Year: 1867

The Road TO the Pcniusuinr Cemetery


'' WHEELING, Feb. 81, 1867.


Editor Of the Register:


A few years ago the friends of the dead
buried on the ground donated TO the
city for burial purposes, were called up
on and forced by the strong arm Of pow
er to remove the ashes and bones of
children, parents and friends from their
supposed final earthly resting place, be-
cause the ground was wanted to secure
the terminus here Of the Baltimore and
Ohio railroad. A plaeewas provided by
the city ont of town for general use, while
others preferred, though under the ad-
verse circumstances OF constrained hnr-
ried purchase, to secure locations for
themselves. Such being the facts con-
nected with the purchase ofthc Penirisu-
lar Cemetery, which belongs to the citi-
zens of Wheeling, is there not strict


right to require that the avenues leading
to this burial spot shall he kept in good
repair' The ground taken by the city
authorities was in the most central part
of the city and of the easiest ac.
cess. Supposing that tle inter
ests of the community demanded
the sacrifice required when the dead are
disinterred. Justice at least called for
the selection of spot suited to the
purpose ofburial aud readily accessible;
and the selection once made, Justice to
its citizens. and especially the poorer
among them, equally demand that the
city sliail continneto keep the approach
TO the home of the dead in good repair.
Ii NAV be safely affirmed that the road
to the Penensula has never been what
Justice called for. Would it be going
too far to add that the condition Of that
road has always been standing re-
proaeh to the city, which first eiecting
itE dead To make sale ofthe lot, shows
so little care to the spot, consecrated to
the departed E. The reproach is the
more merited, because even good policy
would suggest the improvement of the
road. 1t is no longer necessary tn argue
the question that improved thorough
fares add to the commerce ana
prosperity of the points to which
they lead. All the eastern portion OF
the city would be materially benefited
by the proper grading and McAdamiz-
ing of the Peninsular road. Much of
the produce east of the city would find
by this route more easy entrance into
orr midst, and could consequently be
sold at cheaper rates to the citizen and
bring more profitable returns for the
farmer. Much OF the coal c6nsum I'd in
the city aud the stone used in'the pub
lie improvements are brought over part
of this highway, and could be delivered
at less cost TO the consumer II the road
was in good orsler. An improvement
:upon the present road has been pointed
out to the writer by which, without
very great outlay, very decided adyan-
tages may he gained OIL both sides OF
the hill and o good and ready communi-
cation secured with the National road
east of the city. In this improvement
Centre Wheeling Market has a decided
interest. The route to that point wonld


be shortened By at least q mile, as well
as made much more easy TO travel. Thus
between the coal, stone and country pro-
dnce all the residents Of the city become
interested in urging this Improvement,
which would certainly be followed by
other important and yet unforeseen re-
suits. The lovers Of pleasure sRd those
who know and can realize the yalus Of
health are equally concerned in the i'm
prevement Z adv ocate; Cor rtiias onld
be secufed amaclf mone cstixenient and
pleasan. way to the drive ON the Ma
tional road If the farmers, too, and
residents Of the country to the east and
northeast Of the City. give q little con-
alteration TO the subject, they wonld
find il full Of interest for, ,then. am
led to call attention to the matter at
present because it viii be noticed that,
owing to the miserable condition Of the
read the haekInet feel compelled to
raise their rates, going over this wretch
ed road. It Is bnt one more 10 be added
to the many cases where justice and
good policy are found moving in the
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