Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1915-09-09

Continu ! from first page.


West virginia counries-Onio county
alone leading Harrison. In 1885 there
were only 1859 capitations assessed
in Harrison county, as against 1882
in 1914 In 1885 the property valua-
tions were recorded as $S,721 ,314. In
1914 they we're $59,239.S29. Clarks-
burg. the county seat and business
seat OF Harrison county, ranks fifth
in size and Importance of West Vir.
ginia cities, and will, doubtless, before
many years, occupy an advanced 20
sition.
Logan county is just now in the
prime of its coal development. One
of the most important of the Chesa,
peake and Ohio branch lines was built
to bring the coal out of Logan. county.
This was accomplished about fourteen
years ago. Prior to that time the only
natural resources under development
in Logan county was its timber. Its
forests were among the richest in the
state, and time out of mind, almost,
the waters of the Guyan river have
been utilized to float away from this
county the timber contained in its
boundaries. 1t vast valuable timber
acreage gave to Logan county property
valuations somewhat larger than other
counties likewise remotely located
from rail transportation. But, note
what the coal development, principal.
ly, has done for Logan county. In
1885 the total property valuations
were $1,531,988. These valuations, it
is noted, however, were cut in 1890
several hundred thousand dollars.
They advanced a marked increase i'm
mediately following the opening Of the
mines, and in 1914 stood at $16,673,0 30
Nor, is the end yet come. The coal
development is but started in Logan
county Now rated as sixth in volume
of production few years. more will
find some of the present leaders be-
meath her. Operations are being
steadily opened, and with each addi-
ton the property valuations are adj
vanced anywhere from 100000 to ST.
600 ,000. It should be remembered,
too, that when the assessment for 1885
was made the territory of Mingo
county was part of Logan.
Raleigh county has also climbed into
the millionaire class because of its
coal deposits and the developments
that have followed the building of the
C. & o. branch and the Virginian rail-
way. Bedded with rich, smokeless coal,
from side to side, Raleigh county has
been an inviting field for coal pro-
duction. At the 1885 period, the prop
erty values of Raleigh county were
| 81, O89,979 In 1914 they had grown
to $22,907, 070.
There are thirty-three coal produc-
ing counties in the state. Some OF
those not included in this estimate are
possessed of valuable coal properties
that add materially to their prosperity
and also to the taxable valuations.
Prominent among these might be
named Monongalia, Preston Tucker,
and Barbour. Each of them produce
tonnages in excess of one million per
year Boone is a coming coal county,
too. Deve opment there is just at the
starting point. But property valua-
tions have grown, on account of its
development and its prospects, from
about six hundred thousand dollars, in
1885, to more than ten and quarter
million dollars in 1914.
1t is expected and desired that the
reader shall take fully into account
the fact thatin at least three of the
counties named--Marion, Harrison
and Kanawha-the oil and gas devlop
| ment has added largely to the taxable
valuations. The thing that is sought
! to be impressed is the magnitude OF
| the coal business in West Virginia
and the relation that 1t bears to the
state as taxpayer
In showing the valuations for tax
! able purposes in the nine leading coal
| producing counties of the state, the
writer has used only the valuations
placed on real and personal property
| in the several counties, and has not
taken into consideration for compare
tive purposes the assessments placed
upon public service corporation prop
| erty 1t is an established fact, how
ever, that the valuations placed upon
| the public utilities in West Virginia
are the largest in counties like Harri
son, Marion, Kanawha and Fayette
and the coal industry has been in the
largest measure responsible for the
growth and the consequent increase In
the valuations placed upon the public
service corporations, which include
railroads, street railroads, car lines
express companies, water, light and
power companies, oil and gas com
panies and telephone and telegraph
companies.
Every railroad that has been built
in West Virginia, with the possible e1
ception of the Ohio River branch Of
the B. & O., was projected because Of
the coal deposits. The railroads pay
enormous sums into the state treasury
| for taxation. Credit for that should
be given to the coal industry, which
invited their construction.
At the fourteen-cent rate of taxation
for state purposes levied for the cur
rent year and based upon the assessed
valuations of 1914, the nine counties
named will pay the sum of $424, 966.04
| minus the ordinary delinquencieS.
Most disiguring shin eruptions
scrofula, pimples. rashes. etc. are du'
to impure blood. Burdock Blood Bit
tiers as cleansing blood tonic. is wei
recommended. 81 90 at all stores.
Itching piles provoke profanity bu