The Pike County News
October 5, 1939
JIM HATCHER, WEALTHY PIKE LAND OWNER
DIES AFTER LENGTHY ILLNESS
James "Uncle Jim" Hatcher, wealthy land owner and a prominent business figure in the Big Sandy Valley for more than half a century, died at his home next to the Hatcher Hotel at 12:40 o'clock Friday noon, following an illness of several weeks. He observed his eightieth birthday September 22nd.
Funeral services were conducted at the Hatcher Hotel here at 2 o'clock Sunday afternoon and were attended by Governor A. B. Chandler, who, in a brief address, paid tribute to Mr. Hatcher; Lieutenant Governor Keen Johnson and other state officials, including E. E. Shannon, Dan Talbot, and Major Joe Burnham. Rev. I. S. Pineur officiated, and burial was in the family plot in the Pikeville Cemetery, in a casket he had especially constructed*.
Pall bearers were Mack Bowles, John M. Yost, Hi Pauley, George W. Coleman, K. J. Day, Zach Justice, K. L. Arnold, Louis Polack, George Johnson, George Venters, John Bentley, Dr. M. D. Flanary, W. H. Caudill, and J. H. Cingett.
A pioneer in the timber industry long before the coming of the railroad and the development of the vast coal fields of this region, Mr. Hatcher floated hundreds of rafts carrying millions of feet of lumber down the Big Sandy to the Ohio, then on to the market points at Cincinnati, Louisville, and Evansville. His early timber operations were successful, and he invested practically all of his profits in land in Pike and Floyd counties until he became recognized as one of the biggest individual land-holders in the entire valley.
At Big Shoal, where he formerly operated the James Hatcher Coal Company, his holdings included 3,700 acres and in addition to this vast tract, his other holdings were estimated at 6,000 acres, much of which lies over rich coal deposits.
Entering business here at the age of 18, Mr. Hatcher soon opened a warehouse for merchandise, and at one time handled practically all of the merchandise which was shipped via steamer to Pikeville, which was the head of navigation for an extensive district including Pike, Letcher, and Harlan counties in Kentucky and Buchanan, Dickenson and Wise counties in Virginia. He was associated with R. M. Ferrell, W. O. B. Ratliff, and John C. Hopkins in building the steamer Mountain Girl, which he considered the finest boat on the river and also the biggest financial failure of the waters. Among other ventures Mr. Hatcher engaged in the contracting business, and in 1886 had the contract to erect the courthouse here.
A few years ago he erected the new Hotel Hatcher on Main Street, and this has become one of the show places of the Big Sandy. In the spacious lobby is a museum in miniature including ox-yokes, ancient hand-made furniture, weapons of bygone days, a huge old-fashioned fireplace, and utensils used in the days of the early settlers. The white walls of the lobby are literally covered with historical data of Pike and Floyd counties, mottoes, and philosophical sayings.
Mr. Hatcher had long been a prominent figure in Democratic political circles and several years ago served one term as Clerk of the Pike County Court, and in 1932 he was elected state railroad commissioner for this district.
Born at the mouth of Beaver Creek in Floyd County on September 22nd, 1859, he was the son of A. J. and Mary C. Layne Hatcher, being one of nine children born to this couple. He moved to Pikeville early in life and attended the school here. In 1889, at the age of 30, he was married here to Miss Octavia Smith, daughter of Jacob [s/b Jesse] Smith, an early settler. Mrs. Hatcher died on May 2, 1891 and a son, Jacob, born just before the death of Mrs. Hatcher, died also in infancy.
**********************************************************
The son of Andrew Jackson Peery Hatcher and Mary Catherine Layne. Married Octavia Smith in 1889; they had one son, Jacob Hatcher, who died at birth on January 4, 1891. Octavia passed away in May of the same year.
