Wilmington daily commercial., 1873-06-20

| olNlh-DEsJhNbiNb THE uhlO-GHAHLEbTON-
HuNTISeToN-THEIR LOCATION AND BUsISEss
Especial Correspondence OF the Commercially
STEAMER FLEETWOOD
On THE ONO, June II, 1873,
My last letter was written while the Maryland
| Editorial Excursionists were in the Allegheny
Mountains. They have since then descended
their western slope traversed the ranges OF hills
and valleys which stretch away towards the
Ohio, and are now steaming towards Cincinnati
on the placid bosom Of that river. All along the
route the utmost regard has been shown the
| Knights OF the Quill from Maryland and their
receptions have been both warm-hearted and
cordial. Richmond received them with open
arms; Staunton wished to make them its guests
at White Sulphur, no bills we're charged; Charles
| ton extended a welcome than which none
was ever more cordial and Huntington has re-
ceived them to-day.
But to the purpose for which this letter was
| intended. The White Sulphur Springs are To-
| Gated in valley between the last ranges of the
Allegheny Mountains, and they were quittei
soon after the departure from that place. The
country, however, looks wild and broken, almost
| to the Ohio river, though the hills are toned
| down considerably at Charleston and at Hun
| tington, the terminus of the Chesapeake and
| Ohio II R., the most beautiful rolling land is
| to be seen on both sides the river.
The scenery in tho spurs OF the mountains,
| this side, il far more beautiful and attractive
L
great as was our admiration for the former, our
| feelings kindle with enthusiasm as we gaze up
on the latter. Our route after leaving the White
/ sulphur Springs lay along the Greenbrier river,
| u mountain stream, the scenery along which ve-
| ry much resembles that of our own Brandywine,
/ among the hills, But after It's junction with
i the New river, the panorama III nature IL grand
beyond compare Almost tile entire distance
| which we travelled this stream, the river gave
/ Evidence OF having been formed by an uphea-
i val in nature similar to that by which Niagara
/ was produced, and it's rocky sides present All
/ abrasion as perfect HI Niagara iIsalf. The
steep walls of granite. sometimes not more than
/ 40 feet apart are, however, covered WITH
/ dense foliage, which lends additional interest to
/ the scene. The river is only few inches in
depth, and as 1t meanders through the hills some
| times is silver SEA, at Others foam-cappedb by
the rapids and then troubled by whirlpools and
| eddies Az great those at Niagara.
| The route along the New River is several miles
in length, and is such as have imperfectly de-
| scribed tho whole distance. 1t forms Junction
| with tho Kanawha short distance sDove the
Falls (about "a feet hgh) and the railroad then
| enters the valley of the same nane-small but
vet famous. Charleston, the capital of West Vu-
ginia il located in this valley. and here the Ed
itorial EXCursiunlBls were welcomed i'll the most
cordial manner committee mot the party oh
the opposite side OF tho river, and escorted them
| to the Hale House, where they were received by
the Mayor and Governor JacoDs,a band OF music
| eniiyened the OCCASION In the evening, grand
| banquet was spread in the Hale House
| Charleston is a city of from 1000 to 6,0NO
| souls, and ID located ON the North bank OF tha
| Kanawha river, for which the people possess a
| yereration not excelled by that of the Ge
| man for tho Rhine. The town is an old one.
| though its present growth has principally bee
| attained since it was made the capital OF the new
Commonwealth 1t has daily newspaper d
| number of fine stores, very handsome Sta'e
| House. and gives promise OF RAPID ard porma-
| nent growth Its hotel is one of the huest IN
the State and was bnilt aud occupied in ninety
, | days
But that which gives Charleston its creates
, | notoriety apart from it's being the state cap
| tal is its salt works. These are very extnlsl W
one OF the four principal works in the Unite
States-and were visited by the excurslohist'
Yesterday, on steamer provided Tor tue occ"-
sion They are located on the north bank OF
the river aud extend about half mile along its
margin but salt has been discovered rs tar away
| from the river as fifteen miles something oVtl
100 wells have been settled i'll all but only about
! 40 are now in operation, some having talleh ln
disuse but the suspension OF the greater num-
ber is caused by dead rents. or the monopoly
/. of the trade by Mr.. J. p. Hale, the prlnclp =
manufacturer at that place am,
8 The product OF lhe Kanawha works ls low
bushels. or $50 bushels. per day. Salt at tht
works is wo til about S160 per barrel Five gal
Ions OF the water yield one gallon OF salt ib'
| process by which the salt is made is very slnl
pie one The water is pumped into large reaeh
| yoir when it is bOlied, the length OF llul'
: | depending upon the grade OF salt DESIRED
| longer time for tiuer article. Rancid butter l.
mixed with it to produce organization. ih'
| water is then run into tanks, where eVaporatio'
, takes place. and the salt is left in the trough.
. Bidding adieu to Charleston, this mornlng,t TN
y | excursionists reached Huntington, the present
= | terminus OF the chesapeake ONO IL 4 'shortl
| before noon, and were received by the Mayor ant
A large body of citizens at the depot. hunting
| ton il a new city less than two years old but ma
. | attained population OF about OOO III tina
! short time 1t is a true type of Western cite
! widely and rapidly buit, but with an alr /"
! | permanency about it which presages a Drllilah
future It il Immediately on the Quo River, OF
|, | the West Virginia eide and built upon lev.
y nIateau OF alluyal The dwelling aud publ
= buildings are built principally, OF lumber
y The Young city seems to appreciate Keehly li
/ claimants whlch must give II a PORN tnent exits
| tenca and several manufactures are areau
70 | under way. Oar shops have beon built, aud tn
~ | manufacture OF well-deslgned coaches beBnn'
" | machine shop has also beon erected IN cnhhe'
Il | ainn therewith for the construction OF locomr
~ | tyes and about 200 hands are empoyeI IN tues
70 works soon to be Increased to 900. CA
y | wheel factory is also building and by auluul
y | the first rolling mill will be In operation ~
,s ' town is also acquiring some reputation az co
t ts shipping terminus, the product OF Vast mlli'
y. lust above Charleston, some OF winch were w
" " tied Yesterday. Other Railroads are also pr
ue iected-one TO connect with the Lexington
Z; Big Sandy afording direct communication wa
~ | Louisville and the South Vest, ana ahoth
nha na down the Ohio river to Cincinnati. mere
~ ~ every reasonable degree of assurance thst tAei
Vi u roads will be built. Thus you see the no" cl
,a | OF Huntington IL destined 10 Decome III iluPoi
T., | ant centre in the West. I,
10, 10 The Excuraionists are now en- route for Clncl
gu natl, the guests of the Board of Trade, wi
~, | have already taken charge OF them NeVe
i no probably in the history OF journalism MAS
lH associatiou of editors received with more unus
d. al Kindness and esteem than that of Maryan
ls ls- Wherever they have stopped since the exturs
'ls began they have been made the guests Of l
l Il. and maIkln attention
ny likely to continue through the remainder of I
of journey.
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