Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-02-28
HIGH WATER TOWNS.
An Open Letter.
To the Editor of The Dispatch:


KENovA, W. VA, Feb. 25.
SIR-Although the exceptional altitude
of the Ohio Valley bottoms near the mouth
of Big Sandy river, in West Virginia, has
long been marked by rivef men it may be
interesting to many, in this time of de-
vastating waters, to know that the floods of
last year and of the week just passed have
not so much as overtopped the banks at this
embryo city of Kenova, whose plat covers
the bottoms of the Ohio Valley three
quarters of mile wide, extending from the
old town of Ceredo to the Big Sandy river;
including wooded highlands, of easy access,
which will be the future residence portion
of the city.
With over 5000 business lots plated in
the bottoms, from to 25 feet above the pres
ent flood marks, besides large reservations
for the great shops of the Norfolk and West
ern Railroad and coming manufacturing
plants, not lot has been so much as touched
by the swollen tide of waters which for
DAYS past has hurried by the city, carrying
disaster ON its angry breast.
At this time com parsons between our sit
uation and that of other towns would in
deed be odious, but we invite manufacturers
everywhere, who are looking for new loca-
tions. to correspond with the Kenova Asso-
citation, which has plated and is now de-
ably located at the junction of three great
States.
Kenova lies at the confluence of the Ohio
and Big Sandy rivers. The latter stream is
navigable for over hundred miles during
large portion of the year. It is at Kenova
that the Norfolk and Western Railroad first
reaches the Ohio Valley with its Ohio ex-
tension now under construction over the
mountains from Pocahontss, Va, "a
coking coal center, already the great rival
of Connellsville), distance OF 200 miles, on
which track is now being laid from both
ends of the line. It is at Kenoya where the
Norfolk and Western Railroad is now SPAN
ming the Ohio, with an iron bridge and ap-
proaches nearly 1000 feet long. making con-
nections here with its own Scioto Valley
division for Columbus, O.; with the main
line of the Chesapeake and Ohio Railway
(Vanderbilt system), where grand U MON
passenger station is being built; with the
Newport News and Mississippi Valley Rail-
road; with the Ohio River Railroad; with
the Ohio and Big Sandy Railroad, and with
the navigation lines of the Ohio and Big
Sandy rivers.
The association will donate manufacturing
sites to the right parties, and although it
gives no cash bonuses" it will lend fnan-
cial aid to promote the success of industrial
enterprises.
With steel plant within six miles, with
fuel at and 3 cents per bushel, with cheap
Pocahontas coke, superior to that of Con-
nellsville, with exhaust deposits of ex-
cellent fire clay; situated in the famous
Hanging Rock iron ore region, with easy
access by rail or river to the forests of yell
low poplar, oak and other woods so abund-
ant in this end of the State, with freight
rates to Chicago and the seaboard OH an ex-
act par with Pittsburg-Kenova offers ad-
vantages to enterprising manufacturers un-
surpassed in the entire country.
With mild and healthful climate, with
residence sites commanding mountain and
river views of surprising beauty, with nat
ural parks and wooded driyes-she will be-
come a model city of homes-already q
beautiful So, 900 hotel and many handsome
buildings being under construction or COM
pleted.
The association will cheerfuily furnish
maps and other information regarding Ke-
nova, prices OF lots etc.. either from the
Office of its President, Mr.. J. H. Dingee,
800 Walnut street, PHILADELPHIA, Pa, or
from the Office of the writer. Very respect
fully, L. I. PECK, Supt.,
VI