​Today in Wheeling History: October 22–Bernard Healy, born in Wheeling, West Virginia, and known for his service as a Los Angeles City Council member advocating for tenant rights and city worker benefits, passed away (1916).
 
Bernard Healy was born in 1856 in Wheeling, West Virginia. He later moved to Arizona, where he married and started a family. Healy was a non-commissioned officer in the United States Army, serving during various uprisings along the frontier. In 1904, he moved to Los Angeles, California, where he became a member of the Los Angeles City Council, representing the Eighth Ward. Healy was known for his efforts to legislate against landlords who refused to rent to families with children and for his support of paid holidays for city workers in the parks and streets departments. He was a prominent figure in the council, often described as a "kindly, good-natured man of large family and patriotic impulses." Healy was also known as "Buttermilk Barney" due to his abstinence from alcohol and his distinctive green attire. He served on the council until 1909 and continued to be active in public service until his death. Bernard Healy passed away on October 22, 1916, and was buried in Los Angeles. His contributions to the community and his advocacy for the rights of working families left a lasting impact on the city.
 
To learn more: Wikipedia (https://shorturl.at/O7BVp), Wikiwand (https://shorturl.at/kqMup)
 
Photo credits: Los Angeles Herald, Los Angeles Times  

​Today in Wheeling History: October 21--Dr. Michael Swango, a future notorious serial killer, was born in Tacoma, Washington, and later attempted to secure a residency at Ohio Valley Medical Center in Wheeling (1954).
 
Michael Joseph Swango, born on October 21, 1954, in Tacoma, Washington, is an American serial killer and former physician. Swango's early life was marked by frequent relocations due to his father's military career, eventually settling in Quincy, Illinois. He graduated as valedictorian from Quincy Catholic Boys High School in 1972 and later attended Quincy University, where he developed an interest in poisons. Swango graduated summa cum laude and went on to attend Southern Illinois University School of Medicine.
 
Swango's medical career was marred by suspicious deaths and troubling behavior. In 1991, he legally changed his name to Daniel J. Adams and attempted to secure a residency at Ohio Valley Medical Center in Wheeling, West Virginia. However, his past caught up with him, and he was unable to secure the position. Swango's crimes spanned several states and even extended to Zimbabwe, with estimates of his victims ranging from 4 to 60. He was eventually apprehended in 1997 and sentenced to three consecutive life terms without the possibility of parole in 2000. Swango is currently serving his sentence at ADX Florence, a supermax prison in Colorado.
 
To learn more: Wikipedia (https://tinyurl.com/56j739ey), The Famous People (https://tinyurl.com/3bzy4w4j)
 
Photo credits: Wikimedia Commons

​Today in Wheeling History: October 20–Morley Vernon King, born in Wheeling, who later became infamous as the second person to be listed on the FBI Ten Most Wanted Fugitives list for the murder of his wife (1901).
 
Morley Vernon King was born on October 20, 1901, in Wheeling, West Virginia. He grew up in Wheeling but ran away from home at the age of 15. King traveled extensively throughout Europe, living in places like Casablanca, Morocco, where he owned and operated a hotel and bar. He met and married his wife, Helen, in 1929. The couple returned to the United States in 1934 and settled in New Orleans, where they operated a restaurant. King later moved to California, where he worked as a chef in a hotel dining room in San Luis Obispo. On July 9, 1947, Helen King's body was found in a trunk under the back porch of the hotel where Morley worked. She had been strangled to death. Morley King fled and was sought as a fugitive. He became the second person to be listed on the FBI Ten Most Wanted Fugitives list in 1950. King was eventually captured on October 31, 1951, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, where he was working under an assumed identity. He was sentenced to life imprisonment and died on September 5, 1954, in San Quentin State Prison, California.
 
To learn more: Wikipedia (https://shorturl.at/JusHz), Wikiwand (https://shorturl.at/P8AMK)
 
Photo credits: FBI.gov

Today in Wheeling History: October 19--Franklin D. Roosevelt, then a presidential candidate, visited Wheeling (1932).

On October 19, 1932, Franklin D. Roosevelt, then the Governor of New York and Democratic presidential candidate, visited Wheeling, West Virginia, during his campaign. Roosevelt addressed a crowd of approximately 10,000 people at Wheeling Island Stadium. His visit was part of a broader campaign tour aimed at garnering support in key states. During his speech, Roosevelt criticized the Republican administration for the economic hardships faced by many Americans during the Great Depression. One of the most memorable moments of his visit was when he shook hands with Tony Fiorino, a coal miner from Elm Grove. This photograph became one of the iconic images of the Depression era, symbolizing Roosevelt's connection with the working class. Roosevelt's visit to Wheeling was significant as it highlighted his commitment to addressing the concerns of ordinary Americans and his vision for economic recovery. His campaign's emphasis on hope and change resonated with many voters, contributing to his eventual victory in the 1932 presidential election. Roosevelt's policies and leadership during his presidency would later play a crucial role in guiding the nation through the Great Depression and World War II.

