The Republican., 1902-06-19
GARRETT COUNTY.
This Section Is Rapidly Progress sing
and Is Taking Front Rank.
ESTABLISHMENT OF THREE NEW BANKS
Large Lumber Mills In Operation and
Railroads Under Construction Which
Will Open Undeveloped TerritOry-Ex-
tensive improvements in Oakland.

The Oakland correspondent of the
Baltimore Morning Herald, under
date of June 18th, contributes the
following to that paper:
Garrett county, which was once
considered the small end of Maryland,
so far as business matters and pro-
gression are concerned, is rapidly
coming to the front, and within the
next four or FIVE years will lead the
State.
"In order to give the readers of the
Herald a clear idea of the rapid ad-
vancement of the county it would be
proper to first take into considera-
tion the financial affairs. Prior to
the year 1888 there were no banks,
and all banking was done either at
Cumberland or Frostburg, Md, or
Piedmont, w. Va. In that year the
Garrett County Bank, at Oakland,
was organized, with a capital stock
of $4,000. Today it has on deposit
over $780, 200 and a surplus of $15, 200,
besides paying all the time hand
some dividend to its stockholders.
The First National Bank of Oakland
was organized in the latter part of
the year 1900 and commenced busi-
ness in the early part of 1901, with a
capital stock of $4,000. This bank is
also doing a thriving business and
has on deposit nearly 100000. 1t has
also given out the contract for the
erection of three story brick build
ing, at the cost of about 100000, on
the corner of Second and Alder streets,
the first floor of which will be occu-
pied by the bank, postoffice and sew
eral store rooms, the second floor for
large and commodious offices and the
third floor for lodge rooms. Next the
First National Bank of GrantsYille
was organized, with capital stock of
$4,000, and last the First National
Bank of Friendsville. Hence it will
be seen that the county now has four
banks as against one in 1888.
Garrett county has always been
noted for its timber products. While
lumber, ever since the organization of
the county, was manufactured to
some extent, yet not to any great ex
tent until the year 1890, when A.
Knabb & Co. erected a large, up-to-
date saw mill and a cooperage plant
equipped with all modern machinery.
This plant covers an area of about
four acres and is located at Krug.
About four years ago this firm con-
structed a narrow gauge railroad
from Krug to Swallow Falls, about
six miles from Oakland. Within the
past five weeks Kendall Bros, of
Meyersdale, Pa, became the pur-
chasers of the saw mill, railroad and
timber rights at the price of 100000,
including rolling stock. These par
ties have since organized railroad
company with capital stock of $50,
900, and will shortly complete the
railroad from Swallow Falls to Oak
land, and will eventually lay stand
ard gauge. This will give q near
route to Pittsburg, or ride of about
three hours, as against five hours at
the present time. The next large
lumber plant to be erected was that
of the Meadow Mountain Lumber
Company, at Friendsville. Following
this was the one of Jennings Bros, at
Bevansville. This, perhaps, is the
finest plant in the county, with suf-
ficient timber to last for a period of
about Is years. These parties have
also laid down standard gauge rail
road from Meyersdale, Pa, via Grants
vile, to their plant, distance of
about 16 miles, thus giving the peo-
pie of that section privileges which
they never enjoyed before. This rail-
road has already had the tendency to
develop coal interests in that section
of the county.
"The development of coal is also be-
coming noted, and Eastern capitalists
are constantly buying up these rights
and opening up mines, chiefly in that
section of the county which borders
along the West Virginia Central rail-
road.
lone of the largest lumber plants
in the county is that of the Preston
Lumber and Coal Company, located
at Crellin, about four miles from Oak
land. This company employs about
300 men. 1t owns timber interest ex-
tending from Hutton, on the Balti-
more and Ohio railroad, along the
Youghiogheny river and Cheat river
to Parsons, w. Va, with a standard
gauge railroad extending the whole
distance. The company manufac-
lures over 100000 feet of lumbar