The Jackson standard. [volume] (Jackson C.H., Ohio) 1847-1888, 1876-06-01
From Elk River Furnace

BRAxToS CoUxTY, WEsr Va May %.
To the Editor u the Standard:
Ny opinion, expressed and published
by you last summer in the STANDARD re-
specting the Elk River country and its
future. remains unchanged. When |
left there last summer the Furnace Stack
at Strange Greek was about being finish
ed. Since that time a Pot House. En-
gine House, Bridge House, and all the
necessary appendages have been added,
which gives the Furnace a fine appear
ance. The whole work has been done
in a substantial manner, combining con-
venience and durability. The Furnace
has been in operation during the last
winter. and made about two hundred
tons Of cold blast iron, Of a good quality.
The company are now using all the
means within their power to procure a
stock OF coal and ore sufficient TO enable
them to make two thousand tons Of iron
during the coming fall and winter. The
Furnace is in prime order, a new hearth
has been put in by James Mckinney, in
his best style, and she is ready to start
any moment. IL they are successful it
will change the aspect Of affairs here, and
establish a confidence in their ability to
discharge all their liabilities at no very
distant day. They have four coaling
jobs in progress to supply coal, two OF
them are one fourth mile distant from
the Furnace, the remaining two are one
and three miles off They are working
a vein Of ore of from ten inches to two
feet thick, of fine quality, half q mile
from the Furnace, and are getting ore
from four or five other banks within con
venIent distances. IL has cost the CO m
pany q large amount of labor and ex-
pense to make roads to their ore banks
and coaling Jobs in this new country,
where there were but few roads fit for
public use. Taking into consideration
the amount of labor performed and the
expense incurred in bringing all the ma
chinery necessary for the Furnace from
a distance, unaided by railroad or steam.
boat conveyance, il is not surprising that
a debt of considerable magnitude has
been created, but not Of such magni.
tude as to forbid the possibility of its
adjustment within a reasonable time,
provided the Furnace meets with the
ordinary success OF other Furnaces simi-
larly situated The straight forward
course pursued by their manager, Jesse
Savage, has gained the confidence Of the
farmers and business men generally,
here. who appear to be willing 10 assist
as their means will allow. In this new
country there are few men that have any
surplus capital aside from what they
need to carry on their occupations.
There will be no difficulty in running
iron to market on this river at ordinary
frsshets, and at a less expense than by
any ether means OF transportation. see
nothing discOuraging here. Two or three
Furnaces more and a like number Of
good Touring mills erected on this River,
would create a market for the products
of the soil, and call forth the energies Of
the farming community, so that in a
short time there would be no necessity
for bringing food for man or beast from
distance. Iron ore, stone coal, lime IN
large quantities are found nearly every
where on this River The hills adjacent
TO the River are crowned with a heavy
growth of timber, Of nearly all kinds.
In summer the days are warm, the nights
cool, the air pure and bracing, and no
where in our land can you find a more
healthy, active and stronger set of men
and women than are here on Elk River
and its tributaries, and TO their praise
allow me to say, that they are kind and
hospitable always ready to share with
the needy and to accommodate stranger.
SAMUEL BAKER.