History of Wheeling City and Ohio Co. WV - Chapters XVIII-XXI



CHAPTER XVIII. SILENT CITIES OF THE DEAD

In the earliest history of the town of Wheeling we find that there was a 
small city cemetery, situated in North Wheeling, upon the sites of the 
residences of George K. Wheat, Jacob Snyder and the late William Shriver. 
This cemetery was in existence up until probably 1818 or 1820, but may not 
be as long as that, as our authorities differ in regard to the time; Isaac 
Irwin, Esq., who was born in 1805, remembers the graves, but not much 
more. It is said that this cemetery was removed to make room for the 
Northwestern Bank, the successor of which is the National Bank of West 
Virginia of to-day. George K. Wheat, in excavating for the cellar of his 
residence some years ago, unearthed a large number of bones, relics of the 
graveyard, which he boxed up and buried in Greenwood. 


THE CHAPLINE GRAVEYARD

At the head of Twenty-third street, above Eoff, there is one of the most 
unattractive, desolate-looking places imaginable, and yet some years ago 
it was one of the, if we may he allowed the term, fashionable cemeteries 
in the city. In it were buried the Chaplines, Eoffs and others of the 
first settlers, and what were then the first families of the neighborhood, 
and their names may yet be traced on the old tombstones and tablets that 
are fast crumbling to pieces on that bleak and uninviting hillside. The 
cemetery is probably one of the oldest in the city, and was formerly a 
portion of the Chapline estate. It was laid out as a public cemetery by 
the late William Chapline, who died in 1852. It would be very hard to fix 
the exact date at which interments began there, but from the best data at 
our command we would infer that there were burials in it some years 
anterior to 1800.


THE BOGG'S RUN CEMETERY 

Just below the limits of Wheeling, in Marshall county, on the hillside 
above the mouth of Boggs' run, is a very old cemetery, one of the oldest 
in this neighborhood. It is not very large, and was used by the early 
settlers of this section as a place of interment. Our reporter was most 
assiduous in his efforts to ascertain something of the early history and 
incidents of this cemetery, but could glean nothing beyond what we have 
given above. 


THE "STONE" CHURCH CEMETERY

Just beyond Elm Grove, south of the National Road, is a church that played 
an important part in our national history. We refer to the "Stone" church 
erected by the Shepherds many years ago, and for a long time a popular 
place of worship, not that it is less so now, but in those days people 
came miles and miles to hear the gospel preached, and accounted themselves 
fortunate in their proximity to a church. Surrounding this church on three 
sides is a large and rather attractive cemetery, which is older than the 
church, and is well known, for here interments are said to have been made 
when Wheeling was Fort Henry, and people came to funerals with their 
rifles on their shoulders. 

This cemetery was once a part of the immense Shepherd estate, and in it 
lie the remains of Moses Shepherd, Louis Cruger and Mrs. Lydia S. Cruger, 
the last of whom lived within the recollection of young ladies and 
gentlemen of the present day. There are also the remains of many citizens 
of Wheeling and vicinity. The late C. D. Knox, Samuel McClellen, Mr. 
Dicke, James Vance, father of J. N. Vance, Esq., are buried here, but it 
is not necessary to give the names of others. The early history of the 
settlement and the progress of a large part of this section is written 
upon the headstones in this old cemetery. For many years it was known only 
as a graveyard, but in October, 1865, Charles De Hass, at the instance of 
the "Stone" church congregation, surveyed and laid out a cemetery in 
modern style. More ground was added, a superintendent appointed and now 
the grounds are both beautiful and attractive. 


THE HEMPFIELD CEMETERY

This graveyard was a very old one, and in it was buried a majority of the 
citizens of Wheeling for a period of over thirty-five years. In looking 
over the records in the county clerk's office, we found that the deed 
conveying these grounds to the city was made October 5, 1816, by Noah Zane 
and Mary, his wife, to William Irwin, mayor of the town of Wheeling, and 
specified that they were to be used for "the use, purpose and advantage of 
a burying ground." The bodies of many of those who had been buried in the 
North Wheeling cemetery were at once removed to the new one. The grounds 
for many years were bounded by Chapline or Fourth street on the west, Zane 
or Seventeenth on the south, Fifth or Eoff on the east, while the northern 
boundary was the northern front of the capitol building or thereabouts. 
This cemetery was at the very outskirts of the city when it was started, 
but the steady growth and prosperity of Wheeling necessitated the use of 
more ground for building purposes, and in 1840 it was almost surrounded by 
houses, and by that time it was also nearly full. Interments, however, 
continued until the latter part of the "forties" or until 1850, when the 
Hempfield Railroad Company began looking around for a terminal point upon 
which to erect depots, etc., and the old cemetery was selected as the 
site. The council interdicted any further interments in it and appointed a 
committee whose duty it should be to buy a new ground for a cemetery, and 
to remove the dust of those lying in the old one. 

The removals were made to the Mount Wood, Peninsula, Manchester and East 
Wheeling cemeteries. The Hempfield cemetery was considerably higher than 
the present site of it. An adequate idea of its elevation can be had by 
referring to the property of Alexander Rogers, Esq., on Eeff street and 
the lots adjoining it, which are yet much higher than the street. The 
grade, however, was reduced, and the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad, the board 
yard and the capitol building now occupy the site of one of Wheeling's 
earliest institutions. 

A long and tedious law suit took place with regard to the ownership of 
certain grounds in excess of what had been deeded to the city by Noah 
Zane, but the suit was finally compromised and the Baltimore & Ohio 
Railroad now holds undisputed possession of the ground not otherwise 
occupied. 


THE EAST WHEELING CEMETERY

Next in order of time to the Hempfield cemetery comes what is known as the 
East Wheeling cemetery, which is situated at the convergence of Sixteenth 
and McColloch streets. In hunting up the history of this graveyard we had 
recourse to the court records, and found that on August 22, 1829, Richard 
Simms, Dorcas, his wife, Marcus Wilson, Ann E., his wife, and Zachariah 
Jacob deeded to Henry Moore lots 211, 212, 213 and 214 to be laid off and 
occupied as a private cemetery. The lots were at once converted into a 
burying ground, and the private parties who were represented by Mr. Moore 
sought to include the alley at the western end of their enclosure, but 
some of the residents of that section rebelled, knocked down the fence and 
for a little while there was a prospect of trouble, but the cemetery 
owners abandoned their idea of taking in the alley, and quiet once more 
prevailed. 

We do not know that the cemetery was regularly laid off into lots or not, 
as the plat of it was not recorded until Judy 1, 1853. 

Among the names appearing upon the stones in this cemetery we notice the 
following: Thomas Paull and others of his family; Robert Ray, John 
Gilchrist, Dr. J. Morton, Edward Booth, Fielder Berry, Mrs. S. C. Reed, 
William McKay, S. D. Harper, John Fisher, the Mitchell family, Dana 
Hubbard and wife, M. White, and A. Alexander Weed, son of Rev. Dr. Weed. 
The father of Messrs. W. F. and B. W. Peterson is buried in this yard, and 
the remains of their brothers and sisters also lie near him. A beautiful 
granite monument marks the Peterson lot, which is situated in the 
northwestern corner of the yard. In common with other old cemeteries, this 
one is rapidly falling into disuse, and as a consequence a dilapidated 
appearance of things prevails, and we doubt not that a few years at the 
most will witness its removal. There is but one vault in this cemetery, 
which belongs to the Paull family, and contains the remains of the date 
Thomas Paull and his family. 


MOUNT WOOD CEMETERY

The crowded condition of what is now known as the Hempfield cemetery, 
together with the imminent prospect of its removal on account of the 
construction of the Hempfield Railroad, moved a number of the prominent 
citizens of that day to look about for another place of interment, and 
finally Mount Wood was selected as the site, with the following named 
gentlemen as members of the company and who also signed the application 
for an incorporation: Thomas Sweeney, Moses C. Good, Henry Moore, Neil 
McNaughten, Morgan Nelson, Alfred Caldwell and J. M. Bushfield. A meeting 
was held soon after for the purpose of organization, at this meeting John 
McLure, Sr., presided, while F. W. Bassett acted as secretary. These 
gentlemen became permanent officers and John R. Morrow was elected 
treasurer. Mr. McLure was afterward succeeded as president by John Goshorn 
and he by John Bishop, Esq., who held the office until the time of his 
death, when Robert Campbell, Esq., was elected, and he is still the 
president. F. W. Bassett was the first secretary and continued in that 
office until 1871, when I. H. Williams was elected. The first directors 
were John McLure, S. P. Hullihen, James E. Wharton, John R. Morrow, M. 
Edwards, Henry K. List, William McCoy, Philip Sutton and F. W. Bassett. 

The grounds, we are informed, at first comprised over 20 acres, and were 
laid out by Robert Woods, Esq., in beautiful style. Mount Wood cemetery, 
from its naturally beautiful and attractive situation, at once became the 
popular cemetery not only of the city of Wheeling, but lots were purchased 
by residents of the country round about. It is situated on an eminence 
immediately east of North Wheeling, and from it an unobstructed view of 
the country in all directions for miles and miles is obtained. For many 
years the grounds were neatly and tastefully kept, the walks were graveled 
and bordered, and were well attended to; the vaults were neat and 
attractive, the shrubbery was fresh and beautiful, and there was no 
cemetery in the West that presented a more inviting appearance, but of 
late years, or since the establishment of Greenwood cemetery, there is not 
the same appearance of things that was admirable and noticeable a decade 
ago. We do not mean by what we have said to underestimate or underrate 
what is still a beautiful graveyard, but there is something about it now 
that shows the beginning of its decline. Some of the stones are inclining, 
and upon others the inscriptions are faded and worn, the result of the 
effects of sulphur and the elements; then, too, the tombs do not generally 
show that care and attention that are necessary to keep them at all times 
presentable, but this we apprehend is attributable to the fact that the 
friends of many who are interred here are either gone from the city or 
have ceased to take an interest in beautifying the lots. These remarks and 
stricture are the result of visits to the cemetery. Many of the tombs, 
however, and by far the larger part of them, are in very good condition; 
indeed, some of them are really beautiful, and show the effects of tender 
care and love in every little particular of adornment and embellishment. 

