The new dominion. [volume] (Morgantown, W. Va.) 1876-1904, 1897-07-17
THE RIVER FREE.
From Morgantown to the Gulf.
The Magnificent Waterway is I'm
vexed with Tolls.
MEANS mUcn TO THIS SECTION.
Our Coal Can Find n Market.-0ur
Freight Rates Lowered and all Busi-
ness Stimulated.

Freight Rates Lowered and all Bust.
ness Stimulated.
The Monongahela is free. All the
dickering and trading is done with
Uncle Sam has turned over to the
Navigation company the check fol
their property and the locks and
dams now belong to the people. The
formal transfer occurred last We'd
nesday. All day long at the first
lock had fleet of vessels been drawn
up awaiting the announcement Of
the transfer and each eager to be
the first through the free lock. When
the news came the special of the
Pittsburg Post was the one to grasp
the honor. The din of whistles was
indescribable.
The rejoicing as the news came up
the river grew less and less demon
strative and but little excitement
was occasioned in Morgantown
While the event, so momentous in
orr industrial progress, did not
arouse any special demonstration
and yet it is heavy with significance.
1t means that not only will our coal
land sell at good prices but that our
freight rates will be lowered and ev-
cry avenue of business fell the stim
illus.
Pittsburg riyermen are arranging
for grand formal celebration. Ii
was proposed to come clear through
to Morgantown but this has been
about abandoned. Tae date and ex-
act character of the celebration will
be announced later.
The account given of the formal
transfer of the property in the issue
of the Pittsburg Post for last Thurs
day is probably the best of any pub
lished and we take pleasure in giving
it to our readers. 1t is as follows:
The Monongahela river free navi-
cation proceedings at last reached a
successful conclusion yesterday af-
ternoon, and the payment of lockage
on the Monongahela river is now
only a matter of history. When the
final decision was given out by Ma
jor Charles F. Powell, United States
engineer of the local district, excite
ment among the coal operators and
rivermen became intense. Congrat-
ulations were exchanged on all sides,
and everybody was happy.
George D. Meiklejohn, assistant
secretary of war, arrived in the city
early yesterday morning, and went
Immediately TO the Duquesne club.
In his inside coat pocket he carried
a draft for IS, sol ,61545. 1t was up
on this precious bit of paper that
the entire proceedings depended. Mr.
Meiklejohn was accompanied by
John Tweedale, chief clerk to the
secretary of war.
At 9:15 a telephone message was
sent to the United States engineer
Office announcing the arrival of two
government officials and requesting
Major Powell to come at once to the
Duquesne club. Major Powell started
Immediately, and half hours con-
sultation followed. The party then
proceeded to the office Of the Monon-
gahela navigation company to find
President ]. J. Donnell. 1t was there
learned that Mr.. Donnell had gone
to the government building expect
ing to meet the party in Major
Powell's office.
RECEIPT SIGNED; FOREVER FREE.
At 11:45 the whole party, consist
ing of Mr.. Meiklejohn, Mr. Twee-
dale, J. J. Donnell, w. P. Wood, Col.
Thomas z. Roberts, District Attor-
ney Harry Alvan Hall and Major
Charles F. Powell were present, and
proceeded to the office of William
Blackwell, treasurer of the company,
in the Carnegie building. After an
other brief conference the gentlemen
went to the office of the Fidelity
title and trust company and depos-
tied 100000, the amount withheld
by the government to pay off the
Monongahela navigation company's
outstanding bonds.
By this time it was noon, and bus
mess was suspended till the party
had taken luncheon at the Duquesne
club. The next visit, and the final
one, was paid to the Bank of Pitts
burg, where the transfer was com
pleted, the Monongahela navigation
receiving the draft and re-
turning receipt in full. The mon
ey was then deposited in the bank,
and Major Powell Immediately or
dered W. P. Wood, cargo inspector
of the navigation company, to an
nounce the news of the transfer to
all collectors of tolls along the river.
The judgment for $3,601, 615.46,
entered by the Monongahela naviga-
ton company against the United
States, in the United States circuit
court, was satisfied yesterday after
noon. The following record was
made:
The Monongahela navigation COM
pany hereby acknowledges to have
received from the United States by
the hands of the secretary of war,
the sum of $3,601, 615.46, which is
and satisfaction in full of
the award made in the above en-
titled proceeding for the condempa-
ton of the property of said Monon-
gahela navigation company, less
100000, which is retained by the
United States as an indemnity
against certain outstanding bonds
secured by a mortgage upon the
of said company.
VERY BINDING DOCUMENT.
And the said Monongahela navi-
cation company hereby stipulates
and agrees thai forthwith dupli-
cate Of this receipt shall be entered
upon the record of said court at
said number AID term, and hereby
delivers into the custody of the
United States the entire control of
said company's works, and it is
agreed upon the part OF the United
States, through the secretary of war,
hat from time to time, as outstand
ng bonds are redeemed by the Mo-
navigation company and
presented to him, he will remit to
The company the amount so returned
md interest, and upon the cancella
ion of the last bonds remit to them
my balance that may remain in his
lands of the said 100000.
1t is hereby agreed on the part of
he said Monongahela navigation
company that there are but $780,