Son of George Washington Sutherland and Rosina Ellen Skeen Sutherland.
THE DICKENSONIAN
Clintwood
Dickenson County
Virginia
Friday
April 28, 1967
"Mayno" Sutherland Died Saturday A.M.
At 4:14 a. m. last Saturday, death, as it must to all men, came to Herbert Maynor (Mayno) Sutherland in the veteran's hospital at Salem, Va., after a long illness. He was 73 years of age, and for nearly 30 years was editor of this newspaper.
A native of Dickenson County, he received his degree from the University of Richmond, and was employed by the Richmond daily newspaper until his indoction into army of World War I. He received serious injuries near the end of that conflict, and following the armistice he was reutrned in the States and spent two years in Walter Reed Army Hospital in Washington.
After his discharge from the hospital, he sent to New York where he entered the Columbia School of Journalism, and while there he taught a class in short story writing. Following his graduation, he accepted a position as general reporter on the New York Globe. When tht paper folded he went to the New York Times where he worked until his health gave way and he returned to his native hills in the middle twenties.
Following his recuperation, he returned to writing short stories and a steady flow of fiction came from his typewriter, ninety-five percent of which he sold to magazines, including the Saturday Evening Post. One story he sold to True Story Magazine for $5,000, an unheard of sum for a short story in those days.
In 1935 a corporation was established to print a newspaper in Dickenson County, which did not have one at that time. Mr. Sutherland was chosen as editor, and worked in that capacity for the corporation until he bought it outright in 1940. He improved it with the addition of a weekly column called "Tales of the Tall Timber," hunorous stories of the mountain people whom he knew and loved so well. This column became famous and was copied by other newspapers all over the United States.
He was elected to the General Sssembly for four consectuve terms as the floterial delegat representing Dickenson and Wise Counties, and his interest in politics remained until the very end.
He was widely respected by newsmen everwhere, and his daily mail was loaded with congratulary letters from editors and reporters, many from out of the United States.
Although in pain most of his adult life, more than three years ago he became too ill to continue the exacting task of getting out The Dickensonian, he leased the paper. Last October he was taken to the veteran's hospital, but showed no improvement.
He is survived by his wife, Mrs. Irene Draper Sutherland, formerly of Big Stone Gap, a daughter, Miss Rose Ella Sutherland, who is studying for her master's Degree at the University of Maryland, and a sister Mrs. Edna French of Clintwood.
Funeral services were held at the Clintwood Methodist Church at 2 p. m. Tuesday, with the REV. Allen Green, Pastor, and the REV. Charles Breder, pastor of the Clintwood Baptist Church, officiating. Burial was in the family plot in the Clintwood Cemetery with the Miller Funeral Home of Clintwood in charge. Pallbearers were former employees of the newspaper.
Graveside services were conducted by the ministers abnd various veteran's organizations.
THE DICKENSONIAN
GERTRUDE L. KISER
Editor and Publisher
JOHN L. MULLINS
Manager
Clintwood
Dickenson County
Virginia
28Apri1967
Page 02
Mayno
By Glenn f. Kiser
Herbert Maynor Sutherland known throughout a large area as "Mayno," died at 4:15 a. m. on Saturday of last week following a long illness. He was a newsman, a short story writer, and intellectual and an understanding human being. I was assoicated with him in the business of writing and the production of a newspaper for more than thirty years. During that period there was never a sharp word between us.
He was a graduate of the University of Richmond, the Columbia School of Journalism where he also taught a class in short story writing.
He had been in ill health since his service in World War I, when an enemy high explosive shell landing near a supply truck on which he was riding, threw him several feet where he landed with great impact. He was hospitalized in FRANCE, and following the end of the war he spent two year in Walter Reed Hospital in Washington, D. c.
His newspaper and writing career began before the war where he worked the Richmond newspapers, including the News-Leader. Following his discharge from Walter Reed, he went to New York and was hired as a reporter by the New York Globe. When that newspaper folded, he simply went over to the New York Times where he was hired instantly. There he worked side by side with such greats as Ervin & Cobb and Nunnally Johnson.
In the middle-twenties, however his health began to decline, and he resigned and returned to his native hills of Dickenson to in hi words, "to die." Uncle Harvey Long, a former Superintendant of Schools here, told him that he had a number of logs cut to stovewood length, and if he would start splitting the, slowly at first but gradually increasing as he went along, he was sure it would help him. This he did, and in time his strength returned and he started writing again. He sold practically every story he wrote, some to the slicks like The Saturday Evening Post and Colliers.
