Today in Wheeling History: October 31--Prisoners transferred to the newly built county jail in Wheeling (1892).
 
The old county jail in Wheeling was located at the southwest corner of 15th and Eoff Streets, opposite the residence of prominent Wheeling brewer and businessman Anton Reymann. The county secured this site on May 3, 1890, despite Reymann's objections. Designed by architect Millard Giesey and built by Murray Brothers, the impressive new jail opened on October 31, 1892. In 1975 it was demolished for the new Ohio County Correction Facility and additional parking. General Contracting Co. of Steubenville served as the demolition contractor.
 
The 1892 jail had a residence for the jailor. The front section contained offices and public areas. A winding passage connected to the Bridge of Sighs and the courthouse. The separate cell building was extremely secure, with multi-tiered steel cells, automatic locks, iron walkways, and a central oversight platform. The jail was reinforced inside and out with steel bars, smooth steel doors, brick arches, and flagstone floors. The yard was walled off from the jailor’s residence. The jail achieved maximum security while separating prisoners and providing modern amenities absent in the previous jail.
 
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Photo Credits: Ohio County Public Library, Wheeling WV

Today in Wheeling History: October 30--Richard Nixon visited Wheeling to campaign for West Virginia gubernatorial candidate Cecil H. Underwood, Congressman Arch A. Moore, Senate candidate Cooper Benedict, and presidential candidate Barry Goldwater (1964).
On October 30, 1964, former Vice President Richard Nixon visited Wheeling to campaign for the Republican ticket, including gubernatorial candidate Cecil H. Underwood, Congressman Arch A. Moore Jr., and Senate candidate Cooper Benedict. Speaking to a large crowd, Nixon criticized the Johnson administration as "for the birds" and said West Virginia had become a "colony of Washington." He praised Underwood's previous term as governor and Moore's stature in Congress. Nixon accused the Democrats of a policy of "retreat and defeat" against communism and called for electing Barry Goldwater president to restore the principles of Eisenhower and Dulles. After leaving office in 1961,

​Nixon traveled the globe meeting world leaders and campaigned for Republican candidates in 1964 and 1966.

To learn more: (https://tinyurl.com/kcsmpp4k) (https://tinyurl.com/mt7y7w8t)

Photo Credit: Ohio County Public Library Archives, Wheeling WV 

Today in Wheeling History: October 29--Stuart F. Bloch, a descendant of Wheeling tobacco founder Samuel Bloch, President of the U.S. Golf Association and a business and community leader in Wheeling, passed away (2017).
 
William Stuart F. Bloch, born April 23, 1933 in Wheeling, West Virginia, descended from tobacco founder Samuel S. Bloch. He attended The Linsly School, Phillips Exeter Academy, and graduated cum laude from Princeton University in 1956 before serving as a Lieutenant in the U.S. Air Force. Bloch worked for the family's Bloch Brothers Tobacco Company, rising to executive roles like President and Vice President. He later served as Executive Vice President of Hazlett, Burt & Watson, Inc. A prominent golfer, Bloch was President of the United States Golf Association from 1992-1994 and led the West Virginia Golf Association. He received many honors including induction into the Wheeling Hall of Fame and WV Golf Association Hall of Fame. Bloch created the Bloch Learning and Performance Hall at WVU with his wife and was known for business leadership, golf achievements, and community impact in Wheeling.

Photo Credit: Ohio County Public Library, Wheeling, WV

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Today in Wheeling History: October 28--Motorman Frank Eberlein was killed and conductor Joseph Gaus and 11 passengers were injured when Eberlein's runaway streetcar crashed into the home of Leo Pack at the bottom of Mozart Hill in Wheeling (1926).
 
On October 28, 1926, a streetcar operated by motorman Frank E. Eberlein crashed at the bottom of Mozart Hill in Wheeling, West Virginia, plowing halfway into the home of Leo Pack. Eberlein died at the scene. Among the injured were conductor Joseph Gaus and passengers Louis Riedel, William Stroebel, Albert Federmeyer, Minnie Jones, William Beaver, Alphonse Federmeyer, George R. Remke, Carl Randall, Lena Beaver, Ivan Klinger, and William Janeski. The runaway streetcar was believed to have been caused by drifted leaves preventing the brakes from functioning properly. Crowds flocked to view the aftermath of the tragic accident that killed motorman Eberlein and injured conductor Gaus and 11 passengers.
 
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Today in Wheeling History: October 27--John Josephs of Martins Ferry attempts to murder Dr. T.M. Haskins of Wheeling to cast off an imagined "hypnotic spell" (1903).
 
On October 27, 1903, John Josephs of Martins Ferry attempted to take the life of prominent surgeon Dr. Thomas M. Haskins. Josephs had visited Dr. Rudolph M. Rau earlier and claimed Dr. Haskins was using electricity to put a hypnotic spell on him, causing him distress. Josephs showed Dr. Rau a gun and threatened to kill Dr. Haskins to break this imagined spell. Dr. Rau warned Dr. Haskins that Josephs was coming for him armed with a gun. When Josephs arrived at Dr. Haskins' office asking for him, Dr. Haskins pretended to look for himself before knocking Josephs down and disarming him. Dr. Haskins threw Josephs into the street and called the police, who arrested Josephs and took him into custody. Josephs was known to have been behaving erratically lately, and was presumed mentally unbalanced. (https://tinyurl.com/yvemfun7) 

Today in Wheeling History: October 27--The "Wheeling Sunday Register" reported the remodel of the upper floors of Bader & Mauer’s Saloon and Restaurant into a stag hotel was almost completed (1901).
 
