Best Letters From West Virginia Podcasts (2024)

1
Wheeling Memory Project: The Pythian Building 57:51

5M ago57:51

57:51

On January 4, 2023, staff of the Ohio County Public Library sat down with Daryl Clausell, Tressie Fitzhugh, Karla Wood, Ron Johnson, Kathy Fuller, Betty Gordon, and Delores Long to record this oral history for the Wheeling Memory Project.By From Camp Lee to the Great War podcast Archiving Wheeling in partnership with the Ohio County Public Library and the Wheeling Academy of Law & Science

1
They Call Us The Flying Circus: Two West Virginians In The Great War 31:46

1+ y ago31:46

31:46

The Great War, World War I, changed the lives of millions in the U.S. Michael Coker, a Master’s in Public History student at NKU University recently discovered a trove of letters written by Cecil “Zeke” Gabriel and Louise Marsh during this period. Coker is working and annotating these documents, dating primarily from 1917-1919. This correspondence …

1
From Camp Lee to the Great War - Full Version 3:14:50

4+ y ago3:14:50

3:14:50

Charles "Dutch" Riggle was drafted into the US Army in 1917 and trained at Camp Lee, Virginia, where so many Wheeling draftees and volunteers—including his sister-in-law Minnie Riggle's brother, Lester Scott—were trained. Dutch Riggle was a Private First Class in the 314th Field Artillery Supply Company, Battery “A,” 80th (Blue Ridge) Division in F…

1
From Camp Lee to the Great War: Episode 64 [May 31, 1919] 3:41

5y ago3:41

3:41

"I think we will start for Camp Lee the 2nd to be mustered out of the Army. I think I will get home some day next week. Gee but I would like to see all of you. It been nearly a year and a half since I saw you..."In his twenty-second and final letter home dated May 31, 1919, PFC Charles “Dutch” Riggle, a WWI soldier from Wheeling, WV, is writing fro…

1
From Camp Lee to the Great War: Episode 63 [February 25, 1919] 3:15

5+ y ago3:15

3:15

In his twenty-first letter home since leaving for Camp Lee, and his sixth letter home from France, dated February 25, 1919, PFC Charles “Dutch” Riggle, a WWI soldier from Wheeling, WV, tells his brother James “Abe” Riggle that they are having a good bit of rain in France. He’s read that his division will finally sail for home in May. He’s glad beca…

1
From Camp Lee to the Great War: Episode 62 [January 26, 1919] 5:19

5+ y ago5:19

5:19

In his twentieth letter home since leaving for Camp Lee, and his fifth letter home from France, dated January 26, 1919, PFC Charles “Dutch” Riggle, a WWI soldier from Wheeling, WV, tells his brother James “Abe” Riggle that, despite being homesick, he is well and hearty and feeling fine. They are stuck in France taking care of 107 horses and mules. …

1
From Camp Lee to the Great War: Episode 61 [December 16, 1918] 4:06

5+ y ago4:06

4:06

“I think the war is over for good don’t you? For I think them Germans won’t want another war very soon the way they got beat in this one….”In his nineteenth letter home since leaving for Camp Lee, and his fourth letter home from France, dated December 16, 1918, PFC Charles “Dutch” Riggle, a WWI soldier from Wheeling, WV, tells his brother James “Ab…

1
From Camp Lee to the Great War: Episode 60 [November 25, 1918] 4:14

5+ y ago4:14

4:14

“I can’t tell you about Less. He got badly hurt and they took him to the hospital. I heard once he died, but I don’t know if that was correct or not. I hope it wasn’t correct for I would like to went back to the states with him…”In his eighteenth letter home since leaving for Camp Lee, and his third letter home from France, dated November 25, 1918,…

1
From Camp Lee to the Great War: Episode 59 [October 29, 1918] 11:49

5+ y ago11:49

11:49

“Just as we were walking down that long line it suddenly crept over me and I realized that I would never again be in the United States…”The “Great War” had raged in Europe for three years before the United States joined the conflict on the side of the Allies in April 1917.Like most young American men of the era, those from Wheeling harbored romanti…

1
From Camp Lee to the Great War: Episode 58 [September 8, 1918] 3:34

5+ y ago3:34

3:34

"Minnie I often think to myself that it certainly must be a lonesome old place around their now since all of the boys have left. But I feel that there is a day coming and not far away when we will all be together again..."In his fortieth letter home to his sister Minnie Riggle, US Army Wagoner (mule team driver) Lester Scott, a World War I soldier …

