West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1903-01-08
THE COAL Center.
Tunnelton The Metropolis ofprsston
County.
Its Enterprises, Industries and Rapid
and Substantial Development.
Special correspondence OF The Argus.
TUNNELToN, w. VA,
Ian,,vr 49,,

Il
prosperity of neighboring towns.
While you are excepting your eye"
on Kingwood, don't overlook the
Metropolis of Preston County, the
thriving mining coordination.
In former years we have been looked
upon as little Insignificant village.
situated between the hills on either
side, with but few industries, and
the employment of but little labor.
Blu, where are We today
We are still situated between the
hills, but We have larger popula-
ton than any town in the county;
more labor is employed, and more
money is circulated than in any
other town in the county.
Let us see what the industries are
that produces this prosperity, and
what the prospects are for the
future.
In the first place we have the
Merchants Coal Co., to whom we
are principally indebted for our
present state of prosperity.
This company is composed, we
believe of of Baltimore people, and
let us say right here, that more
generous and progressive company
never operated a coal mine, than
the Merchants Coal Co. Their
President, Mr.. Boswell, is a perfect
gentleman in every respect, always
ready and willing to aid in any
development in our town. Their
Supt. at this place Mr.. VIM. Warner,
is the right man in the right place.
Thoroughly understands his business,
fair, liberal and honest, with his
company's employees, and always
on the alert for the best interests for
for our town. With such Cos, and
such managers, we are depending
upon for our future. The Mer-
chants Coal Co. now employees
about four hundred and fifty men,
with An output of twenty-five thous-
and tons Of coal per month; and
the expenditure Of fifteen thousand
($I5, ooo) per month. This Comp
any has erected cosling tipple for
the purpose of.coaling freight engines
on this division, between Gun ber-
land and Grafton, which structure
is authortaitively said to be the
finest and most complete coaling
tipple in the u. S. This magnificent
structure was built at cost OF S7s,-
| 900 or $50, 900. Let us say in con
nection with this that Tunnelton
possesses and has under construction
among the largest and most ex
pensive buildings in the county.
The baI dsOme three story building
or VI Z. G. bson's has larger floor
s3ice than any building n Preston.
TIE banking building ot Mr. A. J..
Bpusfcid now under construction,
MI, when completed be the largest
nandsomest and most expensive
banking institution in the eastern
cad of the State and an ornament to
the town. The erection of this
magnifccnt building will require the
expenditure of some Sac, 900 or
S25, 900. In the next place We have
the Atlantic Coal & Coke Co., who
are installing plant which is said
will be one of the best in the county.
This Company is operating on the
Shaw farm north and on the suburbs
of Tunnelton and already employs
a large number OF men. Their
mines are being equipped with the
finest of machinery aud when CON-
pleted will employ from FIVE to six
hundred people. Their Office is
situated in the Gibson building.
Their Supt., Mr.. A. M. Lane, who
is also General Manager Of the w.
Va. N. R. R., is gentleman in
every Paticular; thorough business
man looking out for the business
interests of our town. Such are a
few of the good things that we
possess, which are making Tunnel
ton famous and prosperous. Let US
look little ahead into the future,
in the early spring the b & o. R.
r. Co., will erect one Of the hand
soonest and most commodious pas
senger and freight depots on this
division and Heaven knows we
deserve and need it. There Is
probably more freight and passenger
traffic handled at this point than
any other station on this division
and our accommodation We admit
have been the poorest But thank
fortune ere another winter rolls
around we will be blessed with q
magnificent depot
The Function supply Co., will
erect handsome and commodious
store building rhlch will donbfless