Today in Wheeling History: November 1 -- Wheeling-Ohio County Airport (Stifel Field) holds its grand dedication ceremony with thousands attending despite inclement weather (1946).
 
The dedication of Wheeling-Ohio County Airport, also known as Stifel Field, marked a pivotal moment in the region's transportation history. Despite challenging weather conditions, the ceremony at Stifel Field proceeded with a full program of events, beginning at 1:00 PM. A Capital Airlines PCA "Capitaliner" arrived at noon carrying airline officials from both Capital Airlines and Trans World Airline (TWA), though TWA's planned east-west service was delayed due to a pilots' strike. The ceremony featured multiple distinguished guests, including Ohio Governor Frank Lausche, TWA Vice President Rear Admiral H.B. Miller, and Capital Airlines Vice President Colonel J.D. Henry. The Wheeling Civitan Club presented a flag to Stifel Field, which was raised by members of Wheeling Post No. 1 of the American Legion. Seven local high school bands participated, including those from Wheeling, Triadelphia, Warwood, Central Catholic, Bridgeport, Martins Ferry, and Shadyside. The day's events culminated in a banquet at the Scottish Rite Cathedral, attended by 500 guests. The celebration extended to Sunday with a Navy air show featuring 25 planes from the Naval Air Reserve station in Columbus. Stifel Field began regular north-south service the following Wednesday through Capital Airlines, while TWA's planned east-west service awaited resolution of the pilots' strike.
 
To learn more: Ohio County Public Library Archives, Wheeling WV (https://shorturl.at/aRgEe); Airline Archives (https://shorturl.at/vXAxz), Ohio County Commission (https://shorturl.at/nvzfY), Business Review Magazine  (https://shorturl.at/tOAOv), Wheeling News-Register (https://tinyurl.com/24tjuubm)
 
Photo credits: Ohio County Public Library Archives, Wheeling WV; Ohio County Commission

​Today in Wheeling History: October 31--Wheeling-born Major League Baseball player Dick Padden, who began his baseball career playing exhibition games against the Pittsburgh Pirates and Cleveland Spiders in Wheeling and Martins Ferry, dies in Martins Ferry (1922).
 
Richard Joseph "Dick" Padden, nicknamed "Brains" for his intelligent play on the field, was born in Wheeling, West Virginia on September 17, 1870, to Irish immigrants Michael and Mary Ellen (Gainerd) Padden. Though born in Wheeling, he grew up across the Ohio River in Martins Ferry, Ohio, where he would spend most of his life. His mother died when he was just three years old. His father worked in a glass factory, and young Richard followed in his footsteps, learning the trade of glass working. Padden began his baseball career playing for local semipro teams, including the Martins Ferry Red Stockings, where he started as a pitcher at age 16. After arm trouble forced him to switch positions, he became a middle infielder. Standing 5'10" and weighing between 170-180 pounds, he played nine seasons in Major League Baseball (1896-1905) for teams including the Pittsburgh Pirates, Washington Senators, St. Louis Cardinals, and St. Louis Browns. Known for his defensive skills and baseball intelligence, he posted a career .258 batting average. After baseball, he operated a billiard hall and bowling alley in Martins Ferry. Padden died on October 31, 1922, at age 52 in Martins Ferry following a stroke while playing pinochle at an Elks club. He was buried at St. Mary's Cemetery in Martins Ferry.
 
To learn more: Society for American Baseball Research (https://tinyurl.com/yw9ansbt), Wikipedia (https://tinyurl.com/3w47u9u9), Find a Grave (https://tinyurl.com/bd58y35d), Baseball Reference (https://tinyurl.com/7srav55n)
 
Photo credits: Chicago Daily News, Find a Grave, American Flint

Today in Wheeling History: October 30--Leon "Chu" Berry, renowned jazz saxophonist from Wheeling, tragically dies from injuries sustained in a car accident (1941).
 
Leon Brown "Chu" Berry was born on September 13, 1908, in Wheeling, West Virginia, to Brown Berry and Maggie Glasgow Berry¹³. Growing up in Wheeling, Berry attended Lincoln High School, where he developed a passion for music. He initially played the alto saxophone and performed with local bands. After high school, Berry attended West Virginia State College near Charleston for three years¹⁴. His stepsister, who played the piano, influenced his early interest in music. Berry's talent and dedication to his craft quickly gained him recognition in the jazz community.
 
