USA > West Virginia > History and government of West Virginia > Part 10
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11. Rioting on the Chesapeake & Ohio Canal .- In 1838, the laborers on the Chesapeake & Ohio Canal quit work and in a body nearly a thousand strong, marched from Hancock and intermediate points toward Old Town, on the borders of Hamp- shire and Morgan counties, terrorizing the inhabitants. They crossed into what is now West Virginia, and A. W. McDonald, David Gibson and twenty-five other in- habitants of Hampshire county, addressed a communi- cation from Romney to the governor asking for arms for the defense of the people of that county and of the adjoining county of Morgan. Gov. David Campbell hastened to comply and, January 6th, 1838, ordered 200 stand of arms to be sent to Hampshire for the use of the 77th Regiment, and 100 stand to be sent to Morgan for the use of the 89th Regiment. This was the first riot of any character within the limits of West Virginia.
CONSTITUTIONAL CHANGES AND OTHER EVENTS. 167
12. The First Steamboats on the Little Kanawha River .- The first steamboat on the Little Kanawha river, that reached the town of Elizabeth, was the "Sciota Belle" in the year 1842. This boat was built at Parkersburg and only made one voyage on the Little Kanawha when it was taken to the Musk- ingum tiver for the trade for which it had been built. The second steamer to reach Elizabeth was the "Lodi " in 1847.
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CHAPTER XV.
JURISDICTION OVER THE OHIO: CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION: INSURRECTION AT HARPER'S FERRY.
From 1842 to 1860.
1. Founding of Bethany College .- Bethany Col- lege at Bethany in Brooke county, was founded in 1841, in which year the first building was erected. The founder was Alexander Campbell, who regarded the establishment of the col- lege as the consummation of all his earthly projects. The village of Bethany was chosen as the location of the institu- tion because it was believed that no healthier soil, purer air or lovelier scenery could be found in the United States. The college continued to pros- ALEXANDER CAMPBELL. * per and the roll of graduates contains the names of men of pre-eminent ability and scholarship-men who are performing a faithful part in the world's work.
Alexander Campbell, the founder of Bethany College, was born in County Antrim, Ireland, September 12th, 1786, and came to the United States in October, 1809. A noted theologian, his labors were devoted to the restoration of primitive Christianity. In 1818, he opened in his own house a school for both sexes -- known
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2. Little Levels Academy .- This institution was established in Pocahontas county, in 1842, under a charter granted by the State of Virginia. The first principal was Reverend Joseph Brown, who served in that capacity for seven years. He was succeeded by Reverend M. D. Dunlap, who remained at the head of the institution for eleven years, or until the war began . and the school closed. In 1865, the county pur- chased the building, since which time it has been used for public school purposes. 'This was the first school of high order in the county and notwithstand- ing the short period of its existence, it left its im- pression on the educational interests of this section of the State.
3. A Valuable Historical Work .- In 1845, Henry Howe published his " Historical Collections of Vir- ginia." It was printed at Charleston, South Caro- lina, and was the most valuable work ever issued treating of the history of Virginia. Its author was born in New Haven, Connecticut, in 1816, and com- ing to Virginia, he traversed almost the entire State, visiting nearly every county then existing and now embraced in West Virginia. He collected a vast amount of valuable matter, much of which would . have perished had he not rescued it at the time of
as Buffalo Academy. In 1830, he, with Philip Doddridge, repre- sented Brooke county in the Constitutional Convention of Vir- ginia, and ten years later he saw the fulfillment of a long cher- ished hope -- the founding of Bethany College. His life was filled with arduous and varied labors. He taught, traveled and preached at home and abroad, and wrote early and late. He died in 1866, aged eighty years.
170 HISTORY AND GOVERNMENT OF WEST VIRGINIA.
his tour over the State. The author died at Colum- bus, Ohio, in 1893.
4. West Virginians in the Mexican War .- When the war with Mexico came in 1846, Virginia was ready, and under the "Ten Regiment Act" of Con- gress a company was enlisted in the counties border- ing on the Ohio, which rendezvoused at Guyandotte in Cabell county, whence it proceeded to Newport Barracks where it was mustered into service and attached to the Eleventh United States Infantry, Colonel Ramsey, commanding. Proceeding to New Orleans, the company landed with General Scott at Vera Cruz and marched to the City of Mexico.