James Hatcher was a well-known and extremely successful Pikeville business man. He made his fortune in a variety of investments that included river transportation, coal mining, timber, and mainly, real estate. In 1931, he opened the showplace hotel, The James Hatcher Hotel/Hatcher Hotel in Pikeville. He was one of the first innkeepers to display interesting oddities and antiques in a museum type fashion. He also made sure his guests were secure with superior security and fireproofing.
He died in his home located by the Hotel Hatcher and his wishes were that his funeral be held at the hotel. For years he'd had a specially constructed coffin (one of his many unique artifacts) on display at the hotel. This was a coffin that would allow an escape in case the person inside wasn't dead, but in a comatose state. This inspired the legend of the death of his own wife, Octavia and the rumors she had been buried alive after being bitten by a fly. Whether this was desire for an escapeable coffin was based on Octavia's story or his own fears fed the rumor that this had happened to her is unknown. No newspaper accounts can be found of Octavia being buried alive. In any case, James never remarried and it was probably the unique monument he had erected for Octavia and Jacob that sparked a story. She is standing, dressed in her best facing the east. Urban legend claimed baby Jacob was in her arms, but broke off due to vandals or bad design. His likeness is located at the base of her monument. Proof of her original intact statue is here as provided by J'aime Rubio in the blog post http://dreamingcasuallypoetry.blogspot.com/2015/01/the-true-story-of-octavia-hatcher.html citing this news article:
The Daily Review out of Decatur, Illinois, September 28, 1892, stated:
"Unique Tombstone. Cincinnati, Sept. 27.--
The most unique tombstone known in this section was shipped from this city. It is a statue of the late Mrs. James Hatcher, the deceased wife of a Pikeville, Ky., banker. It is in marble and is the exact hight [sic] of the deceased and is a perfect likeness of her, a cabinet photograph having been used as a model. In the right hand is a parasol, the handle having an immense ring. Even the fashion of the dress is copied."
************************************************************
A widower named James Hatcher is enumerated in the 1910 US Federal Census for Pikeville, Pike County, Kentucky, living with his brother, Richard Hatcher, also a widower. His occupation is listed as "own income."
October 5, 1939
JIM HATCHER, WEALTHY PIKE LAND OWNER
DIES AFTER LENGTHY ILLNESS
James "Uncle Jim" Hatcher, wealthy land owner and a prominent business figure in the Big Sandy Valley for more than half a century, died at his home next to the Hatcher Hotel at 12:40 o'clock Friday noon, following an illness of several weeks. He observed his eightieth birthday September 22nd.
Funeral services were conducted at the Hatcher Hotel here at 2 o'clock Sunday afternoon and were attended by Governor A. B. Chandler, who, in a brief address, paid tribute to Mr. Hatcher; Lieutenant Governor Keen Johnson and other state officials, including E. E. Shannon, Dan Talbot, and Major Joe Burnham. Rev. I. S. Pineur officiated, and burial was in the family plot in the Pikeville Cemetery, in a casket he had especially constructed*.
Pall bearers were Mack Bowles, John M. Yost, Hi Pauley, George W. Coleman, K. J. Day, Zach Justice, K. L. Arnold, Louis Polack, George Johnson, George Venters, John Bentley, Dr. M. D. Flanary, W. H. Caudill, and J. H. Cingett.
A pioneer in the timber industry long before the coming of the railroad and the development of the vast coal fields of this region, Mr. Hatcher floated hundreds of rafts carrying millions of feet of lumber down the Big Sandy to the Ohio, then on to the market points at Cincinnati, Louisville, and Evansville. His early timber operations were successful, and he invested practically all of his profits in land in Pike and Floyd counties until he became recognized as one of the biggest individual land-holders in the entire valley.
At Big Shoal, where he formerly operated the James Hatcher Coal Company, his holdings included 3,700 acres and in addition to this vast tract, his other holdings were estimated at 6,000 acres, much of which lies over rich coal deposits.
