West Virginia Democrat. [volume] (Charles Town, W. Va.) 1885-1890, 1888-11-23
IN THE COAL REGION.
MINES OF WEST VIRGINIA.
FORESTS OF OAK AND SPRUCE
A Trip of Inspection over the West Viz
ginia Central Railways The Stations
Named After Well-Known Men.

CUMBERLAND, Nd, Nov. 16.-An
all day trip over the West Virginia
Central Railway from this city
means an early morning ride over
the new Cumberland and Piedmont
Railroad, as it follows The meander-
ing upper Potomac until Virginia
Junctionis is reached. There the train
plunges over the CentraIs lines into
the forest; passes out in ear-shot OF
the Elk Garden coal region; winds
its way aroand the steep mountain
sides, gradually ascending two thou
sand feet almost to the peaks of the
Alleganies, where the engines
escaping steam mingles with the
overhanging clouds.
Such trip the Central's presi-
dent, ex-senator Henry G. Davis,
and a party of gentlemen made
to-day. Mr.. Davis and his guests
came on from Baltimore last night,
and at 8 o'clock this morning they
took possession OF the private cars
of Vice President Orland Smith, OF
the B. and O., and of the late John
w. Davis, which had been placed at
their disposal. Engine No. IL, with
Engineer Barker at the throttle and
General Manager c. L. Bretz in
charge of the train, pulled the two
cars over the mountains. In Cum
berland the party was Joined by
Hon, VIM. Walsh, Mayor Shuck.
Mr.. d. X. Este Fisher, son of ex-
Judge Fisher, of Baltimore, Mr..
Robert Shriver, Mr.. w. j. Read,
Supervisor of the Road Galbrieth
and Mr.. j. w. Avirett.
At Keyser the party was joined
by Col. Thomas B. Davis, the broth
er and partner of ex-senator Davis.
All the passengers were on an in
spection trip, and they thoroughly
inspected both the road and pictur-
esaue mountains through which it
winds its way. The first stop on
the Central was made at the mine
of the Big Vein Company, in the
Elk Garden region, the daily output
of which is about 150 tons. Mr..
James Little, who was q member
of the inspecting party, is the super
intendenf.
Back over the mountain tops is
Elk Garden, where the West Vir-
ginia Central takes its coal from an
eleven. foot vein. This coal now
comes over inclined planes and
tramroads to the Mineville Branch,
but Colonel Davis constructing q
branch along Abrams creek that
will do away with the tramroads
and will greatly increase the output
of the Elk Garden mines. This
will be ready by January l at the
latest.
The train speeds onward in the
shadow of high walls of rock.
There is a refreshing newness in the
scenery and the houses. Ten years
ago there was not house within
ten miles of the road. There is
now small villages, with the build
ings unstained by weather, are
perched on the mountain sides.
Huge hemlocks, oaks and spruces
have been felled, piled up along the
streams, and now await the whlrl-
ing steam saw.
Around horseshoe the train gets
over the mountain, is switched off
at Thomas, and ten minutes later
Davis, with stumps still standing IN
it's streets and big hotel on hill,
is reached. The hum of industry is
heard through the village. Then
the train returns to Thomas and en-
ters upon the new extension. A
new world breaks upon the view of
the astonished sight-seer.
The train climbs the mountain
side until the passenger peerlng
from the car window sees, 300 ieet
below, the inky waters of the Black
water whipped into a foam by the
rocks over which the stream plunges.
A succession of falls greets him.
High above rises the Blackwater
ridge, with cascades tumbling down
its sides. The scenery is Alpine in
its outlines. Then the Cheat river,
formed by several forks, is reached.
A new bridge is being built over the
river to carry the road to Leadsville,
its present terminus. Mr.. James
Fisher. son of ex-Judge Fisher, of
Baltimore, is one of the engineers of
the bridge.
After q halt Of few minutes the
return trip is begun, and as the
train ascends the mountain side
dinner is partaken, and Mr.. w. w.
Spence, ex-senator Davis and Major
Bent make short speeches. Cum
berland is reached at p. IN. The
party will return to Baltimore to-
morrow.
The country through which the
road extends is wild, weird and ro-
mantle. The road found few log
cabins occupied by primitive aud
Ill