The Emporia weekly news. [volume] (Emporia, Kan.) 1881-1889, 1881-08-18
IN WEST VIRGINIA.
KneWoon, NJ. VA AZ


We arrived at Fairmont, in this state,
on the first day Of August, where we
took a hack for Laurel Point fifteen
miles back in the country, to the resi-
dence Of Mr.. Jones already spoken Of
Falrmont is on the Monongahela river,
about 90 miles from the Ohio river, and
contains 100 population. There is q
town across the Monongahela opposite
Fairmont, containing some 500 inhabi-
tants. The two towns are connected
by bridge. Fairmont is an old town,
and contains some very substantial resi-
denees and business houses, As well as
many that are dilspIdated and time
worn. GovernorPierpoint, who was, we
think, the first governor Of West Viz
ginia, and who was q terror to the seces-
sionists, lives here. His house is a COM
mon frame, and shows the work of
time. 1t stands at the edge of town
and near it is the law Office of the ex-
Governor. From appearances the veneer
able unionist is not burdened with vexa-
tious law business.
Right here trouble commenced. I'm
agine 100 pounds of humanity, who
is unaccustomed to any sort of violent
exercise. in q little bunny two-seated
hack with five grown passengers, two
children, and trunks and express goods
TO suit. It is fifteen miles over the
mountains TO Aunt James and broiling
hot. Even now, when we look back and
contemplate that journey, we almost
wish we had never been born. We made
the trip in five hours.
West Virginia is a constant surprise
to Us. Travelling on the railroad one
sees the worst part of it. Back from the
railroad extensive farming operations
are carried on. It is q fact that the best
corn we have found since leaving Kan
sas is found along the road leading
from Fairmont, in Marion county. to
Morgantown, in MOnongalia county, q
distance Of twenty miles. Our farmers
will be surprised, no doubt, to learn
that in many of the fields, which arr
much greater in number and extent than
we had expected, the stalks
stood ten and twelve feet high
are Of luxuriant growth and healthy col
or, and . great proportion Of them beal
two ears. The corn is just coming into
the roasting ear season. The fields otter
run up on the mountain sides where
certainly no Kansas farmer would thinh
Of venturing with team. The extern
to which this crop is grown was one o
the surprises, and its large size and I'm.
: appearance was another. We were told
by farmer that yield Of sixty bushels
to the acre is not uncommon. And bet
ter yet, corn brings much better pricl
: here than in Kansas. II is seldom be
low forty cents per bushel, and from
that to sixty and seventy i've cents Tim
othy Is extensively raised ON the slopes
There is none of what we call bottom
land. We are feeding upon The larges
and finest potatoes We ever saw. The,
: do well here. Apples. pears and plum
are raised in great abundance. The
, do not seem 20 grow large but the tree
! are literally loaded with fiuit. We se'
E sugar cane, and all sorts Of vegetable
: are abundant. Honey is also plenty
The season is full month behind Kan
lsas, but If anybody has formed tn
I opinion that West Virginia is . barre
: country trip here and an investigation
!. Of the country lying back from. the rail
! road will open their eyes to their mii
; take In hurry.
N But the best has not been told. Wes
!. Virginia's greatest source Of Healt
! | lies In her mountains and On top ofthsH
Hidden under the surface are coal an
: iron ore In endless supply. ana on th
4 surface are millions Of acres Of the fnes
timber in theWorld. We presume IheE
! would be no exaggeEalion in the sssel
4 ton that in the counties Of MarioE
? | MonongAlia end Preston; over Shieh u
4 have been travelling for several days. u
!. wealth IN fhe mountains Is equal to thl
: I OF the sans number Of acres anywhere {
/ | Colorado or New Mexico. In The neiel
. boGhood Of Laurel Point and PieFpos1
6 meeting house, NonOcgalia cOuatJ
: there are three successive viens Of Goa
!. sssen, nine aad eleven feet IN thicknes
These veins exist all over this part {
o the State in greater OF less thickness
/, Ths people usscoal IN their houses. an
z Il n almost equal In quality 70 the 6
o nous PsnnsylvaniA hard coal he
d also have son coal in abundance
o The matter Of fuel Is . mere trsae il Ii
e icost Of living here. We heard q . ma
. the olher day who bought good WACO
. Iload Of coal At the hAEk foE 90 CENTS. ]
4 Il furnished Il from sa.OO 10 eaO0 pc
e 100 bushels. Fine timber IL beisg CO
land Ihinned 20 Pif.sbure and osha