Entering business here at the age of 18, Mr. Hatcher soon opened a warehouse for merchandise, and at one time handled practically all of the merchandise which was shipped via steamer to Pikeville, which was the head of navigation for an extensive district including Pike, Letcher, and Harlan counties in Kentucky and Buchanan, Dickenson and Wise counties in Virginia. He was associated with R. M. Ferrell, W. O. B. Ratliff, and John C. Hopkins in building the steamer Mountain Girl, which he considered the finest boat on the river and also the biggest financial failure of the waters. Among other ventures Mr. Hatcher engaged in the contracting business, and in 1886 had the contract to erect the courthouse here.
A few years ago he erected the new Hotel Hatcher on Main Street, and this has become one of the show places of the Big Sandy. In the spacious lobby is a museum in miniature including ox-yokes, ancient hand-made furniture, weapons of bygone days, a huge old-fashioned fireplace, and utensils used in the days of the early settlers. The white walls of the lobby are literally covered with historical data of Pike and Floyd counties, mottoes, and philosophical sayings.
Mr. Hatcher had long been a prominent figure in Democratic political circles and several years ago served one term as Clerk of the Pike County Court, and in 1932 he was elected state railroad commissioner for this district.
Born at the mouth of Beaver Creek in Floyd County on September 22nd, 1859, he was the son of A. J. and Mary C. Layne Hatcher, being one of nine children born to this couple. He moved to Pikeville early in life and attended the school here. In 1889, at the age of 30, he was married here to Miss Octavia Smith, daughter of Jacob [s/b Jesse] Smith, an early settler. Mrs. Hatcher died on May 2, 1891 and a son, Jacob, born just before the death of Mrs. Hatcher, died also in infancy.
**********************************************************
The son of Andrew Jackson Peery Hatcher and Mary Catherine Layne. Married Octavia Smith in 1889; they had one son, Jacob Hatcher, who died at birth on January 4, 1891. Octavia passed away in May of the same year.
James Hatcher was a well-known and extremely successful Pikeville business man. He made his fortune in a variety of investments that included river transportation, coal mining, timber, and mainly, real estate. In 1931, he opened the showplace hotel, The James Hatcher Hotel/Hatcher Hotel in Pikeville. He was one of the first innkeepers to display interesting oddities and antiques in a museum type fashion. He also made sure his guests were secure with superior security and fireproofing.
He died in his home located by the Hotel Hatcher and his wishes were that his funeral be held at the hotel. For years he'd had a specially constructed coffin (one of his many unique artifacts) on display at the hotel. This was a coffin that would allow an escape in case the person inside wasn't dead, but in a comatose state. This inspired the legend of the death of his own wife, Octavia and the rumors she had been buried alive after being bitten by a fly. Whether this was desire for an escapeable coffin was based on Octavia's story or his own fears fed the rumor that this had happened to her is unknown. No newspaper accounts can be found of Octavia being buried alive. In any case, James never remarried and it was probably the unique monument he had erected for Octavia and Jacob that sparked a story. She is standing, dressed in her best facing the east. Urban legend claimed baby Jacob was in her arms, but broke off due to vandals or bad design. His likeness is located at the base of her monument. Proof of her original intact statue is here as provided by J'aime Rubio in the blog post http://dreamingcasuallypoetry.blogspot.com/2015/01/the-true-story-of-octavia-hatcher.html citing this news article:
The Daily Review out of Decatur, Illinois, September 28, 1892, stated:
"Unique Tombstone. Cincinnati, Sept. 27.--
The most unique tombstone known in this section was shipped from this city. It is a statue of the late Mrs. James Hatcher, the deceased wife of a Pikeville, Ky., banker. It is in marble and is the exact hight [sic] of the deceased and is a perfect likeness of her, a cabinet photograph having been used as a model. In the right hand is a parasol, the handle having an immense ring. Even the fashion of the dress is copied."
************************************************************
A widower named James Hatcher is enumerated in the 1910 US Federal Census for Pikeville, Pike County, Kentucky, living with his brother, Richard Hatcher, also a widower. His occupation is listed as "own income."