He had an agent in New York who handled the sales, and one story did not suit the agent. He returned it with a request to make some changes and write it in the first person and he would submit it to the so-called confession magazines. It so happened that True Story magazine was conducting a contest at the time, with a top prize of $5,000, a sum unprecedented at that time. Mayno knew nothing of the contest, and he did not know his agent had entered his story. He was flabbergasted when on the day before Christmas, 1927, he received a telegram informing him that his story had been chosen as the best in the contest.
My assoication with him began in the early thirties. We concentrated on plays, one of which was produced in New York. Four others were published but never reached the profession stage, but the publisher advised us that they were hard put to keep up with the demands from amateur groups.
Sometime during that period, Bruce Crawford, leased a defunct weekly newspaper in Clintwood and put us in charge. I don't recall how long it lasted but advertising was skimpy and Bruce closed it down. Mayno returned to short story writing and I wook a job teaching school. In 1935, I decided that the county needed a newspaper, so I organized a corporation and bought the necessary equipment. I asked Mayno to edit the publication while I worked as general manger. He agreed. The first issue was dated Dec. 5, 1935.
The Boad of Directors knew nothing of the production of a newspaper, and after several skirmished, both Mayno and I resigned. In the years that followed a number of people worked on the paper, and after a while Mayno's love of the profession drw him back as editor (most of the time without pay). Finally the paper was sold at auction and Mayno bid it in. I then went back as general manager and reporter.
Not long after that, I was inducted into the army where I spent three years. The right kind of help was almost impossible to find, and Mayno had to keep the paper going with what help he could get. When I got home after my discharge, I went back to work the next day. The machinery was shot, the merchants had nothing to sell and we were back where we started - only worse. Mayno poured all his energy into the operation, and gradually got the publication on its feet.
He began writing a column, "Tales of the Tall Timbers," humorous articles on the moutain people he knew so well. They attracted attention over a large portion of the world. Then President Harry Truman and Admiral "Bull" Halsey were paid subscribers.
Mayno's health was not good during all this period, and he was frequently admitted to the veteran's hospital at Johnson City. Three years ago his condition worsened, he asked me to take over the paper. Shortly after that, I too, became permanently disabled and the business was thrust on the shoulders of my wife, Gertrude.
In October of last year, Mayno was admitted to the veteran's facility at Salem. To me, it was evidnt from the start that it was the beginning of the end, and on last Saturday, Dickenson County lost its greatest assest.
Although he was a cousin of mine, we were more like brothers. As I gazed at his body in the casket, I heard myself whispering, "Good night, Sweet Prince. May God "rest your soul."
THE DICKENSONIAN
Clintwood
Dickenson County
Virginia
Friday
April 28, 1967
Editorial Comment
THE COALFIELD PROGRESS, NORTON IN OLD VIRGINIA
A Tribute To Mayno!
Dickenson County and Virginia has lost one of those rare and colorful personalities that are far and few between.
The newspaper Industry has like wise suffered in the loss of "Mayno" Sutherland, Editor and Publisher of "The Dickensonian", in Clintwood.
"Mayno" was a highly talented writer, who gained both local and nationwide recognition. He was an accomplished writer on large daily newpapers including "The New York Times". His talents were used in national magazines, including "The Saturday Evening Post."
His column, "The TAles of Tall Timbers" was in the humorous vain, but told much of mountain people's charactertistics. This column was most popular and he was considered one of the leading columnists of the nation in the weekly field.
An ordent Demcrat, and an efficient legislator in the Virginia House of Delegates, "Mayno" was a forceful editorial writer, who often took state political leaders to task. His unique expressions gave legislators and politicians much to think about, and as a result "Mayno" contributed much to Virginia's governmental affairs.
His newspaper rendered a valuable service in Dickenson County and the state.
"Mayno" loved the mountains and gave up his chances at big time, to serve his beloved county. He published an excellent newspaper in Clintwood and his adapt thinking will long remain an influence on Dickenson County and the state.
"The Progress" pauses to pay tribute to a good friend, aq fine newspaperman, a dedicated civic servant, and a personality of rare breed.
