A mess of beans... 

The  early  White  Half  Runner bean has its origins with
Hardman's.  In 1932, Mrs. Eula Poling of Calhoun County
 brought a sample of a bean that  had been in the  family
for  generations.   O.R.  Hardman  sent  the  sample  to
J. Chas McCullough Seed Co. in Cincinnati, Ohio.  There
they developed the Early White Half Runner bean.  It became the staple of everyone's garden throughout West Virginia.  A dinner was not complete without  a mess of half-runners on the table. 

After WWII, many families moved out of state.  These former West Virginians could not find their favorite bean in local stores to they asked their parents to have Hardman's mail them the seeds.

Literally tons of one pound boxes of this savory tasting bean were shipped to those living out of state.  The Early White is still the favorite in these parts.