The new dominion. [volume] (Morgantown, W. Va.) 1876-1904, 1889-11-02

nished by the B. a o.; accommo
dated the remainder of the excur
sionists.
SOME MAGNIFICENT SCENERY.
The day was perfect, and the par
ty made the best use of its advan
tages to enjoy the beauties of Wesi
Virginia river scenery, which broke
on their view, at every turn and curve
One mile above Fairmont the new
road joins the B. 4 o., and follows
up the west side of the river. A
short distance above the junction
the Monongahela's head is reached
and the West Fork valley opens. II
was a magnificent view that spread
out before the sight seers. Ricl
fields were covered with nature!
livery, which the early frosts had
tinged with golden brown. Heavy
forests were yet clothed in the rich
est foliage of autumn. While tn,
beauties were not lost to the eyes O
the capitalists, quite another sigh
proved more attractive. 1t was thu
sight of hundreds of men along tn,
route at various points busy will
numerous industries, and creating
new towns at the bid of their EN-
ployers.
A half mile above the railroad
junction, the CASTOR Coal and Cox,
Works, in which Judge Fleming ant
Senator Camden are interested, arr
located. Here over fifty new cok'
ovens are being built and about 12I
men are employed employed at til,
task. Fifty coke ovens are already
in operation. Three miles from
Fairmont the river is bridged, ant
the railroad follows the east bank
thence on it's southwark course
Two miles above the bridge the
NEW CITY OF CAMDEN
is located. Six months ago, the
level plat of four or five hundred
acres, which lies at the mouth o.
Booths creek, was dotted with per
haps a dozen houses. The hamlet
rejoiced in the euphonious name oil
Briartown. To-day it is the seen.
of industry hitherto unknown in
this peaceful valley. The sound Of
the hammer and saw, and the dull
click of the stonecutter's axe greet
the ear on every hand. Back towards
the hill fifty or more houses are ris
ing from the ground, while imme
diately in front and on both sides OIL
the railroad track thousands of dol
lars are being expended on the larg
est coal and coke plant in West Vir-
ginia. Four hundred ovens are in
course of erection, and few more
weeks will see them ready to con.
sumo the product of the mines, which
are close at hand. The capitalists
engaged in this work are substan
TALLY the same as those constructing
the road. They control between 5000
and 5000 acres of coal land on both
sides of the West Fork river. All oil
it underlaid by the Fairmont vein
of the Pittsburg coal beds, which is
81 feet thick at this point. The Goa
is easy of access and can be mined
with little difficulty. The company
has already begun two openings, one
on each side of Booths creek, and
by means of short tramroads the
coal can be moved to the door OF
every oven.
The houses built by the company
for the accommodation of their EN-.
ployes are an evidence of the wise
care with which the whole enterprise
was begun. They are large substan-
tial structures of three classes, one
costing $500, one $3.50, and one 5000
They will be rented at reasonable
rates, and the employees of the com
pany will be given the preference as
renters. In addition to these build
ings, a station house and mammoth
store building are in course Of cree
ton. Both will be completed and
ready for use before winter.
WORK FOR THOUSAND.
The men employed in the present
development number fully 600, and
when the coke ovehs are completed
fully one thousand men will find con-
slant employment in them alone.
The future of the city Of Camden as
mining town is not hard to predict.
1t will not be many years before this
level bottom among the West Vir-
ginia hills is the scene of busy in
dustry, which only the towns in the
Connellsville coke region can rival.
One mile above Camden, work has
been far advanced on another i'm
mense coke plant. Here the same
company has contracted for Ito
ovens, and nearly one-third of them
are completed. Coal will be secured
from the same vein. and the new
plant will enjoy all the advantages
of the Camden plant. The capital
lists on the excursion train carefully
examined both works and expressed
their satisfaction at the progress
that had been been made. The
Pennsylvanians who were receiving
their introduction to the region were
especially surprised at the extent Of
the enterprises and the richness Of
the coal deposits which they in
spected.
From this point onward the pro
gress of the train was
A TRIUMPHAL MARCH.
The farmers turned out and waved
welcome to the first passenger coach
that had invaded their hills. Nc
organized demonstration. however
occurred until within one mile OF
Shinnston, where the citizens appear
cd with a large number of carriages
brass band, and all the good will
and enthusiasm necessary to make
royal welcome. An unexpected
difficulty occurred in crossing the
river to meet the reception party, bu,
| it was finally overcome with a great
number Of signs, betokening uneasi.
ness if not fear on the part Of the la
|dics, and the usual amount Of gal
Iantry on the part Of the distinguish
ed Senators and their guests. Shinns'
Ion wac reached, whore dinner was