"The Devil's Apron" will miss him.
THE DICKENSONIAN
Clintwood
Dickenson County
Virginia
Friday
April 28, 1967
"Mayno" Sutherland Died Saturday A.M.
At 4:14 a. m. last Saturday, death, as it must to all men, came to Herbert Maynor (Mayno) Sutherland in the veteran's hospital at Salem, Va., after a long illness. He was 73 years of age, and for nearly 30 years was editor of this newspaper.
A native of Dickenson County, he received his degree from the University of Richmond, and was employed by the Richmond daily newspaper until his indoction into army of World War I. He received serious injuries near the end of that conflict, and following the armistice he was reutrned in the States and spent two years in Walter Reed Army Hospital in Washington.
After his discharge from the hospital, he sent to New York where he entered the Columbia School of Journalism, and while there he taught a class in short story writing. Following his graduation, he accepted a position as general reporter on the New York Globe. When tht paper folded he went to the New York Times where he worked until his health gave way and he returned to his native hills in the middle twenties.
Following his recuperation, he returned to writing short stories and a steady flow of fiction came from his typewriter, ninety-five percent of which he sold to magazines, including the Saturday Evening Post. One story he sold to True Story Magazine for $5,000, an unheard of sum for a short story in those days.
In 1935 a corporation was established to print a newspaper in Dickenson County, which did not have one at that time. Mr. Sutherland was chosen as editor, and worked in that capacity for the corporation until he bought it outright in 1940. He improved it with the addition of a weekly column called "Tales of the Tall Timber," hunorous stories of the mountain people whom he knew and loved so well. This column became famous and was copied by other newspapers all over the United States.
He was elected to the General Sssembly for four consectuve terms as the floterial delegat representing Dickenson and Wise Counties, and his interest in politics remained until the very end.
He was widely respected by newsmen everwhere, and his daily mail was loaded with congratulary letters from editors and reporters, many from out of the United States.
Although in pain most of his adult life, more than three years ago he became too ill to continue the exacting task of getting out The Dickensonian, he leased the paper. Last October he was taken to the veteran's hospital, but showed no improvement.
He is survived by his wife, Mrs. Irene Draper Sutherland, formerly of Big Stone Gap, a daughter, Miss Rose Ella Sutherland, who is studying for her master's Degree at the University of Maryland, and a sister Mrs. Edna French of Clintwood.
Funeral services were held at the Clintwood Methodist Church at 2 p. m. Tuesday, with the REV. Allen Green, Pastor, and the REV. Charles Breder, pastor of the Clintwood Baptist Church, officiating. Burial was in the family plot in the Clintwood Cemetery with the Miller Funeral Home of Clintwood in charge. Pallbearers were former employees of the newspaper.
Graveside services were conducted by the ministers abnd various veteran's organizations.
THE DICKENSONIAN
GERTRUDE L. KISER
Editor and Publisher
JOHN L. MULLINS
Manager
Clintwood
Dickenson County
Virginia
28Apri1967
Page 02
Mayno
By Glenn f. Kiser
Herbert Maynor Sutherland known throughout a large area as "Mayno," died at 4:15 a. m. on Saturday of last week following a long illness. He was a newsman, a short story writer, and intellectual and an understanding human being. I was assoicated with him in the business of writing and the production of a newspaper for more than thirty years. During that period there was never a sharp word between us.
He was a graduate of the University of Richmond, the Columbia School of Journalism where he also taught a class in short story writing.
He had been in ill health since his service in World War I, when an enemy high explosive shell landing near a supply truck on which he was riding, threw him several feet where he landed with great impact. He was hospitalized in FRANCE, and following the end of the war he spent two year in Walter Reed Hospital in Washington, D. c.
His newspaper and writing career began before the war where he worked the Richmond newspapers, including the News-Leader. Following his discharge from Walter Reed, he went to New York and was hired as a reporter by the New York Globe. When that newspaper folded, he simply went over to the New York Times where he was hired instantly. There he worked side by side with such greats as Ervin & Cobb and Nunnally Johnson.
In the middle-twenties, however his health began to decline, and he resigned and returned to his native hills of Dickenson to in hi words, "to die." Uncle Harvey Long, a former Superintendant of Schools here, told him that he had a number of logs cut to stovewood length, and if he would start splitting the, slowly at first but gradually increasing as he went along, he was sure it would help him. This he did, and in time his strength returned and he started writing again. He sold practically every story he wrote, some to the slicks like The Saturday Evening Post and Colliers.
