Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1878-06-11
Spirit Of gtfftrso''.
CharlestoWn, JEFFERSON County, Hs.t Ia
TUESDAY MoRNING, JUNE II, 1873.
LETTER FROM CLARKSBURG.
CLARKsBuRa, ". VA,
Nav 0Skh 1873

May 18th, 1878.
Friend Huines IL must thank you for
the Spirits visitation. We were glad to
see its familiar face and learn about those
we have lett behind,
This is a wonderful country, ii looks like
it had been set up edgewise. Hills hills
no end to their number; and when one at
tempts to climb them he feels there is none
to their height, which is wonderful. But
the fertility of these hills is wonderiul-frum
their base to their top timothy grows, but
their richest treasure is within. They are
full of coal of the finest quality, and surely
this is wonderful. Yesterday went into
coal mine, it seemed like invading Pluto's
realm The mouth looked black and revolt
ing. Having seated ourselves (there were
three of us) in a small car, we began the de-
scent, carryinga small lamp in our hands;
soon daylight was all gone" and save the
feeble Pickering light of our lamps, which
only seemed to make darkness visible, blacks
ness enshrouded us. AS we rolled on
through this tunnel of coal, lights could be
seen in different directions, which the guide
informed US were used by the workmen,
and said the space around for one>halt
mile was like honey comb, or rather like a
checker>board, that the tunnels were regu-
larly laid out. The vein of coal is feet
thick, and is spread out over this entire re-
gion. The Harlem Gas Company gets its
coal from this mine. Is i. not most wonderful,
that from these black Jumps. hid away in the
hills, the brilliant light of New York should
fash-that the yet more brilliant thoughts
| of intelleots should be forged under
the influence of its cheering rays; that its
| hidden force, steam, should be generated
from water and nations commerce dragged
r 49, - ~ =, ,
derful country.
may add that SO far, in my experience,
the weather has proved wonderful. The old
adage, she is a wise man who carries his
umbrella" was never more true than here
Rain. rain nearly every day it rains. You
think it will be clear. Very we'll, try it
| There comes a cloud over that towering hill.
| 10 Jefferson is would mean nothing, but
here it will fall and explain itself. Down
comes the rain. We were starting to church,
the sky was clear and I asked the young la
dies (they were all school girls) "have you
your umbrelIas?" 1--WE shall not need
them," was their reply but when we came
out of church their mistake was clear it
was raining.
CIarksburg offers fine opportunities for
educating tho young. Thcre are two schools
for young ladies-one under baptist, the
other under catholic influence. They have
also here a very commodious public school
house. should think the school property
here is worth $50, 600.
The Temperance work goes on bravely.-
| The Court has refused to grant license to
sell ardent spirits, and the streets are now
wide enough for tho friends of B.cchus.
There is moro wealth in this place than
any other of the same size that l know of,
and it seems that several Of it's citizens can
| boast their half million. but the merchants
complain that it is the dullest season they
ever experienced. l hope our Charlestown
merchants may not be like them in this re-
| spect INVALID.