In Mount Wood cemetery there are eight vaults owned by the following 
families: First, the vault erected by Isaac Cotts in 1863. This vault is 
situated on the drive which winds around the base of the hill, and is not 
far from the turnstile near the superintendent's house. There are quite a 
number of coffins in this vault, containing the remains of the members of 
the family, and probably such others as the courtesy of the owners has 
permitted to occupy it. 

Near by this vault is another very handsome one owned by John L. Hobbs, 
while just beyond, but below the drive, is the vault of the late John 
Bishop, who died a few years ago, and whose remains are laid in it. In 
this vault are also several coffins, the names of whose occupants were 
unknown to our informant. 

We next come upon the family vault of General Shriver, and just beyond 
this are those of the Ott family, erected by Samuel Ott. Upon the summit 
of the mount there are two vaults, one the property of D. C. List and the 
other of the late Capt. John List, although unoccupied at present, the 
family of the latter having removed his remains to Greenwood. 

The superintendent of Mount Wood cemetery at the time this visit was made 
was Levy Noble, who lives near the grounds and gives them all the 
attention one man can possibly do. 

He informed our commissioner that his individual efforts were inadequate 
to the demands upon them, but he did the best he could. The walks needed 
gravel, some of them attention and the cemetery in general much more care 
than it gets. There are quite a number of lots enclosed by paling fences, 
and many of them are becoming unpainted, old and are gradually falling 
down, all of which detracts very much from the appearance of the grounds. 

Mount Wood cemetery, or the portions of it that persons would choose for 
the purposes of interment is nearly all occupied, and it is only a 
question of time until it will be practically abandoned. Among some of the 
persons who are buried in this cemetery are the following, whose names we 
noted upon the monuments and gravestones: Dr. S. P. Hullihen, the children 
of Col. E. M. Norton, the wives of Benjamin Fisher and John McLure, 
William Wilson, Rev. Paull and many others. 


THE PENINSULA CEMETERY

When the city of Wheeling granted the Hempfield Railroad Company the right 
of way through the city, together with situations for its depots, 
terminus. etc., it became necessary to remove the cemetery. This removal 
was also necessitated from other motives; the cemetery was almost in the 
midst of a populous and growing city, it obstructed the progress of 
streets, and it was an eye-sore to many of the public spirited and 
progressive citizens, besides it was already full of bodies, so in 1850 
the city council appointed a committee consisting of Dr. A. S. Todd, 
chairman, George Forbes, Alexander Hadden, J. M. Ewing and Thomas G. 
Culbertson to purchase a site for a new city cemetery and to remove the 
old one. It was at first intended by the committee to purchase grounds at 
what is now Leatherwood, and negotiations were carried on with reference 
to carrying out this intention, but it was then the objections were raised 
that the distance was too great from the city, and the Peninsula grounds, 
consisting of 21 acres and a fraction over, was purchased from the late 
Daniel Steenrod in 1851, at a cost of $400 an acre, a fabulous price in 
those days. An Englishman named Pratt laid out the grounds, and the work 
of removing at once began. All those who had friends removed them, either 
to Mount Wood, the Peninsula or the Catholic cemetery at Manchester, and 
the committee made a contract with Jacob Amick to grade down six feet deep 
across the Hempfield cemetery and remove the bones to the Peninsula 
cemetery, which contract was faithfully performed, and the dust of 
hundreds of unknown ones removed to the southwestern corner of the new 
purchase. The gravestones were all removed and placed in position on the 
new graves as carefully as possible. 

The Peninsula cemetery is one of the prettiest cities of the dead in this 
vicinity, is well laid off, has beautiful drives and gravel walks, 
shrubbery in abundance, and at the time of our visit was being kept in 
excellent order and repair by Philip Heiser, who had been superintendent 
for many years. It is situated on a tongue of land running from the 
Hempfield tunnel, in East Wheeling, northwest to the lands of Mrs. Emma B. 
Castor. It is admirably situated for drainage purposes, as it is bounded 
on the east and west by the creel:, and slopes in each direction. The lot 
owners are careful and attentive of their property, and no yard in the 
city, or near it, is more attractive. There is but one vault in the 
Peninsula cemetery, which is the property of S. I. Boyd, Esq. This vault 
was erected by W. D. English, who sold it when he removed from the city 
some years ago. 


THE RED MEN'S CEMETERY

The order of Red Men is a rather large and influential one in this 
community, and one of the tribes, Logan, No. 21, feeling the necessity for 
a suitable place for interring themselves and their families, in 1862 
purchased from James S. Porter a lot of ground containing seven acres, 
situated on the west side of Chapline Hill, on the slope above the 
Riverside forge, in Center Wheeling. This ground, so far as it has been 
possible, has been laid out and improved and is in tolerably fair 
condition. The number of interments there is not large. 


MOUNT ZION CEMETERY 

Is nicely located about one little up Caldwell's run. It is the property 
of Zion's Lutheran congregation. The grounds consist of about six acres, 
which were bought from Mr. Caldwell in the summer of 1863, and converted 
into a cemetery. The first corpse, a child, Annie Hofmeister, was buried 
on the 22d of November, the same year. Part of the grounds was laid off in 
lots 16 feet square to the number of 445, all of which, with the exception 
of about 100, have since been sold. There is still enough ground left to 
lay out about 200 more lots. There have been interred up to the present 
date 1,012 corpses. There are as yet no vaults on the grounds. Quite a 
large number of fine monuments may be seen, among which may he mentioned 
those belonging to Mrs. J. Heinlein, Mrs. Seabright, Mrs. Koehlein, Fred 
Bromer, Mrs. Hofmeister, Eckhard, Otte and others. The cemetery is 
governed by a board elected by the members of Zion's congregation, the 
officers at the time of this writing being President, Rev O. Meerwem; 
secretaries, Soldan and Conrad Shepp; trustees, Louis Feltner and A. Rolf. 
This cemetery is kept in good repair, not only by members of Zion's 
congregation, but by our citizens generally. 


THE HEBREW CEMETERY

Just west of Mount Wood cemetery, upon the face of the hill inclining to 
the city, is the Hebrew cemetery. This cemetery is not a large one and 
from its situation can not be laid out to any advantage, yet it is 
tastefully arranged and there are some beautiful monuments and headstones 
in it. It was laid out in, June, 1865. 


GREENWOOD CEMETERY 

Is by all odds the largest, best arranged and most beautiful cemetery in 
Ohio county. It is situated four miles out the National Road, and is 
bounded by the creek on the south, the farm of Hugh Clark on the east, by 
the National Road on the north and by the lands of John Reed, Sr., on the 
west. The ground slopes gently to the south and on many accounts is 
admirably adapted to the purpose for which it is in present use. It is 
very large just now and the indications are that it will be much larger. 
On the third day of March, 1866, a certificate of incorporation was issued 
by Granville D. Hall, secretary of state, to the following named 
gentlemen: Dr. Eugene A. Hildreth, Edmund Booking, R. G. Jordan, W. M. 
List, S. P. Hildreth, C. H. Berry, Jamey Reid. A. W. Campbell, George 
Adams, J. S. Rhodes, J. G. Muth and P. C. Hildreth. 

The election of officers took place soon after, at which A. J. Sweeney was 
elected president and R. C. Bonliam, secretary. The books were then opened 
to the public and subscriptions rapidly taken. The following named 
gentlemen were elected directors: A. J. Sweeney, George Adams, J. G. Muth, 
John A. Armstrong, Joseph Bell, R. G. Jordan and George Mendel. The 
grounds, consisting of 37 1/2 acres, were purchased from the Hildreth 
brothers, Dr. E. A., P. C. and S. P., for the sum of $11,120.91. 

As soon as the grounds were purchased they were taken in charge by James 
Gilchrist, civil engineer, who proceeded to lay out the cemetery in its 
present beautiful proportions, and so well and artistically did he fulfill 
his contract that he rendered every part of the grounds available and 
nearly all the lots desirable and eligible. Lots were at once sold to 
those wishing them, the grounds were tastefully enclosed by paling fences, 
two neat cottages for the convenience of the keepers were erected at the 
main entrance and every means at hand were resorted to make the new 
purchase attractive and beautiful. The new lots were speedily improved 
with shrubbery, flowers and whatever serves to beautify and adorn. 

The first interment in Greenwood cemetery took place July 22, 1866, when 
the remains of Mrs. Caroline Morgan, mother of H. C. and the late John 
Morgan, of this city, were committed to the dust. There were several 
bodies removed to the cemetery previous to this, but Mrs. Morgan's was the 
first bona fide interment. 

At the present time the entrance to the cemetery is the large drive which 
continues for quite a distance or until the main part of the grounds is 
reached, and then two roads wind around the grounds, and again converge at 
the lower end; from these drives numerous smaller ones branch off and wind 
in and around the cemetery until there is a perfect labyrinth of sinuous 
carriage drives and graveled walks. These walks and drives are all fringed 
with trees and bordered by shrubbery of all descriptions. The lots are all 
well tended and in splendid condition, while upon many of them are as fine 
monuments and gravestones as can be found anywhere. 

One of the finest and largest monuments in this cemetery is the one 
erected to the memory of the late Hon. A. J. Pannell by his sisters. 
Another is the Schmulbach shaft, while those of Capt. C. H. Booth, James 
Demain, John Reid, Jr., Henry Brues, the Wickhams, George Mendel, Dr. John 
Eoff, Captain Jelly, Captain Mulrine and others stand close together on 
the west side of the cemetery. On the eastern slope the large monument of 
Capt. John List attracts much attention, while the beautiful tomb of G. W. 
Franzheim, is universally admired. The shafts of Edmund Backing, George R. 
Tingle, George R. Taylor, Holsten, Harden, James Patton, Thomas Sweeney, 
Robert Crangle, Crispin Oglebay, W. L. Hearne, Joseph Caldwell, John 
Doulon and others are situated near the central and southern portions of 
the cemetery. 

A heavy Scotch granite base supporting a beautiful and unique glass urn, 
erected over the remains of the late Michael Sweeney, attracts visitors to 
the spot. Mr. Sweeney was many years a glass manufacturer in this 
locality, and the beautiful urn is a tribute to his efforts in that 
direction. The Jacob Thomas monument is probably the most expensive of all 
those erected in the cemetery and attracts universal attention. 

Near the center of the cemetery is the vault erected by the family of the 
late Dr. Richard Cummins for the reception of his remains. 

Greenwood is in charge of John Raab, an intelligent landscape gardener and 
a competent and efficient superintendent, and the beautiful condition of 
the cemetery is attributable to his efforts and attention. 