The Pike County News
October 5, 1939
JIM HATCHER, WEALTHY PIKE LAND OWNER
DIES AFTER LENGTHY ILLNESS
James "Uncle Jim" Hatcher, wealthy land owner and a prominent business figure in the Big Sandy Valley for more than half a century, died at his home next to the Hatcher Hotel at 12:40 o'clock Friday noon, following an illness of several weeks. He observed his eightieth birthday September 22nd.
Funeral services were conducted at the Hatcher Hotel here at 2 o'clock Sunday afternoon and were attended by Governor A. B. Chandler, who, in a brief address, paid tribute to Mr. Hatcher; Lieutenant Governor Keen Johnson and other state officials, including E. E. Shannon, Dan Talbot, and Major Joe Burnham. Rev. I. S. Pineur officiated, and burial was in the family plot in the Pikeville Cemetery, in a casket he had especially constructed*.
Pall bearers were Mack Bowles, John M. Yost, Hi Pauley, George W. Coleman, K. J. Day, Zach Justice, K. L. Arnold, Louis Polack, George Johnson, George Venters, John Bentley, Dr. M. D. Flanary, W. H. Caudill, and J. H. Cingett.
A pioneer in the timber industry long before the coming of the railroad and the development of the vast coal fields of this region, Mr. Hatcher floated hundreds of rafts carrying millions of feet of lumber down the Big Sandy to the Ohio, then on to the market points at Cincinnati, Louisville, and Evansville. His early timber operations were successful, and he invested practically all of his profits in land in Pike and Floyd counties until he became recognized as one of the biggest individual land-holders in the entire valley.
At Big Shoal, where he formerly operated the James Hatcher Coal Company, his holdings included 3,700 acres and in addition to this vast tract, his other holdings were estimated at 6,000 acres, much of which lies over rich coal deposits.
Entering business here at the age of 18, Mr. Hatcher soon opened a warehouse for merchandise, and at one time handled practically all of the merchandise which was shipped via steamer to Pikeville, which was the head of navigation for an extensive district including Pike, Letcher, and Harlan counties in Kentucky and Buchanan, Dickenson and Wise counties in Virginia. He was associated with R. M. Ferrell, W. O. B. Ratliff, and John C. Hopkins in building the steamer Mountain Girl, which he considered the finest boat on the river and also the biggest financial failure of the waters. Among other ventures Mr. Hatcher engaged in the contracting business, and in 1886 had the contract to erect the courthouse here.
A few years ago he erected the new Hotel Hatcher on Main Street, and this has become one of the show places of the Big Sandy. In the spacious lobby is a museum in miniature including ox-yokes, ancient hand-made furniture, weapons of bygone days, a huge old-fashioned fireplace, and utensils used in the days of the early settlers. The white walls of the lobby are literally covered with historical data of Pike and Floyd counties, mottoes, and philosophical sayings.
Mr. Hatcher had long been a prominent figure in Democratic political circles and several years ago served one term as Clerk of the Pike County Court, and in 1932 he was elected state railroad commissioner for this district.
Born at the mouth of Beaver Creek in Floyd County on September 22nd, 1859, he was the son of A. J. and Mary C. Layne Hatcher, being one of nine children born to this couple. He moved to Pikeville early in life and attended the school here. In 1889, at the age of 30, he was married here to Miss Octavia Smith, daughter of Jacob [s/b Jesse] Smith, an early settler. Mrs. Hatcher died on May 2, 1891 and a son, Jacob, born just before the death of Mrs. Hatcher, died also in infancy.
**********************************************************
The son of Andrew Jackson Peery Hatcher and Mary Catherine Layne. Married Octavia Smith in 1889; they had one son, Jacob Hatcher, who died at birth on January 4, 1891. Octavia passed away in May of the same year.
