The new dominion. [volume] (Morgantown, W. Va.) 1876-1904, 1882-09-16

gum, and the spruce Is remarkably
fine. Careful examinations by com
petent timber men place the average
yield of merchantable timber per
acre of the timber lands in Pocahon-
tas at 10000 feet broad measure.
Many acres will yield much more.
Men experienced in running timber,
and who have explored these regions,
say that the timber can be floated to
market in the Gauley and Elk and
their contributaries with compare
lively little expense. And the streams
can be reached from the mountain
tops by tramways down the slopes,
which are in most cases very gradual.
When we consider the immense cap
ital invested in railways in Michigan
and Wisconsin and other Northern
States for the purpose mainly of get
ting out the pine timber, and the
prices at which timber lands are held,
it is surprising that these virgin for
ests should have remained untouch-
ed. This condition of things, how
ever, cannot last. West Virginia is
waking from its Rip Van Wrinkle
sleep, and soon will rouse up and
move forward In the race. The Chcsa-
peake and Ohio Railway has changed
the rugged canyon of New River into
hive of teeming industry in the
manufacture of coke, and the green
slopes Of the Kanawha are black
with the out put of coal. Saw mills
and other productive industries are
springin up, and it will not be long
before another iron link connect
ing the Ohio with the seaboard
will span the mountains by way OF
Elk or Gauley Rivers, and then the
harvest of the judicious investor will
come.
GRAND SCENERY.
From Charleston to the Falls of the
Kanawha is thirty eight miles by rail.
At certain seasons of the year the
river is nayigable for steamboats, all
the way, but when the water is low
they are unable to ascend. The val
ley is narrow, the banks of the river
high and precipitous, while the noun
tains on either side are bold and
towering. The track of the Ghesa-
peake and Ohio Railroad follows the
west bank of the stream all the way,
and the view from the car window is
fine, owing to the constantly chang
ing scenes which present themselves
as you are whillcd along. The route
is studded with small villages-Al-
den, Brownstown, Lewistown, Coal
burg, eli ton and Cannclton-which
have been developed by the coal and
salt trade. Kanawha Falls Station,
within a few hundred yards of the
rocky ledge over which the waters
of the New and Gauley Rivers pour,
is 1913 miles from Richmond and
lightweight from Huntington, on the
Ohio. AS there is very good hotel
here it is much frequented by tour
lists on account of the fine mountain
scenery. The New River, which is
a swift mountain torrent in the great
canyon through which it flows, be-
comes placid stream at this point.
The massive rocky barrier over which
it falls is about 1900 feet in width,
and the height is said TO be fifty feet,
though it does not look to be more
than twenty from the car window.
When there is a flood in the river
the falls present a wild appearance,
as q great volume of water is precip-
itated over the rocks, like a minia
ture Niagara. There are q number
Of dwellings near the station, and on
the other side Of the river is famous
old inn, known as the Stockton
House, which was stopping place
for travellers in the days of stage
coaching and here Tom Benton and
Henry Clay often tarriedA when on
their way to or from Washington.
The railroads now fairly enters the
mountain, and the scenery becomes
grander as we advance. The mar
row canyon through which New Riv-
er dashes and foams over the rocks
is dark and wild, reminding one of
some of the defiles in the Sierra Ne
vadas. At point called the Hawks
Nest the cliffs frown over the rail-
road from height Of 600 feet, on the
crest of which passes the old James
River and Kanawha turnpike. Near
here the railroad crosses the river
on fine iron bridge $50 feet in
length, and of great engineering in
terest, because the foundations for
its masonry are secured on the bowld-
ers in the bed of the torrent with
iron bolts. From here to White Sui
phur Springs, in Greenbrier county,
the scenery is of the widest descrip-
ton, and the tourist never tires of
gazing upon it. There are occasional
settlements in the mountains, a saw
mill is found here and there, fur
mace or two is encountered, and the
coking industry seems to be thriving.
At White Sulphur Springs, 227 miles
from Richmond, now in the height of
the season, the tourist stops for rest.
This is not appropriately called
the Saratoga of the South,on account
Of the wealth and fashion found here
during the summer. OF late years
this place has undergone great i'm
provements, the new hotel, the beau
tiful grounds and cottages adding
greatly to the comfort Of pleasure
seekers, and making it more sought