Martinsburg independent. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1875-1900, 1892-02-20
Correspondence.
EDITOR INDEPENDENT:

EDllOh 1HDEFESDENA.
Being aware that you favor and
are willing to aid the strong arm of
progress in our section of country, /
venture to pen few lines relating
to that important subject, and espe-
cially as it relates to the improve
ment of our public buildings, manu-
factories, etc.
1t seems that where these enter
prises are established and flourish
most they are sought after BY the
people living in one immediate Sec
tion or other, the people themselves
holding up certain advantages to ac-
crue to manufactures and other en-
terprises that may be established
among the people living in that Sec
ton Of country. Therefore we deem
that it may be well to not let our
light be hid under a basket, bat to
hold up to the public view what ad
vantages may aeerae to such enter
prises were someo of them established
in the vicinity of Bunker Hill, Berk-
eley county, W. Va. How the name
of Bunker Hill became attached to
the village in question the writer of
these lines never could learn by any
living person, and we can only con-
lecture that it derived its name from
the historic battle ground of Massa-
chusetts and of revolutionary mem
ory. Suffice it to say, however, that
it is situated Immediately on the
waters of Mill Greek, about midway
between Martinsburg and Winches-
ter, and Immediately upon the line
of the Cumberland Valley Railroad.
surrounded by a fertile country of
limestone formation of the strongest
and best quality, producing all Of
the cereals and grain known to this
section of country.
But what we wish to hold up to
the public eye in this communication
is the advantages to be derived in
aid of manufacturing purposes in
the copious flow Of the fresh waters
of Mill Greek, the stream Of water
already alluded to. Mill Greek has
its source near the base of the North
Mountain, flowing an eastward course
distance of seven or eight miles
until it unites with the Opequon
creek, near the village of Middleway,
Jefferson county, Va.
Fifty years ago the grain growing
facilities of this immediate section
of country necessitated the building
of number of Touring mills on
Mill Greek, the power and use Of
these waters fully utilized. At the
mouth of this stream Frederick Ros-
enberger carried on milling and
distilling business, which was the
source of much profit to him, the re
suit of his labors bringing him an
income sufficient to buy two of the
best farms near Martinsburg. A
little higher up on this stream Con-
rad Kownsler conducted q paper
making establishment and became
wealthy, having possessions in this
and adjoining counties. Stilla little
higher up On this stream Ellis Reese
carried on Touring mill, became
the owner of five hundred acres of
land on Middle Greek; its quality
cannot be surpassed. A few hun
dred yards higher up the stream
Joel Ward, who emigrated here from
Pennsylvania poor boy, erected
mill and engaged in the milling bust
ness. He was prosperous miller,
but, during the war with Great
Britain in 1912, he chartered ship
loaded with flour, which was lost or
confscated, which resulted in terri
Bile financial disaster to its owner,
thereby reducing Ward to almost
condition of bankruptcy But after
wards, by dint of economy, perse-
yerence and management, before his
death he became the owner of 2,l00
acres of land in the vicinity Of Bun
ker Hill.
The Boyd mill, owned by the late
General E. Boyd and operated at
one time by the late Daniel Wright,
is situated in the village of Bunker
Hill, where Daniel Wright built the
foundation of his ample fortune,
making as much as five thousand
dollars in one year as rentor, his
share of profits being one-half OF the
clear profits of the milling establish
ment.
One mile above the village was
wooden factory, operated BY the late
VIM Holiday. Levi Henshaw, ST.,
owned and operated q merchant mill
higher up on this stream, who be-
came one of the wealthiest land own
ers in the community and man of
much influence, and the late Robert
Daniels owned q milling establish
ment near Gerardstown and became
an Independent land owner.
The successful career of the vari-
Gus individuals is alluded to to show
to the public mind what the vast re-
sources of The valley of Mill Greek
must have been fifty years ago. We
L L Al ~.