The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1871-12-27
GkeQatellfQeuGer.
The Wheeling Insurance Companies.
From the Baltimore Underwater.
WHEELING December 1871


city may serve as partial excuse Tor the
appearance of this letter in your journal,
which is not without friends even in this
quarter of the "land we love" Wheel
ing, widely known as being one OF the
most extensive manufacturing cities
west OF the Allegheny Mountains, has q
lair amount Of insurance capita, but It's
characteristic mOdesty has restrained II
from making known to all the world how
much good there is within its limits. The
first local insurance company was char
tered over forty years ago, and during all
these years no demonstration Of note has
been made TO attract outside attention,
nor has any step been taken TO render the
city famous on account Of this fact, but
in "a quiet and unassuming way the bust
ness Of insurance has been taking deep
root gradually, until at the present time
there are eight separate and distinct
companies claiming their birthright In
our midst.
A minute history OF their inception,
rise, progress and results could not be
easily given at this time by the pen /;
however, Justice to the cause and TO the
thousands who hold their policies, de-
manls that some mention be made Of
them and their abilities.
For sake Of convenience and order we
will introduce them alphabetically, allow
ing each one fair and equal chance to
take such position in the readers mind as
its individual merits may cntitle 1t. First,
then, we have the pleasure OF presenting
the .EtnR fire and marine), which Is one
Of those conservative companies that al
ways take pleasure in writing policy
whenever favorable opportunity offers,
pays its losses promptly and literally, and
moves majestiCally on; possesses q CAPT.
tai OF 100000; declares dividends on the
anticipation plan" and has Tor secretary
one of Wheelings straightforward, elf.
Cient and practical citizens, ObsomG pecu-
larites which only draws the mind to the
true man and accomplished gentleman.
Asan evidence of good management on
his part, the company lost only $4,000 in
the Chicago fire. For such discretion
and superior Judgment his company
would GVinCc their appreciation of 1t by
presenting him with q, gold'headed cane,
Citizens Fire, Marine and Life writes
moderately. on slch property as It's able
Secretary may feel inclined to approve
at the time, pays losses in strict accord.
anCo with the terms Of the policy, and
transacts business on legitimate capital.
The venerable Secretary Is full Of years,
full Of experience, and full Of heart.
There are persons little more modest In
their mode OF addressing their fellow man
than he may seem 10 be at times, but
then, "you know" no always means well.
Chicago calls on this company for about
5000. ...-
The Fire and Marine commenced Its
mcanlering career over forty years ago,
and, mird6tk dittu, II still lives. 1t no
doubt has had many trials aud troubles to
contend with, yet has overcome them
nearly all, and Is with us still, ITO fortune
and to fame unknown"
II would be difficult TO meet with
more courageous and accomplished gen.
teman than Mr.. T. q. McAfee, It's worthy
Secretary, who IS fully qualified and pc.
culiarly adapted for the responsible posi-
ton he occupies. The company has
bona f,Ie capital Of 100000, and an As.
sistant Secretary equal 10 any emergency,
Chicago pockets $1,000 OF the Fire and
Marines currency. ..
The Franklin Insurance Company las
been fighting against fire and water Tor
niue years; has probably seen some dark
hours, but It's directors were men oil
means and great stamina, and by legiti.
mate and honorable course in tranGacting
its business, II has kept moving onward
and upward, leaving behind more bril-.
liant record perhaps than Others Of It's
years. We speak Of Il from what we hear
and see. 1t claims rs assets nearly three
hundred thousand dollars, and has branch.
ed out some In the agency business, meet
ing apparently with very satisfactory re-
suits. 1t has q strong directory and q
Secretary Of untiring energy and zeal
full of progression and thoroughly quail.
fled by practical experience for Ills posi-.
ton. The Company's general agent says,
tOmect him when he Is not cogitating In
his mind some means by which hc might
promote tho interest and welfare OF tho
company, would be the next thing to an
impOssibiity. Chicago was partial TO the
Franklin, and asks II 10 fork about $780,
900.
The German has a capital Of 100000,
takes no riks outside Of Wheeling, be-
longs to no rings nor cliques," but
To the Cause Is ever true, . .
Takes II up and goes II alone
And paddles It's own canoe.
The National Ia an honorable md relia.
bic company Capital 100000 Con-
sentative in principles and very economi'
cali only has one President and one Bee
rotary. lie Is theoretically sound on the
principles Of underwriting, and with the
commanding attitude Of Mars, hc walks
amid tho busy throng without a fear.
The National sands forth few thousand
to Chicago, but "hns plenty lele"
The Peabody, at Wheeling, Is young,
vigorous and progressive company, doing
abusincss second only to the Franklin.
Pays losses almost before they occur,
('Omelimea) and has one OF the smOothest
and most winning Secretaries In exist
cnCe; for being calm, polite and gentle.
manly, he Is good for high" Assistant
Secretary Is Of the same caste, always at
his post, and true as the needle TO the
Pole. Peabody also suffers loss OF sew
etal thousand In Chicago. y.
West Virginia, last but not least has a
capital of 100000; does some agency
business in this State, and has a very ami
able and efficient Secretary, whose ener.
gies, Cxcrted in the Company's behalf, Will
place II in an enviablC position, II they
only give lin elbow room.
The foregoing remarks furnish but a
hrei sketch of The Wheeling Insurance
Companies, time would fall me 10 tell oil
of their noble deeds), yet all may be CON
sdered worthy Of confidence and able to
meet their liabilities
WEST VIR1INTA.
Taxation In BellaiTe.
Tohc Editors Of the 1ntelligencef
Some editorial remarks Of yours on