tfRCES 
 
 OK 
 
 WEST VIRGINIA, 
 
 M. F. MAURY, 
 
 FELLOW OF THE CEoLOGU AL SOCIETY OF LONDOXJ ME.MBE1* OF Til 
 AMERICAN INSTITUTE OF MINING EXGiXEEKS; ASSOCIATE ( 
 THE ROYAL SCHOOL OF .MINERS, EXULAM). 
 
 A N D 
 
 WM. M. FONTAINE, A. M 
 
 PREPARED UNDER THE DIRECTION OF 
 
 THE STATE BOARD OF CENTEUHIAL MANA&ERS. 
 
 WHEELING 
 
 THE KEOISTEB COMPANY 
 
 1876. 
 
 ^>->rs 
 
 i*t****r**#** ******** 
 
RESOURCES 
 
 OF 
 
 WEST VIRGINIA, 
 
 BY 
 
 M. F. MAURV, 
 
 FELLOW or THF ( ; F.ol,o(, ic.M. SorlF.TY OF l.OXDOV; MKHMKK OF 
 A NU. Kit AX IXSTITFTK OF MIKlXli F.X(il N KKKS; AMSO( fATE OF 
 
 i ui: UOVAL SCHOOL <F MINFKS, K.N(;LAND. 
 AND 
 
 WM. M. FONTAINE, A. M., 
 
 PKoFEiSSOR OF NATLKAI, HISToHV &C.. AT TIIK I MVERSITY OF WEST V1RGIXJ A , 
 
 PREPARED UNDER THE DTRECTION OF 
 
 THE STATE BOARD OF CENTENNIAL MANAGERS. 
 
 WHEELING 
 
 THE HKGISTKK COMPANV 
 
 1876. 
 
STATE BOARD OF CENTENNIAL MANA 
 GERS OF WEST VIRGINIA. 
 
 HON. A. J. SWEENEY, Chairman, . . . . Wheeling. 
 
 HON. A. R. BOTELER, Shepherdstown. 
 
 O. C. DEWEY, Secretary, Wheeling. 
 
 fl. W. FRANZHEIM Wheeling. 
 
 C. H. BEALL, Brooke County . 
 
 THOMAS MASLIN, Moorefield. 
 
 Oh 1 . J. P. HALE, Charleston. 
 
 Entered according to act ol ( ongross, on 1 h> 201 >i day ol April, ] 
 in t In- orlicc ol the I, ihi-arian of Congress, at Washington. 
 
 J5v A. .1. SWKKNKY, 
 
 < ha i I ll i a 1 1 nl 1 In- Stale Moan I ol ( Vn I en nial Managers of the 
 State of West Virginia. 
 
To f/l/. Hoiivr iMr Mi mlin-x of tin Senafr mid lion* of JMiytitw, <uul to 7// 
 /..rirll -iH-f/ ,/. ./. Jncuh, dart-nun- of fin State of }] cxt Virt/inhi : 
 GENTLEMEN : The act appropriating $20,000 for the purpose of exhibit 
 ing, at the Centennial International Exhibition, of 1876, in Philadelphia, 
 the resources of West Virginia, and confirming the appointment, by the 
 Governor, of the State Board of Centennial Managers previously made, 
 and then in active service, passed both Houses on the 10th of December, 
 and was approved by the Governor on the 14th of December, and by 
 resolution took effect from its passage. The time lei t for the collection, 
 preparation, and arrangement of the various subjects of exhibition, was 
 so very short, the field so extensive, usual information so entirely want 
 ing, and the people so apathetic, and so unappreciative of the real im 
 portance and value of the undertaking, that the Board found it necessary 
 to use extraordinary exertions, and incur many expenses in prosecuting 
 the work, and in endeavoring to realize their hope of a creditable and re 
 munerative 1 display of the Minerals, Timber, etc., really possessed by the 
 State, and as yet almost entirely unknown and undeveloped. Local Boards 
 were appointed in every county in the State, circulars were prepared 
 and distributed, urgent personal letters were written to citi/ens, and com 
 petent and active young men were engaged, and at once employed in the 
 several departments of the work. Prof. M. F. Maury, of Charleston, 
 Kanawha county, was entrusted with the classification and arrangement 
 of all exhibits, and assisted by Prof. Wni. M. Fontaine, of the Cni verity 
 of West Virginia, instructed to prepare for publication, all the informa 
 tion collected by the Board, relating to the objects contemplated by the. 
 law. The result of their labors is herewith submitted. Mr. A. R, Guer- 
 ard, of South Carolina, and Messrs. J. W. C. Davis, St. Geo. Bryan, and 
 Major If. .1. Kchols, of Virginia, were sent Mr. Guerard to the East, Mr. 
 Davis to the Southwest, Mr. Bryan to the West, or Ohio River Division, 
 and Major Echols to the Kanawha Valley. Each of these gentlemen dis 
 charged the duties confided to him, with the utmost diligence, and to 
 the entire satisfaction of the -Board. It was diiiicult to have her citizens 
 anticipate the value of the material results expected to be hereafter real 
 ised from exhibiting to the capitalists and people of the world, the w.on 
 derful natural wealth lying, and yet undeveloped, within the borders of 
 
 M3755SO 
 
IV PREFACE. 
 
 West Virginia, and, while from this cause, the efforts of our agents were 
 sometimes fruitless in obtaining satisfactory specimens and information 
 in many of the counties, yet, in others they were greatly assisted by the 
 active aid and co-operation of citizens, sufficiently alive to the importance 
 of the occasion, to whom the Board desires generally to tender its hearty 
 thanks. It was deemed necessary by the Board, after due consideration, 
 to erect for West Virginia an exhibition building, attached to the "Head 
 quarters," previously determined upon, in order that she might present 
 her collection as a whole, rather than to have it in so many separate 
 places and buildings, as it would have been, under the arrangements 
 made by the United States Commissioners. Accordingly, a site was 
 selected, drawings and plans prepared by C. C. Kemble, Esq., architect, 
 of Wheeling, and after due advertisement, contracts made with H. S. 
 White, of Belton, for the completion of the buildings on the grounds. 
 The " Headquarters " are built entirely of the woods of the State, finished 
 in their natural colors. 
 
 Profs. Maury and Fontaine have been untiring and devoted in the dis 
 charge of their duties, and have manifested a /eal and energy which, the 
 Board fully appreciates. The Board regrets that (while not half has been 
 told) the accompanying book has grown to nearly three times the size 
 originally intended, but accepts the statement of its compilers and 
 authors, that it is terse and concise, and that nothing can be eliminated 
 from it, without injury to some important interest. 
 
 The Board will present to the Legislature (at its next meeting), as 
 required by law, a full report of its proceedings and expenditures. No 
 one can now certainly determine whether the $20,000, so generously ap 
 propriated by the Legislature, will be a dead loss and a useless invest 
 ment, or whether it will pay back to the State, millions, by inducing 
 capital and immigration, and so developing the valuable minerals and 
 the natural wealth, with which she is so lavishly endowed by nature. 
 Let us hope that the latter may be the result. 
 
 Very respectfully, 
 
 A..J.SWKKNKY, 
 Chun-limn siatr /><<*/ / of Centennial 
 
 O. C. DEWEY, 
 
Hon, A. J. Suvmey, Chairman of the State Board of Centennial Managers 
 for West Virginia : 
 
 SIR: I herewith submit the Report on the Resources of West Vir 
 ginia, the preparation of which was made one of my duties as Director 
 in Charge of the Centennial collection of West Virginia. 
 
 As soon as the appropriation was made by the Legislature for the 
 purpose of having our resources represented at the International Exhibi 
 tion, of 1876, 1 at once began to take active steps to collect information 
 from all portions of the State for the compilation of this work. To this 
 end I prepared a set of fifty-one questions, on the agricultural, stock- 
 raising, timber, mineral, and industrial interests, leaving blanks for the 
 answers. These, to the amount of four thousand copies, were distributed 
 in every county, but I am sorry to say that our people generally took so 
 little interest in, and seemed to have so slight an appreciation of, the 
 importance of the work undertaken by the Board, that out of that num 
 ber only two hundred and fifteen were filled up and returned, and very 
 many of those had the questions answered so carelessly as to be of no 
 value. In the initiatory steps in setting the Centennial " ball in 
 motion, : the duties connected with my position, that claimed immediate 
 attention, w r ere so many and so varied, that it \vas not until the 26th of 
 January, 1876, that I was able to begin writing this report, although 
 it had to be completed by the 1st of April. But it could not have been 
 finished then, or, in fact, for several months afterward, had it not been for 
 the untiring energy and invaluable assistance of Prof. Wm. M. Fontaine, of 
 the University of West Virginia, who \vas specially detailed, on the 1st of 
 February, by the Board of Regents of that Institution, to the service of 
 your Board. The many admirable chapters that appear under his name 
 give most ample evidence of the value of his services, whilst his accurate 
 knowledge concerning the State, contributes largely to whatever effect 
 iveness this volume may possess. 
 
 The resources of West Virginia are so many and so varied that it is 
 impossible, in _a work of this size, or in the time that was at my dis 
 posal, to make anything more than a mere outline sketch of what we 
 possess. It was my aim to give every industry a fair and impartial 
 exhibition. To this end, not only were the circulars of questions sent 
 out broadcast, but letters were written to representatives in each indus- 
 
VI PREFACE. 
 
 try, asking for certain specified points of information that were of 
 importance. I am sorry to say that a large majority of these elicited 
 hut very few of the facts that \vere wanted. s<> that if any district of the 
 State, or any hrancli of natural wealth has not received its due consid 
 eration, it must l>e ascribe* I to those persons and corporations that were 
 too apathetic to their sectional interests to furnish the necessary points. 
 To this, and to the shortness of the time in which the book had to be 
 completed, 1 hope yon will ascribe all the imperfections that may 
 appear in it. 
 
 Besides to Prof. Fontaine, I beg to tender my especial thanks to the 
 other gentlemen, whose names appear as the authors of various chap 
 ters, for the kind assistance they have rendered. I have also to acknowl 
 edge a great deal of help derived from the Hand Book of West Virginia, 
 by J. II. hiss Debar. 
 
 Hitherto, the people of one section of \Vest Virginia knew but little 
 of what was in the Others, and had no fair conception of what our bor 
 ders contained. For they, themselves, to bo schooled in this, is as 
 important as for the world at large to have authentic information con 
 cerning onr young State, and I consider that the wise step that the Board 
 took in disbursing a portion of the Centennial appropriation in this 
 way, will be of more solid, permanent, and substantial benefit than any 
 other that could have been devised, and if this report is productive of 
 a more careful and complete investigation of, and a livelier interest in, 
 the innumerable advantages that "West Virginia presents to the success 
 ful prosecution <>f all kinds of industries, I shall be glad to have been 
 able to render any aid toward developing my adopted State and a 
 former portion of my native <nc. 
 
 Very respectfully, 
 
 M. F. MA TRY. 
 Director in Charge of ///<" Centennictl CoUeclwn. 
 
 I*/ AprU, 1870. 
 
T A B L E O F C Ts T T E J\ T T 8. 
 
 CHAPTER I. 
 
 TOPOGRAPHY. 
 
 Topography of sections across the State. Canon Features. Topograph 
 ical influence of the Coal Measures. Topographical division of the 
 State. Character of the Mountain Region and the effects of erosion 
 therein. Effects of Erosion in and Structure of the Central and 
 Southern Portions of the Stale. Plateau Region. Altitudes of differ- 
 ent -points. Table of Magnetic Declinations, pp. 1-22. 
 
 CHAPTER II. 
 
 CLIMATOLOGY. 
 
 Causes influencing our Climate. Temperature. Prevailing Winds. 
 Rainfall and melted Snow. Fanning Calendar. Climatic records for 
 Marietta, discussed hy the Smithsonian Institution, pp, 2:5-47. 
 
 CHAPTER III. 
 
 AGRICULTURAL GEOLOGY. 
 
 Character of the different Soils. Character of the different Hocks. Posi 
 tion, character and soils of the different Geological Formations, pp. 
 48-61. 
 
 CHAPTER IV. 
 
 FARM PRODUCTS. 
 
 Condition of Agriculture. The different drains. Potatoes, Sorghum. 
 Maple Sugar, Tohacco. Miscellaneous Crops. Butter, Honey, Fruits, 
 Garden Products. Grape Culture. Statistics of Farm Product-, pp. 
 62^89. 
 
 CHAPTER V. 
 
 CATTLE AND GRASSES. 
 
 Causes promoting Grass Culture and Cattle Raising. Management of 
 Cattle. Formation of Mountain Graxing Farms. Improved Cattle. 
 Grasses : Clover, Red and White, Timothy, Orchard Grass. Statistics 
 of Live Stock, etc. pp. 90-99. 
 
Vlll TABLE OF CONTENTS. 
 
 CHAPTER VI. 
 
 SHEEP AND WOOL. 
 
 Origin of the Merino. Suitableness of soil, etc., for Sheep. Compara 
 tive cost of wintering Stock. Length of feeding period for Sheep in 
 different States. Facilities for exporting Wool. Facilities for manu- 
 fact uring Woolen Goods, pp. 100-110. 
 
 CHAPTER VII. 
 
 FOREST TREES, SHRUBS AND MEDICINAL PLANTS. 
 
 The different Forest Trees, with the character of their Timber and the 
 uses for it-. Shrubs, character of, etc. Alphabetical enumeration 
 of Medicinal Plants, pp. 111-141. 
 
 CHAPTER VIII. 
 
 TIMBER ITS DEVELOPMENT AND DISTRIBUTION. 
 
 Amount of Timber Land. Character of the Timber. Distribution of 
 Hard Wood and Coniferous Timber. Development of Timber in the 
 Eastern Central and Western part of the State. Development of Tim 
 ber along the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad; on the Ohio; on the 
 Little Kanawha ; on the Big Sandy, etc. and on the Groat Ranawha. 
 pp. 142-101. 
 
 CHAPTER IX. 
 
 THE COAL FIELD. 
 
 Appalachian Coal Field. General sketch of the West Virginia Coal 
 Field. Potomac Basin. Preston Basin. Monongahela- Basin. Coal 
 Measures West of Tucker County and Rich Mountain. Geological 
 Formation of the New and Kanawha Rivers Coal Basins. Coal Meas 
 ures on New River. Coal Measures on Great Kanawha River. Coals 
 of the Upper Coal Measures in West Virginia, treated by Counties. 
 Vespertine Coals. Anthracite in Berkeley, pp. 1G2--M4. 
 
 CHAPTER X. 
 
 THE QUALITY AND VARIETY OF COAL AND THE MINING 
 ADVANTAGES. 
 
 Advantages for mining coal in West Virginia. Bituminous Coal: char 
 acteristics, special uses, and analyses. Splint Coal area: character 
 istics, special uses, analyses, rank, and locomotive tests. Cannel Coal 
 area: characteristics, uses, analyses, etc. Cannel Shale. Mar 
 kets for Coal. Importance of West Virginia Iron Ores. Market Quo 
 tations of West Virginia Coal. pp. 215-L ) 4t>. 
 
 CHAPTER XI. 
 
 [RON, 
 
 Iron Ores found in the Coal Measures. Localities, irregularities and 
 analyses of Black Band Ores. Carbonates and Oxides of Iron in the 
 
TABLE OF CONTENTS. IX 
 
 Coal Measures, in various counties, and analyses. Ked Haematites in 
 the Coal Measures. Iron Ores in various counties on Eastern Bor 
 der of the State, and. analyses. ]>)>. 247 -273. 
 
 CHAPTER XII. 
 
 SALT AND PETROLEUM. 
 
 Principal localities of Salt Works. Salt Works of Mason County, their 
 discovery, development, depth, present production, and general sta 
 tistics. Discovery of the Kanawha Salt " Licks " and history of their 
 development from that time to the present date. Oil and Gas in 
 Kanawha Salt Wells. Manufacture of Bromine from Bitterns. Con 
 sumption of coal in Salt making. Cost of producing Salt. Cost of 
 Well Boring. Consumption of Salt in United States. Advantages of 
 West Virginia for Alkali Manufacture. Characteristics and rank in 
 market <>f Kanawha Salt. Wells and their productive capacity in Ka- 
 nawha. Chronological Table connected with Kanawha Salt interests. 
 Petroleum in West Virginia. Future Oil Field of West Virginia. 
 Regions producing "Light" and "Heavy" Oils. Amount of Oil pro 
 duced, pp. 274-30P. 
 
 CHAPTER XIII. 
 
 MISCE LL ANEOUS M IN ERA I ,S. 
 
 Common Limestone and analyses. Tufas: their applicability to Agri 
 culture. Hydraulic Limestone and analyses. Marbles. Building 
 Stones. Fire Clays and analyses. Potters Clay and Potteries. Glass 
 Sand. Ochre.] Barytes. Manganese. Saltpetre. Lead. Zinc. 
 Copper. Gold and Silver, pp. 310-322. 
 
 CHAPTER XIV. 
 
 MINERAL WATERS. 
 
 The "Springs" Region of West Virginia. Varieties of Mineral Waters. 
 Thermal A\ r aters. Description of the most noted Mineral Springs, and 
 their Medicinal Properties. Analyses, pp. 323-334. 
 
 CHAPTER XV. 
 
 TRANSPORTATION. 
 
 Why Railroads have not been built in West Virginia, and the draw 
 backs and advantages thereof. Railroads in operation. Railroads 
 chartered. Rivers improved. Contemplated improvements of Rivers, 
 pp. 335-340. 
 
 CHAPTER XVI. 
 
 EDUCATION A L IN TKREHTS. 
 
 Free Schools and Laws relating thereto. Law relating to Normal 
 Schools. Normal Schools of the State. West Virginia University. 
 Colored Schools. Catholic Schools. Private Schools. Kdncatiomil 
 Publications, pp. 347-3^ . 
 
X TABLE OF CONTENIS. 
 
 CHAPTER VIL 
 
 DESCRIPTION OF INDIVIDUAL 
 
 Showing the Soils, Crop Yields, Value of Lands, I > riucij>;il Industries, 
 and Exports, Manufactories, Lines of Transportation, Population, 
 Wealth, and School and Church Facilities of Each County in the State. 
 pp. 34-4i > :{. 
 
 INDEX... 425 
 
IsTOTICim. 
 
 Owing to the shortness of time-in which this volume had to be published, 
 the following errors unfortunately appear in the text, and the reader is 
 requested to kindly correct them before reading : 
 
 Page 78, line 3, for add to this read add to 10,800,000 pounds, the production N. of 
 the Little Kanau ha. 
 Page 78, line 5, for 18,000,500 read 13,500,000. 
 
 114, " 28, for Fag us fern iginea read Fay UK Ferruyinea. 
 
 " 163, " 4, for 12,049,505 read 13,049,505. 
 
 " 163, " 7, tor 5 per cent read 4.66 per cent. 
 
 " 164, " 17, lor series rock* ivad x( ries of rocks. 
 171, " 22, for fi rst of read first scam of. 
 
 " 178, " 10, for protoxide read peroxide. 
 181, " 3, for does pay read does not pay. 
 
 " 199, table, for Black Flint JR dge read Black Flint Ledge. 
 
 " 200, table, for 54 ft. 3 in. read 56 ft. 3 in. 
 
 209, line 14, for one read on. 
 
 " 225, analyses, for Ash 18.73 read Ash 1.873. 
 
 " 226, analyses for Quinnimont No. 1, ^Is/j, 6.15 lead ,-ls/i 5.8-5. 
 
 " 226, " for Quin nmont No. 2, Ash 5.57 read ^4.v7t 5.0f>. 
 
 " 237, line 14, for J. J/. #. JoTm read 1. M. St. John. 
 
 " 252, " 26, for cacarcous rea^d calcareous. 
 
 " 260, " 20, for iron ore read iron ore in workable quantities. 
 
 11 264, " 29, for Nov. 25 read No. 25. 
 
 " 267, " 9, for mined read tni.< cd. 
 
 41 294, 1, for 1.200 read 1200. 
 
 t; 318, " 7, for frequently read apparently. 
 
 " 318, " last for is read re. 
 
 " 32^3, " 16, for Acidulous read Acidulous. 
 
 " 343, " 14, for Marae read Marea. 
 
 " 343, <; 30, for connecting read collecting. 
 
 " 351, " 1, for thereafter read thereof. 
 
 " 372, " 8, for in read ////o. 
 
 " 373, " 33, for 12 months read 10 months. 
 
 * 383, <; 36, for Hhephcrdstouin read Charlf.^ncn. 
 
 " 385, " 33, for exports read markets. 
 
 " 389, " 15 and li, for YY/i read /< T Ve. 
 
 " 389, " 24, for^ne read >Y/-e. 
 
 " :{90, " 20, for SIOCO to J15WJ read 1*250 to $300. 
 
 " 392, " 2, lor/, ir. C. />am- ro:ul .7. H r . C. Dtu-is. 
 
 " 394, " 39, for it read 
 
CHAPTER I. 
 
 TOPOGRA PHY. 
 
 BY WM. M. FONTAINE. 
 
 In dealing with the topography of West Virginia, we can 
 give little more than general statements. Few moasuroments 
 of altitudes are in existence, and the limited time allowed for 
 the preparation of this hand-book, will not permit even these 
 to he procured and digested. 
 
 It will, perhaps, give a better general idea of the topography 
 of the country, if we select for examination one of the streams 
 which rise on the eastern edge of the State, near the Allegheny 
 mountains, and flow westward into the Ohio. Such a stream, 
 when followed from its m outh to its source, will take u.- : 
 across the entire width of all the various surface features to be 
 seen in that region. For it mast 1)3 note:!, that areas with 
 similar topographical features, have their greatest dimensions 
 along lines running N. E. and S. W., here as elsewhere in the 
 Appalachian region. 
 
 In this connection we must call attention to the fact, that 
 north of the Little Kanawha no considerable stream flows 
 directly into the Ohio, after taking its rise in, or near, the 
 Alleghanies. In this part of the State, the streams rising 
 near the mountains flow X.W..N., and N E., and go into the 
 Monongahela and Potomac.. South of the Little Kanawhn. 
 all the streams go more or less directly west, into the Ohio, 
 ^passing entirely across the State. 
 
 If we draw a N. \V. line from Pocahontas to Tyler county, 
 on the Ohio, this would nearly separate the streams flowing 
 
RESOURCES OF WEST VIRGINIA. 
 
 westward from those flowing northward. Along this line an 
 important change in the geological structure takes place. 
 This is more fully noted elsewhere. It is sufficient to say 
 here, that south of this line we may consider the country 
 as tilted towards the northwest, while north of it the surface is 
 thrown into folds, lyin-jj closer together on the east, and open 
 ing out on the west, when at the same time a general north 
 ward slope is determined. This causes the important change 
 scon, in the direction of the rivers. 
 
 \Ve may now describe the changes of surface to he seen 
 along one of the east and west flowing rivers. For our pres 
 ent purpose, no stream is better suitable than the Kanawha, 
 and its continuation in the Xew and Greenbrier rivers. The 
 features s^eh along this line are to be found on any of the 
 streams which pursue a similar course. Such are the Big 
 Sandy, Guyandotte, Gauley, Elk, and Little Kanawha. 
 
 Commencing then, on the Ohio, and proceeding eastward, 
 we note the following facts: 
 
 In the vicinity of the Ohio, as we enter the Kanawha, we 
 are accompanied by hills of moderate height (200 300 feet), 
 with gentle slopes, and placed more or less widely apart, hav 
 ing extensive bottoms along the river, and other indications 
 of a surface composed of soft and easily worn-down material. 
 These features accompany us for a long distance, until we 
 approach Charleston. As we near this point, the lulls become 
 higher and higher, with more precipitous slopes and nar 
 rower valleys. At the same time they close down on the river 
 nearer and nearer. 
 
 .hissing Charleston, the same features continue, the hills 
 gaining in height along the river until they reach, in the 
 vicinity of Coaisburg, the altitude ofXOOfect above the stream. 
 They continue to rise gradually, until near the Falls they at 
 tain the height of 1,10!) jet. At the Falls the river passes 
 into that part of its course marked by canon features, and 
 from this point takes the name of Xew river. A little back 
 Ironi the immediate banks, the hills rise into quite lofly moun 
 tains, attaining in (Jan ley mountain the height of 1,800 to 
 I . .)()() feel, above the river. 
 
 The canon features at (end Xe\v river to beyond < v >uinni- 
 mont. a dislance of more than 10 mile-. The^e are caused by 
 
RESOCKCES OF WEST VIRGINIA. 
 
 the rise, above the water level, of the massive sandstones of 
 the conglomerate series, which will be more fully described in 
 another connection. Wherever the rivers arc flowing through, 
 and over, this series, especially its upper portion, they pre 
 sent much the same character. In such cases they are walled 
 in by high hills, or precipitous cliffs, which rise almost im 
 mediately from the water s edge, leaving no bottoms or low 
 grounds. The beds of the streams are rugged, and choked 
 with great masses of stone, fallen from the cliffs above, while 
 continual rapids and falls combine to give them still more of 
 the character of mountain torrents. Such a conformation has 
 given to New river its well-known reputation for wildness and 
 ruggedncss. But in these features it is even surpassed by its 
 southern neighbors, the Guyandotte and l>ig Sandy. 
 
 While such wild and rugged scenery is presented along the 
 immediate banks of the streams in this area occupied by the 
 conglomerate, the case is very different when we ascend the 
 the inclosing hills. It is thus seen that the rivers are 
 really flowing in deep trenches, far below the general plane of 
 the country. This general plane is determined by the upper 
 surface of the conglomerate series, which continues to rise^to 
 the east, at an average rate of 50 feet to the mile. As a conse 
 quence of this state of things, the conglomerate rising faster 
 than the rivers fall, the dills which border them become higher 
 and higher, and the general surface more elevated, as we pro 
 ceed east, until the upper surface of the conglomerate series is 
 carried so high in the air, that it has been broken down and 
 removed by the action of the elements. 
 
 This plane, determined by the upper surface of the conglom 
 erate, is dotted over with hills, which do not, in their general 
 aspects, differ from those seen elsewhere over most of the State. 
 Many of them rise to a considerable height, owing to special 
 agencies, which have acted to preserve them. Where their 
 conglomerate base has risen to a considerable height, they at 
 tain above tide an elevation which would by no means be sus 
 pected by an inspection of their altitude above their bases. 
 Such elevations are those of Bier Scwell, Cherry Pond, and 
 Guyandotte mountains, &c. 
 
 The conglomerate base continues to rise as above described, 
 until it makes its last appearance on the east in the Great Flat 
 
UKSOTKL ES OF WKST VIRGINIA. 
 
 Top, tuid White Oak mountains. Here it has attained the 
 elevation of 2,S(K) to ^.WO feet. 
 
 Passing beyond the lino of these mountains, near Hint-on, 
 and following the Grcenhrier river eastward, we find the general 
 plane of the country greatly lowered, the canon features lost, 
 and the surface presenting general features like thoso seen 
 below Charleston. This continues until we approach the White 
 Sulphur, on the eastern, border of Greenbrier, when we meet 
 for the first time the long parallel folds of the Alleghany moun 
 tains. 
 
 If now we take a similar course from west to east in the 
 northern part of the State, we will find a different topography. 
 There is no rise of the general plane of the country to t l ieeast 
 in this quarter, for the conglomerate is too deeply buried, and 
 its thickness has become too much diminished. Commenc 
 ing on the Ohio in the northern part of Wetzel, and pro 
 ceeding east across Monongalia, to the west border of Preston, 
 we find no essential difference. On the Ohio, the hills are 
 higher here than at the mouth of the Kanawha, since they 
 reach the height of 500 and GOO feet above the river. In 
 Wetzel they rise still higher above their valleys, but in Monon 
 galia they again show the same altitude as on the Onio. On 
 the west border of Preston, we meet in Laurel Hill, the most 
 we.sterly of the parallel fold.- of the Alleghany system, and 
 thence these are continued, growing closer and higher, as we 
 proceed eastward. 
 
 A bird s-eye view of the Ohio river, would show it, throuuh- 
 out much of its course, flowing between high, sharp-backed 
 hills. These are higher in the north, lower in the middle, and 
 higher again in the southern part of its course. 
 
 In order to understand the topography of a country, we must 
 know its geology. For the rocks which underlie the soil, form 
 the materials out of which the surface features have been carved, 
 and their varying hardness, and proneness to disintegration, 
 will determine the shapes finally assumed. We will then, in 
 this connection, briefly describe some of the more important 
 geological formations, solely in their topographical relations. 
 The formations which have had by their presence, the most 
 influence on the topography of our State are the following, 
 beginning with the highest and latest formed. 1. The Upper 
 
RESOURCES OF WEST VIRGINIA. 
 
 Barren Measures, and Productive Coals. 2. The Lower Barren 
 Measures, and Productive Coals. 3. The Conglomerate Series. 
 4. The I mbral Shales and Lim:;4one. -5. The Vespertine 1 , 
 Shales. \Ve may omit, in this connection, the consideration 
 of the other formations, reserving their description for another 
 topic, since they compose a comparatively small portion of our 
 area. 
 
 The Upper Barren Measures, and Pro luctive Coals, are every 
 where in the state, m linly soft crumbling rocks, such as shales, 
 and shaly sandstones, which are eauly worn down and removed 
 by rains and running streams Tiny are greatly thickened in 
 the northern part of the State, but in passing South, become 
 comparatively unimportant. Whenever they are present, ow 
 ing to the readiness with which they are worn away, they 
 produce high, conical, or rounded hills, \\ith deep, narrow 
 valleys, forming an irregular net- work of streams. These 
 streams rarely have much bottom land, but it is not uncommon 
 to find the hills with broad, flat summits. 
 
 The Lower Barren Measures, and Productive Coals, in the 
 northern part of the State, are comparatively thin, and do not 
 differ materially in their structure and topography from the 
 overlying series first described. But in the south, there is a 
 very material change. The series becomes greatly thickened, 
 and there is a much larger proportion of firm, massive sand 
 stones in it, especially towards the lower portion. As the top 
 ographical effects of these sandstones are in general, the same 
 with those of the conglomerate series, we need not consider 
 them separately. It will be sufficient to say that the change 
 in the topography, described above, as seen in approaching 
 Charleston from the Ohio river, is due to the rise of these rocks 
 above water level. The conglomerate series, in the northern 
 portion of the State, is comparatively quite thin, and is so 
 deeply buried under the productive coal measures, that it has 
 no effect on the topography. It is first seen in Laurel Hill 
 rising above the surface, and from that point eastward, it has 
 an important influence on the surface contours, entering mainly 
 into the mountain ridges. It is here principally massive sand 
 stone. 
 
 In the south, on the contrary, we iind it greatly thickened, 
 and elevated to the surface over broad areas. Along New river, 
 
RESOURCES OF WLiST VlICdINIA. 
 
 and southward, it has a threefold structure, being massivesand- 
 stone lit bottom, more shaly and easily eroded strata in tlic 
 center, and on top, again massive sandstone of great thickness. 
 Throughout the series massive sandstones predominate. The 
 influence of this series combined with that of the more massive 
 portions of the Lower Productive Coals, has had an exceedingly 
 important e licet on the topography of the central and eastern 
 portions of the State. This is in large part due to the highly 
 siliceous character of many of these sandstones, which lias 
 enabled them to resist in a remarkable manner, degradation 
 and removal by running streams. Such sandstones are inde 
 structible, except by undermining and throwing down the 
 ledges, and this process of undermining, is what has tilled the 
 streams [lowing in this formation, with the huge masses of 
 stone which we see. Especially is this true of the uppermost 
 ledge, which is usually over 150 feet thick. 
 
 ("nderlving the conglomerate series, we have the umbral 
 shales and sandstones, followed below by the umbra,! limestone. 
 These shales and sandstones are generally soft and easily cut 
 away, while much of the limestone beneath is more resistent. 
 Hence the country having these rocks on the surface, is usually 
 much lower than that occupied by the conglomerate, they hav 
 ing been cut away much more rapidly. We find these strata 
 over much of the country lying to the east of the conglomerate, 
 which as stated above, makes its last appearance in White Oak, 
 Klk Knob, and Flat Top mountains. 
 
 The last formation to be mentioned here, is the upper mem 
 ber of the Vespertine, which is formed of crumbling red shales, 
 and these even more readily than the shales of the umbral, are 
 broken down and removed. These form the only other rock 
 composing the surface of Mercer, Monroe, and (hvcnbrier, besides 
 t lie above named. 
 
 For the purpose of top ^graphical description, we may divide 
 the State into two Regions, in which the surface features pre 
 sent important differences, and are due to the action of essen 
 tially different causes. Our dividing line must be somewhat, 
 arbitrarily selected. It may be taken as follows : 
 
 T.egi lining in the north, it commences in Laurel Hill, on the 
 west border of Preston, and is thence continued south, in the 
 mountain of that name, on the western border of Barbour: 
 
RESOURCES OF WEST VIRGINIA. 
 
 thence in Rich mountain in Randolph; Gaulcy and Greenbrier 
 mountains in Pocahontas; the Main Alleghany near the White 
 Sulphur; and lastly Peter s mountain in the southern part of 
 the State. The country between this line and the Ohio river 
 may be styled The Hi j h/ R- fjiin, and that lying to the oust nf 
 it, The Mountain Region. 
 
 It must be borne in mind that this division is not founded 
 on altitude, alone, but also on considerations which will be 
 presently given. Indeed, contrary to what the titles might 
 suggest, the elevation of much of the hilly region, is above 
 that of a portion of the mountain region. 
 
 In that section which we have styled the Hi ly E"ifin., and 
 which comprises much the larger part of the State, arc to be 
 found those peculiar topographical features, which have given 
 our State considerable celebrity. Leaving out of view, for the 
 present, the special features which mark the canon portions of 
 the streams in the south, and the country wherever the con 
 glomerate has attained a considerable height alv>ve the rivers, 
 we may briefly describe them as follows: First, we note a vast 
 multitude of hills, sometimes closely placed, and rising imme 
 diately from the V shaped depressions, in which the streams 
 (low; again, sloping more gently, with considerable bottoms at 
 their base, spreading out into flat-topped, gently undulating 
 plains on their summits; or again, expanding into elevations 
 attaining the dignity of mountains. Locking across such a 
 region, it often presents nothing but a succession of such hills 
 and valleys. As a rule, these succeed each other in no partic 
 ular order, but occur just as the streams, turning hither and 
 thither, to avoid some harder rock, carved them out. Occa 
 sionally the out-crop of some more indestructible stratum, has 
 determined the direction of a line of elevations, or a remnant 
 of a harder overlying mass, has along certain-determinate linos. 
 preserved the underlying softer material from erosion, and so 
 left more or less connected ridges and mountains. These are 
 the general features presented by the elevations in the softer 
 strata of the productive coals, and in the similar rocks under 
 lying the conglomerate series. The special modifications pro 
 duced by this latter series, will be noted further on. 
 
 Again, as might be inferred, the streams in the above described 
 districts, are marked by the great irregularity of their courses. 
 
S RESOI-RCES 01- WEST VIRGINIA. 
 
 They (low to every quarter of the compass, but all finally make 
 their way westward, or northwestward into the Ohio. These, 
 as well as all the streams in the State, are remarkable for the 
 grout depth to which they have cut their channels. Here, 
 however, although the valleys are deep, and narrow, they have 
 none of the canon features, but the bordering hills may be 
 cultivated to their tops, though often too steep, and with a soil 
 too light, to render frequent ploughing advisable. 
 
