Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1890-10-01
STATE DEVELOPMENT.
What Old CharIestoiCn is DOing to Lo-
cate ManufGctlreS--Ftne Iron
ore Deposits.

WHAT Ola ChdfteStOWh Is Dot"D {" A"
cate ManufactWreS--Fin Iron
ore Deposits.
From. the Wheeling Htelligeacer Of SEPT. 27th.
Last night an hteligencer reporter had a
chat with Col. B. c. Washington, of Charles
town, Jefferson county, on the influence of
the State development movement in his part
of the State. Col. Washington was among
the first to appreciate the importance of at
tracing attention to West Virginia's re-
sources, took a deep interest in the conven-
ton held in the Opera House, in this city
and was made Vice President of the State
immigration and Development Association.
Since the organization Of the Association
he has done good work and is particularly
well informed on its progress in his own
section.
Nothing" said Colonel Washington,
"could have been more opportune, and in no
other way could as much have been done
with so small an amount of money. That
movement not only attracted the attention
of outsiders to West Virginia but it stirred
up the people of the State. Ny own sec
ton, which seemed content to go on in the
same old way, has been bestirring itself and
taking stock of its resources. When we
began to look around, and to compare what
we have with the natural endowments of
cornfelds that have been suddenly convert
cd into Aourishing manufacturing towns,
we were astonished ourselves. When we
asked some experts to look in on us and
heard them express themselves, we saw that
we had been losing valuable time. We got
together and talked the matter over in con-
cert and the result was the organization Of
the Charlestown Mining, Manufacturing
and Improvement Company. Col. R. Pres
ton Chew, one of our solid and experienced
business men, is our President. Col. Chew
has been interested in some Of the most sue
cessful town projects in the Valley of Vir-
ginia, and his connection with this home
enterprise has brought to our aid some Of
the most careful investors in the East The
Baltimore & Ohio and the Norfolk & West
ern, which run through Charlestown, are
deeply interested and each of them is rep
resented in our directory.
I'VE start with town of 5000 inhabi
tants, gas, water, churches, schools and two
trunk lines. We are within three hours
ride Of Baltimore. We are within easy
reach of the coke ovens Of Connelsylle,
West Virginia and Virginia We have $50
acres Of land for town lots and manufactur-
ing sites. We have fire clay, potters' clay
aud ochre. Best Of all, and this assures the
soidity of our project, We have 5000 acres
of iron ore and all the limestone we shall
need to work. We have manganese, thought
to be in paying quantities. Our ores are
brown and hematite, combination which
is very largely sought by furnace men,
With these advantages, fine location and
delightful climate, we believe that we have
only to lay the matter before the right peo-
pie TO put Charlestown ahead rapidly and
on an enduring foundation We want to
build for permaneucy. am meeting with
some of the business men here and hope to
have an early opportunity to submit to a
number of them the details of our plan. l
desire particularly that your iron men shall
understand the value and extent of our ore
deposits. They have to buy their ores, and
if they can secure them in their own State
we think they would be glad to do that
"No, am not here to offer lots for sale.
/ want to confer with gentlemen
with a view to interesting them suf-
fcienty to investigate for themselves on
the spot that they may determine whether
Charlcstown does or does not offer them
good business Investment BY the way
here is telegram just forwarded to me
from home 1t is from Mr. Richards, Land
and Immigration Agent of the Baltimore &
Ohio, who asks whether | can come 70 Bal
timore 20 meet parties who desire to locate
q woolen factory. Here is another from
Judge Beckwith, of Charlestown, who tele-
graph. from Lancaster, Pa. that parties
there who recently visited Us are subscrib-
Ing 20 our stock. Since we started in ear
nest we end a disposition to take hold with
Us and share the benefits of what we believe
to be good thing. l ought to add that
manufacturers Of all sorts are communi-
eating with Us with regard to locations
Some Of these are not desirable. We want
only substantial concerns. and TO these We
shall be liberal
Dure Hamilton, of Berkeley county,
died .ly, aged 90 years.