Tony Leon was born in Follansbee, February 18, 1917.  He graduated from Follansbee High School in 1934. During the July 2005 Follansbee Community Days, the deceased Tone Leon was honored. His brother, Jay of Wellsburg, spoke on his behalf.  Jay said “Tony had worked for Weirton Steel after finishing high school, when Russ Craft of Wellsburg encouraged him to try out with him for the University of Alabama football team.”  Joe Chorba of Follansbee was also on the same Crimson Tide squad.

After playing football at the University of Alabama, Leon was drafted in the eighth round of the 1943 NFL Draft. He was a professional offensive lineman in the National Football League for the Washington Redskins (1943), Brooklyn Tigers (1944), and the Boston Yanks (1945-46). He died in July 19, 2002.

“Jay recalled that while playing for the Redskins, Tony earned a salary of $6,500 per year, about the cost of a house in those days and respectable at a time before television and mass merchandising, when NFL’s revenue was limited to the admission charged of the games’ patrons”.Following his football career, Leon owned and operated the Corner Cigar Store in Weirton and served two terms as Hancock County assessor.  The father of two and grandfather of two, he died in 1995 in Las Vegas, where he had moved to be close to one of his sons.

Tony Leon 1940 Alabama team

• Steubenville Herald Star, “Follansbee Natives Recognized,” July 11, 2004.
• http://nfl-youth-football.blogspot.com/2005/07/follansbee-natives-recognized.html
• (http://www.databasefootball.com/players/playerpage.htm?ilkid=LEONTON01#Bio)

During 1939-1940, Follansbee’s Ralph Freshwater was the West Virginia State mile run champion. His first place finish in 1940 at the State meet held in Morgantown was in 4 minutes, 38 seconds, just 3 seconds behind the record. Ralph was a sensation in the Ohio Valley and among the best distance runners to ever represent Follansbee.

At the 1940 OVAC championship held on a cinder track at Wheeling Island stadium, Ralph set a new mile run record.  His time was 4 minutes, 39.7 seconds beating the old record of 4.45 set in 1932. In the same race, teammate Joe Dalesio placed third scoring additional points for Follansbee.

The Blue Wave mile relay team, composed of Tom Paolo, Bill Green, John Yauch, and Ralph Freshwater, broke the old OVAC record set by Bellaire in 1931. The new record of 3 minutes, 38.9 seconds bettered the previous mark of 3 minutes, 40 seconds.  Before the meet ended, John Yauch won the 200-yard low hurdles race in 24.1 seconds, equaling the OVAC record.  Other outstanding track stars in the meet were Jack Dunn, winning the high hurdlers in 16.4 seconds.  Bill Green tied for first place in the pole-vaulting event and Joe Capito placed third in the high jump.   

Freshwater recalled that the cinder tracks were slower compared to harder surface tracks in the Ohio Valley.  He also recalled that the Follansbee track, which was a cinder track, only allowed for five lanes for competition in the hurdles and 100 and 220 dash events.  Coach T. J. Hill held track practice after classes and then Ralph would hitch hike home, which was on Eldersville road. (See 1954 – T. J. Hill on Timeline)

Ralph was on T. J. Hill’s track teams during the 1938-1940 seasons.  During the 1938 season other trackmen who participated with Ralph were: Tony Gigilo, 440: Emil Barnett, Dean Stocks, Jack and Lawrence Dunn, hurdles; Leo Cocco, distance runs; Dale Carmody, pole vault; George Connell, dashes; Leroy Martin, middle distance runs; Robert Prekup, weights; and Angelo Calvarese, jumps.

After graduating from FHS in 1940, Freshwater and his four brothers served in the armed forces during WWII.  Ralph said they drafted the guys who were earning the most money last so that they could care for their family.  After returning from the service, Ralph worked in construction and later started his own construction company in Wintersville, Ohio.   

*The Ingot (FHS Newspaper), “State Champion Mile Runner,” May 25, 1940, p. 5.

*Phone interview, Ralph Whitewater,” August 7, 2013.

