The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1888-06-01
WEST TIRGTlA'S BOOM
And a Town that is Beginning
to Feel the Good Results
a FUTURE INTERIOR CITY.
c..oou. quick Recovery from the
Tm.cts Of the Great Firc-Po'
ri,lcal Gossip-Prohibition
in Taylor County.
c,,,ioI coroqrdcnct Of Me IntelligneeT'

III lHlluT NoHJ'
s,.,,r c,rrogordencs Of he LatelligaeeT.
Grrrox, W. Va, May Sl.-Thetown
Iteration, having "done herself proud"
by entertaining in a hospitable manner
within her gates ten thousand visitors
from nrighboring places, has dotted her
LoiIgy attire, and settled down for a
hr.o,hins spell and to congratulate her
saH-whirh she has a perfect right to do
mon the grand success that crowned
he, efforts to do the proper thing at the
,hc riybt time. Grafton is not thing
oibc1uty. but, iiyou will excuse what
may strike y9Ls-as a paradox, shels ajoy
forever to those who have had the OPP
nar,upitv TO become acquainted with
Por gooi people. The town is an ex-
o,nrIiGration Of an idea, viz: that broad
oyrnnrs, stately buildings and "Rll
Tnolrru ronvcniCnces' do not constitute
rity but it is the character OF the
popnlafon-pushing, energetic, inteiii-
cent hospitablc people, whom to know is
10 rs,ocyD and, for the sake OF whose 1s-
sociation and acquaintance, you feelllRe
overlooking the smoke begrlmmed
huildiugs, narrow, rugged streets, and
thr strrpncss OF the mountain against
tbpsideofwhich Grafton lies. Such atown
il Grafton. and | will be supported by
tbrtrstjm0mv OithOusandsof people who
m the Both OF every May come up
from the surrounding valleys and ham
cts and towns to visit her, to enjoy her
Losnitglity and to unite with her in the
natriotic work OF keeping green the
memory of the l,900 brave, good and
true WHO are sleeping their last sleep in
the National cemetery that grateful
Republic has established almost within
her corporate limits. So much for the
Grafton people. Now for something in
the line of a subject that is very near
The hearts OF all West Virginians Mt this |
particular time-that OF State develop
Irrt Grafton is one OF the towns that
isroing to profit by the boom that now |
seems fairly on. She is going to profit
hy il because she has taken her place in
The front rank of the procession and has
started on the march. She will not he
Irit ont in the cold whem the grand dis
tribntion Of prizes takes place. She is
not doing much blowing about herself,
INT is conducting her campaign quietly,
cautiously and safely. Here is an evil
dpuce OF the truth OF what say: Less
than wear ago disastrous fire visited
thc town, and in few hours the largest
uar,s OF three blocks OF buildings were
DESTROYED in the business centre. 1t
was severe loss and was enough to dis
hearteR the Industrious citizens who
saw their all wiped out OF existence. 1t
was n serious blow to the entire place,
for Grafton is not wealthy town and
cannot afford to laugh in the face OF even
slight rcvcrscs. But this fire, though it
burned their houses and goods, did not
destroy the pluck OF Grafton's people,
as witness what | have seen since
came here. In the place of the blocks
Of dingy one and twu-stOry frame build
ihgs burned q gear ago, have been erect
ed, and are now in course OF ConstruC'
ton, large, handsome, costly modern
business blocks, md the streets they |
line present decidedly
METROPOLITAN APPEARANCE.
In addition to all this, and what is q
stronger evidence OF a busineas boom,
line buildings are being erected outside |
Of the burnt district and upon lots hith-
erto vacant, while handsome Opera
House that would be credit to much
larger town, is almost completed. Steps |
are being taken to improve the streets;
the electric light has made its advent;
new business enterprises are talked OF
by men who are not given to cheap
boosting for effect; water works are to
be established in the near future, and
there is n steady increase in population.
Lying as it does. ut the junction OF
three diversions ofthc Baltimore 4 Ohio
Railroad, the Grafton Il Greenbrier and
one or two projected roads, and with
rich mineral and agricultural country |
to draw from, Grafton, it is
safe to predict, is destined to be
city Of some consequence.
The attention OF capitalists is al
ready being attracted to the advan-
tagcs Grafton enjoys by reason OF its
location and railroad facilities, and that
the town is going to grow is evident ]
write this to show how the general boom
that is abroad in the State is affecting at
least one town. And there are othersof
which the same can be written. The
only objection to this particular point is
its site, beingrough and hilIy, but pluck
and energy can accomplish much, and
even mountains may be made to appear
rs mole hills to u determined people,
and when hill is ornamented by state.
lybuildings, the residences OF prosperous
citizens, and the well-kept streets OF Il
thriving city, it presents attractions that
level spot does not possess, for to ap..
prcclativc persons it has the additional
attraction olbeing grOmantically situated,
aud that is ~ consideration worth con-
sidcring,' rs Bill Nyc would say.
Most Of the people l met here yester-
DAY We're residents and voters in this
Congressional district. Many Of them
Were Republicans and not few were
Democrats. 1t was but natural, in n
campaign year, that conversations with
them, except when talking OF the patri-
otic UcasiOn that brought US all together,
should take political turn. As result
l find that @mOBg Republicans there
exists
AlIARNoNY OF PURPOSE
that is very gratifying. Never in the
history OF the district has there been
more enthusiasm than is witnessed
at this time. The mistakes OF a Demo-
cratic Congress and the message OF free
trade President have had their natural
An 49, kI.4.