West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1878-02-02
From the Wheeling standard.l
PRESTON COUNTY

Preston ia a peculiar cou mt, both
in Its formation and its soil In
some parts of the county there are
low Hat plateaus covered with glades.
which betoken the existence OF =
lake in the old times. The greater
portion of the county, however, ls
hllly, yet the larger portion of the soil
is arabic, and Is especially adapt ed
to grazing. The soil is generally good,
and produces fair yield Of ali the
cereals peculiar to this climate The
lands vary IN prices from So to $40
per acre; and the principal indus
tries OF the county are farming, graz.
ing and numbering. Coal is found
IN paying quantities in most every
portion OF the county, but with the
exception OF few points along the
railroad, 1t has never been mined to
any considerable extent. The value
OF the taxable property OF the county
ls little ABOVE three millions oil
dollars. There are about l2O pub
lie schools, 40 churches and 80 post
offices within the county. Alto
gether Preston is one of the solid
counties OF West Virginia, and offers
excellent advantages for industrious,
enterpriDg farmers and stock raisers
Preston was formed from the
territory oil Monougalia, in the
spring oil 1918. At that time. her
population was about 5000; in 1920
1T Was 1922; in 1870 1885, and at
thls time II Is perhaps about 10000
This shows gradual aud healthy
growth. The county was first set
tied at the close OF the revolution
by the soldiers of that great conflict.
who sought new homes along the
banks Of Cheat river, drawn thither
by the game and feb which that
river and valley sfoded.
Tue Hon. William G.. Blown, who
IS in his 10th year, and has been a
resident OF Preston for over halt
century, IN aliuiing TO The game OF
the Cheat Valley says: "Old Mr
Wtles, who settled IN what is nov
called Uuion District, told me mo,
Than nifty years ago, that he, whe,
be first ssttlsd there, killed as hle h
as seven elk IN one day. the lsas ri
which wei hed over 300 pounds.
The late Co.! Ashby, who resided
on Snowy creek, ussr Portland. told
me that be, when young. killed in a
Tall, a. high a. thirty deer, and his
father about as many more. Aud.
~ way Of variety, they would occa-
siOnslly kill bear or buffalo, and
within 10Y recollection. the late John
Copley, who resided within lees than
4 mile OF Klugwood, went with bis
children to gather chestnuts, end
soon came TO very inviting tree, the
I top Of which was dark with opening
burs, and he AZ ooce concluded to
tail II. Bot before the tree was be- (
down, the children discovered q fne
bear in the top Of u. As matter
Of course the programme WA
changed the bear bad TO be killed
sod dressed. "
K.ngwood a. this time has a popu.
lation Of about 900, add is the oldest
town 10 the country. II has been
be seat Of justice ever since the
county was formed. Itisnot com
psctiy bolt, bot the houses generally
are Of superior quality. The el-
ovation on which the town slaDds
was covered With beautiful forest
/ Of unusually tall trees forest kinqs
-end from these 30 took iis pane
TIE ground on which KiDgwood now
stands was Used % camping ground
BY the emigrsnts going West Ions
bsiore he town vac built. Many Of
( ;be earlier settlers Of Kentucky
/ passed this way FROM Winchester 10
ths Ohio river opposite Marietta, at