The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1885-03-05

II Ilf7lH r. r. Tx
FErIow CITIZENS: That West Virginia
is destined, in the near future, to the pros
perity and powerof great state,is nc
longer problematical. 1tbnt requiresth
we shall be alive 10 our public and pri.
yate duties, prompt il the protection oil
our own interests and true to ourselyes.l
The kind hand Of nature has left her
mountains, hills and valleys teeming with
the most important and valuable elements
OF wealth. Within no State or Territory
OF this Union-,Yithinno other area Of
600 square miles, upon which the foot
ofcivilized man has ever rested-are to be
found such varied and exhauBtless natu-
ural resources as here harbinger the
dawning Of brighter and better days. In.
comparable in these, she stands without q
rival.
THE'sTATR's- MATERIAL RESOURCES.
In the very heart Of the $3.50 square
miles of the Appalachian Coal Field, we
have 10000 square miles within our own
borders. It's many seams, lying above
water level, and exposed in tile mountain
sides in thousands Of places, can be mined
cheaper than in any other portion Of this
ulhtCnleba Gudl tlhCt. GseCokni4eu 90
superior to any other Goals in America,
with the exception Of anthracite, they arc
OF every variety necessary to the arts and
manufactures.
Although, from causes not now Of
difficult solution, this Undesirable basis
Of wealth has, until the past few years, in.
yited in vain the active energies Of capital
and labor, yet breasting every obstacle,
with steady and rapid progress, we not
onlyrank, to-day, amongst the largest OF
the coal-producing States, but the en-
ployment OF 6,400 persons in and about
the mines, and a production Of 2,S05, 500
tons OF coal for the year 1883, being an in
crease OF nearly So percent over the next
preceding year, present the cheering and
unmistakabie assurance OF the prosperity
awaiting us in this important business, II
our people but move with firm and
steady step for their own protection
and industrial safety.
In every county throughout the range
OF this wonderful coal formation are those
iron ores (which belong to, and are found
In, the Appalachian coal measures, consist
ing OF brown oxides, carbonites and black
bands, and, in some places, nodular red
hematites," while the whole tier OF coun-
ties lying east OF the coal section, and along
the entire eastern border OF the State, is
within the immense brown and red hema-
tite belt OF the Atlantic Commonwealth.
Nearly two-thirds Of the States surface
is yet covered with the original forests,
composed, in the main, Of hard woods OF
magnificent growth and quality, the oak,
poplar. walnut, cherry, sycamore, ash,
chestnut and locust attaining q size unsur-
passed east OF the Rocky mountains.
DR.. John P. Hale, probably the best
authority in the State upon the subject,
says: "Rich as is West Virginia in coal,
iron, timber, &C., she is scarcely less rich.
in that indispensable necessity to human
health and comfort, and to animal life
common salt. Fossil, or rock salt, has not
been found in the State, but salt brines OF
greater or less strength, and in greater or
less abundance, are found by artesian Dor
ings, at greater or less depth, throughout
the Appalachian coal field, which under
lies the greater portion Of our State.'
Add to these the agricultural, stock
raising and wool.growing advantages Of o
generous soil and mild and healthful cE-
mate, and West Virginia offers the abs.o-
lutte guarantee OF fair and profitable re-
turn for brain, Drawn and capital.