Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [W. Va.]) 1852-1859, 1858-02-05
local Correspondence Of the InteiIgeneer.J
try A6out 1.-THE Reto Aeadsmy, dc.
WEST LIBERTY, Va, Feb. 3, 1858


WEST LIBERTY, Va, Feb. 3, 1858.
Messrs. EditOrs-Some years since had the
pleasure of visiting this inland village, once the
county seat of very large county, much Of
whose soil was the most fertile hill land Of the
State. The farms around this, one Of the oldest
villages Of Western Virginia, seem unimpaired
by age or use. Parts of many Of these are quite
steep, lying at an angle Of more than forty-five
degrees from the horizon, yet we see very few
washes or gullieS, that hinder the plOWInan in
any part of this region. This IS no doubt. Ow-
ing in part to the fact that these lands are kept
much of tie time in grasses. suited for grazing
the large focks that are seen gathered around
the farm-yarls OF these grasses we cannot
speak particularly now, but suffice it to say,
at present, that the spear-grass, which seems to
be indigenous to this region, is one Of the finest
for grazing that we have met with in any cOun-
try; but stronger reason is doubtless found in
the soil ITSELF which is a heavy firm calcareOus
clay, intersperSed with soft limestone, the decay
of which, by rain and frost, will keep up the
fertility of the soil, with little care, perpetu
ally. The large shocks of corn, the baTn-yards
of straw, aud the abundance of hay every where
seen, give evidence that there has been a very
heavy yield of these articles the past season
The most of these hills are sub-bedded with q
stratum of the finest bituminOus coal as vet
almost untouched, which will furnish fuel for
many ages vet to come. Could man leap for
ward few centuries, and stand on these hills,
he would doubtless see village after village dot
ting this already picturesque region with smo-
king furnaces, whizzing wheels, and weaving
shuttle. This whole region of country Is, ia
time, to be manufacturing part of our great
country. The water, the fuel, and the health
are here; the wool is being grown here; and the
soil will yield an ample supply for very large
population. Wheeling, and some of the cOntig-
uOuS counties, stood very much in their own
light when they invested such large sums Of
money in railroads, instead of manufactures;
but have wandered from the special into the
general One reason wey this county is so fine
for grazing is, that It has such large number of
small springs of constantly flowing fresh water,
enabling the farmer to supply almost every
field with pure water for his herds and dOclxs.
This village does not seem to have Jared as
well as the lands around it, for it bears evident
marks Of decline. Formerly there WAS a -four
ishing Seminary here. under the management
of the Rev. Mr.. Shotwell, but for years past
nothing Of the kind has been carried on at this
place, and as a consequence, there is neither
that life in trade that there usually is in villages
of classic renown, nor that neatnesS of streets,
that painting of cottages, and that whitewashing
OF fences and OuthOuses, that are so character
istic of taste and refinement. Nations and COM
munitics, like the ocean, ebb and flow; to-day
they are in a AOurishing condition, tomorrow
all is dreary and stagnant, so that nothing is
carried on but what Is absolutely necessary TO
keep soul and body together.
Even d Judaism and Christianity had their dark
and superstitious ages in Babylon, but like the
pure metal when in the fire, they shone the
brighter after this night pail had passed. Such
the citizens of this place hope it will be with
their village. Already life is visible, the citi-
zens of the town and envirOns have determined
to build up first class Academy, and for this
purpose they have recently erected in the envi-
rons of the village n very beautiful edifice which
they expect to have ready for opening early
next season, under the supervision of Professor
Ross, formerly of Bethany College, both schoI-
ar and a gentleman. When this building is
completed, there will be quite contract be
tween it and the many dilapidated houses of the
village, but probably when Spring opens there
will bea general ''ridding up" The Professor
has already made quite change in the preIni-
ses of his newly purchased land, and seems to
be leading off on this subject Another evil
dence of the determination on the part of some
to perpetuate life in this place, is the influx OF
physicians A few months since such ''mOn-
ster, was, am told, rarely seen here, but now
they are almost equal in number to the sick,
and Lam told that more are coming.
/ had thought that would say something
about the churches of the place, but my sheet
is full, 80 that can only say that there are
three small establishments of this kind strug-
Cling for life, all of which. If thrown together,
could not support one good man Of God. A.
VISIBLE HEART BEATs.-A lady named Mrs
Lucretia Culver, of Reading, New York. had
IL