To learn more: Ohio County Public Library Archives, Wheeling WV (https://shorturl.at/zxzBf) (https://shorturl.at/XTRwY) (https://shorturl.at/qOJ64); Wheeling Intelligencer (https://shorturl.at/7znbp) (https://shorturl.at/M91iZ)

Photo credits: FDR Presidential Library and Museum

​Today in Wheeling History: October 18–-The Wheeling Thunderbirds played their first regular season game, defeating the Dayton Bombers 9-3 (1992).
 
The Wheeling Thunderbirds, a minor league hockey team, played their inaugural regular season game on October 18, 1992, at the Wheeling Civic Center. The team, which relocated from Winston-Salem, North Carolina, to Wheeling, West Virginia, was part of the East Coast Hockey League (ECHL). In their first game, the Thunderbirds triumphed over the Dayton Bombers with a decisive 9-3 victory. Tim Roberts scored the first goal in the team's history, and Marc Rodgers achieved the first hat trick, marking a memorable start for the franchise. The Thunderbirds' arrival in Wheeling was a significant event for the local community, bringing professional hockey to the area and fostering a strong fan base. The team played under the Thunderbirds name until 1996, when they rebranded as the Wheeling Nailers due to a trademark dispute with the Seattle Thunderbirds. The Nailers continue to play in Wheeling, maintaining a legacy of hockey excellence and community engagement. The inaugural game on October 18, 1992, remains a celebrated moment in Wheeling's sports history, symbolizing the city's enduring passion for hockey.
 
To learn more: Wheeling Nailers History (https://shorturl.at/IMhQ1), Fun While It Lasted (https://shorturl.at/bwD1i), The Intelligencer (https://shorturl.at/5kCWj)
 
Photo credits: YouTube

Today in Wheeling History: October 17--Wheeling begins extensive flood recovery efforts as the Ohio River recedes, with residents and officials cleaning mud-caked streets, pumping out basements, and assessing damage while utilities work to restore services and the Red Cross continues to aid displaced families, in the aftermath of an unusual October flood that, while severe, did not surpass the record 54.5-foot crest of 1936 but was the worst since the 47.3-foot flood of March 8, 1945 (1954).
 
In October 1954, Wheeling, West Virginia, experienced severe flooding due to the remnants of Hurricane Hazel. The Ohio River crested at 44.7 feet at Lock 12 in Warwood on October 16, just shy of the predicted 45-foot mark. This unusual October flood inundated large portions of Wheeling Island, low-lying areas of South Wheeling, and parts of downtown.
 
Approximately two-thirds of Wheeling Island was submerged, with water entering Wheeling Downs racetrack by 5 PM on October 16. In South Wheeling, the Twenty-seventh Street sector was heavily affected. Downtown, Main Street between Fourteenth and Sixteenth Streets, Water Street, and Twelfth Street west of Main were underwater. The wharf parking lot was completely flooded.
 
The rapid rise of water caught many by surprise, forcing hundreds of families to evacuate. The Red Cross set up shelters at Lincoln School and the former Genuine Auto Parts building, caring for 127 people. Major industries like Wheeling Steel Corporation had to temporarily halt operations.
 
Despite the severity of this flood, it didn't reach the catastrophic levels of the 1936 flood, which crested at 54.5 feet. This difference can be attributed to the flood control dam system implemented after the 1936 disaster. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers credited these dams with lowering the crest at Wheeling by eight feet, preventing what could have been the worst flood in the city's history.
 
To learn more: Wheeling News-Register (https://shorturl.at/7KiYm) (https://shorturl.at/vxAtb), Wikipedia (https://shorturl.at/fd2DO)
  
Photo credits: Ohio County Public Library Archives, Wheeling WV

​Today in Wheeling History: October 16--Dominic Agostino, founder of Aladdin Food Management Services Inc., born in Brooklyn, NY (1931).
 
Dominic V. Agostino, born on October 16, 1931, in Brooklyn, New York, became a pivotal figure in Wheeling, West Virginia's business landscape. After graduating from the Culinary Institute of America, Agostino worked as a pastry chef in New York City and for various establishments. His career led him to ARA Services Corp. of Philadelphia, where he served as district manager for several states. In 1966, Agostino moved to Wheeling, laying the foundation for his future enterprise. On June 14, 1978, he founded Aladdin Food Management Services Inc. Under his leadership, the company grew from a single college account to over 50 accounts across multiple states, employing 1,200 workers with 200-225 based in Wheeling. Agostino's achievements earned him accolades, including the Humanitarian of the Year Award from Saint Mary's College and the 1996 West Virginia Area Entrepreneur of the Year. Although Agostino passed away in 2010, his legacy continues. Today, the company operates as Aladdin Campus Dining, serving over 150 client partners in higher education across the United States. While now headquartered in Canonsburg, Pennsylvania, Aladdin's roots in Wheeling remain a testament to Agostino's entrepreneurial spirit and impact on the city's history.
 
