1908
Thank you for visiting Sedona Legend-
The Jack and Helen Frye Story!
The Jack and Helen Frye Story!
Copyright © 2003
Sedona Legend Helen Frye Website
Created By R. D. Reynolds
All Rights Reserved
Sedona Legend Helen Frye Website
Created By R. D. Reynolds
All Rights Reserved
Sedona's Celebrity Love Story!
This is the official not to mention only web portal in the world
dedicated exclusively to the legacy of Jack and Helen Frye!
dedicated exclusively to the legacy of Jack and Helen Frye!
The Frye Legacy-
a Lifetime of Accomplishment!
a Lifetime of Accomplishment!
By Randall Reynolds
The Sedona Legend Web Site is a historical narrative enhanced with photos presented for
educational and entertainment purposes. Some materials may be displayed in regard to the
United States Fair Use Act. This web portal is totally non-profit and generates no income, nor
does it seek or has it ever accepted a single donation. It is an independent venture.
educational and entertainment purposes. Some materials may be displayed in regard to the
United States Fair Use Act. This web portal is totally non-profit and generates no income, nor
does it seek or has it ever accepted a single donation. It is an independent venture.
While this web site is not "officially" affiliated with Red Rock State Park in any way, it was
envisioned and created to give park visitors a more indepth historical perspective in regard to
the former 700 acre Frye Ranch property.
envisioned and created to give park visitors a more indepth historical perspective in regard to
the former 700 acre Frye Ranch property.
Sedona Legend is encouraged and supported by the Jack Frye Family, to include Jack's
daughter, Nevajac Frye, Jack's late sister, "Sunny" Frye Thomas, the Helen Frye family,
and the many friends of Jack and Helen Frye.
daughter, Nevajac Frye, Jack's late sister, "Sunny" Frye Thomas, the Helen Frye family,
and the many friends of Jack and Helen Frye.
Helen Virginia Varner was born November 28, 1908 in Clarksburg, West Virginia. The daughter
of Dr. Harvey V. Varner, a West Virginia doctor, and his wife, Maude Morrison Varner, a music
teacher. Her parents were married on October 7, 1907. Helen was the oldest of two twin sisters
named Mildred and Marie. Helen grew up in Clarksburg, early on she would accompany her
father on his house calls, not only observing how the ill were treated by her doctor father, but
developing an innate gift of intuitive healing herself, a talent she was to utilize her entire life.
of Dr. Harvey V. Varner, a West Virginia doctor, and his wife, Maude Morrison Varner, a music
teacher. Her parents were married on October 7, 1907. Helen was the oldest of two twin sisters
named Mildred and Marie. Helen grew up in Clarksburg, early on she would accompany her
father on his house calls, not only observing how the ill were treated by her doctor father, but
developing an innate gift of intuitive healing herself, a talent she was to utilize her entire life.
One of the items from Helen Frye's estate was a large cast iron bell which belonged to Helen's
grandparents. It was said to have been a dinner bell, rang when the farm help was called up to
the main house for dinner, a reminder of a different time and place. The "help" was black but
were considered part of the "family" certainly not "slaves". We can learn more of this
time-frame from correspondence with Helen's niece Sisty. This paraphrased information in
regard to the Varner Family history is as follows: "Helen's grandparents were Octavia and
Nimrod Morrison, they lived on Crooked Run in Sardis, just outside of Clarksburg, on a farm.
Nimrod's father, David Morrison, came over the mountains from the Prince William County of
Virginia. They brought with them some slaves. They had a log cabin in back of a house where
the slaves lived and my grandmother was born in a little white house in 1881, built in front.
Later, they built a bigger farm house in 1894, and it remains today. In fact, all of the houses
are still there, but the log house is in the worst shape. The back of it is gone and the last time
we were out there it was full of hay. Helen's family was not well to do. Many times, my
grandfather who was a Doctor, was paid with a sack of potatoes or a box of candy. He was the
kind of Doctor we all dream of who went out in the country to help the sick. Helen's parents
had a 3-bedroom-house with 1 bathroom. There was a parlor, kitchen, and living room. After
my grandfather died after an illness of nearly 2 years (March 18, 1925), in order to survive, the
remaining family lived in the attic and my grandmother (Maude) rented out the lower rooms to
strangers. The house resided just on the edge of town, back then there were no motels."
grandparents. It was said to have been a dinner bell, rang when the farm help was called up to
the main house for dinner, a reminder of a different time and place. The "help" was black but
were considered part of the "family" certainly not "slaves". We can learn more of this
time-frame from correspondence with Helen's niece Sisty. This paraphrased information in
regard to the Varner Family history is as follows: "Helen's grandparents were Octavia and
Nimrod Morrison, they lived on Crooked Run in Sardis, just outside of Clarksburg, on a farm.
