Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1899-10-24

city, than any one thing of recent date.
But none of these things which 1
have mentioned have been sufficient of
themselves 10 account for the steady
growth of Parkersburg without reuc.
ton or set back for the last 30 years
all have played their parts, as one
thing creates the necessity for another,
but none have answered the repeated
inquiries amongst ourselves-what sus.
tains Parkersburg and makes it con-
tinue to grow When will the reaction
come, and property and real estate de.
cline in value2 How can we get more
manufactures These questions have
been asked for the last ten or fifteen
years and remain unanswered, but still
the town goes on, and men continue to
doubt. The answer, in my judgment,
is to be found in cause so quiet and
unobtrusive that it has been overlook
ed. It is answered by the geographi.
cally central position of Parkersburg
to the business and travel of the State,
and by its numerous lines of transpor.
tation, aud also by its attractiveness
as a place of residence.
In all these respects Parkersburg
stands unequaled by any other city in
the State. There may be no great
speculative advance in Parkersburg
property and prices of to-day but
there will be no marked stagnation and
depreciation in the future of Parkers.
burg. In proportion as the State con-
tinues to grow in population and in
wealth, Parkersburg will continue to
improve, for the reason that it is the
chief gateway for the trade, travel and
general business of the State. In adj
dition it offers inducements for resi-
dences sufficient TO tempt persons of
means from other parts of the State,
who desire homes with pleasant sur
roundings, conveniences, and attrac-
tious, to cast their lot with us. Man
ufactories will follow in due time, and
when they come they will bring with
them their drawbacks as well as COM
pensations. It does not follow that
manufacturing towns or cities are the
most attractive or prosperous. But
still we are ready to welcome all new
manufactures and enterprises of thrift
that may seek homes and locations
with us.
In speaking of Parkersburg. Iyen.
ture the prediction that she has passed
the period of doubt and uncertainty
that comes to most places of spasmodic
growth, and that she will gradually
increase from year to year, as regular
ly as the seasons succeed each other,
and l further venture the assertion
that Parkersburg IS to day The hand
soonest and most attractive little city
of its size, with more good homes, pub
lie buildings, good schools, and we'll
paved streets, 10 be found on the Ohio
river, from its source to its mouth, and
in lines east or west, from Philadelphia
to St. Louis and if any one who lrav.
els donbts this assertion, let him run
over in his minds eye, and point out
the exception. further venture the
prediction that those who are here a.
the next centennial will have more to
say of Parkersburg and the marvellous
wealth of West Virginia than is
dreamed of in our philosophy to day.
When we review the marvellous
progress of the past century, aud reflect
tnat in all that goes to make up the
comforts. luxuries and high ciyiIiza-
ton Of mankind more has been
accomplished in the past hundred years.
than in any FIVE hundred in our pre-
vious history, if not in all history. it
MAKES US dizzy to think of what the
next century may produce, and sad 10
think Me may not be here TO see for
ourselves.