The Fairmont West Virginian. (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1904-1914, 1914-10-22
Reasons Why The
West Nlrginidn
Is Proud of STATE
~ EDWARD e. KERsA.

# n lIENDl1NO d DdllqlleG
"A to the State Chamber of
Commercein West Virginia
some months ago, | heard a
good story from the gifted
POSTMASTER, which runs
about like this:
A jovial party we're trav-
cling from east to west.
Each was a stranger to the
other, but soon they fell into
conversation as travellers are
accustomed TO do when occupying the
smoking compartment. The converse
tion had drifted through almost every
topic common to the day, when a good
natured Dostonian suggested that TO
better get acquainted every one OF the
half dozen should tell his name, where
he was from and why he was proud of
it. 1t was TO he observed that one
member OF tho party suddenly became
DISTINGUISHED, and taking up his news
paper, buried his face in reading, or
apparently reading
Well, the travellers began to spin
yarns. The New Yorker was proud to
acknowledge the great metropolis
.the money center-as his home; the
Boston man boosted the seat of learn
ing, literature and culture; the Pitts
bugher boosted the great iron and
steel center; the Washingtonian the
capital, of the greatest nation on earth;
THE Philadelphia his strong. substan-
Stials old city. All had spoken but the
Sman absorbedswith his paper, and as
each man made his boast, this poor
fellow seemed to wish that the seat
would open and swallow him.
The first speaker, observing the
40 mIu Nool 'sseupIumHoeq siopuo1
the arm and urged him to speak up
to give his name, where he was from
and why he was proud OF it.
.".All, gwan," said the fellowFsullenly.
Again and again he was urged to
make response. and by all the menu
bers of the party. Finally, brushing
aside his paper in disgust and with a
sheer, he looked UP at the others and
fairly beloved out:
"I'm from West Virginia.! Now,
laugh, damn yer, Taught"
u have not the acquaintance of the
West Virginian of the period above re-
fered to, but am told that he did exist.
But he is of.days past.
West Virginians of today are proud
to acknowledge their state in any com.
gpany In any country in the world. And
why shouldn't they be proud? Indeed.
there may be some in remote sections
Z yet who are inclined to sneer at West
Virginia, but such persons merely dis
play their ignorance.
Why West Vlreinians Are Proud.
Let's see Just why West Virginians
are proud to acknowledge their state.
We are told that George Washington
came into the territory OF Northern
West Virginia in 1870 exploring. Little
did he imagine at that time that he
was treading on top of more treasure In
oil, gas and coal than all the thirteen
colonies possessed,
There was no Fairmont then-no
West Notwithstanding nut le" row
ing bandsof hunters, fighting against
the wild animals and the wilder In
dams.
Three generations Of Americans
came and went before the vast riches
ofWest Virginia were discovered. The
twenty.second president, in fact, was
Z in the white house before West Vir'
ginia was born: or before the steel
drills opened up the treasure vaults
OF the West Virginia hills.
Fifty.one years ago West Virginia
was born into the Union. From this
moment her growth began. The oil
mon had discovered herigreat treasure
and had Set out to develop her re-
sources. Towns sprang up in waste
tcoNT1NuEp on PAGE FouR.)