West Virginia’s formation proved difficult

As reported last week, the western part of Virginia was on the rough road to statehood and the journey wasn’t easy. Virginia seceded from the Union in May 1861. One month later more than 100 delegates met in Wheeling to install a pro-Union “Restored Government of Virginia.” From their viewpoint, Virginia’s secession government in Richmond was illegal and illegitimate.

At this second Wheeling Conven…