I found the following comments on the West Virginia Culture website in their "history" of statehood and thought they were very amusing. Even after 140 years they toe the Wheeling line.

" Most of the eastern and southern counties did not support statehood, but were included for political, economic, and military purposes."
Basically, we wanted them so we took them. More than half of the state.

"Pierpont ordered an election to allow the residents of Jefferson and Berkeley counties to determine whether their counties should be located in West Virginia or Virginia. Union troops were stationed outside polling places to intimidate those who might vote for Virginia. Despite local support for Virginia, residents who actually filled out ballots voted overwhelmingly to place both counties in West Virginia."
We did everything to discourage an honest vote, and those few people who got through voted overwhelmingly in our favor.

Well named, Bobby Lee! I love your interpretations of the "political speak" about the secessionist activity in WV. Stan