Today in Wheeling History: April 1--William Page, Wheeling Island and the head engineer of the towboat Nail City, drowned in the Ohio River near Sunfish after falling overboard while attempting to oil the wheel, due to a broken "fan tail" giving way (1879).
 
William Page, the head engineer of the towboat Nail City, tragically drowned on April 1, 1879, after falling from the boat near Sunfish while en route to Wheeling, West Virginia. The 44-year-old engineer was attempting to oil the wheel when a broken "fan tail" gave way, causing him to fall into the Ohio River. Despite efforts to assist him, Page's body sank and was not immediately recovered. He left behind a wife and family on Wheeling Island. Page, who had been employed by the Monitor Towboat and Barge Company, was highly regarded as a reliable and diligent worker. His body was eventually found on April 26, 1879, two miles above Baresville, Ohio, approximately 14 miles downstream from where he had fallen overboard. An inquest and medical examination revealed a deep cut on his forehead, suggesting he may have been struck by the boat's wheel and rendered unconscious, unable to swim. Page's remains were brought back to Wheeling and laid to rest at Peninsula Cemetery on April 27, 1879.
 
To learn more: (https://tinyurl.com/mrybj87j) (https://tinyurl.com/mr3ezbhe)
 
Photo credits: Ohio County Library Archives, Wheeling WV; Find a Grave

Today in Wheeling History: March 30--The first meeting of the stockholders of the Wheeling Natural Gas Company was held (1886).
 
The idea for the Wheeling Natural Gas Company originated with Thomas A. Gillespie, J.M. Guffey and William Flinn in early March 1886. On March 30, 1886, the first meeting of the company's stockholders was held in Pittsburgh and over $750,000 in capital stock was subscribed. The company was formally chartered on April 20, 1886.
 
Construction on the pipelines began in early May 1886. The first well was drilled starting May 3 and completed on June 28, showing a pressure of 580 pounds. Over the summer, the company laid over 210,000 feet of 10-inch and 12-inch pipe, employing an average of 700 men. On August 27, the final section was completed and gas began flowing through the entire line from Pennsylvania to Wheeling.
 
Natural gas was then formally introduced to Wheeling, West Virginia on August 30, 1886 with a large public celebration attended by an estimated 15,000 people. Two competing companies, the Manufacturers Gas Company and the Wheeling Natural Gas Company, built extensive pipeline networks to bring gas from the rich Hickory gas field in Pennsylvania to Wheeling's factories and homes. The companies employed state-of-the-art safety measures to minimize the risk of leaks and explosions.
 
The introduction of cheap, abundant natural gas was expected to bring a new era of industrial growth and prosperity to Wheeling by enabling its glass, iron, pottery and other manufacturers to better compete against other cities. The gas company executives and political leaders hailed the momentous occasion with celebratory speeches. Notably, domestic gas rates in Wheeling were found to be 1/3 those charged in Jamestown, NY, giving Wheeling a significant economic advantage.
 
To learn more: (https://tinyurl.com/3xhk4ukz) (https://tinyurl.com/25mm66tt)
(https://tinyurl.com/4drzmk3y) (https://tinyurl.com/393wr823) 
 
Photo credits: Wheeling Intelligencer, Wikipedia, Harper's Weekly

Today in Wheeling History: March 29--Charles J. Elig, president and manager of the Charles J. Elig Carriage Company of Wheeling, passed away (1906).
 
Charles J. Elig, a prominent local business person, passed away at 42 on March 29, 1906. Elig was born in Wheeling on April 9, 1863, and was the president and manager of the Charles J. Elig Carriage Company, which was established in 1860 and became a major manufacturer of high-grade vehicles and harnesses. The company erected a six-story building at 937-939 Market Street in 1896 and employed around 25 people at the turn of the 20th century. Elig's death marked the end of an era for the company, which was last listed in the Wheeling City Directories in 1917.
 
To learn more: (https://tinyurl.com/mw7378tb) (https://tinyurl.com/bdhe5vsj) (https://tinyurl.com/27axrwdk) (https://tinyurl.com/2hpbzfa4) (https://tinyurl.com/mr22dk95)
 
Photo credits: Ohio County Public Library, Wheeling WV; Find a Grave

Today in Wheeling History: March 28--The Ohio River in Wheeling reached a crest of 51.1 feet, 15.1 feet above flood stage, resulting in the fourth highest flood level recorded in the city's history, causing immense suffering and damage due to the rapid rise of the waters (1913).
 
