The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1899-08-12
THE CLAY MONUMENT AT MONUMENT PLACE.
tAfter a Photograph by r. j. BuIard.l

It is passing strange that as COM
munity We have neglected to mark the
historic scenes and locations, except
in few instances, by fitting monu-
ments to commemorate the heroic per-
severance and daring OF the pioneers
and first settlers of this portion OF our
country In a few years the veil of
ignorance and oblivion viii enfold them
and coming generations will condemn
the apathy and Indifference which per-
mltted their memory to become
eclIpsed. Only few more years than
century has passed and the location
of certain forts, and the actors In GER
tain deeds. have been called in qres-
ton and doubts encouraged.
In foreign countries much more at
tentlon is given to the preservation Of
important events and persons than in
our own, and monuments. memorials
and statues are produced TO keep alive
the memories OF the past. They have be-
come edurative lnstrumentllitles in
promoting love of country and devotion
to its interests and institutions.
1t Is due to the youth OF our country
and coming generations that as n peoo-
pie we should preserve rs far Us posi-
BILE in granite, bronze and painting the
names and fame OF our forefathers in
their deeds, trials and hardshlps In the
conquest and development OF this vest
ern world, which as their descendants
1t is our privilege to enjoy and possess.
In patriarchal days II was customary 10
emphasize and perpetpate the birth Oh
great events and the happening of re-
markable occurrences by the erection Oh
mute witnesses and signs as RECORDS OF
their history. Thus Jacob set up pill
lar of stone to commemorate the Lords
appearance TO him. When the children
OF Israel passed through the waters OF
Jordan they erected twelve stones IN
| accordance to the number Of the twelve
| tribes, to perpetuate the memory OF
their safe passage, so that they might
remain us a sign to Israel and their
generations. So also when the Israel
ties successfully contended with the
Phillstines and Overcame them Samuel
signalIzed the event by way OF CRATE
full remembrance by planting stone
called by him Ebenezer, meaning
''lltherto hath the Lord helped us."
we refrain, however, from multiply
ing Instances taken from the Divine
| record, which the curious have the OPP
portuIty OF investigating for them
selves.
The most cultured people, as well as
the rudest tribes, have INDUCED in this
fitting custom from the earliest times;
Some Of the notable monuments OIL
modern times are those Of Sir Walter
Scott. in Edinburgh; Lord Nelson IN
Trafalgar square. London; the arch de
triomphe, in Paris, and the Lion OF Luz
cerne, In the city of that name. In our
own country, as lntimated, we have TOO
few, but among those TO which we can
| point with commendable pride 10 that
OF the Bunker Hill monument, In Boss
ton, and the Washington monument in
Washington City.
A few miles east OF the city Of Wheel
ing, nesting at the base Of the sur
rounding hills, Is the village Of Elm
| Grove, through which passes the one
great artery Of the republic, the Cum
berland, or, as It is sometimes called
| the National road, over which In the
earlier days passed the great caravans
OF travel, trade and commerce between
| the east and the west. but which since
\ the advent of railroads and the multi
piled uses OF steam has been shorn Oh
| Its once proud prestige and importance
! Al the time Of the establishment OF THIS
great national thorOughfare there was
| an active and restless competition pc
| tween several places on the Ohio river
| in their efforts to secure the terminus
Of the road, especially in the case be-
\ tween Pittsburgh, Wellsburg and
I Wheeling, which aroused passions and
! ..at,,dJosa which even nj this late day