West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1888-04-05

The Goals are universally of the cox
ing kind, and being so pure that they
are fast becoming justly celebrated for
the production of coke Of the highest
grade.
The upper Freeport is the coal bed
of Preston, as it is a superior coking
coal and is so far up in the tops of the
hills as TO be easily accessible in hun
dreds of localities.
The upper Freeport coal is found in
200 square miles of the county. South
of the Baltimore & Ohio raslroad, in
Kingwood aud Valley townships. il is
of better quality and of thicker vein
than at Austen.
IRON ORE.
Iron ore is everywhere abundant in
the county. 1t is found in ali the eight
townships, and has been opened at nu-
merous places. Thickness Of veins
vary, of course In Pleasant and
Grant townships it is to 5 feet; in
Kingwood, as much as 10 feet, inclu-
ding partings; in Portland, 5 to 10
feet 1t Is mostly red and brown hem
attic.
Iron making began in this county in
the extreme northern portion, now 20
miles from railroad, along about 1880.
Building stone is found in the county.
Fire and pottcr's clays have been
noticed in Reno, Portland and King
wood townships and probably exist
elsewhere. The Newburg shaft bored
through forty-four feet of them. In
Kingwood township the upper vein is
four to six feet, and the second vein
forty TO forty-fve feet. The Grst shows
at numerous places, and the second,
FIVE and half miles south of King
wood, in at least three places. About
three and half miles north of Tn
Melton, the Kingwood &c Tunnelton
railroad cuts through the upper vein of
this clay, which, by actual test, has
proved equal to the celebrated Mount
Savage clay.
AGRICULTURE AND STOCK RAISING.
AS elsewhere stated, we have a di-
versi6ed soil, excellentIy adapted to the
raising of all farm products that are
grown onywhrc in like latitude. We
have the rich hill land, the fertile val
ley and the fruitful, grassy glade, with
all the auxiliaries to the farmer; splen-
did water, abundance Of fuel and tim
Der for building, with limestone for
fertilizing, all at the very door of tbs
farmer. This, with delightful, equable
climate and a convenient market for
his products in the coal, coke and iron
manufacturing regions. makes the
county most desirable agricultural
district.
Preston has long been quoted as one
Of the principal grazing counties in the
State. Large herds Of cattle and hor-
scs are kept and wintercd and ro-win-
tered in the county, and sold at fine
profit in the eastern narkotz.
FRUIT CULTURE.
Here the pomologist finds congenial
cline and rich reward for his labor.
The soil and the climate are specially
adapted to the vigorous growth and de-
velopment of many varieties Of fruits,
including most if not all that flourish
north Of 800. Establishments for can
ming, evaporating and preserving the
fruits would prove profitable.
Many large and valuable tracts Of
timber lands still remain untouched.
The tmbers are white oak and poplar.
The standing and condition Of the
public schools arc excellent. No
county in the State Is better supplied
with school buildings in proportion to
territory and population. Good wages
arc paid teachers and only good teach
ers employed With school onumer-
alton Of 6.068 We have 146 school
houses. The enrolment list Of pupils
shows Preston county stands third in
the State in the enrolment out Of the
whole enumeration, there being an en-
rollment Of 5,317.
The county is well supplied with
churches Of all denominations. There
arc about eighty-fve houses Of worship
in all consisting Of Methodist, Pres
byterians, Baptist; Evangelical. Lu-
therau, Roman Catholic, German Bap-
fists, Omish, United Brethren, and
perhaps otner denominations.
MANUFACTURE.
The Austen Coke Works, at Austen
on the Baltimore d Ohio. mines and
COX oe tho urror Ereoy.ort T,.t ..1..