The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1893-05-31

In the entire state OF West Virginia,
since the era OF development began, no
section has made more rapid progress
than that embraced within what is
known as the upper Monongahela coal
and coke field, OF which the rapidly
growing city OF FRirmont ia the center,
or chief shipping point During the
past few years there have been opened,
within radius OF five miles OF Fair
mont, ton coal mines, giving employ
ment to more than two thousand men,
while within the limits OF the town
have been established a numbered now
industries, including two glass facto-
ries, iron foundrles, planning mills,
and other manufacturing industries.
With this development OF business has
come a new population, until it is more
than double what 1t was five years ago,
and new corners are constantly ar
irving,
Few towns in America have made
more rapid strides, all things Consid-
cred, In proof OF this statement one
has but to consider the fact that what
was five years ago hum.drum village,
without any OF the modern improve
ments, is now bustling, hustliug, grow.
ing city, with electric lights, natural
gas, water works, and all other modern
Conveniences. Within this half de.
cade now additions have been laid oil,
scores OF new streets have been opened
through what five years ago were
meadows and corn fields, hundreds OF
new and handsome buildings have been
erected in these additions, and tho de-
mRnd for homes and building sites goes
on increasing, 80 that values have in
creased 100 per cent in the last two years.
So rapid and wonderful has been this
growth that visitors have been moved
to call Fairmont 'the Chicago OF the in.
terror OF West Virginia"
"This "boom" which Fairmont Is
enjoying, and which is attracting so
much the attention OF Investors, is not
"boom" on paper. 1t is based upon
q substantial, solid foundation. Stu.
atcd in the midst Of the richest coal
field in America, the town is already
the shipping point for moro than u
million tons OF coal and coke per year,
to say nothing Of tho vast tonnage from
tho other industries. Development is
not thing Of the future, but Is already
in progress, so that the growth Of Fair.
mont is us substantial as the eternal
wealth laden hills that surround the
city, and the investor is not gambling
in "futures," but dealing in realities.
Fairmont Is the terminus OF two rail-
roads and on the main line OF the Balti-
more & Ohio. In q few months the
Fairmont, Morgantown & Pittsburgh
road will be opened up to Pittsburgh,
which will mako tho interior OF the
state as accessible to that city as it is
now to Wheeling, with Fairmont as
the distributing point. Thia is fact
the importance OF which 1t is time the
business men OF Wheeling were begin
ming to realize.
A striking instance OF how Fairmont
is growing and OF the solidity OF the
"boom," II it can be called q "boom," is
furnished by the experience OF the Fair.
mont Development Company. This
company laid Off the now town less than
two years ago. II covers a large terri.
tory west Of the old town, with which il
is connected by a magnificent steel via.
duct. Within the past year scores OF
buildings have been erected on this
property, including two new glass
houses, the splendid new state normal
school building, many dwellings and
business houses.
Within that time, also, the lots which
wero sold have advanced in value from
70 to so per cont. The demand for lots
has steadily increased and the Develop
ment Company has disposed OF u large
number at private sale for good prices,
With view to further improving the
new town the Development Company
has lot the contract for the paving Of
Fairmont avenue with fire brick aud
tho work will begin at once. Along
this and adjobing streets arc the choice
building lots, a limited number O
which 1900 will DO offered tomorrow
Thursday, juno ~ ut auction. 1t
is u rare chance for Investment, anC
Wheeling business men will miss {
good thing il they neglect it. No in
vestment in the state OF West Virginit
will pay so large a return. The Devel
opment Company's advertisement up
pears In another column. Attention II
directed to it. Wheeling business met
who arc looking for paying Investment
should make trip to Fairmont to.mor
row and look over the ground. Rount
trip tickets aro on sale at this point a
9 cents per'milc each way.