The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1871-12-20
AgrieuIlare, stOCk.RaIaIng, TaIea.

Correspondence OF the Intolllgencer.
ST.. CLAIRsvILLE, o., Dec. IA, 1871.
This old time town, the seat Of one oil
the most populous and wealthy counties
in the State, is built on the highest hill
or hills rather-in the vicinity. NJ
The main street, running east and west
extends perhaps the distance Of o mile,
ascending and descending like theretrcat'
Ing waves of . steamboat.
An entrance into the town from the
east is so abrupt as TO take stranger
quite by surprise. Ascending the last Of
long series OF hills, which continually
confront him Aller leaving Pleasant. Val,
ley he is ushered into the very gates
without the usual number OF wandering
cottages and desultory smith shops which
denote the approach to country village,
Apropos, a story y related Of a foot
sore traveller YEARLY ascending the last
hill before entering the town, unaware Of
his close proximity 10 the haven Of rest,
IIeacCoSted aCaptiOus individual journey.
Ing in the opposite direction, and politely
inquired how far he was distant from the
town. Turning on his heel and pointing
toward the west, the individual accosted,
suffered, and stammered until his face
was livid, wishing to relieve him from
the painful position, the traveller was pro.
ceeding when his ears were shocked by an
imprecation Consigning him to eternal
Indebtedness and an injunction TO Ego
fright on and you.you'll get there be.be.
fore can tell you"
The new school house and Masonic
Temple occupies conspicuous position in
the centre Of the town and may be seen for
a distance of six or eight miles. 1t Is a
very handsome structure-a monument
at once to the enterprise and liberality OF
the citizens and the skill and genius Of
u Wheeling architect. ~
The new Methodist church, which ad.
joins, modestly raises It's chaste steeple
to contest with It's more elevated neigh
Dor Tor share Of public attention. This
building is announced for dedication early
next month, when tho Methodist com.
munity will have cause for qualification
in having completed one Of the finest
churches In the county. It's interior Is
modelled after your magnificent Fourth
street N. Z. church, and the model
strictly adhered to.
Patterson block Of modern business
houses, erected on the burnt district,
seems to have stimulated others to like
improvements, for very perCeptible
change has been noted In the town since
this progressive step was taken,
Two good hotels, well conducted, arc
Immediately opposite the court house
Mine host Frazier, Of the st. Clair, Is
known everywhere for his suayity Of
manners and accommodating disposition.
The fame Of the Bar in former years
was co.extensive with the country. The
late Judges Cowan, Kcnnon, Gov. Shan
non and the present venerable Judge Ken
non and Daniel Peck, ESD, Of your city,
enjoyed celebrity and practice equaled
by few lawyers IN tho West III
The citizens generally arc intelligent
and refined, of social habits and hospita'
bic dispositions, but there is marked
tendency to Incidence in the rising gener-
alton. The numerous hunting grounds In
the vicinity seem TO offer stronger Attrac'
tons than business.
Many fine residences, with velvet lawns
and II wealth Of shrubbery, adorn the
summit Of tho pretty knobs which sur
round the town. These elevations COM.
mand views unsurpassed by the more
noted resorts on the Allegheny Noun.
hins, over which summer tourists have
gone into raptures. From the point at
which indite you this letter, IN extended
view of rare beauty can be obtained.
UntOlded to the vision ia vast stretch
Of Country in the shape of halt moon,
covering an area Of perhaps sixty miles.
The first object to attract the eye Is the
smoke of your busy city, sailing up In
great black volumes and darkening the
eastern horizon Rs with n pail. Back and
to the north and south are scolloped the
blue outlines of the West Virginia and
Pennsylvania hills, while Immediately In
front and extending. far away over a fine,
undulatiug country, interspersed by
Clumps OF forest trees, are broad Cultlya.
ted fields, browsed over by sleek, well'fed
herds, and dotted here and thereby pretty
cottages and snow white barns. Upon
dark nights the eastern sky Is illuminated
by the fire Of your furnaces and factories,
and we have but to await the arrival of
the INTELLIdENCER for the details OF a
COnhagration which had been previously
announced by an unusually brilliant illu-
minatiOn the night before. .f.
A pleasant drive Of about three miles
due west, over a pretty country, abound.
Ing in fine views with well.lmproved
farms and elegant residences bordering
the road, brings YOU to tho new 1ntirm'
airy. This fine building is one of the best
homes for the poor in the State. The cost
Of the structure alone was $4,000, and
valuable larm of over one hundred
acres isattached. All modern appliances
std appurtenahces have been employed
in la construction. The building Is
heated by q furnace, with hot and cold
water in the rooms, and bathing and wa.
ter.closets constructed with o view to the
comfort and convenience ofthe occupants.
A chapel Is attached, wherein divine ser.
vice IS held every Sabbath. The con.
tracts for plumbing and carpenter work
wero aworded IN Messts VIM. Hare and