Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1884-02-02
WONDERFUL RICHNESS
Of the Section Pierced by the WEST
Virginia Central.
VAST AND VALUABLE coal FIELDS.
A Region Famous for lis Mineral Deposits,
Fine Timber, Farming and Graz
ing Lands and Unfailing
Petroleum Wells.

lows: There is an iron highway leading
out from this town through the Elk Gar.
den region, beyond the mountains that rise
about this piace, that you often hear called
blythe people here "Blaines Railroad !
do not know why, unless it is that he owns
stock in ii and his name appears in the
| directory.
Ex-senator Henry G. Davis, Of this state,
was the protector of the enterprise, and is
| its president. 0itentimes his name is
coupled with that of Mr.. blaine by those
who speak of its ownership. The proper
title of this railway is the West Virginia
Central, and at no distant day it will run
off through the centre OF the state and
connect with Senator Clmden's railroad
that is being built from Wheeling to Char
lesion, on The Karawha, and also with the
Chesapeake and Ohio system. The line
now in operation is tbirty-two miles long,
and is what might be called freight road,
for the principal duty it perio.ms is to
carry coal an / lumber from the rich region
through which il Iuns.
This line opens a bituminous field o;
great value; so great indeed that although
the road is new, Mr. LowpGes, president O.
the hsnk at Cumberland, tells ne that II
earned over 800, 900 net last year.
Valuable Coal Fields.
No words can adequately describe the
vast extent OF the deposits OF coal already
tapred in this region and which Will soon
come into competition in the Philadelphia
market with the yield OF The Pennsylvania
! mines. When the railroad which is to
bring it to market is pushed farther along
| it will become a mos, valuable acquisition
| not only TO the great rail way system OF the
country, but to this undeyeloped State. IL
will bring within easy range OF the Eastern
markets the rich timber lands OF the Black
Water region and the great forests OF cherry
| black walnut, pine, hernloCk and poplar
that are now so securely locked from the
uses of msa along the wonderful Cheat
K YER.
In these boundless forests Philadelphia
has great interest. They. are really
n, arer the Eastern markets than the wilds
OF Western Pennsylvania, now so rapidly
being stripped OF their valuable woods. To
III, eI4kt description OF the singular ald
amos phenomenal resources OF this little
the Davis Elaine railroad, but all along the
Cheat River and the country beyond, would
require q volume, for new treasures are oc-
ing discovered every day, as this heretofore
hidden country is penetrated by the rest
leas men who seek wealth from the forests
or riches from the bowels Of the earth.
Wonderful Timber Lands.
The wonderful growth Of timber in the
Black Water region and all along the Cheat
River has simply amazed those who have
followed through the uIbroken forests,
where the valuable cherry, three or four
feet thick and sixty feet 10 limb, crowds
the land for mary thousands OF acres.
Black walnut is almost rs plentiful a.
cherry and the development nearly as val
uatle, while the sOi,er woods grow as cnO.-
nous in size and as even in quality as can
be found ia the rich pineries OF Michigan.
Il is 10 bring these products to the + .st
that the West Virginia Central is being
pushe into the wilderness and that the
business. political syndicate, composed ot
eX-Ser ator Davis, eX Secretary Blaine, SEN
aro-s Windom, Bayard, German, Camden.
Barrum, u Connecticut, and dozen
o,her prominent men have Clipped ia
Themselves and induced Others 70 g with
them, until fGO00,0C0 Of capital has been
gathered to push his enterprise.
a look over this railroad, maze pr)m'-
men. by the dignity Of the men connected
with j., suggests some statements about
this West Virginia region, which Is Just
now attracting 20 much attention from in
ysst,Ts. Mr. Il aine said % me one day
that Henry G.. Davis would leave to his
children the most valuable legacy OF any
legitimate business man he kGew IN tbs
country. That is rru', for very muth OF
,Ioprriyis yet locked in TIE hills ano
valleys IN this state. the future value oi
which Capno, now be estimated IN col."rs
and cents
stumbIipg .rEs "a Enterprise
There are several reasons why this won
derfully productive State has not earlier at
T. act Ell the attention and money OF capi.
uii.ts. The chef causes nave been lack
of Transportation, the 'iuidity OF capital
to seek investment south OF the Potomac
Al d the uncertsir titles TO many OF these
acres. B-veloomenr has, therefore, been
slow. and only inst now are Northern
means ard men turning toward this cpdn-
;rv rs the place where great opportunities
ale aF-red on every hand. Many titles
! a. we're in dispute have become qIteted,
q ifa; here il, practically, no Difficulty
now IN grtIir gOol deeds TO land, espec
ieiIy il OF e ca with actual occupants oI
tie properly or owners who have been
carefnl 10 warch titles and keep the;E from
beiI covered up with tax sale complica
tions. The only danger as 70 title here
now il in dealing with large land inves-
tors. who have obtained their rights most;
Iy from sIeculators in tax titles and
olher shadowy evidences OF right 10 the
r.siy.
aboye and below ground, ell elpng the
eastern slope OF the Allegheuies, they sre
Bot more inviting than the fields OH the
Western slope. Indeed, IN some re Speeis
the foot hills along the Western descent oil
the Appalachian Range are richer even than
the country along the Cheat River aud be.
yond. This territory is, In truth. one vast
nndeyeluped mine Of wealth. TIE prim-
evsl forest along the Gsaley Is uneKcelled
for the ouantity and quality vi its vsious
tinbers, while coal In different strata 10
found in veins OF unparalleled thickness.
The rarest OF iron ores are found there in
great abundance. Near the mouth ot the
Gauley River q vein OF singular black band
ore has been uncovered, lying besueen two
coal veins, and the product has already
been mined and roasted 10 yield T9 per cent
the accom- panying eeal, Is Bow being
worked az Charleston, on the Kznawha, BY
some Boston capitalisis who claim 10 he
turning out iron - from Si2 50 to sls 20
per ton. .-.
RarnA Facilities. r,.
This Gsalsy.KsnsSha region, like th,
Cheat Rives oountgy, presents some Of the
best farming ard grazing lardin the world,
besides the valuable timber and tie still
more valuable mineral ssposits. These
properties have more than dousied in
value daring the past coaple Of years and
are ss tting dssssr every day. Yet along
tie Cheat Kissr timber lands can be
bousht for frorn IS totl0 per acre, which,
were they in Pennsylvania, and only
equsliy accessible to market, would COM
nIsod from S25 to 81
The renewal of the pet,ossum excite
uIeni il this part Of the Sisters bringins
in good deal q capita. Toe west Viz
ginia Oil belt in but q continuation OF ths
Held which BEGINS In Allegheny county
" Y, and follows along southHart