Staunton spectator and vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1896-1916, 1903-11-13
A GREAT INDUSTRIAL
DEVELOPMENT
What is Doing Along the Greenbrier
In West virginia---vast Timber
The Basis Of lndustry---Rapid
Growth of the New Towns, Etc.

III WEST VITylnid---SdSt tiIi'uoI
| The Basis of lndustry---Rapit
Growth of the New Towns, Etc
(stsfr Correspondence of the spectator.)
The State of West Virginia has be
come one of the most progressive and
wealthy commonwealth in the south
1t is the second state of the union in
the production of coal and ranks high
in iron. Its agricultural development
has been rapid. it's herds Of fat cattle
the finest, and now comes to the front
it's great resources in timber, a wealth
that till now has not been developed,
an infant industry, but one that is CON-
ing to the front with giant strides. In
two years the Greenbrier Valley has
become hive Of industry. while the
newly opened territory in northern
Pocahontas and southern Randolph
counties along the Coal and Iron road
is experiencing the influx of men and
capital akin to an Oklahoma rush
This territory or stretch of timber belt
is accessible by means of railway ex
tension, beginning in the Greenbrier
valley and following the stream of that
name to its head waters at Durbin,
thence across mountain ranges to the
vicinity Of Elkins in Tygarts Valley.
Along this Indicated line an era of
development has set in that astonishes
the Imagination. The fanciful dreams
Of recent past are outstripped in the
realizations of today. Thus doth pro-
gress keep in keen persuit, the fancy
that would its leader be.
Just year ago 1t happened in the
path of travel that passed over part
Of this territory then just made acces
sible by the completion of the G. & 0. &
Greenbrier division between Ronce-
verte and Durbin. The country was
then-so to speak-in an embryo condi-
tion of development, and is, compared
with its vast timber resources. yet in
such condition, but it's change since Il
months ago is remarkable. Then the
stretches of mountain wilderness were
here and there broken by mitch cut
out of the wilderness of forest where
was buzzing saw mill, too busy in
hasty house building to erect roof
over its own head, too rushed to fur
nish ought else than rough green boards,
while the carpenters standing by could
not wait for the seasoning, or stop for
the lathing or plastering. In this way
went up the camps-the nucleus around
which the towns grew up. As pass
over the country again, there Is on all
hands a perciptable change-the houses
10 the new villages are neatly finished
and painted with well kept grass plots
about them, while tho stores are large,
carrying department stocks and are
patronized by stream Of cash buyers,
the saw plants are under substantial
roof, while the sheds and lumber yards
are filling with valuable stock in spite
OF increasing and frequent shipments.
The crudities OF year ago are in the
past and the county is settling down to
a permanent and prosperous growth.
Population In the mean time has taken
on steady growth and travel is
keeping pace with it, necessitating ad-
ditional train service, while in freight
the increase has necessitated the haul
ing Of ono and sometimes two heavily
laden trains daily of from so to 60 cars
each Besides timber, the road is de-
irving handsome revenue from the
handling of live stock, which are COM
ing to the line, for shipment from the
farming and grazing districts which
lie back from tho river on the open
fertile plateau lands. Near Boards
station to the west there are fine
stretches Of such country, particularly
In what is known as the Little Levels. :"
GREAT LUMBER DISTRICT.
Ascending Green brier river the lumber
district is entered near the mouth of
Anthony's creek-the station of that
name affording ample proof of this in
the stock of timber there awaiting
transportation. Renick further north
has become an important lumber Gen.
ter and is a thriving, we'll established
town. Its new enterprise is the manu-
facture OF telegraph and telephone poles,
cut from the second growth of chest
nut. Between this point and Seebert
there are many saws, but at that place
another thrifty town is established
the prosperity of which seems assured
by the recent purchases Of a syndicate
of lumbermen. Seebert will be the
natural and economic point for operat
Ing the mill plant, for the establish
ment of its offices, and its shippine
stat1on. The tract embraced in this
purchase covers about 10000 acres
On the east bank of the river is tn,
beginning of other holdings tho Hoff
imam interests, which include much O.
the territory between Marlinton ant
lDurbin and extending we'll beyond
those points and in localities occupyin.
territory on both sides of the river
The tract has in it about 1O8. 900 acres
Much of this requirement was for thu
purpose OF securing vast bark supply
to feed the tanning plants establishing
at Marlinton and Barlow (formerly
Traveler's Repose) and at whateve
other near by point such industry ma,
be established. Quantities of valuab!
timber for other commercial purpose
is also secured by the purchase.
TOWN REHABILITATED.
Marlinton, the county seat of Poca
hontas, is new town. the newest
freshest looking old town in that sec