Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1895-10-16
senator Elktms and Vest Ttrqtnia.

"How did you come 10 settle in West Vir-
ginia, Senator?"
There were a variety of reasons, replied
Senator Elkins, "and one is that men, as
they go on in life naturally seek residences
along the lines where they were born.
was born in Perry county, Ohio, the same
county that produced General Phil Sheri.
dan, and not far frcm the Shermans and
Ewings My father came from Virginia,
near here, and he passed within few miles
Of this place when he emigrated to Ohio
People don't understand the latitude of West
Virginia. This State is nearly a northern
State. Il is only 100 miles from the lakes
and seventy-fve miles from ;idewaier.--
Wheeling is in the latitude OF Philadel-
phia, and am very near 10 the latitude in
which | was born. Another reason is
married a wife who is West Virgiuian -
| am also q natural pioneer
81 was taken as a baby to the West and
spent my boyhood near Kansas City, in Mis-
souri,. When l became a young man went
further west, to New Mexico, and aided in
its development lived for years in the
Rockies, and then, having made some mon
ey in New Mexico, Washington and New
York, | found what | regarded as a great
opening for me and my boys in the devel-
opment Of West Virginia The State is, you
know, in many parts as wild as the west. |
have four boy, here. They are learning
how to do business, even while going ihro'
college, aud they can live here away from
the cities and make men of themselves.
"You ask something about my wealth, 4"
Senator Elkins went on. 81 began life as
poor boy, with nothing but my college edu
cation. have made what have without
any aid from any source. / know | am set
down as a man of large wealth. This is lot
so. am comfortable, and have an organ
lied and promising business TO leave my
children. am not rich man in the sense
of the rich New Workers, but we have
great property here in prospect and
chance to do something. We have altogeth-
er about 100 900 acres Of coal and timber
land, and We are rapidly building up pop
ulation along the lines of our railroad We
will probably extend our lines east and put
in branch south to connect with the Chess
apeake & Ohio We are now sending our
coal and coke to the west, to the Atlantic
seaboard and 70 Mexico, and our supply il
practically inexhaustble When we came
into this region with the road the most OF
it was wilderness. 1t now contains tens OF
thousands of people and it is just on the
edge Of lis development. West Virginia j.
one of the richest Stales in the Union, and
think it has a great future"
Senator, you have been a very successful
man. You started life poor. and have your.
-et made great fortune want to ask
you if you think the chances are as good for
money making to day as they were when
you began?'
"Of course they are" replied Senator FL
kns. "The universal and everlasting now
is full of opportunities. 1t fairly bristle-
with them. The world is just on the edge
of its Development Take the matter OF
electricity. 1t promises to change every
thing under the sun, and its possibilities are
inestirnable This country now has 20 .0O0,-
COO, people. 1t will support 100000
and until it grows to that there will be in-
Humerableopportunitiesand and dunlimited posi-
bilities for fortunes and fortune making
Aterrie,c By Frank G. Carpnter.