The school was dedicated on March 13, 1941, but opened for classes in 1940 for the 1940-1941 school year.  A bronze plaque at the school mentions the first school board members including Henry L. Doak (president),  Leroy E. Shipley,  Herman Zimmerman and Claude R. Carey. Olen Rutan was secretary of the board and superintendent of schools. The first teachers were Catherine Gregory (principal), Lois Atkinson, Hugh Turk, June Ratcliffe and Doris Virden.

First row: Gordon Dadey, Lorelei Evans, Richard LaPasta, Eva Jean Brady, Shirley Hubbard, Gerald Ayers, Mary Jane Sabel, Leroy Saunders, Jerry Berdini, Laverna Douglas, Richard Zembardi, Catherine Uhar; Second row: Tommy Geary, Martha Welshans, Robert Rhoades, Thelma Krystynak, Ronald Maderia, Donna Blankenship, Marge Thomson, Joe Shawver, Connie Wallace?, Edward Delmer; Third row: Bill Eckles, Jerry Huffman, Marven Waugh, Lora Lee Cox, Jimmy Bullock, Roger Kuhn, Winifred Boffo, Dorothy Sue Baker, Frances Prescott.      Courtesy of West Virginia State Archives.

 



Hooverson Heights Grade School, grades 1-4 together, 1938. First row: Don Platter, Naomi Bishop, Edith Geary, Bob McCall, Mary Lou Gassmer, Shirley Stakes, Margy Truxal, Bob Knight. Second row: Donald ?, Howard Renforth, Bob Miller, Crystal Lang, Florence Peters, Valecia Onea, Tom Allison, Jean Bullock, Floyd ?. Third row: Doris Persinger, Doris McFarland, Frank Roush, Frank Sterrett, Bill Carte, Junior Martin, Faye Cox, Frank Rogers, John Keeling, Mary Bell Headt. Fourth row: Joann Blakely, Mary F. Mark, Freda Rogers, Betty Bishop, Mazie Brindly, Wayne Dobson, Bill Wilson, Maurice Platter, Thera Weatherhead. Fifth row: teacher Lois Anderson. Photo: W. V. State Archives

 

•  Brooke Scene, “Hooverson School plans for 50th anniversary,” January 9, 1990, p. 1.

As early as 1931 the Streetcar line operated by Pan Handle Traction Company went bankrupt and discontinued service through Follansbee. However, business transactions made service available until 1939.   Based on a report about a Council meeting in 1939,  city officials asked the traction company to continue operations until a bus service was introduced.

Following the Blue Wave win over Wellsburg, a victory dance was organized by the Pepper Club to honor Coach James Carey and the Blue Wave football team.  The Red Horse Tavern was a popular gathering place in the 1930s.  Its location was near where the Archer Heights road joins route 2. The Homecoming Dance included a floorshow. Music was provided by Jim Lusk’s band.

The Red Horse Tavern featured big bands and dancing.  It was a popular venue for banquets.  Occasional squabbles also occurred there, especially between Follansbee and Wellsburg rivals. The proprietors were Jones and McCreary.  In April 1937 when the Tavern re-opened after remodeling, Eddie Peyton’s band from Pittsburgh entertained over 200 couples.  Later in January 1937, a Birthday Ball in honor of President Roosevelt was given at the Red Horse Tavern.

• Follansbee Review, “Red Horse Tavern..” March, 25, 1937.  
• Follansbee Review, “Red Horse Tavern Opens..” April 1, 1937.
• Follansbee Review, “President’s Ball.. Red Horse..” Jan. 28, 1937.
• Weirton Daily Times, Thursday, November 17, 1939.
• Weirton Daily Times, Saturday, November 19, 1939.
• (A video tape of the Follansbee/Wellsburgh and Follansbee/Mingo 1939 games is in the Brooke Country Library, Wellsburg.)

Coach Jimmy Carrey’s powerful offense scored eight touchdowns to defeat Wellsburg for the annual Brooke county championship battle.  3,000 fans witnessed the heated rivalry at Follansbee High School Field.   It was the sixth straight win for Carey’s team.  Vic Bonie, Captain Joe Chorba, and George Johnson each scored two touchdowns.  Lupinetti and Yauch added the other two scores.  Bonie and Buccalo made the extra points.