He had an agent in New York who handled the sales, and one story did not suit the agent. He returned it with a request to make some changes and write it in the first person and he would submit it to the so-called confession magazines. It so happened that True Story magazine was conducting a contest at the time, with a top prize of $5,000, a sum unprecedented at that time. Mayno knew nothing of the contest, and he did not know his agent had entered his story. He was flabbergasted when on the day before Christmas, 1927, he received a telegram informing him that his story had been chosen as the best in the contest.
My assoication with him began in the early thirties. We concentrated on plays, one of which was produced in New York. Four others were published but never reached the profession stage, but the publisher advised us that they were hard put to keep up with the demands from amateur groups.
Sometime during that period, Bruce Crawford, leased a defunct weekly newspaper in Clintwood and put us in charge. I don't recall how long it lasted but advertising was skimpy and Bruce closed it down. Mayno returned to short story writing and I wook a job teaching school. In 1935, I decided that the county needed a newspaper, so I organized a corporation and bought the necessary equipment. I asked Mayno to edit the publication while I worked as general manger. He agreed. The first issue was dated Dec. 5, 1935.
The Boad of Directors knew nothing of the production of a newspaper, and after several skirmished, both Mayno and I resigned. In the years that followed a number of people worked on the paper, and after a while Mayno's love of the profession drw him back as editor (most of the time without pay). Finally the paper was sold at auction and Mayno bid it in. I then went back as general manager and reporter.
Not long after that, I was inducted into the army where I spent three years. The right kind of help was almost impossible to find, and Mayno had to keep the paper going with what help he could get. When I got home after my discharge, I went back to work the next day. The machinery was shot, the merchants had nothing to sell and we were back where we started - only worse. Mayno poured all his energy into the operation, and gradually got the publication on its feet.
He began writing a column, "Tales of the Tall Timbers," humorous articles on the moutain people he knew so well. They attracted attention over a large portion of the world. Then President Harry Truman and Admiral "Bull" Halsey were paid subscribers.
Mayno's health was not good during all this period, and he was frequently admitted to the veteran's hospital at Johnson City. Three years ago his condition worsened, he asked me to take over the paper. Shortly after that, I too, became permanently disabled and the business was thrust on the shoulders of my wife, Gertrude.
In October of last year, Mayno was admitted to the veteran's facility at Salem. To me, it was evidnt from the start that it was the beginning of the end, and on last Saturday, Dickenson County lost its greatest assest.
Although he was a cousin of mine, we were more like brothers. As I gazed at his body in the casket, I heard myself whispering, "Good night, Sweet Prince. May God "rest your soul."
THE DICKENSONIAN
Clintwood
Dickenson County
Virginia
Friday
April 28, 1967
Editorial Comment
THE COALFIELD PROGRESS, NORTON IN OLD VIRGINIA
A Tribute To Mayno!
Dickenson County and Virginia has lost one of those rare and colorful personalities that are far and few between.
The newspaper Industry has like wise suffered in the loss of "Mayno" Sutherland, Editor and Publisher of "The Dickensonian", in Clintwood.
"Mayno" was a highly talented writer, who gained both local and nationwide recognition. He was an accomplished writer on large daily newpapers including "The New York Times". His talents were used in national magazines, including "The Saturday Evening Post."
His column, "The TAles of Tall Timbers" was in the humorous vain, but told much of mountain people's charactertistics. This column was most popular and he was considered one of the leading columnists of the nation in the weekly field.
An ordent Demcrat, and an efficient legislator in the Virginia House of Delegates, "Mayno" was a forceful editorial writer, who often took state political leaders to task. His unique expressions gave legislators and politicians much to think about, and as a result "Mayno" contributed much to Virginia's governmental affairs.
His newspaper rendered a valuable service in Dickenson County and the state.
"Mayno" loved the mountains and gave up his chances at big time, to serve his beloved county. He published an excellent newspaper in Clintwood and his adapt thinking will long remain an influence on Dickenson County and the state.
"The Progress" pauses to pay tribute to a good friend, aq fine newspaperman, a dedicated civic servant, and a personality of rare breed.
"The Devil's Apron" will miss him.
