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                                                                     Exhibit 5.1



               [PHILLIPS, GARDILL, KAISER & ALTMEYER LETTERHEAD]




                                February 5, 1998



Wesbanco, Inc.
One Bank Plaza
Wheeling, WV 26003

     RE:  Proposed Acquisition of Commercial Bancshares Incorporated


Gentlemen:

     In connection with the Registration of the Common Stock of Wesbanco, Inc.
(hereinafter "Wesbanco") under the provisions of the Securities Act of 1933,
you have requested our opinion regarding the legality of the securities of
Wesbanco to be issued as a result of the Agreement and Plan of Merger by and
between Wesbanco, Commercial Bancshares, Incorporated and CBI Holding Company
dated September 30, 1997 (hereinafter "Agreement").

     In conjunction with this opinion, we have examined such corporate records
of Wesbanco, the Agreement, and such other agreements and instruments,
certificates of public officials, certificates of officers and representatives
of Wesbanco, and other documents, as we have deemed necessary for purposes of
issuing the opinion hereinafter expressed. All legal proceedings taken thus far
in connection with the issuance of these shares have been in form and substance
satisfactory to us.

     It is our opinion that Wesbanco is duly organized and validly existing
under the laws of the State of West Virginia as a bank holding company and
that, when the exchange of stock is completed as contemplated in the foregoing
Agreement, and the effectiveness of the Registration Statement to be filed with
regard thereto is confirmed by the Securities & Exchange Commission, the
securities being registered will be legally issued, fully paid and
nonassessable under the laws of the State of West Virginia and of the United
States.

     We hereby consent to the inclusion of this opinion as an exhibit to the
above-mentioned Registration Statement and to the reference to this firm and
its opinions included in the Registration Statement.

                                   Yours very truly,

                                   PHILLIPS, GARDILL, KAISER & ALTMEYER


                                   By /s/ JAMES C. GARDILL
                                      --------------------------
                                          James C. Gardill


JCG/mmr