The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1865-06-26
GheQtttel6qerrer,
CITY DIRECTORY.
wheeling as it was, is, and will be,

onr citv. its first settlement, the char
meter OF its founders, its steady progress
and its present prosperity, that is deeply
interesting to our readers, and which,
ii published in full, would make very
instructive volume; showing the rapid
march of science and Improvement, the
wonderful changes effected by time in
the appearance OF localities, in the char
acter and pursuits of men, i'll the Gus
toms of society, and the manner of
conducting the business and affairs of
lie. wheeling, Whici5..pithin the reeOl-
lection of many OF our citizens, was but
n frontier settlement. Il mere outpost on
the borders OF civilization, Inhabited by
n few brave pioneers who loved the dam
GER and excitement OF border life;
from this small beginning it has rapid
" grown to populous city Of the inte-
rior. and become one of the great man
uflcturing and commercial marts of the
west. The settlement was first made
byCol. EbeneZer Zane, and his brothers,
Silus and Jonathan, and few others
from the south branch of the Potomac,
who settled here in the year 1863. Col.
Zane and his brothers, with Col. Shep-
nerd, were considered as the fathers of
the settlement. They were master
Spirits. and acted Il prominent part in
The carly history of the city. Many of
their descendants are vet residents of
tho civ and vicinity. There are differ
Ont versions as to the origin of the
name given to the city. Bowcn's Di-
rGctorv, published in 1899, says: "a
very Intelligent merchant of this city
says that in very early times II Euro
pean gentleman, in the capacity of IL
Catholic priest, direct from Europe, of
the name OF Wheclnn, on Il missionary
excursion among the aborigonces of
this country, on descending the Ohio
river pitched his cncampmcnt mt the
mouth Of tie present well known
Wheeling creek, where he proceeded
with the discharge OF his missionary du-
ties among the red men of the forest.
After few months stay he departed
and left name behind him which will
distinguish this celebrated spot till
lime shall be no more, since which it is
written Wheeling"
II is stated in communication to tn,
AdreTicuW Pioneer, that Wheeling WA.
originally called Wecling, which sig
nificS the place of head. The follow.
ing tradition explanatory of this was
obtained from Mr.. John Brittle, who
was taken prisoner by the Delaw,ues,
lived with them five years and acquired
their language. In the earliest period
Of the settlement Of Pennsylvania, some
white settlers descended the Ohio river
ina boat, and stopping at the mouth OF
Wheeling Creek were killed by the Del
awares. The savages cut offthe head of
one Of their victims and placing it on Il
pole with the face towards the river
called the spot Weeling. The Indians
informed Mr.. Brittle that the head was
placed there 10 guard the river.
Fort Henry which was built is Il place
"i refuge for the carly settlers stood
somewhere near the site now occupied
by the Second Ward Market House. II
,.,,,,,...-.-, ''"'''' ''ii" coNete'IH
IpuSe =, S oi ABOUT three quarters ofan acre.
t,,ooI' M I'm, I was i par'leiosr"m' having a
,nn, "olSg III Ga'h corner with lines of
',YIi ,a,,,; p.'h'.s' about eight feet high, ex-
tending from one block house TO the
Jill ,r, ,', ana enclosing the whole.
The history oft!lc seige of this fort in
1'''' ana The thrilling incidents con-
, n'''sd with the gallant defence of the
herole ,. garrison have become matters OF
history withwlrich every one is familiar.
y traveller i'll This region in 1902, de-
SGTbes Wheeling as it then appeared.
de writes, "at present it contains about
seventy houses, built of planks and SEN
Grated by an interval of several toises.
Ihey form only one street, having one
,iI. [oa" IN the middle. Here are twelve or
I'''s' I,. well provided stores from which
The Inhabitants for twenty miles round
.;5 Hr@supplied. This small town also par
.''Pa'ys in the cxportatiom trade. car