Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1890-12-12
THE W. VA. a. Il. X. Il.
An Important Factor in the States De-
yelopment
Special Correspondence Of tie Register.

/ WESTON, December 1l.-That part of
the line of the West Virginia Il Pitts
burg railroad between ClarkSburg and
Weston and the latter point and Buck
harmon was operated as a narrow gauge
road for several years, but in the latter
part of July last it was changed to a
standard gauge, and in consequence of
this and other changes made for the
better accommodation of the public the
business of the road, both passenger and
/ freight, has been largely increased
The country through which the old
line passes is thickly settled, and the
land is in a high state of cultivation. At
Weston the road divides, one branch ex-
tending, via. Buckhannon, up the Buck
harmon river to Three Forks, the other
towards Braxton c. II. The branch ex-
tending up the Buckhannon river is
graded To Three Forks f'Buckhannon
river, a distance of % miles southeast
of Buckhannon. The track is already
laid about 20 miles, and the work is
being pushed on to completion as rapid
/ ly as possible. This branch of the road
penetrates a well-timbered section Of
country, which is also rich in coal fields
| anu - well uGpltu " dEliCultuit. nav
ing rich, fertile soil.
! Buckhannon, the county seat OF Up
Shur county, is town o. about 1900
inhabitants and has beautiful site Suf-
icient for Il city of half million peo-
pie. Its outlook just now is quite fav-
Orable. IL has 100000 to use in improv-
ing its streets The L. Il. A ,ademy and
the VI. L. Conference Seminary, both
doing good educational work and both
| literally patroniZed, contribute no small
part OF the substantial enterprise of the
town; but the thing which, if cOnSum-
mated, will give the town the greatest
I boom, is Il scheme projected by some
West Virginia and Virginia capitalists
to secure all the available land adjacent
To the town, lay il off in lots and sell
them as manufacturing sites, building
lots. &c.
The town is well supplied with church
eS aud these in connection with their
excellent school facilities ought to in
sure a good standard Of morality in that
community.
Another important factor in promot-
ing the towns welfare is the press
which is well represented. Three
weekly papers are published besides Il
monthly issued in the interest Of the
/ Academy.
There are number of industrial enter
priSeS already in active operation, ON
the road above Buckhannon, while
Others are being located and established
almost daily. This field is very invit-
ing one to the lumber dealer and ii will
I - g.. 1oncr fftpA
Prominent among others who are do
ing a great deal towards the develop
ment of this extremely valuable district
may be mentioned the Alexander Boom
Co, whose plant is situated at the mouth
Iof the main left fork of the Buckhannor
river. about twenty miles above Buck
lhannon. This company owns vast areas
Iof choice timber land; it has construct
ed a boom across the river there, ano
made some very material improvements
lin the surroundings. The estimate toi
this company's production IS 10000 tC
40. 600 feet of lumber per day.
The Buckhannon River Lumber Co.
which has been doing business on The
river for several years. now ha'
about 100000 10 6,OOO,OOO Zee
of lumber on stick, ready for shipmen
As soon As the road is ready 10 handle 1t
and has 10000. 900 to 5O,OOO,00O feet o
stumpage. This company'S business il
. strung along the river a great deal.
X Originally this company was composed
r altogether of local parties, but recently
new company represented by two DE
troit, (Mich.) men and y. ii. Winches
ter. OF this State, purchased II.
\. G.. Giffeu, of Buckhannon. Is nov
\ and has been for some time operating IL
z the same territory and his timber pos
e sessions are estimated by those WIZ
should know, to be about equal to thoS
of the Buckhaunon River Lumber Co.
At Alton. Is miles from Buckhannon
are the mills of the Alton Lumber ant
Z Coal Co. This company is composed O
. Cleveland, CO.. people and owns larg
amount OF timber.
70 Besides these, there are number o
West NirginianS operating more or les
e extensively along the line OF the road
j. and great many from other States ar
investing in similar enterprises.
81, To see the vast amount OF land Owne
and timber controlled by these Synd
= Gates already, one unacquainted wit
the wonderful resources OF this countr
{ would think there was no valuable Ian
is left. but such an idea is erroneou;
There still remain large tracts yet IN
z occupied, and parties seeking invest
! ments for rapid developments to enhanc
- their interests can we'll afford TO inSpec
+ this field.
r At the three forks OF the river Their
has been very beautiful town Gale
+ Newton located and lots placed on sale
u This town site is owned by synd
o. cate composed of DR.. A. ii. Kuns'
. Hon. J. y. Camden and DIR. G.. a. New
!. lon. These gentlemen have fine larg
r hotel for the accommodation of the gel
eral public under construction theI
e now and the railroad company will bull
I summer resort house on the islam
! known a. Camden Park. The pro
r. poets for the town of Newton are yer
n bright and llattering, indeed there Is
e possibility of its being the county seat
new county. formed from parts
n Randolph. Upshur and Webster couI
!. ties.
- In my next report, | shall ga
e something about the Braxton eNtenSio
p of the road.