CATHOLIC CEMETERIES

Prior to the year 1850-51 the Roman Catholics of this city had no regular 
or rather no peculiar place for burying their dead, but disposed of them 
in the various graveyards of the city. When, however, the ordinance of 
council in regard to the removal of the Hempfield cemetery was passed, 
they began to cast around for a site or place of interment that should be 
exclusively Catholic, and by and by, with the advice and consent of Bishop 
Whelan, purchased a portion of the ground at the base of the hill, 
northwest of Manchester. This piece of ground came off the Reilly estate. 
The Catholic dead were at once removed to the new cemetery from the 
Hempfield and other graveyards, and in a few years became quite full. 

In 1866 or 1867 an effort was made to start another place of burial near 
the city, and what is now Leatherwood was chosen as the site. A very 
beautiful piece of ground was purchased near the toll-house and set apart 
by the Bishop for this purpose, and the movement went so far that a few 
removals had been made when the residents of the rural village rebelled 
against the project and carried the thing into the courts of Ohio county 
on sanitary principles, alleging that the presence of a graveyard so close 
to their residences had a tendency to contaminate the water. Experts were 
present from New York, Philadelphia. Cincinnati and this city to prove the 
contrary, and the cemetery representatives had the best of the case. 
Nothing daunted, however, the Leatherwood folks went into the Legislature, 
had their village incorporated and then passed municipal laws against the 
locating of cemeteries within the corporate limits, which "effectually 
squelched" the movement, and again set the church to looking for another 
site. J. D. DuBois, Esq., now owns and occupies these grounds. Bishop 
Whelan was appealed to by many of his flock to do something looking toward 
the establishment of another one, but he not acting quickly enough to suit 
some of them, they set to work for themselves and purchased a tract of 
land from William Porter, Esq., up Edgington's Lane, and were proceeding 
to adopt it to their purposes when they were arrested by an announcement 
from the Bishop that he had completed arrangements for a cemetery. This 
announcement naturally embarrassed the purchasers of the Porter farm, as 
they found themselves with a large tract of valuable land on their hands, 
but the Bishop relieved them of their purchase, and directed their 
attention to his own, which was superior in every respect to theirs, and 
which is the present beautiful and attractive Mount Calvary, four miles 
east of this city. These grounds were purchased from the late Edward 
Larkin and S. H. B. Carter, and were originally a portion of the extensive 
estate of the latter. There are about 32 acres in the purchase. 

Bishop Whelan at once went to work improving his new purchase, and 
superintended the laying out of the cemetery himself. The purchase was 
made in May, 1872, and the first interment followed in September. In the 
meantime, however, a neat and beautiful paling fence had been erected 
around the entire grounds; elegant drives intersect each other at pleasing 
intervals. Lots were laid out in a novel and attractive manner, and 
shrubbery and flowers were already springing up in many a lot. During 
life, Bishop Whelan gave this enterprise his untiring attention, and the 
beautiful and attractive cemetery of to-day is the result. Walter Burke 
was appointed superintendent by the Bishop, and has proven himself the 
right man in the right place. The grounds are in splendid condition, the 
walks are graveled and bordered, and the grass of the lots trimmed, and 
the shrubbery is in the best possible condition. Paved gutters flank every 
drive, and under the entire ground there is a complete system. of sewers. 
On the hill above the cemetery is a reservoir, and pipes are laid from it 
to the grounds below, and flags are placed at various points through the 
cemetery for the purpose of irrigating, the grounds and freshening the 
grass and shrubbery when necessary. 

The remains of Bishop Whelan were deposited in this cemetery in a lot in 
the center, and soon after his decease steps were taken looking to the 
erection of a chapel that would at once be a memorial to the deceased 
prelate, and a matter of convenience for those who might wish to hold 
services on the grounds or to those Catholics who lived in the neighbor-
hood, as it would serve them as a place of Divine worship at stated 
periods. The cornerstone of this chapel was laid by Bishop Lain August 27, 
1876,with appropriate ceremonies. The building was finished in 1879, and 
the altar blessed by Bishop Kain November 18, 1879, at which time a very 
large crowd was present, together with a large number of priests, 
students, assistants and others. 

The chapel is a small one of the Elizabethan style of architecture, is 
built of stone and is a beautiful building. Within it are all the 
paraphernalia necessary for the conducting of services. In it is a vault 
and in one compartment, of which there are several, lie the remains of 
Bishop Whelan, and the vacant vaults are left for the reception of the 
remains of future bishops. 

Immediately in the rear of the chapel is a beautiful plot of ground, 
nearly hemispherical in shape, which is set apart for the interment of 
deceased priests, and in it already lie the remains of Rev. Fathers John 
Walters, Steck and Donehoo. North of this lot and west of the main drive 
is the pretty little lot set apart for the reception of the bodies of nuns 
who die in this community, and here also are several mounds, all well kept 
and tastefully arranged. 

Among some of the most beautifully arranged and elegibly situated lots 
that attracted our attention were those of Messrs. J. G. Hoffmann, L. 
Wilhelm, Christian Hess, M. Reilly, Victor Sauvageot, E. Larkin, Martin 
Thornton, James Russell, Michael Loftus, John Robrecht, Joseph Hydinger, 
Nick Riester, the Messrs. Coffee and Healy, of Benwood, George S. Feeny, 
Col. O. Brien, J. Quigg, Anthony Dusch, J. P. Truschel, P. Kennedy, Nick 
Crawley, N. Steger, the Lutzs, C. Welty, J. Welty, C. Steinmetz, C. Gaus, 
Jacob Bentz, the Benters, Balker, P. Welty. George Batts and many others 
not marked by stones. 

Mount Calvary is rapidly filling up, there being already something in 
excess of 3,000 interments in it, but only the lower portion of it is at 
all full as vet, and it will be many years before the idea of extension 
will occur to anyone. A beautiful and commodious greenhouse is erected in 
the rear of the superintendent's house, and a new and convenient residence 
has within the last few years been erected for the use of the 
superintendent. 

To the care and attention of Mr. Burke the present fine condition of the 
cemetery is attributable. 



CHAPTER XIX. MRS. LYDIA CRUGER AND MONUMENT PLACE

The following paper entitled "Shadows of the Past," written by a lady of 
Wheeling of fine literary ability, we have taken the liberty to 
incorporate in the present history for preservation: 

Five miles east of the city of Wheeling, far apart from its dusty streets, 
busy thoroughfares, in a beautiful little valley, crowned by the thickly 
covered hills of West Virginia, is situated the scattered village of Elm 
Grove. Trailing vines of ivy in loveliest festoons ornament the 
unpretending cottages, while the artistic decoration of wealth graces the 
more majestic structures; among which Shepherd Hall is the first in 
interest for its antiquity, and the circumstances which long years ago 
surrounded the life of its early mistress. 

Monument Place so derived its name from the fact that the first lady of 
Shepherd Hall, in compliment to her esteemed friend, Henry Clay, erected a 
memorial whose snowy peak bas glistened in the sunlight of many years, 
defying the storms, the tempests and the lightning's flash, the monument 
of the Kentucky statesman still stands an honor to his memory. In driving 
down the National Pike the first view of the old Shepherd Hall, now the 
country seat of the Loring estate, recalls to our minds that 

There stands a grand old castle,
All ivy grown and gray;
Near by a stream that murmurs,
On its sweet and silvery way. 

Oh, what a host of strange fancies crowd the dense brain of thought, as it 
wanders through the labyrinthine walks about the place, rendered 
interesting in the social history of Wheeling from the recollection of 
past events, to which mingled the honored statesman, noble warriors and 
gallant men of other years. Every tree seems haunted with some shadows of 
the past. Earth spreads its artistic green drapery down the beautiful and 
widely extended lawn in front of Shepherd Hall, sloping gradually to a 
level plain, which, like a peaceful little valley, lies at the foot of a 
small range of hills, upon the summit of which is situated the quiet city 
of the dead; the sepulcher of past generations. The old stone church still 
stands unviolated by the traces of time, while the early worshippers who 
gathered within its walls were long since laid to rest beneath the shadows 
of its churchyard. What sublime thoughts are instilled in the human heart 
by the hovering spirits of those lonely dead who in the fond embraces of 
their mother earth are sleeping their last sleep in the quiet of a
country churchyard. 

The grounds about Monument Place are a study in themselves. To the right 
of the long drive, just a short distance from the entrance gate, the first 
object which would naturally attract the observation of a stranger is the 
curious mass of stone erected in monumental form. Yes, as children we had 
first learned of the illustrious statesman, and the monument standing to-
day in honor of Henry Clay was erected in a far off time, the forty-fourth 
year of American Independence, when the thriving city of Wheeling was an 
unpretending village and a haunt of the red men. Upon the summit of the 
patriotic monument the Goddess of Liberty has majestically stood for 
nearly three-quarters of a century. Beneath it are carved in stone the 
letters, almost defaced by the imprint of time, though the keen eye can 
discover its tracks, the lines traced by hands that are cold and silent in 
death. How strangely the words seem to impress one! With what force the 
lures come upon us, like an echo from departed days, as we read the 
strange inscription:

TIME
Will bring every amelioration and refinement most
gratifying to rational man; and the humblest flower freely
plucked under the shade of the Tree of Liberty is more
to be desired than all the trapping of royalty. Forty-
fourth year of American Independence.
ANNO DOMINI 1820.

Only a few yards from the monument, on the spot where once stood an old 
fort in the days when Indians ravaged the country, is situated the rustic 
arbor. What a beautiful retreat in the midst of this rural world! Numbers 
of delicate vines have clambered to the top of the arbor, shutting out the 
last faint traces of day as they linger in its twilight about its narrow 
entrance. The view from the little doorway is truly a beautiful one. Not 
more than two or three feet away is a precipice overlooking a stream of 
rippling water as it flows picturesquely along in the fulfillment of its 
mission, it is this romantic peak which youthful minds have termed "Lovers 
Leap," though why it has derived that name is only known to the 
originators. Whether any interesting episode hallows it or not, this spot 
is a favored work of Monument Place, which should be consecrated to the 
meditation of nature. It is a retreat where in earlier days poets may have 
dreamed and authors may have built their fancies. Aside from the narrow 
path leading from the arbor, an old picture is brought before us vividly 
as when our childish lips lisped the lines dedicated to it. There it is: 
the two narrow poles held together at the top by a shorter one from which 
is suspended a long thick rope attached to the

Old oaken bucket, the iron bound bucket,
the moss covered bucket which hangs in the well. 