1
From Camp Lee to the Great War: Episode 57 [September 6, 1918] 3:39

5+ y ago3:39

3:39

"Somewhere in France..."In his thirty-ninth letter home to his sister Minnie Riggle, US Army Wagoner (mule team driver) Lester Scott, a World War I soldier from Wheeling, West Virginia, says he sees Charles [Riggle] every day. He received a card from Walter Toland, who is in England. They've had some frost in France. Lester has rubber boots and war…

1
From Camp Lee to the Great War: Episode 56 [August 6, 1918] 3:01

6y ago3:01

3:01

"When you answer write a big long letter and tell me all the news...."In his thirty-eight letter home (and his first from France), to his sister Minnie Riggle, US Army Wagoner (mule team driver) Lester Scott, a World War I soldier from Wheeling, West Virginia, doesn't have much of substance to say, probably in part because of security restrictions …

1
From Camp Lee to the Great War: Episode 55 [August 1, 1918] 4:33

6y ago4:33

4:33

"I think the Germans is nearly licked now. I want to see it over in time to go to the Jacktown fair next year..."In his seventeenth letter home (his second from France after fifteen from Camp Lee) dated August 1, 1918, PFC Charles “Dutch” Riggle, a WWI soldier from Wheeling, WV, tells his brother James “Abe” Riggle he supposes Abe will be getting "…

1
From Camp Lee to the Great War: Episode 54 [June 22, 1918] 3:52

6y ago3:52

3:52

"Somewhere in France...It's is a nice country alright. It's no wonder the French is fighting so hard for it."In his sixteenth letter home from Camp Lee, Virginia, dated June 22, 1918, PFC Charles “Dutch” Riggle, a WWI soldier from Wheeling, WV, tells his brother James “Abe” Riggle, in a letter addressed "Somewhere in France," that the weather is da…

1
From Camp Lee to the Great War: Episode 53 [June 18, 1918] 2:24

6y ago2:24

2:24

"I have arrived safely overseas..."In what is essentially his thirty-seventh letter home, US Army Wagoner (mule team driver) Lester Scott, a World War I soldier from Wheeling, West Virginia, writes, this time courtesy a signed, Red Cross form postcard announcing his safe arrival in France addressed to his brother-in-law (his sister Minnie's husband…

1
From Camp Lee to the Great War: Episode 52 [The Cleo Episode] 9:32

6y ago9:32

9:32

"My own darling Less, How can you doubt my love for you?"Who the heck is Cleo?!That was a question from a listener who said he's heard every episode of "From Camp Lee to the Great War," but still can't figure it out.If you've also been listening but not necessarily reading all of the accompanying blog posts on Archiving Wheeling dot org, you might …

1
From Camp Lee to the Great War: Episode 51 [May 23, 1918] 3:43

6y ago3:43

3:43

"Please write and tell Cleo Good Bye for me...Well Boss, all I can say is, Good Bye and Good Luck..."In his thirty-sixth letter home from Camp Lee, Virginia, to his sister Minnie Riggle, US Army Wagoner (mule team driver) Lester Scott, a World War I soldier from Wheeling, West Virginia, says he weighs 172 pounds. Dutch is in good spirits and nearly…

1
From Camp Lee to the Great War: Episode 50 [May 19, 1918] 2:33

6y ago2:33

2:33

"We han't allowed to write any military information anymore, and you see a fellow hasn't got much to write"In his fifteenth letter home from Camp Lee, Virginia, dated May 19, 1918, PFC Charles “Dutch” Riggle, a WWI soldier from Wheeling, WV, tells his brother James “Abe” Riggle that he's still in Battery F but doesn't know for how much longer. He's…

1
From Camp Lee to the Great War: Episode 49 [May 18, 1918] 5:14

6y ago5:14

5:14

"What has become of Cleo?"In his thirty-fifth letter home from Camp Lee, Virginia, to his sister Minnie Riggle, US Army Wagoner (mule team driver) Lester Scott, a World War I soldier from Wheeling, West Virginia, says he's done some excellent firing at rifle practice, hitting four bulls eyes from 100 yards left-handed. Then he got seven out of ten …

1
From Camp Lee to the Great War: Episode 48 [May 12, 1918] 4:42

6y ago4:42

4:42

"I am going to send some money home before long. Maybe you can use it now to buy cows with. I only have two more months to pay my liberty bonds out in..."In his thirty-fourth letter home from Camp Lee, Virginia, to his sister Minnie Riggle, US Army Wagoner (mule team driver) Lester Scott, a World War I soldier from Wheeling, West Virginia, says he'…

