Belington progressive. [volume] (Belington, W. Va.) 1912-1927, 1923-03-01
SEE WEST VIRGINIA FIRST
Philippi ~
(By Phil M. Conley)

Ohe VI tne must lntreStlng Smat
| cites have ever had the pleasures
of visiting is Philippi, the county
seat of Barbour County. 1t is To-
Gated on the Baltimore & Ohio Rail
road, twenty-five miles south Of
Grafton. When one cliwbs to Col
lege Hill, once known as Battle Hill.
and looks down, he sees the Tygarts
Valley River like a serpent winding
around the city making almost per-
feet horseshoe in the center of which
is located the city of 1000 souls. This
magnificent scene may be compared
to an enormous bowEformed by the
surrounding hills that tower on an
sides.
TIE old double, wooden covereR
bridge built in 1853, one of the few
bridges of its kind in the United
States, lends it touch Of historical
interest that attracts every person
I who visits the city. 1t is still used
for traffic and has the appearance OF
lasting for many years to come.
First Battle of Civil War
The first battle of the Civil War
was fought at Philippi, Virginia, now
West Virginia, June 8, 1851. The town
was occupied by Confederate troops
4 numbering about 1000 They were
surprised by the First Virginia Regi-
ment commanded by General Ben
Jamin F. Kelley. But owing to the
mistake of guide, the Confederates
+, retreated up the valley before real
] battle ensued. ~
There was one casualty ofinterest.
James Hangar, lad who had come
Philippi to vsiit his brother. lost
his leg when cannon ball struck
N. Mr. Hangar went back to his
nome in Virginia and employed his
J cal limbs for disabled soldiers. He
later became possibly the leading in
ventor and manufacturer of artifi-
! ciai limbs for disabled soldiers. He
was the center of attraction at The
nome coming week held in Philinn;
IN 1911 to celebrate the fiftietb an
+ nlVersary of the first battle of the
CiVli War. He had with him the
cannon ball that had severed his leo.
Broaddus College
standing on Battle Hill, two hun-
dred fifty feet above the city com
handing magnificent view of Phil
,ppl and the surrounding county. is
Abroaddus College, Baptist institu-
tlon OF higher learning. This col. a
lege was established in Winchester J
/ Virginia, in. 1871, moved to Clarke
burg in 1876, and in 1909 moved to
Fnlllppl. The people of the CITY
raised $4,000 for the purpose Of Sc
curing site and assisting in erect
ing buildings.
Inc college owns more than 100
acres of land, five buildings. con-
slstlng of magnificent main build
ing, ESQ feet long, boys dormitorv.
gymnasium that cannot be equalled
IN the State, power plant, and
faculty residence. It is consercat-
lively estimated that the property and
buildings owned by the institution is
worth in the neighborhood Of one
million dollars.
DR.. Elkanah Hulley, a well known
educator and Baptist minister, is
President of Broaddus. He is ably
assisted by a competent faculty Of
tWenty-one instructors and assist
ants. There are nearly two hundred
students who live in the dormitories
and attend the institution.
The Public Schools
A modern grade and high school
building was completed last year at
cost of more than $125,0O0. More
than five hundred children, about q
hundred Of whom are Nhigh school
pupils, attend school here.
The school is organized under the
able direction of DR.. John Mckenzie,
an educator of exceptional ability
as an executive and as a scholar. He
has fifteen well trained teachers who
ASSIST In tne work OF the school.
jh Business Interests
] The city has three modern banks,
one Of which has resources Of more
| than million dollars. These three
financial institutions are much larg-
er than the average city Of two thous
and people would warrant They,
however, furnish an index to the bus
mess rating of the community.
Philippi is the center for extensive
coal fields that are now being de-
veloped in Barbour County. About
twenty large coal operations have
I been started there within the last