Then there is the old sun-dial erected by Col. Moses Shepherd in 1820, 
which has pointed to many a death hour since the time old Saturn took his 
stand upon its summit and marked below the date of 1820, marked to the 
truth, that the

Noiseless foot of 
Time 
Steals softly by,
And ere we think of 
Manhood 
Age draws nigh.
 
Over a short distance is the old stone barn, and winding around the 
pathway we come in the direction of Shepherd Hall. Scattered promiscuously 
about its grounds are still standing those grand old monarchs of the 
forest which have bravely defied the lightning's flash for half a century 
or more. The creeping vines wrap, tighter round and round the trees in 
their long efforts to reach the haughty summits, while the newly born 
evergreens are growing up to fill the places of their mighty 
contemporaries, when the latter shall have served their time. Lovely vases 
with trailing vines, rustic crosses with creeping ivy, rustic benches 
under the shade of forest trees, all inanimate things seem almost to feel 
their importance in lending their decoration and ornamentation to Monument 
Place. 

Shepherd Hall is substantially constructed of solid stone, and stands on a 
level of the hill sloping down to the beautiful lawn. In its ornamentation 
it is of the Corinthian style of architecture, though the old stones are 
almost covered by the creeping vines. A flight of stone steps leads to the 
entrance hall. Here wealth is not guided by a spirit of grandiness, but it 
is rather the band of refinement that has directed the decoration. The 
frescoes are handsome and curious patterns, and the wainscoting along the 
high stairway is heavy and elegant. A brilliant newel light adds a 
dazzling effect to the scene and spreads its lustre about the rooms to 
either side. To the right of the hall is a narrow room with a high 
ceiling, which ever since the construction of Shepherd Hall has been 
designated as the family library. Here a literary taste is finely 
displayed in the handsomely bound works of the standard authors and poets. 
The books rest upon ebony cabinets and though some are slim with age they 
are valuable still for their antiquity. The high mantel-piece, so 
beautifully and delicately carved, and the high backed easy chairs take 
one back through several generations to the early days of Shepherd Hall, 
when its young mistress queened it royally in the circles of the gay. The 
center-piece in the bright floor covering was woven from the finest 
texture of the Persian loom into the red roses and blue forget-me-nots, 
while the variegated bordering is in perfect harmony of taste. 

Opening from the library is the chamber that was once occupied by one 
whose history has been long sought as that of a heroine in the early 
records of Wheeling. Here the high carved mantel with its curious antique 
ornament and the long narrow cupboard are interesting features. A handsome 
screen, inlaid with pearl, obscures the dreary fire front. From the west 
window of this room a lovely scene is presented. Steps lead from the wide 
veranda into the garden, where a fine view of the surrounding country can 
be obtained. Far down the stream, familiarly termed Wheeling Creek, the 
silvery moonbeams glisten in the distance, imparting their unspeakable 
magic to the pictures of the shadows past. The old trees on either bank 
reflect brightly their image in the rippling stream. In front of the 
veranda the thick ivy is growing over a massive rookery, while the 
Virginia creepers are clambering about the old locust tree as they listen 
to the whispering zephyrs stirring slightly their delicate leaves. 

Back once again into the house, we next retrace our steps through the 
library across the main hall into the reception room. Here a rich Wilton 
carpet muffles the sound of footsteps as they sink into its depths. The 
high, white mantel is beautifully carved in mythological designs, and upon 
it rest antique pictures of burnished gild. Over the center of it hangs a 
handsome oil painting of the north view of Shepherd Hall. In the small 
recess in the south corner of the room is an ebony cabinet ornamented with 
handsome statuary. Hence the scene of the reception room is brightly 
reflected in the thick plate glass mirrors which adorn the cabinet. The 
fire-side decorations of brass seem almost as glittering as the lovely 
little table of burnished gold, which rests between the long windows 
almost hidden beneath the luxurious curtains. West of the reception parlor 
is the neat little music room, with everything in appropriate keeping. 

Leaving this we wander up the long stairway to the grand ball room. What a 
crowd of fancies confuse us here! What scenes of gayety, what unknown 
events has it not witnessed! Since the early days of Shepherd Hall, the 
days when Madison, Clay and scores of distinguished personages graced its 
rooms; this particular retreat has been the one where youth and beauty 
have mingled in joyous festivities, when the lovers of Terpsichore tripped 
away the hours and took no note of time. How many eyes have brightened and 
drooping hearts been revived by the sweet whisperings of love sometimes 
trite, but often false, inspired in the rapturous strains of if music that 
have flatted around its walls so many years until the gentle Euterpe seems 
still to haunt the familiar nooks, and breath her spirit there. The ball 
room is a long, narrow one, with high mantel-pieces at either end, 
delicately carved in Corinthian style by a skillful hand. Upon them rest 
large and elegant candellabra of antique design. The high open fireplaces, 
with their old-time andirons, seem to speak to us of the times when our 
grandmothers in their youthful days gathered about the same fire-side in 
all the hopes, the aims, anticipations of youth. The long narrow door, 
with its carved top, the beautiful wainscoting, the bordering above the 
thick gilt paper, all are delicately carved in the Corinthian 
architectural style, and would be a credit to the skillful architecture of 
the ancients could they have lived to see their designs perpetuated as 
they are at Shepherd Hall today. 

Just out from the scene of gayety is the room still familiarly termed 
Henry Clay's, the room occupied by the illustrious patriot during his 
brief visits to Monument Place. 

Many other apartments of Shepherd Hall might still be visited without one 
becoming wearied in the monotony of sameness, for each hears its own 
particular history in point of interest. But this description, however, is 
amply sufficient for an introduction to the sumptuous home which Col. 
Moses Shepherd erected for his young wife, early in the present century. 
What a world of events has been chronicled in the one hundred years which 
in their closing scenes are casting about the thriving manufacturing city 
of Wheeling the shadows of Fort Henry. 

It was near the days which the last siege of the Revolution have rendered 
and will serve to render Fort Henry ever famous in the history of our 
country, that one beautiful, haughty, sprightly girl was a sensation at 
the fort, and by her daring, reckless courage and indomitable will, 
together with her perfect consciousness of superior beauty and rare 
personal charms made heroes of the weakest men and spurred their efforts 
in the unflinching duty to defend bravely Fort Henry against Indian 
attacks. At this time, when the celebration in honor of these gallant ones 
who so courageously defended the old fort, awakens something of the early 
patriotism in each human heart, it is just and fitting that the memory of 
Lydia Boggs should be reverently received and that the noble force of 
character which stimulated all her actions should live again today in the 
hearts of her fellow sisters. 

It is not to speak of her historical life, her life along the border, her 
brave, cunning feats, and where all else had failed her daring rescue from 
Girty's band. that this little narrative is written. No, these are but the 
fireside tales, oft repeated in West Virginia homes. But in social rank 
she comes before its a brilliant. sprightly beauty, blooming like the 
sweet wild rose among the luxuriant foliage and bright canopied hills of 
West Virginia. Scarcely a century in the nation's history has rolled away 
since then, but the busy streets with their jostling throngs, the dingy 
buildings with the marking of decay upon their walls, the barren hills 
whose ornaments have long been felled by the woodman's axe, all make a 
difficult picture in which to imagine Fort Henry in the last siege of the 
Revolution. 

Lydia Bogs had a small, lithe figure, but a haughty grace of carriage 
marked every movement of it. At sixteen years of age she was a perfect 
blonde. Her golden hair hung in graceful ringlets about a brow white as 
polished marble, while beneath it flashed in varied expression those 
jewels which were her pride, large, blue eyes that spoke frankly the true 
heroism of a soul that lived for noble purposes. There was always an 
unspeakable something in the girl that claimed the love of her companions 
and the admiration of strangers. So was it any wonder that Moses Shepherd, 
"Mo," as Lydia delighted to abreviate the name, a shy, awkward school boy, 
loved those stolen glances behind their books in the days when they 
studied together in the little log cabin near the Boggs farm? Yes, the 
illustrious poet must have drawn his fancy from a similar picture when he 
wrote those lines so full of pathos,

I'm sorry that I spelt the word,
I hate to go above you
Because, the blue eyes lower fell,
Because you see I love you. 

And she did love him. Those happy days spent in the quaint old school 
house were sunbeams in her life. Her cheeks would glow with the radiant 
animation of youth when Mr. Shepherd sought her after the day's study was 
done, and they would roam together over the wild hills, fearless, with 
their constant companion the rifle to aid them in attacks against their 
Indian foes. They drove home the cows from the pastures; they would paddle 
their birchen canoe surrounded sometimes by savages, but often peacefully 
they would sail over the waters happily, and Lydia's silvery laugh rippled 
across the blue waves and stirred the gloomy stillness of the forests when 
in her artful teasing moods she would ridicule the professions of her 
lover, and cruelly torment him by her pert refusal to recognize his soul-
felt sincerity. Despite all saucy efforts to torture him in contradiction 
to all affected manner of art, young Shepherd learned from the bright blue 
eyes the knowledge scarcely guessed by the unconscious school-girl. But a 
brave young lad was this Moses Shepherd with all the daring chivalry of 
old, and he forced his way into Lydia's willing heart. The blue eyes grew 
brighter, the soft tint deepened in the sweet maiden's blush, and the 
animated joy in his presence taught the youthful lover every hope. But 
those happy days flew quickly, those days made bright and sunny by the 
dream of early love. To this little rustic beauty it was bliss supreme. 
The homespun frock and the little rough moccasins with her woodland love 
was far sweeter to this little violet blooming on the western borders than 
all the gorgeous display of oriental magnificence. Yes, she loved young 
Shepherd as her own "divinity of clay" and a world of romance surrounded 
the memory of her first love.