 In all this hilly region, the surface features arc entirely the 
 work of erosion. The rains and running streams have cut- 
 lofty hills and veritable imuntains oat of the gently sloping, 
 and often almost horizontal strata, having removed a truly 
 astounding m:iss of in it "rial by their slow, ever-wearing flow. 
 Indeed, when one thinks over the vast amount of wear that 
 the surface of our state exhibits, he is tempted to speculate 
 about a period when the rains were far heavier, and the streams 
 more powerful, than at present ; a pariocl when the land, new 
 ly raised from the carboniferous seas, was exposed as a lofty 
 barrier to the sweep of westerly winds, laden with moisture 
 from extensive seas penetrating into the land, far boyond the 
 present Gulf of Mexico. 
 
 THE MOUNTAIN REGION. 
 
 We. will now turn to the inspection of the topography of 
 the mountain region. Omitting the counties of Berkeley (in 
 part) and Jefferson ; this region includes all east of the line 
 described as the eastern boundary of the hilly region. Here, 
 also, we find stupendous monuments of the levelling powers 
 of the atmospheric agencies, but these have not been the only 
 forces at work in this district in modelling the hills and val 
 leys, as was the case in the hilly region. 
 
 The surface of this part of the State, when first upheaved 
 and exposed to denuding forces, was thrown into long paral 
 lel elevations and depressions, running in a X. E. and S. W. 
 direction. These folds, on the the e ist border of the State, are 
 comparatively close together and narrow. Going west, they 
 widen out, and become more distant, until before reaching the 
 Ohio they become imperceptible. As will bu noted under the 
 head of Agricultural Geology, the strata which compose these 
 folds, are alternations of soft yielding rocks mid massive sand- 
 
RESOURCES OF WEST VIRGINIA. 
 
 stones, among which latter, the conglomerate series above de 
 scribed, plays no unimportant part. 
 
 In the easternmost, and more sharply folded flexures, the 
 stiff, unyielding sandstones, were along the crest lines of the 
 ridges, where the strain was greatest, hurst asunder, and bro 
 ken to fragments, exposing the next succeeding soft strata 
 below. 
 
 When now these elevated ridges, or anticlinals, were ex 
 posed to the wearing action of rains and torrents, these 
 stripped off all softer material from the summits,, and left 
 bare the arches of massive standstone, with their fractured 
 crowns. The surface waters working their way along these 
 fractures, soon reached the softer material below. Here their 
 progress was more rapid, and by cutting down, and undermin 
 ing the walls on either side, they have finally excavated chan 
 nels of greater or less width. 
 
 Such has been the history of the formation of many of the 
 narrow parallel valleys in the northeastern counties of the 
 State, and more particularly in Randolph, and Pendleton. 
 Where the process above described, has been carried on, on an 
 extensive scale, we see the river now flowing in a narrow val 
 ley between two mountain walls. This is the case with Ty- 
 gurt s Valley river in Randolph. Where less complete, we find 
 the stream flowing on the top of a mountain, and still cut 
 ting its way down in the massive standstone, as in the case 
 of the some of the Forks of Cheat. 
 
 Again, in the originally depressed portions, or synclinal 
 valleys, which being less elevated have suffered less from ero- 
 sion, we find streams flowing in like manner, between moun 
 tain chains, and it is easy to see how the waters would have 
 gathered in such valleys. Synclinal valleys may be distin 
 guished by the fact that the rocks dip from both sides to 
 wards them, while in the case of valleys of the former class, 
 or anticlinal valleys, they dip away from them on both 
 sides. 
 
 It often happens in the mountain region which we are de 
 scribing, that that the arches and folds are too broad to be crack 
 ed along their crest lines. Then they often afford on their 
 summits, flat, or gently undulating surfaces, which are called 
 Glades by the inhabitants, but which are simply tablelands of 
 
10 RKSOrRCES OF \VKST VIIJCTNIA. 
 
 greater or less extent. This feature is more common when the 
 huge unyielding masses of the conglomerate series enter into 
 the structure of the country. Wo also find the anticlinal 
 valleys, with their canon-like features, more commonly where 
 the conglomerate is present. This rock is extensively ex 
 posed in the mountain region/ 
 
 Such are the general features presented in the two regions 
 into which we have divided the State, and such were some of 
 the special circumstances which modified erosions in the 
 mountain district, and which had to be first described, before 
 any general view could be taken of the effects of erosion over 
 the State elsewhere. 
 
 We are now prepared to take such a view. In order to do 
 this, let us, in imagination, travel back to that remote period 
 at the close of the carboniferous age, when the land which now 
 forms our State, was first elevated above the waters. The ele 
 vating force was a lateral one, acting from the S. E. It seems 
 to have, in the county north of Pocahontas, thrown the strata 
 into ridges and depressions, as above described. While the 
 mountain ranges in the east, no doubt, rose to great heights, 
 there is no reason to suppo.-e that the country westward par 
 took of a corresponding elevation. The disturbing force 
 M lMns to have exhausted itself in producing the folds. 
 
 South of Pocahontas, the case was different. Here the en 
 tire country from the east border of the State to the Ohio river, 
 seems to have been elevated in one mass, pivoting on that 
 river, as a hinge-line, and causing a surface sloping to the N. 
 W. towards that stream. 
 
 This mass of elevated country was composed in the main of 
 the strata Ave have previously described. \Vhile now the rocks 
 in the folded mountain region, were undergoing the change 
 described above, let us see what would take place in the coun- 
 Iry to the W. and S. of this section. In the northern part of 
 the State, as we have seen, we have a thick mass of crumbling 
 shales, and argillaceous sandstones, of the Upper Barrens, and 
 Productive Coals. These being but comparatively little eleva 
 ted, remain still in groat force, not having been so extensively 
 exposed to the denuding effects of the elements. In these 
 strata the streams aio still flowing, and in their great thickness 
 
RESOURCES OF WEST VIRGINIA. 
 
 M 
 
 and comparative softness, we find the origin of the topograph 
 ical features seen in this part of the country. 
 
 In the description of the topography along the New River, 
 we have seen that the conglomerate series rose as we passed 
 eastward, at the average rate of 50 feet to the mile. We 
 are now able to see why this is so. This, with the over and un 
 derlying series, were all carried up, and given a slope X. W. in 
 the central and southern portions of the State. 
 
 Hence all these rocks, followed from west to east, rise in suc 
 cession above water level. 
 
 Tn our description of the several scries, the fact was noted that 
 the lower portions of the Lower Barren measures, and Lojvet 
 Coals, contained much massive sandstone, and that these pro 
 duced much the same topographical effects as the conglomer 
 ate. These rise above the level of the streams near Charleston. 
 Drawing a X. E. and S. AY. line through this point, all the 
 country between that and the Ohio river, is formed out of 
 strata, which, in their topographical effects, resemble those in 
 the north of the State, and hence along the Ohio river, wo 
 have a pretty wide belt, occupied by high hills and narrow 
 valleys, which have lost comparatively little of their original 
 height. , 
 
 The case is different as we go east of Charleston. We have 
 seen how the topography changes as the massive sandstones 
 of the lower coals and conglomerate occupy the country. Let 
 us now see how these rocks have^ modified the topography in 
 this portion of the State. 
 
 When first raised above the waters, the central and southern 
 portions of the State, formed a great plane sloping from the east 
 to the northwest. This was covered with the comparatively 
 incoherent strata ot the higher members of the carboniferous 
 system, supported on the massive plates of sandstone, forming 
 the lower portions. In the east this complex system was 
 lifted high in the air, and exposed to the full effects of the ele 
 ments. In these higher, and more easterly portions, the softer- 
 overlying portions were soon stripped off, the harder conglom 
 erate, was reached and this, too, was broken down and re 
 moved. Xow the work of erosion going on in the soft under 
 lying umbrul strata, was carried on with comparative rapidity. 
 
12 RESOURCES OF WEST VIRGINIA. 
 
 * 
 
 This was the extreme stage reached, and up to this, we have 
 all the graduations of degradation. 
 
 Thus, in some parts of our eastern border, the country has 
 been worn down through the umbral sandstones and shales 
 until the more resistent umbral limestone has been reached. 
 This has caused the exposure of this limestone over parts of 
 Greenbrier and Monroe. Again, the red umbral rocks have 
 not been removed in other parts, and we find them alongside 
 the limestone, overspreading much of the two counties named 
 above, as well as of Summers and Mercer. Scattered here and 
 there in these counties, portions of the conglomerate have 
 escaped destruction, and by their presence, have preserved from 
 removal the umbral strata which lay under them. Hence we 
 find these remnants standing out as mountains, capped by 
 sandstone, in a region of limestone and red shales. Of this 
 character are many of the mountains in the counties above 
 named, such as Elk Knob, Muddy Creek, Meadow, Yew Moun 
 tains, &G. These usually contain in their summits only the 
 lowest strata of the conglomerate, the middle coal bearing por 
 tions having been carried off. The degree of erosion described 
 above as h aving taken place in this region, accounts for the 
 comparatively small altitude of the district, which does not 
 exceed 2,000 feet. 
 
 In some parts, along the we^t bor.br of this region, the ero 
 sion has been less complete. Tiie base of the conglomerate, 
 and even the central coal bearing portions, remains. Incon 
 sequence of this state of things, we find along the. Blue Stone 
 River, and in the east face of Flat Top Mountain, on the west 
 border of Mercer, workable beds of coal. 
 
 From this point, looking westward, we are confronted by the 
 eastern outcrop of the conglomerate series, which is here all 
 present, and rises in an unbroken wall, forming the level 
 topped mountains which bear in our state the names of White 
 Oak, and Flat Top, anil in Tennessee that of the Cumberland. 
 The tops of these mountains are formed by the massive plates 
 of the highest strata of the conglomerate, and from this point 
 westward, these continue unbroken, inclining towards the 
 Ohio as before stated, with the average dip of 50 feet per mile. 
 
 In the crests of these mountains, which rise to the height of 
 2,800 to 3,000 feet, all the softer overlying strata have been 
 
RESOURCES OF WEST VIRGINIA. 13 
 
 . 
 
 removed, and the basal conglomerate is exposed ; but as this 
 sinks towards the Ohio, we find a thicker and thicker cover 
 ing of productive coal strata, until at last the conglomerate 
 series sinks below the water level a short distance east of the 
 Falls of the Kanawha. Throughout this area the presence of 
 this massive system, in the hills, has exerted a predominant 
 influence on the topography. We have seen that so long as 
 the rivers are flowing in this series, they possess canon fea 
 tures. We have described these features, and noted the pecu 
 liar relations which the channels bear to the general level of 
 the country. 
 
 The region of country now underlaid by the conglomerate, 
 when first exposed to the elements, lost rapidly its upper softer 
 strata, and this loss was in direct ratio to the elevation of the 
 strata. Accordingly, as stated above, along the eastern out 
 crops we find them more or less removed, and a greater amount 
 remaining in the lower western portions. 
 
 The descending waters in cutting down through the produc 
 tive coal strata, produced in this region, as everywhere else, 
 where these rocks are present, that system of hills and valleys, 
 already described, and hence wherever these coal measures re 
 main on the conglomerate, they give the surface that undula 
 ting character mentioned as found in the country along the 
 canon portions of the rivers. But when once the upper surface 
 of the conglomerate was reached, the general degradation of 
 the surface ceased, since the eroding power of the rains, and 
 smaller streams, was too feeble to effect it. As a consequence, 
 the upper massive beds of this series, determine the general 
 plane of the country. The larger streams when once they had 
 cut their channels into these beds, deep enough to confine their 
 waters, had their eroding power immensely increased. En 
 closed by walls of massive rock, their entire force was exerted 
 in scouring out their bottoms. Thus they cut their narrow 
 channels deeper, and deeper, while the general level of the 
 country remained unaltered. While this was going on, the sur 
 face drainage from either side, over the enclosing walls, unlike 
 what occurs in ordinary streams, could not plane down the hard 
 sandstones which compose them, and hence they usually stand 
 up in cliffs close to the channel. The usual methods by which 
 these sandstones were thrown down, seems to have been by 
 
14 RESOURCES OF WEST VIRGINIA. 
 
 undermining them. The streams that enter the rivers, almost 
 always do so at the water level, and almost never by cascades. 
 But if we follow them a short distance up their gorge-like pas 
 sage ways, we soon find them passing into rapids and cascades. 
 The low level of their mouths seems due to the undermining 
 action of the river, aiding the erosion of the tributary. 
 
 It is somewhat singular to find that the larger streams, as a 
 rule, have exerted but little action in wiiening their channels, 
 even when they reached the softer central portions of the con 
 glomerate. They have generally cut their way straight down. 
 This, however, is not always the ca:<e. In some cases the 
 streams, on reaching their central portions, which are occu 
 pied largely by shaly rocks, have ceased almost entirely 
 their downward action, but have cut laterally on each side, 
 throwing down the massive ledges, and forming wide and 
 beautiful valleys in which the fall of the stream is almost im 
 perceptible. Of this character are the so-called marshes of 
 Coal river, in the southern part of Raleigh county. This is a 
 deep valley, 10 to 12 miles wide, excavated in the central por 
 tion of the conglomerate scries, and lying between the Guyan- 
 dotte mountains and the Raleigh plateau. Here the water is 
 almost stagnant, having no very perceptible flow. Of a simi 
 lar character are the Flats along the Meadow river, to which 
 the name of this stream is due. These remarkable flats lie in 
 the western edge of Greenbrier county, near Big Sewell moim- x 
 tain. They are more than 2500 feet above tide, or more than 
 two hundred feet higher than the summit of the Alleghany 
 near the White sulphur Springs in Greenbrier county. Major 
 Chas. Ellett says of these meadows, "Within the space enclos- 
 " ed by several mountains, such as Big Sewell, Little Sewell, 
 "Laurel mountain, Mea.low mountain, Keeney s Knob, etc.; 
 are found the "Meadows 5 of Meadow river, one of the prin- 
 " cipal tributaries of the Gauley. These meadows are exten- 
 "sive "Glades," throng]) which flow the waters of numerous 
 " streams which descend from the neighboring mountains and 
 " which, passing through portions of the meadows, one by one, 
 "unite to form the Meadov river, which name, however, is 
 "borne by one of these smaller streams. Those extensive 
 "flats present the appearance of the bottom of an exhausted 
 "lake. They are as level as a graded lawn, so level, indeed, 
 
RESOURCES OF WEST VIKHTNIA. 15 
 
 k> that it is found difficult to drain them. The width of these 
 "glades is extremely irregular, sometimes not over 500 yards, 
 " and again opening out to two miles. 1 " 
 
 In this region, Major Ellett proposed putting his reservoir 
 lake, to supply the Kanawha and Ohio rivers with water in 
 their low stages. The surveys made here in connection with 
 that scheme, showed the great elevation above tide of these 
 flats, viz: 2,543 feet. 
 
 Such are the features occasionally presented, caused by the 
 action of erosion on the middle members of the conglomerate. 
 They are, however, exceptions. 
 
 From what has been said above, concerning the effectual 
 resistance opposed by the upper surface of the conglomerate, 
 to the wearing down of the general plane of the country, it is 
 easy to see that wherever this has attained a considerable alti 
 tude above tide, it will give to the country the character of an 
 elevated plateau. The eastern border of this elevated plateau 
 is in the White Oak and Flat Top mountains, and in aline 
 drawn in their prolongation in a N. E. direction. Here, the 
 level has risen to the altitude of 2,800 to 8,000 feet, and more. 
 To the east, the country falls off into the lower plateau of 
 Greenbrier and Monroe, which has the height of 2,000 to 2,200 
 feet, owing to causes above explained. 
 
 On the western side, we may assume as the limit, a N. E. 
 and S. W. line, drawn through the Hawk s Nest on New river. 
 Here the upper surface of the conglomerate is 521 feet above 
 the river, or 1,272 feet above tide. All the country between 
 these lines, i. e. the eastern parts of McDowell, Wyoming, 
 Raleigh, Fayette, Nicholas, and Webster, may be styled the 
 Plateau Region. Much of it is flat or gently undulating, giv 
 ing rise to the so-called Glades. Along the principal rivers, 
 the general level falls off by precipitous slopes, until their 
 beds are reached. This high belt of country is studded over by 
 hills and mountains, which, owing to the great height of the 
 plane from which they rije, attain an altitude above the .sea, 
 which, as we have before stated, one would by no means sus 
 pect. As an illustration of this fact, w& may mention here the 
 heights of a few points in this region, and for comparison the 
 height of the Alleghany, in the vicinity of the White Sul 
 phur. This latter, is, according to Ellett, 2,325 feet above tide. 
 
10 RESOtTRCES OF WEST VIRGINIA. 
 
 The surface of the conglomerate, which, as we have before 
 stated, determines the plane of the country, is at Quinnimont 
 on Xew river, in the vicinity of Big Sewell, according to Mr. 
 S. F. Morris, 2,610 feet above tid. Big Sewell, according to 
 Mr. S. C. McCorkle, of the coast survey, is 3,500 feet above tide. 
 
 No reliable measurements have been made of the lofty Cherry 
 Pond, and Guyandotte mountains, between Raleigh and Wyom 
 ing, but estimates on Avhich some reliance may be placed, make 
 them fully 4,000 feet high, and shows them to be among the 
 very highest. 
 
 There is a remarkable elevated region near the junction of 
 Randolph, Pocahontas, Pendleton, and Highland counties, 
 which merits a particular description. Unfortunately, meas 
 urements of the altitudes in this quarter are rare. 
 
 An inspection of the map will show that in this compara 
 tively limited area, nearly all the important rivers of the 
 State take their rise, as ;vell as the James and Potomac, of Vir 
 ginia. These rivers flow to every quarter of the compass, ex 
 cept directly east. Owing to this fact, it might be suppposed, 
 without measurements, that here we should find some of the 
 highest land west of the Alleghanies. This supposition is 
 confirmed by such measurements as we have, which give in 
 Panther Knob, Pendleton county, the highest point in the 
 State, which has been actually measured. For this, Mr. Mc 
 Corkle gives 4,000 feet. This, as will be noticed, does not 
 surpass the estimated height of Cherry Pond, or Pond moun 
 tain, in Raleigh. The height of the stream beds in this sec 
 tion is put at 2400 to 2600 feet. If we we.re to pass planes 
 tii rough the level of the headwaters of these streams, and con 
 tinue them at water level, until they issue from the State, 
 they would cut out the greater part of the circumference of a 
 cone, whose apex would be 2500 feet above tide, and its base 
 from 500 to 600 feet. 
 
 Having given the above general description of the sur 
 face features of our State, with the explanation of some of the 
 causes producing them, we may now turn our attention to the 
 altitudes of diil orent points so far as these have been measured. 
 The farthest pninfs south, for which we have measurements, 
 are situated on the line of the Kanawha river, and the Ches. 
 & 0. R. R., these follow below. 
 
RESOURCES OF WEST VIRGINIA. 1? 
 
 The level of the Ohio river, at the mouth of the Kanawha, 
 according to the latest and most reliable nleasurenlents, ob 
 tained by combining the measurements of the U. S. Engineer 
 Dep ? t, for the height of the Kanawha at Charlesto ri, with the 
 known fall of the river to its mouth, is 509 feet above mean 
 tide. The Kanawha, at Charleston, according to the the U. S. 
 Kng. Corps measurements, is 556 feet high. Vineyard hill, 
 6 miles above Charleston, is 1236 feet. The river at the mouth 
 of Paint creek, 570 feet. Hills at that point, 1550 feet. River 
 at Hawk s Nest, 751 feet. Hawk s Nest Cliff, 1272 feet. Gau- 
 ley mountain near Hawk s Nest, 2600 feet. New river at Quin- 
 niinont 1165 feet. Cliffs at that point, 2610 feet. New river 
 at Hinton, 1364 feet. White Oak mountain near that point, 
 2800 to 3,000 feet, (estimated.) Big Sewell, according to McCor- 
 kle 3500 feet. Meadow mountain 2719, (Ellett,) Grconbrier 
 river, at Greenbrier bridge, 1584. Plateau of Meadow river, 
 according to Ellett, 2548. White Sulphur Springs 2,000 feet. 
 Alleghany mountains, between Crow s and White Sulphur, 
 2320 feet. 
 
 For the elevations in the northern part of the State, along 
 the line of the Wash. & 0. R. R., see list furnished by Mr. 
 McKenzie, Pres t of that road; for those along the line of the 
 Bait. & 0. R. R., see list furnished by Mr. Randolph. Chief 
 Eng r of that road. Measurements on the line of the W. & <). 
 R. R. were only given as far as Cheat river, in the list fur 
 nished. 
 
 On the western border of the State,- along the Ohio fiver, 
 we may note the following. The height of the river at Wheel 
 ing is 645.4 feet. In the vicinity of Wheeling, and for a con 
 siderable distance down, the hills are high, being 500 and GOO 
 feet above the river, and 1200 to 130 ) feet above tide. They 
 decline in altitude as we approach Parkersburg, and from that 
 point to Point Pleasant, where they are not more than 100 to 
 200 feet above the river, and 600 to 700 feet above tide. In 
 the south, where the river leaves the State, its elevation is less 
 than 500 feet, as it is, at the mouth of the Kanawha, only 50!) 
 feet. The hills here are higher, being formed out of the more 
 massive strata of the lower coals. They are 200 to 300 feet 
 above the river, and 700 to 800 feet above tide. 
 
18 KESOURCES OF WEST VIRGINIA. 
 
 The approximate elevation of different parts of the State, 
 may be given as follows : 
 
 A N.E. and S.W. line parallel to the general course of the 
 Ohio river, and drawn through a point about G miles east of 
 Charleston, would pass over a region having an elevation of 
 1200 to 1300 feet above tide. 
 
 A second line, having a similar direction to the first, and 
 drawn through the western part of Fayette, would pass over a 
 region having a general altitude of 1000 to 1700 feet. A third 
 line, having the same general direction, and drawn through 
 the eastern part of Raleigh, would pass over a district having 
 the elevation of 2000 to 2700 feet. 
 
 A fourth line, passing through the plateau of Monroe and 
 Greenbrier, and thence through the longitudinal valleys, 
 in the eastern part of Randolph, would have an altitude of 
 2,000 to 2,200 feet. 
 
 The following are the heights on the line of the Washing 
 ton and Ohio Railroad as far west as the Forks of Cheat : 
 
 ELEVATIONS ON THE LINE OF THE! W. & O. E. R. 
 
 Winchester 7l > (> feet 
 
 Locklmrt s Gap 890 feet 
 
 Capon Springs Divide !,: >-"> fwt 
 
 Lost River 1,240 feet 
 
 Baker s Hun Divide T,9. JS 1 eet 
 
 South Branch .Mountain -J4S feet 
 
 Moorlield 800 feet 
 
 N. Fork of the Potomac 1,000 fe- t 
 
 Summit of the Alle^rhanies :>,27 feet 
 
 Pry Fork of Cheat 2,100 feet 
 
 The following elevations were determined on the Paddy s 
 ( sip line of survey for this road. This line lies considerably 
 south of the line on which the measurements above given 
 were determined : 
 
 Paddy s Divide, the dividing riduv between Frederick and 
 
 Hardy L\00 ,) feet 
 
 Ore I Junk 1,780 feet 
 
 Rocky Rid-e ; 1,S40 feet 
 
 Thorn Bottom * 1,470 feet 
 
 Sandy Rid-v 2,i\:\i\ f -t 
 
 Lost River 1,400 feet 
 
 South Brunch .Mountain :U 14 feet 
 
 Mooriield... SOU feet 
 
RP:SOURCES OF WEST VIRGINIA. 
 
 19 
 
 The following is the list of elevations along the line of the 
 
 Baltimore and Ohio Railroad, in W. Virginia 
 
 JEltmtions. 
 
 Slat inn*, <<< . A. M. T. 
 
 Mill s ("reek Viaduct, at 
 
 Cumberland. Md 039.0 
 
 Rowling s Station 098.0 
 
 Black Oak Bottom Station 735.!) 
 
 Crossing of Potomac <2 
 spans of 150 feet each).. 780. 
 
 West abutment of New 
 Creek Bridge, sit Key- 
 scr 797.71 
 
 TMedniont 919.39 
 
 Crossing Potomac (3 spans 
 of 50 feet each 999. 
 
 Opposite Ch urch , at 
 
 Bloom ington 1, 037.05 
 
 Frankville Station 1.099.22 
 
 S wanton AVater Station.... 2,282.21 
 
 Altamont 2,(520. 
 
 Deer Park 2,441.8 
 
 Little Youghioghenv Riv 
 er Bridge . 2,397.07 
 
 Oakland 2,372. 
 
 ( assidy s Summit 1,855.27 
 
 E. portal Kingwood Tun 
 nel, (length, 4,132 ft.)-.- 1,819. 
 
 W. portal Kingwood Tun 
 nel 1,778.7 
 
 E. portal Murray s Tun 
 nel *. 1,554. 
 
 Xewburg 1.215.3 
 
 Hook s Run 1,104. 
 
 Road to Morgantown at 
 
 Independence 1,157.9 
 
 Helvitia Station 1,109.7 
 
 Bridge over Raccoon Cr k 
 
 (5 spans. 25 ft.) 1.105.4 
 
 Thornton Station 1,037.9 
 
 Water Station, No. 5<), at 
 
 Thorn s Run 1,032.4 
 
 Three Fork Creek bridge, 
 (2 spans of 50. and 1 of 
 25ft.) 1,020.2 
 
 987.2 
 9S4.2 
 
 978.2 
 
 Grafton 
 
 Fctterman 
 
 Plum Run Bridge 
 
 A T alley River Falls Station 
 
 (water station 01) 
 
 Xuzum s Mill Station <>30.2 
 
 Texas Station 8S3.i> 
 
 Benton s Ferry 883.2 
 
 Monongahela Bridge - S 77. 2 
 
 Fairmont 877.2 
 
 Water Station, No. 03, at 
 
 Barnesville 871.2 
 
 Bridge over Buffalo Cr k.. 890.9 
 Barracks ville .... 901 . 
 
 Elevatiohs, 
 
 Sftifions, ttv. A. M. T. 
 Little Youghioo-heiiy Riv 
 er Bridge . 2,370.8 
 
 < irral Yonghiogheny Riv 
 er Bridge.../. . 2.371.00 
 
 Summit above Chisholm s 2,480.0 
 
 Mutton s Switch 2,477. 
 
 Marysville Station 2,428. 
 
 Bridge across N. Fork of 
 
 Snowy Creek 2,409.2 
 
 Cranberry Summit Station 2,548.7 
 
 Cranberry .Summit 2,550.087 
 
 E. Portal of McGuire s 
 
 Tunnel.. 2,382.4 
 
 Rod smer s Tunnel 2,083.:; 
 
 Bridge over Salt Lick 
 Creek at Amblersburg.. 1,019.1 
 
 Cheat River Bridge 1 .392,4 
 
 Rowlesburg 1,392.4 
 
 Buckeye Run Viaduct 1.515.5 
 
 Trav Run Viaduct 1.572. 
 
 1,720.4 
 910.5 
 022.5 
 
 jBuckhorn Run 
 
 ifDavis Run 
 
 Dunkard s Mill Run 
 
 Farmington 927.2 
 
 i Wood s Run <>5<u;7 
 
 Mannington 9(i(i.! 
 
 Glover s Gap Station 1,047.2 
 
 Burton s Station 1,000.37 
 
 E. portal of upper Eaton s 
 Tunnel 993.2 
 
 E. portal of Lower Eaton s 
 
 Tunnel 902. 
 
 Littleton Station 930. 
 
 AV. portal of Board Tree 
 
 Tunnel 1,077. 
 
 Belton Station 88(5.5 
 
 E. portal of AVelling Tun 
 nel 1,201.8 
 
 AV. portal of AVelling Tun 
 nel 
 
 Opposite engine house at 
 Cameron Station 
 
 E. portal of Shepard s 
 Tunnel 
 
 Rosby s Rock Station 
 
 Opposite Rosby s Rock.... 
 
 Moundsville 
 
 Opposite Kate s Rock 
 
 McMicken s Run 
 
 Opposite station house at 
 
 Ben wood 048.5 
 
 WheelihgCreek at Wheel 
 ing.....". 045.4 
 
 Fourth and John s Sts.... 050.2 
 
 1,193. 
 1,049.2 
 
 838.5 
 
 773.2 
 
 786.7 
 
 040.00 
 
 664.3 
 
 664.8 
 
20 RESOURCES OF WEST VIRGINIA. 
 
 The above are the elevations along the line from Cumber 
 land, Maryland, to Wheeling, West Virginia. The following 
 are those on the line from Harper s Ferry to Cumberland : 
 
 ELEVATIONS FROM HARPER S FERRY TO CUMBERLAND, 
 
 MARYLAND. 
 
 Elevation*, 
 Skit him, cCr. .1. 3/. T. 
 
 >er s Ferrv 
 
 11 . 
 
 Snyder s Summit oOO.<) 
 
 Opecquan River 40:>.75 
 
 Tnscarora Creek Bridge... &) >. 
 
 Martinsburg 425. 
 
 Tabb s Summit 547.5 
 
 "Fabler s Suinniit 540. 
 
 Cherry Run :>})S.J> 
 
 Sleepy Creek Bridge 410.5 
 
 Warren Spring Run oppi- 
 
 site Hancock 42S.5 
 
 Sir John s Run 4:>4.5 
 
 Elevation*, 
 
 Station*, cCr. A ..)f. T. 
 
 Cacapon .. 440.5 
 
 Doe Gully Tunnel 5 is. 
 
 Little Cacapon 5:> I . 
 
 South Branch 550. 
 
 Green Spring Run 54X.S 
 
 Dan s Run Bridge 5(i.">. 
 
 Patterson s Creek 5(>x. 
 
 Potomac River <i04.5 
 
 Evitt s Creek UI5.7 
 
 \Yest side of . Baltimore 
 Street at Cumberland, 
 
 Md... <>: , .). 
 
 The following extracts from a rep-jrt addressed to the Super 
 intendent of the Coast Survey, by S. C. McCorkle, assistant on 
 the Coast Survey, were kindly furnished, and are here pre 
 sented. They will explain themselves. 
 
 " Fi-mu-ARY 1-lth, 1S70. 
 " C. P. Patterson, Superintendent I n itcd Nates Good Survey . 
 
 "SIR: * * * Beginning with Pendleton county in West Virginia, 
 " near the headwaters of the North Fork of the Potomac, is Panther Knob, 
 " said to be the highest point in the vicinity. In about the same latitude 
 "on the Alleghany range, is .Paddy s Knob, in the corner of Bath and 
 "Highland counties, Virginia, and Pocahontas, West Virginia. From 
 "here the mountain falls gradually to the south and west, some thirty 
 " milt s, rising again at the Salt Pond Mt., in Giles county. Hay Stack 
 u Knob, near the line of Pocahontas and Randolph counties, on the south 
 " end of the Cheat Mountain Range, and near its junction with the(ireat 
 " < rreenbrier mountains, is said to be the higliest point west of the Alle- 
 " ghanies, and north of the Greenbrier river. South and west of this 
 " we luive the (Jreat Greenbrier, the Yew, Big and Little Scwell monn- 
 " tains, including Cold Knob, and Job s Knob, and ending with Kecncy s 
 "Knob, which is about two miles north of the Greenbrier river, in Snm- 
 " i ncrs and Greenbrier counties. 
 
 From these mountains north of the river, there is a gradual decline 
 " from 3,500 feet above tide to 700 feet on the < )hio river. 
 
 " Powell s mountain, in the northern part of Nicholas county, falls oil 
 "to the Elk river, and from t hence to the Ohio, in a succession of hills 
 " and plains, the average height of the hills being 1,1 OM to 1,500 feet. 
 
 "The higliest elevations (in this vicinity, autlur,) will be found in 
 " Jack s Bend oi the Elk river, and between the Forks of the Big .Sandy 
 " creek. 
 
RESOURCES OF WEST VIRGINIA. 21 
 
 "South of the Kanawha river, in the counties of Fayette, Raleigh, 
 " Wyoming, Boone, and Logan, are some very high mountains, the prin- 
 " eipal of which is called the Great Flat Top mountains, near the head 
 "waters of the Coal river, and 1 believe, in the Guyandotte range, (this 
 "is wrong, they meet at right angles Author), hut i have not explored 
 " south of Coal river. 
 
 "In the vicinity of the headwaters of Loup and Paint creeks, the Hr- 
 " vatioii is near 2,700 feet ahove tide. West of this will he found a suc- 
 " cession of sharp peaks, varying but little in height, the highest being 
 " 1,700 feet, and the lowest on the Ohio GOO to 700 feet. 
 
 " I append some elevations obtained with compesaating aneroid barom- 
 " eter, and give them for what they are worth. Good enough for reeon- 
 " naisance, but not entirely reliable. 
 
 "Signed, Si KxcKit C. MtCoiiKLK." 
 
 APPROXIMATE ELEVATIONS ABOVE SEA LEVEL, IN WEST 
 VIRGINIA, OBTAINED WITH CONPENSATING ANEROID 
 BAROMETER, IN 1874-1875. 
 
 Pendleton County, Panther Knol > 4,000 feet 
 
 Bath and Highland, Ya., and Pocahontas, W. Va., Paddy s Knob :>,:>00 " 
 
 Randolph and Pocahontas, Hay Stack Knol > 3,800 " 
 
 Pocahontas and Greenbrier, Briery Knob 3,<iOO " 
 
 Summers and Greenbrier, Keeney s Knob l>,700 " 
 
 Fayette, Big Sewell ;>,.~>00 " 
 
 Greenbrier, Lewisburg 2,200 " 
 
 Fayette, Payne s Mountain 2,700 " 
 
 Nicholas, Summersville Mountain 2,000 " 
 
 Kanawha (south), Table Rock Mountain 1,700 " 
 
 Kanawha (north), Gibson s 1,200 " 
 
 Lincoln, Mud Creek Mountain 1,700 " 
 
 Cabell, back of Huntington 700 " 
 
 The county of Morgan, and the western part of Berkley, 
 belong to the mountain region, but the eastern part of Berk 
 ley, and all of Jefferson, can be included in neither of the grand 
 divisions which we have made in the State. They partake of 
 the character of the Great Valley, extending S. W. into Vir 
 ginia, and have a rolling, or gently undulating surface, with 
 an altitude of 700 to SOOfeet above tide. The following heights, 
 given by Mr. McKenzie, may be added here. 
 
 Wilson s Gap, on the Blue Ridge, between Jclicrsoii and Lou- 
 
 doun ],44."> feet 
 
 Keyes Gap, in the same range ,)(>() " 
 
 For the convenience of surveyors and civil engineers in dif 
 ferent parts of the State, the following table of Magnetic Decli 
 nations, is appended. 
 
22 RESOURCES OF WEST VIRGINIA. 
 
 Magnetic Declinations for different points in the State, deter 
 mined in 1864, by Assistant Mosman, of the Coast Survey : 
 
 .Lat. Ijong. DfcTn. 
 
 Clarksburg, AV. Va 39 16 .9 80 20 .4 30 .:? in J. 
 
 Wheeling. 40 O4 .l 80 43 . 2 00 . 5 u 
 
 Parkersburg 39 Ki .O 81 34 2. 1 17 .6 " 
 
 Mt. Pleasant 38 50 .5 82 OS .S 1 34 x .n " 
 
 South Point, Ohio 38 2.V.2 82 3r/.4 1 o2 x .O in F. 
 
 (irafton, W. Va 39 20 X .(> 80 Ol x .7 --1 52 X 4. in J. 
 
 Charleston, AV. Ya 38 21/.3 81 38 x .O 37 .3 in M. 
 
