The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1881-05-20

working up a good feeling towards the
enterprise, there has been, and still 10, on
the part Of some Of the owners OF land
there, 4 most decided opposllion 70 the
SnteTpTise. The farmers in tha'neighbor'
hood are, generally speaking, In easy CIV.
eumstancss, and live on the lat Of the
land, the fruits OF honest industry, COM
mendable thrift and rigid economy. Every
cent they have earned has been by the
sweat Of their brows, They have pleas
ant homes and are most happily sur
rounded by all the beauties OF nature,
They say they are contented and have AL
they can desire. Besides, too, they say
they have but little II any expectation
that oil will be found there.
The soil for strength and fertility cannot
be surpassed by any in the State. It ia
the best OF grazing land, while oil kinds o.
grain can be raised with ease. The best Of
limestone, and q superior quality OF sand
stone In inexhaustible quantities are there
to be had. Coal, too, In large veins, easily
mined, and OF the best quality, Ia under
every acre. The farmers argue that 1t Ia
unreasonable to suppose that, In an equtt'
able distribution Of the gifts Of Providence,
any additional wealth in large and paying
quantities 10 likely 10 be found in such q
country. They want their sheep TO browse
unmolested on their hundred hills. They
do not wish 10 be interiered with in the en-
ioyment OF all these Injuries and this
beauty. On the other hand there are hun
dreds who believe that the expectations
and predictions Of the oil pIophet9,, ana
experts will be fully and speedily realized
They are looking forward to an increase
OF all kinds Of business, and are already
dreaming OF thu "tilthy luCre" that they
will pack away in secret boxes, old cheats
and long.leggsd stockings. Every man
and woman who 10 the lucky posaessor OF
town lot in any OF the many villages IN
the district expects to be able 10 realize 0
sufficient sum theTeirom to enRnl 10 him or
her to buy good farm and live In luxury
lduripg the remainder OF lie, Already
msrchsnts, who drowsily kill time by
whiting store boxes while waiting lor the
end Of the corn planting season, are con;
ltemplating the building OF additional
rooms or erecting new structures, while
ambitious Cleiks are saving their odd
change and doing without their Sunday
suIls Ia order to raise O little capital to go
| IN OIL tlelE uhu uuuA WhSh sAS eHFaSs
Da,ed boom comes. Widows and unmar.
ried women, living in lonely, outol'the'
way places, are alarmed OF the prospects
Of The country being overrun with adj
venturers aud tTamps, and new and bet
Ter door fastsnings and larger and more
ieroClous dogs are in demand. Pious
people, who observe the Sabbath In the
ald.iashioned way, aud who will not
allow, without q contest, an innova
lion on their usual custom, are hor'
riaed at the thought Of the Sunday
deseCration that must necessarily
follow the striking Of oil, But, take II
all In oil, broad smile covers the face OIL
every man, woman and child whom
you meet In that pSrt Of Washington Coun.
" when you mention the probability Of
oil being found, 1t 10 questionable with
some whethe', II wool 10 dethroned and
oil Is made king instead, the change, in
the long run, will be better and more
profitable. AS 1t now 10, the farmers are
rich, prosperous and Conlented. They
know not what speculation 10, and with
them "long" and "short" are unknown
terms. The Sheriff has no "i4t Sit" and lie
compelled 10 earn his livelihood outside
the fees Of his office. But In few weeks
we will know whether wool or oil 10 king
In Washington county.