Daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1865, 1865-01-21

Sandy river. At least, there are abuudan
indications of oil, and two springs tha
will burn! One called the Burning Spring
is thirty seven miles from the, mouth o
the Sandy, in Wayne county, near tn
Logan county line. l have never seen il
but heard it talked of and described many
times. Not at all times, but most of tht
year, the spring will burn if set on fire
and has been known to burn for severa
weeks. Before the war, several wells were
sunk on the Kentucky side of the river
but before anything was realized, the
secesh excitement became so warm tha
men could not operate with safety. The
strangers, who have lately been here, have
decided not to try to do anything until
spring. They express themselves satisfied
with the prospect. Commencing ten miles
from the mouth of the Sandy, and extend
ing to forty seven miles from the mouth
on both forks, the surface indications oi
oil are found, and in every place where
they have bored, it is made certain that
there lis oil. Camel and -bituminous
coal is also plenty. There is good pros
pect that railroad will be built on the
Virginia side of the Sandy, forty miles up
that is commenced, the oil wells will be
numerous enough.
SALE OF CoHFIsUATED REBEL FARMS.
Next week will be sold at public auction
a fine lot of farms in the adjoining county,
belonging to rebels before the war. A
large number of loyal men Of that county,
who were never in the United States serv-
ice, but have been arrested and sent to
Richmond, orotherwise o maltreated, brought
suits tor damages against prominent rebels
m how or hAiF nd
gone into Dixie for personal safety, or are
in the rebel army. Judgment was easily
obtained, aud the real estate of the absent
rebels has been seized to be sold and pay
the damages. l know of no better invest.
ment for capital in West Virginia. Ger
tainly nothing could be safer or more sure
to be profitable. There are about thirty of
these farms, and 1000 acres of land. One
tract of 1856 acres belonged to the late
rebel General Jenkins, is situated en- the
Ohio, and is nearly all very beautiful rich
meadow land. Some of the farms are in
section called Terry's Valley, finely loos-
ted, rich soil, with young orchards. and
good roads to the Ohio river. Terry's Val
ley is fifteen miles from the mouth of the
Guyandotte river on the Ohio, by the turn
pike, and ten miles to the nearest point on
the Ohio. Nearly all these farms, now re-
ferred TO, were kept in high state of ou!-
Iivation, and produced abundantly. | have
often admired that part of the co1ntry, and
wondered why uOtherners who occasionally
get into these pleasant places have not
more of them got in there. This property
belongs to wealthy and sristoGrstic citizens
of West Virginia who owned negroes, de-
spised "mudsills," and felt that it was their
duty to go off with their brethren of the
east into rebellion. What personal prop
ierty they could carry with them they
seoured, intending to come back hnd occupy
their real estate when they had conquered
the federal government, and made it safe
to do so. But it will all be securely in
the possession of others in few days.
WEST VIRGINIA AS A PLACE TO LIVE IN.
could not conscieutiously recommend
any one to come here now to live, al
though Investment in farms will surely be
profitable. Tue trouble now, chiefly, is
that the guerrillas have broken up their
organization, if they ever had any, and
scattered into small squads to rob and
steal. A schoolmistress, passing along q
lonely road not far from Ceredo, was rob-
bed OF all her money, the amount she had
Just received for three mOnths' teaching
by three ruffians. A few nights ago three
men went to the house of quiet farmer,
one mile from Ceredo, and robbed him of a
few dollars, all he had, and boots and some
| clothing. Some of the citizens keep arms
in their houses, and intend to use them il
visited in that way. One OF these shot one
of a gang of six one night not long ago,
but became frightened himself, and ran off,
giving the robbers q chance to take their
wounded companion away. He has not
been troubled siuce. Gen. Crook, COM
maudiDg the Departmental West Virginia
has Issued circular notifying the people
that they must organize for their own pro.
lection, and recommends them to hunt the
bushwhackers and kill them. Governor
Boreman offers to furnish arms and am
munition. 1t will be done, and the guer-
rilIas will decrease every week, hope.