Members of the Follansbee Peppers club with their canes and peppers were on hand as well as the Follansbee and Wellsburg high school bands The Follansbee High School team of 1939 is considered by locals as one of the best in the school’s history. The starting roster included Bill Lewis (LE), Mario Lombardi (LT), Mike Salatino (LG),  Dick Kimmel (C), Nick Consalvo (RG), Eugene Buccalo (RT),  J. Dunn (RE), George Johnson (QB), Johnny Yauch (LH), Vic Bonie (RH), and Captain Joe Chorba (FB). Vic Bonie’s educated toe won two games over Warwood and Benwood Union 3-0 by kicking field goals. Joe Chorba and Mario Lombardi played in the first Ohio Valley All-Star Game. Chorba went on to play football at Alabama with Russ Craft of Wellsburg.  Tony Leon of Follansbee was also on the Alabama team during this era.

1939 starting lineup for Wellsburg game. Photo taken from original game score card.

Coach Carey picture signed to Captain Joe Chorba after victory over Wellsburg in 1939

1939 Follansbee HS marching band.   Photo courtesy of Mayor’s office Follansbee.

1939 Follansbee Vs. Wellsburg game. Camera scans the band and fans.

In the 1938 – 1940 issues of the Follansbee High school newspaper, the following city businesses placed ads. Their addresses and phone numbers are also identified below.

Buffalo Confectionery (Candies & Ice Cream), Pierre’s Barber & Beauty Shop, (159 Main), Erwin’s Market (601 Banfield), Edwards Greenhouse (Phone 218), City Grocery (Member IGA – phone 6), James Walmsley (Magazines & School Supplies – phone 29-J), Skews Cut Rate (Medicines, Tobacco, Sundries  – 1050 Main), Muldrew Service Station (Hot Lunches, Pop, Candy – Across from High School), George Park’s Hardware (phone 101), C. & P. 5 and 10c Store (822 Main), The James Co. -Funeral Directors (1243 Main), and Lantz Brothers Dairy,

• The Ingot,  October 13, 1938,  (the above ads were in this issue).

In his 2006 book, “Wins, Losses, and Lessons,” Holtz described the two-room basement apartment where he was born in Follansbee:

“Our cellar home had a kitchen and a combination bedroom and half bath, which meant we had a sink next to the bed. We had no refrigerator, no shower or tub, and no privacy. My parents shared the bedroom with my sister and me. We bathed in the sink when we could, ate outside when the weather permitted, and slept in whatever configuration kept us warm and comfortable. We didn’t have a closet, because we didn’t need one. I owned one pair of overalls and one flannel shirt, an outfit I wore every day.” (Wins, Losses, and Lessons)

Lou was born, Louis Leo Holtz, January 6, 1937, eight years after the Wall Street crash triggered massive unemployment and the Great Depression. Like most children at the time, Lou was born at home being delivered by Dr. Ralph McGraw, an esteemed local physician. “That’s where God saw fit for me to join this world and where I lived the early years of my life.” Lou’s parents were Andrew and Anne Marie Holtz.

Lou claims that his grandfather, whose name was also Lou Holtz, brought the family to Follansbee from the coal mines in Rossiter, Pa. His grandfather initially looked for employment with Wheeling Steel. Holtz says that his Mom and Dad stayed in Follansbee, “even though the work was sparse.” His Dad got odd jobs, working on the railroad, driving a truck, and a bus, to keep the family going.

While being honored at the Follansbee Community Days in June 2014, Lou Holtz recalled his humble beginnings. He said that he had warm memories of his youth in Follansbee, especially playing with the Quattrocchi boys. Lou said he would have grown up in Follansbee, had his mother not moved the family to East Liverpool, OH., where they stayed with her parents while his Dad served in the navy during World War II.

In East Liverpool, Lou credits the Sisters of St. Aloysius Catholic grade school for the tremendous religious influence on his life. His first experience in football was playing for St Aloysius were he graduated in 1950. Lou graduated from East Liverpool High School in 1954, and then Kent State University in 1959, playing football at both schools. His earliest coaching experience occurred at the University of Iowa where he was a graduate student assistant.

Not known for his playing career, Holtz made a name for himself as a coach. In his 26 seasons as a collegiate coach, Holtz posted a 249-132-7 record while going 12-7-2 in Bowl games.