Nimrod's father, David Morrison, came over the mountains from the Prince William County of
Virginia. They brought with them some slaves. They had a log cabin in back of a house where
the slaves lived and my grandmother was born in a little white house in 1881, built in front.
Later, they built a bigger farm house in 1894, and it remains today. In fact, all of the houses
are still there, but the log house is in the worst shape. The back of it is gone and the last time
we were out there it was full of hay. Helen's family was not well to do. Many times, my
grandfather who was a Doctor, was paid with a sack of potatoes or a box of candy. He was the
kind of Doctor we all dream of who went out in the country to help the sick. Helen's parents
had a 3-bedroom-house with 1 bathroom. There was a parlor, kitchen, and living room. After
my grandfather died after an illness of nearly 2 years (March 18, 1925), in order to survive, the
remaining family lived in the attic and my grandmother (Maude) rented out the lower rooms to
strangers. The house resided just on the edge of town, back then there were no motels."
Above (left to right) is Helen, Marie, and Mildred in front of 618 West Main, Clarksburg, W.V.
(Right) is Helen as a teenager in Clarksburg dressed in her riding outfit with horse. Helen had
a life long kinship with these gentle creatures and owned many equines in her lifetime.
(Right) is Helen as a teenager in Clarksburg dressed in her riding outfit with horse. Helen had
a life long kinship with these gentle creatures and owned many equines in her lifetime.
Because Helen was a doctor's daughter she often accompanied her father on calls in rural West
Virginia even serving as his driver at the tender age of 8. In this primitive time frame, Dr.
Varner owned 2 Model T’s, one in use at all times and the other in the shop, both, constantly
needing repairs from the ruuged W.V. roads (per Helen Frye). Helen Frye Story excerpt below-
Virginia even serving as his driver at the tender age of 8. In this primitive time frame, Dr.
Varner owned 2 Model T’s, one in use at all times and the other in the shop, both, constantly
needing repairs from the ruuged W.V. roads (per Helen Frye). Helen Frye Story excerpt below-
A clock ticked loudly within the small space, Helen sat on an old worn bench, quietly observing
the room. "Simple, sparse and boring," she thought, "just like all the other shacks in the
valley." Suddenly, her mind was interrupted by the moaning of a woman in labor, Helen rose
and walked over to the other side of the open room where there was a big brass bed. She
observed her father and a mid-wife prepare to deliver a newborn baby. In the harsh light of a
single bare bulb, Helen's father appeared strong and competent, tall and godly, in his white
shirt and tie. In Helen's eyes, he was a marvelous healer. Well-respected in the community he
was always there to aid those who needed medical care, rich or poor. She wished she could be
just like him, healing all the people in the countryside, bringing peace to the weary bodies and
minds of rural West Virginia. Her admiration was interrupted by the squalling of a baby boy
frightened and terrified he cried for comfort. "What will his life be like," thought Helen, "will
he be strong and successful or weak and sickly?" Helen was soon to find out life was not easy!
the room. "Simple, sparse and boring," she thought, "just like all the other shacks in the
valley." Suddenly, her mind was interrupted by the moaning of a woman in labor, Helen rose
and walked over to the other side of the open room where there was a big brass bed. She
observed her father and a mid-wife prepare to deliver a newborn baby. In the harsh light of a
single bare bulb, Helen's father appeared strong and competent, tall and godly, in his white
shirt and tie. In Helen's eyes, he was a marvelous healer. Well-respected in the community he
was always there to aid those who needed medical care, rich or poor. She wished she could be
just like him, healing all the people in the countryside, bringing peace to the weary bodies and
minds of rural West Virginia. Her admiration was interrupted by the squalling of a baby boy
frightened and terrified he cried for comfort. "What will his life be like," thought Helen, "will
he be strong and successful or weak and sickly?" Helen was soon to find out life was not easy!
