This Week in West Virginia History

This Week in West Virginia History highlights events and notable births and deaths across early October. On Oct. 4, 1890, a traveling circus arrived in Alderson and a lioness later gave birth to cubs, prompting an ordinance requiring lions to be kept on leashes after repeated escapes. Oct. 4, 1934 marked the birth of Sam Huff near Morgantown, who played a key role in West Virginia University’s 38-7 record between 1952 and 1955, including three straight wins over Penn State. The list also covers Vicky Bullett’s 1967 birth, Ebenezer Zane’s 1747 founding connection to Wheeling, and Poet Roy Lee Harmon’s 1900 birth. Later dates include broadcaster and educator Harry Brawley (Oct. 8, 1909) and the death of Rev. Bernard Coffindaffer (Oct. 8, 1993).