Chapter One:

Chapter Eleven:

I wish to gratefully acknowledge the skill, advice and untiring service rendered to me by the archival staff of the West Virginia Department of Culture and History. Were it not for their unrivaled ability to uncover and resurrect the documented histories of the Weston State Hospital, this story would simply not have been possible. In addition to this, their words of encouragement and continual interest in this series were a much-welcomed source of inspiration. For this, and the many other ways in which they have...without any assumption of compensation..."spirited" this work on to a successful conclusion, I am VERY much obliged.

I would also like to warmly thank the members of the Lewis County Chamber of Commerce and the Hacker’s Creek Pioneer Decedents Library for their crucial assistance in fields of both research and promotion. Having such a knowledgeable team of local historians...who also double quite well as "cheerleaders"...has been worth its weight in gold. I earnestly hope that we may continue to be of mutual assistance to one another.

Also, a blanket expression of gratitude to everyone who has assisted me with these writings and their promotion over the last year. From the managers and owners of the bookstores who were willing to take a chance on an "unknown" local author, to the press and media officials who have helped me in spreading the word, and to all of the local organizations who have taken an interest in "The Hospital". To you all, as well as my seemingly endless circle of family and friends, I wish to express my heart-felt thanks.

Finally, to all of you...the readers of the world...thank you for taking the time to spend a few hours with me inside of my own literary world. I only hope that your entertainment and pleasure are heightened over the course of the ensuing pages. Enjoy.