 Cumberland, ^Id 39 3iK2 78 45 .4 --1 31 X .9 " 
 
 Cameron, \V. A a 30 41.X.8 80 34 X .4 24 x .O in J. 
 
 The sign , denotes East; the sign - -, denotes West; J., F. and M., 
 denote January, February and March, 18(i4. The annual change is 
 3 / .5, increasing AVest and diminishing East* 
 
CHAPTER II. 
 
 CLIMATOLOGY. 
 
 BY WM. M. FOiNTAINE. 
 
 In considering the climate of the State, we may divide it into 
 three belts, running in a northeast and southwest direction. 
 
 The first belt comprises the countias along the Ohio river 
 and may be taken to coincide with our first topographical 
 belt. This comprises the lowest land in the State. The sec 
 ond climatic belt may be taken to include all the rest of the 
 State, except the mountain region. The third half includes 
 the mountain district. It will be convenient to designate the 
 first belt, as the "Ohio counties; " the second belt, as the " pla 
 teau district;" and the third, as the "mountain district;" 
 inasmuch as these names suggest the position, and altitude of 
 the areas which they designate. 
 
 For all of these, there is a great lack of data connected with 
 the climate; but in the Ohio counties, records have been kept 
 for a much longer time than elsewhere. For the plateau dis 
 trict, we have a few details, and for the mountain district none 
 at all. 
 
 The Ohio River Valley is often spoken* of, as possessing 
 features of climate, distinct from those shown in other parts of 
 the State. This, taken without qualification, would lead to 
 erroneous ideas of the topography of the stream. The valley 
 proper, is a narrbw trench, cut out in high hills for most of 
 the way. 
 
 It attains at most, the width of only a mile or two, and can 
 not exert any important influence on the climate of the coun 
 try in general. In summer it may influence to some extent 
 the formation and course of showers, or it may facilitate the 
 
24 RESOURCES OF WEST VIRGINIA. 
 
 passage of bodies of warm, moist air from the southwest. Apart 
 from minor and local influence, it is to be considered merely as 
 one of the factors influencing the climate of the belt of country 
 along its banks. 
 
 If, however, we apply the term "Ohio Valley, 1 to the belt 
 of comparatively low country along the west border of our 
 State, then, no doubt, climatic features somewhat different 
 from those of the rest of the State, do exist here. 
 
 Leaving out of consideration the influence of altitude, the 
 most important general causes controling our climate, are the 
 character of the exposure of the surface, the direction as 
 sumed by the principal elevations, and the prevailing winds. 
 The State forms a sloping surface, inclining in a northwesterly 
 direction, from the highest ridges of the Alleghany, to the hills 
 along the Ohio river. The principal elevations, even in the 
 hilly region, run in a northeast and southwest direction. 
 
 When now we take into consideration the winds which pre 
 vail along the Appalachian belt of the United States, we can 
 easily see that these topographical features, assume great im 
 portance. In our latitude, even east of the Blue Ridge, easterly 
 winds are not the predominant ones. But in Virginia, es 
 pecially in winter, they often blow for a considerable space of 
 time, bringing with them, when from the northeast, the long 
 est spells of wet weather. Owing to our protection by the Blue 
 Ridge and Alleghanies, such winds do not reach us, and hence 
 in West Virginia, winds with an easterly element are extreme 
 ly rare. If they do reach us, they are usually drying and 
 clearing winds, having been deprived of their moisture by 
 passing over the mountain tops. 
 
 Our winds are almost exclusively those with a westerly ele 
 ment, such as S.W., "W., and N.W. When these enter our 
 State, the X.E and S.W r . direction of our elevations, exert such 
 a guiding influence on them, that instead of passing directly 
 across the State, they aro forced to traverse it longitudinally. 
 The consequence is, that we feel the full effects of such winds, 
 whatever they ma} 7 * be. S.\V. winds enter freely, and are 
 guided unchecked in their original direction. Hence such 
 winds the year round, predominate, at l^ast in influence. 
 Westerly, and north westlerly winds, are partly deflected, so as 
 to preserve a S.E. or N.E. direction. The inclination of the 
 face ot the country also, exerts an important influence. 
 
RESOURCES OF WEST VIRGINIA. 
 
 Such winds enter the State on its lowest side, and in work 
 ing their way over it, they rise higher and higher. The con 
 sequence is, that they become cooled, and their moisture is 
 condensed, if they be moist, warm winds. Thus an abundant 
 rain fall is secured. The country never suffers from the pro 
 longed dry spells, which sometimes occur east of the Allegha- 
 nies. A mere inspection of the map of this region will show, 
 by the enormous number of perennial streams possessed by it, 
 that this precipitation is not only abundant, but that it is 
 uniformly distributed throughout the year. Our State con 
 tributes no small proportion of the volume of water carried by 
 the Ohio into the Mississippi. It is well known that this 
 surpasses that of any other tributary of that great stream. 
 After these general considerations, we may turn to the exami 
 nation of the individual factors which constitute the climate 
 of a country. 
 
 TEMPERATURE. 
 
 Temperature is influenced both by latitude and elevation. 
 The main body of the State of West Virginia lies between the 
 parallel of ?>7 deg. and 40 deg. For points at the same eleva 
 tion, this would give a difference of about 3 deg., in the mean 
 annual temperature of the southern, and northern portions rf 
 the State. According to Dodge, the State is embraced between 
 the isothermals of 50 deg. and 54 deg. The isothermal of 52 
 deg. passes nearly through the centre of it. The general ele 
 vation of the surface, renders the mean temperature somewhat 
 lower than that of points on the same parallel of latitude, in 
 the States further west. Within the State itself, the greater 
 altitude of the plateau, and mountainous portions, renders the 
 mean temperature of these belts, lower than that of the Ohio 
 counties. This difference of altitude, may be taken on an 
 average, to be about 1500 feet, causing a lowering of the mean 
 annual temperature of about 4J deg., on the same parallel of 
 latitude. Hence such elevated counties as Fayette. Nicholas, 
 Raleigh, tv.c.; do not possess that higher mean temperature, 
 which they should have, in consequence of their more south 
 erly position. The isothermals passing through the moun 
 tain, and plateau districts, bend strongly up northward. .The 
 mean annual temperature of the State may be taken as 52 dvg. 
 The following means of temperature, are taken from Dr. E. 
 
26 RESOURCES OF WEST VIRGINIA, 
 
 A. Hildretlvs reports, based on records kept at Wheeling lor 
 18 years, ending 1867. Wheeling may be taken as represent 
 ing in climate, the northern half of the Ohio belt of counties. 
 For these then we have : 
 
 January 28 .97 
 
 February 33 .05 
 
 March 38 .43 
 
 April 49 .75 
 
 May (50 .00 
 
 Juno 1C 09 .77 
 
 July 73 .91 
 
 August 73 .41 
 
 September Go .50 
 
 October 50 .95 
 
 November 41 .90 
 
 December... .. 34 .01 
 
 Annual mean : 51 .04 
 
 The same author gives for Wheeling, the following means 
 for the seasons, based on observations for twenty-three years 
 
 and seven months : 
 
 Spring 51. 00 
 
 Slimmer 71 .54 
 
 Autumn 52 .72 
 
 Winter < 32 .08 
 
 Year 52 .08 
 
 Highest temperature, 104 (July, 1854. 
 
 Lowest temperature, 15 (January, 1856. 
 
 Extreme range, 119. 
 
 For the southern part of the the State, in the Ohio belt, we 
 have no records south of Kanawha county. At Kanawha Sa 
 lines, records were kept for 4 years and 4 month*, from June, 
 1856, to January, 18G1, for the Smithsonian Institution, with 
 the following results : 
 
 January 34.92 
 
 February 38 .98 
 
 March ...- -.-. 44 .28 
 
 April 52 .88 
 
 May 04.15 
 
 June 70 .35 
 
 July 75 .70 
 
 August 72 .70 
 
 September 05 .82 
 
 (Mubcr .., 55 .05 
 
RESOURCES OF WEST VIRGINIA. 27 
 
 November 43 .75 
 
 December 37 .97 
 
 Spring 53 -77 
 
 Summer 72 .94 
 
 Autumn 54 .87 
 
 Winter 37.29 
 
 Year " 54.72 
 
 Records have been kept for the Smithsonian Institution at 
 Lewisburg, for 7 years and 1 month, from January, 1854 to 
 March 1861. The climate of the eastern part of Grcenbrier 
 and Monroe is remarkably mild. The Lewisburg records can 
 not be taken to represent the climate of the plateau districts, 
 which they might be supposed to do, from the position of that 
 town. Two causes render the climate of the Greenbrier valley 
 milder than that of the eastern portion of the plateau district. 
 First, This region (see topography) is much lower than the 
 belt of country to the W., N. W. and S. W. of it. In the sec 
 ond place. It is sheltered by the high country from the cold 
 N. W. and W. winds of winter. 
 
 The following is the record referred to above : 
 
 January 30.64 
 
 February 34 .] 2 
 
 March 40 .79 
 
 April 51 .59 
 
 May 62 .98 
 
 June 69 .:>5 
 
 July 74.05 
 
 August 71 .95 
 
 September 64.03 
 
 October 52 .01 
 
 November 41 .68 
 
 December... ...33.49 
 
 Spring 51 .79 
 
 Summer 71 .78 
 
 Autumn... 52 .57 
 
 Winter 32 .75 
 
 Year X. 52 .22 
 
 The table given on page 34, represents the mean tempera 
 ture and other climatic features, at Morgantown, and may be 
 taken to represent the north central part of the State. The 
 other tables are taken from Dr. Hildreth s report. As no rec 
 ords exist for the mountainous portions of [the State, we can 
 bay nothing of their climate with any definiteness. 
 
RESOURCES OF WEST VIRGINIA. 
 PREVAILING WITSTD3. 
 
 Concerning these, it has already been stated that they con 
 tain almost always a westerly element. The southwesterly 
 and southerly winds prevail during the summer months, and 
 influence the climate largely in the other seasons also. The 
 northwesterly, westerly and northerly winds are more frequent 
 in winter, hut cannot even then he said to he the prevailing 
 ones. 
 
 Owing to its latitude, our State is the battle ground of the 
 S. W. and N. W. winds. The S. and S. W. winds come to us 
 from the Gulf of Mexico, creeping around the southern toot, 
 and along the western slopes of the Appalachian belt. Hence 
 they are warm and moist. Passing over the elevated surface 
 of our State, they part with much of their heat and moisture. 
 As has been shown, the topography of our section of country 
 specially favors the free passage of these winds. 
 
 The westerly and northwesterly winds come to us from 
 cooler regions, being deflected from the ranges of the Rocky 
 Mountains. Hence their effect is cooling and drying. The 
 effects of these classes of winds on our climate is best illus 
 trated by our winter weather. Their influence in other sea 
 sons is essentially the same, but this is modified by the vary 
 ing dry ness and heat of the areas over which they pass. 
 
 In winter the S. W. winds, which may be taken as the 
 normal ones outside of the mountain district, so long as they 
 blow, bring a higher temperature, cloudiness and gentle rains. 
 These are soon met by N. W. and N. winds, and in the strug 
 gle of these for- the mastery, we have the cause of our heaviest 
 rains, wind storms, and snow storms. Should the N. W. winds 
 prevail, a season of clearing up and cold weather occurs, and 
 continues so long as such winds predominate. This is usually 
 not long. The S. W. winds again push back the cold air and 
 prevail, causing a rapid melting of the snow, a rise of temper 
 ature, and a fall of rain, or a cloudiness of the atmosphere. 
 Such is essentially the course of events in winter. Extreme 
 weather at at any season, whether stormy, hot, or cold, rarely 
 lasts more than three days, in consequence of this alternate 
 swing of the winds. Accordingly our climate, especially in 
 winter, is marked by great variability. The extreme ranges, 
 however, are not correspondingly great. Our considerable 
 
RESOURCES OF WEST VIRGINIA. 
 
 29 
 
 altitude causes us never to have the extreme summer heats 
 felt on the Atlantic slope. The prevalence of the S. W. winds, 
 besides giving us a uniform abundant rainfall at all seasons, 
 acts as a shield to protect us against the.se extreme and sudden 
 falls of temperature which are felt to the X. and N. E. of us. 
 Those waves of cold, which in winter, are generated in the 
 Rocky Mountains, move east, and invade the Middle and East 
 ern States, generally expend much of their severity in over 
 coming and cooling the S. W. winds. It is true that when 
 they are of extraordinary violence, and move in more .southerly 
 tracts, they press upon us with sufficient force to cause, at long 
 intervals, the extreme range of 10 cleg, to iodeg. As an 
 illustration of this fact, Dr. Hildreth, from observations during 
 23 years and 7 months at Wheeling, gives 15 deg. as the low 
 est temperature reached. The annexed table, gives the prev 
 alent winds at Morgantown: 
 
 STATION MORGAXTOWN, \V. VA. 
 
 Records Kept by United States Signal Service from Jan. 27, 1873, to 
 Dec. 31, 1875 Monthly Means for the Entire Period. 
 
 ;_; 
 
 99 
 
 MONTH. 
 
 g 
 
 i* 
 
 5 
 inches 
 
 w ^ 
 
 u 
 miles. 
 
 - 
 
 (H 
 
 January . 3016 
 
 33. 1 
 
 s \v 
 
 3 14 
 
 71 4 
 
 38 
 
 18 
 
 Februarv 3007 
 
 31.5 
 
 
 3 44 
 
 OS 
 
 
 14 
 
 March 3000 
 
 40.1 
 
 W 
 
 4 >; 9 
 
 04 7 
 
 48 
 
 16 
 
 \pril \ i *>9 97 
 
 47 9 
 
 S.Wto 
 
 4 07 
 
 
 
 1 S 
 
 J ~ J Jt 
 Alav : 2993 
 
 6. 7 
 
 X. \V. 
 
 S \Y 
 
 35 
 
 60 9 
 
 4S 
 
 13 
 
 .June 9 98 
 
 71.4 
 
 s w 
 
 4 7S 
 
 69 9 
 
 24 
 
 13 
 
 Julv ) 9<)7 
 
 73. 1 
 
 s \v 
 
 7 08 
 
 75 
 
 
 15 
 
 August ; 29.99 
 Septeml>er 30.03 
 
 69.8 
 63.7 
 
 X. W. 
 
 s. \v 
 
 4.11 
 
 4 50 
 
 75.9 
 74 6 
 
 30 
 
 12 
 
 ( >ctober 30 05 
 
 51 :>s 
 
 S \Y 
 
 3 19 
 
 (>9 5 
 
 37 
 
 Q 
 
 November ... 30 00 
 
 41 
 
 S.Wti 
 
 411 
 
 69 4 
 
 51 
 
 14 
 
 Dei-ember 30.09 
 
 39.3 
 
 X. \V. 
 
 s. w. 
 
 4.10 
 
 72 4 
 
 40 
 
 18 
 
 Annual Mean for period 30.02 
 
 52.7 
 
 s. \v. 
 
 49.22 
 
 698 
 
 
 
 m 
 
 In the above results deduced, from observations for thirty- 
 
30 RESOURCES OF WEST VIRGINIA. 
 
 five months, the wind prevailed from the S. W. during twenty- 
 one months, from the West five months, from the South three 
 months, from the X. W. four months, from the North two 
 months. The rain fall in July, 1875, was exceptionally great. 
 The maximum velocity of the wind is given in miles per hour. 
 This record is, no doubt, representative of the northern central 
 belt of counties in the State. Morgantown is about 800 feet 
 above tide, and the hills around it about 1,300 feet. For 
 Wheeling, according to the observations of Dr. E. A. Hil- 
 dreth, continued for 16 }?ears and 7 months, in 15,173 cases of 
 winds, the distribution according to the quarters of the com 
 pass, is as follows : 
 
 South, 438 days; North, 2,093 ; 11^,1,022; EaM, 61 ; South 
 west, 5,306; Northeast, 15; Northwest, 3,571; Southeast, 292. 
 
 From this list, the great predominance of S. W. winds, so 
 far north as Wheeling, can be seen. This predominance in 
 creases in the more southern districts ; but how much, there 
 are no observations to sho\v. 
 
 KAINFALLAND MEJLTED SNOW. 
 
 From what has been already said, a pretty good idea of the 
 precipitation over the state may be gained. The following 
 statistics, though scanty in amount, are offered. fFor Wheeling 
 observations for 17 years ending 1871, made by Dr. E. A. Hil- 
 dreth.give us the following : 
 
 Spring 10. 9 inches 
 
 Summer ....12.93 " 
 
 Autumn 9.57 " 
 
 Winter 9..>(> " 
 
 Year 41.95 " 
 
 By the same observer at the same place, the following an 
 nual average of rainy, snowy, <tc., days are given, during a 
 period of 27 years. 
 
 For each year Rainy and snowy days 1 19.81 
 
 Clear and fair... 170. Hi 
 
 .". Cloudy 7<>.L > S 
 
 He also deduces the mean annual rainfall for the state from 
 observations amounting in the aggregate to 103 years to be 
 39.89 inches. While the above estimates for Wheeling may 
 represent fairly the precipitation along^the Ohio in the north, 
 it cannot be doubted that for the plateau and mountain sec- 
 
RESOURCES OF WEST VlRGlJStA. 3l 
 
 tions, the precipitation is Beater, but Utifortunately details 
 from these elevated parts of the state are mostly wanting. 
 The rainfall deduced from the records at Morgan town a point 
 more inland, and near the foot of Laurel Hill, show an un 
 usual average of 49.22 inches. As the year 1874 was noted for the 
 heavy summer rains no doubt this is too high, and a mean an 
 nual precipitation of 45 inches may be taken as near the 
 mark, for the more elevated districts. 
 
 The following record from Kanawha Salines, was taken for 
 3 years and 3 months, from April 1^57 to February 1861. 
 
 Spring 12.92 inches | Autumn 10.18 inches 
 
 Summer 12 ();> " | -Winter 14.71 * 
 
 Year " 35.75, indies 
 
 This without donbt is above the average, but it would seem 
 that the Kanawha river valley, has usually, an exception 
 ally high rainfall, 
 
 For Lewisburg records kept during 6 years, for the Smith 
 sonian Institution, show the following results. 
 
 Spring- 7.;5U inches | Autumn 9 00 indies 
 
 Summer U.21 " | Winter U.55 " 
 
 Year ;>,.-> 7;, inches 
 
 Records kept at the White Sulpher Springs, for 5 years and 
 months, shows a mean annual rainfall of 37.54 inches. Both 
 of these results are below the average of places of the height of 
 Lewisburg and the White Sulphur, which are each about 2,000 
 feet above tide. This is due to the position of these localities. 
 They are situated between the Allegheny mountains on the 
 east, and the high country of the eastern part of Fayette and 
 Raleigh, on the southwest. These latter highlands lie in the 
 direct path of the S. W. winds which bring moisture into the 
 country, and in passing over them, these winds are deprived 
 of much of their temperature and vapor. But beside records 
 from weather observations, we may get an excellent idea of 
 the climate of a country from the usual times of seeding and 
 harvesting crops &c. The following calendar is taken, with 
 considerable alterations, from the former Handbook of this 
 state, compiled by J. H. Diss Debar. It applies especially to 
 the Ohio belt. 
 
 FARMING CALENDAR. 
 
 February 28th Break up soil. March 1st Plant early pota 
 toes; sow Timothy, Blue Grass and Clover; sow early garden 
 
")2 RESOURCES OF WEST VlR(UNtA. 
 
 vegetables. Manufacture Maple Sugar, ^^L^eh loth Turn 
 out cattle on Blue Grass. April I*/ So.v oarlv oats. April 
 loth Sow main crop of garden vegetables. April 20/// Cher 
 ry, Plum, Apple and Peach trees are in bloom: Poplar and 
 Maple are leafing. Turn Cattle on Timothy and Clover. 
 April 2oth Sow late Oats and Flax. Plant late Potatoes. May 
 1st Set out Fruit trees. Plant early corn. Turnout cattle in 
 the woods to range. Timbar g 311 orally begins to leaf out. 
 Plant Sorghum. Light white frosts may be still looked for in 
 the 1st week. May 7th Plant Beans and Cucumbers ttc. 
 May lOth "20th Plant and sow all late garden vegetables, 
 Sweet Potatoes, and Watermelons. Dogwoods in bloom. Plant 
 main crop of Corn, also Pumpkins and late Beans. Amy 31* 
 Corn and Potatoes planted on fresh cleared land. Grapes are 
 in bloom. June 1st Shear sheep. June 8th Plant Tobacco, 
 Corn may still be planted on fresh cleared land ( lover is in 
 bloom. June loth Harvest Clover, plant late Cucumbers, 
 Beans, Melons and even Potatoes. Send early grass-fed cattle 
 to market. July l$t 4th Plough corn for the last time. 
 Early Potatoes are ripe. July lOt/i Harvest Wheat and Rye. 
 July loth Commence cutting Timothy, Sow Bucx wheat. 
 July 2otJ> Harvest Oats. Early Apples are ripe. August 10th 
 September 1st Sow turnips. August lotJi Finish hay har 
 vest. Plough for wheat and rye. August 2oth September 10th 
 Peaches and Melons ripening. Isabella, Hartford, Prolific, and 
 Concord grapes ripening. September 10th 20th Cut Tobacco, 
 sow Wheat, Timothy, and Rye. Catawba, and Norton s Vir 
 ginia seedling grapes, are maturing. Sept 2oth Oct \*t Cut 
 corn, harvest Buck wheat. Oct. 1st loth First white frosts 
 occur. Cut late corn. Sow Wheat and Rye on corn ground. 
 Cut Sorghum and make Syrup. Oft. 2oth Dig late Potatoes. 
 Leaves fall fast. Send late fat stock to market. Aor l*t loth 
 Gather Turnips and other root crops. Commence husking 
 corn. Commence winter feeding of young stock, and milch 
 cows. Xoc. 31s Winter feeding in general. 
 
 Dates for the higher plateaus and mountains are 10 1.5 days 
 later in spring and earlier in Autumn. 
 
 While within the State itself records of long periods are 
 lacking, we are fortunate in being able to avail ourselves 
 of a series of observations, made for a considerable term of 
 years, at Marietta, Ohio. 
 
RESOURCES OF WEST VIRGINIA. 3 
 
 Marietta is situated on the Ohio river, opposite the center 
 of the State. From its position, it is better fitted than any 
 other single point, to furnish data from which conclusions 
 can be drawn concerning the general climate of our State. 
 The records, of which we speak, were kept from 1817 to 1823, 
 inclusive, by Mr. Wood, and from 1826 to 1859, both inclu 
 sive, by S. P. Hildreth. These were presented to the Smith 
 sonian Institution, where they were given in charge to Mr. 
 Schott, and by him were discussed on the general plan adopted 
 by the Institution for other observations of the same kind. 
 The results of this discussion were published in the "Smith 
 sonian Contributions to Knowledge, No. 120. Extracts from 
 this valuable publication, are here given. The annexed table 
 A. page 34, will explain itself. 
 
 In this, the observed monthly means, are referred to the 
 mean, resulting from hourly observations. 
 
RESOURCES OF WEST VIRGINIA, 
 
 TABLE A. 
 
 Resulting Mean Monthly Temperature Observed at Marietta Between 
 1818 and 1859, Inclusive. 
 
 Year. 
 
 Jan. 
 
 Feb. 
 
 Mar. 
 
 Apr. 
 
 May 
 
 Jun. 
 
 Julyl 
 
 Aug. Sep. 
 
 Oct. 
 
 Nov. 
 
 Dec. 
 
 1818 
 
 
 
 
 
 72.6v 
 72 .53 
 72 .18 
 74 .05 
 74 .22 
 
 77^.19 
 74 .50 
 76 .72 
 72 .17 
 75 .36 
 
 74. 56 
 75 ,95 
 72 .86 
 74 .50 
 74 .12 
 
 64 ^.02 
 63 .4ii 
 66 .87 
 67 .50 
 65 .69 
 
 51. 42 
 
 49 .98 
 48 .21 
 52 .46 
 51 .96 
 
 46.2fl 
 
 46 .23 
 38 .36 
 38 .55 
 47 .03 
 
 32.54 
 }3 .28 
 32 .29 
 28 .31 
 31 .22 
 
 1819 
 
 40.28 
 
 27 .10 
 _ 4 .S3 
 28 .69 
 32 .50 
 
 38.ll 
 42 .14 
 
 37 .00 
 32 .02 
 25 .38 
 
 38 .58 
 40 .44 
 36 .84 
 45 .89 
 42 .37 
 
 52.82 
 57 .96 
 48 .84 
 53 -70 
 
 63.19 
 61 .75 
 64 .27 
 69 .17 
 
 1820 . 
 
 J821.... 
 1822 . 
 
 1823 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 1826 
 
 30 .51 
 26 .54 
 41 .68 
 32 .95 
 31 .21 
 25 .80 
 29 .07 
 35 .76 
 2i .99 
 33 .8-1 
 31 .01 
 27 79 
 
 36 .93 
 41 !68 
 43 .88 
 26 .09 
 34 .37 
 29 .14 
 37 .77 
 35 .10 
 43 .03 
 24 .37 
 26 .87 
 34 .15 
 20 .65 
 35 .6( 
 40 ,80 
 31 .79 
 37 .05 
 26 .35 
 35 .25 
 38 .15 
 31 19 
 35 .42 
 35 .49 
 29 .66 
 34 .36 
 40 .42 
 34 .95 
 34 .76 
 37 .76 
 25 .67 
 25 .32 
 42 .53 
 27 .71 
 36 .86 
 
 48 .53 
 46 .29 
 48 .69 
 37 .44 
 47 .00 
 45 .28 
 43 .45 
 39 .73 
 43 .73 
 40 .51 
 36 .03 
 41 .46 
 45 .41 
 42 .37 
 46 .48 
 42 .16 
 51 .87 
 28 .15 
 42 .79 
 43 .15 
 43 .40 
 39 .57 
 39 .46 
 44 .65 
 39 .15 
 45 .06 
 44 .31 
 40 -69 
 45 .3b 
 38 .42 
 32 .2* 
 37. 86 
 39 .77 
 48 .63 
 
 51 .00 
 56 .09 
 50 A? 
 50 .64 
 58 .68 
 54 .Oh 
 ,54 .78 
 56 .58 
 .55 .97 
 49 .94 
 55 .30 
 46 .56 
 48 .59 
 57 .5* 
 56 .58 
 |49 .66 
 56 .21 
 51 .14 
 61 .31 
 57 .18 
 56 .75 
 53 .90 
 52 .31 
 50 .64 
 48 .17 
 51 .30 
 48 .78 
 53 .05 
 50 .94 
 55 .44 
 54 .35 
 42 .56 
 53 .62 
 50 .85 
 
 67 ,32 
 
 60 .28 
 63 .09 
 65 .57 
 61 .07 
 60 .50 
 61 .00 
 68 .02 
 60 .82 
 63 .54 
 65 .69 
 60 .64 
 55 .43 
 64 .5: 1 , 
 (i2 .34 
 60 .05 
 59 .10 
 60 .47 
 164 .00 
 58 .s: 
 C4 .85 
 61 .70 
 63 .76 
 61 .56 
 55 .92 
 61 .67 
 62 .76 
 61 .53 
 62 .77 
 62 .81 
 61 .31 
 57 .63 
 60 .64 
 66 .14 
 
 72 .38 
 65 .24 
 73 .69 
 71 .25 
 (i8 .35 
 70 .47 
 68 .6- 
 66 .33 
 69 .57 
 68 .64 
 68 54 
 
 72 .31 
 74 .95 
 71 .07 
 71 .69 
 75 .03 
 71 .40 
 70 .97 
 72 .60 
 76 .23 
 69 .84 
 71 .89 
 71 .56 
 77 .10 
 72 .25 
 71 .41 
 71 .90 
 70 .40 
 72 .80 
 74 .12 
 71 .68 
 72 .12 
 70 .92 
 70 .51 
 71 .31 
 76 .32 
 72 .66 
 73 .24 
 72 .3! 
 76 .39 
 75 .35 
 76 .67 
 72 .7( 
 75 .09 
 74 .01 
 
 71 J21 
 
 74 .49 
 73 .22 
 71 .68 
 73 .73 
 69 .81 
 69 .64 
 69 -SO 
 72 .49 
 68 .35 
 68 .94 
 70 .04 
 75 .58 
 6S .04 
 71 .55 
 70 .59 
 67 .30 
 70 .80 
 69 ,92 
 72 .44 
 74 .41 
 68 .18 
 70 .47 
 69 .85 
 71 .93 
 70 .34 
 69 .08 
 71 .65 
 73 .84 
 73 .51 
 69 .79 
 72 .40 
 72 .26 
 70 .90 
 
 66 .52 
 66 .9C 
 62 .32 
 G2 .81 
 64 .30 
 62 .67 
 (53 .36 
 65 .95 
 63 .So 
 57 .18 
 68 .29 
 02 .80 
 64 .11 
 59 .93 
 59 .82 
 66 .5!) 
 64 .16 
 68 ,77 
 63 .27 
 63 .88 
 70 .01 
 63 .34 
 59 .68 
 62 .59 
 63 .56 
 66 .47 
 64 .36 
 64 .48 
 70 .19 
 70 .28 
 63 .95 
 66 .75 
 64 .53 
 64 .15 
 
 15 .88 
 54 .38 
 52 .17 
 54 .88 
 57 .37 
 53 .99 
 54 .07 
 49 .r4 
 49 .97 
 54 .93 
 45 53 
 33 .46 
 48 .20 
 "^8 .21 
 32 .81 
 48 .53 
 50 .34 
 47 .78 
 48 .85 
 50 .69 
 51 .64 
 50 .99 
 51 .81 
 51 .93 
 51 .56 
 52 .27 
 57 .96 
 49 .36 
 56 .06 
 50 .:W 
 53 .89 
 r>2 .03 
 .56 .:>: 
 49 .15 
 
 42 .75 
 42 .59 
 45 .32 
 39 .27 
 49 .54 
 40 .03 
 43 .41 
 40 .56 
 43 .34 
 44 .55 
 36 .73 
 45 .29 
 38 .23 
 37 .50 
 40 .22 
 42 .47 
 36 .11 
 39 .62 
 42 .20 
 39 ,86 
 46 ,2k 
 44 .12 
 37 .67 
 47 .08 
 44 .41 
 39 .03 
 41 .65 
 45 .89 
 41 .17 
 47 .25 
 40 .92 
 40 .05 
 38 .44 
 44 .20 
 
 33 .06 
 41 .58 
 J9 .03 
 43 .72 
 35 .45 
 20 .49 
 35 .72 
 36 .51 
 35 .32 
 30 .81 
 30 .28 
 34 .64 
 LI .90 
 31 .79 
 32 .18 
 35 .76 
 33 .13 
 34 .64 
 34 .29 
 24 .71 
 37 .66 
 34 .65 
 42 .56 
 31 .20 
 34 .38 
 27 .70 
 39 .08 
 30 .80 
 31 .95 
 33 .24 
 28 90 
 38 .64 
 4ti .28 
 30 .06 
 
 1827.. 
 1828 
 1829. 
 1830 
 
 1831.. 
 
 1832 ... 
 1833 .. 
 
 1834 
 1835 
 1836 
 
 1837 
 
 67 .07 
 70 .97 
 
 66 .09 
 68 .74 
 73 .19 
 66 .87 
 67 .49 
 68 .34 
 OX .8! 
 67 .05 
 66 .38 
 67 .78 
 71 .38 
 69 .18 
 66 .81 
 66 .36 
 74 .08 
 
 1838 
 
 34 .65 
 35 .10 
 24 .32 
 32 .04 
 36 .15 
 36 .53 
 29 .79 
 36 .41 
 33 .05 
 31 .29 
 35 .77 
 30 .33 
 35 .37 
 34 .14 
 24 .84 
 815 .55 
 30 .72 
 34 .96 
 18 .61 
 18 .75 
 40 .11 
 32 .86 
 
 1839 .. 
 
 1840 
 1841 
 1842 
 1843. . 
 
 1844 
 
 1845 
 
 1846 
 1847 . 
 
 1848 
 
 1849. 
 1850..... 
 1851 
 1852 
 18.53 
 
 18-54..,. 
 
 70 .41 
 
 66 .8. 
 72 .51 
 68 .21 
 i72 .36 
 67 .41 
 
 1855 
 
 1856 
 
 1857 
 
 1858 
 1859 
 
 
 
 Mean 
 
 31.41 
 
 34.0042 .14lo3.04 
 
 62.25|69.58 
 
 73.25 
 
 71. 54 
 
 64.5( 
 
 52.08 
 
 12.H|:!:; .68 
 
 MEAN ANNUAL TEMPERATURE. 
 
 Taking the annual means, of the monthly values, given in 
 table A, after substituting the respective monthly means of 
 the whole series, for those months in 1818, and 1823, in which 
 the series is defective, we find the annual mean temperature, 
 for 40 years as follows : 
 
 
 
 
 1 
 
 2 
 
 3 
 
 4 
 
 5 
 
 6 
 
 7 
 
 8 
 
 9 
 
 1810 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 53.45 
 
 54.07 
 
 1820 
 
 53 07 
 
 51.61 
 
 54.09 
 
 51. 86 
 
 
 
 54.07 
 
 54 25 
 
 55 .38 
 
 52 .33 
 
 1830 
 1840 
 1850 
 
 54.67 
 62 .27 
 52 .07 
 
 50 .36 
 52.05 
 62 .33 
 
 52 .(>() 
 52 .39 
 62.20 
 
 63 .04 
 
 50 .38 
 62 .61 
 
 53.39 
 52.84 
 53 .96 
 
 50.54 
 62 .16 
 
 52.84 
 
 50 .43 
 54 03 
 49 .71 
 
 51 .28 
 51 62 
 50.84 
 
 50 .57 
 52 .28 
 53 .44 
 
 52 .42 
 51 .85 
 52 .93 
 
RESOURCES OF WEST VIRGINIA. 
 
 35 
 
 Mean annual temperatnre from 40 years observation, 52. 46, 
 Fahr. Warmest year, 1828, 55,38; Coldest year, 1856, 49.71, 
 difference in the mean temperature for these years, 5, 67; 
 which is comparitively small range of variations. 
 
 If we compare the mean of the first 20 years, with the 
 mean for the 40 years, we find it 0.20 higher. If we 
 compare that of the last 20 years, with the same standard, 
 we find it nearly 0.10 lower, so that no change in the 
 climate is indicated in the 40 years observations. To as 
 certain whether the summer and winter temperatures have 
 also remained unchanged, the following comparison is added : 
 
 MEAN MONTHLY TEMPERATURE. 
 
 1818 
 
 TO 
 
 1840 
 
 December 33.38 
 
 January 31 .38 
 
 February ... .. 33 .01 
 
 1840* 
 
 TO 
 
 1859 
 33. 79 
 31 .43 
 34 .08 
 
 Mean 32 96 
 
 The differences 0.14 
 
 33. 10 
 
 1818 1840 
 
 TO TO 
 
 1840 1859 
 
 June 70.14 6902 
 
 July f 73 -40 73 .10 
 
 August 72 .03 71 .06 
 
 Mean... .. 71.* 
 
 71. 86 71.06 
 
 in winter, and 0.80 in summer, 
 are too small, and fully covered by their probable un 
 certainty, to draw any other inference, than that of un 
 changed temperature of the seasons. The mean deviation 
 of the monthly values for the term of years was found to be 
 as follows : 
 
 IRREGULAR FLUCTUATIONS AS EXHIBITED IN THE 
 MONTHLY MEANS, 
 
 July -l-2.32 
 
 August 2.32 
 
 September 2 .76 
 
 October.. 2.95 
 
 January -|-5.04 
 
 February 6 .02 
 
 March 4 .49 
 
 April 3 .87 
 
 2 .87 
 
 2.90 
 
 April 
 May 
 June 
 
 November 3 .66 
 
 December 4 .48 
 
 The irregular fluctuations of the temperatures are there 
 fore greatest in February, and least in July and August. 
 The ratio is nearly 2.6 to 1. Comparing the lowest and high 
 est means, we find them to be as follows : 
 
 lowest. 
 
