May 28, 1861
At a meeting of the citizens of Moundsville and Elizabethtown, convened at the Court House, May 24, 1861, on motion of Jackson Reed, R. B. Hunter was called to the chair, and Joseph M'Clean appointed Secretary.
Dr. George C. Gaus being called upon, explained the object of the meeting in some pertinent remarks, on whose motion a committee, consisting of George C. Gaus, David Robert, and E. H. Caldwell, were appointed by the chair to draft resolutions expressive of the sense of the meeting.
During the absence of the committee, Wm. Alexander, Esq., and H. Criswell, Esq., addressed the meeting, and on motion of James Whittingham, a vote of thanks was unanimously tendered to Mr. Alexander for his earnest and untiring endeavors to sustain the Constitution and the flag of the United States, pending the canvas and on the day of the recent election.
The committee having returned, reported the following resolutions for the consideration of the meeting, which were unanimously and with acclamation, adopted:
Resolved 1st. That this meeting, in view of the present position of our affairs, regard the peace and safety of our people in a great measure dependent upon the description of persons occupying the prominent offices in our midst; and those of Agent, Telegraph Operator, and Watchman of the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad Company at Moundsville Depot, being of the highest importance in this respect, we earnestly urge upon the said Railroad Company the necessity of filling said situations with men cherishing Union-loving sentiments with ourselves:confidently anticipating that our reasonable demands, as good and loyal citizens, will be promptly and favorably considered.
2. That said Major Barry, his clerk C. J. Carney, and Thomas O. Hagan, watchman, voted on yesterday for the ordinance of secession, and thereby openly proclaimed themselves supporters of the Jeff. Davis Confederacy, and opposed to the Union and the Constitution, which but recently as adopted citizens they were sworn to support and to owe allegiance to, and none other. We consider them unworthy of holding the positions they now occupy; and further, that if their places are not supplied, and that right speedily, with good and true men, devoted to the preservation of the Federal Constitution and Union, the present incumbents will not be permitted to occupy them any longer.
3. That we respectfully recommend to the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad Company Michael Dunn for the office of agent, Richard Chadduck for watchman, and any other loyal Union men for the situations connected with Moundsville depot.
4. That this community will not permit any recruiting officer or other agent of the Confederate States, either openly or secretly, to recruit soldiers for, or otherwise give aid and comfort to, the Confederate army; and to any such now engaged in the secret work we say, Desist, verbum sat.
On motion it was ordered that the proceedings of this meeting be published in the Wheeling Intelligencer and a copy forwarded by the chairman to the President of the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad Company. R. B. Hunter, Chairman.
Jos. McClean, Secretary.
Timeline of West Virginia: Civil War and Statehood: May 1861