The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1876-07-15
GheQntelLigett
IIlstorIcaI sketch and Iseminis;
ccnces Of the Town OF west
Alexander, washington 20,
PA. from 1896 Until Jnly 4th,
n,. rIsLrY MAYES, Esq, ILL
ny ]. FINLEY MATE, ESQ,

H I.n.: rom 1896 Until JnIy 18th
1870.
This Mace was "lail out" by Rober
Humphrey in tho year 1906, and wa
named West Alexander in honor Of hi
wife, whose maiden name was Marth
Alexander. In laying out the town, Nj
Humphrey assigned portion Of groun
in the northern part Of it to be used pei
petually as commons for the Use Of tll
Inhabitants. He gave this as free gil
The town ia situated on the Nations
road, euui.distant between Washingto
and Wheeling, and by Shriver's survey
is 1892 feet above Potomac Underwater
It now contains about 500 inhahitant::
It's growth was slow and steady u1tl
IS4i, when, on Wednesday, the am "a!
Of MAY, II was visited by destruetlyI'
fire, which consumed over twenty T"el
linz houses and other buildings; ines ~,
buildings were in few. years rep,AGIgT" ill., W
more modern structures. ho9cr i - nI tho
nhrey proprietor OF the town, died on the
i9h day Of August, 1881, at the advanced
aHo - % years 10 months and ~ days
~ ~ L H. carved in the war OF the revolu'
H. 'i" 'uJ I General La Fayette, and when
that noble patriot visited , our pace "
1891 the hero and the soldier met, and
the meeting was most affecting
CHURCHES AND MINISTER'S.
This placc and vicinity was first set
lied by Scotch Presbyterians." The
frat noted minister Of the Presbyterian
Church hero was Rev. John Brice, who
wns Ia pastor from 1890 until 1909. he
died August 20, 1911. His successor was
The Rev. Joseph Thomson, who admin
istered to the spiritual wants OF his
charge until 1924, when he removed to
Logan county, Ohio, where he died a few
years ago al The age Of Sc years. In 1928
the Rev. John McCluskey received call
from the congregation, and was installed
and continued in the pastorate until April
1854, when the Rev. VIM. II. Lester, OF
Long Island, New York, became It's pas
tor, and has faithfully served them in
that capacity for % years, and tully
merits the tribute Of "Well done, good
and faithful servant"
The Associated Reformed Presbyterians
had a church at West Alexander, over
which Rev. Alexander Mccoy otliciated
rs pastor in 1900. His successors were
Rev, John Patterson and Rev. Joseph
Shaw in 1916. During Mr.. Shaws pas:
torate, the church became seceders and
afterwards "United Presbyterians,"
whose pastor was Rev. Jonas Thornton.
1t has now for its pastor the Rev. Mar
Gus Orinond, who has had charge OF the
some four years and who Is
a Jealous energetic worker in the cause
of his Master. The Methodists have as
their minister the present year the Rev.
Cummins. Their membership is small in
point Of number but in point Of Christian
ity and morality, good. In giving his
tory OF the Presbyterian Church a very
important omission occurs. In the year
1916 portion OF the ant i.slayery ele:
ment OF the congregation dissented, and
formed new church under the name Of
the "Free Presbyterian Church." In
1860 they erected neat church edltice
and had as their first minister, the Rev
|. s. Pogue. In few years their number
being decimated by removals and deaths,
and slavery having been abolished by the
results Of the "rebellion," their organi-
cation was abandoned, and large major
ity OF them shave returned TO their lirst
love" and are active co-workcrs sin sea-
son and out OF season." in everything
pertaining to the church and It's inter-
4sts spiritually and temporarily. The Pres.
byterian Church has been lately frescoed
and other wise handsomely fitted up, and
will compare favorably with many Of
the modern churches Of the cities. The
u. P. Church built in 1872 at cost Of
some $4,000, reflects credit on its archi-
tcct, (Mr. S. II. Howard, Of Wheeling)
and Is quite an ornament to our
Borough"
SCHOOLS.
The first common school was opened
and taught by Mister Robinson,
about the year 1900. The next teacher
was Samuel R. Magel, who taug ht come
years previous to 1910. The other teach
ers who have been engaged in that
capacity here at different periods, were
Ms follows: Gilbert Marshall, Thomas
j. Holiday, John Gordon, William
Dickey, George Mcdonald, Miss Jane
Pollock, Miss A. @. Bell and James Nc
Elroy. These parties were all proficient
in teaching the young idea how to shoot,
and we know from practical experience
that the latter knew how to "wield the
birch" We have convenient public
school house, divided into two depart
ments, which will accommodate 100
comfortably. The school has
been under the superintendance OF I. b.
Ia gentleman Of refinement and
scholarly attainmentsO for the last year.
The Academy was first opened in 1929,
by the Rev. John McCluskey as Princi-
pal, and Mr.. Thomas Crafty as assistant
teacher, and ii proyeda success. In 1854
the present building was erected, and oc-
cupies a very prominent position in the
western suburbs Of the thorough" Il is
now under the supervision OF the Rev
William II. Lester, and Miss Mary Pol.
lock, assisted by Mr.. J. NJ. Sprouts, and
from their known literary attachments
and capacity for imparIing instruction
must prove success. r.H
rosrMAsrERs.
In the year 1909, Mr.. lJames Stephen
son was appointed Postmaster (the first
one), and held the office up to the time OF
his death, which occurred on the 18th
.lay Of May, 1851, having served in that
capacity for AZ years, He was succeeded
by Mr.. John Baird, and Mr.. B.L. Cra-
ven, Mr.. Joel Trueadell and AIuss Lizzie
A. Ray have respectively held the office,
the latter worthy lady being the present
incumbent. -.-...
PHYSICIANS.
OF the disciples OF Esculapius," who
were engaged in the practice OF the heal:
ing art, from the time the town was laid
ont until the present date (July 4, 1879,
We find the following: DR.. Potter, who
located here in 1900; Drs. Mott, Eofli
Warning, Byers, sGiltillan, McKeehanr
who va surgeon in the war Of 1922,
Cunningham, Davidson, Crawford, Marsh
man, SWartx, Littles Eagleson, Gi!illani
it,, and Reed. On the sixteen physicians
named but four are residents Of the town,
Three only are in active practice, Dr.. W.
NJ, Giil6llan, DR.. D. 8. Eagleson, and Dr.