Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1878-11-11

fountain, 4 gilt lroHl JdllleS w. aAtoh'
ESQ, OF this city, came Oft last Saturday
i'm the presence Of about three thousand
people, who had gathered AT the Chap
line street front aud at every available
window, door and balcony "l the State
House.
THE DAY.
All day long the skies were covered
over with clouds, save now and then
when the sun, in his magnificent Splen-
dor, would peep down, rs It were,
from behind some great cloud bank,
as if To view the figure OF Venus Aphro-
dite, which stands out in bold relief up
on the top OF the fountain, the gift OF a
eenerous-hearted man and the pride OF
thirty thousand people, in whose hearts
will ever rest the memory OF the pubilC
spirited donor. Those who participated
in the performances, which began nj i
o'clock =. NJ, We're favored with day
free from rain, snow or hail, but largely
mixed with Il raw wind, which caused
all spectators to draw their shawlS or
great coats closely about them, and wish
for a little more warmth to their feet.
The performances had been advertised
TO begin at 80 z. NJ, but OWING to
the delay caused in preparing stage al
the back OF the fountain,
TIE CEREMONIES
did not commence for fully half an kour
later. during which time Josie Kramer $
full band discoursed sweet strains OF
music from the Chapline street balcony
of the Capitol.
On the platform were seated Auditor
OF State Joe Miller, Secretary OF State ;.
Brady, Mayor \. j. Sweeney, }. W.
Paxton, ESD, the donor, City Clerk
Alex. Updegraff, Rev. John K. Thomp-
son, President of the West Virginia
University; COuncilmcn DR.. I.
II. Logan, John II. Hall and
John Boring, Rev. DR.. Cunningham,
and Rev. DR.. 4. l.. Mayer, rabbi.
The audience was called to order by
DIR. J. II. Logan, OF the Second branch
OF the City Council, following which,
Rev. DR.. Cunningham offered the open
ing PRAYER During the opening prayer,
the vieiing over the fountain was held
in its place at four points by four attend
ants. Alter the prayer by Dr. Cunning
ham. Kramer rendered some more
music. which was followed by DR.. Logan
Introducing James W. Paxton, the
donor.
PRESENTATION.
In presenting the fountain, Mr.. Pax
ton spoke as follows:
.Mr. Mayor, Gentlemen Of DE C00miitee and
FsllOw- citizens:
When communicated to the city au-
thorities my presentation to the city OF
a fountain. and received their assent to
its location on this spot with resolution
of thanks, | did not expect nor desire
that anv iOrmalities would ensuc, and
have protested against them whenever
suggested. But you gentlemen OF the
Committee, who have this matter in
charge thought and, decided otherwise,
and now in conformity in your pro-
grammc ! do formally present 10 the city
this fountain.
If it shall be considered an ornament
t. this good old town Of Wheeling. OF
which, ~ Il native citizen, am truly
proud; and il it prove some slight source
Of endowment to our people, and more
especially if it delight the children, III"
little children, God bless them, whose
bright and happy faces | shall hope to
see often gathered about it, then will my
design have been accomplished, and a
long cherished hope to do something in
that direction will be realized.
Be pleased thus, Mr.. Mayor, to accept
for this city this gift, and with il my
best wishes for yourself personally AMI
for each Of YOU gentlemen OF the com
mittee, and ior all OF You whom | have
the honor to call my fellow-citizcns.
The yelling OF the fountain was then
lifted BY officer l.ukcns, assisted by
other officers OF the police force, and
the figures OF Venus AMI the little boys
riding astride the dolphins were reveal
ell to the public gaze.
ACCEPTANCE b. THE CITY,
Mavor 4. J. Swceny, who was pre-
sented to the audience by DR.. J. II.
Logan, stepped forward and on behalf
of the city oi Wheeling, accepted the
beautiful gilt rendered by Mr.. Paxton
in the following:
MAYOR SWEENEY ADDRESS.
Not very frequently since the settle
ment OF this city has she been the re-
cipient Of public benefactions. The
original owners OF the land upon which
We stand did, in laying it ont in squares,
set aside certain portions of il to the
public use and possessions for streets,
alleys, commons, market spaces, Gene
teries and whaIvcs, not really donations,
because paid for by the purchase OF the
lots contained in the city.
One pure donation was indeed made
by Noah Lindsey, still miniStcring as far
rs it can possibly be made 10 do, to the
benefit of the community; and Il few
wears ago another was made by DIR.
Richard Blum, who presented to the city
a handsome drinking fountain.
In The cities and towns OF Europe,
beautiful and artistic monuments oil
taste and skill abound; fountains, stat
ues, and equestrian and group figures
are placed in public squares, in parks
and in streets, and at their intersection;
not always placed to commemorate
events or marked localities, but erected
to cultivate and crafty desire and taste
in the public mind for the beautiful and
ornamental.
Such works are generally made in size
to suit the spaces selected Tor their lOca-
tons; very large and very elaborate
are placed in large spaces.
For example, the grand fountains at
Versailles, for which the supply of water
for one hour is said to cost several
thousand dollars, and which are, per-
haps Justly considered the finest rs they
are the largest in the world, are in
park containing hundreds OF acres, and
IAN be viewed rom every side and seen
from great distances. Smaller works are
in streets and small squares.
\ lew cities in our own COuntcy are
now possessed OF similar works OF art.
Boston has recently erected a fountain
in Boston Common which, in size and
stvle. is. as | am informed, similar to
this which we now surround. The
Il larger one than this, and
which many OF YOU may remember 10
have seen at the Centennial in the wide
space between the Main and Mechanical
Halls was sold to and erected in Wash
ington Bity. New York, Philadelphia,
Chicago. and other cities are also in