James Hatcher was a well-known and extremely successful Pikeville business man. He made his fortune in a variety of investments that included river transportation, coal mining, timber, and mainly, real estate. In 1931, he opened the showplace hotel, The James Hatcher Hotel/Hatcher Hotel in Pikeville. He was one of the first innkeepers to display interesting oddities and antiques in a museum type fashion. He also made sure his guests were secure with superior security and fireproofing.
He died in his home located by the Hotel Hatcher and his wishes were that his funeral be held at the hotel. For years he'd had a specially constructed coffin (one of his many unique artifacts) on display at the hotel. This was a coffin that would allow an escape in case the person inside wasn't dead, but in a comatose state. This inspired the legend of the death of his own wife, Octavia and the rumors she had been buried alive after being bitten by a fly. Whether this was desire for an escapeable coffin was based on Octavia's story or his own fears fed the rumor that this had happened to her is unknown. No newspaper accounts can be found of Octavia being buried alive. In any case, James never remarried and it was probably the unique monument he had erected for Octavia and Jacob that sparked a story. She is standing, dressed in her best facing the east. Urban legend claimed baby Jacob was in her arms, but broke off due to vandals or bad design. His likeness is located at the base of her monument. Proof of her original intact statue is here as provided by J'aime Rubio in the blog post http://dreamingcasuallypoetry.blogspot.com/2015/01/the-true-story-of-octavia-hatcher.html citing this news article:
The Daily Review out of Decatur, Illinois, September 28, 1892, stated:
"Unique Tombstone. Cincinnati, Sept. 27.--
The most unique tombstone known in this section was shipped from this city. It is a statue of the late Mrs. James Hatcher, the deceased wife of a Pikeville, Ky., banker. It is in marble and is the exact hight [sic] of the deceased and is a perfect likeness of her, a cabinet photograph having been used as a model. In the right hand is a parasol, the handle having an immense ring. Even the fashion of the dress is copied."
************************************************************
A widower named James Hatcher is enumerated in the 1910 US Federal Census for Pikeville, Pike County, Kentucky, living with his brother, Richard Hatcher, also a widower. His occupation is listed as "own income."
October 5, 1939
JIM HATCHER, WEALTHY PIKE LAND OWNER
DIES AFTER LENGTHY ILLNESS
James "Uncle Jim" Hatcher, wealthy land owner and a prominent business figure in the Big Sandy Valley for more than half a century, died at his home next to the Hatcher Hotel at 12:40 o'clock Friday noon, following an illness of several weeks. He observed his eightieth birthday September 22nd.
Funeral services were conducted at the Hatcher Hotel here at 2 o'clock Sunday afternoon and were attended by Governor A. B. Chandler, who, in a brief address, paid tribute to Mr. Hatcher; Lieutenant Governor Keen Johnson and other state officials, including E. E. Shannon, Dan Talbot, and Major Joe Burnham. Rev. I. S. Pineur officiated, and burial was in the family plot in the Pikeville Cemetery, in a casket he had especially constructed*.
Pall bearers were Mack Bowles, John M. Yost, Hi Pauley, George W. Coleman, K. J. Day, Zach Justice, K. L. Arnold, Louis Polack, George Johnson, George Venters, John Bentley, Dr. M. D. Flanary, W. H. Caudill, and J. H. Cingett.
A pioneer in the timber industry long before the coming of the railroad and the development of the vast coal fields of this region, Mr. Hatcher floated hundreds of rafts carrying millions of feet of lumber down the Big Sandy to the Ohio, then on to the market points at Cincinnati, Louisville, and Evansville. His early timber operations were successful, and he invested practically all of his profits in land in Pike and Floyd counties until he became recognized as one of the biggest individual land-holders in the entire valley.
At Big Shoal, where he formerly operated the James Hatcher Coal Company, his holdings included 3,700 acres and in addition to this vast tract, his other holdings were estimated at 6,000 acres, much of which lies over rich coal deposits.