One day, it was a bright, lovely morning in the early October, and the red 
and yellow leaves of autumn were scattering their variegated coverings 
over the forests. The great old trees were almost leafless. Here and there 
remnants of their rich gaudy attire hung in fragments from a drooping 
tough; fighting hard with the reckless zephyrs, the little leaf clung 
fast, and the wind swept on its way. The glistening sun tinted with its 
golden hue the earth's rich carpet, while the merry birds sang their 
chorus to the mourning music of the brook. At the base of the gay panorama 
warbled the rippling waters of the silvery Ohio, and drifting 
picturesquely along with the gentle flow, her young heart beating time to 
the ripplets which played innocently about her little canoe, sailed Lydia 
Boggs, the flower of the border. It was just the morning for a charming 
sail, and Lydia having stepped into her boat loosened it from the moorings 
and it moved clown the stream. Her keen eve penetrated each recess in the 
dense forests as she floated anxiously by. Now and then she would place 
her little hand on the rifle by her side as if in assurance of its 
faithful trust in times such as these. At last, drawing toward the Ohio 
shore, she pulled up her canoe and fastened it securely to a huge log, 
then falling on the ground a short distance from it she dreamed the hours 
away; the only living soul in all that vast wilderness, her meditations 
were undisturbed. It might not be far amiss to suspect young Shepherd's 
claim on those captive thoughts during that long reverie in the woods. The 
day wore on and Lydia heeded not the anxious watchers sighing for her 
return. The sun was setting in a blaze of splendor, and hallowed in 
gorgeous shapes the glittering peaks, towering high above the river's 
edge. Far into the dim mist of future years the girl's fancy was weaving 
strange images from those sunlit realms. When the twilight shades were 
faintly beginning to steal about her and heralded the sombre hues of 
night, Lydia arose reluctantly and walked towards the boat that was to 
carry her homeward. 

Suddenly she stopped in breathless anxiety. Surely she was not mistaken. 
There was a fumbling sound among the leaves, and ere she had time to reach 
her canoe a huge Indian stood before her. His dark form wore an expression 
so mean and terrible that even to the brave heart of a border girl it 
struck unconcealed terror. Her rifle a short distance from her in the 
boat, and she had no earthly means of help. Trembling in every nerve, with 
those great magnificent eyes filled with tears, the terrified girl fell 
upon her knees before the grim savage. Words were useless, empty trifles, 
pleading was unnecessary to his unrelenting heart; it was shut and sealed 
to whisperings of humanity. Yes, she saw the ropes that were to bind her, 
the fetters which were to drag her a captive into an Indian's band, but 
the undaunted courage peculiar through all her life, was an incentive to 
hope. Another sound among the trees and she shrank back from the clutches 
of her savage adversary in fear that the whole band had come upon her. But 
her drooping spirits revived as her name was mentioned in plain English; 
spoken from some indistinct somewhere. In an instant a straight shot 
whirled past her with lightning rapidity and quicker than thought the 
Indian fell at her feet a corpse. A man's rough voice broke into a coarse 
laugh, "Ha! ha! ha!" he said, pointing to the bleeding form upon the 
grass, "a little sport for this hour; but is your name Lyddy Bogg?" and 
the tender-hearted girl turned a pitiful look from the harmless dead to 
the burly figure beside her, whose harsh heart softened as the tearful 
eyes met his own. "Are you not ashamed," she said, "to speak so lightly of 
the dead? Yes, my name is Lydia Boggs, and from your costume I presume you 
are an Indian scout. But who am I to thank for this delivery?" "Bless yer 
heart, child, its Lew Wetzel. It's a long day since I first hurd of purty 
Lyddy Boggs, the daringest and darlingest gal on the border, and 'pon my 
word it is your very self I've sought them two months past." As these 
compliments were showered upon her, the color deepened in Lydia s cheeks, 
and the haughty spirit manifested displeasure at the impertinence 
expressed at this outburst of enthusiasm. But her preserver was forgiven, 
and he safely rowed her up the Ohio to the site of Boggs' farm. It was a 
very pleasant meal that evening in the unpretending country house, and 
when it was ended Moses Shepherd came in almost breathless from his 
protracted search over hill and dale for his lost Lydia. But it was easy 
to forgive his truant sweetheart when he was once more greeted by the 
merry girlish laugh. 

And so the pleasant days and the charming weeks wore on, the winter passed 
swiftly and the early spring was welcomed once again by the gladdening 
sunbeams. It was night, and the moon shed a pale, opal lustre through the 
same old trees, sending in those gentle rays secret blessings to the 
gallant youth who was pledging his troth to the fair girl of his choice. 
"Lydia, it would be but an oft repeated tale with which in boyhood and in 
manhood I have wearied you in repetition. It is the same old story of a 
pleading love. Why need I force it upon you again? Those eyes are sweet 
whisperings of hope. They have led me step by step, and gently, too, since 
the days we walked as children hand in hand to our poor pretension of a 
school. In all the confused and conflicting images with which my fancies 
paint the future those blue orbs are the lodestar, always incentive to 
effort and to hope. Tell me, Lydia, is it long our union must be delayed?" 
And as the last words were uttered the tall, noble frame of Moses Shepherd 
bent slightly to the blushing girl. After all, silence is sometimes the 
sweetest language, and in that strange communication Lydia's lover moulded 
in his heart the sentences her trembling lips scarce could frame. Captain 
Boggs smiled with approbation and pleasure on the handsome young suitor 
when his daughter was requested of him in marriage, and placed his hands 
in a father's blessing on Moses' head when he gave up to him his eldest 
child. "Take her, Shepherd; you're a noble lad, be kind, be true to my 
Lydia. But I need not tell you this. In secure confidence I resign my 
child. It's been a long day since I guessed which way her heart went." 

It was a fair bride the sun shone on that bright spring day long, long 
ago. She was a lively bride, as blushing as a rose and as fair as a lily. 
It was in the faun house near Boggs' run that Lydia uttered the solemn 
words which made her Moses Shepherd's wife. Her dress was one which would 
have shocked many a superstitious maiden of the present time, but silk was 
a rare fabric in our country in those days, when a girl knew little 
ambition above her homespun attire, and a black silk was not in the least 
an objection to a bridal array. It is related of Lydia Boggs, and 
truthfully, too, that she started 12 miles on foot to purchase her wedding 
slippers. How her happy little heart must have beaten when she was 
returning with those treasures. 

Some years after their marriage Moses, then Colonel Shepherd, erected the 
beautiful home previously described as Monument Place, where his proud 
young wife queened it in worldly circles. Ah! how happily flew the years 
in that dear old home! when they wove more closely the chain of affection 
under the magic wand of love. 

It was on one of those grand occasions which serve to render Monument 
Place so famous in the social history of Wheeling that Shepherd Hall was 
ablaze with light and life. The spacious ball-room was gayly thronged with 
honored guests, who moved forward to pay their respects to their charming 
hostess. Proud and stately as was ever Lydia Boggs, Mrs. Colonel Shepherd 
appeared on this evening. The girlish brightness had settled into a 
matured dignity and her youthful beauty, ready wit and marked influence in 
social rank only served to render her more attractive in exalted circles. 
When everything was in readiness for the opening scene of the ball, when 
sweetest strains of music floated through the vast apartment, and echoed 
in the bright, joyous heart of youth, there was a rustling sound in the 
dense crowd, and all eyes were turned in expectation. Only a moment of 
eager curiosity, and the smiling hostess was led forward by Henry Clay in 
all his gallantry. Then the opening dance began, and then were "chased the 
hours with flying feet." 

Thus life wore on at Shepherd Hall. Colonel Shepherd became a large 
contractor and after the building of the National Pike the damages to his 
vast estate were very great. Accordingly he carried his claims to 
Washington, where he and his devoted wife spent winter after winter. At 
the national capital Mrs. Shepherd reigned year after year in courtly 
splendor. Always one of the most magnificently attired at the President's 
levees, always a sensation and always a favorite. Resolute, ambitious and 
proud, of remarkable stability of character, she was truly regarded as one 
of the wonderful women of her day. But midst all the dissipation of an 
eastern life, surrounded by all the distractions of Washington society, 
she was ever a faithful and dutiful wife: Though forty years of her 
married life had almost gone, she still retained the cherished affection 
of her youth, and claimed her husband's heart as in those days of yore. At 
last there came a day of sadness to Shepherd Hall, a time which cast a 
gloom over the gay life of its mistress. Colonel Shepherd died, and over 
the gaudy scene of his home the sable folds of mourning were drawn. 

But his affairs remained unsettled long years after his mortal remains had 
been laid to rest in the old churchyard in sight of his beautiful home, 
and his widow in her business energy kept up her annual visits to the 
capital. 

During one of these visits she met General Cruger, a representative in 
Congress from New York, and a widower. He was not one of the least who 
manifested admiration for the fashionable and wealthy widow of Colonel 
Shepherd, and in time must have pressed his suit in a manner that awakened 
a congenial sympathy in the widowed heart, when she consented to become 
his wife. She used laughingly to remark to her gay acquaintances that she 
had caught General Cruger with a silver hook, for he was in very moderate 
circumstances at the time of their marriage. 'Tis true that the admiration 
she felt for General Cruger was not that strange intangible sentiment 
which still clung about the memory of her girlhood's love, but we have 
reason to suppose she led a happy existence the few years of their married 
life. About seven years after her second wedding she again became a widow, 
and lived the remaining years of a remarkable life at Monument Place, 
endeared to her by a thousand memories. The friends of her girlhood, the 
gay companions of her youth had all passed out of her life, and yet she 
lingered. A whole century had rolled away and the Angel of Death seemed to 
have forgotten her, or remembered not that she was mortal. But no, God 
called her in His own good time and there dawned a day at last when the 
lamp of a long life "flickered and went out forever" in the home she had 
loved so well. The sun of old age was setting in a beautiful tranquility 
as if heralding the peace beyond the grave. All nature about the place 
seemed drooping on that day, while the flowers were weeping under the 
morning's dew. Even the restless moaning of the waters beneath her window 
echoed the sad song of Death. In the midst of all that is sublime and 
lovely, in the silence which shrouds a death-bed, the voice of the dying 
woman penetrated the little circle about her. It was a beautiful 
resignation that went with her soul in that prayer of child-like 
confidence, when the trembling lips were parted and the last breath of 
life wafted away with her words, "Lord Jesus, receive my soul." And the 
noble spirit of Lydia Cruger has passed into eternity. President after 
president has passed away, statesmen and warriors have been honored in 
their time, but the name and fame of Lydia Boggs live to-day, and around 
her memory still are thrown some shadows of the past. 



