Today in Wheeling History: February 9-- U. S. Senator Joe McCarthy launched his anti-communist crusade in Wheeling (1950).
One of the most turbulent times in America began when Senator Joseph McCarthy spoke to the Ohio County Republican Women's Club at the McLure House Hotel in Wheeling on February 9, 1950. Holding a paper, he claimed 205 communists worked in the State Department.
Frank Desmond reported this in the “Wheeling Intelligencer.” His editor, Norman Yost, phoned the AP office in Charleston. By morning, 18 papers nationwide ran the story. McCarthy's campaign struck a chord, igniting hysteria over supposed communist infiltration of government, media, Hollywood, and schools. Famous figures were hauled before Congress. Many lost jobs and faced blacklists for suspected leftist ties.
College professor Luella Mundel was one victim. After challenging claims colleges harbored communists, the Fairmont State board's Thelma Loudin branded her a “security risk” and denied contract renewal. Though Mundel’s slander suit failed, defending her proved too costly even for liberal Senator Matthew Neely, who denounced her politics and religion to prove his own patriotism.
McCarthy capitalized on Cold War fears for four years until accusing Pentagon officials. Many allegations proved unfounded, but only after his Wheeling speech sparked a reign of terror ruining countless lives. His rhetoric left a legacy about balancing security and liberties.
To learn more: (http://tinyurl.com/4j96fvtp) (http://tinyurl.com/e5dua7hy) (http://tinyurl.com/43cxpepm) (http://tinyurl.com/yn3vau28) (http://tinyurl.com/bdhk2pm6) (http://tinyurl.com/2t2f8m9b) (http://tinyurl.com/2p89xzmv)
Photo credits: Ohio County Public Library Archives, Wheeling WV; West Virginia State Archives, Wikipedia
One of the most turbulent times in America began when Senator Joseph McCarthy spoke to the Ohio County Republican Women's Club at the McLure House Hotel in Wheeling on February 9, 1950. Holding a paper, he claimed 205 communists worked in the State Department.
Frank Desmond reported this in the “Wheeling Intelligencer.” His editor, Norman Yost, phoned the AP office in Charleston. By morning, 18 papers nationwide ran the story. McCarthy's campaign struck a chord, igniting hysteria over supposed communist infiltration of government, media, Hollywood, and schools. Famous figures were hauled before Congress. Many lost jobs and faced blacklists for suspected leftist ties.
College professor Luella Mundel was one victim. After challenging claims colleges harbored communists, the Fairmont State board's Thelma Loudin branded her a “security risk” and denied contract renewal. Though Mundel’s slander suit failed, defending her proved too costly even for liberal Senator Matthew Neely, who denounced her politics and religion to prove his own patriotism.
McCarthy capitalized on Cold War fears for four years until accusing Pentagon officials. Many allegations proved unfounded, but only after his Wheeling speech sparked a reign of terror ruining countless lives. His rhetoric left a legacy about balancing security and liberties.
To learn more: (http://tinyurl.com/4j96fvtp) (http://tinyurl.com/e5dua7hy) (http://tinyurl.com/43cxpepm) (http://tinyurl.com/yn3vau28) (http://tinyurl.com/bdhk2pm6) (http://tinyurl.com/2t2f8m9b) (http://tinyurl.com/2p89xzmv)
Photo credits: Ohio County Public Library Archives, Wheeling WV; West Virginia State Archives, Wikipedia
RSS Feed
