West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1880-07-31
A BIT OF LOCAL HISTORY.
THE LAYING orr md RtpTD RI-II-
DING tP or EELLoHSTILLF.
The EstnbIishmcut OF Two News
papcrs--SccurS and Incidents of
thcoid dStnVc-ConchingD Days, &c.


Heermans, Esq, of Lugerne County,
Pennsylvania, as the agent of his
uncle, the late Joseph Fellows, Esq,
wealthy gentleman Of New York,
who owned extensive tracts of land
IN this county, came out with a co..
ouy OF Pennsy lvaniaus and New
Workers. aud at the head OF Little
Sandy Creek and at the junction Of
the Brsndonville and Evansville and
North western turnplkos, laid out
town which in honor Of his uncle, he
called Fellowsville. Tho first house
erected in the town, was the one
story frame building still standing az
the southern end of the bridge on
Klngwood street, and was built for
printing Office. Here on the 10th
OF May l94S, was issued the fret num-
Der of the FslIoVsvHlc Democrat, a
sprightly four page folio, 22x32 inch.
es and thoroughly Wing in politics.
Through the thoughtful care and
kindness Of our old and much es-
tesmed friend. Mr.. Benz. NJ. Royse,
we have before us for reference a file
OF the first thirty five numbers Of the
Democrat. the first newspaper ever
published in Preston county. The
initial number Contains map Of the
town and an advertisement Offering
one hundred lots in it for sale. This
was thirty two years ago, when the
Northwestern turnpike was the great
thOronghiare between the East and
the West, and when it's surging tide
OF travel, as it ebbed and flowed
presented an ever changing and ev-
er moving panorama Of people, hors.
es, wagons and carriages, and great
herds OF cattle, sheep and hogs,
sweeping in endless confusion along,
as drift-wood upon a turbid stream.
Houses, mile, stores, workshops
and Offices sprapg up in tho new
town, as it by magic, presenting a
scene OF bustling, driving activity.
Early in the summer of 1849, r..
S. NJ. Hill, Esq. commenced the
publication here Of Democratic
paper called the Preston County
HcraId, which received from the
people OF this and adjoining counties
a much more hearty support than
had been extended to it's Wing con-
temporary. Both papers were set
up in the same Office and printed on
the same press. Among the first
buildings erected here, was a large
and commodious hotel, which
was opened and kept by Mr.. s.
Heermans, and which soon became
noted as the best hotel on the stage
route from Winchester to Parkers-
burg: and travellers would ride late,
or stcp early, to enjoy its hospital
ties and good cheer. At that time
a daily line Of coaches ran east and
west over the Northwestern turn
pike, making regular connections
with other lines in various direc-
tions. The farmer then found ready
sale at home, at good prices and for
/
the cash, for all OF his snrplus prod l.
ucts, and everything moved on with
good old swinging. rattling, roaring,
stage-coach apeed. But, little la
ter on, all becomes changed, The
Baltimore and Ohio railroad, cutting
it's way through mountains and span.
n'ng dark ravines and rushing
streams in it's westward course, was
opened to Wheeling. and not long
alterwr by branch, to Psrksrs-
burg.
Before the sbrieking on coming
locomotive the traffic and travel of
the turnpike fed afrighted away
forever, aud a decadsnce settled
down upon them. Fellowsville
shared in the common ruin: build
ing and enterprise ceased; the hum
and huz and clstter Of business were
hushed, and very soon the untram-
pied grass was growing green in her
street, her two newspapers ceased
to exist, and the press and material
we're removed TO Fair mont.
Thirty years have come and gone
since then. And now, AZ to com .
plete the cycle, tho Broad- Az rises
Pheniz like, from the ashes Of lie
predecessors steam Touring and
saw mill is being pushed rapidly to-
ward completion, while the erection
Of a number Of buildings during the
sumner and fall is projected.
In all this, we think we see the
dawn Of bright future for Fellows
Vile.
The ARGUS and the New York