Son of George Washington Sutherland and Rosina Ellen Skeen Sutherland.
THE DICKENSONIAN
Clintwood
Dickenson County
Virginia
Friday
April 28, 1967
"Mayno" Sutherland Died Saturday A.M.
At 4:14 a. m. last Saturday, death, as it must to all men, came to Herbert Maynor (Mayno) Sutherland in the veteran's hospital at Salem, Va., after a long illness. He was 73 years of age, and for nearly 30 years was editor of this newspaper.
A native of Dickenson County, he received his degree from the University of Richmond, and was employed by the Richmond daily newspaper until his indoction into army of World War I. He received serious injuries near the end of that conflict, and following the armistice he was reutrned in the States and spent two years in Walter Reed Army Hospital in Washington.
After his discharge from the hospital, he sent to New York where he entered the Columbia School of Journalism, and while there he taught a class in short story writing. Following his graduation, he accepted a position as general reporter on the New York Globe. When tht paper folded he went to the New York Times where he worked until his health gave way and he returned to his native hills in the middle twenties.
Following his recuperation, he returned to writing short stories and a steady flow of fiction came from his typewriter, ninety-five percent of which he sold to magazines, including the Saturday Evening Post. One story he sold to True Story Magazine for $5,000, an unheard of sum for a short story in those days.
In 1935 a corporation was established to print a newspaper in Dickenson County, which did not have one at that time. Mr. Sutherland was chosen as editor, and worked in that capacity for the corporation until he bought it outright in 1940. He improved it with the addition of a weekly column called "Tales of the Tall Timber," hunorous stories of the mountain people whom he knew and loved so well. This column became famous and was copied by other newspapers all over the United States.
He was elected to the General Sssembly for four consectuve terms as the floterial delegat representing Dickenson and Wise Counties, and his interest in politics remained until the very end.
He was widely respected by newsmen everwhere, and his daily mail was loaded with congratulary letters from editors and reporters, many from out of the United States.
Although in pain most of his adult life, more than three years ago he became too ill to continue the exacting task of getting out The Dickensonian, he leased the paper. Last October he was taken to the veteran's hospital, but showed no improvement.
He is survived by his wife, Mrs. Irene Draper Sutherland, formerly of Big Stone Gap, a daughter, Miss Rose Ella Sutherland, who is studying for her master's Degree at the University of Maryland, and a sister Mrs. Edna French of Clintwood.
Funeral services were held at the Clintwood Methodist Church at 2 p. m. Tuesday, with the REV. Allen Green, Pastor, and the REV. Charles Breder, pastor of the Clintwood Baptist Church, officiating. Burial was in the family plot in the Clintwood Cemetery with the Miller Funeral Home of Clintwood in charge. Pallbearers were former employees of the newspaper.
Graveside services were conducted by the ministers abnd various veteran's organizations.
THE DICKENSONIAN
GERTRUDE L. KISER
Editor and Publisher
JOHN L. MULLINS
Manager
Clintwood
Dickenson County
Virginia
28Apri1967
Page 02
Mayno
By Glenn f. Kiser
Herbert Maynor Sutherland known throughout a large area as "Mayno," died at 4:15 a. m. on Saturday of last week following a long illness. He was a newsman, a short story writer, and intellectual and an understanding human being. I was assoicated with him in the business of writing and the production of a newspaper for more than thirty years. During that period there was never a sharp word between us.
He was a graduate of the University of Richmond, the Columbia School of Journalism where he also taught a class in short story writing.
He had been in ill health since his service in World War I, when an enemy high explosive shell landing near a supply truck on which he was riding, threw him several feet where he landed with great impact. He was hospitalized in FRANCE, and following the end of the war he spent two year in Walter Reed Hospital in Washington, D. c.
His newspaper and writing career began before the war where he worked the Richmond newspapers, including the News-Leader. Following his discharge from Walter Reed, he went to New York and was hired as a reporter by the New York Globe. When that newspaper folded, he simply went over to the New York Times where he was hired instantly. There he worked side by side with such greats as Ervin & Cobb and Nunnally Johnson.
In the middle-twenties, however his health began to decline, and he resigned and returned to his native hills of Dickenson to in hi words, "to die." Uncle Harvey Long, a former Superintendant of Schools here, told him that he had a number of logs cut to stovewood length, and if he would start splitting the, slowly at first but gradually increasing as he went along, he was sure it would help him. This he did, and in time his strength returned and he started writing again. He sold practically every story he wrote, some to the slicks like The Saturday Evening Post and Colliers.