In March 1913, Wheeling experienced one of the worst floods in its history, with the Ohio River cresting at 51 feet 3 inches on March 28. The flood caused significant damage and suffering, leaving hundreds of families homeless and many losing nearly all of their possessions due to the rapid rise of the water. The city was largely cut off from the outside world, with only one telegraph wire open to Pittsburgh. Citizens worked tirelessly to aid those affected by the flood, and it was expected that the river would not return to its banks until Monday, with the slow decline of the water level prolonging the hardship for those who were displaced.
 
To learn more: (https://tinyurl.com/vtbsftfa) (https://tinyurl.com/mpu7h26m) (https://tinyurl.com/yvkwc4u6) (https://tinyurl.com/fs24sw63) (https://tinyurl.com/u8fx7s3w) (https://tinyurl.com/mt4k6vvc)
 
Photo credits: Ohio County Public Library Archives, Wheeling WV; Wheeling Intelligencer

Today in Wheeling History: March 27--The legendary rock band KISS performed a highly theatrical concert at the Wheeling Civic Center in West Virginia as part of their successful Alive/Worldwide Reunion Tour, drawing a multigenerational crowd of both longtime and new fans (1997).
 
On March 27, 1997, the legendary rock band KISS performed at the Wheeling Civic Center in Wheeling, West Virginia, as part of their highly successful Alive/Worldwide Reunion Tour. The concert drew a high-spirited crowd spanning multiple generations, with veteran KISS fans from the 1970s bringing their children to experience the band's famously theatrical live show. KISS delivered an impressive spectacle featuring pyrotechnics, hydraulic lifts, and band members flying over the audience, though they did not completely sell out the approximately 8,500 seat venue. The tour, which reunited the original KISS lineup and marked the band's return to their iconic makeup and costumes, was one of the most successful in the country at the time.
 
To learn more: (https://tinyurl.com/mr47svnc) (https://tinyurl.com/5dxbs8sk) (https://tinyurl.com/u766r5kf)
 
Photo credits: Wheeling Intelligencer, Wikipedia

Today in Wheeling History: March 26--The West Virginia Snakes Club, a private fraternal men's organization founded by Robert J. and Harry W. Browning and their friends to promote sociability and goodwill among its members, was incorporated (1945).
 
Today in Wheeling History: March 26--The West Virginia Snakes Club, a private fraternal men's organization founded by Robert J. and Harry W. Browning and their friends to promote sociability and goodwill among its members, was incorporated (1945).

The West Virginia Snakes Club, located at 923 Main St. in Wheeling, is a private fraternal men's organization founded in 1945. Before World War II, an early iteration of the club called the Washington Club existed in North Wheeling, but it closed down when most of its members went off to war. After the war, the men reopened the club and named it the West Virginia Snakes Club. Initially, the club met in a space above the old Dinner Bell diner before moving to a basement space in the former Pennsylvania Railroad station building as membership grew. In the mid-to-late 1950s, the club purchased the residence at its current location, 923 Main St., which had previously been apartments. The club's historic building, constructed between 1831 and 1845, sits on land originally claimed by Wheeling founder Ebenezer Zane and has been listed on the National Register of Historic Places since 1991. Throughout its history, the club has served as a social gathering place for its members, offering events such as Christmas dinners and summer family picnics. Membership is open to male U.S. citizens aged 21 and older, and prospective members must be sponsored by a current member. The club has undergone renovations while respecting the historical significance of the structure, and it continues to be a fixture in the Wheeling community.
 
To learn more: (https://tinyurl.com/yc8renhf) (https://tinyurl.com/t3dy6wy6) (https://tinyurl.com/7fr6ahpt)
 
Photo credits: Weelunk

Today in Wheeling History: March 24--Def Leppard performed at the Wheeling Civic Center in Wheeling as part of their Adrenalize World Tour, drawing a large crowd of over 6,500 fans (1993).
 
On March 24, 1993, the English rock band Def Leppard performed at the Wheeling Civic Center in Wheeling, West Virginia, as part of their Adrenalize World Tour. The concert, which had no opening act, was expected to draw a crowd of over 6,500 fans. Plenty of tickets were still available on the day of the show, with doors opening at 6 p.m. for the 7:30 p.m. performance. The band was touring in support of their latest album, Adrenalize, which was released in 1992 and featured their newest member, guitarist Vivian Campbell, who had replaced the late Steve Clark.
 