Berry's professional career took off in the 1930s when he joined the bands of Benny Carter, Teddy Hill, and Fletcher Henderson. However, he is perhaps best known for his time with Cab Calloway's big band, where he played tenor saxophone¹¹. Berry's innovative style and technical prowess made him one of the most influential tenor saxophonists of the swing era. According to music critic Gary Giddins, musicians called him “Chu” either because he chewed on the mouthpiece of his saxophone or because he had a Fu Manchu mustache. Tragically, his life was cut short when he died on October 30, 1941, from injuries sustained in a car accident near Conneaut Lake, Ohio¹³. He was buried in Greenwood Cemetery in Wheeling⁸. Despite his brief career, Berry's impact on jazz music remains significant, and he is remembered as a pioneering figure in the genre.
 
To learn more: Ohio County Public Library, Wheeling WV (https://shorturl.at/o5AcP) (https://tinyurl.com/yeysa3s3), Wikipedia (https://shorturl.at/9eBXq), Find a Grave (https://shorturl.at/Nrw2r), The World of Sax (https://shorturl.at/NmikO), West Virginia Music Hall of Fame (https://tinyurl.com/mr2hsans)
 
Photo credits: Ohio County Public Library Archives, Wheeling WV; Wheeling Hall of Fame, Wikimedia Commons, Find a Grave

Today in Wheeling History: October 29—Felix Lieftuchter, renowned church muralist who created vibrant frescoes and intricate designs for St. Joseph’s Cathedral in Wheeling, born in Cincinnati, Ohio (1882).
 
Felix Bernard Lieftuchter was born on October 29, 1882, in Cincinnati, Ohio, to German immigrant parents. He became a prominent artist and church muralist, known for his work in various churches across the United States. Lieftuchter's artistic journey began in Germany, where he studied at the Akademie der Bildenden Künste in Munich under the tutelage of Karl von Marr and Franz von Stuck. He also traveled to Rome and other parts of Europe to study church decorations.
 
Lieftuchter's work is characterized by its flat and graphic style, often seen in his church decorations. One of his notable projects includes the murals at St. Joseph's Cathedral in Wheeling, West Virginia. His contributions to the cathedral's interior include vibrant frescoes and intricate designs that enhance the Romanesque architecture of the building. These murals were carefully restored during a major renovation in 1996.
 
Throughout his career, Lieftuchter collaborated with architects like John T. Comes and worked on various church projects, including the Cathedral of the Madeleine in Salt Lake City, Utah, and Holy Rosary Cathedral in Toledo, Ohio. He spent his later years in Mexico City, where he continued his work in portraiture.
 
Felix Lieftuchter passed away in 1972, leaving behind a legacy of beautiful church art that continues to inspire and captivate.
 
To learn more: Ohio County Public Library, Wheeling WV (https://shorturl.at/cUkEs); Wikipedia (https://shorturl.at/yo11x) (https://shorturl.at/mdbph), EWTN (https://shorturl.at/eo9cV)
 
Photo credits: Wikimedia Commons

Today in Wheeling History: October 28—Wheeling native and economic justice advocate Amy Jo Hutchison appears on a "The Problem with Jon Stewart" streaming episode to discuss the high cost of childcare in West Virginia and its impact on the workforce (2021).
 
Amy Jo Hutchison is a prominent economic justice advocate from Wheeling, West Virginia. Born on October 26, 1971, she has dedicated her life to fighting poverty and hunger in her home state. Growing up in Wheeling, Amy Jo experienced the challenges of poverty firsthand, which fueled her passion for advocacy. She attended local schools and raised her two children as a single mother, further deepening her understanding of the struggles faced by working-class families.
 
Amy Jo is the founder of "Rattle the Windows," a grassroots movement that empowers marginalized communities to fight for economic justice and equity. Her work has gained national attention, particularly her powerful testimony before lawmakers in Washington, D.C., in February 2020, where she shared her lived experiences and highlighted the realities of poverty in America.
 
In addition to her advocacy work, Amy Jo has been involved in various community initiatives in Wheeling, including serving as the Campaign Director for MomsRising West Virginia. On October 28, 2021, she appeared on the streaming episode of "The Problem with Jon Stewart," where she discussed the importance of childcare to the workforce and highlighted the high cost of childcare in West Virginia. This appearance further amplified her voice on national platforms, emphasizing issues related to childcare and economic injustice.
 
