Today in Wheeling History: April 9--General John J. Pershing, the distinguished commander-in-chief of the American Expeditionary Forces during World War I and the only person to hold the rank of General of the Armies during his lifetime, received a hero's welcome from over 30,000 enthusiastic citizens during his historic visit to Wheeling, West Virginia, where he reviewed a massive parade, addressed schoolchildren at the public wharf, placed a memorial wreath, received Scottish Rite Masonic degrees, and attended multiple ceremonies and receptions hosted by the American Legion Post No. 1 (1920).
General John J. Pershing, commander of the American Expeditionary Forces during World War I, received a triumphant welcome in Wheeling on April 9, 1920. Over 30,000 patriotic citizens from West Virginia, eastern Ohio, and western Pennsylvania gathered to greet him during his whirlwind visit, making it one of the most enthusiastic receptions ever accorded in the upper Ohio Valley.
Pershing arrived by train at the Baltimore & Ohio railroad station and was met by a reception committee that included George J. Mathison, Dr. John L. Dickey, and Major Walter C. Smith. His day began with a luncheon at the McLure Hotel hosted by the Rotary and Kiwanis clubs, attended by Governor John J. Cornwell, Senator Howard Sutherland, and Congressman M.M. Neely. Between events, Pershing visited the home of Colonel J. Sumner Jones in the upscale Echo Point neighborhood of Kenwood Place.
From the McLure Hotel balcony, Pershing reviewed a parade led by Cathedral High School Cadets with their fife, drum and bugle corps directed by Brother Constantine. Schools from across the city participated, including Wheeling High School, Washington, Jefferson, St. Joseph's Academy, St. Alphonsus, Union, Center, Webster, Madison, Ritchie, McKinley, and Bridgeport schools. At the public wharf at Twelfth Street, Pershing addressed a massive crowd before later placing a memorial wreath at a Knights of Pythias flagstaff ceremony arranged by Albert Wagner, and Sam Imobersteg. The evening culminated in a banquet at the Scottish Rite Cathedral with Patrick J. McGinley, past commander of Wheeling Post No. 1, serving as toastmaster.
To learn more: Ohio County Public Library Archives, Wheeling WV (https://tinyurl.com/392azfs5), Wikipedia (https://tinyurl.com/4cc33mrj), Wheeling Intelligencer (https://tinyurl.com/5j3r5vvj) (https://tinyurl.com/5j3r5vvj) (https://tinyurl.com/4nezcsj7)
Photo credits: Ohio County Public Library Archives, Wheeling WV; Wheeling Intelligencer
General John J. Pershing, commander of the American Expeditionary Forces during World War I, received a triumphant welcome in Wheeling on April 9, 1920. Over 30,000 patriotic citizens from West Virginia, eastern Ohio, and western Pennsylvania gathered to greet him during his whirlwind visit, making it one of the most enthusiastic receptions ever accorded in the upper Ohio Valley.
Pershing arrived by train at the Baltimore & Ohio railroad station and was met by a reception committee that included George J. Mathison, Dr. John L. Dickey, and Major Walter C. Smith. His day began with a luncheon at the McLure Hotel hosted by the Rotary and Kiwanis clubs, attended by Governor John J. Cornwell, Senator Howard Sutherland, and Congressman M.M. Neely. Between events, Pershing visited the home of Colonel J. Sumner Jones in the upscale Echo Point neighborhood of Kenwood Place.
From the McLure Hotel balcony, Pershing reviewed a parade led by Cathedral High School Cadets with their fife, drum and bugle corps directed by Brother Constantine. Schools from across the city participated, including Wheeling High School, Washington, Jefferson, St. Joseph's Academy, St. Alphonsus, Union, Center, Webster, Madison, Ritchie, McKinley, and Bridgeport schools. At the public wharf at Twelfth Street, Pershing addressed a massive crowd before later placing a memorial wreath at a Knights of Pythias flagstaff ceremony arranged by Albert Wagner, and Sam Imobersteg. The evening culminated in a banquet at the Scottish Rite Cathedral with Patrick J. McGinley, past commander of Wheeling Post No. 1, serving as toastmaster.
To learn more: Ohio County Public Library Archives, Wheeling WV (https://tinyurl.com/392azfs5), Wikipedia (https://tinyurl.com/4cc33mrj), Wheeling Intelligencer (https://tinyurl.com/5j3r5vvj) (https://tinyurl.com/5j3r5vvj) (https://tinyurl.com/4nezcsj7)
Photo credits: Ohio County Public Library Archives, Wheeling WV; Wheeling Intelligencer
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