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Chafin, Don FB230922HMcCFeud

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Hatfield and McCoy Feud
Favorites · September 22 2023 ·
DON CHAFIN FIRST RAN FOR COUNTY OFFICE IN 1908

LOGAN, W.Va. - Don Chafin was born at Marrowbone Creek in Logan County, WV, (now Mingo County), on June 26, 1887. He was the son of Francis Marion and Esther Brewer Chafin.

Some believe he inherited his political aptitude. His father was high sheriff of Logan County for several terms beginning in 1888. His uncle, John Chafin, was once clerk of Mingo County; and, over the years, a number of other family members held political positions in both Logan and Mingo Counties.

Oddly, Don's life nearly ended before it got started. When Don was a toddler, a family jack of all trades, Al Rodgers, was doing some painting at his parent’s home. Rodgers just happened to walk around the house at the right time. He spotted a pair of small feet, with pink toes wiggling wildly, sticking out from the top of a wooden rain barrel.

Don, at two years of age, had become trapped in an awful mess. While playing, he'd somehow fallen inside the drum, which was half-full of rain runoff. He was surely drowning.

The handyman anxiously yanked lil' Don from the cask and worked on him, pushing in and out on the toddler's stomach - like pumping on the bellows of an accordion - until Don finally squalled out loud as he started swallowing big gulps of air.

In May 1890, portions of the incident were published on the front page of the local newspaper, The Logan County Banner. Any longer in that old barrel and Don would have surely suffocated in stagnant water; but, thankfully he survived the ordeal.

***

As he grew, Don excelled as a student in the Logan County school system. Later, as he completed his high school studies, he enrolled in college and completed challenging courses in business at Marshall College, and Mountain State Business College. He returned home at 17 years-of-age, following the death of his father in 1903. It was around this same period that Don became an active member of the local Democratic Party.

By 1908, Don ran for his first political office, and he was elected county assessor. He was 21 years old, mind you. Four years later, with an amount of experience under his belt, he announced his candidacy for Logan County Sheriff. Don was 25 when he was elected in 1912 to his first term as sheriff.

His political career-with many upcoming years of controversy and nefarious behavior-was well underway.

- F. Keith Davis See less
Comments
Peggy Altizer Mynes
Great article & info. Don also worked a short time in the coal mines in Logan County and was a bouncer for boxer, Jack Dempsey. He certainly had a lot of early life experiences.
Thanks for sharing.
Reply
1w

Harry Jenkins
Great picture and history thank you for sharing
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1w
Ann Martin
Love when this history is shared !
Thank you!
Reply
1w
Edited
Rita Gibson
Thank you for sharing. Interesting story????????
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1w
Mike Baisden
His great grands are my third great grands his grandfather was my second great uncle
Reply
1w

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