Amy Jo continues to reside in the Wheeling area, where she remains an influential voice for economic justice and a tireless advocate for the working poor.
 
To learn more: Wikipedia (https://shorturl.at/2chPC), WTRF (https://shorturl.at/XAyHf), Morgantown Magazine (https://shorturl.at/m7BCL), Right to Food (https://rb.gy/y2eo4q), MomsRising (https://shorturl.at/BppCS)
 
Photo credits: Wikimedia Commons

​Today in Wheeling History: October 27--The Blue Church, originally St. Matthew's Episcopal Church, was consecrated (1837).
 
The Blue Church, originally known as St. Matthew's Episcopal Church, is a historic landmark in Wheeling, West Virginia. Consecrated on October 27, 1837, this Greek Revival building is one of the few pre-Civil War structures remaining in the city. Designed by James H. White, a Wheeling house carpenter, and built by stonemason John Gilchrist and bricklayer Hiram Martin, the church features a classic temple-form with six towering Doric columns and a flight of sandstone steps.
 
St. Matthew's Episcopal Church served its congregation until 1866, when they moved to a new location on Chapline Street. The building was then purchased by the First Baptist Church, which occupied it until 1958. Over the years, the church has housed various congregations, including the House of Prayer, Jubilee Christian Fellowship, Faith Reformed Presbyterian Church, and the Church of God and Saints of Christ.
 
In recent years, the church, now commonly known as the Blue Church, has been preserved by Wheeling Heritage and the Wheeling Young Preservationists. Significant renovations have been undertaken to restore the building, which is part of the Monroe Street East Historic District. The Blue Church remains a symbol of Wheeling's rich architectural and religious history, poised to serve the community once again.
 
To learn more: Ohio County Public Library Archives, Wheeling WV (https://rb.gy/h80aus); Wheeling Heritage (https://rb.gy/mt3ki5)
 
Photo credits: Ohio County Public Library Archives, Wheeling WV; Wheeling Heritage

​Today in Wheeling History: October 26--Ellsworth M. Statler, hotel industry pioneer who began his career at age 13 as a bellboy at Wheeling's McLure House Hotel, was born in Somerset County, Pennsylvania (1863).
 
Ellsworth Milton Statler was born on October 26, 1863, in Somerset County, Pennsylvania. His family moved to Bridgeport, Ohio, when he was six years old. At the age of nine, Statler began working in a glass factory in Bridgeport. By the time he was 13, he had crossed the Ohio River to Wheeling, West Virginia, where he started working as a bellboy at the McLure House Hotel. Statler's fascination with the hotel business grew as he advanced from bellboy to head bellboy, clerk, and eventually the untitled manager by the age of 19.
 
Statler's entrepreneurial spirit led him to lease the McLure's billiard room, set up a railroad ticket booth, and open a lunchroom called "The Pie House". In 1907, he realized his dream of owning a hotel by opening the Statler Hotel in Buffalo, New York, which offered "a room and a bath for a dollar and a half". Statler's innovations, such as private baths, telephones, and radios in every room, set new standards in the hotel industry.
 
Statler's hotel chain expanded to cities like Boston, Cleveland, Detroit, and New York. He was known for his emphasis on guest satisfaction and employee welfare. Statler passed away on April 16, 1928, in New York City and was buried at Kensico Cemetery in Valhalla, New York.
 
To learn more: Ohio County Public Library Archives, Wheeling WV (https://shorturl.at/o267U); Wikipedia (https://rb.gy/yetbio), West Virginia Encyclopedia (https://rb.gy/dyegat), Find a Grave (https://shorturl.at/QB8Gq)
 
Photo credits: Ohio County Public Library Archives, Wheeling WV; Find a Grave, Wikimedia Commons, West Virginia Encyclopedia, Wheeling Hall of Fame

​Today in Wheeling History: October 24–The Arisan Maru, a Japanese cargo ship carrying prisoners of war, was sunk by an American submarine, resulting in the deaths of more than 1,700 American soldiers, including Wheeling native Private First Class Frederick William Elkes and a number of other West Virginians (1944).
 
