Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1890-09-23
HARRISON COUNTY.
THE GREAT WEALTH OF THE BLUE GRASS
COUNTY OF THE STATE.
Some Of lis Early Dsvslopments-lts Furnaces,
Factories and Mills in the Early Part
Of the Centlry-Skstch Of Judge
John g. Jackson.


Of the CentGry-Skstch Of Judge
John G. jackson.
THE Clarksburg Ners will reproduce
this week. the following most interesting
article. written long ago, upon the subject
of the vast and valuable resources OF Har-
rison county, accompanied by biographical
sketch Of her illustrious son, Judge John
G.. jackson. Not only is Harrison one OF
the best grazing counties IN the I nited
States. but il is full Of coal, iron, salt and
lime. When il is recalled that the interior
portion of Virginia was sup
piled with all grades Of iron and cooking
utensils, made from ore found in that
county, we can scarcely realize that its
have not kept alive the industries
that Judge jackson developed and prose
cuted so successfully.
They will pardon US for the suggestion
that they have relied too much upon their
blue grass fields. Now is an opportune
time to develop their mineral resources,
which will bring large returns.
As the story Of the great wealth Of
Harrison county Is partially told by the
following article, we reproduce it at
this time so that capitalists coming
among MS seeking investment may have
a pointer as to where money can be
safely and judiciously invested. This
is only one of the many rich fields offer
ing splendid inducements. Not only is
Elk creek with its various branches a
rich, beautiful agricultural country, but
its deposits OF coal, iron and lime, can
be found in great abundance.
Not many Of our readers are aware
OF the important and extensive improve
ments such as foundrieS, iron fur
naceS, tan yards, salt production, nail
factory, fulling mills, etc. that existed
in this county in the early part of this
century. One Of the most interesting
chapters in its history is intimately as
socated with the name Of Judge John g..
Jackson, one Of its illustrious sons.
He was born about the year 1874, ten
years before the organization OF the
county. During his early life the salt
and iron and other articles OF necessity
which supplied the wants Of the people
were brought from Winchester on pack
horses.
Judge jackson had scarcely entered
manhood when he conceived the idea OF
developing the resources of this section,
and producing the articles we have
named, here at home, and conSid-
crng the primitive and sparSely set
tied condition Of the country, with
out wagon roads or other public i'm
proyementS, hc accomplished great re-
suits that should endear his memory to
the people who survive him.
In early life he prospected the county
for iron ore, had samples carried on
horseback for analysis to eastern fur
naces. where IL was aScertained to be Of
suitable character, and as he found ii
in unlimited quantity he procured the
necessary machinery and started fur
mace AT the east end OF ClarkSburg, the
foundation of which may be seen to-day
on the Philippi road, near Still House
Run.
THE FIRST FOUNDRY.
He then established foundry by
which he worked up most Of the pig
metal produced by the furnace into
hollow ware such as pots, skilletS and
all manner OF cooking utensils. a few
years later he established forge at
what is now called the "lIughill Ford"
three miles above ClarkSburg, on Elk
Creek. This point was selected by him
as the one atfording the greatest water
power OF any other point in creek or
river in this ncighborhOOd. Here he
produced bar iron, which was used for
horse shoes, chains, ironing wagons
and the various other purposes required
by the population at that day. Mr..
Nathan j. Davis, an old gentleman
nearly 90 years Of age, at Long Run
in DOddridgc County, then Har-
rison, says that many OF the deer
that were killed in this coun-
try were killed with guns. the
barrels of which were made OF iron
from Jacks0n's furnace. The venerable
Ephraim Bee. also of Doddridge county,
with others, was employed i'm the man
ufacture of horse shoes In large num-
bers. which were sold to the farmers.
Stout, Esq, former worthy
citizen OF this county, the father OF Col
H.
EsquireS. was employed with q num-
Der of hands under him, in the manu-
facture Of axes made from the Jackson
iron. the steel only being brought from
the East. I'm addition TO these improve
ments Judge Jackson established at
the "Factory"' or East End, as it was
called. an extensive tannery and fulling
mill, which were worked successfully.
Mr.. John Young, who died on
Sycamore Creek many years ago, the
father OF Mrs. stephen Basel, now Mrs.
Elmore Hart, was brought to this State
by Judge Jackson, and had charge OF
the fulling mill But these improve
ments were not all; among other enter
priSes Judge jackson bored salt wells
on the Goif farm at what is known as
the salt works. where salt was pro-
duced within the last thirty-iye or forty
years.
HAD TO DIG ROADS.
1t comes by tradition, from some Of
the older citizens, that when Judge
Jackson brought his heavy machinery
from the East over 100 OF the pioneer
population went with him into the Al
leghcny to dig out the roads TO suf-
fcient width TO permit the large wag-
onS to pass. His OK teams were OF
bulls and his horse teams Of stations.
1t looks as if Judge Jackson had been
born for this occasion and for these en-
terpriseS. No man who preceded him
or survived him seemed 10 have possess
ed the talent. the energy or ability TO
carry on the great works that he pro-
iuced and SO successfully operated du-
ring his life. He died at the early age OF
years, and when the breath
went out OF his body, the life went out
)f these enterprises.
The hillsides from Ann Moore 5 run to
Elk creek yet bear the marks where the
ore was taken out Of the ground. and
even 10 this day piles Of iron ore and
limestone remain just a they were dug
Dut for use when Judge Jackson died.
The old men who are cOgnizant OF these
levelopments are fast passing away,
and il is greatly 10 be regretted that
some one has not heretofore taken the
matter in hand and handed down for
,osterity correct history OF this won
lerful man and his wonderful achieve
nents.
There yet survive the two old gentle
nan named Mr.. y. j. Davis and Mr..
Ephraim Bee who possess much inior-
nation Of peculiar interest, and 1t is
suggested that the venerable Elias Hick-
nan. Of Limestone creek, who is now
linety-fye years old, could give equally
accounts.
Then there is younger class Of men,
Iessrs. Clement d. Norman. James Nc
ann. Col. John X. Stout, Col. Luther
Iaymond, Col. E. NJ. Dayisson and vari-
,us other gentlemen and we suppose old