Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1882-01-18
TIE ISOLATED COUNTIES oF WEST
VIRGINIA.

There is very large part OF the popu-
latiOn Of our State who are intently
watching and waiting forthc means aud
the opportunity of uniting the interior
counties which lie between the system
Of nilruads which skirt the Ohio river
and the mountains which divide them
form the eastern Panhandle, with the
PENNSYLVANIA system having its branch
e. projecting toward and near tn" north
eTn border of the State.
There is a line Of counties there which
are entirely without railroad facilities
or other outside communication, except
so far ~ they happen TO be cut By the
line of the Baltimore Il Ohio road in it,
passage from East 10 West. II they
could connect themselves by road that
would unite the PENNSYLVANIA system
with the Chesapeake IL Ohio, il would
omen mp y vas, area Of the states terri
tory that i now almost isolated and
consequently undeveloped and FESTIVE
with its condition.
There have been number OF roads
projected 20 accomplish this object. The
counties of Harrison, Marion, Preston
and MOnOn%alia are periodically agttHt-
ing and subscribing To the building of Il
road down the NonOngahela river, or
near the course of that stream, which
would unite with some eastern line and
give them an outlet North. And they
have net given it up, by any means.
Again. what is known rs the Pitts
burgh and West Virginia southern road,
would, il built, accomplish what these
counties avU seeking. This latter Is still
q live project but moves SsCwly for want
ut means. Occasionally il talks squirt
and makes show of progress. AbOHt
fifteen miles OF AN extension reaching
the national pike near HillSbOrO Penn
Svlvania is about 10 he made, 80 we un-
iCr<taud. The people of that locality
have graded the extension and furnish
Ell the ties, and the President, JAMES
Ii. HOPEINS, has agreed to put on the
iron al once; and more than that, t.
pCatS his assurance that the road will
he extended on into this State.
There are two or three other projects
looked upon with some hope 10y these
counties. The Washington aud
Waynesbufg road is within twelve or
fifteen miles Of the West Virginia line.
The Southwest Pennsylvania road, Il
branch Of the Pennsylvania system, i
also ABOUT the same distance from the
branches could make II immensely prof
table by penetrating West Virginia
and closing up the gap between their
termini and the system Of roads now
becoming 80 numerous in the Southern
section Of our State.
The main reliance OF our people is in
getting the assistance of ono Of these
railroad companies to build the line
through the State. The most hope
seems To be i'm the Southwest PenuSyl-
vania line, which has che wealth and
certainly the iuduCement TO make the
extension. Ii has run up 10 its present
terminus from Pittsburgh mainly
tor the purpose of tapping the coke
fields at COnucllsvilic, and the ore
fields which lie near in that neighbour
hood, and it is IL well ascertained fact
that the same vein OF coal, as well a.
the same ore fields, a. those which are
being worked ut ConncllSviilc, extend
up through West Virginia aS far, per-
hapS, IL FairmOnt, anda railroad could
live AMI flourish from an ineXhauStible
business of this character, iftheSe mines
were opened up from the point of be-
ginning at COnnellSvilie, some 10 or 80
miles further into this State.
This will be done some day, aud The
day is not far distant. The time de
ponds much upon theenergy with which
the people of this State work up the prof.
ect, and the liberality with which they
contribute to it. The portion of the
state to which we refer is entitled to a
railroad. Ii must have it. They must
place themselves in communication
with the outside world, or shrivel up
and die, while walking over untold
mines of wealth that in its present con-
ditiou is entirely useless. They ought
TO make this the first and chief object
of their aspirations, year in and year
out, until they get relief from their iso-
lation. We hope and believe that the
day OF their deliverance is not far off.