Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1901-02-14
4 CENTER Of COAL DEALS.
VIRTUALLY ALL OF THE COAL LAND
ABOUT WHEELING SOLD OR
OPTIONED.
BOTH SIDES OF THE RIVER
Have Been the Scene of Activity by
Representatives of Capitalists.
Two Hundred Deeds Will be Re-
corded in Ohio County for Coal
Land Bought by Pittsburg and
Eastern Capitalists.

The remarkable activity of capital
lists in the matter or securing coal rights
, upon land in Belmont county, Ohio,
and Ohio county, West Virginia, and
portions of Marshall and Brooke coun-
ties contiguous to Ohio county has been
frequently commented upon. During
the past few years this activity has
been manifested to such a degree that
,, to-day there are few acres upon which
the coal rights have not been sold or
optioned, in the territory referred to.
While some of the land is probably
held for speculative purposes, there
,, can be no doubt of the intention OF
other holders to develop their proper
ties at the earliest practicable time.
The coal vein in this immediate sec
ton varies in width. The coal pos
sesses properties which make it the
| best in the world for producing steam.
, There are thousands of acres which
have been simply awaiting the touch
of capital. The facilities for marketing
it are already good, and with several
miles of track to remote districts It
can be mined and placed in the market
very cheaply. The prospect OF a dam
below Wheeling no doubt figures In
the plans OF buyers OF coal property,
and the construction OF the proposed
government dam would undoubtedly
be followed by the development OF all
the coal property in this section.
Wheeling would then become rival
of Pittsburg as a shipping point, and
would have distinct advantage IN
competition with the Pittsburg river
operators.
The development of coal properties
| in this vicinity will also be an i'm
! portant factor in the future industrial
greatness OF Wheeling.
The Register has noted the numerous
! deals in coal properties on the Ohio
side of the river, as well as those in
Ohio county. The intention of Col
( Thompson, of Uniontown, Pa, and
/ those who are associated with him in
! the ownership of Ohio and Brooke
county coal lands, with reference to
their development are not known.
Nearly all this territory lies within
two miles of the river.
The coal territory in the interior
of the county, extending as far back as
the Pennsylvania line, lying largely in
the vicinity OF Roney's Point, and Tri-
adelphia, is now being taken UP by
syndicate representing Pittsburg and
eastern capitalists. Twenty deeds fol-
coal rights upon this property have
already been recorded in the office OF
| the clerk of the county court, and the
total number of deeds will reach 200
| The magnitude of the deal is not gener-
ally understood by Ohio county peo-
pie. The syndicate will buy the coal
| rights upon between 10000 and $4,000
acres in Ohio county.
The price paid averages about S15
| per acre, and the aggregate amount
to be paid to farmers of Ohio county
by the syndicate will very closely ap-
proximate 100000 This money will
be a God-send to many Ohio county
| farmers.
A big force of attorneys and clerks
is engaged in examining titles to the
! land. 1t was understood at the outset
| that a month would be consumed IN
this work, but the examination OF
titles has already proceeded for a
month, and only twenty OF the 2Ot
deeds have been left tor record. The
| office of the county clerk has fire.
quently been kept open at night for the
accommodation of those who are en-
gagged in the examination of titles
Last night Attorneys T. S. Riley. Frank
| c. Cox, c. E. Morris and two or three
clerks were at work upon the records
in the vault until IL o'clock.
\