Editor’s Note: Dr. Ed Grafton has contributed another interesting article of time gone by for our readers’ enjoyment. This series details the Grafton family horse logging business in West Virginia. We appreciate Ed sharing this amazing piece of history through our newspapers.
By Ed Grafton
Logging with a horse named Fred:
After a year in Charleston following high school I was not close to saving enough money to begin a forestry BS degree program at WVU Dad offered a potential solution. He would buy a horse and I could skid logs at $6.00 per 1,000 dollars board feet. He had bought a small Fauike estate tract about mile down Egypt Road from the farm. I decided to take his offer and resigned my job in Charleston.
Bob was using “Doc” the best logging horse in my experience. I was using Fred proved to be the worst horse to skid logs in my experience. I was using “Fred” a newly purchased horse. The horses were used as a team to skid large logs.
After a couple of weeks Fred proved to be the worst horse to skid logs in my experience. He was always tense, moving his feet up and down even when resting. As a result on the hot and humid summer days he ended up with a lather of sweat everywhere the leather harness directly contacted his body. By lunchtime he would be so tired that little energy remained for work.
One day in the first or second week another problem occurred. At lunch time we fed the horses in the shade near the skidway. On this day Bob and I ate our brown bag lunch nearby but not in sight of the horses. When we went to get the horses Fred was gone I raced to the top of the ridge and down the other side just in time to catch Fred on Egypt Road. Fred was heading to the barn. From then on he was tied with a rope to a tree for his lunch break.
I was the only sibling to learn the skills of farrier (horse- shoer) from Dad. When a logging horse loses a shoe from its hoof it must be replaced before any additional log skidding. Without metal horse shoes there would potentially be major damage to the horse’s hoof from sharp rocks and other debris.
Replacing horseshoes on Doc was a “breeze.” Replacing horseshoes on Fred was a trying and dangerous ordeal. Fred would lean heavily on you when his hoof was held off the ground. He would try to jerk his hoof away. There was continual danger of a bad wound when the nail exited the upper surface of the hoof, before the nail was clinched.
A serious wound could occur in my leg, arm or hand. I had some close calls but never had a serious wound. By the end of the summer I had saved another $250.00. This was enough to enroll in forestry at WVU. I knew part time employment would be necessary to cover anticipated expenses for the entire academic year.
I could now proudly say: “This horse logger earned enough to begin university forestry at WVU. I knew part time employment would be necessary to cover anticipated expenses for the entire academic year. I could now proudly say: “This horse logger earned enough to begin a university forestry degree program.”
Logging on Props Ridge: Props Ridge Road began at the junction with Egypt Road near Divide Grade school This was another Nuttall Estate tract located about a mile from the Egypt Road junction. The area was on the left side of Props ridge between the road and Sevy Creek I was a freshman at WVU and needed to work as my bank resources were getting low.
An access road was constructed by James Kessler from the Propps Ridge Road down slope toward Sevy Creek to minimize upslope skidding to landings and skidways.
Brothers Bill and James also worked on this job during Thanksgiving break in 1956. Dad had purchased a Home lite chainsaw. This was a welcome end to cutting trees with the “misery whip”, (2- man cross out saw.)
James had gained experience in the safe use of chainsaws in his WVU forestry classes. He did most of the chainsaw wok. Bill worked mostly skidding logs with our newest team of horses, Dan and Doc. My job varied from teamster de-liming cut trees, clearing skid trails, horsing logs, or whatever else was needed.
He did most of the chainsaw work. Bill worked mostly skidding logs with our newest team of horses, Dan and Doc. My job varied from teamster, de liming cut trees clearing skid trails, horsing logs, or whatever else was needed.
Logging the Haynes Tract: Thanksgiving break 1957 James and family were at the home farm. Dad was beginning a new logging job and the Haynes property along the Hickory Flat Road, Thus ended the longest horseback ride of my life.
During Christmas break James, Bill and I cut timber for saw logs. Bill and I spent most of our time clearing a long road to haul the timber to market. We had to clear an abandoned railroad right of way from Russellville to Nallen. Earlier the railroad track had been moved to the other side of Meadow River along W.V Route 41.
