Nelson County Historical Society News August - 2011 www.nelsonhistorical.com ------Tye River Bridge at Tyro to be named for notable native Nelsonian

Leonard Alexander Snead (L.A. Snead)

Born: Nov. 3, 1886 and Died: May 10, 1975

(Excerpts from a letter by Captain C. Douglas Phifer, great grandson of L.A. Snead, to Nelson Co. Board of Supervisors requesting a Department of Transportation bridge marker at Tyro – March, 2011)

“Leonard Alexander Snead (known best to most as “Pop” or Uncle LA”) was born in the shadows of Three Ridges (Nelson County) in the late 1800s. His mother passed away before he was two. His father remarried and L.A. was raised by his father and stepmother on Campbell’s Mountain. He finished his school at the age of 15 and taught school briefly in Nelson County, but his ambitions would draw him away from Three Ridges and towards the start of a remarkable career entangled with some of history’s most prominent statesmen. Most local folks remembered him not only giving so much to the country as he forged his way through Washington political circles to gain prominence, but always devoting the majority of his soul and philanthropic efforts to the county and the family within.

Pop was baptized in the late 1800s in the waters of the Tye River, adjacent to the bridge under request, at the old Tye River Baptist Church at the intersection of what used to be called Elk Creek (Campbell’s Creek). He later bought the property to preserve the old foundation which still remains. During transactions of purchase in the church plat and another tract downstream, Pop became good friends with the adjoining land owners, who assisted him in his efforts to establish Crabtree Falls as a National landmark many years later. Captain “Billy” Massie and he remained close, spending many an evening on a small house porch next to his old Tyro Post Office and store; dreaming and talking. They remained good friends until Pop’s death. I personally remember telling a very old Captain Billy the news of my great grandfather’s death as we sat in the front hall of his beautiful stone home. The sorrow on that man’s face has been engraved in my mind since Pop’s passing in 1975 and has compelled me to make sure the effort of these pioneering Nelson County patriots were not forgotten.

Through training in Lynchburg’s old Piedmont Business College and articles written about his abilities in local newspapers, Pop was recruited to a coal company just outside of Charleston, West Virginia. This is where he excelled, learning all facets of the industry and met the love of his life. His notoriety came to be known as he worked his way up in the coal industry. As the Great War (WWI) began to take hold of the nation; and its fuel supply, which was coal, was in short supply. Pop firmly devised a plan for emergency relief efforts that was adopted by President Woodrow Wilson. This plan was called the “Federal Emergency Relief Fuel Program.” His education in business and his work with coal enables him to learn the necessity of this fuel, but also realized the devastation of land and lives involved with the process. This epiphany of environmentalism had made a profound impression on the rest of his life. NCHS NEWS Page 1

He was pulled from his coal work to be appointed by President Woodrow Wilson to run the Fuel Administration as an assistant due to his youth and being unknown. He ran the Administration with confidence keeping, as President Wilson told him, “a watchful eye on the former President’s son,” Henry A. Garfield. His position as United States Assistant Fuel Administrator would bring membership in the Railroad War Board, the War Industries, the Department of Interior and the Council of National Defense. These crucial political government connections would serve him well later in life.

While in Washington, DC, he also served as President of the Boy Scouts of America – DC Council. This enabled Pop to work closely with Sir Baden Powell of England and former President Theodore Roosevelt to put the Scouting mission on a tract that has endured the generations, when it was just in its infancy. Pop enjoyed this role tremendously because it enabled him to nurture the ideals of conservationism and morality; those ideals that he believed were instilled in him during his formative years in the Nelson County Mountains.

When the war ended and after weathering many congressional debates and criticisms, including a heated Senate investigation of the distribution of coal to the nation’s needy, his reputation as an idealistic, firm and flamboyant leader was circling amongst Washington socialites. He was approached by the Republican National Committee to run as Vice President on the Warren G. Harding ticket. He was ecstatic for a few days until he learned that he was too young, as he was just 30 years old. The minimum taciturn New Englander named Calvin Coolidge, who became president of the United States after Harding’s unexpected death. – What a difference a few years would have made.

