The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1901-02-07
THE cAssELMAN VALLEY.
ItsTimber, Coal, Agricultural Resources,
Roads and Schools.

The Casselman valley, extending
from the State Line to the headwaters
of the river, fifteen miles in length,
averaging about eight miles in width
from the top of Meadow mountain to
the crest of Negro mountain, contain
ing about sixty thousand acres of the
finest 'ultivated lands in this county,
with population of $500. Among
the chief products may be mentioned
coal, cattle, lumber, lime, butter,
fruit, sugar and wool. High grade
farming is seen in this valley. The
buildings are large and commodious.
The stock of the finest breeds. 1t is
estimated that one hundred thousand
dollars worth OF produce is annually
shipped out of this valley Those
familiar with the geology of this
county assert we have at least fifty
thousand acres underlaid with the
four-foot vein of coal, valued at one
million dollars; lumber, ties and prop
timber valued at one-half million
dollars; other valuable minerals in
abundance, inexhaustible deposits of
the best of lime. Thus it will be seen
our resources are but partly devel-
oped.
The competition of the railroad
will open a new era in this section of
the county. Many inquiries are be-
ing made as to coal and mineral
lands. Great quantities of ties, props
and lumber are now ready for ship
ment. The optioning of large areas
! of coal lands is frequently spoken of
and many inquiries as to prices 1t is
nonsense to talk of securing such
| tracts at reasonable figures at present.
Little is definitely known as to the
area underlaid even with the four
foot vein. Many doubts are expressed
as to the existence or value of lower
or larger veins. Tests have been
made by coal operators at various
points in the valley. The results are
| known only to the company making
them. 1t would seem wise and bust
nesslike for the larger land owners to
raise sufficient funds to make thor
ough test with core drill by experts,
| thus definitely determining what
veins of coal we have, their extent
and value. The four-foot vein has
been pretty thoroughly tested and its
extent fairly well known.
The condition of our roads and
schools are subjects for most serious
consideration, comment and criticism.
Their Improvement concerns all. We
must mend our ways if we expect to
attract desirable people to locate
among us. No excuse or explanation
can be offered for the neglect and
abandonment of our highways. The
old pike, our only outlet to market,
is almost impossible by freight vehi-
Giles this season of the year. What
little the county expends upon this
road appears to be lost The mag
nifcent bridge over the Casselman
river at the Little Crossings is in
runious condition and if not given
early attention will be destroyed.
The Yves tern Union Telegraph Com
pany have damaged the pike badly,
the bridge almost fatally. This COM
pany should be compelled to repair
some of the damages they have done
to this great thoroughfare. A final
effort should be made to save this
splendid structure.
The county road from Grantsville
to Oakland is even in worse condition,
if possible. Really communication
between this section and the county
seat is practically destroyed by the
impassability of the roads. Some
thing should be suggested to remedy
or improve this sad state of affairs.
Other counties are moving in this
matter. 1t is said we have the worst
roads in the State.
Our schools are not up to the stand
ard, at least in this section of the
county, but they appear to be salts
factory to the patrons. They can
and will be improved when the par
ents of the children attending take
interest in the cause of education, de-
handing better service, attendance
and attention. The teaching and
training of children is and always has
been the most important question
parents have to meet and solve 1t is
senseless and useless to quarrel with
teachers and officials. The parents
are the parties interested. They can
improve or disorganize and destroy
schools. This is an enlightened age.
The public schools are supposed to
educate the masses. The higher
grades of employment require skilled
and educated operatives-th ignor-
ant are relegated to the ranks of
common labor. If we wish our chill
dren to have fair start in the life
struggle we should see to it that our
schools are abreast of the times"
Taxes for this purpose are willingly
paid-thus the means provided. A