's Border Warfare, Doddridges, Notes on Western
Virginia, old files of county newspapers, etc.

Hoping that this little volume will prove all that is
expected of it, and thanking the public for their
encouragement in the past, we are,

                           Your O'bt Servant,

                           G.A.D.

Fairmont, Feb. 1, 1880.