Pop was very satisfied in his job as Assistant US Fuel Administrator and stayed on under President Coolidge for several more years. When he did leave government and branched out on his own, he was well equipped and had plenty of political and industry clout. He formed the Chesapeake Coal Company which prospered for two more generations. Though in the midst of the Great Depression as he started out on his own, coal was a necessity and he leveraged the movement of it conscientiously; helping again, to assist those hit by the hard times with his proven Emergency Relief efforts. This gained respect in the industry and business prospered.

It was now time to return to his beloved mountains to set up permanent residency. He had always had his country home, GooseHeaven on Campbell’s Mountain, where his mother and grandmother are buried on a hillside and would use this home for refuge from Washington. Pop also thought it fitting to live in an affluent, historic home and so he purchased Winton, the former home of Patrick Henry’s Mother. From there and GooseHeaven, he spearheaded, with the help of local friends, many projects involved his passion for preservation – the main one being the acquisition of lands to form and establish Crabtree Falls.

L.A. Snead’s remarkable career spanned from the early 1900s until his death in 1975. His proudest accomplishments included the following: GooseHeaven on Campbell’s Mountain

Using personal funds and securing Congressional monies for acquisition of surrounding lands to establish

Crabtree Falls and to preserve it under the veil of the National Forest System, Shaping the direction of the national Scouting movement and the many close connections made in the process, His appointment to Assistant United States Fuel Administrator, His Federal Emergency Relief Fuel Program, NCHS NEWS Page 2

His contributions leading the Virginia Emergency Relief Committee and The preservation of smaller tracts of lands in his beloved Nelson County.

Conclusion:

The importance of commemorating this bridge will help the future generations that pass through this part of our county, either on their way to Crabtree Falls, or en-route to the and beyond, an appreciation for the contribution made by LA Snead and to give incentive to further generations to be involved with contentious efforts. He touched, so profoundly, all who he came in contact with and changed the lives of many here in Nelson County. It was his wish after seeing the destruction left by that a part of the old Church property be used to build a more, as he called it, “substantial passage to Crabtree Falls that could withstand, better, the wrath of another flood.” His daughter, Crixy Snead Harvey, discussed and coordinated this during the construction of the bridge.”

Photo: Nelson County officials and the U.S. Forest Service in the county clerk’s office “recording the deed- Crabtree Falls to the Government ownership” – June 3, 1968 L.A. Snead (third from right)

Comments from the Nelson County Historical Society Research Committee

Captain Phifer has generously given copies of many news articles, letters and pictures related to Nelson County and especially the acquisition of land surrounding Crabtree Falls from his great grandfather’s collection. These documents are placed in the “Snead ” and “Crabtree Falls” files at the Nelson Memorial Library.

In a closing paragraph to Edward P. Cliff, Chief, National Forest Service (May 1968) Mr. Snead wrote, concerning the Crabtree Falls area- “ My time and efforts, entirely civic, has been freely given, and the completion of the first step affords great satisfaction, and supports and justifies my faith in the ultimate realization of it fabulous development, and as I look forward to the year to come I catch a glimpse of an Area, under Government ownership, supervised and directed by the U.S. Forest Service, located in The George Washington National Forest, to which countless numbers will come with benefit, and leave with pride and satisfaction as they view the FALLS, and the wide open spaces, built by the hands of the LORD, and the STARS are the candles that light up the mountains, and the mountains are alters of GOD.”

It is with the determination and vision of LA Snead that Crabtree Falls is accessible for the thousands of visitors who come each year to see the falls and hike the 2 mile path to the top along the falls. It is the highest cascading waterfalls east of the River.

