Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1850-07-02
Correspondence of the Spirit of Jefferson.
Piles Fork OF BUFFALo CREEx,p
June 20, 1850.

June ~, lo0u.
JAS. w. BELLER, Esq.-Dear Sir: Your ur.
gent request that l 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-this
county from east to west is about fifty miles in
length and from north to south about forty four
broad. Cheat river runs through its whole length
dividing the county into two nearly equal parts.
There are FIVE fourishing villages on her terrific
nv, all of which but KiDgwOOd Uhe county seaD
and BrandOnyille are on the Northwestern Turn
pike road, viz West Union, FellowsviiIe, and
Evansville. KiDgwood is the county Town, sit
uated high and dry on Cheat Mounfain;t the west
ern bank CT the river with Briery Mountain, on
the opposite side of the river, skiTting her whole
| eastern horizon. The situation is surprisingly
beautiful to all lovers OF mountain scenery. The
celebrated Green Glades occupy a very cOnside-
rabIe spot in this county, and Is much tTeGuented
during the months of July and August tor ito
trout, fine pure water, and healthy atmosphere.
Kingwood contains about four hundred inhabl-
tants-the town has suffered much, or rather
kept down, by Improvements passing all rouud It.
The railroad rims f~orty-two miles through this
county, nine miles south Of kiGgwOOd. Graigs-
vile, or the Great Mammoth or Big Tunnel, on
the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad, is a place
sprung up as by magic nine months ago this
/ spot was a perfect wilderness, and now contains
not less than one hundred and fifty houses and
shanteys. TLi3 tunnel is AGO feet in length, %
feet deep, 24in width. Operations being carried
on at FIVE different points-and l am inclined 10
believe the mountain must yeild-there are three
shafts sunk at the tunnel, each over 160 feetdeep
and 10 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 q 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-paTts of it, however, produces
wheat, oats, and corn, and in the hands of a good
farmer would yield grain abundantly.
Fellowship is seven miles south of the Big
Tunnel and is a flourishing place, settled by gen.
tlemen from the northern parts of Pennsylvania
and southern portions ofHew York. They have
a weekly paper, an axe and scythe factory, and
merchant and saw mills IN process OF constInc-
ton. Mr.. Hermanns, the proprietor OF the place
and editor of the paper, is a very enterFrising
gentlemen indeed and will succeed by-anG-by IN
| making a place Of FellowsVille.
TAYLOR county was formed OF parts oil HarrI-
/ son and Mononghlia during the winter OF lS43-4
and is better adapted to grain than Preston
iPrunty Town is the capital, lying along the
Northwestern pike. three miles west OF the val
lev river, containing about 500 inhabitants
Rector College, erected here sometime about
1870. and named in honor of Jesse Rec:oF, 4 libe-
raj doner, living near ParkersbuTg, Va, is in a
fourishipg condition. They have also a female
/ school, of fine character, in successful operation,
under the superi1iendance of a Mr. Fream.
AT the Valley River bridge, three miles east of
Prunty 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