The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1874-03-31

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lelsurely way in which the stone is sup
piled, and largely, we suspect, 70
want Of q sufficient appropriation
from the State. The east wall OF tn
north cell building Is now up to tn,
square, but the foundations OF the ives
wall are not yet laid. The main walls In
closing the grounds proper are up to thei
full height and ready for the brackets ant
coping. The brackets project seventeen
inches over the wall on the inside ant
seven inches on the outside. Itstrikes III
as very substantial fence, and we hav,
no doubt its perpendicular Of twenty. .tlve
feet Is rather oppressive to the eyes OF In
siders. A large portion ol the ground OF
the inside Of the walls Is excellent mater.
ial for the manufacture Of brick, and q
portion oI the conVicts are now digging ur
clay for that purpose. Capt. Bridges has
also introduced the manufacture O farm
and light spring wagons, come ol
which We saw standing in the old stock.
ade grounds outside oil the stone walls.
The wagons are very nicely painted
and we were told that the material and
workmanship 10 excellent. The boot and
shoe department Is also becoming Of con-
siderable magnitude. We were shown
some OF the work, and It has the appear.
ance Of regular shops where custom work
Is made. Capt Bridges has continued
and increased the home trade established
by Mr.. McFadden, and many people
leave their measures for boots and shoes,
just as they would ct any other shops.
The Blacksmith department also receives
considerable amount Of custom work,
Notwithstanding there are several good
blacksmiths in the town. Within short
time past the manufacture Of furniture
has been introduced. This department Is
under the management OF an elderly
German mechanic from Cleveland, Ohio.
All the tailoring for the conyicts Is done
by convict labor.
John Downs and his partner, both Of
this city, have just completed the plaster.
ing Of the Superiutendent's manaion, and
the work, we are told, has been done in
the very best manner. The painting and
graining was done by David Watkins, a
convict, and is as fine work as Is done
anywhere. Watkins Is q victim Of Wood
county justice, and was sent for stealing
a lot Of cattle, which he sold in Parkers.
burg. He says he did not steal the cattle,
It was the whisky in him. He says also
that he has spite at beef, and wants to
eat all OF It he can get. Watkins Ia said
to have been most efficient and faithful
nurse during the sickness which prevailed
last summer among the convicts.
There seems scarcely o. doubt that
when the penitentiary is once finished 1t
can easily be made selt.supporting in.
atitution.
THE UNION COAL WORKS,
on the farm Of Colonel John Thompson,
just opposite Moundsville, which have
been idle for some five years, have been
recently leased by party Of Pittsburgh
gentlemen in connection with John
Furguson and q. 8. McFadden, of
Moundsville, who have within a few
weeks past commenced operating them.
Mr.. Furguson Is President Of the Com.
psny, and Mr.. McFadden Treasurer.
Robert Lstimore, formerly Of Charles
Armstrong; great coal works on the
Youhiogheny river, Is the superlntend-
ent Of the mines. This vein Of coal Is
said to be nearly six feet thick and OF q
very fine quality. The water in the mine
Is as salt as the ocean, and Is thought to
have q purifying effect upon tho coal
strata. 1t is claimed for this coal that 1t
Is sufficiently free from sulphur to be Of
first rate quality for gas. This Company
Is making preparations for q large ship.
ping interest.
THE HOT HOUSES.
We also visited the propogating hot
houses Of Joseph Harris. This gentleman
was formerly Of Belmont county, Ohio,
but removed 10 Moundsville in 1885,
For many years he was gardener and
florist, but OF late years has retired from
business, BE Is one Of the most skillful
propagatots in this country, and devotes
his time to the cultivation of the rarest
plants, and devising ways Of obtaining
roots from the smallest portions OF the
parent stock. In his experiments he has
succeeded In propagating roots from 8
fraction Of Leaf; grape roots from the
bud with the smallest possible amount Of
wood attached. We saw lemons that
have been hanging on the tree for three
years, but while perfectly sound they do
mot ripen. As q .propagatur he has no
superior, not even among those employed
by the government.
Adjoining the grounds Of Mr.. Harris
are those Of Oscar Wright, who Is well
known Florist. His hot houses contain
many rare specimens Of Towering plants
and shrubs, and even now their beauty
and sweetness gladden. the eye and re-
fresh the senses. We regretted that We
had not more time to epjoyit.
THE GREAT MOUND,
Famous as Is this ancient structure, 10
90 to the top Of 1t and penetrate TO the
center Of 1t was as new 10 us as If We had
seen 1t for the first time. For some years
past the mound has had but little atten-
tion paid to 1t In the way OF preserving 1t.
Lately 1t has come into the hands of G.
8. McFAdden, who designs taking such
steps as will thoroughly preserve it.
Much learned speculation has been in
dulged as TO the manner in which this
vast pile was accumulated. We do not
know what theory has finally been set
tied upon by Savans in relation to the
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