He had an agent in New York who handled the sales, and one story did not suit the agent. He returned it with a request to make some changes and write it in the first person and he would submit it to the so-called confession magazines. It so happened that True Story magazine was conducting a contest at the time, with a top prize of $5,000, a sum unprecedented at that time. Mayno knew nothing of the contest, and he did not know his agent had entered his story. He was flabbergasted when on the day before Christmas, 1927, he received a telegram informing him that his story had been chosen as the best in the contest.
My assoication with him began in the early thirties. We concentrated on plays, one of which was produced in New York. Four others were published but never reached the profession stage, but the publisher advised us that they were hard put to keep up with the demands from amateur groups.
Sometime during that period, Bruce Crawford, leased a defunct weekly newspaper in Clintwood and put us in charge. I don't recall how long it lasted but advertising was skimpy and Bruce closed it down. Mayno returned to short story writing and I wook a job teaching school. In 1935, I decided that the county needed a newspaper, so I organized a corporation and bought the necessary equipment. I asked Mayno to edit the publication while I worked as general manger. He agreed. The first issue was dated Dec. 5, 1935.
The Boad of Directors knew nothing of the production of a newspaper, and after several skirmished, both Mayno and I resigned. In the years that followed a number of people worked on the paper, and after a while Mayno's love of the profession drw him back as editor (most of the time without pay). Finally the paper was sold at auction and Mayno bid it in. I then went back as general manager and reporter.
Not long after that, I was inducted into the army where I spent three years. The right kind of help was almost impossible to find, and Mayno had to keep the paper going with what help he could get. When I got home after my discharge, I went back to work the next day. The machinery was shot, the merchants had nothing to sell and we were back where we started - only worse. Mayno poured all his energy into the operation, and gradually got the publication on its feet.
He began writing a column, "Tales of the Tall Timbers," humorous articles on the moutain people he knew so well. They attracted attention over a large portion of the world. Then President Harry Truman and Admiral "Bull" Halsey were paid subscribers.
Mayno's health was not good during all this period, and he was frequently admitted to the veteran's hospital at Johnson City. Three years ago his condition worsened, he asked me to take over the paper. Shortly after that, I too, became permanently disabled and the business was thrust on the shoulders of my wife, Gertrude.
In October of last year, Mayno was admitted to the veteran's facility at Salem. To me, it was evidnt from the start that it was the beginning of the end, and on last Saturday, Dickenson County lost its greatest assest.
Although he was a cousin of mine, we were more like brothers. As I gazed at his body in the casket, I heard myself whispering, "Good night, Sweet Prince. May God "rest your soul."
THE DICKENSONIAN
Clintwood
Dickenson County
Virginia
Friday
April 28, 1967
Editorial Comment
THE COALFIELD PROGRESS, NORTON IN OLD VIRGINIA
A Tribute To Mayno!
Dickenson County and Virginia has lost one of those rare and colorful personalities that are far and few between.
The newspaper Industry has like wise suffered in the loss of "Mayno" Sutherland, Editor and Publisher of "The Dickensonian", in Clintwood.
"Mayno" was a highly talented writer, who gained both local and nationwide recognition. He was an accomplished writer on large daily newpapers including "The New York Times". His talents were used in national magazines, including "The Saturday Evening Post."
His column, "The TAles of Tall Timbers" was in the humorous vain, but told much of mountain people's charactertistics. This column was most popular and he was considered one of the leading columnists of the nation in the weekly field.
An ordent Demcrat, and an efficient legislator in the Virginia House of Delegates, "Mayno" was a forceful editorial writer, who often took state political leaders to task. His unique expressions gave legislators and politicians much to think about, and as a result "Mayno" contributed much to Virginia's governmental affairs.
His newspaper rendered a valuable service in Dickenson County and the state.
"Mayno" loved the mountains and gave up his chances at big time, to serve his beloved county. He published an excellent newspaper in Clintwood and his adapt thinking will long remain an influence on Dickenson County and the state.
"The Progress" pauses to pay tribute to a good friend, aq fine newspaperman, a dedicated civic servant, and a personality of rare breed.
