The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1874-12-22
MOTNDSNII.I.E.
Its Natural Advantageous Deiapi-
dated County BuiIdings-rhe PEN
itcn;inry-Ii> Management and Flu
turr Prospects.

In nv perambulations, | happened Il
few duy, .inrc. t. find myself roaming at
la-gr through the streets and around the
corner, in MuuudSvillc. The day was
prA,ant. neither too cold nor too warm.
The streets were in moderately fair con-
dlion. considering that they are unpav-
ed. with the exception of here and there
an occasional short stretch of board
walk, which. in my opinion, would not
be- entirely safe for night loconotlon.
Nature seem, to have done much more
for thi, place than it, citizens, for to my
mind there j, scarcely a more beautiful
or eligible site for city on the Ohio
river II seems to have ali the advan-
,sgr> and facilities that could be desired
or that ar,.. in fact. needed for building
up and carving on manufactures to an
a.m"-, unlimited extent.
Four OF the most extensive coal works
ua .h" ohio river are in sight of the
town. which does not include the one
operated Immediately adjoining the town
On tn" north. This latter, | understand,
Yield, several hundred thousand bushels
per wear, and could, with increased force.
put out ten time, that amount.
In the way OF Facilities for transport
taliun Muuud>villr has the Ohio river
on is western boundary, the B. ". .. Ii.
H. passing through It's center, thus giving
II all the advantages Of water and rail.
! made some inquiries rs to the extent
"rtrrrltory. population and wealth OF
Marshall county, of which M"undSVlllc
], the county sat. and asCcrtained that
it, area WAS 800 square miles, population
l.>uO, and wealth over S7,OOn,0OO.
" hen ! learned this, looked at the
old dilapidatcd and antiquatcd Court
House aud Jail, and wondered why 1t
va, that the people of such a noted, IN
tihgent, prosperous and wealthy county,
would continue such ungainly, unim-
posing, and seemingly worthless struct-
urc,
The people are certainly not stlngy,
BORDERING on pcnuriouSncSS. Nor are
they 81 ignorant as to suppOS" their pub
he buildings in style and architecture, to
b. ola later date than of 100 years back.
Tn" people, as was informed, were
willing to pay the cost OF new structures,
but unfortunately, they say they are de-
nlr! the privilege by their County Court
Masters. who are afraid it will affect
their popularity, and weaken their
chances Tor some other little office. II
thry yot" a small tax for this purpose.
The people should leave such men at
home, 10 wallow in their own penurl"us-
hess, ScltiShneSS and misery, and unless
they do something sooR, it will surely be
their fate.
My next call was at the State Penitcn-
tary, which for style, beauty of archltee-
tu7r, neatncss of finish and substantial
strength is not cxcelled by anything OF
the kind in the country. The building
Is monument to the State and reflects IN
IL, 10, imposing appearance the good taste,
Abersity and prosperity Of your noun
tain State l had the pleasure of there
m"eting Captain W. L. Bridges, the
Superintendent; Captain j. +. Israel,
captain of the guard; T. w. Brown
clerk; \. }. Martin, commiSsary, and w:
l.. ScEoggins, lieutenant of the guard.
iound Captain Bridges TO be an amiabLe,
social and high toned gentleman, VINO
seemed To me- to be specially fitted for his
post In the multitude of interests that
D" Is required to look after, his visllantt,,
N"rn business eye seems to be over all
and To neglect none. To furnish materl-
al Tor the completion Of the building ana
walls, lmats al for the various workshops
Consisting OF wood, iron, leather, cloth,
'o|is Of all descriptions and a thousand
other articles that are used in furniture
shops, shoe shops, smith shops, wagon
SsihopS carpenter shops, brick yards, &c;
Then 10 look out for materials for ell
these manufactured articles. Collect the
moneys, make all disbursements and, be-
t'"e' this TO exercise personal superviS-
ION over the construction of the building
and over the subordinate officers
ana guards, as well as to see
That the discipline of the institution
Il hrmly but kindly enforced, seems 10
NE 10 be labor sufficient to tax the ener-
s'eS OF halfa dozen men, and yet Captain