THE L. D. FOWLER Collection of letters and other papers were found in the Durbin Mercantile Store in Durbin, WV while interviewing Mr. James Wilson son of one of the founder of the company. In a tour of the store Mr. Wilson passed one of the upstairs rooms that had the door closed. He casually remarked that an old man rented the room for years, that nobody seemed to bother him or that he bothered no one.

He further commented that all the old papers stored there would be thrown out and if I wanted I could take a look. What I discovered were well-kept records dating back to the turn of the century (1900).

From the records one could determine that Mr. Fowler had been employed by the Pocahontas Tanning Company of Wheeling West Virginia and appeared to be a very trusted employee, who negotiated the purchase of timber and particularly bark used in the tanning process for them. It was in these papers that I discovered the original State of West Virginia charters of incorporation of the Durbin Mercantile Company. If one were to review the James Wilson interview all of the discussion concerning the discovery was discussed.

The collection given to the John Deaver Drinko Library of Marshall University, also, includes personal diaries of Mr. Fowler for the dates 1903, 1907(2), 1908, 1909, 1910, 1911, and 1914. The diaries gave the daily accounts of Mr. Fowler movement and many of the business transactions. The front of the diaries usually contained personal information. He gave his address as Gormania, West Virginia, in case of serious illness notify J. G. Hoffman and Sons Company, His railroad pass no. 3066 (in 1911), weight 180 pounds, 5 foot and 11 inches, foot 9 and one half, hosiery 11, collar 17, cuffs 11, shirt 17, and drawers 38x32.

This collection provides a history researcher with primary sources. Also, it provides documents (letters etc.) signed by various citizens of the county and the country for genealogy studies etc. These letters and other materials have likewise been given to the John Deaver Drinko Library. 

Below are a list of the years of recovered papers.  Click on each year to view a detailed list of letters, envelopes, documents & pictures.  Then select a document to be viewed for a full screen image.