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Editor's Note: This article is part of a series about Wheeling during the First World War leading to a centennial observation of Armistice Day (Veterans Day) to be held at 2 p.m. on Nov. 11 at the Doughboy monument at Wheeling Park. If you are a descendant of a World War I veteran or nurse, contact lunchwithbooks@yahoo.com.
By SEAN DUFFY
For the News-Register
The "Great War" had raged in Europe for three years before the United States joined the conflict in April 1917. What H.G. Wells optimistically dubbed "the war that will end war" must now be distinguished as the "First World War," as, 20 years later, a whole new generation of farm and factory boys followed their fathers and grandfathers onto the blood-soaked battlefields of Europe.
A total of 4.7 million Americans served in World War I, including 58,000 from West Virginia, and more than 3,000 from Ohio County, most of whom registered for the draft in 1917. Most of Wheeling's soldiers served in the U.S. Army's 80th Division and were trained at Camp Lee, Virginia. They started shipping in large numbers to the trenches of France by summer 1918. A few months after that, local casualty lists appeared almost daily in the newspapers.
When the war ended with the Armistice signed on Nov. 11, 1918, Wheeling joined the rest of the nation with its own spontaneous celebration. As factories all along the Ohio River blew their steam whistles, 20,000 people jammed the streets of downtown Wheeling.
A little over a week after the celebration subsided, Wheeling's citizens scrambled to memorialize those who served. Perhaps the most interesting Wheeling World War I monument is one that was never built.
On Nov. 19, 1918, The Wheeling Intelligencer reported that architect Frederick Faris would design a Great War memorial for the Wheeling men who died. The massive 1,200-foot structure was to be built at the summit of Wheeling Hill, and would feature a 100-foot column, a museum, a Greek theater and small lakes. Faris promised it could be built of concrete at the low cost of $250,000 ($4.5 million today). Interestingly, the idea for the elaborate memorial came from Walter B. Hilton, editor of The Wheeling Majority, a socialist newspaper.
The first actualized World War I monument in Wheeling was the Aviator, dedicated on Armistice Day 1925. The 7-foot bronze figure honors Capt. Louis Bennett Jr. (a heroic pilot who was killed in action) and stands on the Linsly School campus.
For the site of the centennial of the Armistice in Wheeling, we selected the Doughboy at Wheeling Park, dedicated, as it is, to "all who served in the World War 1917-1918."
Wheeling's Doughboy is actually one of 140 identical statues still standing nationwide. Known as "Spirit of the American Doughboy," they were designed by sculptor E.M. Viquesney.
Dedicated on Memorial Day, May 30, 1931, Wheeling's pressed copper Doughboy was forged at McCurdy's Monument Works on Chapline Street. The statue's faded green patina and missing rifle evince the passage of time and the work of vandals.
The dedication was an elaborate affair. According to the May 29 issue of The Wheeling Intelligencer, thousands packed the park to witness the ceremony led by the Service Star Legion, a group founded by the mothers of Great War veterans. A band played patriotic songs as war veteran Raymond J. Falland served as master of ceremonies. Service Star member Mrs. H.E. McConkey unveiled the statue while Virginia Hall Donnelly sang the "Star Spangled Banner," and Otto Schenk accepted the monument on behalf of the city. Speakers included William J. Gompers and C.B. Montgomery of Post No. 1, American Legion.
The Wheeling Doughboy was dedicated 13 years after the "the war that will end war" ended, and 10 years before the United States was drawn into an even bigger conflict. Despite their new monument's aggressive pose, the people of Wheeling, like most Americans, were hoping for peace.
That hope will continue this Nov. 11, 100 years after the Armistice was signed, even as we gather to remember.