Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1888-04-21
WEST VA. RESOURCES.
sTATE EXHIBIT BY COUNTIES.

STATE EXHIBIT BY COUNTIES.
BRAxToN Co.-SUTToN County
Sedtl March. 1S88.-Braxton county
was organized in 1886. The county is
billy, and in some places mountain
GUS. The county is within the plateau
region, and hence, although the
streams are deeply sunken into the
surface, and the hills along them are
rough and broken, the submits are
fat, and there is much rolling and
smooth surface in the uplands. The
population is $4,000. The total assess
ed valuation is 81 $50, 190.67. The
total rate of taxation Is 81 " on the
800 valuation. There are 80 church
es in the county representing the
Methodist and Baptist denominations.
There are 1903 schools, 105 teachers with
an attendance of {, 900 pupils. There
are 2 newspapers, Braxton Democrat
and Braxton Central. There is no exist
ing railroad. One IS projected from
down the Elk river from Buckhannon,
in Upshur county, to Charleston. The
other is the Black Diamond, which is
to strike Elk river at Sutton, from the
Little Kanawha, thence up the Elk to
headwaters, direct route from Park
ersburg to Clifton Forge, Va. The
water ways of the county are the Elk,
Little Kanawha, Birch and Holly riv-
ers, all used extensively for rafting
and floating lumber. The WATERFOWL
er of the rivers and creeks is excep-
tionally fine.
The Weston and Gauley Bridge
turnpike extends through the county.
| There are 900 miles of county roads,
in good condition.
The Bodkin Springs, iron and sui
phur, is a celebrated summer resort.
The soil on the mountains is a red
clay, and in the valleys is sandy
loan, principally freestone. The land
is rich and fertile and is adapted to all
kinds of farming, especially SO to
grazing. Apples, pears and peaches
are grown extensively and yield
abundantly. The county offers UNI
usual advantages for sheep, cattle and
horse breeding. Great success is met
with in each ofthese pursuits. Blood
ed stock of all kinds has been introdu-
ced, and is now bred exclusively.
Coal is found in all parts of the coun-
ty-bituminous, splint, peacock and
cannel-in veins from q inches to 5
feet in thickness. The coal makes fine
coke. Black band, kidney, red and
gray hematite iron ores are found in
workable quantities. There is one
blast furnace, but it is not in opera
ton at present owing to lack ofship.
ping facilities. Limestone is found
in considerable quantity.
A fine quality Of fire clay is found.
and one pottery for turning out the
products Of this clay, F.. F. Russell &
Co., is located at Braxton, G. III. The
timber of the county consists of wal
nut, poplar, oak, ash. hemlock, cher.
ry, beech, sugar, maple, and hickory
The forests are extensive, and the
trees of the largest growth.
There are indications of petroleum in
certain sections, but none has been
developed yet. The same may be said
of natural gas. Sand for glass making
and building purposes abounds, and
is of excellent quality. Coal is only
mined for home consumption, owing
to the absence of transportation facili.
ties. One tannery, that of Berry &
Raymond, at Braxton, G. H., with q
yearly capacity of $500 hides. is in
successful operation. Bricks are made
for local use only. Stone quarries are
| operated to supply the home demand
An elegant quality of blue sandstone
for building purposes is found. There
is one salt-making establishment
There are fifteen saw-mills in different
parts Of the county. About fifty firms
. are engaged in Underwriting, EN-
ploying over 800 men. There are
manufactures for making furniture
wagon, brooms, harness and castings
There is one planning mill, at Braxtor
g. HI.
The market value of improved farm
land is $50 per acre for the best; aver
age SIS lewest S.. Unimproved
/ lands fit for farming or grazing average
SIS per acre lowest 81; highest so
One-fourth of the land is cleared. The
three-fourths uncleared land average
S. per acre. Owners are willing to sell
part of their holdings on easy terms
The price of land is advancing rapid
ly in anticipation of a railroad at ar
} early day. When the railroad is con
structed it will treble the value O
mineral and timber lands. The county
is willing to subscribe $500 per mile
to new railroad, and $4,000 by pri
vate subscriptions, mostly in lands.