He is the only coach in NCAA football history to reach bowl games with six different schools and to lead four different schools into the top 20 national rankings. He started his coaching career at William and Mary, and then moved on to North Carolina State. After a brief stint with the New York Jets, he coached at the University of Arkansas and the University of Minnesota. He then coached 11 years at Notre Dame rebuilding their football team. His Fighting Irish won the 1988 National Championship defeating West Virginia.

He became a television commentator after he retired from coaching in 1995, but returned to coaching in 1999, leading the University of South Carolina to bowl victories. In 2000, both Football News and American Football Coach Quarterly named him National Coach of the Year. The Lou Holtz Upper Ohio Valley Hall of Fame in East Liverpool is named in his honor.

Lou Holtz authored three New York Times best-selling books. For comments about his years in Follansbee, read his book released August 15, 2006 titled, Wins, Losses and Lessons, an autobiography of his life and the lessons he has learned. The first chapter covers his early years in Follansbee.

Lou Holtz also authored The Fighting Spirit that chronicled Notre Dame’s 1988-championship season and Winning Everyday and A Game Plan For Success (August 1998). Holtz became a college football studio analyst for ESPN from 2004-2015. He appeared on ESPNEWS’, ESPN College GameDay programs, SportsCenter as well as an on-site analyst for college football games.

*Personal interview with Tillie Mino, July 2015, (She remembers Holtz family living on State Street).

*Oral evidence suggest that Holtz was actually born at 512 state street in the basement of the Frank Chorba home that is still standing.

*See on web, “Holtz returns for Follansbee Community Day event.” By Warren Scott, Staff writer, Weirton Daily Times, June 27, 2014.

*See Lou Holtz Bio University of South Carolina Official Athletic Site http://www.gamecocksonline.com/sports/m-footbl/mtt/holtz_lou00.html

*Jeff Carroll, Notre Dame, Miami, and the Battle for the Soul of College Football, p. 40. (Text on-web)

More photos were taken of the 1936 flood than any other event in the city’s history. The flood was by far the most destructive ever experienced along the northern Panhandle of the Ohio Valley.  The river reached a depth of 52 feet.  The waters reach up to the second floor of buildings on Main Street.

Families were terrified. Antonio Ferrante’s grocery store was among the buildings inundated by rising water.  His family, residing on Main Street, were rescued by row boat and taken to Liugi Settimio’s home.

Mario Cipriani recalled that his father took in three families who had to abandon their homes.  Lisa (Cheka) Andriano remembered being terrified as she was rescued from a second floor window of her home on Main Street by men in a wobbly row boat.  She did not know how to swim.  Joe Peck recalled his frantic efforts to carry merchandise from his grocery store to the family living quarters on the second floor.  Hundreds of families lost their personal belongings.

The destruction of commercial and personal properties, especially on Follansbee’s Main Street were overwhelming. Many city organizations came together with volunteer rescue efforts to assist flood victims with relief workers.  Mrs. Clarence Barnett helped in the Christian Church soup kitchen.  Mrs. Roy Durbin organized the Jefferson School food kitchen.  Relief distribution efforts occurred at St. Anthony’s school led by E.M. Dunlevy and Harry Skews.  Father James Rogers of St. Anthony’s threw open the parish hall and school for distribution of clothing and mattresses.  The Lantz Brothers Dairy provided milk for displaced families with children.  The American Legion Post assisted city officials with special patrols and rescue work. As the flood resided, volunteers joined work crews to clear off streets and route 2 along the river banks.  Hundreds of rats, forced from the river bottoms, were shot while debris was cleared from trolley tracks and the roadway.

Surrounding communities also assisted including Richeyville, Cannonsberg, PA, and Weirton, WV.  A year latter in 1937 the Ohio River flooded again leaving Follansbee with damaging results.

Follansbee Review, “Volunteers Give Aid…Mar. 26, 1936.

Flood on Virginia Avenue, 1936. Courtesy of West Virginia State Archives.

View down Main St.

View of Ohio River during 1936 flood.

Looking North on Main St.
 

Photo: Frank S. Chorba.