 .January LS.61. 
 
 February 20 .65 
 
 March ^ 28.15 
 
 April 42.56 
 
 May 55 .43 
 
 Juiie 65 .23 
 
 4168 
 43 88 
 
 July 
 -YuTist 
 
 Lowest* 
 69.84 
 67 30 
 
 Highest. 
 77.19 
 
 75 95 
 
 51 87 
 
 Sept ember 
 
 57 ig 
 
 70 l> 8 
 
 61 31 
 
 ( )({( ber ... 
 
 . . 45 53 
 
 58 21 
 
 69 .17 
 
 November. . 
 
 3fi .11 
 
 49 54 
 
 74 .22 
 
 
 .. 20.49 
 
 43 .72 
 
36 
 
 RESOURCES OF WEST VIRGINIA. 
 
 The irregularity in the mean daily temperature, is illus 
 trated by the following table of observed extremes for each 
 month during 31 years. The numbers are corrected for diur 
 nal fluctuations : 
 
 Lowest. Hi<jlirxt. 
 
 January 6.6 60.8 
 
 February 4.3 61.8 
 
 .March -|- 9 .5 74.0 
 
 April -| -25 .6 76 .6 
 
 May H-42 A 82 .3 
 
 June -j-L5.y 88.7 
 
 July .................. -|-55.5 
 
 August ............... -S-53 9 
 
 September ......... -|-42 2 
 
 October ............. -j-28 .8 
 
 November ......... -[-16 .4 
 
 December .......... -i- o .4 
 
 Highest 
 
 86.2 
 84 
 80.9 
 75 .4 
 
 66 .7 
 (54 .4 
 
 The extreme lowest temperature observed was 23 deg. 
 min. at 7 A. M., January 20, 1852, and the extreme highest tem 
 perature was 102 deg. min., at 3 r. M., July 14, 1859. Extreme 
 range observed, 125 deg. of Fahrenheit s scale. 
 
 The monthly means at the bottom of the table A, require a 
 small correction to refer them from calendar to average months. 
 Thus corrected they stand : 
 
 l.39 - July. 73.19 
 
 January 
 
 February 34 .16 
 
 March 42 .56 
 
 April 53 .60 
 
 May 62.50 
 
 June 69 .86 
 
 August 71 .48 
 
 September 64 .44 
 
 October. 51 .85 
 
 November.. 42 .06 
 
 December 33 .48 
 
 Autumn. 
 Winter.... 
 
 52. 78 
 33 .01 
 
 Mean 52.55. 
 
 The temperature for the Meteorological Seasons is as follows: 
 
 Spring 52.P8 
 
 Summer 7L .51 
 
 Adding 1.54, we find the annual mean reduced to the level 
 of the sea- 54.09, Fahr. 
 
 MEAN RANGE OF THE DIURNAL FLUCTUATIONS FOR EACH 
 
 MONTH. 
 
 After applying required corrections to the observed ranges, 
 we find the following to be the mean range of Diurnal Fluctu 
 ations for each month : 
 
 January 12 
 
 February 14 .3 
 
 .March 18 .7 
 
 April 22.8 
 
 Mav 22 .5 
 
 June 19.2 
 
 July 18.4 
 
 August 17 .7 
 
 .September 18 .7 
 
 October 18 .6. 
 
 November 15.5 
 
 December 11 .2 
 
 The diurnal range attains its greatest value in April, 
 and its least value in December; there is also indication of a 
 secondary minimum in August, and a secondary maximum in 
 
RESOURCES OF WEST VIRGINIA. 
 
 37 
 
 September or October. In April, the range is more than double 
 that in December. 
 
 DIRECTION OF THE WIND. 
 
 Dr. Hildreth s record is tolerably complete over the years 
 from 1820 to 1850, inclusive, and less so for 1852 -3-4, and 
 1858-9. Table B contains 9,467 results of observations, and 
 shows the relative frequency of each of the eight directions of 
 the wind, on record for each year. 
 
 TABLE B. 
 
 YEAR. 
 
 s. 
 
 N. 
 
 W- 
 
 E. 
 
 S.W. 
 
 X.E. 
 
 x.w. 
 
 S,E. 
 
 18-><> 
 
 51 
 
 79 
 
 51 
 
 
 
 705 
 
 16 5 
 
 49 
 
 26 
 
 
 39 
 
 
 5 > 5 
 
 12.5 
 
 95 
 
 15 5 
 
 39 
 
 265 
 
 1831 
 
 38 5 
 
 58 5 
 
 07 
 
 65 
 
 117 
 
 12 
 
 43 
 
 18.5 
 
 is:-) 
 
 32 
 
 68 5 
 
 63 o 
 
 1 2 5 
 
 106 
 
 14.5 
 
 32 
 
 36 
 
 is;-)/; 
 
 13 
 
 70 5 
 
 45 
 
 16 5 
 
 1 13 
 
 26.5 
 
 42 
 
 35.5 
 
 1834 
 
 14 
 
 84 
 
 62.5 
 
 11 
 
 87 
 
 19.5 
 
 30 
 
 54 
 
 1835 
 
 31 
 
 54 
 
 64.5 
 
 8 
 
 111 
 
 19.5 
 
 39.^ 
 
 34.5 
 
 1836 
 
 58 
 
 84 
 
 51 
 
 >> 2.5 
 
 16 
 
 18.5 
 
 33 
 
 36 
 
 1837 
 
 62 
 
 86 5 
 
 57 
 
 17 5 
 
 74 
 
 13 
 
 29 - r 
 
 15.5 
 
 1838 
 
 495 
 
 87 
 
 41.5 
 
 17 5 
 
 68 
 
 30 
 
 35 
 
 32.5 
 
 183 ( ) : 
 
 71 5 
 
 
 61 5 
 
 26 
 
 545 
 
 22 
 
 35 
 
 3 J 5 
 
 1840 
 
 45.5 
 
 55 5 
 
 68 
 
 13.5 
 
 91 
 
 17.5 
 
 25.5 
 
 41.5 
 
 1841 
 
 
 103 5 
 
 45 
 
 11 5 
 
 79 
 
 14 
 
 305 
 
 25 
 
 1842 
 
 ( >4 5 
 
 72 
 
 30 
 
 20 
 
 89 5 
 
 7 
 
 39 
 
 32 
 
 1843 
 
 81 
 
 74 5 
 
 46 
 
 7 5 
 
 79 
 
 255 
 
 255 
 
 25 
 
 1844 
 
 83 5 
 
 8**. 5 
 
 28 
 
 155 
 
 91 
 
 13 
 
 27 
 
 24.5 
 
 1845 
 
 50 
 
 59 5 
 
 45 
 
 5 
 
 130 5 
 
 10 
 
 42 
 
 22 
 
 1846 
 1847 
 1848 
 
 50 
 
 91 5 
 113,5 
 
 78 
 93 
 110.5 
 
 36.5 
 
 29.5 
 30 
 
 27 
 22 
 14 5 
 
 99 
 60.5 
 45 
 
 12 
 
 8.5 
 9.5 
 
 19.5 
 11 
 10 
 
 42 
 37 
 .9 
 
 1849 
 
 91 
 
 97.5 
 
 45.5 
 
 12 5 
 
 42 
 
 10 
 
 19 
 
 46.5 
 
 1850 
 
 85 5 
 
 92 
 
 35 5 
 
 135 
 
 585 
 
 75 
 
 175 
 
 32 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 1852 
 
 81 
 
 06 
 
 38 5 
 
 18 
 
 57 
 
 8 
 
 16 
 
 35 5 
 
 1853 
 
 (54 
 
 91 5 
 
 19 5 
 
 17 
 
 325 
 
 4 
 
 20 
 
 Z( ) 5 
 
 1854 
 
 63.5 
 
 29.5 
 
 42.5 
 
 23 
 
 17.5 
 
 5.5 
 
 51 
 
 14 
 
 1858 
 
 64 
 
 605 
 
 69 5 
 
 51 5 
 
 665 
 
 6 
 
 45 
 
 11 
 
 1859 
 
 94 
 
 74 
 
 55 
 
 48 5 
 
 28.5 
 
 25 
 
 23.5 
 
 6 5 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Sum 
 Prop, in 1 ,000 ... 
 
 1,038.^ 
 173 
 
 2,048 
 217 
 
 1,287 
 135 
 
 491 
 52 
 
 2,019 
 213 
 
 368 
 39 
 
 818 
 87 
 
 797.5 
 
 84 
 
 These proportional numbers exhibit the relative frequency 
 of the wind throughout the year. The north and southwest 
 winds, are the prevailing ones during the year, and the north 
 east and east winds are the least frequent. In the following 
 table C, the results of the observations are arranged according 
 
38 
 
 RESOURCES OF WEST VIRGINIA. 
 
 to months and seasons, showing the annual variation of the 
 relative frequency : 
 
 TABLE C. 
 
 MONTH 
 
 AND 
 
 SEASON, 
 
 S. 
 
 N. 
 
 W. 
 
 E. 
 
 S.W. 
 
 N.E. 
 
 N.W. 
 
 S.E. 
 
 
 121 5 
 
 157 5 
 
 137 
 
 36 5 
 
 181 5 
 
 26 5 
 
 74 
 
 54 
 
 
 88 
 
 153 5 
 
 120 
 
 31 
 
 171 
 
 27 5 
 
 1075 
 
 56 
 
 March .". 
 
 107 
 
 184 
 
 121 
 
 36 
 
 168 5 
 
 32 
 
 104 
 
 585 
 
 \pril 
 
 110 
 
 200 
 
 98 
 
 43 
 
 160 5 
 
 37 
 
 69 
 
 71 
 
 Mav 
 
 109 
 
 181 
 
 85 
 
 32 
 
 157 
 
 28 
 
 74 
 
 76 
 
 
 176 
 
 150 
 
 955 
 
 31 
 
 205 
 
 26 
 
 47 
 
 49 
 
 J U ly 
 
 145 
 
 187 
 
 755 
 
 48 5 
 
 206 
 
 27 
 
 47 
 
 68 
 
 
 175 
 
 2105 
 
 595 
 
 39 
 
 141 
 
 40 
 
 335 
 
 1085 
 
 
 173 
 
 178 
 
 80 5 
 
 52 
 
 125 
 
 43 
 
 46 
 
 75 
 
 October 
 
 155 
 
 199 
 
 96 5 
 
 47 
 
 151 
 
 30 
 
 58 
 
 685 
 
 
 100 
 
 114 
 
 155 5 
 
 41 
 
 201 
 
 30 
 
 72 
 
 595 
 
 
 119 
 
 1335 
 
 163 
 
 54 
 
 151 5 
 
 21 
 
 86 
 
 53.5 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 386 
 
 565 
 
 304 
 
 111 
 
 486 
 
 97 
 
 247 
 
 2055 
 
 
 496 
 
 547 5 
 
 305 
 
 118 5 
 
 552 
 
 93 
 
 127 5 
 
 2255 
 
 
 428 
 
 49] 
 
 3325 
 
 140 
 
 477 
 
 103 
 
 176 
 
 203 
 
 "Winter 
 
 3285 
 
 444 5 
 
 420 
 
 121 5 
 
 504 
 
 75 
 
 267.5 
 
 163.5 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Year 
 
 1 638 5 
 
 2 048 
 
 1 287 
 
 491 
 
 2 019 
 
 368 
 
 8180 
 
 797 5 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 The results in Table C, show comparatively small changes in 
 the seasons; the W. and N. W. winds blow more frequently in 
 winter, and the S. wind more frequently in summer. The 
 proportional numbers for each season, are as follows : 
 
 SEASON. 
 
 S. N. 
 
 W. 
 
 E 
 
 S.W. 
 
 N.E. 
 
 N. W 
 
 SE, 
 
 8t>rinc r 
 
 161 35 
 
 197 
 
 46 
 
 202 
 
 40 
 
 103 
 
 86 
 
 * i fllll fe ...... 
 
 208 230 
 
 96 
 
 49 
 
 231 
 
 39 
 
 53 
 
 94" 
 
 
 182 209 
 
 142 
 
 59 
 
 204 
 
 43 
 
 75 
 
 86 
 
 Winter ... ... 
 
 141 192 
 
 181 
 
 52 
 
 217 
 
 32 
 
 115 
 
 70 
 
 The prevailing winds in each season, are as follows : In 
 Spring, N.; in Summer, N. or S. W.; in Autumn, N. or S. W.; 
 in Winter, S. W. Avincls. The N. E. wind is least frequent in 
 all seasons. 
 
 RELATION OF THE DIRECTION OF THE WIND TO TEMPER 
 ATURE. 
 
 To find the deviation of the temperature of each wind from 
 the normal temperature, a table of mean temperatures for every 
 day in the year was computed ; to these means was applied, 
 
RESOURCES 0$ WEST VIRGINIA. 
 
 With its sign reversed, the correction to the mean of three 
 observations, to the mean of twenty-four observations in a day, 
 in order to make the tabular numbers directly comparable with 
 the observed daily means (uncorrected). 
 
 As the deviation from the normal temperature is different in 
 the summer and winter seasons, the year was divided into 
 two equal parts (with regard to temperature), taking the epochs 
 of the mean annual temperature, or April 15th and October 
 15th, as the limiting epochs. The observations also indicate 
 that unless a certain wind has been blowing for some time, it 
 will not indicate its peculiar temperature. An interval of half 
 a day, or a day, however, after a change of wind is sufficient, 
 and the temperature difference (from the tabulated values) of 
 each of the eight winds has been set down whenever the record 
 of the direction shows no change for two days or more. For 
 the directions E. and N. E., single days, on which these winds 
 blew, had to be included in the comparison. The total num 
 ber of days of comparison of temperature, and direction of 
 wind, is 2,340, with the following results. These show that on 
 the average, during the year, the elevating effect of the south 
 wind is nearly equal to the depressing effect of the northwest 
 wind. The southeast, south, and southwest winds, are the 
 Warm winds. All others are cold. The temperature effect in 
 winter, is far more marked than in summer, as shown by the 
 extreme range of effect, which is 15.3 in winter, and 8.5 
 in summer. 
 
 EFFECT OF THE DIRECTION OF THE "WIND ON THE TEM 
 PERATURE. 
 
 DTttVfTTOX 
 
 HALF YEAR, 
 
 INCLUDING 
 
 
 
 SUMMER. 
 
 WINTER. 
 
 
 x 
 
 4.5 
 
 40 
 
 403 
 
 N E 
 
 4 4 
 
 5 1 
 
 \ " 
 
 E- 
 
 2 5 
 
 1 2 3 
 
 o 
 
 8 E 
 
 1 3 
 
 1-3 3 
 
 1 1 H 
 
 g 
 
 V .0 
 
 1 2 7 
 
 8 8 
 
 1 L 
 1 4- Q 
 
 S \V 
 
 1 2 2 
 
 | 9 3 
 
 I 9 9 
 
 w . . .. 
 
 1 9 
 
 3 5 
 
 - - z 
 Q 
 
 N w 
 
 5 8 
 
 6 5 
 
 fi *> 
 
 
 
 
 
 -|- Elevation above the normal. 
 Depression below the normal. 
 
40 
 
 RESOURCES 0$ WEST VIRGINIA. 
 
 RELATIVE DIRECTION OF WIND TO RAIN. 
 
 To ascertain the relative amount of rain observed, or to be 
 expected, for each direction of the wind, the latter was tabu 
 lated for all the rainy days during 22 years, from 1829 to 1850. 
 Dividing the year into two equal parts, one including summer 
 (April 15th to October 15th), and the other, winter, (October 
 15th to April 15th), we have in the first 1,018 days, and in the 
 second 803 days on which rain fell, and the corresponding 
 relative frequency, of each direction of the winds, for the two 
 seasons, is given in column 2, of Table D. As each wind does 
 not occur the same number of times, in any given period, the 
 above numbers, to reduce them to a common measure, must be 
 divided by the relative frequency of each wind (made out 
 from the proper table). These numbers are given in column 
 3, and the ratios, in column 4. The relative frequency of 
 rain and wind, is expressed in percentage. 
 
 TABLE D. 
 
 
 SUMMER, 
 
 WINTER, 
 
 DIRECTION 
 
 p 
 
 1 
 
 
 | 
 
 o 
 
 
 OF 
 
 WIND. 
 
 3 
 
 ft* 
 
 JJ " 
 
 Ratio, 
 
 cr 1 
 
 i 
 
 i r c 
 
 Ratio, 
 
 
 s*s 
 
 g.| 
 
 
 .s 
 
 > ! 
 
 
 
 PH 
 
 I 3 
 
 
 5-. +-( 
 
 p^ 
 
 
 g 
 
 22 
 81 
 
 20 
 21 
 
 1.1 
 1.5 
 
 14 
 19 
 
 14 
 22 
 
 1.0 
 
 0.8 
 
 s w 
 
 \\ r 
 
 18 
 
 10 
 
 1.8 
 
 18 
 
 17 
 
 1.0 
 
 N \V 
 
 6 
 
 7 
 
 0.9 
 
 11 
 
 11 
 
 1.0 
 
 X 
 
 12 
 
 24 
 
 0.5 
 
 17 
 
 20 
 
 0.8 
 
 N E 
 
 8 
 
 4 
 
 0.8 
 
 8 
 
 4 
 
 0.7 
 
 K 
 
 4 
 
 5 
 
 0.8 
 
 7 
 
 5 
 
 1,4 
 
 S.E 
 
 
 
 9 
 
 1,0 
 
 11 
 
 7 
 
 1.5 
 
 During the summer, therefore, the directions from which 
 most rain comes are S., S. TV., and W., the S. TV. wind^ 
 bringing relatively the maximum amount. In winter, these 
 directions are, E., S. E,, and S., the S. E. winds bringing rela 
 tively the maximum amount. Rain rarely comes from the 
 northward, in summer or winter. 
 
RESOURCES OP WEST VIRGINIA. 
 
 41 
 
 RELATIVE DIRECTION OF THE "WIND TO FAIR WEATHER. 
 
 The same process of investigation being pursued a* above, 
 the result of a tabulation of the winds on fair days, during 
 summer and winter, for the years 1829 to 1833, and 1846 to 
 1850 (ten years, comprising a total of 1,931 entries), is given 
 in table E., expressed in per cantage : 
 
 TABLE E. 
 
 DIRECTION 
 
 OF 
 
 WIKD. 
 
 Summer, April loth to Oc 
 tober 15th. 
 
 Winter, October lOlli to 
 
 : Ajtl il lolll. 
 
 f| 
 
 jL 
 
 "8 
 
 Ratio. 
 
 Z ^ 
 
 ; II 
 
 PH 
 
 | 
 
 1" 
 c ^ Ratio. 
 
 I 3 i 
 
 IS 
 
 21 
 19 
 9 
 5 
 29 
 4 
 5 
 8 
 
 20 
 21 
 10 
 
 7 
 24 
 4 
 5 
 9 
 
 1.0 
 0.9 
 9 
 0.7 
 1.2 
 1.0 
 1.0 
 0.9 
 
 12 
 24 
 17 
 
 11 
 24 
 3 
 3 
 
 6 
 
 14 0.9 
 
 22 l.l 
 17 1.0 
 11 1.0 
 20 1.2 
 4 0.8 
 5 0.6 
 7 0.9 
 
 s w 
 
 \v 
 
 K" \\ r 
 
 
 NE 
 
 E 
 
 S.E 
 
 Fair weather is accompanied most frequently by N. winds 
 both in summer and .winter. In the half year including 
 summer, easterly winds (except S. E.) and in the half year 
 including winter, westerly winds favor fair weather. 
 
42 
 
 RESOURCES OP WEST VIRGINIA. 
 
 ATMOSPHERIC PRECIPITATION. 
 
 Table F. Gives the amounts, and frequency of rain (or 
 snow), at Marietta, by Jos. Woods: 
 
 TABLE F. 
 
 
 AMOUNT IN INCHES. 
 
 FREQUENCY, NO. OF DAYS. 
 
 1817 
 
 1818 
 
 1819 
 
 18^0 
 
 1.46 
 
 5.79 
 2.95 
 3,93 
 3.50 
 3,80 
 4.73 
 1.53 
 0.20 
 4.73 
 2.66 
 3.83 
 
 89.11 
 
 1821 
 
 1.35 
 4-94 
 3.70 
 4.24 
 3.01 
 3.68 
 4.52 
 6.50 
 6.05 
 1.41 
 260 
 1.32 
 
 43.32 
 
 1822 
 
 Til 
 
 1-65 
 2.18 
 5.11 
 2.35 
 4.09 
 4.80 
 2.15 
 4.45 
 4.31 
 8.59 
 2.39 
 
 43.38 
 
 1823 
 
 4.42 
 
 1.28 
 6.21 
 2.86 
 5.08 
 8.07 
 691 
 3.20 
 2.03 
 
 1817 
 
 1818 
 
 1819 
 
 1820 
 
 1821 
 
 ~2~ 
 5 
 4 
 6 
 4 
 3 
 5 
 5 
 5 
 2 
 2 
 1 
 
 44 
 
 1822 
 
 ~~2~ 
 1 
 2 
 5 
 5 
 7 
 7 
 4 
 6 
 7 
 6 
 4 
 
 ~56~ 
 
 1828 
 
 ~3~ 
 1 
 6 
 
 January 
 February 
 March 
 
 2.50 
 3.00 
 3.70 
 2.30 
 5.90 
 2.45 
 8.87 
 5.30 
 7.10 
 3.70 
 2.10 
 400 
 
 3.20 
 3.30 
 5.57 
 1.48 
 4.54 
 2.20 
 3.26 
 6.31 
 1.10 
 2.25 
 0.70 
 2.39 
 
 3630 
 
 7 
 8 
 7 
 4 
 9 
 5 
 10 
 5 
 5 
 5 
 2 
 4 
 
 71 
 
 4 
 
 7 
 4 
 6 
 6 
 4 
 7 
 6 
 1 
 8 
 4 
 4 
 
 "eT 
 
 
 
 ...!.. 
 
 April. 
 
 
 May 
 
 
 June. . 
 
 
 
 
 6 
 13 
 9 
 5 
 
 7 
 3 
 3 
 
 July 
 
 
 August. 
 
 
 September 
 October 
 November 
 
 "4.45 
 
 1.00 
 
 December 
 
 - 
 
 _ 
 
 Yearly Sum... 
 
 50.92 
 
 The following tables, G. and H., give the amount in inches 
 of. rain (or melted snow, and the number of days of rain (or 
 snow), observed at Marietta, by Dr. S. P. Hildreth. 
 
RESOURCES OF WEST VIRGINIA. 
 
 43 
 
 TABLE G. 
 
 Snow Orved a 
 
 3 |3^5g2 
 S \ ~ 
 
 < t-; rt OO 1C LO OO : 
 
 e<* i I-H C5 ^ < 
 
 22 cq co 7q co Tii t> c o co -4 co co 7-1 
 
 3 j oq co -n; co co co J55 JH.CO oc K co I So 
 
 , < co r4 co 1.0 co * co co~co -H co o 22 
 
 O CO OO i I iO * i tO 1^- iO O CM ^ O 
 
 * cc o st cv c^ c^j ^ c<j o J- c: 35 
 
 i 1 Tji Tli O ^ CO 
 
 > i-I SO t-i* Tfl D-" IO -^i * 141 CO CO CO 
 Mr-i!MCOO . CO, , - | ^ 
 
 ... j..s~ S 
 
 iri cq r-i* i-J -H o ic r-I as co co cq I -^ 
 
 cc o r- i.o as .7-1 oo LO >.T 
 
 CO&J OCOClSI^t^ 
 
 i o rJ c^ co cq co" i>" ccj c4 co 
 
 .-- 
 g_ 
 
 SggSS.SSgSSfeS "8" 
 
 So 
 
 i 
 
 - 5 
 
 s iseassssg^s^ j 
 
 2 UN5d^idNJ a 
 
 jocifl | aBSSI^Soas^oSco^S 
 
 : = 5^ < ?<?? c ? < ?*r < ? < ? < f < ?9? 
 
 SSa 
 fi<^ 
 
 o 
 
 t 
 
 V, 
 - 
 
 
 
 <Ncoc4co-*-*T(5^eo"Mioco 
 
 ^ l^o^S-o^ >-. \ 
 06 so i> i i-c*rH !<* esietus 
 
 co (g^SS^SS^Sc^SS 
 
 <N i-1 7-i cq uo" o o co 06 r-i co co 
 
 iO T7 O 70 7f ;C~T O tC MCI O" 
 
 -.! -v r-j -iti i i o o o ^ ;c T-i o 
 
 1 o ic co o 
 
 o 7To^ o^^b~"-^^T^ro -^7^0 i 
 
 > r5 <N TII LO ^j 04 co T); Si cs uo TT o c 
 
 :-.-^-i ! 
 
 i <M JO 7q o i 
 
 s ^5:4 
 
 i- c o c^ ~f o 
 
 I 
 
 ^ >O 7q O C/) O T* CO 
 
 coioc^ocooooco 
 si *f oi co r-5 
 
 in 
 
44 
 
 RESOURCES OF WEST VIRGINIA. 
 
 S * 
 
 II 
 
 o eq *!< rfi co < <M 10 cs co t- CD 
 ^oo^d^ooc^oo 
 
 
 
 
 
 fl 
 
 ^C5t^-O-* l C<lCOCO<MOO fiiO 
 
 CO 
 
 1 
 
 CDLOcot-COCSGo t^CDCOCDCD 
 
 s 
 
 1 
 
 s>t>OC N 3COC v ITFOO5lO ^t * 
 
 
 
 1 
 
 iOCO <a5I^OOOC5 <yi<MC5"<J< 
 
 1 
 
 1 
 
 GOlOOOt-iO^COiOCDCOCD ; 
 
 
 1 
 
 :C5-*r^ast-oooiocDi>.o 
 
 
 1 
 
 sO * < oopHt-.i>obosiOioooC> 
 
 & 
 
 I 
 
 O50oioost-oo5oocoeoio : 
 
 
 1 
 
 CDTJiCOCOOOi tb-OO^t^^OS 
 
 8 
 
 1 
 
 tOTnO-^^SS 001000 1 ^ 
 
 1 
 
 CO 
 
 Tftiom i ^t-oocoi-<t-oci>cr 
 
 g 
 
 CO 
 
 oo 
 
 OOt>CDOSCDi lOSOSiOrpiOOS 
 
 8 
 
 i 
 
 LOiOOt-^Ot-lOCOiOCD"* 
 
 8 
 
 00 
 
 t* ITS i> ^ i (OoocotooocoN 
 
 s 
 
 i 
 
 loaoiooiocs o oo os i i os ^O 
 
 SB 
 
 a 
 
 ^i>no5Oso5^-ct<^Hcoeoi>io 
 
 in 
 
 00 
 
 oo 
 
 ooT>i05^i>ososcoooi>ooos 
 
 i 
 
 i 
 
 
 os 
 
 1 
 
 OOI>I>l>OOOOI>COCOCDl> 
 
 oo 
 oo 
 
 So 
 
 
 
 8 
 
 TJI u-j OO iO O CO ^ ^ 
 
 00 
 
 1 
 
 
 05 
 
 1 
 
 COCOOOO5COi-Ht^OSTTiCDOCO 
 
 5 
 
 i 
 
 cot^iocDiooocsMTfioor^io 
 
 1> 
 
 1 
 
 ococDioc icoooc^ooiOi^^o 
 
 fe 
 
 1 
 
 ^ ^ ^ rH M rl 
 
 o 
 
 ,_, 
 
 OS^lOOCOCMi-IOOr-IOi-HiO 00 
 
 co 
 
 i 
 
 
 - 
 
 
 
 | 00 CO . 05 ^ CO . 
 
 s 
 
 O5 
 
 
 Cv 
 
 s 
 
 
 M 
 
 
 : : # J 5 : : : : : : : 
 
 rj 
 
 
 i-iji t-$ * % *ji4 \\> .i 
 
 S^^^-Sss 1 W Jl 
 
 WffcSXSl-j^^wOfclH 
 
 1 
 
RESOURCES OF WEST VIRGINIA. 45 
 
 The average amount of rain (and melted snow), from 38 
 years of observation, is 42.56 inches. The least quantity ob 
 served in any one year, is 32.46 inches (in 1856), and greatest 
 quantity, 6L84 (in 1858). 
 
 The next to the last column of Table G. gives the monthly 
 means for 38 years (that of October for 37 years), and the dif 
 ferences from the average amount, 3.55 inches, is shown in 
 the last column. The plus sign in the months of May, June, 
 July and August, indicates more than the average amount. 
 The sign minus, with the remaining months, less than the 
 average. Table F. Contains the number of days of precipita 
 tion, or the frequency of rain (and snow). The column of 
 monthly means is deduced from 32 years (on the average), 
 and plainly indicates an annual fluctuation, which is better 
 shown in the last column, headed difference from the annual 
 mean (7.1 days). In February, rain or snow, falls on one day 
 te, and in June, rain falls on two days more, than on the av 
 erage in any one month. 
 
 The average number of rainy days in any one year, is 86, 
 nearly, varying between 44 and 113. If we divide the 
 monthly mean amount, by the average monthly frequency, 
 we obtain the average quantity in any one day. 
 
 AVERAGE QUANTITY IN ANYONE DAY OF RAIN (OB SNOW,) 
 
 Incfics. 1 1 ic hex. 
 
 January 0,44 
 
 February 0.51 
 
 March 0.44 
 
 April 0.44 
 
 May 0.50 
 
 June , 0.51 
 
 July 0.53 
 
 August 53 
 
 September 0.52 
 
 October 0.48 
 
 November 0-52 
 
 December ! 0.55 
 
 The copiousness of precipitation is nearly the same through 
 out the year. In summer, the rains are slightly heavier than 
 in winter. On the average, a fall of rain on any one day, 
 amounts to 0.50 inches. The three heaviest falls of rain re 
 corded on any one day, was October 22d, 1858, 3.1 inches ; De 
 cember 10th, 1847, 3.5 inches; and July 3d, 1844, 4.25 inches. 
 Heavy falls of rain may, therefore, occur in mid- winter as 
 well as in mid-summer. 
 
 SNOW. 
 
 Snow is recorded to have fallen as late as May 13th (in 
 1829), and as early as October 4th (in 1836). The heaviest 
 falls of snow occurred February 1st, 1830, when 7 inches fell ; 
 
46 
 
 RESOURCES OF WEST VIRGINIA. 
 
 April 18th, 1854, 8 inches; January 14th, 1831, and again 
 December 14th, 1833, 15 inches. Even as late as April 29th 
 (in 1854) as much as four inches fell. 
 
 FROST. 
 
 Frost is recorded in every month of the warmer half of 
 the year, and quite frequently in the first of June. In 1848 
 there were 4 mornings of frost between June 1st and 13th. 
 In 1843, June 2d, ice formed inch thick. Frost occurred 
 June 22d, and 23d, in 1846; July 1st; 1835 ; August 1st and 
 2d, 1842 ; August 23d, 1835 ; August 25th, 1832 ; August 29th, 
 1859. 
 
 STATE OF THE WEATHER. 
 
 The number of fair and of cloudy days in each month, were 
 published by Dr. Hildreth, in Silliman s Journal for a num 
 ber of years. To these were added the fair days recorded by 
 Mr. Wood, making in all, between 1818 and 1859, 37 results 
 for each month, excepting. April, May, and December, for 
 which the number of years is but 36. 
 
 AVERAGE NUMBER OF FAIR DAYS, DURING THE PERIOD 
 FROM 1818 TO 1859. 
 
 January 13.8 
 
 February 13.9 
 
 March..: 16.7 
 
 April . 17.7 
 
 Mav 19-4 
 
 June 20.3 
 
 July 21.9 
 
 August 21.7 
 
 September .... 20.3 
 
 October 18.9 
 
 November 14.5 
 
 December .. 12.7 
 
 The numbers show a regular progression during the year. 
 In December, the number of fair days is least ; they increase 
 each month, and reach their maximum in July, after which 
 month, they again gradually diminish. 
 
 The greatest number 1 of fair days recorded in any one 
 month is 30 (in July and August), arid the least number 3 
 (in November). The average aggregate number of fair days 
 in any one year is 211f ; and of cloudy days, consequently, 
 153J, varying between 170 (in 1858,) and 262 (in 1830). It is, 
 therefore, rare that the number of fair and cloudy days in 
 any one year, is equal. Summing up the number of fair days 
 in each year, we have the following results: 
 
RESOURCES OF WEST VIRGINIA, 
 
 TABLE I. 
 
 47 
 
 
 
 
 1 
 
 2 
 
 3 
 
 4 
 
 5 
 
 6 
 
 7 
 
 8 
 
 9 
 
 1810 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 19, 
 
 1820 
 
 181 
 
 174 
 
 iiso 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 949 
 
 ?08 
 
 1830 
 
 9P,9 
 
 905 
 
 916 
 
 222 
 
 955 
 
 991 
 
 919 
 
 994 
 
 248 
 
 99R 
 
 1840 
 
 ^04 
 
 905 
 
 915 
 
 193 
 
 909 
 
 938 
 
 901 
 
 198 
 
 911 
 
 99fi 
 
 1850 
 
 933 
 
 929 
 
 903 
 
 991 
 
 931 
 
 * 
 
 228 
 
 200 
 
 170 
 
 190 
 
CHAPTER III. 
 AGRICULTURAL GEOLOGY. 
 
 BY WM. M. FONTAINE. 
 
 Under this head, we will give a brief description of the 
 several geological formations found in the State, dealing 
 with them, in their agricultural relations mainly. As, how 
 ever, topography is so intimately connected with agriculture, 
 we may in this connection, note those special features, not 
 elsewhere, noticed. 
 
 But before taking up the Geological Formations, it will con 
 duce to clearness if we first grve some account of the charac 
 ter of the different soils, and of the rocks which form them. 
 
 THE DIFFEKENT SOILS, 
 
 The following are the principal soils existing in the State : 
 
 Clay Soils. These contain 75 per cent., and over, of clay. 
 The remaining 25 per cent., is composed of sand, calcareous, 
 ferruginous, vegetable, and other matters. In their physical 
 character, when moist, they are stiff and tenacious. They 
 dry with difficulty, and are rather slowly warmed by the 
 sun s rays. When dry, they become baked to a more or less 
 hard mass, and are also, in freezing and thawing, more apt to 
 injure the roots of plants, than other soils. 
 
 With these disadvantages, however, they combine many 
 advantages, and when properly managed, make the best lands 
 for certain crops. 
 
 Stiff Clays. Such as those just described, do not make a 
 large proportion of our soils. They are chiefly to be found 
 in the eastern and southern parts of the State. 
 
RESOURCES OF WEST~VIRGINIA. 49 
 
 Sandy Soils, Contain 75 per cent., and over, of sand. The 
 remaining components are clay, and the other constituents, 
 except sand, mentioned as occuring in clay soils. In their 
 physical characters, they are the opposite of clay soils, and 
 are much inferior to them. They are loose, thirsty in nature, 
 and do not hold manures well. Hence, a mixture of sand 
 and clay in land is beneficial, the one correcting the defects 
 of the other. Such strictly sandy lands, are comparatively 
 rare, and are mainly found in the N. E. mountain counties, 
 and in the outcrops of the sandstones of the conglomerate 
 series. 
 
