Union Meeting at Wood Hill, Marshall County.
October 15, 1861
A large and respectable meeting of the citizens of the upper end of Marshall County was held at Wood Hill on Thursday night, October 10th.
The meeting was organized by calling Samuel Jones to the chair, and appointing Hanson Criswell secretary.
The meeting was then addressed by J. W. McCarriher Esq, whose speech was able and eloquent. He urged upon the people the urgent necessity of an immediate separation of Western from Eastern Virginia, and the establishment of the new State of Kanawha.
The meeting was afterwards addressed by Wm. Alexander, Esq., Joseph Turner and others.
Mr. Alexander said that insasmuch as the secesh in our midst enjoyed the benefit of our laws, and were protected in person and property by our armies, they should be compelled to do something. He was in favor of compelling them to do one of two things. To contribute to the support of the families of volunteers, or enlist in the service of Uncle Sam; and if they refused, to send them instanter to the land of Dixie, or away over Jordan.
Messrs. J. W. McCarriher and E. H. Caldwell were nominated unanimously as candidates for the Convention.
On motion of Joseph Turner, it was ordered that the proceedings of this meeting be offered the Wheeling papers for publication.
On motion the meeting adjourned.
SAM'L JONES Pres't.
Hanson Criswell Sec'y.0
Timeline of West Virginia: Civil War and Statehood: October 1861