At left, Helen was a certified Red Cross trained swimmer and taught swimming in Clarksburg
for a time in her youth. She was also noted by her teachers as being very athletic. To the right,
Helen in Clarksburg with some newborn puppies in the yard of her girlhood home. The time
frame is thought to be mid-1930's. Helen had already toured Europe by 1934 per newspapers.
for a time in her youth. She was also noted by her teachers as being very athletic. To the right,
Helen in Clarksburg with some newborn puppies in the yard of her girlhood home. The time
frame is thought to be mid-1930's. Helen had already toured Europe by 1934 per newspapers.
Perhaps they only lived together for 7 months? The dates are hard to pin down but the two year
window makes more sense as a magazine article notates Helen and Noah were divorced in 1932.
(Later information on Noah notates he was still the Clarksburg football coach in 1942 when he
was drafted into military service.) In those days, Reno was where everyone went for a quick no
fuss divorce and Helen decided to take advantage of this simplicity. This divorce trip, a long
cross-country train journey, was a milestone in Helen's young life which would soon change
forever, culminating in 1935!
window makes more sense as a magazine article notates Helen and Noah were divorced in 1932.
(Later information on Noah notates he was still the Clarksburg football coach in 1942 when he
was drafted into military service.) In those days, Reno was where everyone went for a quick no
fuss divorce and Helen decided to take advantage of this simplicity. This divorce trip, a long
cross-country train journey, was a milestone in Helen's young life which would soon change
forever, culminating in 1935!
Sometime after Helen completed high
school in around 1927 she found time to
attend the Art Institute of Chicago for 1
year. During this time period though
Helen fell in love or was already married
to a fellow classmate named Noah "Andy"
Anderson. This young man, employed as a
coach, held several positions, as notated in
newspaper accounts. As follows, an athlete
and coach at West Virginia Wesleyan
College at Buckhannon, later, a coach of
the Central Junior High School athletic
teams at Clarksburg, and lastly, a
Clarksburg High School football coach.
Helen was then 22 and the year was 1930.
Information has not been forthcoming on
this young man. They were married, it
appears, in Clarksburg. The marriage,
perhaps hastily attempted, was a disaster.
Noah, as shown aside, in 1924.
school in around 1927 she found time to
attend the Art Institute of Chicago for 1
year. During this time period though
Helen fell in love or was already married
to a fellow classmate named Noah "Andy"
Anderson. This young man, employed as a
coach, held several positions, as notated in
newspaper accounts. As follows, an athlete
and coach at West Virginia Wesleyan
College at Buckhannon, later, a coach of
the Central Junior High School athletic
teams at Clarksburg, and lastly, a
Clarksburg High School football coach.
Helen was then 22 and the year was 1930.
Information has not been forthcoming on
this young man. They were married, it
appears, in Clarksburg. The marriage,
perhaps hastily attempted, was a disaster.
Noah, as shown aside, in 1924.
First Marriage- Local Boy
The two were ill-suited for each other. According to Helen Frye,
as quoted in a newspaper, "the union lasted a mere 7 months". It
is interesting to note; however, that Helen's brother-in-law
(Marie's husband Luther Berry) said the marriage lasted 2 years?
as quoted in a newspaper, "the union lasted a mere 7 months". It
is interesting to note; however, that Helen's brother-in-law
(Marie's husband Luther Berry) said the marriage lasted 2 years?
