The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1869-01-30
west virginia Geology.


To the Editor OF the Intelllgencer.
Now that the excitement of election
Is over, and the people are returning
to their regular vocations, and are
again turning their attention to specu.
lative enterprises, we see that our own
citizens, as well as those OF other States,
are again waking up to the importance
of developing the resources of our State,
particularly its minerals. 1t is gener-
ally conceded that the wealth of our
State mainly lies buried in its mineral
resources, awaiting the penetration of
the practical geolOgist. Taking this
view of the subject, which appears to
be in accordance with the prevailing
opinion, should we not take immediate
action, and proceed to the work of sys
ematiC development. In order to see
the propriety OF such action, think it
is only necessary for us to familiariZe
ourselves with the subject, and thereby,
as citizens. see our duty to our State.
For this purpose, allow me through the
medium of your excellent and widely
circulated paper, by solicitation, to ad-
vance some thoughts. l am encouraged
to do this from the noble and forward
movements already in progress which
are bringing us up side by side with our
older sister States. Foremost among
these should be maintained our excel
lent Free School system, which is fast
ton and coming into general favor, and
our flOurishing young State University
with its efficient working faculty. faith
fully laboring mot only in their oth-
cial duties as instructors, to make the
institution effective and attractive, but
endeAvOring by every available means
to collect specimens with which to
make up respectable museum, wen
knowing that in these days a well fur
nighed cabinet systematically arranged
is indispensable to first class UniVer-
Sity. Already the President has re-
ceived some very fine specimens, espe-
cinlly of ores. lie is encouraged in his
labors of making respectable collec-
ton believing that at the present sitting
of the Legislature there will be action
taken TO carry out the design proposed
last winter, of practical geological
survey, thereby collecting specimens
from all the noted strata embraced in
the State. These will be systematically
arranged in our cabinet, numbered to
correspond with their native strata,
which in time will be finely illustrated
by chart as large as one side of the
room will admit. Each stratum or
group OF strata will be shown by par
:Illel lines with Yariegated coloriug cx-
hibiling the GndulHtiOnS OF the strata
across the State, from the mouth of
Big Sandy to uHrper'S Ferry, passing
directly over the center OF the great de-
preston or basin. Our designed chart
will show that tho lower stratum of
rocks that crops out at HHrper's Ferry,
is some five ahOusand feet below the
surface line Ut the center of the basin.
This is the lowest regular depression in
the State, or in any of the adjoining
States. To this depression the geOlO-
gist is bond to resort and take stand
point where he can find strata which do
| will here state that the upper group
of oil bearing strata over this depress-
ion, Is embraced in those upper layers
and form u circular line at their out
cropping i'll the State of perhaps one
hundred and fifty miles. The oil that
is obtained in this section, is altogether
in the upheavnl. This line should be
carefully run and explained, that the
borer for oil may know to certainty,
the depth he will have TO bore at any
given point, to reach the same oil
bearing stratum that is reached in the
upheaVal. The great asphatum vein in
Ritche county, is found in these upper
layers.
ton OF the State, we will glance at the
coal measures on the Ohio river at their
western outcrOpping, particularly the
upper series. At the outcrOpplng of
these coal seams as they pass around
through Ohio, Pennsylvania and West
Virginia we have two distinct working
seams of coal and at many points three.
Does it look reasonable that the main
seam ranging from six to nine feet
thick, should carry its thickness round
the entire coal field except a few miles
where it crosses the Ohio river and
there nearly disappears?
Many persons are of the opinion that
the pomeroy coal is the main seam. |
n hi II hot
the main seam wants proper develop
menl. Near this and parallel 10 it we
find fine vein of iron ore which has
been extensively worked at its eastern
OutCrOpping, and we may confidently
expect to find it also at the western
ouIcroppiUg. Let us now briefly notice
the general laying of the strata along
the contemplated line OF railroad from
the OhiOriver 10 Lewisburg, Greenbrier
county.
There is no doubt but this will cross
the outcropping OF all the measures in
the field, also all the veins OF iron ore
and fire clay that are worked i'll the
Hanging Rock section. 1t will also
cross the lower or Oh City oil stratum.
This is Of vast importance and should
be thoroughly examined. The coal
measures in Sewell mountain should
also be fully developed.
Taking geographical as we'll as Il
geological view of this valley route, 1t
looks as though nature designed il for
some great thOroughfare from the Ohio
river to the South Eastern States, and
the speedy delelOpement of its mineral
resources will put tho early building OF
that road beyond doubt,
In my next | will call attention TO
sOmo other sections of the State
NJ. ID. WELLS.