To learn mores: Ohio County Public Library Archives, Wheeling WV (https://tinyurl.com/yr8dhf3b); Bizapedia (https://tinyurl.com/2bd2y7w3), Aladdin Campus Dining (https://tinyurl.com/yc3huvcw)
 
Photo credits: Ohio County Public Library Archives, Wheeling WV; Wheeling Hall of Fame

​Today in Wheeling History--October 15--Aaron and Samuel Bloch made their first sale of Mail Pouch chewing tobacco in Wheeling, launching a brand that would become an iconic part of American rural landscapes and a significant contributor to Wheeling's industrial growth (1879).

Mail Pouch Chewing Tobacco, one of Wheeling's most iconic products, was created by the Bloch Brothers Tobacco Company. Founded by Aaron and Samuel Bloch in 1879, the company initially produced cigars. The idea for Mail Pouch Chewing Tobacco came about when the brothers decided to use leftover cigar clippings, flavor them, and package them in paper bags. On October 15, 1879, the first sale of Mail Pouch Chewing Tobacco took place.This innovative product quickly gained popularity, especially among local coal miners. By 1897, Mail Pouch Chewing Tobacco had become the company's signature product. The brand's fame grew significantly due to its unique advertising strategy, which involved painting "Chew Mail Pouch Tobacco - Treat Yourself to the Best" on over 20,000 barns across the rural Ohio River Valley. This rustic advertising method became a symbol of Americana. The company also employed Harley Warrick, a painter who became synonymous with the Mail Pouch barn signs, painting between 16,000 and 18,000 barns during his 35-year career. Today, Mail Pouch Chewing Tobacco is still produced by Swisher International Group, continuing its legacy as a beloved American product.

To learn more: Ohio County Public Library Archives, Wheeling WV (https://tinyurl.com/2p8ykdzn); Wikipedia (https://shorturl.at/FeMCc), Historical Marker Database (https://shorturl.at/rvlXh), West Virginia Executive (https://shorturl.at/8WLI1), Archiving Wheeling (https://shorturl.at/TLb0x), Hillsdale County Historical Society (https://shorturl.at/mbVaJ)

Photo credits: Ohio County Public Library Archives, Wheeling WV; Historical Marker Database, Hillsdale County Historical Society

Today in Wheeling History: October 13--The abandoned, dilapidated Wheeling pest house near the creek was intentionally burned down (1871).
 
On October 13, 1871, the city pest house located on the bank of Wheeling Creek south of the tunnel bridge was intentionally set on fire around 8:30pm and completely destroyed. The pest house had been vacant for three years and was dilapidated, with doors and windows removed. There was discussion of repairing it for reuse, which likely motivated its arson. Since it was isolated and abandoned, firefighters did not respond. Pest houses isolated contagious patients like smallpox victims away from the population. This burning eliminated Wheeling's outdated unused pest house near the creek. (https://tinyurl.com/4mef7ex4) 

​Today in Wheeling History: October 13--Donald W. Levenson, future pioneer of cable television in Wheeling, is born (1919).
 
Don Levenson was born on October 13, 1919, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, to David and Eva Levenson. He graduated from the Carnegie Institute of Technology in 1942 with a degree in electrical engineering. During World War II, Levenson worked for the Radio Corporation of America (RCA) and invented the "Echo Box," a device used to calibrate radar equipment, for which he received a presidential citation. In 1947, he moved to Wheeling, West Virginia, and became vice president of his family's business, Reichart Furniture Company. However, his passion for engineering led him to experiment with community antenna television (CATV). In 1951, he began running a cable from the hill above Oakmont to supply feeds of Pittsburgh stations to his brother and neighbors. This initiative evolved into the Wheeling Antenna Company (WACO), which he incorporated on May 6, 1952. On November 4, 1952, WACO broadcast the first cable television signal to downtown Wheeling, showing the election of President Dwight D. Eisenhower. Levenson's work with WACO revolutionized the cable television industry, and he was the first person recognized by the National Cable Television Association for outstanding engineering contributions in 1973. Don Levenson passed away in 1978 and was buried at Beth Shalom Cemetery in Pittsburgh.
 
To learn more: Ohio County Public Library (https://tinyurl.com/yjjjwzc6), The Intelligencer (https://tinyurl.com/yc6hyrds), Syndeo Institute (https://tinyurl.com/mdkcjnfd)
 
Photo credits: Ohio County Public Library Archives, Wheeling WV