Frederick William Elkes was born on June 24, 1902, in Wheeling, West Virginia, to Michael Joseph Elkes and Della Bowman. Growing up in South Wheeling, he lived on McColloch Street and attended local schools. Elkes joined the U.S. Army in 1927 and reenlisted three times, serving as a mechanic at Nichols Field in the Philippines with the 28th Service Squadron of the Army Air Corps. He frequently wrote letters home, describing the intense heat and heavy rainfall in the Philippines, but noted that his asthma was not bothering him.
 
During World War II, Elkes was stationed in the Philippines with the 17th Pursuit Squadron, 24th Pursuit Group. He was captured by Japanese forces during the fall of Bataan and became a prisoner of war. On October 24, 1944, Elkes was aboard the Arisan Maru, a Japanese cargo ship carrying prisoners of war, when it was sunk by the American submarine USS Shark (SS-314), which was unaware that American prisoners of war were on board. Tragically, Elkes was among the more than 1,700 American soldiers who perished in the disaster. He is memorialized at the Manila American Cemetery and Memorial in the Philippines.
 
To learn more: Archiving Wheeling (https://shorturl.at/En2xX), Lede News (https://shorturl.at/heSox), Find a Grave (https://tinyurl.com/jj2sfwpy), West Virginia Veterans Memorial (https://shorturl.at/9TTDB)
 
Photo credits: Ohio County Public Library, Wheeling WV; Find a Grave

​Today in Wheeling History: October 25--Harry Hamm, influential newspaperman known for his roles as city editor, managing editor, editor-in-chief of Ogden Newspapers, advocate for education, healthcare, crime control, urban renewal, and his contributions to the Wheeling Area Conference on Community Development, Wheeling 2000 revitalization plan, and service on the boards of Wheeling College, Wheeling Hospital, and the Benedum Foundation, passed away (1991).
 
Harry C. Hamm was born on May 26, 1923, in Wheeling, West Virginia. Growing up in Wheeling, he was influenced by his father, a former professional baseball player and city fireman. Hamm began his journalism career in 1941 at the Wheeling News-Register. His career was briefly interrupted by his service in the Army during World War II. After the war, he returned to the News-Register, where he quickly rose through the ranks, becoming city editor in 1948, managing editor in 1951, and editor in 1956. In 1968, he was promoted to editor-in-chief of Ogden Newspapers. Hamm was a passionate advocate for quality education, healthcare, crime control, and urban renewal. He played a pivotal role in securing funding for local parks, colleges, hospitals, and cultural institutions. Hamm was also instrumental in the Wheeling Area Conference on Community Development and authored the Wheeling 2000 revitalization plan in 1987. He served on the boards of Wheeling College, Wheeling Hospital, and the Benedum Foundation. Hamm retired on September 3, 1991, and passed away on October 25, 1991. He is remembered as a member of the Wheeling Hall of Fame for his significant contributions to the community.
 
To learn more: Ohio County Public Library Archives, Wheeling WV (https://shorturl.at/AXPc2) (https://tinyurl.com/3p358m99)
 
Photo credits: Ohio County Public Library Archives, Wheeling WV; Wheeling Hall of Fame

Today in Wheeling History: October 23–W. S. Goshorn, prominent Wheeling resident and businessperson, passed away (1891).
 
William Scott Goshorn was born on January 19, 1814, in Belmont County, Ohio. His family moved to Wheeling, West Virginia, when he was an infant, and he spent the rest of his life there. Goshorn was educated in Wheeling public schools and attended Washington College. He initially worked with his father in the dry goods and notion business, which became well-known throughout the region. After selling his interest in the business, Goshorn engaged in banking and other financial ventures. He was also involved in public service, serving as chief deputy to Sheriff Wickham, city assessor, and a member of the city council. Goshorn was a slave owner, and one notable incident involved the escape of one of his slaves, Sarah Lucy Bagby, who fled to Cleveland, Ohio. Goshorn reclaimed her, causing significant public outcry and tension. Despite his controversial stance on slavery, Goshorn was a respected figure in Wheeling's business and political circles. He passed away on October 23, 1891, at the age of 77, after a long illness. Goshorn was buried in Mount Wood Cemetery in Wheeling. His legacy includes his contributions to Wheeling's economic development and his involvement in local governance.
 
To learn more: Ohio County Public Library Archives, Wheeling WV (https://shorturl.at/j0w5J) (https://shorturl.at/IgMEy); Find a Grave (https://shorturl.at/af13Z)
 
Photo credits: Find a Grave, Wheeling Daily Register
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