To learn more: (https://tinyurl.com/3wwrf7jb) (https://tinyurl.com/shbuw78x) (https://tinyurl.com/muas6ntj) (https://tinyurl.com/539zfxmm) (https://tinyurl.com/rvh8jb6v)
 
Photo credits: Wheeling News-Register, Wikipedia

Today in Wheeling History: March 25--Noah Linsly, a lawyer who served as a council member, prosecuting attorney, and mayor of Wheeling, and the founder of the Lancasterian Academy which later became the Linsly School, died at age of 41 at his residence in Wheeling after a very brief illness (1814).
 
Noah Linsly was born in Connecticut in 1774 and graduated from Yale College in 1791. He worked as a tutor at Williams College and Yale before moving to Morgantown, Virginia (now West Virginia) in 1797 to practice law. In 1799, Linsly settled in Wheeling, where he became a prominent citizen, serving as a council member, prosecuting attorney, and mayor. Upon his death in 1814 at age 41, Linsly bequeathed his property to establish the Lancasterian Academy in Wheeling, which later became known as the Linsly School, the oldest preparatory school west of the Alleghenies.
 
To learn more: (https://tinyurl.com/mrxss2ur) (https://tinyurl.com/3zx3x6pu) (https://tinyurl.com/mrdaw434) (https://tinyurl.com/4v3bk84h) (https://tinyurl.com/ya5xmrcs) (https://tinyurl.com/546fzuxf) (https://tinyurl.com/5n87au4y)
 
Photo credits: Ohio County Public Library Archives, Wheeling WV; Wheeling Hall of Fame

Today in Wheeling History: March 23--The Wheeling Thunderbirds defeated the Johnstown Chiefs 5-0 to win their first-ever East Coast Hockey League playoff series, with team captain Darren Schwartz scoring a hat trick and goalie Rod Houk recording a shutout (1993).
 
On March 23, 1993, the Wheeling Thunderbirds achieved several firsts in their team's history during their 5-0 playoff win against the Johnstown Chiefs. Team captain Darren Schwartz scored a hat trick, goalie Rod Houk recorded a shutout, and the Thunderbirds won their first-ever playoff series. The victory advanced them to the second round of the East Coast Hockey League playoffs, where they would face the Raleigh IceCaps in a best-of-seven series.
 
Coach Doug Sauter implemented a strategic 1-4 defensive setup that caught the Chiefs off guard and led to the Thunderbirds' dominant performance. The team played with discipline, avoiding unnecessary penalties, and Houk's outstanding goaltending, combined with a strong defensive effort, secured the shutout victory.
 
To learn more: (https://tinyurl.com/4b8yhvfh) (https://tinyurl.com/5ae2t8tu)
 
Photo credits: Ohio County Public Library Archives, Wheeling WV; Wheeling News-Register

Today in Wheeling History: March 22--U.S. President George W. Bush held a town hall meeting at the Capitol Music Hall in Wheeling, West Virginia, where he addressed a largely supportive crowd of over 2,000 people on topics such as the War on Terror, the importance of standing firm against "thugs and assassins" in Iraq, and his justification for sending forces into the country (2006).
 
On March 22, 2006, President George W. Bush made his second visit to Wheeling, West Virginia, where he conducted a town hall meeting at the Capitol Music Hall. During the event, which was hosted by the Wheeling Area Chamber of Commerce and sponsored by several local businesses, Bush addressed a crowd of over 2,000 people, including many military veterans and their families. The President spoke about the War on Terror, explaining his decision to send forces into Iraq and emphasizing the importance of standing firm against "thugs and assassins." He also addressed questions from the audience on various topics, such as nuclear energy, military recruitment, and his experience living in the White House. The attendees, which included local politicians, students, and supporters, were largely enthusiastic about the President's speech and responses to their questions.
 
To learn more: (https://tinyurl.com/2s3fddhd) (https://tinyurl.com/5e64nw4u) (https://tinyurl.com/tb2c6rsp) (https://tinyurl.com/2s4fm47r)
 
Photo credits: Ohio County Public Library Archives, Wheeling, WV; Wheeling News-Register