5. United States Senator, Isaac Pennybacker, dies at Washington .- Jan- uary 12th, 1847, Isaac Penny- backer, member of the United States Senate, died at Wash- ington. He was born in Shen- andoah county, Virginia, September 3d, 1805, and having studied law, he came to Franklin, the county-seat of ISAAC PENNYBACKER. Pendleton, now in West Vir- ginia, where he practiced his profession. In 1840, President Van Buren appointed him judge of the United States Court for the district west of the Alleghany mountains in the State of Vir- ginia, he having previously removed to Harrisonburg in the Shenandoah Valley. December 3d, 1845, he received his certificate of election by the Assembly of
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Virginia, to a seat in the United States Senate, in which position he was serving at the time of his death.
6. The Founding of Mount De Chantal Female College .- This institution was founded in 1848, by Rev. Richard Vincent Whelan. The present site of the institution was selected in 1865, and under the direction of the founder the buildings were erected, they having been de- signed by Bartberger, an archi- tect of Pittsburg. They stand on an eminence, distant two miles from Wheeling, from which is presented a view of the valley REV. R. V. WHELAN .* of Wheeling creek, which is skirted on all sides by lofty hills.
7. West Virginia's Claim to the Jurisdiction of the Ohio River .- In 1784, Virginia ceded to the General Government all the title and claim which the State possessed to the territory northwest of the Ohio river, but this did not include the river named. For many years after the admission of Ohio into the Union in 1803, the jurisdiction over that river was a matter of dispute, and varied were the opinions of eminent lawyers concerning it.
* Rev. Richard Vincent Whelan was born in Baltimore, Maryland, in the year 1809; attended college at Emmettsburg, in the same State, and afterward studied in the schools of philosophy and theology, in Paris, France. Entered the ministry at Martins- burg-now West Virginia-and became Bishop of Richmond, in 1841, and of Wheeling in 1850. He was active in every work of education, and Mount De Chantal College is a monument to his memory. He died at Wheeling July 7th, 1874.
172 HISTORY AND GOVERNMENT OF WEST VIRGINIA.
8. Appointment of Commissioners .- In order that an equitable and satisfactory solution of the vexed question might be reached, the two States of Ohio and Virginia, in 1847 appointed a Commis- sion consisting of three members from each, the duty of which was "to settle all questions of boundary between the two States." Those appointed by Ohio were Thomas Ewing, John Brough and James Col- lier ; those named by Virginia were William C. Rives, William Greene and George W. Thompson ..
9. Meeting of the Commissioners .- These gentle- men met in the City of Washington in the early part of January, 1848, and adjourned on the 26th of the same month without having agreed upon terms of adjustment. West Virginia now stands in the place of Virginia as to all questions depending upon the validity of Virginia's titles, and involving the jurisdiction of more than two hundred miles GEORGE W. THOMPSON. of the course of the Ohio river. George W. Thompson, the last-named commissioner
*George W. Thompson was born in Ohio county, now in West Virginia, May 14th, 1806, and was educated at Jefferson College, Cannonsburg, Pennsylvania, from which institution he was gradu- ated in 1824. He studied law at St. Clairsville, Ohio. In 1837 he became a resident of Wheeling, of which city he was appointed postmaster in 1838. In 1844, President Polk appointed him United States District Attorney for the Western District of Vir- ginia, which position he filled for four years. In 1851 he was chosen to Congress from the Wheeling District and while occupy-
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JURISDICTION OVER THE OHIO.
on the part of Virginia, made a thorough and extended examination of the subject and the result of his re- searches has been published.
10. Buffalo Academy .- Buffalo Academy was es- tablished by a joint stock company in 1849, at Buffalo, Putnam county, the oldest town on the Great Ka- nawha river between Charleston and Point Pleasant. The first principal was George Rosetter, A. M., afterwards of Marietta College, Ohio. It continued to be a flourishing institution until after the begin- ning of the Civil War, when it was occupied alter- nately as a barracks by the soldiers of the Federal and Confederate armies, and during that time all the fur- niture and apparatus were destroyed. After the war the property was deeded to the Board of Education of Buffalo district for public school purposes.
