Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1891-05-09
BARBECUE COUNTY.
Its Natural Resources and Progress 1t is
Making.

The following article on Barbour
comfy was prepared by Senator Gall
and Delegate Shaw:
Barbour county, which is usually ac-
corded the first place alphabetically III
the list of counties of our State, deserves
10 be and is first in other respect as
well.
Living near the geographical centre
of the State; we'll supplied with water;
situated between the b. Il o. and the
West Virginia Central railroads, with
the G.. Il G. railroad connecting these
two trunk lines: possessing as great va
riety OF soil as any county in the state:
rich in timber, iron, coal, lime and
building stone: peOpled with as intclli-
gent class Of people as can be found
within the limits of West Virginia; well
supplied with schools and churches,
Barbour county at once presents TO the
stranger all that he can ask: TO the man
who wants home in Gods country, she
shows him the very haven he is seeking
and she opens wide her portals TO bid
him welcome.
throughout the entire length of the
county, from south to north, flows the
pictureSauely scenic and beautiful Ty-
carts Valley River, dividing the county
into TWO nearly equal parts; the west
half of which is Sub-divided into three
parts by the Middle Fork and Buckhan-
non Rivers. There are smaller streams,
creeks, etc, sufficient 10 thoroughly
supply the entire county with water Tor
all purposes. Perhaps nowhere in as
level a country can there be found so
many sites for mills, factories and other
establishments, near such available
water power as are found in almost
every neighborhood in this county.
Cove District, which lies in the north
east corner of the county, adjoining
TAYLOR. Preston and Tucker Counties,
is the richest part of the iron deposits
/ of the county. AT the same time the
! soil there possesses a peculiar fertility
not often found in iron ore localities.
At Valley Furnace, in days gone by,
blast furnace and foundry were sue
cessfully operated but owing to the
crude, primeval method of transporting
the pig iron and the finished product TO
market (by wagon the establishment
went down. The experiment was car
ried far enough. however, TO prove that
the ore is of very superior quality, and
subsequent investigations show that
the supply is practically unlimited,
there being vcritable mountains Of the
valuable ore piled up by the Creator,
and only waiting for man 10 appropri-
ate 10 his own use.
Another very desirable thing, and
one worth consideration, is that here in
this rich iron district are found in
abundance. choice limestone and cox
ing coal. In the same hill ana only 4
few feet apart are the three distinct
valuable substances. coal, limestone
and iron.
Glade district. which lies Immediately
south OF and adjoining Cove district, Is
more strictly an agricultural section,
although her iron ore and coal deposits
are far superior to some localities in
other States that are thought to be very
rich. All kinds Of farm products that
are produced in the State succeed well
in this district; but the one thing above
all others which Glade district turns
out in as nearly perfect state as can
be found anywhere is the Democracy OF
her sons.
Barker district, which lies on the east
side of the river, adjoining Glade and
Philippi districts and Randolph county
is large populouS district, and for sew.
eral years has been great producer OF
lumber: but in a few years this source
OF commerce will be exhausted, and then
her people will begin to turn their at
tention more generally to the filling OF
the soil. Farming IS no experiment
here. nor are the people who live here
deprived Of their portion OF the mineral
deposits beneath the surface.
Philippi district, the central segment
of the east half Of the county, contains
the county seat, Philippi. No matter
what wonderful natural wealth the other
parts of the county possess, Phlllppl
district comes in for its share.
The town of Philippi, nestled as 1t IS
among majestic hills, moving along IN
its own quiet way, has seen STIRRING
times. Twas here the trSt land en-
gagement OF the late war occurred;
twas here the Union troops from Tai
bolts Heights bombarded the town, sur
priSed the ConfederateS and caused the
latter To leave in the direction OF Beyer-
ly in a very unceremOniouS manner.
But Philippi has never seen as stir