 Loams. These are composed of clay and sand, mixed in 
 about equal proportions. They contain also various other 
 substances like those found in the two above-mentioned soils, 
 making 20 to 25 per cent, of the whole. When clay predom 
 inates they are called clay loams ; when sand, sandy loams ; 
 when lime forms a large proportion, calcareous loams, or 
 marls. These make usually the most fertile lands known, 
 since they contain all the elements needed by the plant, com 
 bined with the best physical condition, uniting as they do, 
 the good qualities of sandy and clay soils, so far as these arise 
 from the texture and condition of the land. Every farmer 
 knows that the presence of elements of fertility is not all 
 that is needed. Good condition is " half the battle. 1 
 
 Among the good physical qualities of loams, we may men 
 tion the following. They are neither excessively stiff nor 
 light, are permeable to water, but do not parch, are quickly 
 warmed by the heat of the sun, permit easy cultivation, and 
 readily respond to the action of manures, while retaining 
 them for some time. 
 
 Our State is fortunate in having a large proportion of such 
 lands. Indeed, they may be said to be the characteristic soils 
 of the country, and to form the larger part of our surface. 
 The strata of the coal measures above the conglomerate, which 
 cover so f large a portion of our area, are peculiarly fitted to 
 produce the best class of these, since thay consist of shales, 
 argillaceous sandstones, and layers of limestone, or calcareous 
 strata, intimately mixed. These readily break down under 
 the action of the elements, and give a deep, light earth. It 
 will not be necessary to specify localities, Even where the 
 
50 JtESOimCES OF WEST VIRGINIA. 
 
 rocks under the coal strata furnish the material, they are 
 usually so compounded of sandstones and shales, as by their 
 disintegration, to produce such soils. 
 
 Calcareous Soils. These are soils in which lime forms a large 
 constituent, mixed with clay, sand, and other matters. Such 
 soils are, from their chemical composition, among the best 
 that are known. 
 
 In their physical character, they resemble more nearly the 
 loams, and are especially suited for the production of grass. 
 Of these our State has a large proportion. As localities where 
 the} 7 occur, we may mention, Jefferson and a part of Berkeley, 
 which contain the lower silurian limestone of the u Great 
 Valley," with Pocahontas, Greenbrier, Mercer, and Monroe, 
 containing the subcarboniferous limestone, and shales. The 
 northern counties on the Ohio, with the limestone of the 
 upper coal measures, belong here also- 
 
 Alluviums The alluviums may be divided into two classes, 
 according as they are produced by deposits from turbid 
 streams, or by slow surface action. We may call the first 
 stream alluviitm, and the second upland alluvium. 
 
 Stream alluvium, as is well known, is produced by deposits 
 from streams in seasons of flood. Such soils are generally 
 mixtures of all the kinds of matters found along the water 
 courses which deposit them. 
 
 If such deposits are subject to occasional overflow, they re 
 ceive by this means a renewal of their fertilizing components, 
 and will then last indefinitely. If not overflowed, such soils 
 must, under continued cultivation, eventually be exhausted, 
 provided no return by means of manures, be made to them. 
 
 Magnificent soils of this class are found in the State. The 
 "Bottom Lands," along our principal rivers, are widely cele 
 brated for their productiveness, and for the great length of 
 time during which, they have been cultivated. Some of 
 these, have continued without intermission, for more than 100 
 years, to make heavy yields of that most exhausting of all 
 crops, Indian corn. 
 
 Upland Alluvium. This is produced by the slow action of 
 the surface waters on the hill slopes. Such action tends to ac 
 cumulate in the valleys, much of the fertilizing constituents 
 of the hills, and to carry down to the lower levels, much of 
 
RESOURCES OP WEST VIRGINIA. 51 
 
 the vegetation which year after year, falls and decays on the 
 higher grounds. 
 
 This has gone on for ages, and has finally produced in the 
 bottoms a soil of from one to to ten feet, and more, in depth, 
 which combines, in the highest degree, all the elements of 
 fertility. Were our hillsides formed of slowly decomposing 
 rocks, this process would soon leave them bare. In fact, how 
 ever, the rapidity with which they break down, and renew 
 the earth, prevents this denudation, while not checking the 
 accumulation of deep soils in the valleys. 
 
 Upland alluvium, is generally more productive than even 
 stream alluvium, since it retains nearly all the fertilizing 
 matters which have been slowly accumulating. On the other 
 hand, stream alluvium, being a deposit from water, has lost 
 most of its soluble enriching matters, from the greater or less 
 length of time, during which, it has been suspended in 
 water. In consequence of this, these have been dissolved, and 
 carried off. This superior fertility of the upland alluvium, 
 explains the great size of the timber which grows on them. 
 
 The large amount of vegetable matter, which they contain, 
 is one of the most important enriching agents. The humus 
 of the hill-slopes, gradually works its way down, in the first 
 place, into the bottoms ; and then, in the second place, the 
 conditions of moisture, &c., found in such places, specially fa 
 voring luxurient vegetation, cause large additions from 
 growth on the spot. This in the dense shade, moulders away 
 with extreme slowness. 
 
 From the immense number of hills in our State, the amount 
 of bottom land of this kind is very large, that of the streams 
 and uplands together, being put by some at 30 per cent of the 
 entire area. 
 
 THE DIFFERENT HOCKS. 
 
 We may now take into consideration the individual rocks, 
 and the part which they play in the production of soil. 
 
 Shales. These rocks are composed essentially of silica com 
 bined with alumina. On breaking down into soil they furnish 
 the.se matters principally in the form of clay. This material 
 by itself is useful to the plant only, in giving body to the soil, 
 and thus acting as a support for the roots, and imparting to 
 
52 RESOURCES OF WEST VIRGINIA. 
 
 the land certain physical properties, which were noted under 
 the head of Clay. Little silica, or alumina, is used by the 
 plant as food, hence a pure shale would form a barren soil. 
 
 Shales are however never without other substances, and 
 these, which in one sense, we might call impurities, furnish 
 most of the solid food of the plants. The most common mat 
 ters mixed with the essential components mentioned above, 
 are as follows. Sand, which when present in large amounts, 
 produces sandy sliales. Iron, which gives a red color. Car 
 bon, especially in the coal measures, which imparts a dark col 
 or. Lime when present in notable amounts, produces calcar 
 eous shales. Besides these, we have in smaller amounts, Potash, 
 Soda, Phosphoric acid &c. The five last named, are the prin 
 cipal supplies of food to vegeation. 
 
 Shales when largely present, excercise an important influ 
 ence on topography, as was shown under another head. Their 
 presence is always marked by irregular, rounded, or conical 
 hills. 
 
 Sandstones. They furnish essentially sand, or silica com 
 bined. Like clay, sand yields almost no food to vegetation, 
 but acts physically, in giving bulk, and in imparting the prop 
 erties described as possessed by sandy soils. Sandstones also are 
 never pure, but contain the same admixtures as are found in 
 shales, ^excpt that clay takes the place of sand, among the non- 
 essential ingredients. 
 
 Sandstones in their topographical effects, are of even more 
 importance than shales, this was fully shown under the head 
 of topography. It will suffice to say here, that the purer they 
 are, the less prone they are to break doAvn. Sandstones, with 
 out impurities, are the most indestructible rocks known. 
 These rocks cause shallow and poor soils of the sandy class. 
 
 The sandstones of the coal measure, are always more or less 
 argillaceous, and are broken down with comparative ease, yet 
 it is mainly due to them that our hills maintain their pres 
 ent height. It is remarkabe what preservative influence, a 
 massive plate of sandstone exerts. We of ten find in the tops 
 of our highest hills, a ledge of this rock, covering the summit, 
 which by its presence alone has preserved the crest from being . 
 washed away. When situated lower down, it always betrays 
 itself by the formation of a bench. 
 
RETOURCES OF WEST VIRGINIA. 53 
 
 When the dip of sandstones is gentle, they tend to form flat- 
 backed hills, and table-lands, when they stand at a high 
 angle, mountain ridges and chains, are produced. A mere 
 glance at the country, will often from the topography, give in 
 formation as to whether shales, or sandstones predominate in 
 a given section. The high mount fins in our north-eastern 
 counties, with their noted scenic effects, are due to the pres 
 ence, and preservative influence, of sandstones. 
 
 Limestones. Limestone contains, essentially, carbonate of 
 lime, and by its disintegration forms calcareous soils. Lime 
 it itself food for plants. This stone is always mixed here with 
 other rocks, either shales or sandstones, which determine the 
 texture, and other physical properties of the earth, produced 
 by their disintegration. 
 
 Limestones themselves are often impure, and contain large 
 amounts of magnesia, when they are called magnesian lime 
 stone, or dolomite. Silica, and almina are often present in 
 considerable amounts, when the rock is fitted for the produc 
 tion of hydraulic cement. Iron and other foreign substances 
 also occur in smaller amounts. Impure limestones are the 
 most common kind in the coal measures,?and are better soil 
 producers than pure ones, since they disintegrate far more 
 readily, and furnish a greater variety of materials. The disin 
 tegration of all, is much aided by the presence of decaying 
 vegetable matter, which forms carbonic acid, and changes the 
 insoluble carbonate into soluble bicarbonate. In this latter 
 form, it is taken up by plants, or removed by the percolating 
 waters. 
 
 Limestones, owing to the evenness with which they 
 wear down, usually give to the country in which they are 
 found, a pleasing undulating surface. These rocks have given 
 to much of Jefferson, Berkeley, Greenbrier, Monroe, &c., the 
 surface features which distinguish them. 
 
 It does not follow that all soils, underlaid by limestones, 
 have a large amount of lime in their composition. It often 
 happens that they are mainly produced by the shales which 
 accompany the limestones, owing to their greater proneness 
 to break down. In many cases, as experience has shown, ap 
 plications of lime, to lands having a substratum of massive 
 limestone, have proved beneficial. 
 
54 RESOURCES OF WEST VIRGINIA. 
 
 The above named kinds of rocks are the principal soil pro 
 ducers in West Virginia- It must not be inferred that we 
 will find our lands sharply divided into classes, such as we 
 have made above, for the sake of description. The three 
 kinds of rocks described, occur so intimately blended, and in 
 their decomposition mingle so their products, that no sharp 
 dividing line can he drawn. It is the good fortune of the 
 State, that no one kind of rock, usurps exclusive possession 
 of any great extent of territory. 
 
 THE GEOLOGICAL FORMATIONS. 
 
 We will take these up in the order in which they occur in 
 passing from east to west, over the State, which is also the 
 order of their age, commencing with the oldest. 
 
 We may omit the metamorphic, and primordial strata, as 
 they occur only in the eastern edge of Jefferson, and have no 
 important influence on the soil of the State. The oldest im 
 portant formation is the lower Silurian limestone, which with 
 the overlying Hudson River shales, make up the greater part 
 of Jefferson and Berkeley. These groups consist of a great 
 thickness of limestone, of every hue and texture, much of 
 which is magnesian, succeeded by soft, easily decomposing 
 shales, and calcareous bands. 
 
 From this mass of strata have been produced the splendid 
 calcareous soils of the counties above named, giving some of 
 the finest land in this or any other State. 
 
 Farther west, and across the Great Valley, we meet with 
 the first of those long lines of mountains which characterize 
 the Alleghany belt. These continue in parallel folds as we go 
 west, and occupy the northeastern portion of the State as far 
 as Randolph, and Pocahontas. These are composed of silu- 
 rian and devonian serata. The lower silurian limestone, is 
 not brought up in them, but appears, according to Rogers, in 
 the beautiful valley of Crab Orchard, in Pendleton, and gives 
 to it, its fertility and pleasing topography. 
 
 Following the Hudson river shales, we have the Medina 
 sandstone, a rock which enters largely into the structure of 
 the mountains of this part of the State, This is a massive 
 sandstone, lying in thick plates, and from its highly siliceous 
 character, it is specially fitted to withstand the destructive 
 action of the elements, and to serve as a protection for the 
 
RESOURCES OF WEST VIRGINIA. 55 
 
 softer strata associated with it. It is essentially a mountain- 
 making rock, and is often seen in huge arches, and high 
 cliffs. It is the principal agent in producing the grandest 
 scenic effects of this section. It is extensively exposed in the 
 mountain sides of Pendleton and along the North Fork of the 
 South Branch of the Potomac. 
 
 From its composition it can produce, where it forrm the 
 only surface rock, nothing but a thin sandy soil. As it is 
 very unsuited for soil production, or the growth. of vegetation, 
 it is fortunate that, within the bounds of our State, it is 
 brought up only along narrow bands, with a steep dip, and is 
 consequently soon buried beneath the softer rocks whigh 
 overlie it. 
 
 From its great permanency, and the elevation to which it 
 has been thrust up, it gives to the county of Pendleton, and 
 the adjacent county, its predominance in altitude. It is 
 conspicuous in Peter s mountain, on the southern border of 
 the State, which, in that quarter, is its most westerly position. 
 
 CLINTON AND ONONDAGA GROUPS. 
 
 These are mainly soft* slates and shaly sandstones, with 
 occasional calcareous bands. All are of reddish hue, and 
 readily decompose, with the production of a fertile soil. 
 These rocks are extensively developed in Hampshire and 
 Hardy counties, and exert an important influence on r ,their 
 soil a nd topography, from the ease with which they* disin 
 tegrate. Hence, the mountains which they compose, usually 
 have softly rounded or undulating contours, while the abun 
 dant soil which they yield, serves as a covering for the bare 
 ledges of the Medina Sand Stone. 
 
 LOWER HELDERBURG LIMESTONE. 
 
 Overlying these, we have the strata of the Lower Helder- 
 berg limestone, forming an important element in the agricul 
 tural resources of the region. This formation has at thejbot- 
 tom, many alternations of shale, with limestone beds, but 
 it is mainly composed of a rather massive limestone. Toward 
 the top, it assumes a siliceous character, producing a peculiar 
 sandy looking rock on weathering, and causing a decided im 
 provement in the physical character of the soil formed from it. 
 
 This limestone is of the more importance, since, as Rogers 
 
56 RESOURCES OF WEST VIRGINIA. 
 
 says, it is the only one exposed over wide districts of the 
 mountain region, and since it often spreads out along the 
 tops, or on the flanks of the hroader ridges. In Hampshire, 
 Hardy, Pendleton, etc., numerous available quarries may be 
 found, furnishing good lime for building or agricultural pur 
 poses. This point is of special importance, for/as Rogers has 
 with truth stated, the soils furnished by the Hamilton and 
 Portage groups are spread over an extensive area in this sec 
 tion, and these are of a character to be specially benefited by 
 applications of lime. 
 
 THE ORISKANY SANDSTONE. 
 
 This follows next in the order ascending, and is another 
 mountain-making rock. It is an open-grained sandstone of 
 massive texture, occuring usually in massive beds, dipping 
 steeply along the mountain, and quite bare of vegetation. 
 This rock has the same effect as the Medina sandstone, on the 
 topography. A noble specimen of it may be seen in the 
 " Hanging Rocks," near Romney, in Hampshire, where the 
 strata are thrown into three stupendous arches. Nearly all 
 the mountains of Hampshire, Hardy. Pendleton, Pocahontas, 
 etc., exhibit exposures of this formation. As a soil producer, 
 it acts in general like the Medina, but, as it is more prone to 
 disintegrate, forming a white sand, it is not so persistent as 
 that rock. 
 
 HAMILTON AND PORTAGE GROUPS, 
 
 These are of great importance, for several reasons, as will 
 appear from our description of them. The Hamilton strata 
 are almost entirely composed of shales, and argillaceous rocks, 
 of a slaty nature, while the Portage^consist of a mass of alter 
 nating thin- bedded shales and sandstones. Both are of great 
 thickness, and are very easily broken down into a loamy soil, 
 which is deficient in calcareous ( matter, and more or less 
 charged with copperas and other mineral salts. 
 
 These rocks overspread a considerable extent of surface, 
 usually forming the hilly broken country, found in the foot 
 hills along the main mountain ranges, and the gentler slopes " 
 of the mountains themselves. From their likeness to the 
 strata of the coal measures, in their physical character, they 
 produce a topography closely resembling that usually seen in 
 the Hilly Region, 
 
RESOURCES OF WEST VIRGINIA. 57 
 
 In the vicinity of the White Sulphur Springs, the main 
 Alleghany is entirely composed of them, as well as much of 
 the country between that range and the Greenbrier river. To 
 the softness of these strata, is due the lowness of this range in 
 this section, viz.: 2,320 feet. 
 
 Perhaps their greatest importance is due to the fact, that 
 they furnish material to a great number of noted mineral 
 springs, among which, it will suffice to mention, the widely 
 known Greenbrier White Sulp hur. They are especially fitted 
 for the production of medicinal springs, from the large 
 amount of iron pyrites, carbonaceous, and other matters which 
 they contain, and from their highly contorted and broken 
 condition. 
 
 The pyrites decomposes with great readiness, and the reac 
 tions between the products formed, and other components of 
 the shales especially of the Hamilton group, give rise to 
 various sulphates, hydrogen sulphide, &c., which impart to 
 the waters in which they are dissolved, various medicinal 
 properties. 
 
 Among the localities in which these strata occur, we may 
 mention the following : They form a large portion of the 
 main Alleghany on the east border of Pocahontas. Along the 
 sides of the anticlinal ridges, of Capon, Sandy, Patterson s 
 Creek, South Branch, Knobbly, and North Fork mountians, 
 they are extensively exposed, as well as in the intervening 
 valleys. The soils which the strata in question furnish, though 
 in physical properties good, yet are apt to be charged with an 
 excess of acid from the abundance of pyrites, and the defi 
 ciency of lime. Artificial applications of lime would be 
 especially beneficial to such soils, since they would correct the 
 acidity, and at the same time produce gypsum, which is a 
 valuable fertilizing salt. 
 
 CHEMUWG AND CATSKILL. 
 
 These groups have never been separated in West Virginia, 
 and indeed we cannot as yet say whether any distinct Catskill 
 group exists at all here. This point, however, for our present 
 purpose, is of little importance, as both groups have the same 
 general character, so far as their relations to agriculture are 
 concerned. They consist of a great thickness of sandstones, 
 generally argillaceous, and shales usually of some shade of 
 
58 RESOURCES OF WEST VIRGINIA. 
 
 red. Some of the shales of these formations are of a very soft 
 and crumbling nature, and readily fall to a stiff red clay soil. 
 The sandstones furnish a loam, and from their predominance, 
 cause the soil formed, to have a much more open texture than 
 it would possess if formed from the shales alone. The pro 
 ducts of decomposition have a large amount of peroxide of iron, 
 from the presence of decomposing pyrites. Though not void 
 of lime, applications of this material would be highly benefi 
 cial. Thus treated, the soils produced by these strata, would 
 form some of the most productive lands in the State. 
 
 These rocks do not occupy so extensive an area, as the pre 
 ceding Hamilton and Portage. They ferm a considerable 
 belt, between the Alleghany mountains, in the vicinity of the 
 White Sulphur, and the Greenbrier river, and in the X. E. 
 part of the State, some of the Alleghany ranges themselves 
 are composed of them. They are shown between Hunters- 
 ville and the Greenbrier river, also in Town Hill, Big and Lit 
 tle Timber Ridges, and in the Shenandoah mountain, forming 
 the most elevated part of the range, 
 
 VESPERTINE STRATA. 
 
 This is a threefold group, composed at the base, of coarse 
 sandstone and conglomerates; in the middle, of gray, flaggy 
 sandstones, with some little coal ; and on the top. of red 
 crumbling shales, like those of the preceding group. The 
 lower, and middle portions, form very little of our surface, but 
 the upper red shaleb are rather more important, as they over 
 spread some extent of country in Pocahontas, Greenbrier, 
 Monroe and Mercer, lying east of, and immediately adjacent 
 to the limestone soils of the umbral. From the resemblance 
 of these shales to those of the umbral series, overlving the 
 limestone, they have been usually confounded with the latter. 
 The physical character of the soils furnished by these vesper- 
 tive rocks, is the same with that described above, as belonging 
 to the Chemung and Catskill shale products. 
 
 In this case, however, the chemical character is much bet 
 ter, for the vespertine red shales have more or less lime, some 
 times enough to render them worthy of the name calcareous, 
 and in all cases they are impregnated with a sufficiency to 
 to produce a fertile soil. These strata are sometimes to be 
 seen within the area occupied by the productive coal measures, 
 
RESOURCES OF WEST VIRGINIA. 59 
 
 appearing as far west as Laurel Hill, in the northern part of 
 the State, also in the western part of Randolph, and in other 
 localities. When thus seen, .they usually appear along eroded 
 anticlinal lines of uplift. 
 
 THE UMBRAL. 
 
 This, the next succeeding series, is, as a soil producer, the 
 most important of all the formations preceding the product 
 ive coals, This importance is given it, both by the considera 
 ble area which it occupies, and the fertility of much of the 
 land which it produces. 
 
 This again is a complex series, being at bottom limestone, 
 followed by a great mass of argillaceous sandstones and shales, 
 most of which are of a deep red color. The limestone is of very 
 various character. The purer kinds are dark bluish in color, 
 and burn to a good lime. The impure varieties, are sandy and 
 shaly, disintegrating readily, and producing a tenacious clayey 
 soil, of a light yellow color, and great fertility. The rocks of 
 this class have given to the counties in which they occur, the 
 productive character for which they are noted. The ease with 
 which most of the sandstones and shales, which overlie the 
 limestone have been broken down and removed, has given to 
 the country that smoothness of surface which we see, and ac 
 counts for the fact that the plateau of Greenbrier, as else 
 where noted, is 600 to 800 feet lower than than the conglom 
 erate plateau lying to the west of it. The limestone occupies 
 much of the surface, because the work of denudation has re 
 moved the overlying softer, and less resistent shales, and sand 
 stones. 
 
 Beginning in the north, the area occupied by this series is 
 less extensive, both because it is thinner there, and the dip 
 which affects it is steeper. Coming south, the group thickens 
 rapidly, and the dip flattens out, so that the rocks in question 
 overspread a wide area, in Greenbrier, Pocahontas, Summers, 
 Mercer and Monroe. The red shales of the umbral, are es 
 pecially remarkable for their deep and brilliant colors, and the 
 the readiness with which they fall to a tenacious clayey soil. 
 Our strongest clays are found among these lands. 
 
60 RESOURCES OF WEST VIRGINIA. 
 
 THE CARBONIFEROUS FORMATION. 
 
 This overspreads by far the largest area in the State. We 
 have already, under other heads, amply explained the charac 
 ter of the soil, produced by this formation, especially that 
 portion producing coals generally workable, as well as the 
 peculiar topography produced. Of the conglomerate number, 
 we may say in addition, that the highly siliceous character of 
 its upper member, unfits it for the production of either 
 a deep, or fertile soil. It is fortunate then, that gener 
 ally there is a sufficient remnant left over it, of the softer pro 
 ductive coals, to cover it with a good depth of earth. 
 
 Of the productive coals themselves, we may repeat in this 
 connection, that they consist of an intimate interstratifica- 
 tion of sandstones, shales, and calcereous bands, all fall 
 ing readily to earth, and producing a light grey loam, of the 
 best physical character, and with abundant elements of fer 
 tility. Calcareous matter is alwas present, whether visible as 
 limestone or not, and this accounts for the great adaptation of 
 these lands for grass. Strangers note the fact with surprise, 
 that the grass grows green and luxuriant throughout the 
 summer, on the hillsides, up to their tops. 
 
 This is due to the fact, as suggested by Diss Debar, that these 
 strata are practically horizontal, and the percolating waters, 
 following their upper surfaces, find exit all along up the slope, 
 giving a supply of moisture even in the drye&t seasons. On 
 the other hand, when strata are highly inclined, they conduct 
 away the waters into the bowels of the earth. 
 
 The uppermost members of the carbonifierous formation, 
 where shown on the Ohio river, in the north of the State, 
 contain important limestones, and these, with their associated 
 calcareous shales, overspread a considerable area in the Pan 
 handle counties, giving in that quarter a soil which, in pro 
 ductiveness, rivals the best Ohio river bottoms. 
 
 The stranger, in passing through our State, along the main 
 lines of travel, would be apt to draw conclusions concerning 
 our soil and topography, which would be erroneous when 
 applied to the larger part of our area. The principal rail 
 roads, such as the Baltimore and Ohio, and the Chesapeake 
 and Ohio, pass in their search for smaller grades, through the 
 
RESOURCES OF WEST VIRGINIA. 61 
 
 bottoms of gorges, and follow the streams closely in their 
 deeply sunken channels. From what we have said concern 
 ing the character of the tops of the hills and plateaus, which 
 adjoin these canon-like stream beds, it will be seen that the 
 inspection of the one can give no idea of the character of the 
 other. 
 
CHAPTER IV. 
 FARM PRODUCTS. 
 
 BY WM. M. FONTAINE. 
 GENERAL REMARKS. 
 
 The present conditions, and the prospects of agricul 
 ture in West Virginia, cannot be understood without some 
 explanation. Any present exhibit of her productions from 
 the soil would not give a fair idea of her capabilities. It will 
 be readily seen that the capacity of no new country, can be 
 fairly judged by her productions at any given given time. 
 Census reports, and statistics, may afford us data to determine 
 the resources of old, and well populated regions, where all 
 the branches of industry have adjusted themselves into har 
 monious working order, and each pursuit is maintained by a 
 sufficient body of laborers, trained for their special calling. 
 This is far from being the case in West Virginia. Almost 
 every condition requisite for the present full development of 
 her abundant resources is wanting. Her population is sparse, 
 much of her land is still in the primeval forests, and bier 
 people have not confined their attention to special fields of 
 labor and striven to perfect them. There has also been a 
 great deficiency of labor and capital. Last, but not least, rail 
 ways and roads, until of late, have been rare within her bor 
 ders. With respect to this last feature, much has recently 
 been done, and very much more is projected, so that we may 
 soon hope to see generally introduced into our State, that 
 great stimulus to active farming, a ready and cheap transpor 
 tation to market. 
 
 For the general and thorough working of our lands, we 
 greatly need an immigration of industrious settlers. Thou- 
 
RESOURCES OF WEST VIRGINIA. 63 
 
 sands pass yearly through our State to the far west, not know 
 ing that here they can find an abundance of untouched virgin 
 land, at nominal prices, and with a fertility not surpassed by 
 any which they can hope to gain in the remote west. But 
 suppose that lands were higher, and poorer here, our climate 
 and proximity to the great markets, must ever give us a great 
 advantage over farmers who, when they make a good crop, 
 find it destroyed at one blow, by the ravages of insects, by 
 tornadoes, or floods of rain ; and who, if successful in escap 
 ing their numerous enemies, find all profits swallowed up in 
 charges for transportation to markets which lie at our doors. 
 But these are not the only, or chief causes which have les 
 sened the amount of farm products with us. The way in 
 which the State was settled, and the consequent habits of her 
 inhabitants, have been unfavorable to the existence of exten 
 sive or skilled farming, and have directed the industry of the 
 people into almost every other channel. The original settlers 
 were to a large extent men without means, who, on entering 
 this country, then cut off from all exit to market, were con 
 tent to clear small patches of ground, whose generous response 
 to even poor cultivation, yielded returns sufficient to supply 
 their limited wants. His little " clearing," selected in the most 
 convenient spot, was cultivated by the pioneer year after year, 
 in corn, and vegetables, which served to support his family 
 along with a hog or two, and possibly a horse and a cow, with 
 fowls, and the abundant game in the forests around, there was 
 abundance of meat and bread. Even now, in many parts of 
 the State, this is the mode of life. 
 
 When the original clearing was exhausted by long tillage? 
 an addition was made by felling more timber. Thus the 
 cleared lands gradually grew around the cabins, until ex 
 tensive openings were made, but still without causing 
 attempts at establishing communication with the outside 
 world. This independent mode of life impressed upon the 
 people habits of thought and action, which, though Calculated 
 to foster industry, frugality, and hardiness, were not most 
 favorable for the promotion of undertakings which require 
 communication with, and dependence upon, other countries. 
 
 We see at the present day the influence of this training. 
 Until of late West Virginians have paid but small attention 
 
64 RESOURCES OF WEST VIRGINIA. 
 
 to the raising of agricultural products for exportation. They 
 are usually content with the production of a sufficiency for home 
 consumption. But rarely is an improved system of farming 
 employed, and the cultivation is of the rudest kind. The ten 
 dency is to look to other sources than the farm for products of 
 exchange. As an example, this spirit has led our people along 
 all the streams which can float a raft, to denude the forests of 
 the magnificent timber which the} afford, often sacrificing it 
 in the most prodigal manner. So, too, they turn their atten 
 tion, when the liner timber lias been removed, to the getting 
 of tan-bark, hoop-poles, c., etc., which business occupies a 
 very important position among our industries. All of these 
 causes have led to a neglect of agriculture,*and stock farming, 
 industries for which, especially the latter, our State is pecu 
 liarly fitted. Of course, there are important exceptions, 
 especially along the Ohio, and in the older counties, as in 
 Greenbrier, in the South Branch district, &c. Besides, we 
 are speaking rather of what has been, of late years there has 
 been a marked improvement, and we are being forced into 
 those industrial channels which nature intended that we 
 should follow. The opening of important lines of railroad 
 has brought capital to develop our coals and iron, and the 
 established value of these, bids fair to bring other lines within 
 our limits. The increased amount of cleared land, has given 
 greater impetus to stock rasing, which has been still farther 
 increased by the dictates of a sounder system of agriculture. 
 This has taught us to keep our hillsides, with their easily 
 washed soils, as much in grass as possible, and the ready 
 money returns which our sheep, wool, and the cattle pur 
 chased in the fields, bring us, tend strongly in the same direc 
 tion. Again, our people are no longer satisfied with the mis 
 erable roads, which have been no small obstacle in the way 
 of farming. More attention, also, is paid to systematic farm 
 ing, although! much yet remains to be done in that direction 
 
 Our State at present pays more attention to corn, than an}^ 
 other crop. To the production of this, the soil and climate 
 are well adapted. When the lands produce grass, and espe 
 cially on the calcareous soils, the following rotation has been 
 found advantageous. First corn, one or two years, then oats, 
 then wheat, then grass; clover, timothy, or both mixed. The 
 
RESOURCES OF WEST VIRGINIA. 65 
 
 land, if productive enough, may be grazed during the whole 
 time it is in grass. When the Blue Grass grows spontane 
 ously, as it does over most of the State, it tends to overrun 
 meadows, and hence foreign grasses, such as clover and tim 
 othy,, cannot be maintained for any great length of time. 
 The farmers on the calcareous soils of the Panhandle, say 
 that their hills grow grass almost as well as the bottom lands, 
 but on neither can they keep timothy longer than five years as 
 the predominant grass. After this period, Blue Grass takes 
 the ground, and this, being indigenous, maintains possession 
 indefinitely, forming excellent pastures. It is claimed that 
 the land improves so long as it is in either grass. The Blue 
 Grass pasture is again broken up and the same routine takes 
 place. The same rotation essentially is followed in other grass 
 lands with beneficial results. Rye and barley may be substi 
 tuted as small grain crops. 
 
 In the uplands of the South Branch district, of the N. E. 
 counties, which is a fine grazing region, and produces fine 
 grain and hay in the bottoms, the rotation of crops is, corn, 
 wheat, clover, and occasionally rye or buckwheat. This rota 
 tion may perhaps be taken to represent a good succession for 
 any highland grain district. 
 
 The census reports, never absolutely accurate for even old 
 and thickly settled States, are peculiarly liable to error in our 
 State, from the sparseness of the population, the difficulty of 
 procuring data, etc., etc. Thus, among other things, the pro 
 portion of woodland, to cleared, and improved land, as given 
 in them, is far too small. Many parts of the State, especially 
 "the S. and S. W., are almost in their original condition of 
 forests, and almost the entire acreage should have been given 
 as woodland. In some counties an absurdly small amount of 
 woodland is given. In another important point we are grossly 
 misrepresented. This is in the amount of our forest products. 
 The money value of the forest products of the whole State is 
 put at $368,668. The city of Wheeling alone pays more than 
 that amount. This we mention merely to call attention to the 
 fact that no adequate exhibit of the products of the State, is 
 made in any accessible statistics. 
 
 As to the character of the crops, fruits, etc., that may be 
 raised within the State, it will be easily seen that it must be 
 9 
 
66 RESOU&CES OF WEST VIRGINIA. 
 
 very varied. No State has a greater variety of soil within 
 certain limits, and few have a greater range of elevation, vary 
 ing as ours does, from 500 feet to 4,000 feet. Between the sum 
 mits of the mountains in the northeast, and the valley of the 
 Ohio, in the southwest, we have a climatal difference of at 
 least 14. 
 
 INDIAN CORN. 
 
 Two circumstances have combined to make Indian corn by 
 far the most important crop in the State. The first is, that 
 the soil and climate are more generally adapted to the produc 
 tion of corn, than of any other grain. The most common soil 
 is a loam, with more or less sand and calcareous matter. As 
 a rule the alluvial bottoms along streams, have more sand than 
 the hills. This soil is usually light, quick, easily penetrated 
 by the heat of the sun, and whether in bottoms, or on fresh 
 uplands, has and abundance of vegetable matter. In such 
 lands, corn produces abundantly, with the very poorest culti 
 vation. The astonishing yields ot corn on bottoms formed of 
 such soils, may be best seen by some examples. Some of the 
 Ivanawha bottoms have been cultivated in corn eighty consec 
 utive years without diminution of yield. Blenerhasset Island, 
 in the Ohio, in Wood county, has produced, in some parts, for 
 more than fifty-seven } 7 ears, crops of corn of an average of eighty 
 bushels (sometimes 110), without fertilizers. 
 
 Some of the lands in the South Branch district, in Hamp 
 shire and Hardy, have been cultivated in corn for one hundred 
 years, with continued high yields (eighty to ninety bushels 
 per acre), though unaided by manures. The Ohio bottoms are 
 not inferior in productiveness. 
 
 These examples may serve to illustrate, not only the amaz 
 ing productiveness of these alluvial loams, but also to show 
 the vicious system of cultivation practiced by too many of 
 our farmers, in continuing the same crop so long. 
 
 While the hills do not, of course, usually have a sufficient 
 depth of soil to permit such long continued cultivation,. with 
 remunerative returns, yet when freshly cleared and full of veg 
 etable matter, or when properly managed, though not fresh, 
 they are hardly inferior to the lowlands. As an example, 
 many of the hills along the Ohio river, when farmed systemat 
 ically, not uncommonly produce crops of eighty to one hundred 
 bushels per acre. 
 
RESOURCES OP WEST VIRGINIA. 67 
 
 We may find the second cause which gives corn the predom 
 inance, in the greater usefulness of this grain as a food for 
 both man and beast, and also, to a certain extent, in inherited 
 tendencies. We have seen, in speaking of the pioneer settler, 
 how far this grain alone supplied his wants. With his descend 
 ants it plays a no less important part. In the newer counties, 
 settled in the manner above described, corn meal almost ex 
 cludes flour in the production of bread. Nearly all of the crop 
 is consumed within the State, either as food for the family, or 
 in fattening stock. From the increasing attention paid to 
 stock raising, the amount consumed in the last mentioned way 
 is steadily on the increase. An additional advantage in this 
 mode of disposing of corn, is found in the fact, that from the 
 droppings of the cattle, the material removed is restored to the 
 land. 
 
