The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1900-05-25

length by Mr.. Nesbitt. Said the mayor:
ut is always distinct pleasure to re-
celve a gift and especially in this case.
1t recalls my early connection with the
river interests, and 1t shows that mem
cries Of the river are not dead in the
heart of the generous donor. Until the
advent of the railroad the river was
the great means Of transportation and
| hope for the day when the stream will
regain much of its prestige. On behalf
of the city OF Wheeling accept the Gift
and l assure you that it will be pre-
served and properly cared for"
The Eloquent Nesbltt.
Tho exercises closed with Mr.. Mes
bits address. and at its conclusion, the
assembled multitude sampled the water
that was turned on at the drinking
fountain attachment, the small boy be-
ing to the fore. Mr.. Nesbltt spoke as
follows:
But q few years more than cen
fury ago this amphIthcatre, now occu-
pied by the city or Wheeling, was part
of that vast wilderness OF forest and
plain known as the Great North West,
Nowhere IN all the wide world had Ma
turc placed larger investment OF
beauty. These towering hills We're clad
In almost impenetrable verdurc. YUn-
der island lay upon the bosom of that
stream like an emerald set in purest
crystal. No clouds OF smoke were seen.
save here and there where curling
wreath8 arose above the tall tree tops,
telling Of the red mans camp or the
hunters blvouac. UntroublGd by the
rom and turmoil OF busy commerce, the
peaceful Ohio swept on In placid dig
nifty, with scarce ripple save where
now and then the painted warrior sped
along In his bark canoe. Where now
the shriclting whistle or the changing
gong assault the listeners ear, no
sounds were heard, save the singing Of
the birds, the wild beast calling to his
mate, and now and then the sharp re-
mort OF the Indians rifle. Here. almost
alone, dwclt Nature, and In her home
were peace and solitude and beauty,
To-day how changed! The rafting
chr OF commerce has driven Nature
from her home. Where once the tow
erlng oak lifted itB head in majesty,
thousand factory stacks HrIae. Where
once the curling thread OF smoke made
It's ascent 20 tell VI the campers fire,
great clouds Of jctty fumes arise 70 tell
of forge and furnace, OF burning coal
and molten iron, OF life and energy. OF
wealth and prosperity. Where once the
red warriors stced pressed with It's
hoof the Wondering leaves. the iron
horse with It's mighty train behind
spurns the glistcnng rail-. Where once
the bark canoe cut the surface OF the
placid stream. the mighty Gteamcr
ploughs It's course, bearing In It's hold
and on It's deck the products Of the on
ergies Of civilization. Solitude has
given place to n vast population, eager,
energetic, ambitious. The forest has
PASSED away and from It's ashes, Phoc-
nix like. the city has arisen with it's
forty thousand souls.
Gravel whore you Will from Maine
10 California. from the lakes 10 the
gulf. you viii lind throughout the
lcngth and breadth Of thiH vast country
OF ours no city OF our aiEn Of more ma
tcrlnl prosperity than the city OF Wheel
ing. We are tho metropolis OF the most
promising state In the Union. our In
tprcgta arc, I venture to gay, moro IL
yersl:lcd than thngo OF any city Of Ike
popuIntlnn In the United states, Tho
energies Of our citizens, commercially
and induFtrlllly nre unsurpassed,
Where but little more than century
ngo grew the forest primcvnl, we have
to-day city OF the highest commercial
Importance, an Industrial community OF