"The Devil's Apron" will miss him.
THE DICKENSONIAN
Clintwood
Dickenson County
Virginia
Friday
April 28, 1967
"Mayno" Sutherland Died Saturday A.M.
At 4:14 a. m. last Saturday, death, as it must to all men, came to Herbert Maynor (Mayno) Sutherland in the veteran's hospital at Salem, Va., after a long illness. He was 73 years of age, and for nearly 30 years was editor of this newspaper.
A native of Dickenson County, he received his degree from the University of Richmond, and was employed by the Richmond daily newspaper until his indoction into army of World War I. He received serious injuries near the end of that conflict, and following the armistice he was reutrned in the States and spent two years in Walter Reed Army Hospital in Washington.
After his discharge from the hospital, he sent to New York where he entered the Columbia School of Journalism, and while there he taught a class in short story writing. Following his graduation, he accepted a position as general reporter on the New York Globe. When tht paper folded he went to the New York Times where he worked until his health gave way and he returned to his native hills in the middle twenties.
Following his recuperation, he returned to writing short stories and a steady flow of fiction came from his typewriter, ninety-five percent of which he sold to magazines, including the Saturday Evening Post. One story he sold to True Story Magazine for $5,000, an unheard of sum for a short story in those days.
In 1935 a corporation was established to print a newspaper in Dickenson County, which did not have one at that time. Mr. Sutherland was chosen as editor, and worked in that capacity for the corporation until he bought it outright in 1940. He improved it with the addition of a weekly column called "Tales of the Tall Timber," hunorous stories of the mountain people whom he knew and loved so well. This column became famous and was copied by other newspapers all over the United States.
He was elected to the General Sssembly for four consectuve terms as the floterial delegat representing Dickenson and Wise Counties, and his interest in politics remained until the very end.
He was widely respected by newsmen everwhere, and his daily mail was loaded with congratulary letters from editors and reporters, many from out of the United States.
Although in pain most of his adult life, more than three years ago he became too ill to continue the exacting task of getting out The Dickensonian, he leased the paper. Last October he was taken to the veteran's hospital, but showed no improvement.
He is survived by his wife, Mrs. Irene Draper Sutherland, formerly of Big Stone Gap, a daughter, Miss Rose Ella Sutherland, who is studying for her master's Degree at the University of Maryland, and a sister Mrs. Edna French of Clintwood.
Funeral services were held at the Clintwood Methodist Church at 2 p. m. Tuesday, with the REV. Allen Green, Pastor, and the REV. Charles Breder, pastor of the Clintwood Baptist Church, officiating. Burial was in the family plot in the Clintwood Cemetery with the Miller Funeral Home of Clintwood in charge. Pallbearers were former employees of the newspaper.
Graveside services were conducted by the ministers abnd various veteran's organizations.
THE DICKENSONIAN
GERTRUDE L. KISER
Editor and Publisher
JOHN L. MULLINS
Manager
Clintwood
Dickenson County
Virginia
28Apri1967
Page 02
Mayno
By Glenn f. Kiser
Herbert Maynor Sutherland known throughout a large area as "Mayno," died at 4:15 a. m. on Saturday of last week following a long illness. He was a newsman, a short story writer, and intellectual and an understanding human being. I was assoicated with him in the business of writing and the production of a newspaper for more than thirty years. During that period there was never a sharp word between us.
He was a graduate of the University of Richmond, the Columbia School of Journalism where he also taught a class in short story writing.
He had been in ill health since his service in World War I, when an enemy high explosive shell landing near a supply truck on which he was riding, threw him several feet where he landed with great impact. He was hospitalized in FRANCE, and following the end of the war he spent two year in Walter Reed Hospital in Washington, D. c.
His newspaper and writing career began before the war where he worked the Richmond newspapers, including the News-Leader. Following his discharge from Walter Reed, he went to New York and was hired as a reporter by the New York Globe. When that newspaper folded, he simply went over to the New York Times where he was hired instantly. There he worked side by side with such greats as Ervin & Cobb and Nunnally Johnson.
In the middle-twenties, however his health began to decline, and he resigned and returned to his native hills of Dickenson to in hi words, "to die." Uncle Harvey Long, a former Superintendant of Schools here, told him that he had a number of logs cut to stovewood length, and if he would start splitting the, slowly at first but gradually increasing as he went along, he was sure it would help him. This he did, and in time his strength returned and he started writing again. He sold practically every story he wrote, some to the slicks like The Saturday Evening Post and Colliers.
