Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-09-06
ACENTURY' GROWTH
In the Historic, Picturesque and
Prosperous Valley of the Upper
MOnongahela.
EVERY SPOT has ITS ROMANCE.
The Development of the Resources Made
by the Thrifty Inhabitants in the
Past Hundred Years.
QUITE A COLLECTION OF TIE ANNALS
EVERY SPOT has ITS ROMANCE.
QUITE A COLLECTION OF TIE ANNALS
OF the Entire Region Has Just Been Placed in Shape
for Publication.
rooRREspoxpEycE OF THE DISPATCH. I

Advance sheets are IN possession OF THE
DISPATCH correspondent, from which the
following synopsis of historical events and
comments is culled:
From an historical standpoint the Monon-
gahela Valley is fraught with the most pro-
found interest. Long before the ripple of
the quiet waters was disturbed by the canoe
of the Red Men, when the forest upon her
rock-ribbed hills first echoed to the roar of
the storm king, nature had poured into her
lap exhaustless resources. Little more than
a century has passed since the development
of this valley began, and to describe its
growth is to tell the development of the na-
tons industries,
IN DAYS OF YoRE.
Through this highway marched the ad-
vance columns of emigrants who laid the
foundation Of the great Western States.
Where now stands the metropolis of the
valley England and France strove to hold
the empire. Art and architectural beauty
mark the spot where, on the 18th of April,
1854, began the memorable war whose oper-
ations extended over continental Europe,
Asia, Africa and America, and spread de-
vastation, terror and death for eight entire
wears.
-<Prior to this war attempts at settlement
had been constantly interfered with by the
Indians, but now the hunting grounds of the
Iroquois. the Shawnees and Delawares were
supplanted by fields of pasture and waving
grain Fort Burd-now Brownsville-and
Fort. Pitt became the strongholds of the
early settlers. From these two points began
the growth and development of perhaps the
richest valley in the world. The Mononga-
hela river and its tributaries trace a mineral
field unsurpassed in quality and extent.
When the eminent geologist, Sir Charles
Lyall, investigated this field, he said: 81
was truly astonished at beholding the rich
ness of the seams OF coal which appeared
everywhere on the f1anks of the hills, and at
the bottom of the valleys and which are ac-
cessible in degree have never witnessed
elsewhere"
WHEN COAL WAS USED.
The use of this coal by the inhabitants is
noted as early as 1884, but the first ship
meuts OF which we have knowledge were
made bv a company of French merchants in
1903. Within the so years following this
date it has been estimated that the shipments
and consumption of coal have amounted to
2,096, ,S65, OIL bushels, los, 4S7, 800 bushels OF
which were removed in the year 1883.
With a contiguous area OF $500 square
miles, it can be truly said that the product
of this field mas scarcely been touched. By
act of Pennsylvania Assembly, in 1882 the
MOnongahela river was declared public
highway within the limits of the State so
tar as it had BEEN or might be made navi-
gable for RATS, boats or canoes" In 1914 a
commission was appointed by act of
Assembly TO inquire into and report upon
the advisability OF creating dams and locks
In 1882 an effort was made in Congress to
have the work done by the National Gov
ernment as an extension of the navigation
of the Ohio to connect with the national
road at Brownsville.
This project failed, but on the 18th OF
November, 1874, the "Monongahela In
provemert" was formally opened by the
Navigation Company. From Cumberland,
Nd, where the Baltimore and Ohio Rail-
road had then reached, traffic was carried
via the National pike for 70 miles to
Brownsville, where it was trans erred to
packets. This route was crowded with
passengers. This continued until 1852,
when the Pennsylvania Company opened
their road up the valley. The Navigation
Company had already carried 800. OOO pas
senGers. In 1856 navigation was opened to
Geneva, 81 miles further up the valley.
THE CHANGES OF TIME
River navigation is now supplemented bv
railroads on both Sides and botn are loaded
with freight and passengers, the river being
insufficient to carry the trade. Other rail-
roads cross the highlands to the east and
west, and branch roads ascend the side
valleys and ravines to the mines on the
uplands.
Morgantown, W. Va, a beautiful little
city, is located on the right bank of the
Monongahela, in Monongalia county, w.
Va, of which il is the capital. The town
was incorporated in 1885, but the settlement
oates at least quarter of a century earlier.
The same gloomy record marks the early
settlement and growth OF this locality that
is common to the whole of Western Penn
Sylvania. A few energetic and adventur-
Gus persons from the East push into new
localities, amid the wildS of the forest; en-
counter the disturbed and enraged red man
and perish. Meanwhile their tales of won
der and the love of adventure attract others:
larger numbers pursue the same course;
forts and blockhouses are built; intelligent
resistance is offered; modern civilization is
planted and the men of the forest are
doomed.
THE FIRST SETTLEMENT.
The earliest settlement in this locality
stopped at the mouth OF the creek bearing
that name, but afterward located on Cheat
river, where they were ultimately killed by
the Indians, with the exception of Dr.
Thomas Eckerly, the head of the company,
who was absent at trading post on the
Shenandoah. In 1853 Thomas Decker and
some companions located at the mouth of
the creek that now forms the southern
boundary Of the town. The following
spring, however, most of the inhabitants
were killed bY a party of Indians
from the MIngo and Delaware tribes.
One OF Decker's party, who escaped,
carried the news to Fort Burd, now Browns
vile. The garrison here was too weak to de-
tach pursuing party and the command
ant, Captain Paul, sent a messenger to Cap
tain Gibson, commanding at Fort Pitt, who
Immediately dispatched a scout with 80 men
to intercept the Indians, but their efforts
were unavailing.
Morgantown, since its incorporation in
1885, has been thriving village and is now
wealthy town OF 5000 population. Sit
uated at the head OF navigation, los miles
from Pittsburg, and surrounded by i'm
mense mineral wealth, its natural ad-
vsntages cannot be overestimated. The
streets are well laid out at right angles and
planted with trees, presenting to the stran-
ger picturesque and pleasing appearance.
The social and moral characteristics of the
citizens are above the usual standard, as
they psrtake OF the cnlture and education
derived from the institutions of learning
that are here located.
Brownsville, Fayette county, Pa, is situ-
ated near the head of the fourth pool, E
miles by water from Pittsburg. This is the
point where the national turnpike crosses