1
From Camp Lee to the Great War: Episode 47 [May 6, 1918] 4:51

6y ago4:51

4:51

"P.S. Boss don't you worry while me and Less is gone, for we will be back in about a year from now. Ha Ha!"In his fourteenth letter home from Camp Lee, Virginia, dated May 6, 1918, PFC Charles “Dutch” Riggle, a WWI soldier from Wheeling, WV, tells his brother James “Abe” Riggle that he's as well as ever and having a good time eight miles from Camp …

1
Kendra for Congress 38:45

6y ago38:45

38:45

After taking a few months to assemble a small (but mighty!) production crew, #HollerPodcast is back with a special for the West Virginia Primary Election.Kendra Fershee is a working mom running for Congress in West Virginia's 1st Congressional District. In this episode, you'll hear her take on why we need more women in elected office, the challenge…

1
From Camp Lee to the Great War: Episode 46 [April 26, 1918] 4:12

6y ago4:12

4:12

"I was at the remount station yesterday and helped bring back 26 more mules. There were quite a few hit their meat house against mother earth before we got back..."In his thirty-third letter home from Camp Lee, Virginia, to his sister Minnie Riggle, US Army Wagoner (mule team driver) Lester Scott, a World War I soldier from Wheeling, West Virginia,…

1
From Camp Lee to the Great War: Episode 45 [April 22, 1918] 5:13

6y ago5:13

5:13

"This surely is going to be the longest war we ever had. It surely has been some bloody fighting but I think the Germans is getting licked every day..."In his thirteenth letter home from Camp Lee, Virginia, dated April 22, 1918, PFC Charles “Dutch” Riggle, a WWI soldier from Wheeling, WV, tells his brother James “Abe” Riggle that he's been at Camp …

1
From Camp Lee to the Great War: Episode 44 [April 16, 1918] 4:55

6y ago4:55

4:55

"You don't need to be afraid of Jim being drafted. He will never haft to come. You will see that. There will not be many farm boys taken until winter..."In his thirty-second letter home from Camp Lee, Virginia, to his sister Minnie Riggle, US Army Wagoner (mule team driver) Lester Scott, a World War I soldier from Wheeling, West Virginia, says they…

1
From Camp Lee to the Great War: Episode 43 [April 7, 1918] 4:12

6y ago4:12

4:12

"I think the Germans is getting about all the fighting they want now. They surely have lost a lot of men since the big battle began..."In his twelfth letter home from Camp Lee, Virginia, dated April 7, 1918, PFC Charles “Dutch” Riggle, a WWI soldier from Wheeling, WV, tells his brother James “Abe” Riggle that he is at Dutch Gap near the Appomattox …

1
From Camp Lee to the Great War: Episode 42 [April 4, 1918] 4:35

6y ago4:35

4:35

"I guess you remember the Battle of the Appomattox Court House. There are still old forts and trenches there yet that were built when the North and South fought. We found some spurs yesterday that were lost during the Civil War and found a bone of a man's arm and a canteen too..."In his thirty-first letter home from Camp Lee, Virginia, to his siste…

1
From Camp Lee to the Great War: Episode 41 [March 26, 1918] 3:58

6y ago3:58

3:58

Digital scans and a transcript of Lester Scott's March 26, 1918 letter can be viewed at: http://www.archivingwheeling.org/blog/from-camp-lee-to-the-great-war-march-26-1918-podcast Credits: "From Camp Lee to the Great War: The letters of Lester Scott and Charles Riggle" is brought to you by http://archivingwheeling.org in partnership with the Ohio C…

1
From Camp Lee to the Great War: Episode 40 [March 20, 1918] 4:09

6y ago4:09

4:09

"There was 2000 Negro [troops] went past this regiment this morning bound for France..."In his eleventh letter home from Camp Lee, Virginia, dated March 20, 1918, PFC Charles “Dutch” Riggle, a WWI soldier from Wheeling, WV, tells his brother James “Abe” Riggle that it's so hot, he's switching to his "summer underwear." Dutch has a new job washing d…

1
From Camp Lee to the Great War: Episode 39 [March 17, 1918] 3:01

6y ago3:01

3:01

"You were speaking of the 314 Co....coming to wheeling for the third Liberty Loan. There will be one from each county, Ohio and Brooke... They just go to talk the people into buying them..."In his twenty-ninth letter home from Camp Lee, Virginia, to his sister Minnie Riggle, US Army Wagoner (mule team driver) Lester Scott, a World War I soldier fro…

