Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1891-05-11
PENDLETON COUNTY.
It's Wonderful ResOurces-IrOn Ore ana
Timber-A Fertile Soil.
Triiknn for fhe Renieker

Written FOR the Register.
FRANKLIN. w. VA, May 10.-Pendle-
ton county is the most southern county
east of the Allegheny Mountains. 1t is
versed by three streams, running the
entire length of the county, from south
to north. The north fork of the South
Branch and the south fork of the South
Branch forming three valleys. The
lands along the streams are fertile, pro-
ducing fine crops Of corn, wheat, rye,
oats and timothy, and are well adapted
to grass. The soil yields from 40 TO 6O
bushels of corn per. acre, without the
Z aid of fertilizers. The mountains be-
tween the different streams are OF a
limestone nature, well adapted for agri-
cultural and grazing purposes, and
yield good crops OF the differ
ent grains mentioned and fine
crops of grapes. The mountains
are underlaid with the finest specimens
of iron ore in the State. Analysis shows
them to be over 80 per cent. Of metallic
iron and low in phosphorus. Some coal
has been discovered in the western part
of the county. The county contains
variety Of timber, white and yellow pine,
poplar, spruce, hemlock, ash, sugar,
and oaks of different kinds, a large
quantity of chestnut oak, and is
thought to contain more bark
far tanbark than any county in
the State. The county is without
a railroad. The Il. X o. railroad In the
Valley of Virginia, forty miles distant,
is the nearest railroad.
The Pendleton Development company,
organized In the last six months, was
organized for the purpose OF developing
the minerals with view OF Undue
ing the building of railroad through
the county. There is fine water power
to be found in all parts OF the county.
The principal source OF revenue Is from
stock raisng-horses, cattle and sheep
The bottom lands along the rivers are
valued at from $50 to 500 per acre. The
lands in the mountains, improved, sell
from SIS to $50: timbered lands or wild
lands from 81 TO 81. Franklin, vii
lage on the South Branch, is the county
seat, forty miles west OF Harrisonburg,
Va, and thirty miles south of Peters
burg, Grant county. Fruits OF all xmas
grow to perfection. Game OF all KINDS
abounds in the forests OF the county.
Fish OF different kinds are to be found
in the rivers and creeks. Brook
trout is the principal fish; black
bass, suckers, mullets and catfish
The North Branch and the MoOrefe,d
turnpike traverseS the county from the
north end to the south end, and is the
principal thoroughfare. The county
roads have been much improved and
general spirit Of Improvement seems to
prevail throughout the county. The
new Court House will be finished soon
New roads are being made in different
sections of the county. All the people
want is a railroad and market for the
surplus products, more especially for
her timber, tanbark and iron ore.
The South Branch Valley is noted for
its fine stock, fertile bottoms and hos
pitabe people. 1t extends through the
entire county and through Grant and
Hardy counties to the Potomac. Now
railroad could be built along this
valley cheaper than through any part
of the State. Pendleton is bounded on
the south by Highland county, Virginia,
and the same great iron beds extend
from Hardy county through PendletOn
and Highland, and on through to Iron
Gate. road could be built from Rom
ney through this valley to Iron Gate
for comparatively small sum of money,
and would open up one OF the
richest mineral regions in the State
with the shortest route TO the great
manufacturing center OF the world; and
it would open up one of the greatest
timber regions in the State. Pendleton,
With railroad would soon become one
of the foremost counties in the State by
reason OF the great resources within her
borders.