11. The Center of Population .- For five decades the Center of Population of the United States was in West Virginia. In 1810 it was at Harper's Ferry, in Jefferson county ; in 1820 it was near Wardensville, in Hardy county; in 1830 it had moved westward and rested on Canaan Mountain, in Tucker county; in 1840 it had moved still farther west and was situated · in Harrison county, about ten miles nearly due south from Clarksburg; in 1850 it had again changed its position and was located on the south bank of the Little Kanawha river in Wood county; but when an-
ing a seat in that body, he was elected Judge of the Circuit Court. In 1861 he retired to private life and devoted himself to literary pursuits. Among his published works are "The Living Forces," and "The Administration of Good and Evil." He died at his home near Wheeling, February 24th, 1888.
174 HISTORY AND GOVERNMENT OF WEST VIRGINIA.
other decade had passed away, this point had moved beyond the western limit of our State, and was sit- uated about twenty miles north of Portsmouth, Ohio.
12. The Virginia Constitutional Convention of 1850 .- The dissatisfaction of the people with the provisions of the Constitution which had been framed in 1829-30, continued to increase, especially in the counties then existing and now comprised within West Virginia. In compliance with the popular de- mand, the General Assembly, on the 9th of March, 1850, passed an act providing for submitting to the people the question of calling a Convention to revise the Constitution. The vote in the following April resulted in favor of the Convention and the election of delegates took place in August ensuing.
13. The Work of the Convention .- The Conven- tion assembled on the 14th of October, 1850. The counties west of the moun- tains sent their best men to occupy seats in that august body, which contained some of the best minds of Vir- ginia. After an extended session the work was done and it brought a redress of many grievances. The Right % of Suffrage was extended, tax- JOSEPH JOHNSON ation was rendered more equitable, and the basis of representation was so re-
*Joseph Johnson, the only man ever chosen to fill the guber- natorial chair of Virginia from the west side of the Alleghany
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JURISDICTION OVER THE OHIO.
modeled as to secure to the western part of the State , more nearly equal representation in the halls of legis- lation, and it now seemed that harmony would hence- forth exist between the eastern and western parts of the State. The office of Governor, which had been previously elective by the Assembly, was now made, elective by the people and at the first State election after the adoption of the constitution, Joseph John- son, of Harrison county, was elected Governor. He was the only person ever chosen from that part of the State west of the mountains to fill that high office in Virginia.
14. Navigation on the Monongahela River .- The Virginia Assembly, in 1793, passed an act for the clearing and extending of navigation on the Monon- gahela and West Fork rivers. Before the year 1820, several steamers had ascended the Monongahela some distance but the first to reach Morgantown was the
Mountains, was born December 10th, 1785, in Orange county, New York. The father died when Joseph was but five years of age and in 1801, the mother, with her fatherless children, came to Bridgeport, Harrison county, now in West Virginia, where Joseph engaged in farm labor. He was a student, availing himself of every opportunity for self-improvement ; he read every book that came into his hands, and attended the rude schools of that day. He served as a soldier in the War of 1812, and was elected a mem- ber of the Assembly in 1815. In 1823 he was chosen a member of Congress, and re-elected for different terms between that date and 1850. In that year he was elected a member of the Constitutional Convention and while serving therein was elected Governor by the General Assembly. The new Constitution made the office of Governor elective by the people and he was by them elected to that office in 1852. He died at his home at Bridgeport, February 27th, 1877, in the ninety-second year of his age.
176 HISTORY AND GOVERNMENT OF WEST VIRGINIA.
"Reindeer," on Sunday, April 29th, 1826. The first steamboat that reached Fairmont was the "Globe, " on the IIth day of February, 1850, and its appearance at the place created great excitement among the peo- ple. In 1852 the steamer, "Thomas P. Ray," made frequent trips on the river but navigation was not firmly established until the Federal Government com- pleted the system of locks and dams which now in- sures navigation throughout the year as far up as Morgantown.
15. Two Valuable Books Added to Pioneer Lit- erature .- In the year 1851, Wills de Hass pub- lished at Wheeling, a book of several hundred pages entitled "History of the Early Settlements and In- dian Wars of Western Virginia, Previous to 1795." This book contained several valuable documents per- taining to the French occupancy of the Ohio Valley. In addition to the historical text, there were a num- ber of biographical sketches of distinguished fron- tiersmen. In 1859 J. G. Jacob published at Wells- burg, the "Life and Times of Patrick Gass," to which he added much valuable matter concerning the early history of West Virginia.