Dad negotiated an agreement with the landowners to clear the old railroad line for a truck route to the majority of the Haynes timber tract. The timber would be cut and sold to mower lumber in Nallen. There were lots of brush and many small saplings up to fire inches at ground level that had to be cut at ground level and poked off the trucking road. The cleared width needed, and be about ten feet. Bill and I cleared the three plus miles from Nallen to Russellville.
Upon inspection the steering arm had broken therefore without steering the truck could not be driven until repaired. Dad always carried emergency supplies He had some heavy gauge wire and metal straps, with them he was able to stabilize the steering arm. Once installed he carefully backed the loaded truck onto the solid roadbed.
We brothers climbed aboard and headed for home. We were slowly and safely driven the eight miles to the farm. We never volunteered to cut another mine prop after averting that potential disaster.
Logging the Campbell Farm: For several years Dad had been trying to buy the timber on the Campbell Farm adjoining our farm In 1957 all of the Campbell heirs and a Fayetteville lawyer who had purchased the shares of two heirs agreed to sell the timber. Mower Lumber would have a log scaler come once a week or as needed and measure each in the woods. One of the Campbell heirs would accompany the scaler and agree on the accuracy of the board footage in each log. Once scaled each log would be stamped with a branding hammer to avoid double scaling.
Dad offered to provide employment to fell trees and cut logs and skid logs when we were available. We had been on about every acre of the Campbell timber area on our adventures squirrel and goose hunting, gathering blueberries and other fruits, or just hiking. We were very aware of the quantity, quality and size of the trees.
According to the Campbell’s, other than firewood, the only trees ever harvested were American chestnut, due to chestnut blight, and black locust for fence posts and flooring, Otherwise no trees had ever been harvested on the approximately 120 acres of timberland. Dad agreed to pay us a piece rate of $6.00 per 1,000 board feet to cut and skid saw logs. We figured this rate would be about double the minimum hourly wage rate. We were anxious to get stared as soon as possible.
Financially things looked bright when we returned to the farm from WVU. Brother Bill was put on the payroll as he would be enrolling in wild life management at WVU that autumn. Brother James and I would be felling timber and cutting saw logs. Bill would be working with the horses skidding logs and working with the truckers as needed.
James Kessler had been hired to construct a trucking road crossing Glade Creek near the Whitman home. The road would allow most of the timber on the West side of the ridge to be skidded down slope to skidways.
Brother James and I began felling trees and cutting saw logs at the North boundary our hopes of financial security for the coming year of college came to an unexpected abrupt end in one week. The workers at Mower Lumber walked out on strike for better wages and benefits. Mower Lumber would not be taking any saw logs until the worker strike ended. Unfortunately for us the strike did not end until autumn. Dad did hire Billy James and I went to work on the farm. We worked at minimum wage and spent most of the summer building fences.
When Christmas break arrived Mower Lumber was back in business. Once more Dad hired us to cut and skid saw logs. The logging operation was now located along Egypt Road. We were cutting and skidding logs in the area bordering our big field east of our farm house. There were several very large trees in that area. James cut the tallest yellow poplar, about four feet in diameter at the stump and about 90 feet in height. When cut into logs from the stump to a two fork trunk there were three 16 foot logs in the tree, truly a “giant!”
Nearby there was another yellow poplar tree larger in diameter. I “coached” Brother Tom while he felled the tree. It was hollow at the base. When felled the first 16-foot logs. We cut several other trees 30-36 inches in diameter.
We worked for ten days during the Christmas break. No financial problems for the remainder of that school year. I really enjoyed my experience harvesting the big timber on the Campbell tract. This was the last tract of timber I experienced harvesting with Brother James. He was a wonderful teacher of logging skills to all of his younger siblings.
Logging at Gilboa: This tract was in Nicholas County near WV Route 39 West of Summersville, Dad hit Brother Bill and into work during Christmas break in 1959. We were hired to cut saw logs, No skidding with horses on this job.
Dad now had three Ford log trucks. We had car problems, a broken position rod enroute from WVU and our car was at Lawrence’s Garage for repair, Dad was not using his 1953 Ford log truck and let use it for the 30 mile trip to Gilboa.
Bill was a real “night owl” rarely going to bed before midnight. I would roust him in the morning before daybreak to enable us to reach the job site at day break. Bill had a tough time trying to sleep in that noisy rough riding Ford truck.