CHAPTER XX. DISTRICTS, COURTS, OFFICERS AND STATISTICS OF OHIO COUNTY 

By an Act of the Legislature of West Virginia passed during the session of 
1872-1873 and approved December 21, 1872, it was enacted that Ohio county 
should be laid off into not less than 10 districts, as nearly equal as 
might be in territory and population, and providing that in each district 
there should be elected by the voters thereof a commissioner, two justices 
of the peace and two constables, who should reside in their respective 
districts, and hold their respective offices--a commissioner for the term 
of two years, and justices of the peace and constables for the term of 
four years. 

By this Act the county was divided into two assessment districts; one, 
called the city district, which included the corporate limits of the city 
of Wheeling, and the other the country district, including the remainder 
of the county without the limits of the city; and in each of these 
districts an assessor is elected by the voters of the county who holds his 
office for four years, each of whom is required to reside in his district. 

The commissioners so elected in the several districts constitute a board 
known as the "Board of Commissioners of the County of Ohio," and by this 
name they may sue and be sued, and make and use a common seal, and enact 
ordinances and by-laws not inconsistent with the laws of the state. Their 
meetings are held on the firs Mondays in January, April, June, August, 
October and December in each year, but they may hold special and adjourned 
meetings at any time after their first meeting after election. They elect 
one of their number president, and they appoint a clerk, who holds his 
office at their pleasure, whose compensation is fixed by ordinance and he 
is paid from the county treasury. 

The board has the superintendence and administration of the internal 
police and fiscal affairs of the county, including the establishment and 
regulation of roads, ways, bridges, public landings, ferries and mills, 
the granting of ordinary and other licenses, with the authority to lay and 
disburse the county levies, provided that no license shall be granted in 
any city, town or village without the consent of the authorities of the 
same first had and obtained. 

The compensation of the commissioners is $3 per day for services in court 
to be paid out of the county treasury. For malfeasance, misfeasance or 
neglect of official duty, a commissioner may be indicted and upon 
conviction his office shall be vacated. 

The board has power in the case of a vacancy, whether from resignation, 
removal from office, removal from district, death, or other cause, to fill 
the same. 

The foregoing are the main and important features of the Act creating the 
board of commissioners of the county of Ohio. 

Under the provisions of the law, the 10 districts therein contemplated are 
defined and bounded as follows, viz: 

Liberty District,
Beginning at the northeast corner of Richland district in the Ohio and 
Brooke county line, and running thence south with the east boundary of 
Richland district to the southeast corner thereof; thence east to the 
northeast corner of Triadelphia district, on the state line; thence with 
the state line north to the Brooke county line; thence with the Brooke 
county line N. 75 W. (as of 1863) to a stone standing in said county line; 
thence westwardly with said county line to the place of beginning. 

Richland District,
Beginning at a stone planted immediately east of the late residence of 
Hugh Nichols, deceased, and in the east boundary of Washington district, 
and running thence with the said boundary N. 10 W. to the north corner of 
Washington district on the margin of the Ohio River, thence up with the 
meanderings of said river to the mouth of Short Creek and the county line 
of Brooke and Ohio counties; thence up with the meanderings of said creek 
to Trimble's Mill; thence eastwardly with said county line to the 
northwest corner of Liberty district; thence south with the west boundary 
of Liberty district ot the southwest corner of the same and then west to 
the place of beginning.

Triadelphia District,
Beginning at the southwest corner of Richland district, and running thence 
east with the south boundary of Richland and Liberty districts to the 
Pennsylvania state line; thence south with said state line to the Marshall 
county line; thence westwardly with the Marshall county line to the 
southeast corner of Ritchie district; thence with the eastern boundary of 
Ritchie district to a double locust tree on the Reilly Hill, and in the 
corporation line of the city of Wheeling; thence northwardly with said 
line to the north bank of Wheeling Creek; thence down said bank to the 
east line of Washington district; then N. 10 W. with Washington district 
line to the place of beginning. 

Washington District,
Beginning at a point on the Ohio River, and in the middle line of Tenth 
street, being the northwest corner of Clay district, and running thence 
eastwardly with the northern boundary of Clay district to Grand View 
street; thence southwardly on Grand View street to Eleventh street; then 
eastwardly on Eleventh street to the eastern boundary of the city of 
Wheeling; thence with the city line down and along said bank to a point in 
a line which runs N. 10 W. from a stone in the Peninsula cemetery and in 
the north line of Madison district, as it heretofore was; thence with the 
northwest line to the east bank of the Ohio River; thence down said river 
to the place of beginning. 

Madison District,
The boundaries of Madison district shall be the boundaries of Wheeling 
Island, which island shall constitute such district. 

Clay District,
Beginning at a point on the Ohio river in the middle line of Tenth street, 
being the southwest corner of Washington district, and running thence 
eastwardly with the southern boundaries of Washington district to the 
eastern boundary to the city of Wheeling; thence southwardly with the 
eastern boundary line of the city of Wheeling to a point in Fourteenth 
street prolonged eastwardly to said eastern boundary; thence westwardly 
with the middle line of Fourteenth street to the east bank of the Ohio 
River; thence up said river to the place of beginning. 

Union District,
Begging at a point on the east bank of the Ohio River, and in the middle 
line of Fourteenth street; thence eastwardly with the middle line of 
Fourteenth street, being the southern boundary of Clay district to a point 
in the eastern boundary line of the city of Wheeling in Fourteenth street 
prolonged; thence southwardly with the eastern boundary line of said city 
to Coal run; thence down Coal run to Wheeling Creek; thence down said 
creek to the Ohio River and up the east bank of said river to the place of 
beginning. 

Centre District,
Beginning at the intersection of the eastern boundary of the city of 
Wheeling with Coal run, thence down said run to Wheeling Creek; thence 
down said creek to the Ohio River; thence down the east bank of said river 
to Twenty-fifth street prolonged westwardly to said river; thence 
eastwardly with the middle line of Twenty-fifth street prolonged to the 
eastern boundary of the city of Wheeling; thence northwardly with said 
eastern boundary of the city of Wheeling to the place of beginning. 

Webster District,
Beginning on the east bank of the Ohio River, where the same is 
intersected by the middle line of Twenty-fifth street prolonged 
westwardly; thence eastwardly with the middle line of Twenty-fifth street, 
being the southern boundary of Centre district to the eastern boundary of 
the city of Wheeling; thence southwardly with said eastern boundary line 
of the city to a point where the same is intersected by the middle line of 
Thirty-second street prolonged eastwardly; thence westwardly with the 
middle line of Thirty-second street prolonged to a point where the same is 
intersected by the middle line of Thirty-fifth street prolonged 
eastwardly; thence westwardly with the middle of Thirty-fifth street, and 
Thirty-fifth street prolonged, to the east bank of the Ohio River; thence 
with said east bank of the Ohio River, northwardly to the place of 
beginning. 

Ritchie District,
Beginning at a stone planted on the east margin of the Ohio River, being 
the corner of Ohio and Marshall counties; thence with the line of said 
counties to the southwest corner of Triadelphia district N. 12 1/4 W. 
176.88 poles; thence N. 13 3/4 W. 133.72 poles; thence N. 11 3/4 W. 50.96 
poles; thence N. 44 W. 249.80 poles; thence N. 54 W. 298 poles; thence N. 
56 W. 25. 48 poles; thence N. 29 _. 130.56 poles; thence N. 16.10 W. 27.60 
poles; thence N. 1 1/2 E. 61.36 poles to a double locust tree on the 
Reilly hill, and in the corporation line of the city of Wheeling; the 
bearings of the above lines are as of 1876; thence with said corporation 
line southwardly to its intersection with the southern boundary of Webster 
district; thence with said boundary of Webster district, being the middle 
line of Thirty-fifth street prolonged and with the middle line of Thirty-
fifth street prolonged to the east bank of the Ohio River; thence with 
said bank of the Ohio River southwardly to the place of beginning. 

The following persons representing the following districts are the members 
of the board at the present time:

Liberty district, Elzie E. Bowman.
Triadelphia district, M. Nelson Cecil.
Ritchie district, Adolph Fritz.
Union district, B. F. Higgins.
Richland district, William H. North
Centre district, John J. Byrne.
Washington district, Chas. A. Danner.
Clay district, William Gutman.
Webster district, Charles Moore.
Madison district, H. P. McGregor.
President of the board, H. P. McGregor.
Clerk of the board, T. C. Moffat. 


Courts.
U. S. Circuit Court for the District of West Virginia: Judge, Nathan Goff, 
residence, Clarksburg, West Virginia. U. S. District Court for the First 
District of West Virginia: Judge, John J. Jackson, residence, Parkersburg, 
West Virginia; clerk, L. B. Dellicker; George E. Boyd, Jr., deputy clerk 
and U. S. Commissioner; J. H. Gaines, U. S. district attorney; S. C. 
Burdette, of Charleston, E. W. Showalter, of Fairmont, and Elliott 
Northcott, of Clarksburg, assistant prosecuting attorneys. Clerk of the U. 
S. District Court, Jasper Y. Moore. Circuit Court, First Judicial Circuit 
of West Virginia, comprising the counties of Hancock, Brooke, Ohio and 
Marshall: H. C. Hervey and Thayer Melvin, judges; C. H. Henning, clerk; A. 
J. Wilson, deputy clerk. It meets as follows: Ohio county at Court House 
second Monday in April; first Monday in September; third Monday in 
November. County Court of Ohio County: Richard Robertson, clerk of the 
County Court of Ohio County and ex-officio recorder and probate judge; 
George E. Boyd, Sr., Cyrus P. Flick, George R. E. Gilchrist and T. M. 
Garvin, commissioners of accounts. Criminal Court of the County of Ohio: 
T. J. Hugus, judge; C. H. Henning, clerk. Meets first Monday in January, 
March, May, July, September and November in Ohio County Court House. 
Police Court: A. T. Sweeney, judge; William Nolte, clerk. Meets daily 
except Sundays at 9 A. M.; special sessions Saturdays, at 7 P. M.


Wheeling Post Office.
Postmaster--George Wise.
Assistant Postmaster--Alfred C. Davis.
Superintendent of Mails--John T. Cowl.
There are 20 letter carriers connected with the office, and three 
substitute carriers. 


Other U. S. Officials Represented at Wheeling.
United States Customs: Charles H. Sensency, surveyor and collector of 
customs.
U. S. Internal Revenue--District of West Virginia: A. B. White, collector 
(Parkersburg). 


