The weekly register. [volume] (Point Pleasant, Va. [W. Va.]) 1862-1909, 1867-12-05
fFlom tho New York observor,l

LETTER fhOM WEEl NlhNtNlA'
As this part of the State Of West
Virginia is but Hide knowT, short do
scripion Of it my be interesting to
your readers. Taking the two Pan
Handles, the Eastern and Western, /. Q F.,
from the north western 10 the south
eastern extremity, BuckhO6dH, the couu.
ty town Of Upshur county, is very nearly
in the centre Of the State. 1t is si!ua-
led in a beautiful valley extending sew
eral miles in d ffarent directions, more
than a mile wide at Buckhnnnou prob.
Ohly two miles--and not less than. a
mile for some four miles! 1t is equalled
as a si'e for city only bSMs srlinsbOrg,
in the northeastern par! Of the. State,
s466t Siti tho 'exaep.ion-of lthat.RaaceT-A'it
presents a striking contrast to the une.
ven country which is, generally found on
the route Of the Ballimore and Ohio
Railroad through the Stale Of West Vir-
ginia. Clarksbu'g, the nearest point on
The Parkersburg branch Of, the B. q o..
R4ilroad, GO miles from Buchanan. Is
very billy; and stranger 10 passing
over the stage. route TO Buckhanuou.
has a fine panoramic view Of hill and
dale, which is agreeably diversified by
the wide valley at BuckhAnnoh. The
Buckhaunon river, which has its source
some 40 OF SO miles south from Buck
hannon, runs through the valley, being
one Of the branches Of the Monongohela
There is ieGGible railroad from its
mouth to It's source, and to the level Of
the Ffead waters of the Kanawha, and
thence 10 the Ohio River. thus furnish.
ing shor, practicable route, through
the centre Of the Stats,. 10 the South
and West.
This whole region abounds in miner
al wealth. Coal is found 10 strata vary
ing in thickness from 6 10 SO feet, gen
erOlly from 4 TO 8 or 10 feet. One vein
measured % feet in the bill side, with
about feet of slate-tbe rest bitumln-
GUS coal; and it has lately been traced
in the bed Oftho small stream to about
30 feel, This vein is abou, o miles
from Buckhaunon There are other
veins in It's vicinity. These extend for
miles up the river, and are found in the
hills and valleys in every direction from
Burkhannon. Iron also abound, in ma.
ny noighborhoods, along with the coal.
Coal is often found in the hill sides can
be mined put. and yet leave tho land
above and below il for agricultural pur.
poses. The country is generally uue.
ven, but perhaps is not excelled for gra,
ziug purposes; and produces good crops
Of corn and other cereals, There is a
vast amount OF excellent timber. which
iS urgs1tly needed 10 tho Est. Poplar
trees. white oak aud hscE wAlnuts, ere
found from 2 to feet in diameter. A
few miles above Buckhannon there are
beautiful groves Of the finest cherry trees
This immense wealth Of poplOrs, oaks,
walnuts, cherries, nipples, becchec and
chestnuts, furnish ample inducements
for railroads. leaving the mineral wealth
out Of the calculation. There are also
indications that oil can be found With a
little labor and perseverance.
AS TO tho character Of tho population
The people Ere generally industrious
and temperate in their habits. Temper
anco organizations have sprung up and
aouished. BuckhaunOn has not sin.
gle licensed grog shop or tavern, and o
drunken person is rarely seen. 1t has
two hotels-One is among the largest 10
tho Slato-eight stores and three churh
es. and one high school. Many OF the
older settlers came from New England,
New York and Pennsylvania; and con.
SOdbently suffered severely during the
the war. BOekhAnnon has Methodist,
Baptist and Presbyterian church =
On French Creek, there iSO lOtgc settle