Entering business here at the age of 18, Mr. Hatcher soon opened a warehouse for merchandise, and at one time handled practically all of the merchandise which was shipped via steamer to Pikeville, which was the head of navigation for an extensive district including Pike, Letcher, and Harlan counties in Kentucky and Buchanan, Dickenson and Wise counties in Virginia. He was associated with R. M. Ferrell, W. O. B. Ratliff, and John C. Hopkins in building the steamer Mountain Girl, which he considered the finest boat on the river and also the biggest financial failure of the waters. Among other ventures Mr. Hatcher engaged in the contracting business, and in 1886 had the contract to erect the courthouse here.
A few years ago he erected the new Hotel Hatcher on Main Street, and this has become one of the show places of the Big Sandy. In the spacious lobby is a museum in miniature including ox-yokes, ancient hand-made furniture, weapons of bygone days, a huge old-fashioned fireplace, and utensils used in the days of the early settlers. The white walls of the lobby are literally covered with historical data of Pike and Floyd counties, mottoes, and philosophical sayings.
Mr. Hatcher had long been a prominent figure in Democratic political circles and several years ago served one term as Clerk of the Pike County Court, and in 1932 he was elected state railroad commissioner for this district.
Born at the mouth of Beaver Creek in Floyd County on September 22nd, 1859, he was the son of A. J. and Mary C. Layne Hatcher, being one of nine children born to this couple. He moved to Pikeville early in life and attended the school here. In 1889, at the age of 30, he was married here to Miss Octavia Smith, daughter of Jacob [s/b Jesse] Smith, an early settler. Mrs. Hatcher died on May 2, 1891 and a son, Jacob, born just before the death of Mrs. Hatcher, died also in infancy.
**********************************************************
The son of Andrew Jackson Peery Hatcher and Mary Catherine Layne. Married Octavia Smith in 1889; they had one son, Jacob Hatcher, who died at birth on January 4, 1891. Octavia passed away in May of the same year.
James Hatcher was a well-known and extremely successful Pikeville business man. He made his fortune in a variety of investments that included river transportation, coal mining, timber, and mainly, real estate. In 1931, he opened the showplace hotel, The James Hatcher Hotel/Hatcher Hotel in Pikeville. He was one of the first innkeepers to display interesting oddities and antiques in a museum type fashion. He also made sure his guests were secure with superior security and fireproofing.
He died in his home located by the Hotel Hatcher and his wishes were that his funeral be held at the hotel. For years he'd had a specially constructed coffin (one of his many unique artifacts) on display at the hotel. This was a coffin that would allow an escape in case the person inside wasn't dead, but in a comatose state. This inspired the legend of the death of his own wife, Octavia and the rumors she had been buried alive after being bitten by a fly. Whether this was desire for an escapeable coffin was based on Octavia's story or his own fears fed the rumor that this had happened to her is unknown. No newspaper accounts can be found of Octavia being buried alive. In any case, James never remarried and it was probably the unique monument he had erected for Octavia and Jacob that sparked a story. She is standing, dressed in her best facing the east. Urban legend claimed baby Jacob was in her arms, but broke off due to vandals or bad design. His likeness is located at the base of her monument. Proof of her original intact statue is here as provided by J'aime Rubio in the blog post http://dreamingcasuallypoetry.blogspot.com/2015/01/the-true-story-of-octavia-hatcher.html citing this news article:
The Daily Review out of Decatur, Illinois, September 28, 1892, stated:
"Unique Tombstone. Cincinnati, Sept. 27.--
The most unique tombstone known in this section was shipped from this city. It is a statue of the late Mrs. James Hatcher, the deceased wife of a Pikeville, Ky., banker. It is in marble and is the exact hight [sic] of the deceased and is a perfect likeness of her, a cabinet photograph having been used as a model. In the right hand is a parasol, the handle having an immense ring. Even the fashion of the dress is copied."
************************************************************
A widower named James Hatcher is enumerated in the 1910 US Federal Census for Pikeville, Pike County, Kentucky, living with his brother, Richard Hatcher, also a widower. His occupation is listed as "own income."
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