The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1911-09-05

aim "a g.v- a history IN concis. form
With sumo "rt facts To place -. read
or "a possess on OF lts early devotion
msnt and rapid growth - thr Ia.
MAJ COmpre bend the grand transfer
nation that has taken place IN -
years
Commercial Progress
In 1887 Archer a Long erected a
large building FOR warehouse pur.
poses. which attracted attention and
furnished a shipping point for all the
neighborhood. -four being brought
from Glencoe TO this point 10 be
shipped down the river and The dis.
titled products into which most of
the farmers grain was manufactured
at that time. and which was about
the only product that the farmer re-
ceived cash for. was hauled here and
shipped 10 a foreign market. Il is
said these early business men did a
thriving business. and Long 4 Archer
were succeeded in the business by
John Muth, the grandfather OF John
Muth. the successful grocer of this
city. Mr.. Muth suffered serious
losses by the food OF 1852. and was
compelled TO retire on that account.
and was succeeded by man named
WEIGH. While conducting the bust.
ness the building burned. the fire sup
posed 10 have been caused BY incen.
diaries.
Barrel Factory a Church.
Near this warehouse was built the
first cooper shop in the town. During
the week days coopers made barrels.
and on Sunday II served as n place
h.
ander Campbell. now the Disciples
church. before there was auv organ.
lied church i'm Bellaire
Until 1871 all postal business was
transacted at Pultney. just mila
south OF the town. ami the first coun.
~ seat OF Belmont county In this
year parties were successful I'm hay.
ing a postoftice established in Bell
Air John Archer. ST was the first
postmaster. At that time ONLY 4
weekly mail was received here. The
mail carrier riding on horseback from
Wheeling 70 Woodsncid \ few wear.
later steamboats, BEGAN navigating tho
ONO, plying between Parkersburr
and Wheeling. and then mail was re-
ceiyed every other dav
Railroads Enter.
II was not until 1881 and IS5f that
they made much h"adwav In 1>,t
The Central Ohio Railroad terminated
mere. ana which is now a part Of the
Baltimore X Ohio system To John
sullivan Is given rho credit for hav.
Ing The Central Ohio terminate in
this city. In fact. Mr. sullivan was
one % the builders ~ the CITY and
took an active part in all Of its affairs
AZ all times PITY thar Rollaira had
not moro Mr. Su'livans' In l>s6 he
Cleveland 4 Pitrshurc Railroad was
extended 70 Bcllairc
Th"s" two railroads gave The town
unusual commercial advantage, and
transportation facilities. and from
that tim" onward Ecll1iro began to
grow. and in a few years assumed NJ. f,
proportions OF a c'ry I'm fact from
lN'" 70 -; Bcliaire grow from a
village into thriving city OF soon
population
Town Incorporated.
In lN'' m" town Wa permanently
Incorporated. The petition PRAYING
the county comm. ssioners thar ~.
village be incorporated was proeon.
81 I'm lN17. and the petition wa.
granted Tho Incorporation proceed
iugs were contested To- court. and Pos
judicial decision were declared mil
and void on account ~ some ir-ai,lI
larity The same conditions prevailed
100 1850 as in lS51. hut there was a
different element at M" holm ana
The town was Incorporated John
Kelly father ~ James r Kelly. cash
Ter ~ N" First National Bank was
elected M" first mayor ~ He''air.,
strange coincidence in connection
with This first election I- that 10 vs.