Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1889-08-06
A WILDERNESS TOWN.
THB MARVELLOUS CREATION OF THE TOWN
OPBLKINS, VIVA.
lis Beautiful Location aud the Plan On Which it
Was Built-The Site Of the West Virginia
Central Shops-Mr. Elkins Homo.

tain which rises $50 feet about the tiny
stream that skirts its base, above half a
dozen miles from Thomas, n cabin can be
seen standing among the lofty trees whose
thick foliage almost shut it out from the
sight. This cabin was built by Judge
Dobbin, of Baltimore, at the outbreak of
the war. The old man had foreseen the
deadly fraternal strife, and he prepared to
escape the turmoil. He owned much land
in the Alleghenies and the idea struck him
that he could make himself a home far
from the haunts of men and there he
could remain until peace between the
sections was again restored, Ore winter,
logs were labOriously hanled over the
mountains to the chosen site, almost in
and many miles from the
nearest neighbours home. The large log
cabin was covered with shingles from the
ground up, and after It's completion suita.
bic furniture was brought from Baltimore.
In sorrowful quiet the Judge expected to
remain as a sort of a hermit, for few
months or possibly years. Not six weeks
after the old man had established himself
among the deers and panthers and bears his
dream wss disappointed by the lannon's
awful roar across the valley, and the heavy
smoke which touched the clouds showed
the Judge that the blue and gray were
fighting almost on his own land, over on
Rich Mountain. That settledit. Another
week and the cabin was deserted and the
Judge hsd returned to Baltimore. The
DObbin cabin has passed into local history
and its well-preservsd ruins have made
more than One daring hunter happy.
THE TOWN OF ELKINs
has been laid ont by the West Virginia
Central railroad on level or gently rising
land. 1t is surrounded by picturesque
knobs, which stand against background
Of great mountains, which circle the new
town on the south. The site was purchased
by the company, and the idea was fOrmu-
lated which is now being worked out in
detail. 1t WIS not designed 70 build a
town after the plan Of Sir George NJ. Pull
man in the town which bears his royal
name. The Pullman scheme wss for his
company to build the town ard rule the
town. His employees were 10 pay rents
that assured a handsome return on the IN
vestment, and no property was to be sold.
What right had a common working man
to accumulate property? TIE company
was to designate who were to carry on bus
mess within the limits OF the town; was to
pass upon what wonld be deemed to be
proper amusements, and 30 forth. Sir
George in vision saw On Utopia, princi-
pality governed By himself, aud ne sought
to bring about its naturalization.
But Senator Davis and Mr.. Stephen b.
Elkins, who were necessarily the TullDg
spirits in the enterprise, decided upon q
widely different course. They proposed
10 have a town lai6 Out upon fire site
and then to sell the lots st reasonable
figure 10 any one disposed 10 purchase,
giving the first choice 10 those employees
whose work would require them TO live in
the ueW Town. So low price was a=ked
for these lots, indeed, that there has been
a little speculation IN real estate within
the last few weeks, transfers being made
on a basis of considerable advance.
Nor did the company seek TO dictate
about the construction Of houses IN the
new tOwn-lhat was left to the judgment
Of purchasers OF lots. The company, how
ever, did propose to make life worth living
there. They announced their intention Of
furnishing a pure water supply 10 the
town, gas ard electric light. They asl
announced that thsir machine shops
should BE- located there and
that their general offices, now at Gambler
land should be removed to Elkins. As a
consequences, there is every reason for be
lieying that the new town OF Elkins will
prosper in sd extraordinary degree. Al
ready a temporary depot has been erected
a mile from the town aod great deal OF
freight has been carried there. Last week
man came with q big wsgon for load
Of goods. He seemed pleased at the ides
that the railroad vas soon to be completed
to Ekns, and yet that man required nine
days 10 make the trip from his home.
Such an incident gives a glimpse OF the
scope of country opened up by the neT
extension.
ELKINs' MAGNIFICENT HOME
Mr.. Stephen B Z kins hes begun on tbs
site of his Randolph county residence. i
is to surpass anything IN The State and Il
to be q model in every respect. The plant
were mede by "a eminent New NOIf
architect after Mrs. Elkin5' ideas which
/ her husband believes are most admirable
although be has bCea unable to devote
much attention to them.
North and slightly 20 the east of thu
town proper, on rising ground, which
merges into the great forest, are nine hun
dred acres of land which ex-senator DAVIS
and Mr.. Eikins have reserved for them
selves. To the east, on beautiful knoll
Mr. Eikins Will build bis residence. Aftsl
its completion the Senator Will probably
prepare plans for his residence, which
will be at about the same elevation ard on
the west. Fifty men have been at WORK
for days on the site, and yet it ia not com
plete. That gives you on idea Of the
magnitude of the work. The top Of the
knoll is being cut OFF from nothing 10 a
depth of twelve feet. The house is tC
have frontage Of $50 feet and a depth Of
go The preparations for the foundation
itself would sppsll the ordinary man.
Bot land in Randolph county is not 80
expensive % il is in New York, and Mr.
Z kins prefers that the house should be
rather low than high.
Technically the house will face the
north, although the view in that direction
is altogether cut off By a deuse grove o.
big forest trees Ii will be remembered
that the town ia on the level toward the
south and that beyond are the mountains
stretching away into the clouds at Q dis
lance of 40 or so miles A fire drive will
wind through the grove TO the front OF the
house while the guests in the parlor OF
library will be looking through the rear
windows over the town and admiriog the
beauties of the landscape. People will
accordingly come and 20 unnoticed as far
as their coming and departure from the
door is concerned, ard the guests within
are spared the annoyance Of being unwill-
ing witnesses. This ia by no means a new
idea. But it is ununsual in this part Of
the country. It is simply on evolution o.
civilization.
THE FIRST STORY
Of the house ia to be OF native stone rock
finish. The balustrade about the wide
norches will likewise be OF stone instead
Of wood. aud ivy will be planted to clirg
to the rough rocks with it's baby fingers.
II has not bsen determined whether or moi
Akron corrugated thing will be used fol
the second story. 1t is very stylish and
handsome. bat 4 final choice has not beer
made. Shingles aud slste are both sug
oested. The roof will be steep and sharp
The horse IS TO be heated by furnace
in the cellar, but open nrepiscss are to be