Martinsburg independent. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1875-1900, 1884-07-05
"P. G's. Letter.
CROP PROSPECTS - POLITICS - THE
ASYLUM. 1854


ASYLUM.
WESTON, LEWIS County, June
both, lSS4.--We are having very
good season for everything in the
way Of vegetation and fruit in
this section. 1t surprises me to
find that vegetables, such as po-
tatoes, beans, ETC., are equally as
early in this mountainous region
as they are in your valley. Those
of us who have confined ourselves
to our immediate valley homes,
cannot appreciate the greatness Of
our little mountain State, which is
just now, MS it were, opening up
to the world its enterprises, devel-
oping grand stores of mineral and
agricultural wealth. In every
quarter Of this wilderness Of the
past, railroads and other improve
ments are in course Of construc-
ton or projection, which must in
every direction bring into use val
liable stores Of coal and mineral
wealth - besides nh unlimited
amount Of valuable timber; and
whilst clearing the surface and UNI
dermining for minerals the land
in its pristine glory, is fertile to
the highest points of hill or noun
tain range. Springing into a vir-
gin growth Of grass, relished by
and Of immense value to countlesa
herds Of fine cattle and numerous
drovcs Of sheep, our State will be
a paradise for residence fifty years
hence and a home in our mountain
region will command avalue now
unthought Of.
Those who projected and locat-
ed the Insane Asylum here, de-
serve the undying thanks Of all
now living and many yet unborn.
1t is a grand institution in all it's
features and could not have been
more suitably located in the State.
/ sometimes think we were prem
ature in hurrying up the location
of our State capital at Charles
ton. My personal ideas were at
the time, and when speaking con-
corning it | always expressed the
thought that we should select cen
trail locality for it, and since my
visit to this part Of the State, ] am
convinced that even now it would
be well to revive the question, ii
possible, and locate it as near a
central point us possible, instead
of, as now, on the lop-side Of the
State at Charleston. / hope my
suggestions will be thought of by
our authorities or those who de-
sire to be placed in authority BY
the forthcoming State elections
Politics is the engrossing sub
.ject Of thought at present. The
Democrats held a great county
mass convention last week and ap-
peared to be perfectly united in
sentiment. The Greenbackers
held one on Saturday and seemed
much divided, and the Republi-
cans will hold one shortly and I
suppose, will show unity Of senti-
ment. They seem determined to
use strenuous efforts for success
in this State; but from appear.
ances, must fail; as look where
you will the Democratic party
were never more united than at
present, and with suitable ma
tional nomination they cannot
fail in carrying the State, however
much it might be desired other
wise.
Affairs at the Asylum are in a
good condition, patients generally
well physically and many i'm
proving mentally. Those ofyour
citizens who have never had op-
portunity Of visiting this portion
of the State, should give them
selves the pleasure, and / am sure
they will return home pleased
with their trip and gratified in
State or home pride by seeing the
grand institution provided for af-
fiicted humanity. p. d.
The Wheeling and Lake Erie
Railroad has curious trestle work
at Norwalk, Ohio, where the tracks
cross the Lake Shore Road. The
country is as level as prairie, and
the trestle was built so as to avoid a
crossing at grade. 1t Is over two
miles long, ascending on one side
and declining on the other. This
is the road on which Commodore
Garrison spent several millions and