newsletter 3-4

The WCHPS has just received an early (or late)
Christmas gift from Marty Seufer, an original August
24, 1861 edition of Frank Leslie's Illustrated
Newspaper. The special thing about this issue is
that it contains the drawing that depicts Union
troops landing at Parkersburg, Virginia in May of
1861.

Parkersburg is a thriving post village on the
Ohio river, and is the capital of Wood county, Virginia.
It is situated at the mouth of the Little Kanawha
River and altogether presents a most picturesque
appearance, the houses being very neatly
built, and well placed. It is about 100 miles from
Wheeling, and 258 miles from Richmond in a direct
W.N.W. direction. It contains a court-house,
churches of several denominations, a bank, a printing
office and several steam mills. It's population
is nearly 4,000. It has excellent turnpike roads to
Staunton and Winchester, and the north-western
branch of the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad terminates
here. Our view (the drawing) represents
the arrival of Union troops during the present
campaign, previous to the total clearance of the
Kanawha Valley from the presence of Wise and his
Rebel troops.

Frank Leslie's publications are of a multi-fold design and contain beautifully done lithographs and news of not only the Civil War, but world happenings, humor and very interesting advertisements.
This original edition is a great addition to our archives and is very much appreciated. Afraid to handle an original? Marty also provided us with an authentic looking copy for
"everyday use"! His donations are greatly appreciated.

A package was recently received from WestVirginia Wesleyan College, containing items of Wood County's past that they felt would be more appreciated here than there.
Contained in the package was:

Parkersburg: A Bicentennial History by Bernard L. Allen, Ph.D.
Blennerhassett Island, by Norris F. Schneider

by Minnie Kendall Lowther

Genealogical Sketches, by Nancy S. Beckwith
Parkersburg Baptist Church, Ninetieth Anniversary, Souvenir Edition, 1907
Readings of IOOF Cemetery, Parkersburg,WV
Parkersburg and Vienna, A Survey by the League of Women Voters, July 1962
1955 Murphytown's 100th Anniversary
Wood County Cemetery Inscriptions, Vol. II.

WCHPS member Bill Hines also contributed
issues of old papers for our archives. His contribution
included an April 1932 issue of Hearth and
Home and an August 15, 1899 issue of Farm and
Home. Though not local issues, both of these publications
have great, interesting material.