Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1850-07-02
Correspondence of die Spirit of jefferson.
Piles FORK OF BUFFALO CREEK,2
June 20, 1850.

June 10 1S3O.
Jas. W. BELLER, Esq.-Dear Sir: Your ur-
gent request that should continue my cores
pondence from this region of the State, induces
me again to trouble your columns. The first
county of which ] shall speak is PrestOn-ths
county from east to west is about fifty miles in
length and from north to south about forty four
broad. Cheat rver runs through its whole length
dividing the county into two nearly equal parts.
There are FIVE 1Ourishing villages on her teTritO-
ry, all of which but kingwoOd Nhe county sea)
and Brandonville are on the Northwestern Turn
pike road, viz West Union, FellowsviIIe, and
Evansville. kingwood is the county town, sit
uated high and dry on Cheat Mountain; the west
ern bank CT the river with Briery Mountain, on
the opposite side of the river, skirtng her whole
eastern horizon. The situation is surprisingly
beautiful TO all lovers OF mountain scenery. The
celebrated Green Glades occupy a very COnside-
rabe spot in this county, and is much trequcn'ed
during the months of July and August for it's
trout, fine pure water, and healthy atmosphere
Kingwood contains about four hundred inhabi-
tants-the town has suffered much, or rather
kept down, by Improvements passing all round II.
The railroad runs forty.two miles through this
county, nine miles south OF kiGgwOOd. Graigs-
vile, or the~Great Mammoth Big Tunnel, on
the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad, is a place
sprung up as by magic nine months ago this
spot was perfect wilderness, and now contains
not less than one hundred and fifty houses and
shanteys. This tunnel is 4lOO feet in length, %
feet deep, Gain width. Operations being carried
on at FIVE different points-and am inclined 10
believe the mountain must yeild-there are three
shafts sunk at the tunnel each over lG0 feet deep
and o feet square.
The lands in Preston that formerly brought
one and two dollars per acre now bring FIVE, and
improved lands which brought from six to ten
dollars are now selling from twelve 10 twenty
dollars. From a conversation with the several
assessors of the counties of Preston, Taylor, and
Marion, it is certain that lands have advanced
in value since the last assessment largely over
grazing one-parts of it, however, produces
wheat, oats, and corn, and in the hands Of good
farmer would yield grain abundantly.
FeIIowsVille is seven miles south Of the Big
Tunnel and is fiourshing place, settled BY gen
tlemen from the northern parts of Pennsylvania
and southern portions Of New York. They have
a weekly paper, an axe and scythe factory, and
merchant and saw mills in process Of construc-
ton NIr. Hermanns, the proprietor Of the place
gentlemen indeed and will succeed by-and-by in
making place of FelIowsyille.
TAYLOR county was formed of parts OF HaTTi-
son and Monongalia during the winter Of 1S43-'4
and is better adapted to grain than Preston
Prunty Town is the capital. lying along the
Northwestern pike, three miles eVest Of the val
lev river, containing about 500 iDhabitants.-
Rector College, erected here sometime about
IS4O and named inhonor Of Jesse Rec:oT, a libe-
raj doner, living near PaTkers6uTg, Va, is in
fourishiDg condition. They have also a female
school, of fine character, in successful operation,
under the superintendance of Mr. Fream.
AT the Valley River bridge, three miles east Of
PTunty Town and one hundred and thirty-fve
west Of Winchester, the railroad leaves its west
ern direction and angles TO the north, passing
down the river some 20 miles, and crosses the