Bass, West Virginia facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Bass, West Virginia
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 Bass, West Virginia
Location in West Virginia
Bass, West Virginia
Location in the United States
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| Country | United States |
| State | West Virginia |
| County | Hardy |
| Time zone | UTC-5 (Eastern (EST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-4 (EDT) |
| GNIS feature ID | 1553810 |
Bass is a small, quiet community in Hardy County, West Virginia, United States. It's located along the South Fork South Branch Potomac River. The name "Bass" was chosen by Glaspy V. Wolfe, who was the local Postmaster. He named it after the bass fish that lived in the nearby creek.
Contents
The Wolfe Family of Bass
The Wolfe family has a long history in the Bass area. They settled on what is now known as Wolfe Mountain in the mid-1700s. Their story includes interesting details about how they lived and helped others during a difficult time in history.
Adam Wolfe Sr.'s Home
Adam Wolfe Sr., also known as "Paddy," and his wife Sophia lived in a two-story log cabin. They raised their six sons and two daughters there. Adam Sr. was a blacksmith and a farmer. He was also known for making his own special drink. He even made a unique container from a hollowed-out white oak log to store it.
A Secret Tunnel for Safety
Their log cabin had a secret tunnel. This tunnel opened into a hidden ditch in the nearby woods. During the American Civil War, this tunnel was very important. It was used to help people find safety. Local soldiers who sided with the North sometimes used it as a hiding place.
The Home Guard's Role
During the Civil War (1861-1865), many people in the South Branch Valley supported the Southern side. However, the Wolfe family and many others in western Virginia supported the Northern side.
A group called the Home Guard worked to protect people and their property. They helped prevent people from joining the Southern army. They also kept safe those Southern soldiers who chose to support the North.
Adam Wolfe Jr. and the Blacksmiths
Adam Wolfe Jr., born in 1819, was one of Adam Sr.'s sons. He and his son George joined a local Home Guard group. Adam Jr. later sought payment for his work as a scout, spy, and guard during the war. He also sought money for losses his family suffered.
Adam Wolfe Jr. and his son John became famous blacksmiths. They were known for making unique cow and sheep bells. These bells had special welded seams. They would place small brass pellets in clay along the seams. When the bells were heated, the brass melted, sealing the seam smoothly. Each bell was marked with the maker's initial.
A Large Family and Long Reunions
John Harmonious Wolfe, born in 1849, was Adam Jr.'s son. He married Katie Ann Sherman in 1879. They had a very large family with 14 children! They also raised their niece, Blanch, after her mother passed away.
The Wolfe family is known for its long tradition of family reunions. The first reunion was held on September 14, 1919. The 70th reunion took place on September 3, 1989. This shows how important family connections are to them.
Glaspy Wolfe's Journey
Glaspy Valentine Wolfe was the second of John and Katie Wolfe's 14 children. He was born on Wolfe Mountain on January 25, 1882. His life story is quite remarkable.
Early Life and a Difficult Accident
Glaspy went to grade school at the See School on South Fork. After finishing school, he and some of his brothers and a cousin went to Cumberland, Maryland. They found jobs working for the B&O Railroad Company. Glaspy worked as a brakeman on trains traveling between Cumberland, Maryland, and Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
One day, while working on a train, Glaspy had a terrible accident. He was walking back over the train cars in icy and snowy conditions. He slipped and fell between the engine and the first car. The entire train passed over him, causing severe injuries to both his legs.
He was rushed to McKeesport Hospital, where doctors had to amputate his legs. After a long time recovering, he was fitted with artificial legs.
Starting a New Life in Bass
Around 21 years old, Glaspy attended Catherman's Business School. After his studies, he returned to South Fork. He bought some land at the base of Wolfe Mountain. There, he built a small house and a country store.
This store later became the Bass Post Office. Glaspy named it "Bass" because of the fish in the nearby river. This is how the community got its name!
On August 19, 1909, Glaspy married Josephine Southerly. They had eight children together: Curtis, Eugene, Omer, Hester, Warren, Carl, Earl, and Ralph. Glaspy continued to run the store and post office, and did a little farming, until his children were grown.
He later bought "The Valley News Agency" and ran it until he passed away on October 4, 1944. His wife, Josephine, who had only a few months of schooling, took over the business. She operated it until she retired at 75 years old. Josephine passed away on April 17, 1985. Both Glaspy and Josephine are buried in Olivet Cemetery in Moorefield, West Virginia.
The West Virginia Hills Song
Since the first Wolfe Family Reunion in 1919, a special song has been part of their family tradition. It's called "The West Virginia Hills" by Ellen Amanda King. It celebrates the beauty of their home state.
Oh, the West Virginia hills! How majestic and how grand, With their summits bathed in glory, Like our Prince Immanuel's Land! Is it any wonder then, That my heart with rapture thrills, As I stand once more with loved ones On those West Virginia hills?
Chorus Oh, the hills, beautiful hills, How I love those West Virginia hills! If o'er sea o'er land I roam, Still I'll think of happy home, And my friends among the West Virginia hills! Oh, the hills, beautiful hills, How I love those West Virginia hills!
See also
In Spanish: Bass (Virginia Occidental) para niños
