Amonate, Virginia: "We Were So Poor We Spelled It With 3 'Os'"

[@talldude5841]

You know how many times I have said, "this is your best video"? I smiled from ear to ear the entire show. You both did such a wonderful job of interviewing this wonder of the land, Pastor Roger. The landscape, the roads, the simple but resourceful architecture. You know, Appalachia might not have pristine beaches, soring skyscrapers, or huge cities where money floats from trees. You both have something better. Surrounded by real beauty, and honest hard working people who are grateful for everything they have. Thanks so much for another story you both so well present. Its truly an inspiration. And yes, this is your best video so far.

[@kesmarn]

You took the words right outta my keyboard. Very well said!

[@angelasmith7719]

Yes!!! I soooo agree!!

[@rebeccaskinner4236]

I prefer the woods over beaches. Prefer rural countryside vs big cities. I’d rather be in your neck of the woods anyway over being in any big city. So beautiful there. Thanks for making and sharing these videos 👍👍

[@thehaleybird]

What a lovely interview with such a charming man! When he said "What's the use of being sad?" and "Treat everybody the same," that really made me smile. I hope he has a lot of people in his life who care about him. It sounds like he does!

[@chuckie5671]

Really enjoyed the interview. Wish you would do more interviews with local folks. Good job!

[@chubbawubba6959]

Here is a link to another great interview from this channel. kzbin.info/www/bejne/h6u6ioR5ftxsf9U

[@ajhall5752]

Lots of personal history for me in this video! My Great Grandmother and Great Aunt was killed about where you were standing on the railroad tracks near the tunnel, at the base of Tunnel Hill many years ago. A logging truck lost its breaks coming down the hill and the two women sat on the tracks changing their shoes and waiting for a bus. The accident was very traumatic for the family and the whole community at the time. Also, both of my parents grew up in Amonate, and I grew up going to the Freewill Baptist church. I still go there when I am in town with my mom who is still attending. I treasure the interview with Roger. He has been my lifelong pastor and one of my favorite people. He always gives me a hug when I see him, and calls me his girl. There is a home across from the yellow superintendent house near the end of camp that sits up on the hill- this is where my mother’s parents lived. When they were there, it was well maintained and looked really nice. It obviously is not now. This building though was actually the company doctor office originally. Thanks for going there to complete this video!

[@heatherfulmore3412]

The pastor is so strong for his age. Wow there were no bus benches in that place for people to sit on, what a tragedy.

[@Michaelbandy7002]

I’m pretty sure that the 2 you talked about being killed by a logging truck were my great grandfathers sister and mother.

[@marquiettahicks1905]

I loved this. I live in Amonate, went to Bandy Elementary school (now the community center) and go to Bandy Freewill Baptist Church. Since the recent Bandy flooding the Blessing Box has been much visited. When I was in the 5th grade a Bandy Elementary school, one morning we missed the bus. We only had 2 buses you rode the “up the road” or “down the road” bus. Well, my sisters and I rode the up the road bus, which meant we came through the tunnel every morning. So on the morning we missed the bus, my mother hurried us into the car, wearing her curlers and robe, planning to drop us off and go back home to dress. Well, that wasn’t her luck. The station wagon she drove broke down in the middle of the tunnel, where I could see and be seen by my whole 5th grade class. My dad worked at S&S and was not at home, this was around 1983, so no cell phones, to call for help. I remember being sent on to walk to the school and never looking up to see how mom got back home. Mom passed away last August and Dad in March 2020. I’d love to call her and found out her version of this story nearly 30 years later!

[@danalynch8889]

I liked listening to the gentlemen. I have always like listen to those who are quite a bit up in years. I enjoyed listening to their life and the knowledge and wisdom that pass on.

[@wythetrumpet6419]

I love the high, long railroad trestle and the tunnel too! I believe that building was a mule barn, for the mules that worked in the mine. Great video thank you!

[@carsonjones1341]

You two make a lovely team. Love watching.

[@miask]

It just breaks my heart when I see these once bustling old towns at the end of their lives. Amonate must have been really pretty back in her day. I really enjoyed y’all’s chat with Mr. Barnett. He is a real treasure! I’d love to see more of talks with old timers in the videos. We have so much to learn from them. God Bless you both!

