The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1875-11-05
OUR BRAxTON LETTER.
Savage d Bros. Iron WOrkS-The
Improvement OF Elk River
BRAxTOS, C. H., W, Va, Nov. LIST.

BRAxToS, G. H., W, Va, Nov. LIST.
Editors Of the InIelIiGenoer;
have Just made my first visit To the
extensive iron works OF Savage 4 Bro,
located on the waters Of Elk and Strange
creek, in this county, and 20 miles below
this place. | found the enterprise, in ex.
tent, far beyond anything had antici.
pated. Some l6 or IS months have
elapsed since the Inauguration Of the en-
terprise, and under rather discouraging
circumstances, owing to the scarcity OF
local supplies and the Inconvenience OF
transportation, they haye completed
their undertaking with atl the necessary
appliances for economical production,
and are now ready to manufacture iron
on al extensive scale.
Two years ago Maj, John Frame, vet
eran OF the forest, was the sole inhabi.
tant Of the locality, and was strictly
monarch OF all he surveyed" But in
an evil hour he leased the mineral privi.
leges, right Of way, &C., 10 an enterprising
combination Of men from Ohio, who have
built around him town Of 800 or GOO
inhabitants. Step by step they have
"moved upon him and his works" until
his house and yard are all that are left
him for the next ninety.nine years-at
the end Of which time the lease expires.
We felt sorry for the old man, and would
have cheerfIlly given him some Consola.
ton had we been able do to so. But he
having no interest in common with the
busy throng aronnd him, and the centen-
nial character Of the lease giving no hope
either to him or his children, we deemed
it prudent to remain silent on that sub.
jeCt, and merely remarked that it would
be we'll for him TO encourage feelings OF
forgiveness, and striveito' take the world
Just as he found 1t, without violent OppO'
sition to uncomfortable events. But
enough about Father Frame for the
present, and more about the Iron Works
In addition to aud connected with the
iron works, we found 4 well equipped
circular saw mill, and also a grist mill,
running on full time, and the former saw.
ing every conceivable character and kind
Of lumber. Also, on the stocks and about
completed, we found the hull Of re-
spectacle sized steamboat that will be
launched in few days and used by the
company in the transportation OF their
coal, ore and supplies, and further used
as regular packet to and from Charles
ton when few Of the most rapid shoals
shall have been channeled; and which, by
the way, will add more to the prosperity
and development Of this section OF coun-
try than any or all the improvements
heretofore made or proposed. II has long
since been fully demonstrated that the
locking and damning Of this river would
be inipracticable for variety Of rea.
sons heretofore given. Consequently our
only hope Of outside communication Ia in
the channeling Of Elk river from Sutton
to Charleston by local enterprise or
United States aid, and that 1t will
be done 10 certain extent by
the Iron Company we have no doubt,
~ much Of their success depends upon
the easy and rapid transportation OF their
iron to market. Congress, however, will
surely see the Importance Of rendering
pecuniary aid to so meritoriOus an object
and give usa few thousand dollars-SlOO,-
00O-being the maximum amount deem.
ed necessary for the accomplishment Of
the improvement from Charleston to
Braxton c. II. The company have al.
ready expended over 100000 and pro.
pose to double the aniounton similar en-.
lerprises; in 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
OF the State generally.
Our thanks are due to Mr.. Hoops, the
courteous machinist, for an explanation
Of the various complicated machinery
over which he presides. Also 10 the
MeSsrs. HAgar Bros. we are lastingly
obliged for additional knowledge respect.
ing the construction Of steam boats.
More anon. q. FIT.