A stag hotel was a hotel that catered only to men. In October 1901, the Bader & Maurer stag hotel on Market Street in Wheeling, West Virginia had a beautiful new metal ceiling installed in its café, furnished by the Wheeling Corrugating Company and attracting much attention for its semi-gothic deep panel design. The 5-story building at 1429 Market Street has a long history. In the 1880s, it housed Charles Neuman's dyeing and tailoring business. Charles Bauer operated a saloon there in 1901 before Bader & Maurer took over. Hotel rooms were added upstairs. In the early 1900s, owners included the Finnigan Brothers and Kurutz Brothers. During Prohibition, it housed the Washington Restaurant downstairs. In the 1940s, mob boss Bill Lias operated it as Zeller's Steak House with gambling. It has remained a bar since then, with a jazz club in the back "Rathskeller" portion at one point. The building is architecturally significant in Wheeling. (https://tinyurl.com/39mpynhj) (https://tinyurl.com/2v8nybtx) (https://tinyurl.com/m5usp4e3) (https://tinyurl.com/yhxzd8h6) 

Today in Wheeling: October 26—Wheeling Teachers’ Association organized under Superintendent F.S. Williams to meet monthly to discuss and share views on all matters relating to teaching (1867).
 
On October 26, 1867, Superintendent Williams called a meeting of nearly 50 Wheeling public school teachers to organize a Teachers' Association. They appointed Superintendent F.S. Williams as Chairman and S.W. Boyd as Secretary. After debate over whether to form an Association or Institute, they decided on a Teachers' Association that would meet monthly. J.C. Tuttle, Principal of the Fourth Ward School, gave a speech. A committee including Mr. Davenport, Principal of Washington Schools, was formed to draft a constitution. The teachers signed a petition asking the Board of Education to restore a repealed attendance rule. At their November 9 meeting, the teachers further discussed and adopted the constitution and bylaws. Mr. Tuttle gave another recitation. The main purpose of the Wheeling Teachers’ Association of Wheeling was to discuss and share views on all matters relating to teaching. (https://tinyurl.com/2r2rbbtt) (https://tinyurl.com/bdcwwk6) (https://tinyurl.com/3swyjfju) 

Today in Wheeling History: October 26--The Wheeling Symphony moved its concerts out of the Capitol Theatre due to concerns that moving pictures would detract from the symphony experience (1930).
 
The Wheeling Symphony Orchestra was founded in 1929 by Mrs. Eleanor D. Caldwell. Originally, the orchestra performed at the Capitol Theatre in downtown Wheeling. However, from October 6, 1929 to October 26, 1930, the symphony moved its concerts out of the Capitol Theatre due to concerns that moving pictures would detract from the symphony experience. The Wheeling Symphony did not return to performing at the Capitol Theatre until 61 years later - they moved their concerts back to the Capitol on October 5, 1961. Since then, the Capitol Theatre has remained one of the orchestra's primary venues, though they also perform at other locations in the Wheeling area. Most recently, the Capitol closed unexpectedly in May 2007, forcing the orchestra to find temporary facilities. But the orchestra had its "Homecoming" concert back at the newly renovated Capitol Theatre on September 25, 2009, where they continue to perform today. (https://tinyurl.com/5c2hmdfm) (https://tinyurl.com/26bpmurb) (https://tinyurl.com/bdn4vh4n) 

Today in Wheeling History: October 25--Mozart Park holds their grand opening (1893).
 
Mozart Park in Wheeling held its grand opening on October 25, 1893. The event was organized by the Mozart Singing Society and featured musical performances by local singers and Meister's band. Despite some technical issues with the incline railway that delayed the start, nearly 400 people attended the festivities. The park was decorated with flags, bunting, and greenery. The musical program, directed by Professor Herman Schockey, included choruses by the Mozart Society and solos by singers Flora Williams, Herman Steinman, Charles Zulauf, and Will B. Day. After the concert, dancing continued late into the evening. Food was provided by caterer Eberhard Hofreuter. The opening was deemed a success by the Mozart Society members. One amusing event was a footrace between Charles Hussemann and Squire Schultze down the hillside, won by Hussemann.
 
Mozart Park was built by businessman Henry Schmulbach. The park, located on the Frazier farm which Schmulbach purchased for $13,000, featured numerous attractions including a large dancing pavilion, casino, bowling alley, restaurant, outdoor stage, and bicycle track. Schmulbach hired Otto Kalkrueth to design the park and invested $100,000 to construct an inclined railway leading up the hillside to the park from 43rd and Wetzel Streets. This incline became a major attraction itself, carrying up to 1,200 passengers per hour. The park remained popular until it closed sometime between 1917 and 1918. (https://tinyurl.com/a355tu29) (https://tinyurl.com/3ts6yzk2) (https://tinyurl.com/4wfz8abb) 

Today in Wheeling History: October 24--Sister Mary Stanislaus fell four stories to her death in the new addition to the Saint Joseph's convent (1899). 
 
Sister Mary Stanislaus fell to her death from the third floor of in the new addition of the St. Joseph’s convent building under construction in Wheeling. Her body was found the next morning, cold and lifeless, amidst a pile of bricks and debris. The convent was being expanded with a new academy building that connected via doorways to the existing structure. One such doorway on the third floor had been unsealed the prior day for construction access. Sister Stanislaus' nightly duties included locking doors and turning off gas lamps; tragically she seems to have stepped through the open third floor doorway and fallen to her death, unnoticed until the next day. She was 58 years old and had been with the convent for decades. Her death brought profound sorrow, especially to her fellow sisters at the convent. Bishop Donahue conducted her funeral at the Cathedral. She is buried in Mount Cavalry Cemetery. (https://tinyurl.com/y2tsmur5)