16. Insurrection at Harper's Ferry .- The intelli- gence that went out from Harper's Ferry on October 17th, 1859, sent a thrill of terror through Virginia and astounded the whole Nation. A few months pre- vious to this, John Brown and his two sons, Oliver and Watson, having assumed the name of Anderson, leased a farm in Maryland a few miles from Harper's Ferry, the site of the United States Armory. Arms
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and ammunition were received at the farm and a force of twenty-two associates-seventeen whites and five colored-was collected.
17. The Attack upon the Town .- At ten o'clock on the evening of October 16th, 1859, William Williamson, a guard on the bridge spanning the Potomac river at Harper's Ferry, was seized and made prisoner. The guard thus removed, Brown and his men quietly took possession of the armory buildings in which were stored a large quantity of arms and ammunition, and hither a number of people living in the vicinity were brought and confined as prisoners.
18. State Troops on the Scene .- At daylight next morning messengers were sent to the neighboring towns and by noon military companies began to arrive. The first to reach the scene was from Charles Town, the county-seat of Jefferson. Then came two companies from Martinsburg and the Arsenal was stormcd and a desultory discharge of guns kept up until nightfall, when five persons had been killed by the fire of the insurgents, while three of their num- ber lay dead within the arsenal.
19. United States Troops Arrive .- Late on the evening of the 17th, messengers bore dispatches be- yond the damage to the wires, which Brown had taken the precaution to have cut, and transmitted them to Baltimore, Washington, Richmond and other places, at all of which the telegrams produced the wildest excitement. Colonel Robert E. Lee-afterward Gen- eral Lee-with one hundred United States Marines, was dispatched from Washington to the scene of
178 HISTORY AND GOVERNMENT OF WEST VIRGINIA.
action. Upon his arrival he sent Lieutenant J. E. B. Stewart to demand an immediate surrender. With this demand the insurgents refused to comply and an attack was at once made upon the building, which resulted in the capture of Brown and several of his followers, all of whom were forced to surrender at the point of the bayonet.
20. Trial and Execution .- Brown was so severely wounded that it was thought he could not live, but he grew better after receiving medical aid. An indictment for treason and murder was found against him, and his trial began at Charles Townon October 26th. The Governor appointed Judge Andrew Hunter to assist Charles W. Harding in the prosecution, and Judge Parker named ANDREW HUNTER .* George Lamont and Lawson Botts as counsel for the de-
fense. Brown was found guilty, condemned and executed December 2nd, 1859. Six of his companions were also executed; four on the 16th ensuing, and two on March 16th, 1860.
*Andrew Hunter, whom Governor Wise appointed to assist in the prosecution of John Brown and his associates, was an eminent lawyer of Charles Town, now West Virginia. He was born at Martinsburg, Berkeley county, in the year 1804, and died in 1888.
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CHAPTER XVI.
DIVISION OF VIRGINIA: FORMATION OF WEST VIRGINIA.
From 1860 to 1861.
1. Period of the Civil War .- In the year 1860 the Civil War was near at hand. It was the greatest war in the history of nations, but in a work of this character, its records have no place; for they belong to national history rather than to that of any partic- ular State. Beyond the effect which the struggle pro- duced upon its local institutions, therefore, the stu- dent of national history will find therein recorded the causes, operations and results of the Civil War, and he must make it his chief source for information per- taining to the war between the States.
2. Session of the Virginia Assembly. - The summer of 1860 found Virginia in a state of great excitement. In the autumn of that year, Governor John Letcher issued a proclamation convening the As- sembly in extra session and that body assembled in the State House at Richmond, January 7th, 1861. Seven days later a bill was passed providing for a convention of the people of Virginia, the delegates thereto to be chosen in the manner prescribed for the election of members of the Assembly. The law provided that the action of the Convention should be submitted to the people for ratification or rejection.
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180 HISTORY AND GOVERNMENT OF WEST VIRGINIA.
3. The State Convention .- The Convention was to be composed of one hundred and fifty-two members. They were elected by the people on February 4th, 1861, and the body convened at Richmond on the 13th of the same month. John Janney, of Loudoun county, was chosen President and John L. Eubank, of the City of Richmond, Secretary. Debate contin- ued from the date of organization until Wednesday, April 17th, when an Ordinance of Secession was adopted by a vote of eighty-eight yeas to fifty-five nays. Of the forty-six delegates from the territory now in West Virginia, twenty-nine voted against it, nine for it, seven were absent and one was excused from voting. The Document declared : "That the Ordinance adopted by the people of this State in Convention on the 25th day of June, in the year one thousand seven hundred and eighty-eight, whereby the Constitution of the United States was ratified . is hereby repealed and we do further declare that said Constitution of the United States of America is no longer binding on any of the citizens of this State."
