Wednesday, September 19, 2007
WELCOME to the 700 HILL BLOG!
Welcome to the 700 HILL Blog. I have created this forum so that we can all share in the history of 700 HILL, and most importantly, to the development of the motion picture. Please add your comments on your experiences at 700 HILL, stories told to you about it, and information about people you know who lived there. Lets celebrate the history of 700 HILL and the lives of the people who called it "home".
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7 comments:
Mr. Mendez,
My grandfather was one of the brothers that crossed the border and ended up in Omar, WV.
One of the stories my father would tell us was much like yours. My father, Lorenzo Mendez, married my mother, the women in the Mendez family did not except her because she was "white". For her to learn how to make some of the meals my father liked,she had to sit on the back stairs and look inside the kitchen window as the the women would cook.
They also lived on 700 Hill. Worked in the coal mines since the age of 14, up to the age of retirement. I'm so excited to see your film. I only wish that my father was still alive.
We all enjoyed listening to the stories when we where young. I've wondered by my grandmother's family because all I ever knew about her, was that she was of a family of wealth and disowned when she married my grandfather.
Seems a family trait to married against one side or another's family.
Mr. Mendez,
We will all be thrilled to see your film of 700 Hill, which I think is long over due and I thank you for having the passion to do this. I too have a story, or rather don't we all.
I am a product of a mixed family. My mother married my father, Arbie Dillon from Mingo County. I feel that I had the best of both worlds. My father's family thought my mother was a beautiful china doll. She is well known and respected...a beautiful soul.
I did not feel any prejudice in WV such as my grandparents had talked about. The thought of my beautiful grandmother being treated with such callouness made a nine year old very angry. I loved her torillas and frioles, and so did everyone who came to her home. She always had something to eat. My grandparents had many visitors and in those days, no one called; we just saw them strolling in the driveway to their small home in Maysburg.
My grandparents Ralph and Delfina (Rios) Santos came from Rockdale, Texas in 1935 by train. My grandfather was born in Larado, Texas and told us stories of seeing Teddy Roosevelt and Pancho Villa. My grandmother Delfina told us stories of weeping mother for her drowned children. They were able to come to WV by train in 1935 with the help of my uncles, Tony Sanchez and Adolph Lomely. My grandparents lived on 700 Hill and there are many stories to tell on that Hill.
Funny how life goes in cycles. I live in Texas now. The last few years I too have been researching about the lives of my family. The Dillon's and Santos's.
My grandparents were very good friends of Johnny Mendez, which I am certain you must be related. My mother also remembers your grandmother Nancy and grandfather.
I am very proud of both heritages that I was blessed with. My mother is living in WV in MIngo county. I am also very proud of my cousin Andrea Santos, The Spanish teacher at Logan High School. I think she has been a most remarkable spokesperson for the Hispanic community in Logan County.
It's so interesting that other persons have experienced exactly what my grandmother experienced when marrying into the Mexican family. I am so truly blessed at having the Mexican culture in my life, and also can't imagine anyone feeling any differently. Thanks for the post!
To Julie: My family knows Chana well, and I expect to talk to her soon. Andrea Santos has contacted me also and we have been sharing information. Thanks for the post!
Hey David! Happy Holidays to you and your family. My brother Lawrence found Maria's picture and hopefully I will have it soon and send it to you. We are still looking for Chon's picture. Regards.
Hey David...My name is Terry...My Father was one of the uncles that helped Ralph and Delfina Santos come to WV. His name was Adolph Lomely...I ran across your blog by searching my Dad's name...I was trying to find some information on him and maybe run across a picture or two of Him in his younger days...it's great to see that you are doing a film about 700 hill...I have heard some stories about 700...If you or anybody else that you know of has any information to pass along to me please do so...My dad died when I was about 8 years old and I thought it would be interesting to find out alot about his younger days...And also, When is your film being released?
You can contact me at:
i_am4god@hotmail.com
Thanks and God Bless!
Terry
Hello cousin David..
I want you to know, that it is amazing what you are doing..People should know how amazing our family is.. I'm very proud of our heritage and can't wait to see the film! I miss the stories that my grandfather told me as a child. He helped make me the strong women I'am today. I only wish that our grandparents would be here to see the film, they would be so proud of you.This fim is well overdue. Axually I'm taking a web design class and I have to create my own web page, I'am doing it on our family history.Mainly on my grandfather and how he ended up in Logan County..Again, looking forward to the movie.. Hope all is well. Sending my love and hugs to you and your family..Love and God Bless. Cousin Selena
Sabrina Mixon
I am african american however I feel very fortunate to have grown up with other cultures. I lived next door to Mr. Adolph and his children Rosie, Tina, Raymond, Nina and I think another brother that was nicknamed Big Pop. The Sanchez's were my neighbor on the other side in a little coal camp located in Omar, WV known as Superior Bottom. I can remember our families always sharing the different foods. Oh wow the fresh tortillas that were shared nothing like the hispanic foods in the resturants. My aunt Marion Scott and Rosie were best friends and I can just remember them meeting on the front porch every evening and sharing thier girl stories. I went to school in the 70's with Tina Sanchez. Let me not forget my favorite science teacher Mr. Chafin. Proud to be a West Virginian from the coal camps of Southern WV.
Sabrina Mixon-Penn
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