Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1893-05-19
suPER1NrENpENT LEWIS
Discusses Upon the Wonders of the Nor
folk and Western Region.

spsefas Tslsoron to tbs Rooster.
CHARLESTON, w. VA, May 1s.-Hon.
Virgil A. Lewis, State Superintendent
OF Schools, who has just returned from
a trip over the Norfolk and Western
Railroad as a member Of the Board OF
Public Works. was seen by represen-
tative Of the REGISTER and asked what
he thought OF the development OF the
territory through which the Norfolk
and Western Railroad passes.
"The development Of these southern
counties" said Prof. Lewis, sis simply
wonderful. When we recall the fact
that less than five years ago the howl
of the wolf and the scream OF the pan
Their were the only sounds heard IN
much OF this territory, where now
thousands OF busy men are at work IN
coke making, coal mining, numbering
traffic and trade, and the hum OF indus
try is heard on every hand, the rapid
transformation can hardly be realized.
What IS the cause OF the rapid trans
formation In these southern counties
was asked.
ssThe sole cause is the building OF the
Weston extension OF the Norfolk ana
Western railroad. This road traverses
q rich territory OF coal and timber 2O9
miles from KenOva TO Blueheld. Going
ea,tward, the road runs mp the Twelve
Pole river, through q rich coal neld TO
Dingers, a distance OF seventy miles;
thence through q tunnel $500 feet long
10 the waters OF Laurel Creek; thence
down Laurel and Pigeon creeks twenty
one miles to Nankatuck, on Tug river;
thence 100 miles along that river, and
thence by tunnel under the FIAT Top
Mountain TO the waters II the Bluestone
river, along which the road 70 Blueneid,
a town OF magic growth, sitting 1000
feet above sea level.
Bluefeld has q busy population OF
5000 souls. with public buildings ousl-
ness houses, etc, that would 60 credit
TO any city in the State.
There are thirty-seven collieries now
ia active operation along this part OF
the Norfolk and Western railroad, ana
eight million dollars have been invested
in mine improvements and the erection
OF coke ovens. During the month OF
April $1,000 car loads OF coal and COKE
were shipped from these collieries and
coke ovens over the Norfolk and West
ern railroad TO the markets o. the East
aud West.
"Going over this road one cannot fail
70 be deeply impressed with the won
derful resources OF our State.
Mr.. ]. J. Tlerney, one Of the
chief engineers aud managers
In the Flat Top coal region, informed
me that only a small portion OF the
Flat Top cOking coal region has been
leased for development and yet that
part now in the possession Of the mine
operators, assuming that the rate OF
production De doubled from what u -
now, will not be exhausted within sew
enty years.
II have for some years taken the
livelieSt interest In the resources or
West Virginia, and yet l have to say
that | have had but very Imperfect
idea OF the almost bOundlesS wealth OF
our own little State.
"But 1 must now get TO work and
tabulate the enumeration OF school
youth In the State, so that the Auditor
NAV have the same as the basis upon
which &c distribute the State school
fund. You must bear in mind that the
material development Of our State must
not surpass that OF the intellectual de-
velopment which is coming, and must
C0hNSe TO come, FROM our splendid
Rubllc School system"