The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1899-11-11
imIral Dewey wIll probabIy come tO

Admiral Dewey will probably come to
Wheeling
The IntellIgencer is able to give this
pleasing bit of information this morn
Ing on the most encouraging grounds.
February %. Washington's Birthday,
is the probable date OF the admIral's
visit to Wheeling.
What day more appropriate! Dewey
and Washington! Both names are
linked in imperishable glory, and the
story Of ones achievements before and
after the birth of the republic does not
even dim the lustre Of the others mag
nlRcent contribution to one Of the
brightest chapters of American his
tory. iaS
But the reader is beginning to wonder
how this prospective visit comes about.
To be short and to the point, the Intel
lIgencer sent the following letter to
Admiral Dewey early In the week:
WHEELING, w. VA,
November G, 1899.
We take the liberty OF addressing you to
voice the desire OF the people Of wheeling
and OF West Virginia to see and honor the
Hero OF Manila
An approaching event in Wheeling Is the
Getting up OF tablet Mt the site OF Fort
Henry, to commemorate the last battle
Of the Revolutionary War. fought septem-
Der ll-l3, 1859. when the fort, with q EarTi.
son OF sixteen men, was beslGged by n
Britlsh force, composed Of forty reu-coats
and go Indians, the latter under the no:
toriOuS GlrIy During the siege occurred
the famous powder exploit In which Bet
ty'' Zane figured. and which Is familiar
10 every American boy ana girl. The
tablet referred to has been completed. un-
der contract with the state OF West Nir
Elnln, and the ceremonies to attend Its set
this city, are in charge OF n committee.
composed OF representatives Of the city
OF Wheeling. county Of Ohio, and chamber
Of commerce. and Of the Sons OF the Rev
oution and Sons OF the American Kevolu-
tlon. For the date Of the ceremonies the
committee has decided upon February q
WashingtOn's Birthday 1900.
There Is also, movement on Iopt TO
raise fund by popular subscription TO
present to Ensign John s. DoddrldRe, U:
y NJ, whose home is In this city, sword
IN recognition OF his services In the sea
fight in Manila Bay, which has endeared
your name to the American people, II
your presence can be secured, u ls pro-
IVEfu W ltNtUl lIlb ltALlIUOUlhl W AlTs
nodlridge at the time Of the Fort Henry
function.
The Intellgcncer. therefore. on behalf of
the people Of Wheeling and West Nlrglnin.
extends to, you, honored sir. their most
cordial and pressing Invitation to take
part IN these ceremonies.
II your plans Will prevent your accept
Hnce, owing only TO the date selected, we
can assure you that the time will he
changed to suit your convenience,
Desiring reply-a favorable one, II
Is sincerely hoped, we remain,
Most Respectfully,
THE fETRLLfGENCER.
To George Dewey, Admiral, U. s. N.
Washington, D. c.
Though Just married, time when
even an ordinary individual would be
pardoned for dismissIng matters of
business summnrIly, Admiral Dewey
lost no time in IndItlng the letter which
preccdcs this story. 1t will be seen that
the admiral would like to come to
Wheeling II his future imperative en-
Eagements will permit Of acceptance,
and as the Fort Henry tablet commit
tee Is ready to change the date of the
ceremonies to any time that viii meet
''N'' $40 '"'vAI NHf GllhuNNb WAN thAN -
Will soon be definitely known that the
Hero OF ManIla viii be in Wheeling
both to take part in the ceremonies at
tending the setting OF the Fort Henry
tablet, ana to take n prominent part in
the proposed presentation of a sword to
the only Wheeling boy who fought with
Dewey in the wonderful aca Victory
achieved In Manila Bay, Ensign John
$, Doddrldgc. Of the cruiser Boston,
who is now stationed at the Norfolk,
(va). navy yard on shore duty.
Upon the receipt of Admiral Dcwey's
reply yesterday afternoon. the Gntelll-
gcncer interviewed several OF the mem.
bers Of the Fort Henry Tablet com
mItiec. Including Mayor Sweeney Pres.
ident II. p. McGregor. of the Ohio coun-
~ board Of commissioners; President
1Inlllhen Quarter OF the wNcllns
chamber of commerce.; Mr.. o. 9. Dew
cy, Of the Sons OF the American Rcvolu-
tIon (who is a distant relative OF Ad.
mIrnl Dewey. and Or. II. NJ Baird, Of
the Sons Of the Revolution. All united
In prnlsIng the IntellIgcnccr for having
taken the initiative action In securing
Admiral Dcwey's presence In Wheeling