The Weston Democrat. [volume] (Weston, W. Va.) 1875-current, 1875-11-15
BRAXTOS COUNTY.
The Iron Works---Improvemcnt or
Elk River, dc.

Captain G. T. Taylor, in a rccen
letter to tho Wheeling MteII;geacer
says: have just made my first visiI
to the extensive iron works of Savage
& Bro located on tho waters of Elk
and Strange Creek, 10 this county, and
20 miles below this place l found
the enterprise, in extent, far beyond
anything | had anticipated. Some 1G
or IS months have elapsed since the
inauguration Of the enterprise, and un'
der rather discourugiug circumstances,
owing to the scarcity Of local supplies
and tho Inconvenience Of transporta.
ton. they have completed their under
taking with all tho necessary appliances
for economical production, and are
now ready to manufacture iron on an
extensive scale. Two years ago Major
John Frame. veteran Of the forest,
was the sole iuhabitant of the locality,
and was strictly monarch of all he
surveyed" But 10 an evil hour he
leased the mineral privileges, right of
way, &c to IN enterprising combina.
ton Of men from Ohio, who have bull,
around him town of 500 or 600 in
habitants. Step by step they have
"moved upon him and his works."
until his house aud yard are all that
are left him for the newt nine.y.ninc
ycars-at the end Of which time he
lease expires. We felt sorry for the
old man, and would have cheerfully
given him some consolation, had We
been able to do so. But he having no
interest in common with the busy
throng around him, and the centennial
character Of the lease giving no hope
either to him or bis children, VIC
deemed it prudent to remain silent on
that subject, and merely remarked that
# would be well for him to encourage
feelings Of forgiveness. and strive to
take the world just as no found it.wi,h.
out violent opposition to uncomfortable
events. But enough about Father
Frame for the present, aud more about
the Iron Works.
In addition to, and connected with
the iron works, we found a well
equipped circular saw.mill. and also q
grist mill. running on full time, and
the former saving every conceivable
character aud kind Of lumber. Also.
on the stocks, and about completed. we
found the hull Of a respectable sized
st ,ambuat that will DO laun ched 10 .
few days aud used by the company 10
tue transportation Of their coal. orc and
supplies, and further used as a regular
packet to and from Charleston, when
few Of the most rapid shoals shall have
been chauneled aud which, by the
way. will add more to the prosperity
and development Of this SECTION Of
country than any or all the improve.
mcnts heretofore made or proposed. It
has long since been fully demonstrated
that tho locking and dammig Of this
river would be Improbable for "a va
riety Of reasons heretofore given. Con-
sequently our only hope Of outside
communication is 10 the chanuclihg Of
Elk river from Sutton to Charleston by
local enterprise or United States aid,
and that it will DO done to certain
extent by the Iron Company We have
no doubt, as much Of their success do
ponds upon the easy and rapid trans.
porta,ion Of their iron to market. Con-
grcss, however, will surely see the i'm.
portance of rendering pecuuiary aid to
so meritorious an object. and give US a
few thousand dollars-Sl00, 400 being
the MAXIMUM amount deemed necessary
for the accomplishment Of the improve
ncnt from Charleston 10 Braxton Court
House. Tho company have already
expended over 500, 900, and propose
to double the amount 90 similar enter.
priscs; 10 which case the daily unob.
structed navigation Of the river will BE-
Of the most vital importance to them.
to the people Of this section. and to the
citizens ST the State generally.