The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1883-03-23
A NEW ENTERPRISE.
DEVELOPMENT OF OUR STATE.
Illl.oIs Railroad Men Coming Into Our s.ate-rA,,
See Their Title Clsar-A Big Scheme Propos.
ing the EstablIshmsnt OF National
FOandry-GsnsraI News Notes.


Special Correspondence OF the Iutelllsencer.
WESTON, W. Va, March 2l.-It seems
strange to me that thus far the local writers
OF this vicinity have failed to write up"
as It should have been done, the workings
OF one Of the most enterprising little cor
porstions ever organized in thisns State. to.
wit: the Weston and Webster County
Railroad Company. The road is intended
to extend at least as far as from
WESTON TO WEBSTER Gil.
the famous Salt Sulphur Springs country.
The company was incorporated November
10, 1880, Mark Dargan IA former Lewis
county many, but for u number Of years oc-
cupying leading position on the detective
police force Of Chicago, being the protector
and owner OF most OF the stock, and Walter
P. Goodrich, Henry p DAILY, William
Schreiber, Thomas ]. Deylin, Joseph II.
Muhlke, and Charles II. Goodrich, all
OF Chicago, being the remaining
stockholders. The enterprise is one Of pc.
culiarly profitable advantages; for in run.
ming up the fertile valleys Of the West Fork,
it will extend into country which is
doubtless the richest in timber and miner.
ais Of any insthe State. Besides this, it taps
country which has not tue equal facilities
for floating or hauling timber; and will
pierce locality which in the transports.
ton Of Its timber alone would afford ample
work for broad gauge road for years to
come.
Major Mark Dargan, the protector
and manager Of the enterprise, has
worked hard and faithfully to make
the enterprise success. Several
miles OF the road.bed have been made; a
locomotive and other paraphernalia pro-
cured; bridge and other timber cut out, and
an immense amount OF labor performed.
But right here comes in the effects OF the
PECULIAR IDEAS
OF our people. Instead Of encouraging
Major Dargan land he asked no pecuniary
aid from them). they have almost persist
emily thrown cold water upon the enter
prise. Although he cheeriully paid large
amounts OF money for labor and material.
from which real benefit accrued to us, they
seemed inclined to befoul rather than
build up our county. But the history OF
railroad enterprises in this State has been
consistent, at least; for not one, that know
Of, but what has had to encounter the
obstacles provided by nature, but also the
stubborn and unreasonable opposition oi
numbers Of our people. On the line OF this
road can show you the finest timber and
minerals in either Of the Virginias. l can
take you 10 the farm Of Geo. Butcher, where
the whole country is underlaid with the
most magnificent coal-the thinnest part
OF the vein being l2 feet inches. And
timber-well, il should try to describe 1t,
you would think was grossly exaggerat.
ing-but II you could see it, you would de-
clare with the prophet, that "the half has
not been told.".
TIE ROAD IN LEWIS,
AS have said, extends from Weston to
Washburne's Run; and here we find the
finest beds Of gas coal and coal used in
smiths shops, that has been discovered
any where. Major Dargan sent on to Chi
cago several specimens OF these "black dia.
monds," and the result was the formation
Of the company mentioned above. 10 him
and his Chicago friends we owe a debt OF
gratitude We cannot pay too soon; for they
have not only invested their money with
US, but have developed and opened up
country which would otherwise be "a place
OF darkness"
What the future Of the enterprise may
be know not; but do know this, that
with the infusion OF western enterprise we
stand some chance Of getting "out Of the
woods" few live Yankees are better than
a good crop Of corn. And this road, tap.
ping, as it does, 80 much Of our rich terri.
tory which, without 1t, must remain in
darkness; and being also in every light
profitable enterprise, as well to the stock.
holders as our own people, should receive
encouragement from every patriotic West
Virpipian,