The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1920-05-04
POLICE
HAVE STATION
At TR|ADELPH|A
FACTS CONCERNING WEST vR-
GINIA CoNSTABULARY WHO ARE
ALL Ex-SERvICE MEN.
Modelled on Pe4nsylvaniA MOUNTED
Porce and Famous Royal Cana
dian Northwest Cavalry.

Tho northern division Of the west
Virginia State Police has opened sta
tion at Philadelphia. which Will be me
headquarters OF three members OF this
force, y. X. Smith. formerly with the
machine gun service in the World war.
C.. {. Richards. Of the engineers ana
Charles Haust, formerly OF the aviation
corps, l. s. A. All Of the men saw duty
at the front in France.
The station will be on the national
highway. about midway in OHIO county,
and II is stated that the men can be
readily called upon any time In case OF
emergency. ,
was in the city yesterday, and explained
the workings OF the organization lie
Joined the force when 1t. came into be-
ing last August
Cp to the present time there has been
but one call for service In this part or
the country for the state constahulary
and that was during the riot at Ben
wood, when they were called upon the
scene and made two arrests
All OF the members Of tho state con-
stabulary arc, OF necessity, young men,
for they must have seen service in the
World War They must pass physical
and mental examinations of the most
rigid sort and must be fit TO exercise
their authority. which exceeds that or
tho county officials and IS only exceed
ed by that of United States Officers.
Their field covers all violations OF
city. county. state and government laws
and II IL necessary that they have a
knowledge Of these laws n order to per-
form their duties correctly.
The three men stationed ut Triade|-
phla wear side arms, but do not carry
batons. excepting In case OF riots and
extreme violations OF the law.
TWO Companies Formed.
There are at present two companies
Of constabulary in the state. The head
quarters for the southern contingent Is
at Nitro, w Va. near Charleston. the
site Of tho monster government powder
plant that was In operation during tho
The head station OF the other COM
pany is at Elkins, W. Va. The men do
not stay at these stations. but are scat
tered about in squads all over the state
but an arrangement ia in effect where
hy they can be modified in but little
time.
The squad at Triadelphla is equipped
with motorcycles. but many or the men
in the constabulary are furnished with
horses and regular cavalry drills VIII
II was stated that I, Is not necessary
that a man be a native of this state to
Join the police, but lie must be an ex-
service man.
The general headquarters arc at
Charleston. w. Va, and the commander
of the state police IS Lieutenant Colo
mel Jackson Arnold. who won his title
in the late war. Tho commander In
charge Of the company to which the
Triadelphia squad belongs. Is a native
of Wheeling. Captain Norton. nm attor-
nov Of this city. whose headquarters at
present are at Elklns. w. Va.
1t is stated that the West Virginia
81 ate police is modelled after the fam
Gus Pennsylvania Mounted Cnnstabu-
larry, which body has been in operation
for many years and whose members are
terrors to the evil doors Of the Key
stone state.
Royal Northwest
The Pennsylvania men, were In turn,
modelled after tho famous Royal Cana
dian Northwest Mounted Police. men
whose fame has gone forth in song and
story for the past three-quarters OF a
century. These mon often took the
trail in pairs. or alone, after the hard
encd dcsperadocs OF the northwest and
rarely failed OF bringing in their man.
The Royal Canadian Police went in a
body to the, war in Europe and were 80
dccimated in tho conflict that there
were but few OF them kft. and since
the war It has hecn found necessary to
entirely reorGanizo tho force.
There are two companies OF the
their numerical strength Is far greater
than the new force in this state.
1t was stated Monday that recruiting
for the West Virginia force will so on
steadily. until the two companies are
filled to their quotas with men. who do
not know fear md who Will enforce the
laws without favor.
The three men Of the squad stationed
at Triadelphia have taken up quarters
at tho Green hotel until sub-station
can be prepared for them ...