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This is the story of Frank and Violet Copley Johnson, Rum Creeker's who are now known as the"Rum Creek Duo".
Frank was born at Slagle on May 25, 1934 the son of Tom and Ora Johnson.
He lived in several different houses at Slagle. Some he remembers and some he was told about.
His folks lived just above the lamp house next to the hoist station that pulled coal cars from under the tipple.
Then they moved to where the old store was that burned and the fire burned their house upon the mountain side.
They then moved across the tracks from where the Beddows lived in the big house. His uncle Horace (Fat) Perry, chief electrician, lived next door to the Beddows.
The next move was up the right hand fork, last house before the ball park.
His dad became a section foreman and they moved into one of the houses across from where the C & O water tower was located, (holy cow, indoor plumbing).
Frank graduated from Logan High School in 1952.
Violet Copley Johnson was born July 5, 1937 the daughter of Golden and Ethel Copley. She was born in the house beside the mine office across the tracks from where Frank lived.
They never knew each other until late 1940 or early 1950.
She was singing at the Slagle Missionary Babtist Church when they met.
Violet was living with her parents at Mcconnell, behind Craddocks market at the time.
Frank and Violet got married in 1953 Christmas day.
Frank retired from AT&T. They now live just outside of Columbus, Oh. in a small village, Alexandria.
Frank and Violet are blessed with 3 children, 6 grand children and 2 great grand children.
Frank and Violet just celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary with a big surprise at the Olive Garden in Heath..
Their love of music developed into starting a karaoke business that is very popular. The Northview Nursing Home in Johnstown is one of the many benefactors from the part-time business, Rum Creek Duo Karaoke.
While doing one of their Karaoke shows, one of their participants wrote the following one week before their 50th wedding anniversary:
My altered version of 15 years ago..
Once upon a time, not too long ago.
Beneath the hills of Slagle Hollow, across the Ohio.
Two young people fell in love and vowed to spend their life as one.
And they show us, that's the way it's done.
50 years ago and it remains the same.
These two people, still share the same name.
As they vowed to be together, until the end of time.
Takes a mighty strong love, to keep a man thinking of the girl.
He married. Just 50 years ago.
A lovely coal miner's daughter, and a boy still in his teens.
They promised each their love throughout eternity.
They make each other happy, and to us it really shows.
Can you believe it happened, just 50 years ago.
50 years ago and it remains the same.
These two people, still share the same name.
As they vowed to be together, until the end of time.
Takes a mighty strong love, to keep a woman thinking of the boy.
She married. Just 50 years ago.
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