| Home 1904 1906 1908 1909 1923 1924 1925 1926 1927 1928 1929 1930 1931 1932 1933 1934 1935 1936 1937 1938 1939 1940 1941 1942 1943 1944 1945 1946 1947 1948 1949 1950 1951 1952 1953 1954 1955 1956 1957 1958 1959 1960 1961 1962 1963 1964 1965 1966 1967 1968 1969 1970 1971 1972 1973 1974 1975 1976 1977 1978 1979 1980 2010 Home 1904 1906 1908 1909 1923 1924 1925 1926 1927 1928 1929 1930 1931 1932 1933 1934 1935 1936 1937 1938 1939 1940 1941 1942 1943 1944 1945 1946 1947 1948 1949 1950 1951 1952 1953 1954 1955 1956 1957 1958 1959 1960 1961 1962 1963 1964 1965 1966 1967 1968 1969 1970 1971 1972 1973 1974 1975 1976 1977 1978 1979 1980 2010 Home |
| Home 1904 1906 1908 1909 1923 1924 1925 1926 1927 1928 1929 1930 1931 1932 1933 1934 1935 1936 1937 1938 1939 1940 1941 1942 1943 1944 1945 1946 1947 1948 1949 1950 1951 1952 1953 1954 1955 1956 1957 1958 1959 1960 1961 1962 1963 1964 1965 1966 1967 1968 1969 1970 1971 1972 1973 1974 1975 1976 1977 1978 1979 1980 2010 Home 1904 1906 1908 1909 1923 1924 1925 1926 1927 1928 1929 1930 1931 1932 1933 1934 1935 1936 1937 1938 1939 1940 1941 1942 1943 1944 1945 1946 1947 1948 1949 1950 1951 1952 1953 1954 1955 1956 1957 1958 1959 1960 1961 1962 1963 1964 1965 1966 1967 1968 1969 1970 1971 1972 1973 1974 1975 1976 1977 1978 1979 1980 2010 Home |
Helen Virginia Varner Vanderbilt Frye
The Very Earliest Years
Born to a Clarksburg Family- Father a Brilliant Local Doctor
Helen's doctor father (Harvey Varner) is seen here leaning toward Helen's mother Maude
(Morrison). The other lady is thought to be Dr. Varner's sister. The charming element to this
photo is the "surrey with the fringe top" accompanied by a carriage light. The Varners
honeymooned in Europe where Dr. Varner availed himself to clinics and hospitals along the way.
(Morrison). The other lady is thought to be Dr. Varner's sister. The charming element to this
photo is the "surrey with the fringe top" accompanied by a carriage light. The Varners
honeymooned in Europe where Dr. Varner availed himself to clinics and hospitals along the way.
The (1904) charming 3-story Victorian (above)
618 West Main Street, Clarksburg, W.V., is
where Helen Varner Frye (born in 1908) spent
her childhood and teens. Interestingly, on the
back of the image Helen's mother wrote the
address (628 Main Street). Helen's twin sisters
Mildred and Marie (born in 1910) lived there
too. Above we see the house in its original
expression and to the (right) the addition of a
sub-level garage. If you think you see a
tombstone in the foreground, you are right.
There was, and is, a cemetery across the street.
618 West Main Street, Clarksburg, W.V., is
where Helen Varner Frye (born in 1908) spent
her childhood and teens. Interestingly, on the
back of the image Helen's mother wrote the
address (628 Main Street). Helen's twin sisters
Mildred and Marie (born in 1910) lived there
too. Above we see the house in its original
expression and to the (right) the addition of a
sub-level garage. If you think you see a
tombstone in the foreground, you are right.
There was, and is, a cemetery across the street.
Above (left) is what I call the "Big Bow Varner Girls" from (left to right) Mildred, Helen, and
Marie. Photo (left) standing (Mildred and Marie) sitting is Helen (Mildred had the mumps.) Just
above (left) is what Helen's niece Sisty has titled the "Katzenjammer Kids", in reference to a
famous comic strip from the 1930's. The theme appears to be "hats" and in the back we see
Helen (right) followed by the "twins" Marie and Mildred. You will notice the beautiful "pointer"
hunting dog in these photos with dark circle eyes, one of two who followed the children around
like a loyal protector. Helen's mother Maude sewed most of the girl's clothing herself, busily
sewing from January to March for the next season all on a vintage peddle sewing machine!
Perhaps Helen's inspiration for fashion design came from her mother's seamstress leanings.
Marie. Photo (left) standing (Mildred and Marie) sitting is Helen (Mildred had the mumps.) Just
above (left) is what Helen's niece Sisty has titled the "Katzenjammer Kids", in reference to a
famous comic strip from the 1930's. The theme appears to be "hats" and in the back we see
Helen (right) followed by the "twins" Marie and Mildred. You will notice the beautiful "pointer"
hunting dog in these photos with dark circle eyes, one of two who followed the children around
like a loyal protector. Helen's mother Maude sewed most of the girl's clothing herself, busily
sewing from January to March for the next season all on a vintage peddle sewing machine!
Perhaps Helen's inspiration for fashion design came from her mother's seamstress leanings.
The Varner "Big Bow" Girls and
an Enchanting Family Pointer dog
an Enchanting Family Pointer dog