The Tyro – Tye River Bridge marker was approved on April 28, 2011 by the Nelson County Board of Supervisors and VDOT will be erecting the sign soon. Location of the Tye River Bridge is Rt. 56 and Campbell’s Mountain Rd. (814).

NCHS NEWS Page 3

Historic Home Tour and W.A.R. Goodwin Marker Dedication – May 14, 2011 In Norwood and Wingina

Five representatives from Colonial Williamsburg and two Goodwin family members were in attendance for the marker unveiling in front of Christ Church on Norwood Road along with Nelson County friends and neighbors. (See Nelson County Historical Society News – February -2011 and April - 2011 issues for articles about the Rev. Dr. W.A.R.Goodwin and the marker’s significance)

L-R W.A.R. Goodwin III (Bill) and Howard Goodwin Grandsons of Goodwin unveiled the marker

Crowd at Christ Church -standing room only

Following the Goodwin marker unveiling, a tour of several historic homes in the Norwood and Wingina communities was enjoyed by over 150 visitors.

th Bob Self greets guests at Montezuma The May 14 planning committee thanks all those who helped to make the day a success. The home and A large crowd gathered at Christ Church to hear property owners, docents and parking attendants, the remarks about W.A.R. Goodwin and his early years Nelson County Garden Club flower committee, and the growing up in Norwood, followed by the unveiling of St. Johns Baptist Church ladies who prepared the lunch the VA Department of Historic Resources (DHR) historic were all instrumental in making an enjoyable day for highway marker. Dr. Bob Carter, DHR Community those who visited a beautiful part of Nelson County Services Director and Dr. Mark Miller, Roanoke College along the . history professor detailed his family and school experiences that helped to shape his later The W.A.R. Goodwin marker is a visible reminder of a accomplishments. significant individual who left a lasting legacy.

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Con’t May 14th Norwood and Wingina Nelson County Cemetery Book Second Edition 2011 – For Sale

The second addition of the Nelson County Cemetery Book is available for purchase. Elodie Thompson, editor of the book, has included all cemeteries from the first Nelson County Cemetery Book (2004) with corrections and additional cemeteries in the second edition. Approximately 50 cemeteries have been added.

Thank you to all who sent in new information and made corrections to the cemetery book. It has been and will continue to be a valuable tool for genealogy Wingina Store - Native American Artifacts research.

The Nelson County Historical Society continues to gather cemetery information. If you know of a cemetery that has not been listed, please send the information to the research committee.

Cemetery books may be purchased at Oakland Museum during weekend visiting hours and on Wednesday afternoons at the Nelson Memorial Library from the research committee for $21.00 (tax included).

The Nelson County Visitors Center also has books available and books may be purchased by mail. See Open Hearth Cooking at Bon Aire website for details www.nelsonhistorical.com.

The Research Committee - NCHS

2011 NCHS Officers and Board

President – Bernard L. McGinnis Vice President – Robert Carter Secretary – Jean Brent Treasurer – Russ Reid Otis Brent Beth Goodwin Becky Howard Flowers by the Nelson County Garden Club

NCHS NEWS Page 6

Society Ice Cream Social Recently Held at Oakland Oakland Museum – Opens new Camille Exhibit August 13, 2011

Saturdays 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM Sundays 1:00 -4:00 PM

New and enhanced Camille Exhibit with more oral histories, display boards and pictures in a refurbished exhibit room.

Local history books, maps and Camille DVDs and CDs – for sale. Music by the James River Cut-ups ------

Curtis Matthews Program DVD – Order by sending a check for $20.00 to: Oakland Museum, P.O. Box 39, Lovingston, VA 22949

Message from the President

Thank you, the membership of the Nelson County Historical Society, for your consistent support of our Society through your membership dues and participation in our Society events. Your interest helps Dr. W.M. Tunstall's buggy - restored by Ted Hughes us continue the mission of the Society to preserve and dispense historical information about Nelson County.