 Whatever corn is not thus consumed, finds ready market in 
 the small towns, or among new settlers. Corn by these means 
 has maintained, especially in the interior, a pretty constant 
 price, almost never falling below 50 cents per bushel. 
 
 As might be inferred from what has been said about our 
 soils and climate, it is a sure crop. No total failure has occur 
 red since its first cultivation. Notwithstanding the fact that 
 corn is our principal crop, we may repeat concerning 
 it, what was said above of our productions generally. The 
 present production is by no means a measure of what may be 
 done. Most of the crop raised, is produced on freshly cleared 
 land, in the midst of stumps and roots, with very imperfect 
 tillage. 
 
 As illustrating the effect of habit in inducing preference for 
 the cultivation of certain crops, we may take the cultivation 
 of corn in this State. 
 
 In those counties which were settled by hunters and trap 
 pers, and cleared in small patches, however large a body of 
 cleared land they may now possess, or however thickly they 
 may be settled, we find corn and oats to be by far the most 
 important crop. This is not due entirely to the greater fitness 
 of the land for the cultivation of these grains. On the con 
 trary, the soil of many of these counties, is well adapted for 
 the growth of wheat and tobacco. The exclusive cultivation 
 of corn is due in part to that spirit of imitation, and tendency 
 
68 RESOURCES OF WEST VIRGINIA. 
 
 to travel in well-worn ruts, which, perhaps, are shown more 
 strikingly in the farming profession than in any other call 
 ing. On the other hand, we find nearly till the wheat of the 
 State to be produced in the older counties, which were settled 
 by men of some means from the Atlantic slope. Other causes 
 operated to produce this result in the cultivation of wheat. 
 Of these, we we will speak when we come to consider the cul 
 tivation of that grain. 
 
 Unfortunately, the descendants of the pioneers did not 
 inherit from them only their preference for corn raising, but 
 acquired from that source an almost incurable taste for slovenly 
 agriculture, one of the fruits of which, we see in the disposi 
 tion, so prevalent, to continue the cultivation of the same 
 grain on a piece of land just as long as it will bring anything. 
 
 We have unfortunately no data for the determination of 
 what kinds of corn have been found to succeed best on the 
 different soils, and under the various climatal conditions 
 found in the State. Many varieties, both of white and yellow 
 corn are used. In many parts of the State the yellow varie 
 ties are preferred, as it is stated, they give a better ilavored 
 and more nutritious meal. 
 
 What has been found true of Tennessee will apply to the 
 cultivation of corn in a large portion of our State. The 
 gourd seed, a large cob variety, is preferred in that State for 
 river and creek lands, and the yellow corn fur their rolling 
 uplands. Varieties that mature more quickly would be better 
 for the higher plateau and mountain districts. 
 
 The total yield of corn in the State, as given in the census 
 of 1770, is 8,198,865 bushels. The average yield may betaken 
 to be 35 bushels per acre. 
 
 WHEAT- 
 
 We have already adverted to the fact that nearly all the 
 wheat raised in the State, is produced in the older and more 
 thickly settled counties, and intimated that this state of 
 things is not entirely due to the greater fitness of these couii- 
 tiek for wheat raising. Here, too, we trace the influence of 
 inherited tendencies. As evidence of this, we may call atten 
 tion to the fact that in said counties attempts to cultivate 
 wheat are persisted in under the most discouraging circum 
 stances, where other grain crops would pay far better. An- 
 
RESOURCES OF WEST VIRGINIA. 69 
 
 other and more important cause which has operated to confine 
 wheat growing mainly to the older counties, is the fact that 
 in such districts, the condition of the land is more favorable 
 for successful cultivation of the grain. Here we find large 
 bodies of open lands which have been long cleared and kept 
 under thorough cultivation. Preparation can be made in time 
 for early seeding, and harvesting, threshing, &e., economically 
 managed. Besides, the inducements are greater. More wheat 
 is consumed at home, and the access to market is often easier. 
 
 In some of the more highly cultivated counties, such as 
 Harrison, Marshall, c., crops of 30 bushels are frequently 
 obtained. 
 
 The case is different in the newer sections. Cleared bind 
 has been less abundant, the foul condition of the new 
 grounds has permitted no thorough ploughing, and caused 
 great waste in harvesting and threshing. The greater taste 
 of the people for corn meal, the limited demand for wheat as 
 an article of food for man alone, and the inacccessible position 
 of many of these counties, have all tended to lower the pro 
 duction of this grain in such sections. We may state here 
 that this condition of things is rapidly changing with 
 the increased amounts of cleared land, and the greater atten 
 tion paid to improved farming. 
 
 The above mentioned causes arc independent of the condi 
 tions of soil and climate. These will ever operate to keep the 
 production of wheat in the State, below that of corn. The kind 
 of soil and climate suited for the successful raising of wheat, is 
 not found in our State so generally as that suited for corn and 
 oats. A well-drained clay, or clay loam with calcareous mat 
 ter, suits it best. An equable winter climate, dry w r eather 
 about ripening time, and a freedom from heavy rains when 
 the bloom is on, are all required for the heaviest yields. 
 
 Nevertheless, there is no doubt that the amount Of wheat 
 raised by us, can, and Avill be largely increased. Many of the 
 counties do not raise enough for home consumption, but im 
 port flour. A sound system of economy will not. per 
 mit this state of things to continue in those counties where, 
 as is the case in many, all the conditions are favorable for the 
 raising 01" this grain. Again, much of the present crop in the 
 new counties, as stated above, is raised after corn, on new, im- 
 
70 RESOURCES OF WEST VIRGINIA. 
 
 perfectly cleared land. This does not permit the seeding to be 
 done early enough for our climate. The body of cleared land 
 is already large enough in many sections to permit a proper 
 rotation of crops, the good effects of which are shown in no 
 crop, sooner than in wheat. As the roots and stumps decay, 
 cleaner cultivation will be permitted. Thus without an 
 increase of acreage, we may look for increased yields. 
 
 Spring wheat is not cultivated to any extent, since it has 
 not proved so successful as winter wheat. Most of the known 
 varieties of winter wheat have been tried with more or less 
 suceess. The Mediterranean is, perhaps, the most approved 
 in the Ohio counties. In general, the white flinty smooth, 
 and early bearded varieties are the most reliable. The total 
 amount of wheat raised according to the census of 1870, is 
 2,480,148 bushels, making it the second crop in amount. The 
 average may be taken as 10 bushels per acre. This, when 
 compared with that of corn, seems very low. It must be 
 remembered, however, that corn is cultivated on the best lands 
 in the least exhausted portions of the State, generally bottoms, 
 while wheat is mainly raised on the older and more exhausted 
 lands. Besides, it fails much oftener than corn. These aver 
 ages, and all others, given for the different crops, are for culti 
 vation without fertilizers A moderate use of them would 
 largely increase these yields. 
 
 OATS. 
 
 Oats rank third in the grain production of West Virginia. 
 Their productiveness, adaptiveness to various soils and 
 climates, and the ease with which they are raised, render 
 the crop a favorite one, more especially in the new counties. 
 The crops are limited only by the demand for the grain. In 
 many of the back counties, only enough is raised for feeding 
 at home. When access can be had to market, the largest crops 
 are made. In the mountain and high plateau lands, the con 
 ditions of climate cause oats to supercede in large measure 
 other grains. The total amount raised, is for 1870, 2,513,749 
 bushels. The average may be taken as 30 bushels per acre. 
 
 BARLEY. 
 
 Owing to the lack of a good market, Barley has received but 
 little attention. It is not consumed as food for man or beast, 
 like wheat, and oats, or corn, among our people, hence as there 
 
RESOURCES OF WEST VIRGINIA. 71 
 
 is no home consumption, there is little inducement to raise it. 
 Some attention was at one time paid to the raising of it, in 
 the counties in the north of the State on the Ohio, for the sup 
 plying of the Wheeling breweries. It was found, however, 
 that this grain could be bought elsewhere cheaper than it 
 could be raised in the vicinity. Like oats, this grain flour 
 ishes well in almost any soil that is not too heavy and wet. 
 The total amount for 1870 was 50,363 bushels. The amount 
 per acre may be put at 15 bushels. 
 
 RYE.- 
 
 Rye is not much cultivated in the State. It is well adapt 
 ed, as it would seem, to the higher and colder parts of the 
 country, and it is in such regions that it is mainly raised. 
 The counties of RHchie, Preston and Hampshire, are the lar 
 gest producers. It will grow well on almost any of our soils, 
 and is a hardy grain. Since it requires the same season as 
 wheat, and the same cultivation, without being so useful as 
 food, it can never attain any great magnitude as a crop where 
 wheat can be raised. When sown on fertile land in Septem 
 ber, it would form a good pasture in winter and spring. This 
 is the chief use of it made in Tennessee, and it mignt be thus 
 employed more largely in our own State. Total yield in 1870, 
 277,746 bushels. Average yield about 18 bushels per acre. 
 
 BUCKWHEAT. 
 
 This grain, according to Diss Debar, thrives with little or no 
 care in every part of the State, and is cultivated most exten 
 sively in the upper Ohio river and mountain counties. Pres 
 ton county, according to the same authority, alone produces 
 95,857 bushels. According to the census of 1870, if correct, 
 there must have been a fearful falling off in this crop, as it 
 gives for the whole State, only 82,916 bushels. But this is 
 only another instance of the glaring incorrectness in the cen 
 sus reports of our productions. Buckwheat seems particularly 
 fitted for the glades, and table lands of the more elevated, and 
 colder portions of the State. On them it is largely raised, and 
 forms an important article of food in such districts. Here, in 
 the form of cakes, in connection with maple syrup, and moun 
 tain honey, it is used in considerable amounts. The yield is 
 very variable in different coils, the largest being in good dry 
 loam. In rich alluvial land, it is inclined to go to straw. In 
 
?Z RESOURCES OF WEST VIRGINIA. 
 
 the mountains it is sown earlier than elsewhere, in order to 
 escape the fall frosts, which are fatal to it. In the lower coun 
 ties, the middle of July is early enough for it, and two crops 
 may be obtained from the same field, provided the first be 
 sown early in April. To the new settler, this rapid growth is 
 very useful, as it enables him to get a crop from late cleared 
 land, and extirpates weeds, &c. The census for 1870 gives as 
 the total production, 82,916 bushels. The average yield may 
 be put at 20 bushels per acre. 
 
 THE SWEET POTATO. 
 
 This root, though forming a palatable and wholesome food, 
 and easily cultivated, is much neglected, being supplanted by 
 the Irish potato. In the predominating clay loams of our 
 State, it grows well and obtains a good size, but is rather lack 
 ing in sweetness and keeping qualities. This is especially 
 true of the northern and higher parts of the State. To attain 
 perfection, it requires a sandy, friable soil, of moderate fertility, 
 and a hot sun during the period of growth. In many parts of 
 the State, especially in the southern counties, these conditions 
 are supplied, and there the sweet potato ought to obtain high 
 excellence. Indeed, Tennessee is noted for the size and flavor 
 of her sweet potatoes. Perhaps the greatest trouble in the at 
 tempts of our people to raise it, is that they select too rich a 
 soil, which makes too great a growth of vine, and gives the 
 root a sappy, insipid character. In the eastern States, from 
 New Jersey to North Carolina, this crop is raised in the great 
 est perfection. Poor, sandy loams, are there preferred. They 
 are aided with non-stimulating vegetable matter, such as half 
 rotted straw, &c., where these sandy soils are totally void of 
 vegetable matter. Our soils all have an abundance of this, 
 and would not need such additions. The good prices that the 
 crop brings, $1 to $1,50, per bushel, certainly would seem to 
 make this crop worthy of more attention. The number of 
 bushels report-ed for the State is 40,984, which is no doubt too 
 small an amount. The average yield is about 100 bushels. 
 
 THE IRISH POTATO. 
 
 This is a favorite crop with our people, and is grown in com 
 paratively large quantities. The Irish potato grows in great 
 perfection all over the State. In size, mealiness, and delicacy 
 of flavor, our Irish potatoes are unsurpassed. Our deep, light 
 
RESOURCES OF WEST VIRGINIA. 73 
 
 loams, charged with vegetable matter, and our cool, moist sum - 
 mers, furnish just the conditions needed to bring this vegetable 
 in perfection. In the high table lands and glades, or upland 
 prairies as they may be called, they excel in all points of excel 
 lence. It must be remembered that the original home of the 
 potato, is in the high, cool, and well watered districts of South 
 America, a region not unlike some parts of West Virginia. 
 
 The rot has never prevailed in this State. The Colorado bug 
 has been with us three years. Owing to the fierce war waged 
 against him, he has not caused so much damage with us as 
 has been done elsewhere. This insect may now be considered 
 to have done his worst. Irish potatoes in the interior coun 
 ties, readily command from seventy-five cents to one dollar per 
 bushel. Many varieties are cultivated with success, of which 
 perhaps the Peach Blow is most deserving of mention. Here 
 again we may trace the influence of inherited prejudices, when 
 we compare the amounts of the two vegetables raised. The 
 Irish potato is the mainstay of the laboring class of both 
 Europe and America, while the Sweet potato is confined to 
 comparatively limited districts. It is not to be wondered at 
 then that, in a State settled as ours has been, the Sweet potato 
 should be almost entirely neglected, even where every condi 
 tion is more favorable for it than for the Irish potato. 
 
 The total yield of Irish potatoes in the State is put by the 
 census of 1870 at 1,053,507 bushels. The average crop per 
 acre may be put at 120 bushels. 
 
 THE TURNIP. 
 
 This is another valuable production, well suited to our soil 
 and climate, which is greatly neglected. It would be especi 
 ally valuable to the recent settler, since it can be raised with 
 much ease, on imperfectly cleared land. It does finely on virgin 
 soils fall of vegetable matter and ashes, and requires a mere 
 scratching of the surface. It furnishes food for both man and 
 beast, being especially fitted for milch cows. The white, sweet 
 turnip, is almost exclusively cultivated, thp Rutabaga being 
 almost unknown. 
 
 We have no data to determine the total yield in the State. 
 This is small, though increasing. Returns of average yields, 
 indicate 120 bushels per acre, as the general average for all 
 soils. 
 
 10 
 
74 RESOURCES OF WEST VIRGINIA. 
 
 SOEGHUM. 
 
 The Chinese sugar cane is cultivated to a considerable extent 
 in the State. Its main production is in the Ohio helt of coun 
 ties. It is used entirely for the manufacture of molasses, for 
 home consumption. It is not grown so extensively in the 
 inland counties, especially where the lands are wooded, and 
 the maple is abundant. Most persons prefer the syrup pre 
 pared from the maple, to the molasses from sorghum. This 
 latter has. too commonly from imperfect ripening, an acid 
 taste. The cane is mainly raised in the counties which have 
 been more or less denuded of their maple trees. The cane suc 
 ceeds well, and in good soil, when well matured, yields from 
 200 to 300 gallons per acre. The total production for the State 
 is given as 780,829 gallons, Jackson county leading, with a 
 yield of 57,041 gallons. 
 
 MAPLE SUGAR. 
 
 This is quite an important production in the better wooded 
 portions of the State, and like most of our forest products, is 
 greatly underestimated in all published statistics. There are 
 two varieties of maple, which, in West Virginia, furnish sugar. 
 These are the Sugar, or Rock Maple, and the Black Maple (accr 
 nigrum). The former is the more common tree, and }delds 
 more juice than the latter. Both trees grow all over the State, 
 at all elevations, provided the soil be good, and the exposure 
 favorable. Even were the published statistics correct, in, the 
 amount of sugar and syrup which they give, in this case also, 
 the present production is no measure of the capabilities of the 
 State. The largest present production, is in some of the -old 
 well cleared counties, such as Greenbrier, Monroe, Monongalia, 
 etc., where the trees are fewest. There are millions of acres, 
 according to Diss Debar, where not a tree has been tapped, and 
 thousands of productive trees in the sugar orchards of old and 
 improved farms, are neglected from want of time and labor to 
 save the crop. 
 
 The tree in its favorite positions, grows in groups and groves. 
 These are seen in all their perfection in the mountain counties, 
 and here sugar making forms an important and profitable 
 branch of industry. The period of sap runnir.g is longer in 
 such regions. The maple sugar production for 1850 is put at 
 
RESOURCES OF WEST VIRGINIA. 75 
 
 607,178 pounds, while that for 1870 is put at 490,606 pounds. 
 This is far less than the amount reported for I860, also. Diss 
 Debar was of the opinion that the amount reported for 1860, 
 was much too small. He states, as confirming this opinion, 
 that in Doddrige country, his residence at that time, only 1,623 
 pounds were given as the entire yield, while to his personal 
 knowledge, the amount sold to the stores, exceeded 2,500 pounds, 
 and no doubt an equal amount was retained for home con 
 sumption. 
 
 According to the census returns, there must from 1860 to 
 1870, have been a great falling off in the production (about J-), 
 but as is well known, the production is steadily increasing. 
 
 In the more thinly settled counties, such as Randolph, Web 
 ster, Nicholas, &c., thousands of acres have nearly half their 
 timber of the sugar maples. Here the price of land is so low 
 that the price of one crop from a tract, would, pay for 
 the whole. The yield per tree varies from 6 to 10 gallons a 
 day, in favorable weather, giving f to 1J pounds of hard 
 sugar, besides a quantity of excellent syrup. This result may 
 be obtained from the same trees upon an average for 25 to 50 
 days in a season (Diss Debar). Good maple sugar always 
 brings at the country stores, the price of brown New Orleans 
 sugar. This is always a sure crop, giving a large value in 
 small bulk, easy of transportation, and always meeting with a 
 ready market. This source of revenue is as yet practically 
 untouched ; it cannot fail to become an important and perma 
 nent member of our forest productions. 
 
 TOBACCO. 
 
 The cultivation of tobacco in the State, for no good reason, 
 as it would seem, is confined to a very limited area. Some of 
 tha Ohio belt of counties, and of those on the New and Kana- 
 wha rivers, .raise nearly the entire crop. The following re 
 marks on the culture of this staple are based on information 
 kindly furnished by the Hon. D. D. Johnson, of Tyler, alarge and 
 successful raiser of tobacco. Tobacco has only recently become 
 an important article of production in the State. For a num 
 ber of years small crops have been raised in the vicinity of 
 the Great Kanawha. Some 25 or 30 years ago, it was also 
 produced in the more northern counties, but in all the section 
 
76 RESOURCES OF WEST VIRGINIA. 
 
 north of the Little Kanawha, the cultivation of tobacco had 
 almost entirely ceased prior to 1860. 
 
 During the war, its cultivation was somewhat revived on 
 the borders of the Ohio river. The crop thus raised was sold 
 to packers in Ohio, and by them shipped to the eastern mar 
 kets, as Ohio tobacco. Hence the absence of quotations of 
 West Virginia tobacco in these markets. 
 
 In the county of Tyler, the increase in the production of 
 tobacco, has been more rapid than in any other county in the 
 State. It is estimated for this county, that the production of 
 any one year, for a period of 20 years, prior to 1867, would 
 not exceed 50,000 pounds. Since that time, through the 
 untiring energy of T. J. Staley, Esq., its production has rap 
 idly increased, until in 1873, the crop was estimated at 
 1,500,000 pounds. The crop of 1874 was a failure, owing to 
 general causes, which affected all the tobacco growing States. 
 In 1875, a larger area was planted in Tyler county than ever 
 before. Owing to the continuous and heavy rains in July, a 
 period of unprecedented rain storms, the crop was lessened 
 materially. 
 
 The principal varieties given in Tyler county are the "Ma 
 ryland Thickset," and the "White Burley. " The latter is a 
 recent introduction, and is peculiarly adapted to " old ground." 
 
 The mode of cultivation is as follows : During the month 
 of February or March, a "brush- heap" is prepared in some 
 favorable locality, generally in newly cleared ground, and 
 burned. This is for the purpose of destroying all noxious seeds, 
 that might germinate into weeds injurious to the young 
 tobacco plants. The top soil, is then dug up. and thoroughly 
 pulverized, and the tobacco seed sown in the "bed " thus pre 
 pared. The young plants appear and grow in this position 
 during the month of May. In June and July, they are pulled 
 up and transplanted in the ground in which they are des : 
 tined to grow. Of course this must be done when the ground 
 is sufficiently moist to enable the young plant to take root sin 
 its new position. 
 
 It is almost the universal custom in Tyler county, to select 
 as the growing ground, newly cleared land. From the time of 
 transplanting, until about the middle of August, the growing 
 plant must be kept clear of weeds and worms, and of shoots, 
 
RESOURCES OF WEST VIRGINIA. 77 
 
 or " suckers," which are apt to grow between the leaves 
 arid the main stem. 
 
 The leaves next to the ground mature first, those in the 
 middle next, and the top leaves last. When all are fully ma 
 tured, the leaves are stripped from the stalk, and hung up in 
 the tobacco warehouse for "curing." Flues are made by loose 
 stone, and run for about two -thirds the length of the house. 
 In these are placed wood fires, the heat and smoke of which 
 pass up through the tobacco as it hangs in the house. 
 
 When sufficiently cured, the tobacco is taken down and put 
 in u bulks," while the house is refilled with green tobacco. 
 When the whole crop is thus partially cured, it is again hung 
 up to be thoroughly cured. It is then taken from the stick, 
 and " rolled," and sold to the packers. 
 
 The average yield per acre, is under ordinary circumstances 
 about 1,000 pounds. The price per pound was, in the roll, 
 during 1873, from 3 to 3J- cents; and in 1874, from 4 to 8 
 cents ; in 1875, from 4-o- to 5J cents. 
 
 Tobacco grown in the Great Kanawha region, is cured 
 almost entirely by "air drying," and commands a much higher 
 price than cured by " firing," as above described. The smoke 
 in passing through the tobacco very materially injures it. In 
 the northern part of the State, the time between the 
 maturing of the plant, and the early frosts of win 
 ter, is too short to permit this method of curing. Air drying 
 also requires a great amount of house-room, which requires 
 too much capital for the limited means of the ordinary tobacco 
 grower. 
 
 Col. Johnson suggests that both of these difficulties may be 
 overcome by using air, heated by a stove or furnace, for the 
 purpose of curing the plant, while the smoke is caused to pass 
 to the outside of the house, through a flue or pipe. This 
 would very materially enhance the price of fire-cured tobacco. 
 
 The soil and climate of West Virginia, and the large 
 amount of fresh land posesessed by her, offer many advantages 
 in the culture of tobacco, and with proper cultivation, and 
 correct modes of curing, the highest prices ought to be ob 
 tained. 
 
 The production of tobacco for 1873 in that part of the State 
 which lies north of the Little Kanawha, was estimated at 
 
78 RESOURCES OF WEST VIRGINIA. 
 
 10,800,000 pounds. The number of pounds of West Virginia 
 tobacco inspected in Baltimore, during that year was reported 
 at 7,200,000 pounds. Add to this 2,700,000 pounds, the amount 
 estimated by Col. Johnson, as raised in the Kanawha region, 
 we have an aggregate for the State of 13,000,500 pounds raised 
 in 1873. Col. Johnson estimates the price of the tobacco, 
 raised north of the Little Kanawha, as averaging 3 cents per 
 pound, and that of the Great Kanawha district, as averaging 
 6 cents per pound, giving a total money value of the crop in 
 the State of $378,000. Two crops of tobacco are usually raised 
 on the same land, which leaves the ground in splendid condi 
 tion for wheat, since the culture of new ground in tobacco is 
 more effectual than any mode of preparation in getting rid of 
 weeds. 
 
 The above account of tobacco cultivation in Tyler county 
 may be taken to represent the entire State. It may be proper 
 to state- here, that it is not exactly similar to the method 
 used in Virginia. In that State the tobacco is, immediately 
 after cutting, hung for some days closely together on " scaf 
 folds," in order to give it a bright yellow color, before hanging 
 in the house. The leaves, also, are not stripped from the 
 stalk, but the stalk is split partly down, and hung astride on 
 the sticks. The Virginia farmers attach much importance to 
 the number of leaves left to grow on the stalk. They always 
 break off the lowest leaves, as the plant is growing, since 
 these usually become filled with dirt. If they wish to make 
 heavy shipping tobacco, i. <?., tobacco for the European mar 
 ket, they break off the terminal bud low enough down to.^ 
 leave 8 to 10 leaves on the stalk. If thin tobacco, suited for 
 home manufacture, is desired, a greater number is left, and 
 thinner new land selected for planting. They raise their 
 heavy tobacco on old highly manured lands. 
 
 Attention may be here called to the great underestimation 
 of the West Virginia tobacco crop in the census report for 
 1870, where it is put at only 2,040,452 pounds, not much more s 
 than the crop of Tyler county in 1873. 
 
 MISCELLANEOUS CHOPS. 
 
 Cotton. Two bales arc reported from Randolph. Cotton, 
 perhaps, might be raised with success for home consumption, 
 
RESOURCES OF WEST VIRGINIA. 79 
 
 in the low valleys of the Southern Ohio counties. It is a very 
 successful and important crop in Tennessee. 
 
 Hemp Succeeds well here, hut the demand for it is limited, 
 and where the amount of available lahor is small, as it is in 
 our State, attention is turned to more indispensible crops, such 
 as those which furnish some variety of food. The amount 
 returned is 37 tons. 
 
 flax. Flax is more largely raised, since it supplies in large 
 measure, the material for textile fabrics of home manufacture, 
 taking the place of cotton. It succeeds well in every part of 
 the State, and the production is limited only by the small 
 demand for it. Amount reported, 82,276 pounds, of which 
 Jackson county raises the largest quantity, viz.: 7 286 pounds. 
 
 Hops. These are cultivated only for domestic use. This 
 plant thrives well in all parts of the State. The amount 
 given for 1870 is 1,031 pounds, Preston county producing the 
 largest amount, viz.: 200 pounds. 
 
 BUTTER AND CHEESE. 
 
 From what has "been said about the topography, soil cli 
 mate, adapted nes for grass of the State, it will bo easily 
 understood that with proper inducements arising from ready 
 transportation, and sufficient markets, these products should 
 be a source of large revenue to our people. In a State like 
 West Virginia, where, in consequence of imperfect access to 
 market, the capacity for grain production is far greater than 
 the amount now raised, it is a matter of great importance to 
 discover methods for the conversion of grain. Among the 
 substances into which our grains can be changed with profit, 
 butter, and especially cheese, should rank high. 
 
 It requires too much space to properly point out the advan 
 tages which West Virginia possesses for dairy farming. 
 
 As one pound of cheese is worth 12 to 18 pounds of corn, 
 and one of butter much more, it is plain that largo amounts 
 of the corn could be exported in this form with a great sav 
 ing in the cost of transportion. More attention is being paid 
 to the number of cattle raised, and to the ,- improvement of 
 the breed so far, only for the purpose of beef production. 
 This must react on dairy farming and lead to improvements 
 in milch cows. Indeed, lack of labor and quick transporta 
 tion, are the only causes preventing a great development of 
 
80 RESOURCES OF WEST VIRGINIA. 
 
 our dairy products. Among the many advantages which we 1 
 possess for dairy farming we may mention the following : 
 
 First, The length of our growing season. It is true our 
 farmers feed from 5 to 6 months in some parts of the State, 
 but this is due in great part to the their having failed to put 
 down a due proportion of their land in grass. In the shel 
 tered valleys in many parts of the State, grass will grow 8 
 and 9 months in the year. Second, The absence of parching 
 droughts, and the luxuriance and succulence of the grass 
 throughout the summer. Third, The uniform cool weather 
 of summer, and the abundance of cool springs and excellent 
 water, fourth, The peculiar adaptation of the State for 
 grass. Fifth, One proximity to the large cities. Sixth, The 
 cheapness of land for pasture. 
 
 West Virginia butter, especially that produced in the 
 mountains, and on the plateaus, commands a higher price in 
 the Baltimore market than that of any other State. We have 
 seen that a considerable portion of the State has these topo 
 graphical features. During seasons favorable for the ship 
 ment of butter, the country stores seldom pay less than 20 or 
 30 cents per pound. Near the small towns, from September 
 to May, butter commands from 40 to 60 cents. It must be 
 remembered that this is put up in small parcels, and usually 
 poorly prepared. 
 
 In 1870 the number of pounds of butter made is put at 
 5,044,475 ; the number of pounds of cheese, 32,429, and the 
 number of gallons of milk sold, 144,895. The production of 
 cheese is by no means equal to the home consumption. 
 
 HONEY. 
 
 Although bees thrive almost without care in this State, 
 honey raising has not formed in any quarter, one of the 
 industrial pursuits. On most farms where bees are kept, 
 they receive little attention, and are provided only 
 with the rudest hives. The principal stock comes from t^ie 
 wild swarms, and the young swarms frequently return to the 
 woods. From the abundance of wild flowers, and the mild 
 ness of the climate, it ifi plain that bee culture can be made 
 a profitable calling in West Virginia. The red maple, with 
 its myriad flowers, in February, affords an early supply of 
 pollen. The Plurn, Peach, Spice wood, Dogwood, Sassafras, 
 
RESOURCES OF WEST VIRGINIA. 81 
 
 Pear, Cherry, Redbud, Raspberry, and Apple, blooming during 
 March and April, afford both food and abundant pollen for 
 cell making. The Willow, in early April, abounding on all 
 the streams, gives splendid pasturage, and is the first source 
 of honey supply. In Tennessee, bees in strong colonies, have 
 been known to store 29 pounds, during the last week in April, 
 per hive. With us the Willow is somewhat later in bloom 
 ing. Wild Cherry, Dewberry and White Clover bloom in 
 April and May, and being quite abundant, furnish large 
 supplies of food and honey for storage. From this time 
 onward, a constant succession of wild flowers follow. Bone- 
 set, the Astors, and Golden Rod give late supplies of abund 
 ant and excellent honey. The price of honey in the 
 cornb varies from 20 to 25 cents, and the supply everywhere 
 small. The total amount given for the State in 1870, is 
 376,997 pounds. Harrison county leading with 28,937 
 pounds. 
 
 FRUIT CULTURE, 
 
 The nature of the soil and the climate of West Virginia 
 permit the cultivation of any fruit which can be grown in 
 the cooler parts of the temperate zone. A failure of any of 
 these fruits must depend upon special or local causes, or on 
 conditions other than those of climate. 
 
 The principal trouble experienced in fruit growing in our 
 State, arises from the early stimulation of the flower buds 
 by warm spells of weather occurring in February, and the 
 first part of March. This trouble is experienced in all the 
 States lying in the same latitude with UP. As we are liable 
 to have killing frosts until the middle of April, the fruit 
 crop is, of course, in danger until after this period. This 
 danger can, to a greater or h j .ss extent,, be avoided, by select 
 ing such exposures as will retard as much as possible the 
 blooming of the trees, or by exposing the roots, &c., &c. 
 
 Over the State in general, no great amount of fruit is 
 raised for sale, on account of the lack of cheap and ready 
 transportation. What sin plus is di.spo.sed of, is mainly in 
 the dried condition. But while the lack of maikets pre 
 vents exportation, no people raise a greater abundance, or 
 make a freer use of fruit in their household economy than 
 West Virginians. 
 11 
 
82 RESOURCES OF WEST VIRGINIA. 
 
 In all the multitudinous modes of preserving and utiliz 
 ing fruit, they excel. Every housewife lays up abundant 
 stores of pickles, preserves, jams, fruit butters, besides dry 
 ing, canning, and storing in bulk. In this respect they 
 stand in strong contrast with the people of the Atlantic 
 slope. A failure of the fruit crop is a misfortune to the West 
 Virginian, but little less grave than that of the grain crop. 
 While the people themselves, owing to the impress of Penn 
 sylvania German tastes, make such large use of fruit, they 
 are alive to the great benefits derived from a liberal feeding 
 of it to stock. As a consequence, an orchard is everywhere 
 an appendage of a well ordered farm. 
 
 The Apple. The apple is by far the most important of the 
 different fruits raised in tins State. Owing to the great 
 variety of soil, exposure and elevation, almost every known 
 kind can find conditions well suited to its growth. Speak 
 ing for the whole State, the combination of soil and climate 
 is such, that the apple attains with us a perfection of size 
 and flavor, rarely found elsewhere. It is a very sure crop, 
 the bloom not coining out, usually, until the severe frosts are 
 past. Owing to the unprecedentedly cold spell which occur 
 red late in the spring of last year, the apple crop for the 
 year (1S75) was almost entirely cut short. We thus are 
 able to compare our native fruit with that grown elsewhere, 
 for our fruit dealers are getting stock from Michigan and 
 elsewhere. None of the kinds thus obtained, equal in flavor 
 those of native growth. 
 
 The apple being a pretty sure crop, is cultivated every 
 where, and when the farmer confines his attention to one 
 sort of fruit, it is always the apple that he selects. Besides 
 the use made of it for eating in the raw state, drying, pre 
 serving and stock feeding, for all of which purposes it forms 
 the chief material, it is largely used for cider and vinegar. 
 
 Considerable attention has been paid to securing improved 
 varieties. Along all the lines of public conveyance apples 
 are exported in considerable quantities. Large amounts 
 are shipped from the Ohio belt of counties. In spring the 
 demand always exceeds the supply. Considerable amounts 
 are distilled. Some of the most popular and successful vari 
 eties are the following : 
 
RESOURCES OF WEST VIRGINIA. 83 
 
 Fall and Winter Rambo, Newtown Pippin, Rhode Island 
 Greening, Baldwin, Yellow Bellflower, Grindstone Pippin, 
 Winesap, Yellow Harvest, Red Harvest. June Eating, Sum 
 mer Sweet, etc., &c. (Diss Debar). 
 
 Peaches 1 he peach was formerly cultivated more widely over 
 the State than it is now. At present, it is principally produced 
 south of the Little Kanawha. In the northern part of the 
 State, it has been mainly supplanted by the apple, owing to 
 the increasing uncertainty of the crop, due to the danger 
 from early frosts. Many parts of the northern districts used 
 to raise large crops, where now hardly a peach tree can be 
 seen. The counties of Wirt, Calhoun, Gilmer, <tc., are very 
 successful, and large amounts are dried and cured for sale. 
 The bloom of this fruit is peculiarly liable to be started for 
 ward too soon by the warm spells of February and March. 
 
 The varieties most approved are : Morris White, Heath s 
 Cling, Grosse Migiionne, Early Scarlet, Crawford s Late, etc., 
 &c. (Diss Debar). 
 
 Pears. Pears are not cultivated to anv extent, and appear 
 to thrive best in old improved improved localities. Bart- 
 teFs, and Sickel appear to give general satisfaction. (Diss 
 Debar). 
 
 Quinces appear to do remarkably well. The fruit is larger 
 and freer from blemishes than that grown on the Atlan 
 tic slope in the same latitude. All the varieties of cherries 
 and plums thrive well. The small Damson plum is almost 
 everywhere a profuse bearer, and is used largely in preserv- 
 .ing, &c. 
 
 The State has not a sufficient number of nurseries to sup 
 ply the people, and this is a serious drawback to extended 
 cultivation. 
 
 The census for 1870 gives the value of the orchard pro 
 ducts of the State at $848,773. Harrison stands at the head 
 of the counties, Avith a production valued at $50,826. 
 
 SMALL FRUITS. 
 