A few areas on the tract had over 10,000 board feet per acre… Again we were paid piece rate at hours we earned more than minimum wage. Our pay covered the cost of repairing our car with cash left over this was the final job working in the logging business for my Dad. Reflecting back skidding logs with horses was one of my favorite jobs during my working career after High School. Most of the time I was paid to enjoy an eight hour “walk in the woods” while completing the first two years of my forestry degree at WVU.
Grafton Horse Logging: The End of an Era – Brother Bill and I attended the degree required forestry summer camp program in the summer of 1960. I was unable to earn enough money for an entire school year without working in the summer. I delayed this degree requirement until my senior year even though I had to attend an extra semester.
Upon graduation in January 1961 I planned to join the US Army reserve in Rainelle to complete military obligations, while home for the Christmas break I received a call from Dr. W.C. Percival, Head of the WVU Forestry Department wanted me to consider a research assistantship to undertake a Master’s degree in forestry economics. He had contacted service office in Fayette County and they approved a two year delay for military service. Things worked out when I returned to Morgantown. The assistantship would pay $200 per month, my financial worries were over!
Brother Bill with a little financial help graduated BS degree in forestry/wildlife management in June 1961. We were all pleasantly surprised when Dad and Mother drove to Morgantown for his graduation.
Since brother Bill still had military obligations he accepted a summer job to await a call from the selective service. Once more he went to work for Bill Gillespie in the WV Department of Agriculture as an aerial spotter for oak wild diseased trees. During one three day span in July he was aboard two airplanes that crashed. In Wyoming County the plane lost power and the pilot had to land on a railroad track. Bill Gillespie then took him to Romney. Two days later in a different plane a strong downdraft was encountered and the plane crashed into the top of a large tree. Once again both men escaped. They scrambled out of the plane and quickly descended to the ground.
The pilot suffered a serious cut on his arm that required a “make-shift” tourniquet. They waded downstream to the first house with a telephone to call for help. Later Bill Gillespie brought Brother Bill to the WVU Forestry Summer Camp in Greenbrier County so I could take him to the farm. He gave him a well-deserved week off with pay stating: “we don’t have any more planes for you to fly.”
Brother Bill finished the oak wilt season he then worked on Dad’s logging job. He and I had a long private discussion with Dad recommending that he should seriously consider retiring. Dad listened to our concerns but gave no positive or negative response.
During this discussion I also asked why he bought “Fred the worst horse we ever had for logging. I told Dad: “you bought that worthless horse for me to use as it would discourage me from pursuing horse logging career.” Dad did not verbally respond but that usual smile convinced me I was correct. At this point my college professors were encouraging me to prepare for a forestry teaching/ research career.
In January 1962 Brother Bill had waited long enough for the draft. He volunteered for the draft to complete his military obligations. By volunteering for the draft he was still only obligated for two years unless a major war occurred. In short order he was in basic training and was then stationed at Fort Sill, Oklahoma.
In September 1961 Dad underwent surgery for a gall bladder problem. Once more, my brother and I had a long discussion with Dad about retirement again we received no positive response.
Finally in the spring of 1962 Dad decided to retire. He still had three log trucks and lots of other tools. Only one horse, “Doc” remained for logging and farm work. Ole Doc would also be retired to the farm.
In September 1962 my namesake uncle Edwin and Aunt Goldie was one of the Grafton neighbors as a young girl. The Campbell farm bordered the Grafton farm. After she married Uncle Edwin they moved to Montana on the recommendation of Uncle Edwin’s doctors who believed the “Big Sky” country of Montana would improve his breathing rescues. Periodically they always returned to their roots in WV.
Their last stop was near Beckley to visit my Aunt Susan. They were there when Dan unexpectedly passed due to a major heart attack. Dad had decided he could not “feed” his family on social security and military pensions. He had been out walking through a timber tract for a return to the horse logging business. He returned to the lady’s house when his evaluation of the timber was complete. The lady offered to get him a cup of coffee when she returned to the living room Dad had collapsed on the sofa. The shocked lady was unable to revive him. Uncle Edwin and Aunt Goldie opted not to change their travel plans back to Montana. Uncle Edwin said I want to remember Albert as that wonderful brother I visited two days ago.” Dad’s horse logging era came to an end but his siblings would remember him for the remainder of their lives.
