This web site is maintained by Dodie E. (Smith) Browning
Kyle wrote these memories for another project I was working on a couple of years ago.
I know he won't mind me sharing his story here.
I wanted to write something about the head of Bullwark, when I was a kid. [It was] Probably
late 40's or very early 50's. I can remember the old home made of squared wooden logs being
caulked with mud. I can remember sitting on the front porch and wondering how in the world
anyone could live up in this hollow. If only we could call back those days. I can remember looking
at the furniture in the old homeplace and feeling the heat from the cook stove and from the grate
in the fireplace. Those are wonderful memories.
I can remember picking blackberries and being in a hurry to get a bucket full because my Mom
and Aunt Beck would make a berry cobbler on the old stove. You could smell it all over the
hollow. I can remember going to the well and getting a bucket of water and taking a large drink
from an oversized dipper before carrying the water back to the house. I also remember sleeping
on the front porch at night and how dark it would be, counting stars and dreaming of what little
boys are made of, and what the next day would bring. How wonderful.
Although Illness has slowed me down somewhat, I now find myself sitting here giggling like a
little boy would. Thank you so much for helping me pull out those memories.
Kyle wrote:
"I remember the old Mullins store, it was wonderful. My Dad would buy me a Red Rock Cola
there. It was great.
Kyle
(note from Dodie: Kyle is a Veteran and was one of the leaders who was instrumental in having the War Memorial Monument erected in Charleston. He donated many long hours of his time and money to have the monument erected in honor the men who gave gave their lives in the service of our country. Kyle and his wife wrote a grant and applied for Federal money to be donated to the State of WV to help the victims of Agent Orange. (Vietnam War) Kyle was a barber on Mud Fork for many years. He also was a firefighter in Logan County. He helped fight the fire that destroyed the old Hinchman House, which was a beloved landmark in Logan County. Kyle has given of himself and his time unselfishly to honor our state and the people who have ever lived there. Thank YOU, Kyle, for all your hard work. You are one of Logan County's "unsung" heroes.)
Our guest book crashed and I have not been able to contact the server. Hopefully it will be back up and running soon. In the meantime, please use my Class of 1955 Memories Guest book.