 Most of the small fruits cultivated in the temperate zone 
 do well in our State. But little attention however is paid to 
 their proper cultivation. Where attention to such cultiva 
 tion is not promoted by the demand created by the presence 
 of large cities, such fruits are usually cultivated only by per- 
 
84 RESOURCES OF WEST VIRGINIA. 
 
 sons of means and leisure. Such qualifications are not gen 
 erally found in our State. Again, the profusion in which the 
 Wild Cherry, Strawberry, Blackberry, Raspberry and Whortle 
 berry grow in all parts of the State, gives a supply of small 
 fruits sufficient to meet the wants of the people. The Straw 
 berry and Raspberry may be cultivated with great success, 
 Currants require almost no attention, and Gooseberries do 
 well generally. Cranberries grow wild in some of the bogs of 
 the mountain glades, but are not cultivated at all, notwith 
 standing the fact that considerable amounts are used for table 
 purposes, which must be imported. Along the Bait, and 0. 
 R. R. access can be had within 18 hours to the Baltimore and 
 Cincinnati markets. 
 
 Fowls of all kinds, turkeys, eggs, cvc., meet with a ready 
 sale among the people themselves, and are equal to cash. 
 Fat turkeys bring 16 to 17 cents, chickens 10 to 12 cents per 
 pound. Eggs, in summer, 15 to 20 cents, in winter, 25 to 30 
 cents per do sen. 
 
 GARDEN PKOCDUCTS. 
 
 Market gardening has received but little attention, as the 
 State is thinly settled and has no populous cities. In Wheel 
 ing and Parkersburg the markets are often as high as those 
 of New York and Philadelphia, while the supply is irregular 
 and uncertain. The amount of income from this source re- 
 tnrned for 1870 is $69,974, a sum considerably below the 
 truth. Of this Marshall raised the largest amount, viz : 
 115,416. 
 
 The following garden vegetables named in alphabetical 
 order attain perfection in the open air in every part of the 
 State : 
 
 Artichoke, Asparagus, Beans, Beets, Borecole, Broccoli, Brussels 
 Sprouts, Cabbage, Carrots, Cauliflower, Celery, Cress, Cucumber, Egg 
 Plant, Endive, Gourd, Horseradish, Jerusalem Artichoke, Lettuce, 
 Mangel Wurzel, Melons oj all kinds, Mustard, Okra, Onion, Pars- 
 lei/, Parsnip, Peas, Pepper (red,) Pumpkin, Radixh, Rhubarb, tial- 
 *\fy or Oyster Plant, Spinach, Stjuash, Tomato, Turnips of all kmd*. 
 
 Of culinary and medicinal garden plants, we have Aniseed, 
 ( araicay, Chamomilc, Chervil, Chive, Coriander, Dandelion, Dill, 
 Eslragon, Garlic, Hysop, Lavender, Leek, Marjoram, Mint, Rose 
 mary, Rue, Sage, Paragon, Thyme, and a number of others of less 
 moment, (Diss Debar.) 
 
RESOURCES OF WEST VIRGINIA. 85 
 
 GRAPE CULTURE, 
 
 In the chapter on climatology it was shown that the whole 
 of West Virginia is within the themometric zone in which 
 the grape matures, and the summer suns are amply sufficient 
 to secure superior strength and quality to the wine : 
 
 " On asurface so diversified as that of our State, it would be 
 difficult to survey off a one hundred acre tract anywhere 
 " without including at least one suitable exposure for a vine- 
 u yard of from five to twenty acres, either in the valleys, or on 
 " slopes of from five to twenty-five, degrees. German wine 
 u growers, whoprefer steeper grades, will find the rock neces- 
 " sary for walling upa few feet below tne surface everywhere. 
 " While every character of West Virginia soil, whether 
 * limestone, clay loam, cacareous, sandy and gravelly loam, 
 " vegetable mould or alluvial, appear to be almost equally 
 " w r ell adapted to the grape, it must be borne in mind that 
 " neither will much avail if resting on a sub-soil of stiff clay, 
 " retentive of water. So soon as this kind of foundation is 
 " reached by the roots of the vine, mould and decay set in, and 
 " fruit and plant are doomed to certain destruction." (Hand- 
 Book of W. Va. J. H. Diss Debar.) 
 
 The number of acres planted in regular vineyards does not 
 exceed 900 in the whole State. Seven hundred of these are 
 claimed for the county of Ohio. Wood county has about 150 
 acres, and the remainder is divided between the counties of 
 Ritchie, Doddridge, Marshall, Lewis, Berkley, Greenbrier, 
 Mineral, and Randolph. In none of these last eight, except 
 ing Ritchie, is the production sent to markets outside of the 
 county. 
 
 For Ohio county the following information was kindly fur 
 nished by G. W. Franzheim, a large wine dealer of Wheeling. 
 Tho 700 acres of vineyards of this county are all within six 
 miles of Wheeling. The principal grape grown for wine is 
 the Catawba, while the Concord, Isabella and Delaware are 
 raided for both wine and table use. The Ives and Virginia 
 Seedling are cultivated for wine, though not much attention 
 has been paid to the former. Besides these, numerous other 
 kinds have been experimented with, though they give very 
 satisfactory results, yet the tests have not extended over a 
 sufficient number of years to give statistics concerning them. 
 
86 RESOURCES OF WEST VIRGINIA. 
 
 The wine produced ranks high in market, and is much 
 liked in both the eastern and western cities, going into New 
 York and Boston in the one direction, and as far as Omaha in 
 the other. As regards the yield of wine per acre, it, of course, 
 varies very much with the season, but in seme instances the 
 Isabella has yielded as much as 1,000 gallons. For table use 
 the Concords are the first to come into market usually about 
 the middle of September. This is followed by the other varie 
 ties up to about November. Large quantities are shipped 
 every year to Pittsburgh and other centres, where they sell 
 at an excellent profit. The retail price in Wheeling is from 
 6 to 10 cents per pound, according to the abundance or scar 
 city of the fruit. 
 
 The grape crop of 1874 was excellent, in both quality and 
 quantity. The average Wheeling wholesale price was 4| cts. 
 per pound, which gave about $100,000 for the value of the 
 crop in that year. About one-half of this was manufactured 
 into wine, and the rest was consumed as fruit. 
 
 As the acreage in vineyards shows, more attention is paid 
 to the grape in this county than in any other. This is a mat 
 ter of some surprise, as the crop is an exceedingly profitable 
 one, and requires, for the returns yielded, but a small amount 
 of labor, as one man can work 10 acres, except in weeding 
 time in midsummer, when two hands can do all the necessary 
 work in a week. 
 
 In Wood county the Messrs. Munch meyer Brothers, a,t 
 Washington s Bottom, nine miles below Parkersburg, seem 
 to have taken the most interest- in this fruit. Their vine 
 yard extends from the foot of the first bench, or second bot 
 tom, almost to the river, on a slope of not over 4 or 5 degrees, 
 inclined to the west. They report but little rot in the Con 
 cord, and none in the Seedling, which latter ripens to great 
 perfection. In the same vineyard, in 1870, were rows of Ives 
 Seedling, Herbemont, Delaware, Ion a, and Muscadine, all 
 producing perfect fruit. The latter variety is almost identi- x 
 cal, in flavor and appearance, with the Muscat grape of Bur 
 gundy, and is decidedly a very superior table grape. It is 
 highly remunerative. 
 
 In Ritchie and Doddridge the Ives and Norton s Virginia 
 Seedling appear to be the favorites. From the former county 
 
RESOURCES OF WEST VIRGINIA. 87 
 
 the wine, both Catawbaand Seedling, is much superior to that 
 of Wood, owing to a difference in soil and mode of cultivation. 
 It is exported principally to Pittsburgh, where it is much 
 esteemed. 
 
 In Doddridge and Levris the wine is made in a natural and 
 proper way, but in the other counties it is often mixed with 
 sugar and alcohol to make it conform to tbe taste of the na 
 tives, not familiar with the genuine article. 
 
 In the other counties, the Concord seems to be the most 
 popular grape, and, upon tbe whole, that and Seedlings have 
 proved tbe most hardy and thrifty vines in the State, tbe Ca- 
 tawba being more or less uncertain every where. Tbe vine 
 yards existing in Kanawba, in 1870, were principally Catawba, 
 but proved so unreliable that the owners have since uprooted 
 them, and are now planting Concord and Seedling, and so lit 
 tle is now done in grapes in that county, that the Charleston 
 market is supplied from tbe neighboring States of Virginia 
 and Ohio. 
 
 In Randolph county, vineyards are beginning to be planted 
 at Mie bead of the Buckbannon river, by a Swiss colony, at 
 Helvetia. 
 
 " As to tbe benefit." says Mr. Debar, " which the State 
 "derives from vine culture, it may be regarded as two-fold : 
 "First, In aiding the cause of true temperance, by subatitu- 
 " ting a mild and healthful beverage, for adulterated and 
 " intoxicating spirits ; and Second, by retaining in the State, 
 " the money that would be sent abroad for that obnoxious 
 " article, at least so far as the present rate of production can 
 "do this. When the culture of the grape shall be so extended 
 "as to admit of exporting wine in large quantities toother 
 " States, the benefits of this production of the soil will 
 " become still more apparent, It may be remarked here that 
 " it can bo extended considerably without materially 
 "encroaching upon the other productions of the State, 
 "as it requires but little surface, and that of a kind not 
 " very valuable for other crops." 
 
 The following tables of tbe more important agricultural 
 and domestic products for 1870, are here appended. We 
 must again call attention to their inaccuracy, and warn the 
 reader not to consider them as anything more than approxi 
 mations, which may serve to give the relative amounts by 
 the several counties: 
 
88 
 
 RESOURCES OF WEST VIRGINIA. 
 
 TABLE A. Statement of the Principal Items of Farm Produce According 
 to the Census, 1870. 
 
 = i ~ 
 
 
 ACRES OF LAND. .- E 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 --r 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 UNIMPROVED. <^5 $. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 C ~ I- 1 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 t5 
 
 e 
 
 = 5sl 
 
 
 
 
 
 *j 
 
 COUNTIES. 
 
 c 
 
 
 
 ~l !^Z 
 ~ > .<$> 
 
 j 
 
 
 
 
 f . 
 
 
 
 X 
 
 dj ^ 
 
 < ~~ l C -^ O 
 
 GJ 
 
 
 ^ 
 
 . 
 
 M 
 
 
 ii 
 
 x 
 
 *-* S 
 
 !- 1j (- 
 
 r* 
 
 tt 
 
 P 
 
 +2 
 
 O 
 
 
 s 
 
 
 
 o" 
 
 & 
 
 
 
 P3 
 
 o 
 
 O 
 
 & 
 
 
 Xo. 
 
 No. 
 
 No. 
 
 Dolls. 
 
 Bu. 
 
 Ba. 
 
 Bu. Bu. 
 
 Bvi. 
 
 Total I 
 
 2,580,2544.364.405 
 
 ,583,735 23.379.692 
 
 2,480,148 
 
 277.741 8.197.865 ".413 749 
 
 8 916 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Barbour 
 
 95,668 120 441) 
 
 110 
 
 664,062 
 
 42,008 3.935 ! 173,195! 43367 
 
 1 ,637 
 
 Berkeley .. 
 
 111,857 40,004 
 
 2,931 
 
 1,120,041 
 
 296,975 6,265 297,639 187,588 
 
 463 
 
 Booue 
 
 14,762 116,689 
 
 
 168,449 
 
 2,585 1,398 129,630 13,667 ]21 
 
 Braxton 
 
 32,240! 133.479 
 
 20,824 
 
 247,372 
 
 20,019 2,883 130,690 J9,68 \-*.\ 
 
 Brooke 
 
 54,856 360 
 
 604 
 
 582,583 
 
 45,549 1,145 lSi,r,76 Sl,l:!5 
 
 35 
 
 Cabell 
 
 26,866! 60.802 
 
 24,131 
 
 297,673 
 
 42 592i 2,675 
 
 167,600^ 31.586 
 
 35 
 
 Calhoun 
 
 11,315! 67,: 09 
 
 
 132,11, 
 
 5,354 849 
 
 52,202 8.357 
 
 379 
 
 Clay 
 
 7,798 627 
 
 55,181 
 
 121,524 
 
 . l,955j (57 
 
 39,093 11,497 
 
 97 
 
 Poddridge. 
 
 37,752 112,040 
 
 116 
 
 4C9.541 
 
 15,879 4.I9H 
 
 113064 18.723 
 
 910 
 
 Fayette 
 
 36,410 
 
 o 658 
 
 202,375 
 
 393,195 
 
 13,304 3,003 
 
 123220 41,991 
 
 1,566 
 
 Gilmer 
 
 20,721 93.586 
 
 3 567 
 
 190,092 
 
 9,765 2,1(12 
 
 106,0361 17,592 
 
 543 
 
 Grant 
 
 63,145 113.393 
 
 59 
 
 477,725 
 
 31,566, x,2f>. -):>,."() lo.5<i;; 
 
 
 Green brier 
 Hampshire 
 
 95099! 170,748 
 77,873 163.050 
 
 29,740 
 15,221 
 
 690,154 
 524,221 
 
 50.214 
 76,832 
 
 7,734 181,381 92,295 
 21,8851 hO,325 4C.769 
 
 1,511 
 5,599 
 
 Hancock .. 
 
 30,!I47, 16,941 
 
 2,605 
 
 317,05o 
 
 34,270 
 
 11,749; 83,180: 68,494 
 
 2 167 
 
 Hardy 
 
 43,675| 127.180 
 
 8,521 
 
 400,1:8 
 
 33.4H2 
 
 8,939 114,567 13283 
 
 " (f>0 
 
 Harrison... 
 
 147,488 134,608 
 
 1,687 
 
 1,302,51- 
 
 83,462 
 
 4,551 i 327,261 56,183 
 
 693 
 
 Jackson.... 
 
 4!) 903 100.298 
 
 100 
 
 510,781 59,8 5 
 
 :H,587| 272.044! 48,521 
 
 * 1 463 
 
 Jefferson... 
 
 92,2-15- 17,89S 
 
 524 
 
 1 134 16t)| 4(;,s s. ii; 
 
 7,020 3-S6, 2->7 44 . 77 
 
 
 Kanawha. 
 
 59,459: ]64,598 
 
 7,298 
 
 774,582 -15,5X7 
 
 7/8 
 
 406,826 96,268 
 
 144 
 
 Lewis 
 
 73,878; 110,197 
 
 118,692 
 
 619,527 
 
 41,174 
 
 3,956 191, u56! 31,776 
 
 652 
 
 Lincoln 
 
 15,613; 84,099 
 
 
 136,403 
 
 ii Ji, 1 ! 1,606 
 
 104,961 
 
 12,054 
 
 75 
 
 Logan 
 
 14,149 66f 
 
 169,147 
 
 143,462 
 
 1 784 426 
 
 125,273 
 
 4,142 
 
 22 
 
 Marion 
 
 37,410 25.4SI 
 
 
 134,811 
 
 26,528 1,109 
 
 63,643 
 
 : 9 819 
 
 
 Marshall .. 
 
 78,852 
 
 68 992 
 
 601 
 
 857,a~>4 
 
 131,509 7,363 
 
 364,743 
 
 a 1 1,662 
 
 1,944 
 
 Mason 
 
 67,010 
 
 86,4-26 
 
 
 054.570 
 
 115,2dO 598 
 
 456,99( 
 
 43,46:1 
 
 50 
 
 McDowell. 
 
 4,59-2 
 
 358 
 
 04,-_8f ."1,1 2." 
 
 675 -160 
 
 31,586 
 
 3,6l5 
 
 156 
 
 Mercer 
 
 47,313 
 
 7,762 
 
 <:37,t9< ::o::,.v < 
 
 25,756 : 5,591 
 
 114,746 
 
 43,184 
 
 ^2,444 
 
 Mineral 
 
 59,119! I6j42( 
 
 92834 
 
 445,144 
 
 50,91f 
 
 13,257 
 
 71.895 
 
 29,331 
 
 2,7f5 
 
 Monongalia.. 
 Monroe 
 
 112,045; 80,51! 
 104,760 ir, 1.031 
 
 143 
 
 3,429 
 
 1,141. ill l| 111 751 
 51.0,143 52 817 
 
 5,130 
 ll,32(. 
 
 301,328 
 170,721 
 
 148,1.72 
 59,0ti2 
 
 l,b7o 
 
 2.054 
 
 Morgan 
 Nicholas .. 
 
 32,728 
 
 24-455 
 
 63.301 
 122.12( 
 
 1,270 
 36,146 
 
 266,436 27,697 
 315,8541 10.211 
 
 9,217 
 1,331 
 
 58.142 
 104,301 
 
 19,835 
 
 38,365 
 
 ^402 
 
 Ohio 
 
 46,059 
 54,041 
 
 14,55; 
 109 89: 
 
 300 
 
 687,37H 41.4* 
 326 65(i 37 9S 
 
 3,975 
 
 10,594 
 
 225,465 
 59,228 
 
 97,37^ 
 14,53f- 
 
 3,527 
 
 Pendleton 
 
 Plea sail ts 
 Pocahontas.. 
 
 17,01)8 
 48,829 
 
 44 545 
 6.9 J4 
 
 1,874 
 286,761 
 
 14l,247| J 5,283 l,21 
 224,6971 14,901 6,:J 
 
 66 5H i u,.)! Hi 10 
 46,512 22,343 3,004 
 
 Preston .... 
 
 102.062 
 
 I00.07J 
 
 15 975 
 
 730,462! 33390 20,f81 
 
 145,004: 189,071 
 
 27,346 
 
 Putnam.... 
 
 Raleigh. 
 
 36,041 - | ( ;<i; 
 20,909 I. is Jl- 
 
 4,644 
 
 ;j-23,132; 39.9801 !,"!< 
 147,910, 7.t09i 1,001 
 
 .32.426! 49,87i 
 73,657: 16,27fc 
 
 210 
 1,603 
 
 Randolph 
 
 Ritchie 
 Roane 
 
 50,036 
 46,219 
 34 9J 
 
 188.858 
 112,115 
 130,289 
 
 62 991 
 24.881 
 85,441 
 
 270 656! 8,969 j 2,19: 
 511,910, 25,503 35,63 
 317,)50 ! 24,( S7 2,17! 
 
 59,758 33,~:37 
 146,235 40,033 
 160.912 28,489 
 
 1,504 
 1,384 
 260 
 
 Summers... 
 
 No sra 
 
 tistics 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Tavlor 
 
 53,815 
 
 40,557 
 
 
 502,070! 1 8 65t 
 
 ) 2,07." 
 
 95,439 45,16d 
 
 483 
 
 Tucker 
 
 ]; () y v 
 
 53.U7 
 
 
 !)5,403 1,40* 
 
 f 1.2941 27.S13 11,721! 1.843 
 
 Tyler 
 
 45,01!) 72 Mil 
 
 
 382.653 41,26; 
 
 2,3.6 157,302 42,48ol 682 
 
 V pshur 
 
 5981: 
 
 95.366 
 
 (2 
 
 5lO,3:i7 -! .!U. < - 
 
 6,055 R(8,-J9J 2i,4.". 
 
 yus 
 
 Wayne 
 Webster.... 
 Wetzel 
 
 .39,554 
 6,945 
 84,202 
 
 115,548 
 62 708 
 77^18 
 
 
 453,45." 
 53 07! 
 457,561 
 
 23.19T2 402 291,863 Z*,^i 
 1.196 8t6 21,075 4,8t 
 37,164} 4,48 Ji 193,111. 06,12: 
 
 240 
 2,245 
 
 240 
 
 Wirt ... 
 
 20 061 75,77. 
 
 574 
 
 237,30 
 
 15,5;32| 1 025 128.s: 1 ,(i S7,9sfe 07:: 
 
 Wood 
 Wyoming. 
 
 63:8l| 94,428 
 9.8U5 3J.870 20 
 
 715,861 
 I06,6u 
 
 68,190 5,!r^, 327, ;0f 
 2,150 973 57,89i 
 
 i 80,83! 
 
 11,07; 
 
 1,575 
 
 403 
 
RESOURCES OF WEST VIRGINIA. 
 
 89 
 
 TABLE B. 
 
 Statements of the Principal Items of Farm Produce According to the 
 Census of 1870. 
 
 COUNTIES. 
 Total 
 
 d 
 
 & 
 o 
 
 1 
 g 
 
 Lbs. 
 2,046,462 
 
 POTATOES. 
 
 H 
 
 E 
 
 Maple Sugar. 
 
 Maple Molasses. 
 
 Sorghum. 
 
 tA 
 
 Oi 
 
 
 w 
 
 Lbs. 
 
 1 
 
 BuT~ 
 
 1, 053,507 
 
 14,5-26 
 17,738 
 
 Sweet. 
 
 Bu. 
 
 Lbs. 
 
 Lbs. 
 
 490,6(6 
 
 28,575 
 40 
 3,284 
 1,360 
 1,060 
 515 
 2.824 
 1,736 
 3,896 
 6,043 
 0,305 
 39,445 
 55,740 
 44 
 500 
 13,175 
 11,920 
 4J082 
 
 Gals. 
 
 Gals. 
 
 46,984 
 
 82,276 
 
 20,209 
 
 780 ,829 
 
 376 ,997 
 
 Bai bour 
 
 4,776 
 
 1,502 
 
 2,368 
 
 1,790 
 
 27,890 
 164 
 6,806 
 20.LN1 
 3,795 
 3 2,d04 
 10,240 
 4,703 
 28,9% 
 17,844 
 21,151 
 823 
 1,562 
 3,583 
 1605 
 180 
 42.558 
 57,041 
 
 9.883 
 5,218 
 22,547 
 100 
 6.76:J 
 2,61 i5 
 2,172 
 5,35 
 5,457 
 J2,12! 
 2,825 
 V34 
 7,9" 
 4,956 
 2.165 
 2,270 
 28,937 
 3,718 
 9.382 
 
 Berkeley 
 
 Boono 
 
 6,213 
 
 12,013 
 9,028 
 45.850 
 17,39* 
 6.160 
 2.411 
 11,167 
 11,359 
 7,138 
 7,536 
 13,928 
 18,800 
 34,57^ 
 7,069 
 26,028 
 0,397 
 24,305 
 44,300 
 16,071 
 
 2,676 
 641 
 855 
 1,189 
 f<32 
 243 
 907 
 3,059 
 579 
 
 2,443 
 2,677 
 
 """480 
 1,981 
 1,868 
 1.013 
 5,056 
 2,490 
 
 ""475 
 
 Bmx on 
 
 Brooke . 
 
 
 Cabell 
 
 135,410 
 2,181 
 3,175 
 17.568 
 188.165 
 15,9:? 1 
 51!) 
 3,176 
 285 
 
 (Jalhoun 
 
 Clay 
 
 Doddridge 
 
 Fayette. 
 
 tJilrner 
 
 ""680 
 6,222 
 
 Grant. 
 
 Green brier 
 
 78 
 fiO 
 22^ 
 84 
 229 
 357 
 
 7,905 
 
 444 
 
 185 
 1,411 
 
 Hampshire 
 
 Hancock 
 
 177 
 
 688 
 73 
 
 Hardy 
 
 473 
 743 
 
 7,286 
 
 Harrison 
 
 17,098 
 90,265 
 140 
 412,4 9 
 51.470 
 56,083 
 3,912 
 
 Jackson 
 
 Jefferson 
 
 
 Kaiuiwha 
 
 533 
 15 C 
 
 3,177 
 110 
 50 
 
 50 
 
 "i loo 
 
 5,313 
 
 459 
 
 9,282 
 880 
 897 
 529 
 445 
 200 
 188 
 19,917 
 3,722 
 24,274 
 42,744 
 50 
 
 52 
 125 
 
 45,:- 67 
 
 30.455 
 11,285 
 5,954 
 3,574 
 24.25P 
 23,722 
 ,004 
 10,802 
 679 
 36,531 
 11,427 
 196 
 12.589 
 3,406 
 2,107 
 3,3! 9 
 515 
 8,521 
 19,511 
 7,163 
 8. 603 
 29,257 
 28,836 
 
 14.3C5 
 9,337 
 3,499 
 16,447 
 701 
 8,54 J 
 270 
 6,211 
 8,538 
 9,400 
 10,710 
 14,938 
 2,176 
 1,000 
 6,92:. 
 5,444 
 775 
 10,:M7 
 13,932 
 3,77! 
 6,397 
 1 0,433 
 4,344 
 8,512 
 
 Lewis.... 
 
 Lincoln 
 
 Logan 
 
 7,957 
 2,4 93 
 54,781 
 81,534 
 2, UO 
 10,867 
 8,891 
 23,772 
 12,164 
 10,915 
 6,247 
 46,748 
 8,692 
 15,920 
 8,623 
 24,063 
 26.918 
 6,7 , 
 L0.00 
 19,538 
 15,V(M). 
 No 
 10,305: 
 
 2,083 
 
 21,159 
 11. 4 IS 
 21,759 
 2,340 
 19,209 
 17,809 
 138,239 
 5.962 
 
 3,523 
 45 
 604 
 48 
 1,019 
 15 
 
 " Ib 
 
 Marion 
 
 Marshall 
 
 20 
 58,600 
 3,000 
 117,429 
 
 Mason.... 
 
 ""467 
 173 
 733 
 
 2,829 
 20 
 
 McDowell 
 Mercer 
 
 Mineral 
 
 Monongalia 
 
 2,73^ 
 123,321 
 1,068 
 840 
 
 436 
 
 443 
 41 
 
 540 
 3,361 
 635 
 
 Monroe . 
 
 Morgan 
 
 Nicholas... . 
 
 Ohio 
 
 1,4.54 
 12 
 
 "3,291 
 
 695 
 55,391 
 300 
 52,448 
 6,171 
 626 
 1,745 
 41,434 
 4.207 
 3,511 
 
 209 
 221 
 
 "i ,372 
 
 6.6 
 
 72 
 
 Pendleton 
 
 Pleasants 
 
 11.910 ! 
 
 2,966 f 
 1 673 
 47 ,785 
 5,769 
 2,13H 
 9,91)7; 
 16,885! 
 
 Pocabontas 
 
 
 1,518 
 
 2,222 
 2.481 
 2,7!M 
 *1 
 1,701 
 6,922 
 cs. 
 205 
 480 
 303 
 4,411 
 2.51S 
 595 
 2,208 
 1,012 
 1,207 
 1,834 
 
 Preston i 
 
 . 91 
 1,172 
 262 
 115 
 850 
 917 
 Statist] 
 1,256 
 3 
 228 
 971 
 3,281 
 26 
 11 
 1,300 
 2,982 
 2,269 
 
 Putnam 
 
 Ralfiuh 
 
 Randolph 
 
 154 
 118 
 2,113 
 
 Ritchie 
 
 Roane 
 
 Surnmeis 
 
 Taylor 
 
 2,259 
 
 7,983 
 7,197 
 1,815 
 
 12,639 
 368 
 
 r.,286 
 
 2,svO 
 787 
 
 ""552 
 
 482 
 117 
 
 ""l24 
 ...... 
 
 60 
 ... 
 
 10,368 
 1,213 
 22,768 
 18,164 
 33.776 
 2,591 
 18,210 
 22, -2!)!) 
 41,720 
 3,772 
 
 10,f>15 
 
 4,408 
 4,278 
 8,647 
 4,601 
 5,325 
 7,308 
 2,924 
 2,690 
 9,287 
 
 Tucker 
 
 Tyler 
 
 47,969 
 11,190 
 58, ?30; 
 2,508 
 
 Up-hur .... 
 
 Wayne.. 
 
 Webster 
 
 Wetzel .. 
 
 47,0")0i 
 s,712 
 21,890 
 8S9j 
 
 Wiit 
 
 Wood 
 
 Wyoming 
 
 12 
 
CHAPTER V. 
 CATTLE AND GRASSES. 
 
 BY WM. M. FONTAINE. 
 
 The history of stock raising in our State presents an in 
 stance of a people gradually forced by natural causes, out 
 of the channels of industry, in which their prejudices 
 and habits of life impelled them, into others totally differ 
 ent. If we recall for a moment the manner in which much 
 of the State was settled, and the people who first occupied it, 
 we shall easily see that all the conditions then existing, ivere 
 unfavorable ior the promotion of stock raising. 
 
 When, however, larger bodies of land had been opened, and 
 experience had taught the farmer the disadvantages of a 
 frequent ploughing of his fields, then, indeed, a change be 
 gan to take place. The farmer began to seek some means of 
 deriving from his grasses, a more speedy money return 
 than could be obtained from the mere improvement of the 
 soil. He had not far to seek. The successful experience of 
 the thrifty Pennsylvania graziers, was before his eyes. With 
 a similar climate and soil, naturally, similar success was 
 to be expected here. 
 
 Many causes operate in West Virginia to induce an exten 
 sive cultivation of grasses, and a fostering of stock raising. 
 Some of them may be named here : 
 
 When our new grounds have been cultivated for several 
 years, and the small roots which serve to bind the soil 
 together, have been removed, owing to the steepness of 
 our hillsides, and the lightness of the soil which composes 
 
RESOURCES OF WEST VIRGINIA. 91 
 
 them, they suffer much from washing after every ploughing. 
 The most effectual way to prevent such washing is to leave 
 the land in grass. 
 
 In most of our lands, even after merely removing the tim 
 ber, a heavy coating of Blue Grass (poa syloestris) puts up spon 
 taneously, and maintains possession, without any cultivation. 
 This affords a nutritive food for stock, throughout a large part 
 of the year. From the peculiarity of the structure of the hills 
 noted in another connection, grass does not suffer from dry 
 weather on their slopes, but grows green and luxuriant to 
 their summits. 
 
 Where there is any lime in the soil, as is the case with 
 most of our lands, decaying vegetable matter, is eminently 
 favorable for the improvement of the land, since, as explained 
 elsewhere, the carbonic acid formed, brings the lime into a 
 condition, in which, it may be used by the plant. Again, 
 grass, while growing, by the action of its roots, breaks down, 
 and brings into an available form, plant food from other rocks 
 besides limestones Hence the most effectual way to rest land 
 of any kind, is to allow it to grow grass. 
 
 Many of our shales which show no lime to the eye, contain 
 enough of it to derive a great benefit in the soils which they 
 form, from a course in grass, and it is not necessary to have, 
 in such cases, ledges of limestone among the rocks, in order to 
 have a calcareous soil produced. But whether there be calca 
 reous matter present in the soil or not, a sound system of 
 agriculture teaches the farmer to discontinue at certain inter 
 vals, the cultivation of grains on his land, and to allow it to 
 rest in grass. For even if the grass does not produce a posi 
 tive benefit, it acts beneficially in not taking from the soil, 
 the same materials that grain crops do, and in thus allowing 
 natural processes to accumulate a store of these for further 
 cultivation. 
 
 All of these reasons fostering the production of grass, the 
 question arises how to secure the most speedy returns from it. 
 
 Our want of transportation, and the bulkiness of the ma 
 terial, forbids its export in the form of hay. The obvious solu 
 tion is, to turn the grass into flesh, for thus we attain the 
 greatest diminution of bulk, and the greatest concentration 
 of value. 
 
92 RESOURCES OF WEST VIRGINIA. 
 
 Another strong inducement for the raising of cattle, lies in 
 the fact that they, by their consumption of grain in the latter 
 stages of their fattening, afford a profitable means of consum 
 ing, without the cost of transport, a good deal of our surplus 
 corn. Indian corn is our principal grain, and is produced so 
 abundantly, on most of our soils, that the only limit is that 
 imposed by the lack of some profitable way of disposing of it. 
 Here, also, in changing it into flesh, we gain greatly in the 
 cost of carriage, since corn is bulky and difficult of transpor 
 tation. 
 
 These causes have been gradually operating to force upon 
 our farmers a greater attention to cattle raising, until now, in 
 some counties, it forms the leading source of revenue. It must 
 be admitted, however, that nowhere has so great an advance, 
 as is desirable, been made in either improving the breeds of 
 cattle or in adopting a systematic course of grass production. 
 
 Over most of the State the cattle are of the so-called native 
 breeds, a mixture descended from the original stock of the first 
 settlers. These are hardy, small in size, angular in outline, 
 and do not take on fat well. They are generally left to graze 
 on the native grasses so long as they can pick up enough suste 
 nance in the fields. This is usually until November or De 
 cember. When feeding begins, shelters are hardly ever made, 
 and when they are used, they are simply a rude covering, 
 affording hardly any protection against the winds. The 
 usual practice is to leave the cattle in pasture, or to put them 
 in enclosures of smaller size, according to the character of the 
 winter, for when this is somewhat open, cattle can get -more 
 or less grain all the time. 
 
 The feeding is managed in the worst manner, the corn 
 stalks or fodder being thrown into the field, generally in the 
 same place, and in this way there is no distribution of the 
 material, or of the droppings of the cattle, over the field. The 
 failure to provide shelter causes the cattle to consume much 
 more food, to maintain their vital heat, and it is almost irrt- 
 possible for them not to lose flesh. 
 
 The time of feeding varies in different parts of the State, 
 being in the north, 5 months, and in the south, 3 to 4 months. 
 This length could be reduced by paying more attention to 
 keeping a portion of the land in sod. It not seldom happens 
 
RESOURCES OF WEST VIRGINIA. 93 
 
 that no feeding is done in the more southern counties. Diss 
 Debar mentions meeting a herd of two-year old steers, brows 
 ing in the wilds of Logan, about the middle of January, look 
 ing but little the worse in flesh. In many case*?, when towards 
 spring, fodder has become scarce, the cattle are driven into 
 the woods, and the beech a ad linden trees are cut down for 
 them to browse on the young branches and swelling buds. 
 
 This is the usual treatment of cattle, except in a few coun 
 ties, where a better system is maintained. Diss Debar says 
 of cattle raising in West Virginia : " Cows are not, as a rule, 
 " kept for breeding purposes exclusively, and hence the sup- 
 " ply of native stock is not sufficient for the wants of the 
 " graziers, who make up deficiencies by purchases in neigh- 
 " boring States, principally Ohio. Stock cattle ot all grades 
 " and ages are bought up and grazed in W. Va. until ready 
 " for market. Some dealers, who cut large crops of hay, win- 
 " ter extensive herds of mixed ages, others confine themselves 
 " to grazing more particularly three year-old steers up to mar- 
 " ket order, and winter but little, beginning to ship in June, 
 " and ending in November. Grain feeding, for later use, is 
 " principally confined to the Ohio river and Potomac coun- 
 " ties. In sections* where pasture, especially Blue Grass, has 
 " been economized in, the fattening steers are turned out on 
 " grass as early as March, and mature in June or July. This 
 " mode of operation, while requiring the least labor, unques- 
 " tionably yields the largest profit in proportion to the period 
 u of investment ; i. e., 50 per cent on the cost of the animal in 
 " the spring. But to pursue it on a large scale requires an 
 " abundance of first class sod, conveniently portioned off to 
 " afford a change of pasture. 
 
 "Within the last fifteen to twenty years, the native stock 
 " has been materially improved, by crossing with shorthorns, 
 "Devons, and grades of these. On lowland farms, with good 
 " winter accommodations, and an abundance of feed all times, 
 "the Durham matures with profit to its owner; but the neat, 
 u compact, and nimble Devon, is the animal for our hills. 
 " Crosses of Devon and common stock are fast being introduced 
 " into every section of the State, and West Virginia beef cat- 
 u tie are successfully competing with the product of other 
 " States in the Baltimore market, where, requiring but a few 
 
94 KESOURCES OF WEST VIRGINIA. 
 
 "hours transportation, they arrive in good condition. The 
 " cost of grazing stock is materially reduced, when the cattle 
 "are summered in the woods, during the second and third 
 " years, with no other trouble and expense, except an occasional 
 * looking-up and salting. When the pea-vine and other succu- 
 " lent herbage abounds, as it does in the greater portion of the 
 " State, the results in growth and flesh, compare favorably 
 " with those of field pasturing, though less tallow may be 
 " formed. 
 