Present County Officers
There are two judges in the First Judicial District, which includes 
Hancock, Brooke, Ohio and Marshall counties, namely: Hons. Thayer Melvin 
and H. C. Hervey. The clerk of the Circuit Court is Charles Henning. The 
judge of the Criminal Court is Hon. T. J. Hugus. Richard Robertson is 
clerk of the County Court. The present sheriff of Ohio county is W. W. 
Irwin. The prosecuting attorney is Frank Nesbitt. The assessor for the 
city district is Addison Israel; for the county district, Lester Smith.


Statistics of Ohio County.
According to the official census of 1900, the population of Wheeling was 
38,878. The area and population of Ohio county were, respectively, area 
123 square miles, population 48,024. 

The coal production of Ohio county ending June 30, 1900, was 96,610 tons 
of 2,000 pounds per ton. The thickness of the coal underlying Ohio county 
is six feet. 

The county of Ohio has four delegates in the Legislature. 



CHAPTER XXI. MANUFACTURERS, INDUSTRIES AND BANKS

The real source of Wheeling's prosperity has ever been her manufactures, 
which gave employment to a large number of skilled artisans and mechanics, 
as well as unskilled ones. The first mill erected in Wheeling was the mill 
known as the Top Mill, and this mill introduced the first machine here for 
making nails. The next mill in order of time was the Point Mill, located 
at the mouth of the creek on the spot now occupied by the Baltimore & Ohio 
Railroad depot, and which was subsequently removed from there to Benwood. 
The next in order was the La Belle Mille, which was originated by skilled 
mechanics, who themselves became operators and employes in the 
establishment, thereby securing for it an almost unparalleled success and 
prosperity. The next in order was the Belmont. The Riverside Mill, the 
Benwood Mill and Ohio City Nail Mill are of comparatively late origin. 

Annually there are manufactured in the whole United States about 4,00,000 
kegs of nails, of which amount, including in Wheeling's output that of the 
immediate vicinity and Steubenville, there are manufactured in Wheeling 
not less than one-third and probably nearer on-half. The reputation of 
Wheeling nails in the market is superior to all of other manufacture and 
commands the highest prices and the readiest sales. Probably the number of 
persons employed in the nail mills, including those employed in the 
manufacture of iron in other mills of the city, will not fall short of 2,
500. We have not the dates, neither would it be advisable on such an 
occasion as this, to give the statistics of each manufacturing trade and 
business which is carried on within the city at the present time and to 
trace the inception of the same from its origin and mark its development, 
but suffice it so say that her manufactures have not been nor are they now 
confined to iron and nails alone, but also include all the mechanic's 
arts, such as the manufacture of glass, wagons and carriages, and cigars. 
Our community equals if not excels others. 


Iron and Steel

The manufacture of iron and steel is one of the most important industries 
of Wheeling and vicinity. The 11 establishments, as shown by the census of 
1900, gave employment to 4,467 wage earners, or 13.5 per cent of the wage 
earners employed in the state, and their products were valued at $16,514,
212 or 22.3 per cent of the total value of the products of the state. In 
1890 there were seven establishments, 2,013 wage earners, and products 
valued at $7,490,934. The increase in the value of products during the 
decade was $9,023,278 or 120.5 per cent. This is a greater absolute 
increase than is shown for any other industry. The products of the blast 
furnaces for 1900 were valued at $3,109,301, while the value of the 
products of the rolling mills and steel works, including tin and terne 
work, amounted to $13,394,911. 

The first rolling mill west of the Alleghany Mountains of which there is 
any exact record was in operation near Morgantown, Virginia, as early as 
1812. Cut nails were among the products of this pioneer mill, a 
manufacture which afterwards became so important that Wheeling, its chief 
center, was at one time known as the "Nail City." The industry has 
declined in recent years as a result of the greater demand for wire nails, 
which have never been very largely manufactured in West Virginia. The iron 
and steel industry of the state is confined to Wheeling and its vicinity. 
Its development in this city is due, in part, to the cheapness of fuel--
natural gas being used in almost all rolling mills--and also to the 
proximity of the Pittsburg (Pennsylvania) district.


Glass

Glass has been manufactured in Wheeling since 1821, when a glass factory 
was established in the city on what is now Chapline street, just north of 
Eleventh street, on the east side of Chapline street. In this year a 
window glass factory was erected, and it was in this city, in 1864, that 
the second great improvement in the manufacture of glass was made. The 
cost of manufacture was reduced by one-half by the discovery of a process 
which caused the substitution of lime glass for flint-glass in the finer 
products. Natural gas was used as fuel in glass works at Wheeling as early 
as 1879, and its cheapness, as well as the superior glass produced as a 
result of the absence of sulphur, caused it to be employed almost 
exclusively in the glass works of the state in the year 1900.


Leather

According to the census of 1890 the value of leather manufactured in Ohio 
county was $104,150. But it was during the last decade that the industry 
became of special importance. The extensive oak and hemlock forest furnish 
the bark for tanning purposes and the rapid growth of the industry since 
1890 must be attributed to the increased supply of this material made 
available by the great increase in lumbering. The largest production of 
leather in 1900 was in the eastern and northeastern parts of the state, a 
region from which a very large lumber product was also reported.


Potteries

The first lot of vitrified china made west of the Alleghanies was at the 
factory of Homer Laughlin, in East Liverpool, Ohio, and suffered nothing 
in comparison with the best French, German, or other vitrified china. The 
first step in the art in what is technically potting is to get a list of 
bodies used in it, and the second is to classify them, as for instance, 
bodies, glazes and colors. Then here are found the bodies known as 
earthenware, china, porcelain and terra cotta, including all the varieties 
of white and colored, glazed dreg or vitrous. The manufacture of pottery 
has been practiced from the earliest times, though the specimens of 
workmanship and taste were not of the choicest. The Egyptians, of all the 
ancient nations perhaps, excelled in the art, and Pompey's soldiers we are 
told carried from Pontus to Rome, B. C. 64. The progress made in the last 
sixty years has been wonderful and especially in our own country. 

At this day there are potteries in England working on the same lines they 
did when they first started more than a century ago. The methods of making 
slip by hand, the same turning lathe worked with the foot, the same 
process of drying, the same throwing wheel turned by hand, in fact 
everything the same as when they first commenced. The great improvement in 
machinery and skill of our workmen is placing this industry, not only in 
competition with foreign manufactures of a similar kind, but have already, 
generally speaking, excelled them. 

The excellency of American earthenware is nowhere more forcibly shown than 
in the potteries of east Liverpool and in Wheeling. The facilities 
available for the prosecution of this industry are admirable and results 
develop the fact that their wares are enabled to compete successfully in 
prices and quality with any like industry wherever located. 


Cigars and Tobacco

One of the most important of the manufacturing interests of the city of 
Wheeling is the manufacture of what is known to the trade of a cigar 
called the "stogie," which has attained such a degree of popularity as to 
make itself known from the Ohio Valley to the distant shores of Bering's 
straits. Manufactured tobacco for chewing and pipe smoking is an 
increasing industry, of which millions of pounds are produced annually.


A Comparative Summary of Wheeling Industries, &c.

During the past decade there has been a considerable increase in the 
manufactures of Wheeling as we gather from the census of 1900. In that 
year the whole number of industrial establishments in the city was 406. As 
compared with the census of 1890 there appears to have been a small 
decrease. Notwithstanding this decrease of 29 per cent, there was an 
increase in the average number of wage earners from 6,107 to 7,219, or 
18.2 per cent, and in the value of products from $13,022,589 to $16,747,
544, or 28.6 per cent. The increase was much smaller than in the state as 
a whole. 

The capital invested in these industrial establishments in 1900, as 
compared with the census of 1890, was much greater. In 1900 the amount 
invested was $13,224,577. In 1890 it was $8,494,630, or an increase in 
favor of 1900 of 55.7 per cent. 

The average number of wage earners in 1900 was 7,219, as opposed to 6,107 
in 1890, the total wages of whom in 1900 amounted to $3,096,730, as 
opposed to $2,471,162 in 1890. 

Miscellaneous expenses in 1900 amounted to $1,954,205; in 1890 to $1,205,
931.

The cost of materials used in 1900 was $9,076,978; in 1890, $7,381,940.

The number of establishments, number of wage earners and value of products 
reported for this city in the year 1900 constituted, respectively, 9.2, 
21.8 and 22.6 per cent of the totals for the entire state. 


The Wholesale Trade

The wholesale trade of the city is constantly expanding, keeping pace with 
the increase in wealth and population of the surrounding country. Not only 
are the merchants of Wheeling known in every portion of West Virginia, but 
they are known and have extended their trade into Southwestern 
Pennsylvania, Western Maryland, Eastern Ohio and Kentucky. 

In hardware, agricultural implements, boots and shoes, hats, dry goods, 
notions, confectionery, drugs, queensware, glassware and groceries the 
volume of business in large, and no competition has succeeded in 
preventing its growth and increase. 

The entire jobbing trade, embracing its different branches, is in the 
hands of men of ample capital and first rate credit, able to buy low and 
sell at reasonable prices. Their reputation for fair dealing and honesty 
(and this may be said of all engaged in the different branches) is above 
reproach or suspicion and none enjoy the confidence of Eastern merchants 
to a greater degree than do the business men of Wheeling, among whom there 
are fewer failures, in proportion to their number, than among a like 
number in any other community in the country. But it has not been our 
intention to enter into a detailed description of the different branches 
of trade carried on in this city and county, but only in a general way to 
give an idea in a limited space of some of the most prominent industries 
(nor yet all of them), so that the reader may form some slight opinion at 
least of the advantages of this section from a business point of view, and 
the facilities it enjoys as a manufacturing centre. 


Sheep Raising

The farmers and sheep raisers in Ohio county find that the value and 
productiveness of their lands are enhanced by the raising of sheep for the 
reason that the soil is not exhausted by the growth of crops, which 
require annual plowing, as is the case in the grain crop. Hence the rains 
do not wash and waste the soil, and thereby destroy its recuperative 
powers. 

The favorite and general breed of sheep in this county is the Spanish 
Merino. There are a few of the Saxony. 

For a time this industry was greatly on the decline and many disposed of 
their flocks at nominal prices, but for the last few years under a more 
favorable tariff it has received a fresh impetus. 


