The daily telegram. [volume] (Clarksburg, W. Va.) 1901-1926, 1915-09-06

1877. Property values then were far
from significant. Along about that
time the sheriff Of the county traded
tax tickets for the hides of Wild
animals. The lands Of the county,
except those in the immediate front
of New river. had very meagre value
and not until 1890 was there any
development of-the coal land in any
Of the territory now traverssd by
branch railway lines. In 1885 the
property valuations had grown to
$2.40O,544, and $500 capitations
were reported. In 1914 the property
calculations had been boosted to $751;
405,sS6 and 1920 capitations were
assessed.
Enriches kanawha County.
Kanawha county, wherein is To-
Gated the capital Of the state, has
grown into vast state Of richness
because Of the development Of the
coal industry. Had 1t not been FOR
coal. Charleston, which is one Of the
richest Of West Virginia cities. could
not have emerged into its present at
tractive status. The volume of
wholesale trade in Charleston, which
is, perhaps. larger than in any other
West Virginia city, save one, is de-
pendent almost wholly on the pros
perity Of the coal industry. Property
valuations In 1885, then, even, stimu-
lated by the infant coal industry, were
$6,230.464. Now they are SIS, 419,-
$50, having been multiplied nine
fold. In the same period capitations
increased from 1923 to 1928.
At this time Marion county is rich
in three great mineral resources-
coal, oil and gas, though 1t was the
development of its coal acreage that
gave to Marion county It's great in
dustrial impetus. The other great
developments came at much later
date. The coal production in Marion
county was started at date earlier
than 1885, which is the date shown
for comparisons in this article. In
that year property valuations. which
were. very meagre before the coal
development had grown TO $685.
481. In 1914 they had reached the
amazing sum Of .$48,833,3S8, being
a peculiar combination OF eignt's and
three's. Marion county stands third
among the counties in coal produc-
ton. The largest producing company
in the state has its headquarters in
Fairmont, which is one OF the busiest
and most prosperous cities IN the state
it's various manufacturing, mercan-
tile and banking Institutions getting
a large proportion Of their support
out Of the coal business.
Minerals Lead in Harmon
Harrison county, while entitled to
be classed as typical coal county,
has an item Of value to its credit that
does not, generally. pertain to coal
producing counties. 1t Is rich in
farming and grazing lands, its sur
face being covered with splendid blue
grass farms. Nevertheless, II is it's
minerals that afford the chief part Of
the valuations that go to make Har-
rison county the second IN point In
richness of all the West Virginia
counties-Ohio alone leading Harri-
son. In 1885 there were only 1859
capitations assessed in Harrison coun-
ty as against 1882 in 1914. In 1885
the property valuations were record
ed as $8,721,314. In 1914 they were
$59,239,S29. Clarksburg. the coun-
ty seat and business seat Of Harrison
county ranks fifth in size and impor-
lance of West Virginia cities and will
doubtless, before many years, occupy
an advanced position.
Logan county is Just now in the
prime of It's 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 resource under devel-
opment in Logan county was its tim
Der. It's forests were among the
richest in the state, and time out Of
wind, almost, the waters OF the Guyan
river have been utilized to float away
from this county the timber contain
ed in its boundaries. It's vast valua-
BILE timber acreage gave TO Logan
county property valuations somewhat
larger than other counties likewise
remotely located from rail transport
tation. But note what the coal
development, principally. has done
for Logan county. In 1885 the total
property valuations were 81, 531, 1888.
These valuations, 1t is noted, howev-
er. wer cut in 1890 several hundred
thousand dollars. They evidenced
a marked increase Immediately fol-
lowing the opening Of the mines, and
in 1914 stood at 016,673,030. Nor,
is the end yet come. The coal develop
ment is but started in Logan county.
Now; rated as sixth in volume OF pro-
duction few years more will md
some of the present leaders beneath
her. Operations are being steadily
opened, and with each addition the
prcSN.ty valuations are advanced
anywhere from 100000 to $1,000
600. 1t should be remembered. too.
that when the assessment for 1885