[@stevenww3560]

Me too all the ghost towns across the world and not to mention all the small towns that have no signs of ever existing just gone! There was 20 towns that have completely disappeared in my area in the last 50 years!!!

[@robinhaupt9119]

Wonderful place and visit, thank you Shane and Melody! That fog in the tunnel did show and it was very cool.

[@benlaw4647]

Enjoyed this ! The older gentleman is such a treasure! The train tunnel was kinda spooky with that fog ! The Tressel is awesome, and really high! That church is beautiful! That was funny, when melody said " it might be the Holy Ghost" , when y'all talking about they say " the church is haunted " ..haha....I do love country churches and country folk...that is a very beautiful area ....thanks you 2 ...stay safe always and God bless...🙏❤

[@clemetenemoore259]

Thank you for your blessings with your time, energy and effort. Your videos offer armchair travel for those who are elderly and shut-in. As a couple, you two have an awesome chemistry and help others learn of the history in the surrounding area and you are interesting. I appreciate that about your channel. The beautiful drives with the lush greenery is so pleasant to watch. I thoroughly enjoyed the interview with the pastor and the time given to him and providing him with a chance to get excited about things long ago and his family. You are offering a fine internet community service and I appreciate you. Grateful thanks.

[@realappalachia]

Thank you, Clemetene, reading your comment truly made out day

[@carolynbobyk3514]

I LOVED the interview with the nice older man :) I love the knowledge that older folks have... love the history :)

[@teresasarrubbo1088]

I lived on the WV side and those buildings were old garages. Its amazing to look at it now and see that there is absolutely nothing left. There were 3 large houses like on VA side. These were like duplexes back in day each side housed a family and each side looked the same, but eventually they made them just one big house. There were 2 houses up on a hill right up from the garages that Mrs. Humphrey owned. She was a teacher at Baldwin school which was located to the right of that guard station by the mines. When I lived there. There were about 12 families that lived there most of which were my relatives. Thanks for video.

[@gardengrowinmawmaw8642]

Oh my gosh! This is one of the best! Loved your visit with the preacher!! What a blessing he is.

[@ronjones4863]

I could listen to this gentleman's stories for hours...

[@fiddlix]

I don’t want to see either of you walk through the tunnel. You both seem so happy, it is contagious. Thank you..!

[@MillerMeteor74]

I was totally taken by surprise, the way you pronounced the name. I would have guessed that the emphasis would be on the first syllable, and that the second A would be a long A, as in date or cake. Thanks for showing the churches. I enjoyed all of them, especially that fancy one. But it's sad that it's not in use. That was awesome when you stopped to see that pastor. I enjoyed that too.

[@SouthpawPatty]

I enjoy all of your videos but I absolutely loved this one. Your chat with Mr. Barnett was wonderful and the "Holy Ghost" comment was too funny. Thank you for posting these.

[@threvaboggs5738]

There is always something to be thankful for,some of the best Church meeting in those little churches for sure.Loved the interview.Stay safe

[@gaselekrauss415]

Beautiful area. Reminds me of home. My dad worked in the steel mills in West Virginia.

[@sallyapplegate4591]

You guys are so fun to watch. I love these old towns!!! Churches are wonderful!!!! I really wanted you to walk thru the tunnel!!!! The fog was cool!!!😊

[@enriquecasablanca5983]

So much great information. Thank you.

[@keithtimmons378]

Excellent video!!! The conversation with the minister was thought provoking. He’s really witnessed a lot of history.

[@johnnymayo8534]

That was such a sweet interview!!

[@mikespikedog5293]

Thats the disadvantage of the extraction industry once the resource is gone its gone. I live in a area of SW PA near Morgantown WV. When I was a teenager we had at least 30 different Coal mines operating in the general area. Now the nearest mines are 15 and 40 miles away. The big industry here now is Natural Gas. We went from Coal trucks to rock and water trucks. My dad raised us working in a local mine for 44 years. A lot of these old towns are run down here also but its still home and will always be home.

[@RickThompson-d8s]

I enjoy your channel. My grandfather, Carl, and our early family are all from Honaker, VA. I visited the Thompson cemetery several years ago. It's on a remote hilltop behind an old farmhouse. A beautiful part of the country.

[@ettaasb1676]

Roger Barnett had one of the loudest preaching voices you ever heard! No sleeping in his church. I was raised in amonate and have been in this area all my life. Thanks for the video! And the building on the WV side you were asking about was garages for the houses that were there.

