Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1880-02-21
5bspberSstown Register.
IMPORTANT TO CAPITAL.
ISIS,

We call attention to the Government
advertisement I'm another column of this
issue, of the Water privileges and other
property belonging to the United States
M Harper's Ferry. The sale Of this valua-
bic property becomes an Important event
10 the people of Harper's Ferry, and in
fact to the people along the border States,
for they are all interested I'm the result.
The "water privileges" which are now
offered for sale. comprise the site OF the
old Armory on the Potomac river and the
Rifle Factory situated on the Shenandoah
river, both OF which constituted the IVA
ter Power" Of the National Armory,
which was located at Harper's Ferry,
prior to the breaking out of the late war.
The Government was about 90 years In
developing this Water power, aud whilst
the Armory was in full blast, Congress
made heavy annual appropriations Tor
the purpose of maintaining 1t. SO by
large expenditures of public money the
Government succeeded in developing one
of the finest, most regular and powerful
"Water Powers" in the world. At the
close of the war the Government having
no further need for it for the purpose for
which it was intended, Congress author
lied its sale, and in 1869 it was sold at
public auction and purchased by COM
pany of capitalists from Washington I'M
Fortunately for all concerned, this comDa-
ay proved 10 be mere spectators who
uever attempted 10 use il farther than rs
a prercXt for law suit against the b. q
O. Il. r., and by the time the suit was
ended the Government found it necessary
TO commence suit against them for the
purchase money which had not been paid.
Soiu 1875 under decree in the suit Of the
United States vS.F. &. Adams and others,
il was offered for sale, and there being
no competition the Government bought
IL in. Then the matter fingered along
till now that the country has passed It's
financial depression and manufacturing
interests seem TO be looking up, the OIL
Gals ut Washington deemed ii TO the best
Interests ofthe Government and peop.e,
that il should be thrown on the market
and if possible be gotten into the hands
of those who will developit This Water
Power is fed from the Potomac river by
n canal about !, mile long, and with the
exception of one break, which could east
" be repaired, is in almost perfect condl-
ton. This canal is 80 constructed that IL
CONVEYS the water through some eight
large fore-bays with equal force, over
which can be built rs many shops for
manufacturing, with the assurance that
the supply of water will be regular at all
times. In he enclosure Of the site of the
old Aymory yard, there is ample room
for building fifty large shops, all OF
which can be supplied with all the pow
or needed. TO capitalists who may de-
sire water power that has cost millions
TO construct il, this is the one for them
70 buy. 1t not only offers to such, all the
advantages which might be desired AS a
water power, but it has the further ad-
vantage of being situated within few
miles of one Of the finest Iron Furnaces
In the country, from which iron can be
transported by canal at very low rates,
and also within few miles of as fine beds
of iron ore as can be found in the country,
Articles of commerce manufactured at
that point can be transported to the sea-
board either by rail or canal with but one
handling. All the fuel desired for use
can readily be obtained at Cumberland
and transported by canal and unloaded
right at the point where needed. All told
this sale presents fine opportunity for
capitalists to invest their money TO adVan-
tage. and offers to such for reasonable
price, a water power which cost millions.
it is to be hoped therefore that capitalists
sill bestir themselves and avail them
selves of this most excellent opportunity
10 purchase this property.