Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1888-03-01

IT is fair TO state that the other States
named have larger proportion of firms
and companies engaged in business, be-
cause they are older States, but the fail
ures an1 their amount do not make near as
favorable a showing, considering every
thing, as do ours
All who have Informed themselves as to
the wonderful resources Of this State agree
that Nature has been b1untiiully rich 10
us in coal timber, iron ore, coke, salt, De.
trOlenm and agricultural and grazing
lands.
PRODUCTIONS.
A recent work on the Natural Re-
sources OF the United States," by Patton,
says of West Virginia: This is one of the
most interesting States in the Union, in
respect to mineral wealth, az, in proper
tion to its size, it is the richest in coal,
iron, salt and oil. II has of coal, both
bituminous and camel, at least l6, 900
square miles; the seams vary from three TO
tweleye feet in thickness; in some instances,
where they are above one another, the ag-
gregate depth is twenty five feet"
The making Of coke is comparatively
industry. In quality it is equal 10 the best
that is made, and it commands az good
price AS the celebrated Connellsyille make.
We have vast forests Of all kinds of mer-
chantable timber thousands OF acres OF
which are not only undevel0ped, but un-
disturbed aud unbTOken. The varieties
comprise almost every known kind of val
liable timber, such az walnut, cherry,
spruce, oak, ash, chestnut, hemlock, maple
and poplar.
OF our iron ore, salt and petroleum, l
will leave Others more particularly inter
estod and better posted, to speak.
In coal, we heat the world. The United
States census Of 1880 says: mo State in
the Union surpasses West Virginia in the
variety Of Goals it contains, nor does any
contain an equal amount, in proportion to
its area
Square miles Production
coal l-S5
West Virginia contains l6,OO 10000 tons
Pennsylvania " - 1900 jg OJOOJ "
Great Britain -... go lblOOO,GO0 "
The tolal production Of coal Of al kinds in the
United States in $50 was. a2.s13,SG9 ton
IN ISL was .-........... ll5,GilOI "
The production Of coal in West
NNElnld1 III Aotb, u ehtluhte0
by Seward, VAS. 900 ton
III ioSo..s....... 4OODUUO
This great increase is likely to continue
In tha same, II not q greater proportion.
With more coal than either Pennsylvania
or Great Britain, West Virginia produced
in 1886, only about 1-l5th as much as
Pennsylvania, and 1-40th as much as Great
Britain. This is owing very largely to
want Of capital and energy TO develop il
and transportation to move il. With
all that she has to contend with, in this
particular, she is s-ndiDg coal 10 the whole
Atlantic seabOard, a. lar north a. Eastp0rt,
Maine, and as FAR south as the Gulf Of
Mexico.
We are in a fair way now, however, 70
get better railroad facilities, which will
open mp new territory and bring in people
OF enterprise and capital. The two great
trunk lines which pass through the north.
m and southern portions Of the State. the
Baltimore and Ohio and Chesapeake and
Ohio systems, are owned and controlled bv
outside capitalists, and have been worked
TO large degree in the interest of other |
States and sections Matters appear to be |
chansing for the better in this particular.
with the B. & o. road. and Il |
now looks as if more attention would be
paid to the developing and fostering of |
Iocal interests and enterprises in the State
and this is as it should be, for no road can
DR. oughtto prosper that Beglects or retarda
the buildipg up Of the waste places on ite
lines.
VALUE OF COAL
Did you ever stop to think Of the great
value ofcHl compared with other miner
ALE? Without coal the manufacture of
iron, stea, brass, copper and all other
minerals would cost double what IL does
now. pariy all our heating and cooking
is done fifth coal 1t Is the foundation Of
steam. nd hnt for its use none Of our en-.
eines. teamboats or ocean steamers would
be motd- The fact is coal is the moving ,
the world. Let rs make per-
sopsI strong effort and put West Virginia {
IN the front rank Of coal producing States,
where she properly belongs Z
West Virginia not only eIeela IN the |