[@judypierce7028]

WOW! What an eerie tunnel!!! It reminds me of the famous tunnel in WV where John Henry "broke his pore heart." Both of you seem to come up with the most wonderful and awesome places to visit. This video was outstanding due to its historic content. Great stuff! Loved it.

[@realappalachia]

It does look a whole lot like that tunnel now that you mention it.

[@charlesdaniels5152]

My favorite of your videos... talking to a local icon made it magic... thanks...ed

[@johnmarshall8021]

I remember when I walked on the tracks to go fishing in Clifton VA

[@roberttorrey7133]

Love the video, especially the talk with older gentleman. Love talking to the elders, you can learn so much from them.

[@realappalachia]

We loved that we got to talk to him too

[@dennismullins4930]

Great video. Thanks y’all ☮️

[@harrywest2780]

Great 👍

[@jenniferjohnson7279]

Hello,what a beautiful video.the pictures were amazing.my husband is from big stone gap and when i show him your videos,he knows exactly where you're at. his mom was born in what they called the wildcat,and she would've loved seeing your videos.thank you so nuch.

[@davyman2000]

The train tunnel entrance was so spooky looking, I was half expecting the Ghostbusters to come screaming out of it lol

[@Minicat99]

Wonderful!!

[@savagenomore]

I'm glad I heard you say Honaker, now I know I've been saying it correctly.

[@johnmarkley698]

Loved it guys

[@brettwilkinson8904]

Great video. That old boy has seen his fair share. A local treasure I'm sure.

[@roberthorn7181]

I loved this video, in particular, because of the interview, as well. It is great that that the two of you are from the area and add your own personal touch and you talk in the Appalachian dialect. I loved the videos about Bluefield and Tazewell, too. I am from one of the places near where you visited and did a video, Whitewood, Virginia. I did a lot of research about the area called Pilgrim Knob, Virginia. What has happened in Amonate has mirrored what happened in Pilgrim Knob. There was an era of prosperity followed by an era of decline where many of the homes went into disrepair and people moved out. Because mining was dangerous, I was determined to get an education and to not work in the mines. Later, the employment office said that I was too educated for the area. I reluctantly moved away from the area about 35 years ago. Anyway I have camera equipment for photos, video and drone and want to come back to the area to do my own KZbin videos after I retire in about 9 months. It would be lovely to meet you guys sometime. I did some interviews of old folks from my area in the 1970s--not on video, but in notes.

[@popsthearthriticgamer7848]

I'm 53 years old and my dad is from there. I spent a few summers there playing by the church and catching lightning bugs. @11:06 to 11:15 you drove past the land my family still owns.

[@angelasmith7719]

I LOVED this video!! The older pastor was so amazing! Please do this more often! He was so informative. Love our Appalachia. ♥️♥️

[@brendahamrick9337]

Remember that movie Stand byMe when the three boys went across a tressel like that and a train was coming?The poor little kid (well he wasn’t little) almost got hit by the train! They yelled TRAINNNNN . Do you guys live around Amonate ?

[@samanthab1923]

That trestle in Oregon is no longer.

[@WhiteRabbit1209]

Great video, thank you for the lovely peek into the beautiful and mysterious mining tunnel

[@mikeanderson7165]

Absolutely love this video y’all thank y’all for sharing your journeys with us keep them coming I keep watching.

[@davidkerns723]

Great videos

[@romanwenger915]

Loved the chat on the porch. I hope I can have a great outlook like that at almost 90. Thanks for sharing, I could have listened to him for hours.

[@robertm731]

That music was beautiful and I usually complain about you tubers playing music. You picked a good one and it goes along with those old black and white photos. Another great video guys.

[@realappalachia]

thank ya so much, Robert, the music part is always tricky

[@jambocoo]

I could spend an entire day talking with that fine gentleman you interviewed. Blessings to all, thank you for sharing.

[@realappalachia]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@walterlangston4484]

there iss A big tunnel in prince weest Virginia not to fare from here and got some nice videos of trains coming out and going in and was in side when train came about 10 years ago

[@conradveraguth1392]

Thank you both for another fine video, it is a very nice one, and very informative.

[@wizzardofpaws2420]

I do love your channel.Such beautiful places and drives along roads full of gorgeous scenes. And bless the 89 yr old resident who has a good happy sprit!