He had an agent in New York who handled the sales, and one story did not suit the agent. He returned it with a request to make some changes and write it in the first person and he would submit it to the so-called confession magazines. It so happened that True Story magazine was conducting a contest at the time, with a top prize of $5,000, a sum unprecedented at that time. Mayno knew nothing of the contest, and he did not know his agent had entered his story. He was flabbergasted when on the day before Christmas, 1927, he received a telegram informing him that his story had been chosen as the best in the contest.
My assoication with him began in the early thirties. We concentrated on plays, one of which was produced in New York. Four others were published but never reached the profession stage, but the publisher advised us that they were hard put to keep up with the demands from amateur groups.
Sometime during that period, Bruce Crawford, leased a defunct weekly newspaper in Clintwood and put us in charge. I don't recall how long it lasted but advertising was skimpy and Bruce closed it down. Mayno returned to short story writing and I wook a job teaching school. In 1935, I decided that the county needed a newspaper, so I organized a corporation and bought the necessary equipment. I asked Mayno to edit the publication while I worked as general manger. He agreed. The first issue was dated Dec. 5, 1935.
The Boad of Directors knew nothing of the production of a newspaper, and after several skirmished, both Mayno and I resigned. In the years that followed a number of people worked on the paper, and after a while Mayno's love of the profession drw him back as editor (most of the time without pay). Finally the paper was sold at auction and Mayno bid it in. I then went back as general manager and reporter.
Not long after that, I was inducted into the army where I spent three years. The right kind of help was almost impossible to find, and Mayno had to keep the paper going with what help he could get. When I got home after my discharge, I went back to work the next day. The machinery was shot, the merchants had nothing to sell and we were back where we started - only worse. Mayno poured all his energy into the operation, and gradually got the publication on its feet.
He began writing a column, "Tales of the Tall Timbers," humorous articles on the moutain people he knew so well. They attracted attention over a large portion of the world. Then President Harry Truman and Admiral "Bull" Halsey were paid subscribers.
Mayno's health was not good during all this period, and he was frequently admitted to the veteran's hospital at Johnson City. Three years ago his condition worsened, he asked me to take over the paper. Shortly after that, I too, became permanently disabled and the business was thrust on the shoulders of my wife, Gertrude.
In October of last year, Mayno was admitted to the veteran's facility at Salem. To me, it was evidnt from the start that it was the beginning of the end, and on last Saturday, Dickenson County lost its greatest assest.
Although he was a cousin of mine, we were more like brothers. As I gazed at his body in the casket, I heard myself whispering, "Good night, Sweet Prince. May God "rest your soul."
THE DICKENSONIAN
Clintwood
Dickenson County
Virginia
Friday
April 28, 1967
Editorial Comment
THE COALFIELD PROGRESS, NORTON IN OLD VIRGINIA
A Tribute To Mayno!
Dickenson County and Virginia has lost one of those rare and colorful personalities that are far and few between.
The newspaper Industry has like wise suffered in the loss of "Mayno" Sutherland, Editor and Publisher of "The Dickensonian", in Clintwood.
"Mayno" was a highly talented writer, who gained both local and nationwide recognition. He was an accomplished writer on large daily newpapers including "The New York Times". His talents were used in national magazines, including "The Saturday Evening Post."
His column, "The TAles of Tall Timbers" was in the humorous vain, but told much of mountain people's charactertistics. This column was most popular and he was considered one of the leading columnists of the nation in the weekly field.
An ordent Demcrat, and an efficient legislator in the Virginia House of Delegates, "Mayno" was a forceful editorial writer, who often took state political leaders to task. His unique expressions gave legislators and politicians much to think about, and as a result "Mayno" contributed much to Virginia's governmental affairs.
His newspaper rendered a valuable service in Dickenson County and the state.
"Mayno" loved the mountains and gave up his chances at big time, to serve his beloved county. He published an excellent newspaper in Clintwood and his adapt thinking will long remain an influence on Dickenson County and the state.
"The Progress" pauses to pay tribute to a good friend, aq fine newspaperman, a dedicated civic servant, and a personality of rare breed.
"The Devil's Apron" will miss him.
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