Correcting the history books

Pioneer Village opens eyes to sights and sounds of antiquity

By TIM PRESTON - The Independent

BOLTS FORK — You could feel the force of the shockwave in your chest 100 yards away as Thadd McClung ignited a blast from his “galloper” cannon Saturday at Wolfpen Woods Pioneer Village.

Anywhere you went in the village, the sounds, smells, sights and stories of the first people to live, love, hunt, fight and die in these mountains was as authentic as possible. The people who make the stories come alive make it their mission to portray a more accurate version of history, without regard for the lopsided lessons written about for everyone involved.

McClung, 39, who was the man with the cannon as well as a collection of high-quality flintlock firearm replicas, grinned as he described himself as “a cross dresser” for the weekend, switching uniforms and weapons to portray a Native American in some re-enactments and a soldier from the 13th Virginia Regiment in others.

McClung said he and others were pleased to have completed a new Indian village, complete with a long house and center fire pit, for Wolfpen Woods within the last two weeks. For safety purposes the volunteers who built the village had to use some baling wire, he said, but otherwise, “It is about as authentic as it can get.”

As an antique firearms enthusiast, McClung said he is personally disappointed to notice young people seem to have an aversion to the weapons in his collections, despite their historic importance and testament to the craftsmanship of past generations.

“We try to teach them it is a tool just like a hammer or anything else,” he said after offering an exquisite smooth bore weapon with a tiger-maple stock for inspection. “We’re not gun-toting nuts.”

As McClung prepared the powder for his cannon shot, members of the Governor Isaac Shelby Chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution from Shelby County attempted to recall all of their activities since January. Dressed in uniforms representing specific regiments, ranks and roles, the men cited nine grave-marking ceremonies for patriots, four or five youth events at elementary schools, multiple ceremonies for World War II veterans at airports, a pair of parades, and medal presentations at eight high schools in addition to field trips to several of the nation’s most historic battlegrounds.

Wyatt Staley, 12, of Boyd County wore a simulated coonskin cap, a shirt made from homespun cloth, with no shoes and a big bore pistol stuck in his waistband. In a pouch sung around his shoulder he carried an old iron lock, an obsidian blade knife, a piece of deer sinew, parched corn and a few peanuts.

“I’m pretty much a soap maker’s son who has gone half Indian,” he said when asked about his role in the pioneer village, citing his sympathy for Indian people who were often sorely mistreated by pioneering people. The historic village environment suited him just fine, Staley said, expressing his passion for time alone in the woods and appreciation of a time when a young boy had to be able to hunt and fend for himself.

“I do this because I enjoy it and to teach the younger kids what it was like to be hunting for yourself when you’re 12 years old,” he said, adding, “I’m a Christian. I do this to serve the Lord.”

Bill Hunt, whose face paint and apparel accurately represented a Shawnee or Mingo Indian of the 1760s, said he enjoys playing the role as often as possible, as well as for his job with the West Virginia Humanities Council. Hunt said he appreciates the chance to teach people about the true values of Indian people as opposed to the Hollywood myths, particularly their respect and treatment of women and children who were taken captive and adopted by their tribes. When possible, Hunt also tries to educate people about the atrocities committed against various Indian tribes, including his own family’s role in the infamous “Trail of Tears” chapter of American history.

TIM PRESTON can be reached at tpreston@dailyindependent.com or at (606) 326-2651.

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