The Big Stone Gap post. [volume] (Big Stone Gap, Wise County, Va.) 1892-1928, 1899-10-19
Letter to the Editor.
Mn. Enron:

DIR. EDITOR:
One of the most promising section'
of the Southwest is embraced In tht
counties of Dickinson and Buchanan
The wonderful resources Of these two
counties is a revelation to one moi
already acquainted with this mar
velous wealth of coal and timber
There is scarcely an acre OF either
county not underlaid with the finest
of coking and steaming coal in veins
varying in thickness from 4 feet to !
feet, and some even thicker. Nature
seemed prodigal indeed in her pro-
visions for making this the greatest
coke-making section of the South.
The streams are so located that near
| ly the whole arear can be mined at
| water level and the mines be self
draining. The timber, of oak, pop
lar, ash, &C., seems to be boundless,
when vie we'd from some high pinnacle
| it looks like a sea of unbroken forest.
The poplar is being fast taken out
and in a few years will be gone, but
the white oak is the finest in the
South, and is practically untouched.
There is paid out annually for the
poplar lumber in each OF these
counties over $4,000, land the lumber
men are making fortunes. 1t but
lacks a railroad to make these the
richest counties in the State.
The people are frugal and indus
trious, and as hospitable people as
a stranger ever went among.
Clintwood. the county seat of Dick
enson, is a beautiful little village sit
uated in a beautiful and picturesque
valley. Grundy, the county seat of
Buchanan, nestles beneath the eter-
nal hills that rise thousand feet
above it. 1t is situated on the levicy
at the mouth of Slate creek--twenty
acres would cover all the available
building ground and include part
of the hill sides. but it's citizens are
prosperous and happy.
The political situation, as far as
the writer could ascertain is all the
Democrats could desire. The Re-
publican leaders in both counties were
opposed to making any nomination.
1t is significant fact that Buchan.
all county was not represented in the
John Gillian" convention at Glade
vile. Several Of the most prominent
Republicans at Grundy told us that
our brainy and brilliant young nomi'
nee would carry Buchanan county by
at least 200 majority. The Demo
Gratis of course put it higher, and are
determined to make it as large as
possible, for they are wide awake and
will give a good account of their
county at the coming election.
Nearly all who expressed themselves
are opposed to the ovation" election
law.
In Dickinson county / heard but
few Republicans express themselves
on the situation, but it could readily
be seen they were none too we'll pleas.
ed that nomination had been made.
The Democrats were enthusiastic
and had gone to work to elect their
choice. l think there can be no
question but these two counties will
give Ayers majority ranging from
800 to 400, which of course insures
his election.
Our candidate for the Senate is
even more popular, if possible, in
Dickinson county than this and it
that county was embraced in this
District he could beat all
the republicans that could be put in
the field. Those people delight to
honor the young scions of Democracy.
and l think, Mr.. Editor, you can rest
assured that "our Harry" is safe.
Certainly no young nan ever entered |
4 canvass under more auspicious cir.
and none more able to
build upon SO promising foundation.
Stranger to say, his popularity, |
seems to be as great among the re-
,ublicans as in his own ranks.
We must thank you from the bot
ON Of our heart for the Posr. which
vas a most welcome visitor indeed,
While we were dwelling in the above
famed counties. w. s. VI.