Commercial Bank

The first title of this bank was the "Savings Bank of Wheeling." This bank 
was organized by an Act of General Assembly, passed March 14, 1849. The 
first board of directors, who were elected May 5, 1851, were the 
following: Thomas H. List, Samuel Gill, Jacob Hornbrook, Alexander Hadden, 
George Hardman, F. W. Bassett and W. F. Peterson. Thomas H. List was 
elected the first president on May 5, 1851; he served in that capacity for 
twenty-seven years. The second president of the Savings Bank of Wheeling 
was J. L. Stifel, Esq., who was elected January 14, 1878; he continued in 
this office for two years and until the election of his successor, Charles 
H. Booth, who was elected on January 16, 1880. Mr. Booth continued as 
president of this bank for nearly five years. 

William M. List, the present president, was elected to this office on 
September 4, 1884, and for the past seventeen years has ably conducted the 
bank on a most successful career. 

After the bank was first organized, in 1851, it was located at the corner 
of Main and Biddle (now Twenty-first) streets, where it remained until 
January, 1856, when it removed to a building on the west side of Main 
street on property situated in the rear of the Sprigg House, and owned by 
the late Peter Yarnell. The bank removed to its present quarters on Main 
street, below Thirteenth street, some time in the year 1859 or 1860. 

From May 5, 1851, to October 4, 1851, this bank was known as the "Savings 
Bank of Wheeling," at which time it was organized under the National Bank 
system under the title of the "National Savings Bank of Wheeling." The 
bank continued under this system until January 14, 1869, when it was 
organized under the state system, still retaining the name of the 
"National Savings Bank of Wheeling." 

On May 1, 1873, to comply with a law passed about that time by Congress, 
the name of the bank was changed to the "Commercial Bank," which name it 
now bears. 

The first secretary of the bank was William Rankin, of Mount Pleasant, 
Ohio, who held that position form May 10, 1851, until his death, August, 
1855. His successor, George S. Thompson, was elected September 21, 1855, 
and occupied the position of secretary of the bank until his resignation 
November 28, 1856. S. P. Hildreth was elected to fill the vacancy caused 
by the resignation of Mr. Thompson on December 10, 1856, and held the 
position until his removal to California, September 1, 1887, when S. F. 
Crawford, Esq., was elected to the office. Mr. Crawford resigned on 
September 21, 1889, and was succeeded by S. P. Hildreth, who held the 
office until his death in February, 1890. F. C. Hildreth was elected on 
January 1, 1891, and resigned in January, 1893. The present secretary is 
M. Jeffers, who was elected to the position left vacant by the resignation 
of Mr. Hildreth on January 11, 1893. 


The National Bank of West Virginia at Wheeling

   This bank was organized as a national bank in 1865. It is the successor 
of the Northwestern Bank of Virginia, which was the first bank organized 
in Wheeling, whose president was Col. Archibald Woods when it was first 
organized. The following is a report of its condition at the close of 
business December 10, 1901:

Total amount of its resources ..... $767,918.49

Liabilities
Capital stock paid in.............. $200,000.00
Surplus fund.......................   40,000.00
Undivided profits less expenses
   and taxes paid..................   16,167.45
National bank notes outstanding ...   50,000.00
Due to other national banks........    6,502.19
Due to state banks and bankers.....   37,270.77
Dividends unpaid...................      300.00
Individual deposits subject to
   check...........................  371,314.43
Demand certificates of deposit.....    4,271.62
Time certificates of deposit.......   41,632.06
                                    $767,918.49


The German Bank of Wheeling

   This bank first began business in April 1, 1870, with the following 
officers: Henry Schumulbach, president; C. W. Franzheim, vice-president; 
directors, Frederick Schenk, J. L. Straekheim, A. D. Seamon, L. J. Bayha.  
The first cashier, from 1870 to 1878, was Oscar Gemmer.
   The business conducted on the corner of Twelfth and Market streets, a 
four-story building, 66 feet front on Market and extends to the alley.  
The building is of stone, the second floor is occupied by the Grand Opera 
House, the third and fourth floors are occupied by the National Telephone 
Company.
   The German Bank of Wheeling started in business with a capital of $50,
000, and now has $80,000 capital stock with a surplus of over $220,000.  
All who are interested in this institution are Wheeling people. It carries 
on a general banking business with success.

The following is the report of its condition December 10, 1901:

The total amount of its resources is ... $1,912,999.50

Liabilities
Capital stock paid in................... $   80,000.00
Surplus fund............................    223,802.09
Undivided profits.......................     10,118.83
Due to banks............................     10,960.21
Deposits, viz:
   Subject to check.....................    554,461.35
   Time certificates....................  1,033,657.02
                                         $1,912,999.50


The National Exchange Bank of Wheeling

The following is a report of the condition of this bank at the close of 
business December 10, 1901:

Total amount of resources............... $2,871,304.61 

Liabilities
Capital stock paid in....................$  200,000.00
Surplus fund.............................   100,000.00
Undivided profits less expenses
   and taxes paid........................    14,264.98
National bank notes outstanding..........   197,350.00
Due to other national banks..............   313,808.28
Due to state banks and bankers...........   307,021.99
Dividends unpaid.........................        14.00
Individual deposits, subject to check ... 1,320,615.52
Time certificates of deposit.............   283,430.70
Demand certificates of deposit...........     1,708.30
Certified checks.........................     1,090.78
United States deposits...................   132,000.00
                                         $2,871,304.61


Bank of the Ohio Valley

This bank first began business in the year 1875, and the following is the 
report of its condition at the close of business, December 10, 1901:

Total amount of its resources ... $1,153,178.77

Liabilities
Capital stock paid in............ $  175,000.00
Surplus fund.....................     40,000.00
Dividends unpaid.................        632.10
Undivided profits................     10,559.49
Deposits, viz:
   Subject to check..............    411,713.79
   Demand certificates...........        647.34
   Time certificates.............    237,284.55
                                  $1,153,178.77


The City Bank of Wheeling

This bank first began business in the month of July, 1886, and the 
following report shows its condition at the close of business December 10, 
1901:

Its resources amount to a total of .... $1,651,117.64

Liabilities
Capital stock paid in.................. $  150,000.00
Surplus fund...........................     40,000.00
Undivided profits......................     52,439.99
Due to banks...........................    143,574.44
Deposits subject to check..$682,038.19
Time certificates.......... 583,065.02
                         $1,265,103.21   1,265,103.21
                                        $1,651,117.64


Dollar Savings Bank

This bank first began business April 11, 1887, and its condition at the 
close of business December 10, 1901, was as follows:

Total amount of its resources ... $1,159,099.23

Liabilities
Capital stock paid in............ $  100,000.00
Surplus fund.....................     50,000.00
Dividends unpaid.................        248.00
Undivided profits................      9,045.64
Deposits, viz:
   Subject to check... $254,180.85
   Time certificates... 172,396.91
   Savings deposits.... 570,209.71
                        997,287.47   997,287.47
Certified checks.................        127.52
Cashier's checks.................      2,590.60
                                  $1,159,099.23


The People's Bank, Wheeling

   The following is a report of the condition of the bank at the close of 
business on the 10th day of December, 1901:

Total amount of its resources........ $622,170.26

Liabilities
Capital stock paid in................ $100,000.00
Surplus fund.........................   46,000.00
Dividends unpaid.....................       40.00
Undivided profits....................    8,111.60
Deposits, viz:
   Subject to check......$279,623.85
   Demand certificates...   2,160.00
   Time certificates..... 186,234.81
                         $468,018.66   468,018.66
                                      $622,170.26


South Side Bank of Wheeling

   This bank was organized October 1, 1890, by R. M. Gilleland, R. F. 
Behrens, F. Joseph Speidel, George Bowers, C. Kalbitzer, Charles Rotry, G. 
H. Medick, Charles A. Bowers, John Mafeld, James Hydinger, William P. 
Myers, Charles Horstmann, B. Horkheimer, John H. Piper, William Wolington, 
Louis Asmus, Charles Kettler, John M. Sweeney, William Hearne, M. Loftus, 
F. Beckendorf, L. Fulton, William Rohing, E. F. Kurner, W. W. McConnell, 
Charles V. Seabold, F. J. Hearne, C. F. Ulrich.
   The building is a three-story brick on the corner of Jacob and Thirty-
eighth streets. It is a savings bank and does a general banking business, 
in which it has been very successful. C. A. Bowers is cashier.
   Following is the report of the condition of this bank at the close of 
business December 10, 1901:

Resources................ $451,515.18

Liabilities
Capital stock paid in.... $ 25,000.00
Surplus fund.............   18,000.00
Undivided profits........    7,268.60
Deposits, viz:
   Subject to check......   71,480.80
   Demand certificates...    2,014.25
   Time certificates.....  240,771.44
   Savings deposits......   86,977.03
   Cashier's checks......        3.06
                          $451,515.18


Wheeling Title & Trust Company

   This bank first began business September 10, 1891, and the following is 
the report of its condition December 10, 1901:

Total amount of its resources... $721,424.88

Liabilities
Capital stock paid in........... $100,000.00
Surplus fund....................    2,000.00
Undivided profits...............   15,871.75
Deposits, viz:
   Subject to check.............  314,633.20
   Demand certificates..........      500.00
   Time certificates............  175,484.42
   Savings deposits.............  112,885.51
   Certified checks.............       50.00
                                 $721,424.88


The Centre Wheeling Savings Bank

   This bank first began business May 21, 1901, and the following is the 
report of its condition December 10, 1901:

The total amount of its resources... $65,681.21

Liabilities
Capital stock paid in............... $25,000.00
Undivided profits...................   1,358.84
Deposits, viz:
     Subject to check...............  22,059.39
     Demand certificates............   3,670.00
     Savings deposits...............  13,592.98
                                     $65,681.21


The Quarter Savings Bank

   The Quarter Savings Bank was incorporated July 1, 1901, by F. H. 
Frazier, R. H. McKee, J. C. Divine, J. W. Speidel, F. J. Ball. There were 
at first 11 directors, but the bank has only 10 directors at present, 
which are as follows: F. H. Frazier, F. J. Ball, W. C. Eberts, J. C. 
Speidel, J. C. Divine, R. H. McKee, E. E. Baldwin, W. N. Hamilton, S. D. 
Hughes.
   The Quarter Savings Bank does a general banking business and is what 
its name implies, -- a savings bank. The business has proved so far a 
success.