[@wandajones5479]

Great video!

[@leohopkins71]

I've done overnight security at some mines in Amonate, Bishop, and McDowell County. I've gone under that same train trestle and through that tiny tunnel. I've driven along all those old houses, which are now mostly abandoned. My grandfather was a miner at Bishop.

[@davidcrockett1941]

My home town I love it I have walked through that tunnel many times ❤️🙏🎉 I love it!!

[@UncaDave]

Super job on the video as well as all the others. This is real history when you get the people stories in it. Thanks again to you both. Buy Melanie some flowers too. She does great research!

[@realappalachia]

Glad you enjoyed it, yes, she does!

[@debbieriddle9429]

I love that Pastor. He reminds me so much of my Daddy who is now with the Lord. He was a preacher, who never met a stranger. Wonderful video.

[@mildredrharmon4032]

Love that ❤️

[@belindahammock2367]

Such a great video. I am learning so much history. The church was wonderful along with the knowledgeable gentleman. Thank you for all of your videos!

[@Silversmoke1000]

You guys are adorable. Love your videos and especially the old building (interiors, too). The older gentleman was a real treat. God bless you.

[@realappalachia]

God bless you too, thank you so much

[@BrianJMurray]

Love your videos! I grew up just down the road in Adria.

[@dancrofford927]

That was country awesome

[@jeanettelove8490]

Thank you for sharing. Wonderful video.

[@realappalachia]

Thank you for watching and the kind words

[@AnnC....]

Love your video, Thank you

[@ellenthompson8143]

You both are fun to listen to! So enjoyed the elderly gentleman, he was Precious❤❤❤

[@realappalachia]

Thank you so much!

[@eddiedewees2064]

Priceless!

[@emaglott]

A great and important document of the town.

[@Itbmurr1]

As always…another great video! Shane needs to go through the tunnel..without a flashlight! 🤣

[@chillycarz9572]

Very cool

[@rebeccaskinner4236]

I love all the trees and greenery 🥰🥰🥰

[@sisterstonerock]

The 'bad' joke made me snicker a little. I thought it was funny, and who's to say it wasn't the HG? :) enjoying the drive-along. thank you. and the interview was precious. what a nice shady porch. I could almost picture the younguns playing in front of his yard.

[@EldonRutherford]

I lived there back in the early 50's..as a kid I knew those hills..I loved that town.

[@MastersFan1976]

awsome west virginia,thanks

[@JonJaeden]

We were so poor we couldn't pay attention ...

[@drwhatever7103]

Very cool...I live in WV... different lifestyle.. different breed of people...can't get any simpler than that...well done both of you.

[@petegregory517]

I don’t know how hungry I would have to be to work in a mine, any kind of mine. In ‘69, I’m a jr. In HS and we went in a cave, a crawling cave. Going in we shined lights into holes, side chambers we couldn’t see the bottom or back walls, nothing (no flashlight’s like these today). Got all the way in and had to wiggle back out a ways till we had enough room to turn around. My friend bumped the light……out!-click,click, nothing. Heart in throat because I was never a fan of the dark and, as a geezer now, still not. No choice but to bump it again…..on. You never saw 3-5(?) kids crawl out of something that fast. I hit open air and I said, nope, never again. Had bad dreams about that incident for years and probably will again tonight since I rehearsed it. Enjoyed this video as I was born in the wrong era.

[@samanthab1923]

Just describing that is frightening. When my son was 7 we went to a couple tourist caves that summer. No biggy, we all enjoyed it. Last one the guide warned he was going to turn off all the lights. As soon as he did it I felt the darkness closing in. Just awful. I’m holding my little boys hand trying not to freak.

[@UncaDave]

@@samanthab1923I have done a few caves here in WV with my Boy Scout Troop. Always carried two or three lights. It’s different in there for sure. No more for me either.

[@Michaelbandy7002]

I live where the blue Chevy is at the beginning of the video, across from mt Hermon. I had a lot of family and neighbors that lived in Amonate.

