Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1866-03-08
Parkersburg and Wheeling.

burg was of short duration, consequently iio'
much time was permitted to visit the various
points of interest. Many improvements nave
been made since our last visit to that town.
The streets, however, require more attention
than the city authorities seem to have time or
disposition to bestow upon them.
The Railroad depot at this place is one of the
largest in the United States, being over eight
hundred feet in length. It's capacity is suiii-
Gent for all practical purposes, and its conye-
niences in every respect unsurpassed The
passenger cars stop in front OF the "Spencer
House." well kept hotel, erected within the
last few years.
We had the pleasure of meeting with the
venerable Gen. J. j. JACKSON one of the en-
terprizing gentlemen of the town, and who has
been well and favorably known throughout the
State of Virginia-and his son, J. j. JACKSON,
Judge Of the United States District Court Of
West Virginia, gentleman Of fine Abilities
These gentlemen are warm advocates of the
reconstruction policy of President johnson, and
are liberal with those with whom they differed
We also met our old friend, j. G. WALKER,
Esq, formerly of Richmond, and for several
years Reading Clerk in the U. S. House of Re-
representatives., in the editorial chair of the Par
kersb'ug Gazette. He has occupied the posi-
ton only few weeks, but has given reputa-
ton to the paper which is creditable to the
people of that section. We wish him success.
Oil wells are numerous between Grafton and
Parkersburg, Judging from the fixtures for Dor
ing, and towns are springing up rapidly
The rapidity of the cars, and the want of our
"long range" spectacles prevented as seeing,
but fellow-passenger assured us that oil
could be seen floating on the adjacent little
streams" That the mountain valleys arefilled
with oil we have no doubt.
In the afternoon of Wednesday we arrived
at Grafton, 204 miles from Parkersburg.-
We remained at the "Grafton House, kept by
Mr.. JOHN W. HOOPER, late Of Martinsburg,
until half past ~ o'clock, night, when we took
car for Wheeling, arriving there at half past
o'clock Thursday morning. We dropped in
to witness the meeting of gentlemen of promi-
nence of various sections of West Virginia, who
had assembled to consult as to the most suta-
BILE means of uniting all the elements Of oppo-
sition to the radcalism of the State, and res
cuing it from the ruinous control of the I'M
principled party that have been legislating for
the last two years. Resolutions were adopted
which we will insert hereafter.
At night, an immense mass meeting was
held at the Court House. A.. j. SWEENEY,
Mayor of the City, presided. The large Court
House was literally jamed by an enthusiastic
audience. Speeches were made by Maj. f. w.
Andrews of Berkeley Okey johnson, Esq, OF
Wood County; John Keller, member of the
| House of Delegates from Barbour County; Fl.
S. Walker, Esq, of Harrison County; and
Capt. Darnel, of Mason County. The speeches
were well received.
Wevisited the Register office, where we found
the editors, Messrs BAKER e. Long, busy as
bees. They deserve the encouragement of the
people of West Virginia for the able manner
in which they conduct that Journal
We did not visit the Legislative body, which
was about expiring by limitation,-an event
highly gratifying not only to the citizens Of
Wheeling, but entire State,-after a session
which will cause large majority of its men,
bers to hear,
"On all Sides from innumerable tongues,
A dismal, universal hiss,
The sound of public scorn."
Our stay in Wheeling was too brief to give
an opportunity of visiting the many points of
interest.
Stopping day at the Grafton House gave
an opportunity of noticing the admirable and
acceptable manner in which Mr. J. w. HOOPER
conducts that large establishment His table
is supplied with every luxury of that country
as well as of the Baltimore markets. Two
| hundred guests could be feasted at one sitting.
so capacious is the dining room, and his fix
lures for the purpose are ample, and his sup
| plies abundant. His Store-rooms reminded us
of country grocery, as they were filled with
every article suitable for any emergency, or
anv number of guests His tablets waited up
on by a bevy of handsome, modest, neat and
Clearly dressed young ladies. They discharge
their respective duties in most acceptable
manner. No house between Baltimore and
Wheeling surpasses the accommodations at the
Grafton House. and we feel assured that it has
never been better kept by any former occupant.
The Baltimore and Ohio Railroad Company
are erecting an extensiveand substantial Round
House at Grafton. Other improvements are
progressing.
1t was well remarked, by a fellow passenger,
that the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad was the
best Differed of any other in the United States.
Signal-men are stationed at all points on the
road to watch and remove any distractions