Raven Hill Gold Mining

Dr. David H. Thornton (1865-1941) was a practicing physician in Athens.  In 1880 he built one of the earliest homes on State Street. He owned the  first car in Mercer County, a 1907 Holsman. It was too expensive to keep. The next car he bought was one he ordered out of the Sears Roebuck catalog. It came in a crate, requiring assembly to put on the wheels and put in the oil.  He then bought a Ford Model T and then a Maxwell. He had the first windmill in Athens.

The Industrial Development Manufacturers’ Record, Volume 50 states: "Athens, W. Va. - Chartered: Raven Hill Gold Mining Company with $28,000 capital stock by Dr. D. H. Thornton of Athens, T. S. Johnson, C. W. Thornton, J. W. Thornton of Bluefield and Associates.

Corporation Report of Secretary of State: March 4, 1905, to March 1, 1907.

Raven Hill Gold Mining Company

Charter Issued September 28, 1906; charter expires Sept. 28, 1956.

Principal office - Athens, W. Va.

Purposes  - The objects and purposes for which this corporation is formed are as follows: Buy and sell mineral lands, lease, option, prospect, mine, develop, operate, and do a general mining, smelting, crushing of ores, and to do any and all things pertaining to a mineral or metal mining business.

Capital stock - Authorized $2,500; per value shares, $100; subscribed $500; paid in, $125.

Stockholders - The names, post office addresses, and the number of stock subscribed for by each as follows: Dr. D. H. Thornton, Athens, W. Va., 1 share; R. E. Thornton, Willowton, W. Va., 1 share; T. S. Johnson, Bluefield, W. Va., 1 share; C. W. Thornton, Bluefield, W. Va., 1 share; J. T. Thornton, Bluefield, W. Va., 1 share. Total number of shares, 5.