Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1894-03-27

other cities, will come to Pittsburg to
patronize your merchants; the inter
mediate towns of less population in the
oil and timber and coal sections will
follow their example. You are within
easy reach OF the great oil producing
portion OF the State; one hall OF our
most valuable coal deposits, and the
greater portion OF our timber. The de-
Velopment OF the industries which these
articles furnish, the great saw mills,
the oil wells, the coal mines, employ
ing thousands OF laborers. and millions
OF capital, are on the lines OF railroad
that within comparatively short dis
lance find their terminals within the
limits Of your city.
A large part of the jobbng trade OF
ali this section will come TO you. Your.
manufactured articles will be used In
this region. Oar raw materials should,
TO a considerable extent, especially 10
timber, find a market with you. Thus
a large exchange in commodities OF your
city and our country will be built up
with mutual profit and satisfaction to
both sections. Is it any wonder that
our people are rejoicing at the consum-
nation Of the long expected, but long
delayed, establishment OF direct rail-
road communication with this section.
We want your enterprise and capital TO
assist in developing the great
NATURAL SOURCES OF WEALTH
with which our State abounds. When
we look upon the Monongahela Valley
below the State line, and contemplate
its condition and capabilities. and OBJ
serve the wonderful enterprise that las
filed it from Pittsburg to the State line
with cities and some Of the largest man
ufacturina plants In the world; when
we reflect that the tonnage sent out OF
this region is equal TO that which goes
down the Mississippi we are filled with
desire TO become part OF this greas
section, and share in your Advancement
and industrial progress. We know that
the lower Monongahela Valley, includ-
ing Pittsburg, embraces one Of the
greatest manufacturing sections Of the
country, if it does not lead all others,
and see no reason why ali this vast en-
terprise and wealth should stop
at the State line. With the
completion of the river improve,
ments to Fairmont, which is assured
in the future, as the government has
undertaken the construction OF dams
beyond Morgantown, to which place 1t
now extends, aud the new lines OF rail-
road projected, the Upper Monongahela
Valley should follow closely after you
in the thrift and development thai
marks your prosperous country. The
same conditions or natural advantage
exists there that have made this valley
80 great in manufacturing interests
No country Is blessed with better cli'
mate, or richer in that which comes
from within or grows upon the earth.
II l seem to be overestimating this re-
giop, | may quote in confirmation OF
what may appear TO you as exaggera-
ton, an extract from an able and inter
esting report of one Of the members OF
this Chamber OF Commerce, Col. Thomas
p. Roberts, made in 1875. when be was
United States Assistant Engineer.
Colonel Roberts, in that year, made
A SURVEY OF THE MoNoNGAHELA
river from Morgantown to Fairmont,
and in his report appears this tribute TO
that section:
"As the Monongahela river flows
through the richest and most highly de-
veloped bituminous coal fields in the
United States, it may be proper In this
place to describe its course and the re-
sources Of its valley"
Col. Roberts, then, In very compll-
mentsry way, refers to the character OF
the people, quality OF the soil, quantity
and quality Of the coal, and insists that
by all means the navigation OF the river
should be extended to Fairmont, lie
further says:
"As it is, the slackwater falls short
of reaching the best coal fields, and
terminates where it may never expect
to benefit general commerce. The great
city of Pit.sburg is vitality interested In
this region. Within = radius OF 100
miles of here there are embraced within
the limits OF West Virginia 4,750 square
miles OF coal, 1868 square miles OF which
are on the Monongahea river, which
flows past her work shops, but is now
tributary TO a railroad that does not lead
toward Pittsburg."
This far sighted, intelligent citizen OF
yours had his eye upon this rich coun-
try, which he urged should be made
tributary to Pittsburg 20 years ago. !
rejoice that he has lived 10 see the same
railroad company (the b. 81 o. which
| has constructed, under the energetic
MANAGEMENT Of another individual who
was for many years q citizen OF your
lace, line right through this region
into the gates Of Pittsburg, and that be
| is with US when the connecting link Is
made, and accepts with US the courtesy
OF the wide awake, live managers OF this
now completed. but long delayed, en-
terprise, and has ridden with us on one
Of
THE FIRST THROUGH TRAINS
thereon. l trust he will live to see his
practical suggestions looking TO the i'm
provement of the Monongshel9 river,
made twenty years ago, fully realized
by the completion OF slackwater on this
! splendid stream TO its head, and that be
! NAV live TO see another enterprise, the
Lake Erie and Ohio River Ship Canal,
completed and 10 operation, the con-
struction of which be has from time 10
time urged
In concl usion desire to return the
thanks OF myself and West Virginia
friends for the courtesy and kindness
on your part which enable u to partic-
ipate in an occasion here that will, l
hope, enlarge our conceptions OF the
mutual advantage that will result to
both our sections by the establishment
of closer business and commercial rela-
tons. This railroad, over the compile
tion OF which we this day rejoice, will
not long be adequate for carrying the
trade that will spring up between Us.
| New lines will, OF necessity, be added
| 10 il 10 the near future; slackwater nav
| e facilities n