The new dominion. [volume] (Morgantown, W. Va.) 1876-1904, 1899-08-23
AMONG The MOUNTAINS.
Some Further Observations By
President Barnes.
His Work and Travels in the Interior
OF the State Experience With Sa.
loon Keeper The latter Threatens
Arrest Beauties and Wonders OF
Nature In That Section.


Arrest Beauties aud Wonders o.
Nature In That Section.
Camden-o Gauley consists of two
hamlets, situated on the Gauley river
about one mile apart.
Gauley river is about as large as
Cheat river, and resembles 10 very
much At Camden, it is 2, 250 abov,
the sea, while Elk river, only % miles
distant by the railroad, is only SAC
feet above the sea, or l, 40 feet lower
AT Centralia, which is near the
junction of Holly river with Elk river
the mountain scenery is the most
beautiful and sublime OF any that
have looked upon. The river canyons
wind among the majestic mountain
spurs that stand like huge pillars
guarding winding pathway.
Near Bakers run station, a huge
mountain stands apart from its fell
lows, like great hay stack in a mead
ow. The railroad runs around one
side OF it, and Elk river on the other
side. At some time in the past, tho
river channel may have been where
the railroad now is.
The boom, and immense lumber
mills OF the Gauley River Lumber Co.
are located at Camden. These are the
most thoroughly equipped lumber
mills that | have examined. They
arc prepared to work up every particle
of spruce or poplar log, except the
saw dust, bark and surface knots.
On the smaller branches Of these
streams the lumber companies build,
what they call splashes. These are
high wooden dams, with sluice.
When the sluice is closed a large vol
ume of water accumIlates above the
dam. The gates are then opened and
the water thus liberated rushes out
and the stream below is swelled to
flood tide and the logs that have been
previously thrown into the bed, are
drifted to the boom. The opening OF
a splash is quite an occasion.
While at Cowen, | was invited to
speak at a temperance meeting.
consented to do SO, and had a bit OF
experience that might have resulted
seriously to some parties.
The County Court had granted IL
cense to a saloon in Cowen, against
the expressed desire of at least nine
tenths Of the citizens, and their meet
ings and protests against the saloon.
The keeper of the saloon, for rea-
sons which | cannot state, came out
to hear my talk. | suppose that some
OF my suggestions were too practical,
II applied TO his place, to suit his no
tion of personal liberty, and the rights
of the vicious and lawless elements of
human society. And before l was
done speaking he got up and making
a vigorous gesture with his hat, left
the room, muttering threats In Ian
guage more forcible than elegant.
In the morning was informed that
he was going to swear out a warrant
against me, and have me arrested for
an incendiary speech, and re-
quire me to give bond for my good
behavior.
l sent word to him that l was anx-
ious fer him TO carry out his threat,
as / thought / would enjoy such an
as would follow an arrest
for making temperance speech. |
preached the next night in the Bap-
list church, but was disappointed
in not being arrested.
From Cowen i came down to SUIT
ton, the capital of Braxton Co. Here
was told that of the 1900 people
living in the town, only 20 of them
we're lawyers.
This town is situated on both sides
of Elk river, which is spanned by an
iron suspension bridge.
The original name of the town was
but when the new county
of Braxton was organized, and the
county seat located here, the vile was
dropped, like tadpole's tail.
From the summit Of the High
Knob, on the farm of John G.. Morri-
son, one can see objects in twelve diff
ferent counties. This is the most ex-
tensive view to be had anywhere in
this state. did not go to see this
knob.
While at Sutton listened to case
in a Justices court, tried by jury.
The amount in dispute was 1920
and the costs up to the beginning OF
this trial, amounted to $3.50. The
most important question involved
now, was, not who should get the
1872. 20, but who should pay the costs.
In the office of the Braxton Demo-
crat l found a copy of the NEW Do
1t must have been an I'M
good number, for it seemed to
me that had never read copy that
had so much Interesting news in IT..
From Sutton l went into Gilmer
and on Sunday assisted at the
dedication Of new NJ p. church,
near Chenille. And on Sunday night
preached at the latter place.
/. A. BARNES