1
From Camp Lee to the Great War: Episode 38 [March 10, 1918] 4:33

6y ago4:33

4:33

"I want to come home either well, or if I get killed, I would just as soon be planted in France..."In his tenth letter home from Camp Lee, Virginia, dated March 10, 1918, PFC Charles “Dutch” Riggle, a WWI soldier from Wheeling, WV, tells his brother James “Abe” Riggle that they are losing their captain, probably because he is being sent overseas. J…

1
From Camp Lee to the Great War: Episode 37 [March 9, 1918] 3:01

6y ago3:01

3:01

"Boss I am a little mad this evening. Just had a quarrel on politics. A fellow said he had no use for a darn Democrat. It made my blood boil..."In his twenty-eighth letter home from Camp Lee, Virginia, to his sister Minnie Riggle, US Army Wagoner (mule team driver) Lester Scott, a World War I soldier from Wheeling, West Virginia, writes that he thi…

1
From Camp Lee to the Great War: Episode 36 [March 6, 1918] 3:22

6+ y ago3:22

3:22

"I would like for you to hear the firing we have here. Some are three inch and some machine guns. They make some noise, believe me. The shells weigh 16 lbs, so you can imagine what they are like..."In his twenty-seventh letter home from Camp Lee, Virginia, to his sister Minnie Riggle, US Army Wagoner (mule team driver) Lester Scott, a World War I s…

1
From Camp Lee to the Great War: Episode 35 [March 1, 1918] 4:34

6+ y ago4:34

4:34

"You were wanting to know if I ever play the violin. I sure do. Some of boys come up from the infirmary with a violin and banjo and guitar. We have regular old stag dances..."In his twenty-sixth letter home from Camp Lee, Virginia, to his sister Minnie Riggle, US Army Wagoner (mule team driver) Lester Scott, a World War I soldier from Wheeling, Wes…

1
From Camp Lee to the Great War: Episode 34 [February 24, 1918] 4:52

6+ y ago4:52

4:52

"I got a gold inlay put in my front tooth. Cost me $5.00. I am going to get the rest fixed in town. The dentists [at Camp Lee] don’t suit me..."In his twenty-fifth letter home from Camp Lee, Virginia, to his sister Minnie Riggle, US Army Wagoner (mule team driver) Lester Scott, a World War I soldier from Wheeling, West Virginia, writes that it's "w…

1
From Camp Lee to the Great War: Episode 33 [February 23, 1918] 4:23

6+ y ago4:23

4:23

"I would like to be in one battle before [the war] is over any way. For all i know, I might be in several of them before it is over...."In his ninth letter home from Camp Lee, Virginia, dated February 23, 1918, PFC Charles “Dutch” Riggle, a WWI soldier from Wheeling, WV, tells his brother James “Abe” Riggle that he's just starting to feel like he d…

1
From Camp Lee to the Great War: Episode 32 [February 11, 1918] 4:39

6+ y ago4:39

4:39

"Cleo is trying to apologize now but that don't go with me. I would like for you to see the letters she wrote. They remind me of the notes the Kaiser used to [send] to the president..."In his twenty-third letter home from Camp Lee, Virginia, to his sister Minnie Riggle, US Army Wagoner (mule team driver) Lester Scott, a World War I soldier from Whe…

1
See Sammi Run: Brown Announces Candidacy for 65th District, WV House of Del. 36:56

6+ y ago36:56

36:56

In 2016, Sammi Brown ran for the WV House of Delegates, hoping for the chance to represent her hometown, Charles Town, WV, in the state legislature.Sammi didn't win, but she is back and more ready than ever for the 2018 elections.In this week's episode, Sammi shares with listeners her journey into politics (the daughter of a labor advocate, she bec…

1
From Camp Lee to the Great War: Episode 31 [February 5, 1918] 7:02

6+ y ago7:02

7:02

"I wish now I had enlisted in the Calvary. I would like it better. I like to be with horses. I am tired of seeing mules..."In his twenty-third letter home from Camp Lee, Virginia, to his sister Minnie Riggle, US Army Wagoner (mule team driver) Lester Scott, a World War I soldier from Wheeling, West Virginia, writes that he might not visit after all…

1
From Camp Lee to the Great War: Episode 30 [February 1, 1918] 6:36

6+ y ago6:36

6:36

"I have been saying all the time that this summer will end it for the working class over their and the socialists are raising the devil now. Anyone would know they are nearly starving to death..."In his twenty-second letter home from Camp Lee, Virginia, to his sister Minnie Riggle, US Army Wagoner (mule team driver) Lester Scott, a World War I sold…

