U.S. Data Repository http://www.us-data.org/ -- USGenNet Inc. -- Please read the U.S. Data Repository Copyright Statement on the following page: --------------------------------------------------------------------- History of Wetzel County, West Virginia by John C. McEldowney, Jr., 1901 Pages 5-6 PREHISTORIC RACES OF WETZEL COUNTY The known history of this valley covers but a short period of time, probably 125 years, since the advent of the present race. The Indian at that time was its only inhabitant. He was not at all an industrious being, but a free man, whose home was wherever he chanced to place his wigwam. It is plain to be seen that a race more civilized and industrious inhabited this valley and the whole United States. Whether they were of the same race as the Indian, will never be known, but we do know that they were more thriving and industrious. The earth works that are found, in so many parts of this valley, are, no doubt, the works of a previous race. The stone implements, that are found in so many parts of this valley, are constructed out of a material that man at this genius world, deem not pliable. There was a mound, at one time, situated on the shore of the Ohio river, on the farm now owned by John C. McEldowney, a mound which was possessed of a rare antiquity. The following is a sketch taken from the January 19, 1901, edition of the Wheeling Register: "The river bank below the fair grounds, opposite the amphitheatre, was possessed at one time of a mound, that was very antique. The mound, which is now part of the Ohio river, was at that time as high as the bank is to-day, it being very much isolated from the shore. It was often used as a place of resort, to boys from the years of 1840 to 1850. Samuel McEldowney at that time lived near the spot, where the mound was situated. Many stone hatchets, tomahawks, spears, necklaces, earrings, arrow heads and many other curiosities were taken from the mound. But one of the things that was of so vast importance, and no doubt was greatly admired in prehistoric times, was a golden image of an unknown god, moulded out of pure gold, without a mixture of any other metalic elements. It was about ten inches high, having a base, as though it were an ornament, and moulded on it was a statue of an unknown god. If the image could have talked it could tell a history of itself, that no doubt would unravel the mystery of the pre-historic races. It was found by the late Capt. Robert McEldowney. Willis De Haas, an antiquarian and agent for the Smithsonian institute, was then writing a history of the border wars of Western Virginia, and borrowed the curiosity. Comments of all kinds were passed on it by all of the leading newspapers of that day. The president of the Smithsonian institute authorized De Haas to purchase the image at any price, if possible, but the prices offered were refused. The image was then borrowed by one Phenton McCabe, who disappeared from this place as soon as he had the image in his possession. A half moon moulded of copper was found near the same mound and about the same time by Mrs. Geo. Martin. Copper wristbands were found in a rock mound situated near the water tanks at New Martinsville. Are these the works of the Indian? If it be answered by ones who have lived with the Indians all their life, they would say no, for they have never seen them constructing such articles as we have just mentioned. ------------------------------------------------------------------- If you've reached this file through a SEARCH, you can access other articles in this book by going to the following URL which contains a linked index for the book. http://www.us-data.org/wv/wetzel/history/mceldowney.html -------------------------------------------------------------------