American union. [volume] (Morgantown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1855-1859, 1857-11-27
Virginia "A ScOtchman's Des-
CriptiOn, sc.

HE. H { 4 #
Mr.. M, McGregor, a Scotchman,
who left his native land on account of
i'll health, tried stock raising in Cana
da, but finding that the climate was not
suitable for that purpose, had his at
tention turned to Virginia-and hav-
ing. had his attention turned to Vir-
ginia for that purpose, he furnishes
the New York Tribune an interesting
letter of the various localities he visi-
ted. We make the following extract
from his letter, which is written from
Clarksburg, and dated Oct. 1: u
Called at No. 229 Broadway, where
l got a first class ticket for Clarksburg,
Va, which cost $40 so Ia second class
can be had for Sc 50,) the time to this
point boing % hours, leaving at 8 a. m.
There was nothing worthy of notice on
my journey, only that may mention
that the scenery is very grand and i'm.
posing between Baltimore and Grafton.
Clarksburg is the county town of Har-
rison; it has number of good build
ings but rather scattered, it has pop
ulation of about 1000. But there
does not appear, to be much doing in
the way of business, yet the people ap-
pear to be thriving and we'll of.
There is rather more stir Just now on
account of the assizes being held. l
find their Judge Camden, is much res
pocted by all parties on account of his
abilities, and strict impartiality in adj
ministering justice. Coal is here in
great abundance, being delivered for
three or four cents per bushcl The
country around is very fertile, although
hilly. Corn grows at the very tops
eleven and twelve feet high. Wheat
and potatoes grow magnifccntly. /
took stage to Weston, the county town
of Lewis, distant "a miles, by a good
macadamized road /; it is an exceeding.
ly neat, thriving little place. 1t has
II saw and grist mill, three very good
hotels, four churches, weekly news
paper, q well,conducted seminary, a
branch of one ofthe Virginia banks
(specie-paying at that) daily mail,
with abundance of good coal, as weh
as splendid crops of all kinds, which
makes living very cheap. l paid 25
cents meal, and they were as good
as any ordinary man could wish, and
well served up. The same for my bed.
1t is easy accounting for this, when
they have corn at rs cents, wheat at
60 cents, chickens at 10 cents piece,
turkeys from 80 to 40 cents, and other
things in proportion. | found these
prices, generally, all over the country.
The houses are chiefly frame, the tim
Der principally used being poplar and
white oak, which sells for $40 and S12
per 1000 feet. The country is here,
as it is all the way, very hilly, but very
fertile, eminently adapted for grazing,
on account of the fine grass which
grows on the hills and the mildncss of
the Winters. | was told that in or.
dinary mild Winters they need not feed
their sheep more than two weeks, their
neat cattle being fed once day for
about four months. The next place
worthy of notice is Bull Town, on ac-
count of a salt works which has been
established there for forty years.
The water is found 750 feet below the
surface. They make just now about
80 bushels every "a hours, which is
sold as fast as made for rs cents per
bushel; but, with little more energy
and improved machinery they could
make 100 bushels. The Little Kan
awha passes here; it is beautiful,
clear stream, with plenty Of fine fish in
it. There are two saw mills and q
grist mill few miles from this place.
About five miles from this stopped at
Colonel Squire's for the night. He is
an old veteran OFFS years of age, and
had been so years where he is. / was
told all the way along that the country
was very healthy, fever and ague being
hardly ever known, but this vigorous
old gentleman and his family are living
witnesses of that. He has eleven chill
lren, they are all married and have
children, and the first death that has
occurred in his family was last year,
when bis sons wife died in childbed.
/ found several cases quite as remark
able. / started next morning for Sut.
ton, the county town of Braxton. 1t
is quito q small place, but increasing
as saw several frame houses going
up. Tho Elk passes hcre-it is a beau-
tiful, clear stream. with water enough
the most part of the year for rafting
timber to tho Ohio River, which is from
80 to 100 miles. All along its banks
camel coal is found in great abundance,
which is being extensively manufactur-
ed into oil. j saw field Of Chinese
sugar cane, the stalks varying from
IL to 15 feet high; also, splendid
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