1
A Letter to the President, by Dominique Villaseñor 31:39

6+ y ago31:39

31:39

Dominique Villaseñor, of Summersville, WV, recently wrote a letter to President Donald Trump regarding her view on immigration policy in the United States. Dominique's parents, both Mexican, moved to West Virginia to start a business before she was born. In this week's episode, Dominique reads her letter and weighs in on what it was like to grow up…

1
From Camp Lee to the Great War: Episode 29 [January 30, 1918] 4:42

6+ y ago4:42

4:42

"Well Abe it look like they will haft to do something pretty soon over in Germany. The way the people is doing there, I think the war will close in 2 or 3 month..."In his eighth letter home from Camp Lee, Virginia, dated January 30, 1918, PFC Charles “Dutch” Riggle, a WWI soldier from Wheeling, WV, tells his brother James “Abe” Riggle that Les (PFC…

1
DREAMing in West Virginia: Jackie Lozano 31:30

6+ y ago31:30

31:30

Jackie Lozano was born in Mexico, but only remembers her childhood in the United States. Brought to the U.S. by her mother when she was a sick baby, Jackie is a Dreamer and benefits from DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals), an act that provides her a permit to live and work in the United States, although she is not a citizen. Jackie didn'…

1
From Camp Lee to the Great War: Episode 28 [January 24, 1918] 5:01

6+ y ago5:01

5:01

"I never saw as many mumps and measles...I will venture to say that there is one fourth of the boys in camp with mumps and measles..."In his twenty-first letter home from Camp Lee, Virginia, to his sister Minnie Riggle, US Army Wagoner (mule team driver) Lester Scott, a World War I soldier from Wheeling, West Virginia, writes that he feels fine "wi…

1
From Camp Lee to the Great War: Episode 27 [January 23, 1918] 3:12

6+ y ago3:12

3:12

"I have been having some pretty hard luck..."In his twentieth letter home from Camp Lee, Virginia, to his sister Minnie Riggle, US Army Wagoner (mule team driver) Lester Scott, a World War I soldier from Wheeling, West Virginia, writes that he is "taking the mumps" and his "jaw is swelled some." He fears a long hospital stay (18 days for mumps) wil…

1
From Camp Lee to the Great War: Episode 26 [January 19, 1918] 3:54

6+ y ago3:54

3:54

"There are big bets up here now that we will never go over. Some think [the war] is over now. Some think it will over in two months. Others think will last two years. Judge for yourself is the way I do..."In his nineteenth letter home from Camp Lee, Virginia, to his sister Minnie Riggle, US Army Wagoner (mule team driver) Lester Scott, a World War …

1
Jamela North Starr Brown: WV Spoken Word Artist 27:07

6+ y ago27:07

27:07

Jamela North Starr Brown was born and raised in Rand, WV (home of Randy Moss!) and currently lives in Charleston, WV. She is a counselor for Job Corps and a spoken word artist.Jamela was a background vocalist for the Delfonics in Brooklyn, NY and has performed at the World Famous Apollo Theatre in Harlem, NY.Her first poetry CD was called "Tailor M…

1
From Camp Lee to the Great War: Episode 25 [January 9, 1918] 3:50

6+ y ago3:50

3:50

"Don't look for me until you see me coming. I will get a car to bring me out. I may be out at any time..."In his eighteenth letter home from Camp Lee, Virginia, to his sister Minnie Riggle, US Army Wagoner (mule team driver) Lester Scott, a World War I soldier from Wheeling, West Virginia, writes that he's sorry he asked Minnie to meet him as his p…

1
From Camp Lee to the Great War: Episode 24 [January 6, 1918] 3:21

6+ y ago3:21

3:21

"I don't know what time I will get to Wheeling. The trains have been so late..."In his seventeenth letter home from Camp Lee, Virginia, to his sister Minnie Riggle, US Army Wagoner (mule team driver) Lester Scott, a World War I soldier from Wheeling, West Virginia, writes that he's just gotten out of the hospital after his bout with measles. He's f…

1
From Camp Lee to the Great War: Episode 23 [January 2, 1918] 5:52

6+ y ago5:52

5:52

"I say [Germany] ought to get a good whipping before it is over. If they would make peace with her now she would prepare up again. Go back in the war stronger than ever..."In his sixth letter home from Camp Lee, Virginia, dated January 2, 1918, PFC Charles “Dutch” Riggle, a WWI soldier from Wheeling, WV, tells his brother James “Abe” Riggle that he…

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