Ironton Register, September 29, 1898 - "Hon. Wayne Ferguson and wife are the guests of Mrs. Ferguson's parents, Mr. and Mrs. John Kelly - Kenova Reporter"

We never see the name of Wayne Ferguson that a Civil War incident does not intrude. In those days, especially the earlier days of the rebellion, war's tumults were common along the river; and vague alarms came of rebels gathering here and there and meditating an attack on Ironton.

One day, the rumor rang down the streets that a real live rebel was being brought down the river on a boat, and he would be landed at Ironton. The excitement the rumor created was intense and a great crowd gathered at the wharf to see Johnny Reb. Sure enough, when the boat landed, and between them was a bright-eyed intelligent looking man, with a long black beard. He didn't seem ferocious, but all eyes were on him as he was marched up the bank. He wore, as we remember, a slouch hat and a spotted blouse. We have often though of that blouse and its spots and we have wondered since if those spots were not the congestion of a very vivid imagination. What became of him we never heard, but the incident blazes forth as the first real taste of war that visited these shores.

We don't know if it was Wayne Ferguson, or whether it was one of his clan, or indeed, that it wasn't Wayne Ferguson who captured the reb. Anyhow he was brought through the crowd like a Roman triumph. How very completely such things have passed away.