4. Action in the Western Part of the State .- A large majority of the people in the western part of the State were alarmed because of the action of the Convention. Their representatives returned home and gave detailed accounts of the proceedings. War seemed inevitable, and on April 21st, military com- panies began to form in the city of Wheeling. This resulted in a regimental organization on the 27th of the same month.
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5. The Clarksburg Convention .- The first call for united action came from Clarksburg-the birth- place of Stonewall Jackson. Here on April 22d, 1861, nearly twelve hundred citizens of Harrison county assembled and elected John Hursey, President, and John W. Harris, Secretary. A resolution was adopted recommending to the people composing Northwestern Virginia, the appointment of delegates to meet in convention at Wheeling on May 13th, 1861.
6. The First Wheeling Convention. - In compli- ance with the recommendations of the Clarksburg Con- vention, twenty-four counties* in the western and northwestern part of the State, chose representatives who proceeded to Wheeling and assembled in conven- tion in Washington Hall in that city, May 13th, 1861. The Convention effected a permanent organi- zation by electing John W. Moss, of Wood county, President, and Charles B. Waggener, of Mason county, Marshall M. Dent, of Monongalia, and J. Chandler, of Ohio county, as Secretaries.
7 The Convention Divided .- Sentiment was di- vided. Some of the members insisted upon taking such action as would result in the immediate formation of a New State. They were determined at once to adoptia Constitution, form a government for the counties represented, declare all State offices vacant, and fill the same by appointment. But this plan was opposed
*The counties represented were: Hancock, Brooke, Ohio, Mar- shall, Wetzel, Tyler, Harrison, Pleasants, Wood, Monongalia, Preston, Jackson, Marion, Mason, Upshur, Wirt, Ritchie, Hamp- shire, Barbour, Doddridge, Berkeley, Roane, Lewis, Taylor and Wayne.
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by many members of the Convention. Virginia, they argued, still had a government recognized by the Con- stitution of the United States, and that the Federal Government would not recognize a State thus formed in direct violation of the National Constitution.
8. Another Convention .- The debate continued until late in the evening of the third day, when a re- port, which was a skillful blending of all opinions, was adopted. By it the people of the counties there represented, and all others disposed to do so, were re- quested to elect delegates on the 4th of June, 1861, to meet in a general convention on the 11th of the same month. Each county was authorized to appoint a number of delegates equal to twice the number of representatives in the next General Assembly, and Senators· and Representatives to be elected on the ensuing fourth Thursday in May, were to be admitted to seats in the Convention.
9. The Second Wheeling Convention .- At length the time arrived, and what is known as the Second Wheeling Convention assembled in Washington Hall, June 11th, 1861. Delegates from thirty-two counties* were present. Arthur I. Boreman of Wood county was chosen President, and Gibson L. Cranmer, Sec- retary. The ordinances of the Richmond Convention were declared to be null and void, and an imperative demand was made for the reorganization of the govern- ment of the Commonwealth.
*In addition to the counties represented in the first Conven- tion, there were delegates from Cabell, Randolph, Alexandria, Fairfax, Hardy, Gilmer, Kanawha and Tucker.
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10. Reorganization of the State Government .- On June 14th, the Convention began the work of reorganizing the government of Virginia, and on the 19th ensuing, an Ordinance was adopted declaring that "a Governor, Lieutenant-Governor and an Attorney- General shall be appointed by this Convention; that the General Assembly shall be composed of the dele- . gates elected members of that body on May 23d last, together with such senators and delegates as may be elected under the ordinances of this Convention, and the said Assembly shall meet in the City of Wheeling on the first day of July next."
11. Election of Officers of the Reorganized Gov- ernment .- On June 20th, the Convention elected Francis H. Pierpont, of Marion county, Governor of Virginia, with Daniel Polsley, of Mason county, as Lieutenant-Gov- ernor; James S. Wheat*, of Ohio county, was chosen At- torney-General, and Peter G. Van Winkle, of Wood county, Daniel. Lamb, of Ohio county, William Lazier, of Monongalia county, William A. Harrison, DANIEL POLSLEY.+ of Harrison county, and J. T. Paxton, of Ohio county, were elected members of the
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