Our officers and committees strive to inform the membership of the various activities of the Society, through the website, emails, quarterly newsletters and programs at meetings.

If you have a special interest or talent and would like to volunteer to help with any project of the organization, please let me or one of the other officers know. There is always a place for your help.

Bernard L. McGinnis

Nelson County Historical Society, President Attendees enjoy ice cream and a cool breeze

NCHS NEWS Page 6

Request for Oldest and Ugliest School Teachers Recent Inquiries –Can you help? is Heard -Nelson County Board is Told There is Too Much Courting in Progress (Schuyler Newspaper - February 16, 1924)  John Edmunds of Amherst/Nelson County (d.1784) – once owned the mill house at “No longer need the school teacher who is getting Variety Mills, donated land for Kingswood along in years feel her length of service is becoming Meeting House (later Centenary Methodist a handicap nor need those less favored by nature Church) and buried nearby – The following envy the youthful charm of others who might be people have requested information about expected to smile their way into the good graces of his life in the county, and burial site – school officials if these sentiments expressed here Stan Edmunds [email protected] this morning by patron of one Nelson county school Molly Rich [email protected] are any indication of feelings elsewhere. „Send us Chris [email protected] the oldest and ugliest teachers you can find,‟ was the request of delegation of women made of the  Nathaniel Bridgewater settled in Amherst/ board which met to consider appointment of Nelson County 1795 – lived at River Bluff or teachers for next session and this request was nearby in Rockfish Valley before settling in coupled with the complaint that „there is too much courting going on in the schools.‟ Teachers these Cooper County, MO in 1831 – women told the board should devote their entire G-g-g-grandson, David Bridgewater from attention to the business of instructing students in Woodstock, GA seeks information class room subjects rather than to set them an [email protected] example in the pursuit of romance and when two teachers who are very much attracted to each other are sent to a school, or even when one attractive Recent Additions to the Society Files teacher enters a community and begins to hold the L.A.Snead – letters, pictures and news articles about his attention on local swains, including perhaps older life and accomplishments – emphasis on Crabtree Falls students in the school, the cause of education is development as a recreational site – given by Captain C. hindered. The board heard the delegation with Douglas Phifer – McLean, VA attention and promised to consider the matter but The Edmunds family of Arrington– family genealogy made it plain that there seemed no statutory of other – given by Molly Rich, Anderson, SC and Stan authority give a county school board to controvert Edmunds, South Rockwood, MI the laws of nature and that, in view of this limitation, reasonable caution in the placing of Letters to Robert Mahone from Maria Nelson (future teachers was about all that could be expected.” wife) in 1890‟s from Tyro, VA while Robert was attending telegraphy school in GA – given by Andy “A large delegation of women came from the Tye Keller – Richmond, VA River Community League. Mrs. Morris Parr, President, was spokesman for the group, practically Remembrances of Roseland and Fleetwood School by all members of the league and patrons of the Tye Virginia Gantt Allen – given by Andy Keller – Richmond, VA River School. They complained that the road to the school is ‟not made bad by two or three or more NCHS Newsletter Editor – mud holes but is itself one mud hole seven miles Becky Howard long‟. School attendance during the last winter, they said, has been cut down because the school bus [email protected] was unable to get over this road with any Articles and ideas for the newsletter are always regularity.” appreciated - (Article found in Society files) Newsletter Editor: Becky Howard Can anyone complete the name of the newspaper? [email protected] THE SCHUYLER ???? NCHS NEWS Page 7

Dates to Remember Membership Information

Single Membership - $15.00 October 9th – Society Meeting

2:00 PM at the Nelson Center Family Membership - $20.00

December – Holiday Social Life Membership - $200.00 (TBA) (Individual)

Mail to:

Nelson County Historical Society P.O. Box 474

Lovingston, VA 22f1f1949

Nelson Co. Historical Society P.O. Box 474 Lovingston, VA 22949

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