Wirt County Journal August 7, 2002 Letter to the Editor Dear Editor: The enclosed clipping from the Akron (Ohio) Beacon Journal is self-explanatory. I thought perhaps, you could reprint it in the hope that some Hall family members would recognize Melvin I. Hall as one of their own and learn of his death. It saddened me deeply when I read this article about Mr. Hall. Being a West Virginia native (who lived and attended Win County High School in the mid-1940's) I knew of different branches of the Halls, but I don't recall to which family Melvin was related. Perhaps you could attain permission from the Beacon Journal to reprint the enclosed article. The writer's name and phone number is at the end of her story. P.S. A.A. Rice is my late husband's brother. Yours Truly, Louise (Epler) Rice 730 Callis Dr. Apt. 204 Akron, OH 44311 The Journal has obtained permission to reprint or use references from the article of the Akron Beacon Journal. It said: Mr. Hall Last week, as a marker was placed on Mr. Hall's grave, neighbors traded stories about the tall, thin man who lived in the community for half a century yet made so few friends. Mr. Hall was born in Elizabeth, W. Va. After serving in World War II, he headed for Ohio because jobs were scarce in West Virginia. He found work as a laborer for the Ohio Match Co., earning $5 a day. Ultimately, he settled in Wadsworth, O. Most often, the 81-year-old kept to himself. Over the years, his neighbors and landlords learned he wasn't a drinker and didn't take any medication. He smoked two Cigarillos a day. He kept up with current events and told people Harry Truman was the best president this county ever had. No one knows whether Mr. Hall had any living relatives. Years ago when he had a stroke he asked his landlord to call his brother. The landlords, Randy and Karen Leatherman, said the brother, who lived in West Virginia, didn't want to hear about it Mr. Hall had a falling out with his brother more than 50 years ago. They apparently have not spoken or seen each other since. The story goes on, but there is nothing else about Mr. Hall's background or relatives. If any of our senior residents recall Mr. Hall or any of his family, please write or call the Wirt County Journal Office, P.O. Box 309, Elizabeth, WV 26143 or call 275-8981.