[@navydogsadventures3500]

Fantastic fun video. The old man was great. That is how I picture the south, very friendly! Some if those houses reminds me of the houses that were near the railroad tracks. I pick Shane to go in the tunnel!😂😂

[@jameswithrow3666]

Look nice melody . You guys do good love watching

[@Wndyb]

This is my father's hometown, born and raised, his 7 brothers and 4 sisters. His family resudes in Tazewell County. 1st time I visited 1973. I'm from NY. Next time was at my grandfathers funeral 1992. Was a culture shock both times, but that's my family history. The family name is "Bland"

[@realappalachia]

Yes, I know a few people by that last name in the area

[@Cdghda]

Both of you walk through it. I did as a girl with my grandfather and father. It was cold inside and so scary . I miss the summers I spent there as a girl. My great grandparents lived in Bishop. I spent lots of time there as well.

[@ChuckWyatt-nl4ls]

My father was from Amonate but he died when I was young. His name was Marvin Wyatt and he had several brothers and sisters. I think most or all of the family moved out by the end of the 1940's but I could be wrong. One of my aunts told me the name of the town but because it was pronounced so differently than the way is is spelled it took me years to find the place.

[@JackieTurner-k5h]

Really enjoyed the video. I was born in Amonate. My dad was tipple foreman up 31 hollow. [W.Va. side].

[@realappalachia]

Glad you enjoyed it. It is a special place.

[@KokoTheGorilla69]

That old guy reminded me of my own grandfather so much. Another great video!

[@realappalachia]

Thank you!

[@sallyapplegate4591]

What a treasure that gentleman is!!!!

[@mariewood1055]

My Dad worked at the Amonate mines for a while he then moved to Carretta mines . Carretta mines is where he worked for many many years.

[@realappalachia]

Those were two of the best around so he must have been a good worker

[@SpookyAppalachia]

Great video, really loved the tunnels and old churches! We have a few trestles where I live that people used to run across too. I just filled a video on one that was said to be haunted.

[@stevehannah5712]

Best one ever.

[@johntrishstrange7378]

You forgot to say you'll see us on down the road. Is it crazy that that's what I hear in my head at the end of your videos? ~ Trish

[@southernman5839]

Beautiful church !

[@mikebass9943]

Wonderful, just wonderful, love ya,ll

[@mikeanderson7165]

I could set on that porch listen to him all day ❤️

[@WVRailroadPapa]

Enjoyed the video and the interview with the gentleman. By the way the tunnel is nearly a mile long so it's a good thing y'all didn't try and walk through it.

[@heatheradkinsjustus4272]

I once lived just across the way from the church as a kid. I'm 39 years old now. I had great memories. My house was supposed to be haunted. We had a funeral in one of the houses. Heard the tunnel was haunted. Went to the church for service a few times. Lived by Roger and then the pastor of the church. Our house burnt years later after we moved away. So many memories

[@RobinMarconeCassidyRN]

There is no way I would ever walk through that tunnel but I bet there were many dares to go through at night time. It just looks creepy but what an interesting video! And who's the handsome gentleman on his front porch? 😃 I bet he can tell you stories for years! Thank you so much for sharing!

[@lindalund6435]

Love this video, my mom grew was born and raised there

[@realappalachia]

Thank you for watching it

[@kesmarn]

I can only echo what Tall Dude said. Every time I say that you two have produced your best video yet, you go right ahead and top yourselves. Maybe I wasn't listening closely enough, but I have to ask: was that gentleman you interviewed *the* Pastor Barnett that you recalled, Shane? The one from the VBS (complete with hot dogs?) Or someone else? His memory was remarkable and his attitude was even more so. Love the joke about "three 'O's" and the comment he tossed back at the doctors when they told him he had a 10% chance of not coming out of the surgery alive. "Doc, every time I went into that mine, I had a 10% chance of not coming out alive!" Talk about spunk! And I can't imagine being 17 years old and being in Korea. I knew some Korean War veterans and that was one horrible conflict they ended up in. Sadly, it was largely ignored on the home front. One of the vets I knew of reported that he had gotten 3 purple hearts there. (I totally believe him on this, too.) They were all won on the same day! Yes. He got wounded 3 times in one day. After that he was at last medically evacuated back home. He lived to be about 85 as I recall. Thanks for another terrific video.

[@marquiettahicks1905]

That was the one and only Pastor Roger Barnett, of the hotdog fame speaking.

[@johnirby493]

Tracks look like train doesn't run often.

[@davidrothschild8913]

The interview was sweet and love the American flag reflection on that screen door