Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1881-06-04

1
Gently placed us in the picturesque
village of Wellersburg, Pa. An old
fashioned, easy-going population OF
three or four hundred enjoy life here
much in the way our fathers did be-
fore the age of steam. They are per-
uniting their dwellings and other
buildings to go to decay. Some that
should be in their prime are already
topping, dismantled, while others fol-
low with the "galloping consumption. "
Yet these people are not insensible
to the fact that they have advantages
and resources of decided value. Sur
rounded by rich farms and thrifty
farmers they have at their doors
enough and much to spare of the in
dispensables to good living.
More than this, we were reliably
informed that this valley is underlaid
with dozen veins of coal, each
averaging from three to seven feet in
thickness; quality but little inferior
to the Georges Greek product.
There are also SIX seams of iron
ore each averaging between eighteen
inches and four feet and assaying forty
per cent. of iron; quantity practically
unlimited.
The same veins Of fire clay the
Union Mining company, Of Mt. Saw
age, are working with so much sue
cess, exist here In perfect purity and
exhaustless extent.
About five thousand acres frst-class
timber await the az and saw, and
tanbark on same ground in immense
quantities.
All these resources, we learn, are
easily accessible and invite develop
ment. The country affords superb
locations for brickyard, and furnaces.
One of the latter, a dllapidated
structure in the outskirts of the viii
lage, attests that in lite day busy times
prevailed here.
Several years ago well was sunk
in the vicinity in quest Of oil. A
number of the mineral veins above
noted, but hitherto unknown, were
discovered in the bore. The well
reached a depth of twelve hundred
and sixty feet without finding oil.
A strong impression prevails among
the people along this valley that the
Cumberland and Pennsylvania rail-
road company should extend its Bar
relvile branch to We.lersburg. They
contend that the inducements are
sufficient to warrant the construction
entire of new road. In this case,
however, the bed is made, and,
sparing small portion Of its power
full equipment for operating the
branch, all that ia wanting of the @.
& P. railroad company is three miles of
track. That the comparatively small
outlay involved would open up new
and profitable carrying-trade appears
to be beyond doubt; and now, while
the G. & P's original grounds have
been poached upon, it gems the prop
er thing to make reprisals from the
enemy's territory. No other road
can reach the Wellersburg region so
easily; no other possesses similar ad-
vantages of contisuity and access;
hence, to it all interested naturally
look to provide the outlet.
1t may be said, too, in behalf OF
Cumberland, the Baltimore and Ohio
railroad and the canal, that the de-
velornent of the Wellersburg region
will be no mean addition to the trade
of each and it ought to be encouraged
and projected as coon as possible,
We enjoyed good dinner at Mr
George H. DeHaven's llctel; jumped
in the buggy; crossed Mason and Dix
on's line; sped by the NAKED Dog
an antadiluvian tavern,-and reached