H & P Page 14
Wood County Historical and Preservation Society
Man and Manosswn, conclusion:
Riley was not seen by anybody for several weeks. When he did appear, he was clean-shaven and neatly dressed. He began attending church regularly, eventually becoming an Elder. He obtained a good job as a clerk in a Second street
Hardware store, rising to the level of manager, then part owner. He moved from Sixth Street to Eighteenth Street - clear out on the edge of town. In short, Riley changed himself completely and became a sober, industrious and prosperous member of the community. Never again did he say an unkind word to anybody. Never again did he have anything to do with alcohol. And, never again did he go closer than thelength of a city block to the Holliday Cemetery.
Blennerhassett March
In the last issue of H&P we mentioned that new WCHPS member Roger Blackburn was interested in finding Big Red Band memorabilia. We're happy to report that his request has been fruitful! And, being a professional musician he is always interested in musical history, especially if it involves his home town of Parkersburg. Roger recently came into possession of music for the "Blennerhassett March." The piece was written by Professor J. C. Arnold in the early
1890's, especially for a visit to Parkersburg by the great conductor John Philip Sousa. Blackburn, in collaboration with local musician Doug Hess, hopes to again present the Blennerhassett March to the people of this area in a special
presentation on or near Labor Day. Watch the newspaper for details.
The sweet smell of home-made food served on a ceramic plate is one of the iconic images from small, "mom and pop diners" of America's past. A yard sale in Vienna has provided a relic from the 1950's, the golden age of small diners. The relic is a ceramic dinner plate with bright red lettering from the Silver Bell Diner. A check of Parkersburg
city directories reveals that it was located at 320 5th Street in the early 1950's. Do you remember the place? Did you ever eat there? Better yet, did you possibly work there? If so, we would like to hear your story about the Silver Bell.
Contact Jeff Little at 428-8702, or Bob Enoch at 485-8655. A name will be drawn from those responding to any of these questions and that person will receive their very own plate from this piece of Parkersburg's history.
Though empty now, this plate was probably once filled with tasty food from The Silver Bell Diner It's a beauty and...it could become yours!
note: Mr. Arvidson, who still lives in this area, was asked about the facts of this story. He conceded that portions of the story may be "figments of the imagination." However, evidence of what was once a pond or lagoon, are still quite evident in the hollow of the cemetery. Could other aspects of the tale be true?
Eateries Aplenty!
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