The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1891-10-03

| FAlhNoST, W. NA., OCt. 2.-lne centre
OF the great Upper Monongahela coal
field is not being LETT in the rear OF the
advance march OF development in
which every section of this wonderfully
endowed State seems to have Joined.
Indeed, Fairmont has taken Il position
in the front rank, 10 which it is en-
ti.lcd by reason OF her rich surround
ings md geographical location. Among
the earliest developments OF the coal
industry in West Virginia were begun
in the vicinity ci Fairmont away back
before the war, the largest and most
important operations being by Gov
ernor Picrpont and J. o. Watson, tho
latter still being identified with the
coal and coke industries which have
grown to such massive proportions
during the past few years. For many
years Fairmont was humdrum mining
| town; humdrum because OF the fact
that the policy pursued by the Dalti-
more 4 Ohio railroad was calculated to
retard the growth OF every town upon
its line within the limits OF West Vir-
ginia, and to keep back the develop
ment OF those industries which the Al
mighty intended should flourish and
make what appeared to be n benighted
region blossom as the rose.
AN AWAKENING.
Then came the awakening aud the
work OF development which is now in
progress throughout the State begun.
With the change OF ownership the Bal
timorc & Ohio's policy was changed 10
that liberal one which is now proving
mutually beneficial both to the road
and to the people OF West Virginia.
This, with the building OF new railroads
to afford increased facilities OF getting
the products to market, brought about
the regeneration OF this Fairmont coal
and coke region, and the humdrum old
town, which had before so little to rec
ommend it to the attention OF the out
side world, suddenly woke up to find
itself the centre OF some very lively op-
erations. Capital began to pour in,
mines were opened and holdings that
before were valued only for the crops
that were raised upon them became
valuable for the vast rich coal fields
that underlay them. Then came the
influx OF population, until now mining
towns are springing up in every direc-
tion, and Fairmont, Clarksburs, Nor
gantown and other centres oil the great
upper Monongahela field begin to real
ize that they are becoming OF some
importance. They began to grow and
are now growing.
RAPID GROWTH.
There was no organized "boom'
movement, no spasmodic imitation
schemes. 1t was steady growth based
upon what was visible to the eye. One
OF these towns, Fairmont, found that
she was actually outgrowing herself.
The demands oil the new population
were far beyond the capacity OF the
narrow confines OF the corporate limits,
and so there has been an overflow. In
every direction was the growth until
now the overflow population outside
the corporate limits is almost equal to
that within the lines, and the demand
for more room to build on continues to
increase. aThis is what new railroads,
combined with tho liberal policy OF the
old one, the possession OF rich and
ineXhaustiblc resources, and the
warm welcome TO capital on the
part OF the people, are doing for one OF
the most blessed regions in West Vir-
gnia. 1t is what the same combination
OF circumstances is doing for other
regions OF this wonderful State--ior the
wonderful Buckhannon region; for the
magnificent kInawha and Pocahontas
regions; ior the splendid West Virginia
Central region; ior the region beyond
the Allcghcnies, which, after having
been swept by the storm OF war, has
become regenerated; for the great re-
gion OF the Ohio Valley, and for every
town and section OF the State which is
now attracting the attention OF the
world by holding out such unparalleled
inducements to capital and labor TO
come i'll and seek fortunes and homes.
REAL DooM.
But to return to this region, which,
though no mere bountifully blessed
than many other sections OF the State,
is just now experiencing a boom, 10
not Il boom-I don't like that word in
speaking OF West Nirginia's advance
ment-but development which will
serve to illustrate to the reader who
may be slleptical about the possibilities
OF this State, the character OF work that
is going on everywhere in these times
OF our national prosperity. There may
be people, business men perhaps, in
Wheeling who have very little idea that
within seyenty-ive to a hundred miles
OF the city q great country, rich in
mineral and agricultural resources is
being opened up with great
rapidity. This means great deal
to Wheeling. 1t means an
increased market for her products--an
enlargement OF n market in which she
has always found her fair share OF pat
ronage. But Just here let me remark
that Wheeling owes it to herself to look
carefully after this field in future. Pitts
burgh, with her usual appreciation OF
good thing when she sees it, is reach
ing out for 1t. Withina few months q
railroad connection will place Pitts
burgh within easy access to Fairmont,
Grafton, Clarksburg and the other CEN
tres OF the scenes OF operations, and
Wheeling manufacturers and merchants
will do well TO weigh the matter care
fully in their minds.
The people OF this interior region will
trade with those who offer them the
best Inducements, not only as to prices,
but in other respects. do not feel that
| am infringing on Mr.. Blaine's rights
| in S,,Wpastinu that n OrnctiCol nnn1ipo-