 "Many farmers, in the older counties, are in the habit of 
 "sending their stock to be summered in the woods in distant, 
 " and less improved sections, under care of some settler of the 
 " locality. Others use for that purpose, the so-called moun- 
 " tain farms, on the table lands of Randolph, Pocahontas, 
 " Webster, Nicholas, <fcc., under the supervision of the work- 
 " hands engaged in clearing and fencing them. These moun- 
 " tain farms, which generally produce the finest beef and 
 "mutton in the State, are generally improved at trifling cost. 
 " The land freldom costs more than $1.50 per acre. After con- 
 " structing a worm fence, at the cost of $2.00 per acre, or less, 
 " according to the area inclosed, the largest timber is girdled 
 "or deadened, at the expense of fifty cents, or SI. 00 per acre, 
 " making the cost of the improvement, say $4.50, land in- 
 " eluded. The girdled timber dies during the first year, letting 
 u in light and heat sufficient for vegetation. When neither 
 " oak nor hickory grow, no undergrowth is to be found, either 
 u before or after clearing, and the first thing that comes up 
 " after the deadening, is a thick growth of blackberry briers 
 " which will die out in two years, or sooner, if cattle are turned 
 " in to keep them down. By that time, the native spontan- 
 " eous Blue Grass, jhas taken possession, and the farm is ready 
 " to yield a perennial pasture, worth at least $4.00 per acre, 
 " In the course of a few years, the girdled timber has dried 
 " enough to burn in the log, so soon as cut down, requiring no 
 tk piling up in heaps. The cost of the final operation, varies 
 " with the size of the timber, from $2.00 to $2.50 per acre. 
 
 "In the remainder of the State, where undergrowth pre- 
 " yails, more or less repeated grubbing is needed, to make a 
 " clear field." 
 
 Several other methods are adopted in preparing pasture 
 
RESOURCES OF WEST VIRGINIA. 95 
 
 lands, which we need not notice here. It will be noted that 
 a vast amount of timber is wasted in these clearings, all of it 
 sooner or later, being consumed. In this rough way, the oldest 
 and most extensive grazing farms were originally cleared, and 
 gradually enriched their owners. Says Diss Debar : For 
 tunes of $50,000 to $150,000, were accumulated in the live 
 stock business, by men who started in life as common farm 
 hands, and began their independent career with a brace of 
 calves." 
 
 The principal grazing counties in the State are Barbour, 
 Harrison, Hampshire, Greenbrier, Monroe, Hardy, Jefferson, 
 Marion, Monongalia, and Preston, to which may be added 
 Brooke, Hancock, Marshall, Mason, Mercer, Pocahontas, Ohio, 
 and Taylor. The entire product, and that of the several 
 counties, may be seen in table C. It is to be noted that the 
 return for Marion is plainly wrong. 
 
 It has been found very difficult to get details of the stock 
 management in different sections of the State. We append 
 some extracts from reports : 
 
 Mr. Lot Bo wen, a large dealer in cattle in Harrison county, 
 says : " Every breed of cattle of which an introduction has 
 u been attempted, thrives w r ell (in the State), but owing to 
 u the superior natural advantages possessed by the short- 
 " horns and grades, they will maintain the precedence. The 
 " management of our cattle embodies the smallest compara- 
 " tive expenditure of labor. They are wintered without shel- 
 4 ter, and are grazed 8 to 9 months in the year. By proper 
 " management, they require attention only 3 months, with 
 " dry feed. Shelter is seldom given, and grain is not fed in 
 " abundance, yet the results are always flattering and prof- 
 " itable. My observation justifies the assertion, that with 
 " parallel advantages, our stock growers may positively look 
 " for results more than equal to those obtained in the neigh- 
 " boring States. 
 
 " Not possibly over one-twentieth of our cattle find a home 
 "consumption. Our markets are of speedy access, in Mary 
 land, Pennsylvania, and New York, principally in the city 
 sale yards. Quite a respectable percentage goes to stock the 
 "farms of interior Pennsylvania, and ultimately find their 
 " way to the eastern markets. 
 
96 RESOURCES OF WEST VIRGINIA. 
 
 " Our cattle in the markets have a flattening average, 
 " returning to our farmers an average of $9 per hundred, net 
 " weight, during 1875. The State ships annually, not less 
 "than $5,000,000 worth of cattle. As a single instance illus 
 trative of her capacity, I will state that during the shipping 
 " season of 1875. along the line of the Baltimore and Ohio 
 "Railroad, reaching from Pennsboro to Patterson s Creek, I 
 " shipped over 9,000 cattle, returning to the farmers therefor 
 " more than $700,000. 
 
 "From many years expeiience in the live stock interest, 
 " and varied opportunities for observation, I am led to look 
 " upon our State, as being but in the infancy of a most envi- 
 " able career, as a stock growing country. While her hills 
 "are not adapted to the plough, they are capable, with less 
 " toil., of returning more than parallel results to the grazier. 
 
 " The cattle produce of the State is largely on the increase, 
 "and with proper efforts and favorable legislation in mone- 
 " tary interests, s^oon West Virginia will outrank any of her 
 " area on the continent in this department/ 1 
 
 Mr. R. K. Cautley says of the stock in Greenbrier : " It is 
 " nearly all Durham and grades, with an increasing tendency 
 " to pure blood. On the indigenous Blue Grass of the county, 
 " if kept for wintering them, cattle will do well all the win- 
 " ter, and except in the rare case of the land getting ice- 
 " caked, need no feeding." 
 
 Orchard Grass, Timothy, and English Blue Grass, and Red 
 Clover, all do well. The usual rotation of crops in this 
 county is Corn, Oats, Wheat, and three years in Grass, of 
 which, two years are mowed, and one grazed. T\vo careful 
 cow-keepers reported to Mr, Cautley that the best milch cows 
 are the grades, and scrub cows, bred with common Durham 
 bulls. A well fed co\v will average four gallons of milk per 
 diem. Two cows made 1,000 pounds of butter in one year, 
 and produced four fine calves. As long as cows are pastured 
 on Blue Grass, at any time of the year, the butter remains 
 yellow. They begin feeding (Pumpkins) September 15th to 
 3Uth, and put out on to grass fields May 1st. 
 
 The counties along the Ohio river, in the north, pay a good 
 deal of attention to stock raising, and also to the production 
 of grass, for which the hills, as well as the bottoms, are emi- 
 
RESOURCES OF WEST VIRGINIA. 97 
 
 nently adapted. We have already under the head of rotation 
 of crop?, in the general remarks on agriculture, adverted to 
 the method pursued here. It is sufficient to say in this place, 
 that Red Clover and Timothy, are preferred to all others in the 
 production of hay, preference being given to Timothy. Sod 
 and grazing lands are almost entirely formed of Blue Grass (the 
 native), this being indigenous, lasts indefinitely, and takes 
 the land from any other kind of grass. Whether in meadow 
 or pasture, the land improves so long as it is in grass, and they 
 depend upon this treatment, without manure, to enrich their 
 soils. 
 
 It must be borne in mind that this land is generally highly 
 calcareous, and of a character to derive the highest benefit 
 from a course of grass. 
 
 Mr. St. Geo. Bryan, assistant to the State Board of Centen 
 nial Managers, says of the counties of Richie, Wirt, &c.: 
 " Timothy is the grass most usually seeded, on account of its 
 u superior hay making properties. It runs out in about four 
 " to six years. Herds Grass produces finely in this belt. 
 "Orchard Grass is also grown. None of them grow to any 
 u extent during the winter. Red Clover grows finely, but like 
 " Timothy, soon runs out. Blue Grass is everywhere the main 
 " sod producer, for which it is eminently fitted, and through 
 put this section, fertilizes the soil, so long as it remains in 
 " it." Mr. Bryan states that it is still within the memory of 
 some of the older inhabitants of West Virginia, when not a 
 blade of Blue Grass was known in the best Blue Grass region 
 of the State. One of its most valuable properties, is that of 
 -growing during the winter. It does not grow very well, when 
 exposed to great heat in summer. The soil of the counties 
 in question, though showing no limestone, has a considerable 
 amount of lime diffused through the shales. 
 
 From the South Branch district, which is one of the finest 
 cattle regions in the State, if not the very finest, we have few 
 data. The best grass lands here are the splendid valleys, which, 
 long and narrow, run parallel to each other in a N. E. and S. 
 W. direction. Cattle are grazed in summer on the mountains 
 or uplands, and are fed corn in winter. According to Mr. Thos. 
 Maslin, the district probably sends to market every year, 20,- 
 000 head, averaging 1,250 pounds. Of these, the lightest find 
 13 
 
98 RESOURCES OP WEST VIRGINIA. 
 
 a market in Baltimore and Philadelphia, and the heaviest in 
 New York. The home price is 5J cents per pound gross, giv 
 ing a return of $1,375,000. 
 
 With respect to the grasses cultivated in Harrison and other 
 counties, Mr. Bowen says : "Our grasses are principally limited 
 "to the native or Blue Grass, the White and Red Clovers, and 
 "Timothy. The first being indigenious, is all that can be 
 " required for our soil and temperature, while it is unrivalled 
 " as a pasturage, at all seasons, for any kind of stock, and espe- 
 " cially for beef making and dairy purposes. The finest butter 
 " we have ever seen, may be produced with requisite facilities, 
 " from our Blue Grass pastures. 
 
 " White Clover. This favorite lawn grass of the Apirian, 
 " may be considered a natural product of our soils. It is exten- 
 " sively grown, and much valued, for summer and fall grazing. 
 
 " Pure Timothy Is principally the grass of our best meadows. 
 " Seed sown in August and September is ready to winter safely, 
 "and be mown the following summer. To continue in success 
 ful growth, it should not be cut until the seed is fully 
 " ripened. It grows luxuriantly, yet is less capable of with- 
 " standing the extremes of heat and cold, than the foregoing 
 " varieties. A summer pasturage of the three grasses men- 
 " tioned, grown together, cannot be equalled. It is from her 
 " hillsides, thus richly carpeted, that our noble young State 
 " sends to the consumer a beef, which, for unquestioned health- 
 " fulness, and rich and delicate flavor, cannot be rivalled ori the 
 "continent. 
 
 " Red Clover Is somewhat grown, and esteemed for summer 
 " grazing; also, for hay. Its remarkable qualities as a fertili- 
 " zer, if left uncut, or turned under for that purpose, commend 
 " it to all. 
 
 " Orchard Grass Is being introduced with the very best 
 " results. It adapts itself to all varieties of temperature ancl 
 " soil, though it thrives most luxuriantly on a rich loose loam. 
 " It is an excellent grower, producing fine sod, and resisting 
 " close grazing only second to Blue Grass. If cut early, it cures 
 " into an excellent hay." 
 
RESOURCES OF WEST VIRGINIA. 
 
 TABLE 0. 
 
 Statement of Live Stock, &c , According to the Census of 1870. 
 
 99 
 
 . 
 
 1 !H 
 
 3 O 
 SB"" 1 
 
 !i. 
 
 Ill 
 
 I 
 
 05 
 
 4H 
 
 0*3 i 
 
 :h Cows. 
 
 k Oxen. 
 
 Other Cattle. 
 
 1 
 
 33 
 
 i 
 
 Butter. 
 
 oi 
 
 w 
 
 rons. 
 
 >24,164 
 
 10,803 
 8,5.9 
 191 
 1,951 
 7,570 
 680 
 985 
 274 
 4,649 
 1,649 
 1,636 
 4,787 
 7,444 
 4,587 
 4,351 
 2,651 
 16,901. 
 2,934 
 5,753 
 2,84u 
 8,620 
 293 
 178 
 3,78l) 
 5,750 
 
 8 
 2,517 
 5,104 
 12,030 
 5.3HK 
 1.996 
 3,029 
 8389 
 5,079 
 592 
 4,797 
 11,961 
 1,446 
 951 
 7,298 
 4,732 
 3,013 
 
 6,710 
 1,498 
 4,365 
 7,233 
 1,039 
 504 
 2,947 
 1,527 
 5,578 
 294 
 
 <** . 
 
 > J i 
 
 
 
 Dolls. 
 
 Dolls. No. 
 
 No. 
 
 No. 
 
 No. 
 
 P unds 
 
 P unds r 
 
 Total 4,914,792 17,175.420 104,434 
 
 18,937 
 421 
 
 24; 
 
 44H 
 375 
 
 70 
 685 
 18S 
 129 
 362 
 436 
 271 
 44 
 496 
 21 
 72 
 146 
 706 
 61 8 
 91 
 1,078 
 482 
 
 78,309 552,327 ! ! 1,593,541 
 
 1,044,475 ^ 
 
 Barbour 
 Berkeley ; 
 
 192,667 
 154.774 
 5-8.2 1 5 
 43,890 
 92,099 
 37,123 
 17,?74i 
 15.306! 
 80,264 
 64 5J4 
 27,621 
 173 71 ( > 
 
 658,275 
 496,532: 
 129,213 
 218,990] 
 265,944 
 146,412 
 81,350 
 63,096 
 300,951) ; 
 225,085 
 162,509! 
 363,399 
 553,856 
 381454 
 218,840 
 288,204 
 1,267,287 
 370,^71 
 581,038! 
 413 450 1 
 564,196 
 86,626 
 116,372 
 247 090 
 580,7130 
 544,554 
 39,500 
 297,648 
 277,600 
 871,260 
 567,053 
 142,792 
 1*5,532 
 418 466 
 328,164 
 98,257 
 ) 358,229 
 613,369 
 3 251,019 
 1 119,184 
 3 369, 15* 
 3 29d,19 
 3 241,58e 
 \ tistics. 
 1 390,93* 
 9 112.5& 
 1 330,77 
 8 383,501 
 3 259,32 
 1 49,60 
 I 255,59 
 J 143,16, 
 5 392,72 
 5 80,42 
 
 3,622 
 3,050 
 1,356 
 2,i49 
 1,H60 
 833 
 666 
 722 
 1.987 
 2,267 
 1,^95 
 1,739 
 3,201 
 2.673 
 86y 
 1,370 
 4,916 
 2.289 
 2,489 
 3,400 
 2,962 
 950 
 1,361 
 1,110 
 3,071 
 2,331 
 54 
 2,722 
 1,531 
 4.606 
 3,00t 
 111S 
 1,601 
 1,58; 
 2,27( 
 63* 
 2,441 
 45;< 
 1 1,^6 
 1,54 
 1,97 
 2,07 
 1,85 
 
 } 1,79 
 5 63 
 1,56 
 ) 2,35 
 1,82 
 1 64 
 " 1,64 
 i 95 
 ) 2,7fc 
 ) 1,0 
 
 7,647| 
 3,991 
 2,001 
 1J30 ! 
 1.439 
 1,660 
 716 
 552 
 2,420 
 2,600 
 1,426 
 4,686 
 6,703 
 3.863 
 929 
 4,528 
 15,149 
 3,036 
 3,222 
 4,011 
 7,654 
 1,158 
 1,636 
 2,204 
 3,36t 
 4,350 
 619 
 2,90 
 3,62 
 7,713 
 6,888 
 L.42G 
 3,821 
 1,29? 
 5,10* 
 1,101 
 J 5,47f 
 J\ 6,23( 
 5 2J225 
 I 1,53* 
 > 6,25( 
 3 2,885 
 1 2,97 
 
 1) 4,551 
 5 1,00 
 8 3,30 
 7 4,30 
 7 2,50 
 7 64 
 1,82 
 1 1,00 
 7 2,94 
 5 1,41 
 
 11,738 
 9,213 
 3,955 
 9,923 
 46,581 
 4025 
 3,232 
 2,667 
 7,183 
 8,709 
 6,100 
 7,551 
 13,880 
 8,317 
 26,353 
 4,176 
 15,812 
 13,610 
 6,521 
 9,879 
 10,921 
 3,874 
 4,50o 
 4,92 
 37,508 
 9.88 
 1,300 
 8,29 
 6,42 
 1 17,37 
 11,51 
 2,68 
 8,17 
 47,20 
 9,94 
 2,91 
 > 10,82- 
 > 22,33 
 I 6,29 
 5 5,46 
 J 8,52 
 i 11,60 
 ) 12,97 
 
 5 6,00 
 J 2,60 
 7 12,11 
 4 8,00 
 7 9,72 
 2 2,01 
 3 9,54 
 8 418 
 3 10,41 
 7 2,82 
 
 31,973 
 41,147 
 9,699! 
 18,507! 
 185,105 
 8,676 
 6,555 
 5,731 
 17,441 
 16,331 
 12,736 
 20,689 
 34,051 
 i 6,658 
 128.642 
 13,566 
 45,662 
 29,85i 
 28,699 
 20,457 
 26,955 
 7,151 
 6,296 
 12,780 
 119,579 
 22,853 
 2,404 
 18,713 
 23,406 
 55,8ot 
 26,694 
 7,564 
 18,838 
 175,12^ 
 26,275 
 6,441 
 24,13 
 58,38* 
 14,995 
 11,33* 
 17,70< 
 26,82* 
 24,17 
 
 17,2a 
 6,09 
 5 26,70 
 21,85 
 3 1702 
 8 4,59 
 5 23,39 
 3 9.51 
 9 24,83 
 7 5,63 
 
 157,317 
 239.493 
 55,784 
 34, 733 ; 
 110,307 
 28,674 
 24,640 
 30,o95: 
 113,649; 
 72,188! 
 44,929 
 67,587 
 174,865 
 114.948 
 70,588 
 39,057 
 276,955 
 87,052 
 120,374 
 163,142 
 113,259 
 48,271 
 29,182 
 22,927 
 j 204,480 
 5,002 
 15,597 
 109,355 
 52 078 
 345,573 
 163,540 
 41,183 
 164,990 
 120,135 
 56.876 
 11C 
 !65,74C 
 i 193.239 
 63,061 
 * 41,63f 
 ) 90,841 
 i 116,094 
 3 100,371 
 
 3 97,22.- 
 3 26,761 
 4 108,08( 
 7 127,15* 
 2 68,96" 
 B 14.56, 
 2 119,39 
 5 44,00 
 215,57 
 32,32 
 
 
 Braxton 
 Brooke 
 Tabell 
 
 Calhoun . 
 
 Clay , 
 
 Doddridge. ; 
 Fayette i 
 Gilmer j 
 
 Green brier | 
 Hampshire ! 
 Hancock ; 
 Hardy 
 
 187,175 
 115,575 
 47,996 
 179 809 
 403,235 
 84,771 
 157,110 
 124 047 
 154,966 
 32,474 
 23,429 
 *J .353 
 128561 
 164,483 
 10,143 
 50,056 
 155,084 
 304,0* < 
 158,461 
 36, lit 
 46,56"; 
 i 100,4!f 
 108,801 
 12,69- 
 39,231 
 118.20 
 70,63, 
 24.88 
 4l|45 
 106,01 
 69,33 
 . Nosti 
 135,14 
 17,71 
 50 1 2 
 
 Harrison 
 Tack so ii-. 
 
 Jefferson 
 
 Kanawha.. 
 
 Lewis 
 
 Lincoln. 
 
 448 
 9u3 
 173 
 515 
 
 83; 
 
 8< 
 
 28 
 1 
 76 
 28. 
 
 32 
 
 > 20 
 
 12 
 ) 26< 
 3 Iff 
 
 > 81, 
 i 27- 
 J 24, 
 9 38 
 S 50 
 
 1 17 
 7 7 
 6 30 
 4 25 
 7 1,83 
 3 12 
 1 40 
 4 25 
 3 49 
 2 16 
 
 Logan 
 -Marion 
 Marshall 
 Mason . 
 
 McDowell 
 Mercer 
 
 Mineral 
 
 Monongalia.... 
 Monroe 
 
 Morgan 
 Nicholas 
 Ohio 
 Pendleton 
 
 Pleasants 
 Pocahontas.. .. 
 Preston 
 
 Putnam 
 
 Raleigh 
 Randolph 
 Ritchie 
 Roane 
 Summers 
 Tavlor . 
 
 Tucker 
 Tyler. 
 
 Upshur 
 Wayne 
 Webster 
 Wetzel. 
 
 . 131,94 
 . 90,77 
 8,31 
 82 31 
 
 Wirt 
 Wood 
 
 42,451 
 132,05 
 
 Wyoming 
 
 17,63 
 
 :;: The value of slaughtered animals put for Marion is plainly wrong. 
 
CHAPTER VI. 
 SHEEP AND WOOL. 
 
 BY C. H. BEALL, OF BROOKE COUNTY, 
 
 Prof. M. F. Maury, 
 
 DEAR SIR : In complianoe with your request of last Decem 
 ber, I send you the following facts concerning the wool and 
 sheep interests of West Virginia : 
 
 Among the attractions offered to the immigrant by our 
 young and flourishing State, none stand out more prominent 
 ly, or offer more inducements, than the raising of Merino 
 sheep and the production of Merino wool. 
 
 It seems to be impossible to give an intelligent account of 
 our present subject without giving an outline sketch of the 
 origin and history of the present fine wooled sheep of the 
 United States. This we will make as brief as possible. 
 
 The original source of the Spanish Merino is unknown. " It 
 is generally conceded, however, that at least as early as the 
 commencement of the Christian era there existed in Spain a 
 breed of fine wooled sheep. From this arose several varieties 
 in the different provinces of that country, and importations 
 from these have, from time to time, been made into several 
 countries of Europe, and also into America. 
 
 These importations have generally retained the name "Me 
 rino," which they bore in Spain, while receiving, as an ad 
 junct, the name of the country into which they were taken. 
 
 Thus we have the "Saxon Merino," the "German Merino," 
 the "French Merino," and the "American Merino," some 
 times improperly called, also, the " Spanish Merino." 
 
RESOURCES OF WEST VIRGINIA. 101 
 
 Thus, it will be seen that the three present great branches 
 of the Merino came originally from Spain. These are the 
 French, the German, and the American. Each of these has 
 been repeatedly tried in West Virginia, and the general con 
 clusion is, that the American Merino, improved in its stamina 
 and form, enlarged in its carcass, and having the weight of 
 its fleece almost doubled by a long course of patient and care 
 ful breeding, is, for all purposes, the most valuable decendant 
 and representative of the original Spanish Merino which can 
 be obtained. 
 
 Having said this much by way of introduction, we will 
 now proceed to deal more specially with the subject of sheep 
 raising in our State. 
 
 The raising of sheep, and the production of wool, has, so 
 far, been mainly confined to the "Panhandle," i.e. the four 
 counties of Hancock, Brooke, Ohio, and Marshall. What will 
 be said of these, in this connection, may, with some modifica 
 tion, be applied to the entire State. 
 
 Soil of the State. Much of the soil of our State is of that kind 
 called "limestone," or " calcareous." While it has enough 
 calcareous matter usually to ensure fertility, it is of such a 
 nature as to retain no water on its surface. It is generally 
 friable and easily broken up, and is cultivated without diffi 
 culty, while it contains no element injurious to the feet and 
 fleece of the sheep. Always covered with a dense coating of 
 fresh, green grass, it is perfectly clean and. free from the dust 
 and sand that are so troublesome in some sections. 
 
 Such is the freedom of our soil from every thing that can 
 destroy the whiteness, pliableness, and silken character of the 
 fleece, that after washing our sheep in spring, preparatory to 
 shearing, we turn them out in our pasture fields with their 
 coats still saturated with water, without the slightest injury 
 to the wool. When our sheep are shorn, the wool comes from 
 their bodies as soft, white, and pliable, as nature, under the 
 most favorable circumstances, can make it. 
 
 In our water we are peculiarly fortunate. There is, per 
 haps, no where a section more bountifully supplied with this 
 material. The whole State is broken up into hills and val 
 leys, and watered with never-failing streams and copious 
 springs, so that its entire area might be divided into ten or 
 
102 RESOURCES OF WEST VIRGINIA. 
 
 twenty acre lots, each of which would have either a perennial 
 stream or a never freezing fountain. This water is of the 
 very best character; cold, pure, and invigorating, it meets 
 every requirement of the shepherd. 
 
 Another great advantage enjoyed by West Virginia in the 
 breeding of sheep, and growing of wool, is the natural fertility 
 of her soil. This, taken in connection with her genial cli 
 mate, should make the State permanently the home of the 
 shepherd and his flocks. 
 
 .Even with our present defective system of cultivation 
 the natural outgrown of the fertility of our soil we can raise 
 a greater variety and quantity of agricultural products than 
 almost all other sections that rank as sheep-breeding and wool- 
 raising districts. This is true, both of our pasture and winter 
 feed. Of the former we have as the principal varieties, Red 
 Clover, Timothy, and Blue Grass. These grow with great 
 luxuriance and are of superior quality. Of the latter, the 
 chief varieties are the grains : Corn and Oats, and as rack-feed 
 Corn-Fodder, Timothy and Clover hay. Such is the excellence 
 and abundance of these products that the cost of wintering 
 sheep, horses, and cattle the principal farm animals is 
 much less in our State than in most of the sheep-breeding sec 
 tions of the country. 
 
 Asa proof of this, we here present a tabular statement of 
 the comparative cost of wintering these animals in the States 
 named. The table was compiled from statistics that appeared 
 in the Monthly Report of the Department of Agriculture, for 
 the months of February and March, 1875. The States men 
 tioned have been selected, and are the principal sheep-breed 
 ing and wool-growing ones of the Union. The costs are as 
 follows : 
 
RESOURCES OF WEST VIRGINIA. 
 COST OF WINTERING STOCK. 
 
 103 
 
 STATES. 
 
 
 
 1C 
 
 s-i o3 
 
 02 
 
 r- 
 
 ~s 
 *>ls 
 
 d> o> 
 
 Maine 
 
 S37.00 
 37.00 
 38.00 
 37.00 
 48.00! 
 36.00 
 43.00! 
 34.00 
 22.00 
 25.00 
 18.00 
 
 $29,00) 
 38.001 
 25.0(| 
 24.00 
 29.00 
 23.00 
 20.00! 
 20-00! 
 ll.OOi 
 IG.OOj 
 12.00| 
 
 $3.00 
 2.50 
 2.50 
 2.50 
 2.00 
 2.00 
 2.75 
 2.75 
 1.50 
 1.75 
 121 
 
 New Hampshire 
 
 Vermont 
 New York 
 
 New Jersey 
 
 
 
 Maryland 
 
 Virginia .. . 
 
 Ohio 
 
 West Virginia 
 
 By an examination of the above tables, it will be seen that 
 the cost of wintering a horse in New Jersey, is nearly three 
 times as much as in West Virginia, while there is a gain of 
 $4.00 per head over Virginia, the next lewest State. It will 
 also be seen that, while there is a loss of $1.00 per head, on 
 milch cows, as compared with that State, there is an import 
 ant gain over all the others. Our State, in the cost of sheep, 
 is 29 cents per head, cheaper than all others. 
 
 These gains are partly due to the fact that our feeding period 
 is shorter than that of some of the States, whose names appear 
 in the list, but chiefly to the superior productiveness of our 
 soil. In proof of this, we may point to the fact that according 
 to the agricultural report above referred to, the feeding period 
 of Virginia is only four months, while in West Virginia, it is 
 four and three-fourth months, with two months partial feed 
 ing, and yet it costs 29 cents more to winter a sheep in Vir 
 ginia than in West Virginia. 
 
 But whether these difference depend on soil or climate, or 
 both, they are nevertheless gains, and the foregoing table pre 
 sents proof not to be overcome, that West Virginia deserves to 
 be placed in the front rank of the sheep-raising and wool- 
 growing States of the Union. 
 
 Climate. Our climate, though much milder than that of the 
 New England and Middle States, is yet sufficiently severe to 
 cause the consumption of food enough to produce an extremely 
 
104 
 
 RESOURCES OF WEST VIRGINIA. 
 
 heavy fleece. The fleeces of thoroughbred American Merino 
 ewes, properly summered and wintered, and cared for gener 
 ally, range from 10 to 18 pounds, while buck-fleeces weigh from 
 15 to 25 pounds. With the extra amount of feed and atten 
 tion given in the Eastern States, these weights could, without 
 doubt, be considerably increased. 
 
 Our winter weather usually begins in the last week of 
 November, and continues until about the first of April. [For 
 the temperature during this period see Climatology. Authors.]* 
 The winter temperature is quite variable. In our present 
 winter, 1875. the mercury has not reached the zero point. 
 The coldest weather has been 5 to 6 above zero Fahr. This, 
 however, is by no means common, for the present winter has 
 been exceptionally mild. This comparative mildness of the 
 weather, as might be supposed, renders our feeding period 
 shorter. For the purpose of showing the relative lengths of 
 the feeding periods in the principal wool-growing States, we 
 append the following tabular statement, for which we are 
 indebted to the agricultural report before referred to. 
 
 While our climate is thus shown to be comparatively mild, 
 it is very salubrious, and highly favorable for the maintain- 
 ance of the general health of the flocks. 
 
 No such thing as scab and the other malarial diseases, so 
 common and destructive in other States, are known to the 
 sheep breeders of AVest Virginia. 
 
 LENGTH OF THE FEEDING PERIOD FOB SHEEP. 
 
 STATES. 
 
 Number of months 
 of full feeding. 
 
 Number of months 
 of partial feeding. * 
 
 Maine 
 
 6 
 
 New Hampshire 
 
 6 
 
 Vermont ** 
 
 (> 
 
 Xew York 
 
 o. 1 , 
 
 New Jersey 
 
 6. , 
 
 Pennsylvania 
 
 5 
 
 Delaware 
 
 4J 
 
 Maryland 
 
 5-5- 
 
 Virginia 
 
 4 
 
 Ohio 
 
 4 A 
 
 West Virginia 
 
 4 
 
 ; 
 
 1] 
 
 2 
 
 
 
 
 2 
 2 
 2 
 2 
 2 
 
 Surface of the Country. The character of the general surface 
 of the country, is another advantage, not to be overlooked, in 
 
RESOURCES OF WEST VIRGINIA. 105 
 
 reckoning the facilities of our State for sheep raising. The 
 disposition of the sheep to climb to the top of the highest 
 hills, points plainly to the fact that their nature requires a 
 a high and rolling country. An elevated table-land would 
 render the climate too cold, and the winters too long. This 
 difficulty is obviated by having the surface diversified by hills 
 and valleys, and such we find to be pre-eminently the 
 character of West Virginia. (See topography. Authors). In 
 our deep valleys, watered by cool, pure, never-failing streams, 
 in the smooth slopes of the hills, covered with luxuriant and 
 succulent grass, and in the lofty rounded crests, or table-lands 
 that crown the summits, the shepherd has an assemblage of 
 all the good things that nature can provide for him. 
 
 The peculiar topography of our State, furnishes in the 
 the warm months of the year, a high and dry range for the 
 flocks, and enables the shepherd to find in the same pastures, 
 sheltered valleys and nooks which afford an abundance of 
 pure water, while they are protected from the violence of 
 storms and winds. So ample, indeed, is the protection pro 
 vided by nature, that many do not think it necessary to 
 house their sheep at all. It is no uncommon thing to see 
 sheep fed out in the open field, the entire winter, and though 
 the practice is not to be recommended, yet those who have 
 adopted it, appear in most cases to have realized a fair profit 
 upon their, flocks. 
 
 The hilly and diversified character of the surface, prevents 
 the occurrence of tornadoes, and such things as " sand storms/ 
 elsewhere so injurious to the wool, are unknown. 
 
 FACILITIES FOK EXPORTING WOOL. 
 
 Having shown that our State is so well adapted to the rais 
 ing of sheep, and the production < f wool, the question nat 
 urally arises, what are the markets for these products, and 
 what are our facilities for transportation? 
 
 The demand for our sheep is principally from the south, 
 and west. Those who live north and east of us, generally go 
 to the New England States for their stock, and this confines 
 our market for stock sheep, principally to the Southern 
 and Western States, and the Western Territories. We say 
 stock sheep, for the demand for mutton sheep is in the east, 
 
 chiefly Baltimore, New York, Pittsburgh, and Philadelphia. 
 14 
 
106 RESOURCES OF WEST VIRGINIA. 
 
 For the transportation of stock sheep to the south and 
 west, we have availahle, the Ohio river and several railroads, 
 which furnish all the facilities necessary, to render such 
 transportation both cheap and convenient. 
 
 The demand for West Virginia wool, however, lies in 
 another direction. The great manufacturing section of the 
 United States is in the east, mainly in the New England 
 States. It is to this market, that our wool in the form of 
 raw material must be sent. As we have already stated the 
 market for our mutton is also in the east. 
 
 The means of transportation in the northern part of the 
 State, is ample on the two great competing lines of railroad, 
 the Baltimore and Ohio, and the Pennsylvania Central. In 
 the central and southern parts, we have the Baltimore and 
 Ohio with its branches, and the Chesapeake and Ohio. The 
 competition existing between these great routes, bring the 
 the charges down to the lowest figures, while the appliances 
 and facilities of the companies, owning and operating 
 them, afford ample conveniences to the citizens of every 
 section. 
 
 In addition to these, another great thoroughfare is now 
 under course of construction. This is under the management 
 of the " People s Cheap Transportation Company, 1 of New 
 York City. It is to extend from New York to Washington, 
 Pa., and thence to the Ohio river, crossing it at Wellsburg r the 
 county seat of Brooke. From this point it is to extend to St. 
 Louis, Mo., and will there form connection with the roads 
 running westward to the Pacific. This road, when completed, 
 will give us more direct communication, both with the East 
 and West. 
 
 FACILITIES FOR MANUFACTURING WOOLEN GOODS. 
 
 The discussion of the facilities for transporting our wool to 
 the points where it can be manufactured, naturally suggests 
 the question whether it could not be worked up to advantage 
 at home, and thus enable us to save the cost of the trans 
 port of the raw material, and the manufactured woolen 
 goons, which we now import from the East. 
 
 The only essentials required for the establishment of man 
 ufactories, are a sufficient supply of raw material, water, and 
 coal. The question of a supply of skilled labor does not enter 
 
RESOURCES OF WEST VIRGINIA. 107 
 
 into the problem, for whenever there is a demand for it, 
 there is an ample supply. Manufacturing has been found to 
 pay in New England, and there are many reasons why it 
 should be still more remunerative with us. Our fertile soil 
 produces such an abundance and variety of the necessaries of 
 life, that we can live much more cheaply than the people of 
 the East, and can in consequence of this, pay higher prices to 
 our workmen. Since the laborers could also live more cheaply, 
 the advantage would be twofold. There could then be no 
 doubt about our ability to secure a sufficient number of skilled 
 workmen, to enable us to compete with eastern manufac 
 turers. 
 
 The water and fuel which enables us to work our numerous 
 rolling mills, furnaces, and nail factories, would be amply suf 
 ficient for the wants of woolen manufactories. 
 
 We have quite a number of establishments for the prepara 
 tion and manufacture of iron scattered along the Ohio river. 
 These have proven themselves both profitable to their owners, 
 and efficient in the work in which they are engaged. Again, 
 the manufacturer here can procure his raw material in the 
 immediate vicinity of the factory, without the payment of a 
 cent for transportion. 
 
 This would enable him to pay his workmen higher wages, 
 and at the same time deliver his goods directly, and several per 
 cent cheaper to the consumer than they could be obtained from 
 the factories of eastern States. In addition to this, we would 
 have the same facilities for the transport of our manufactured 
 goods that we now enjoy for the transport of raw material and 
 stock. 
 
 Taking all these things into consideration, we may assert 
 with confidence, that in the manufacture of woolen goods we 
 need have no fear of entering into competition with eastern 
 factories. 
 
 Cheapness of Labor. The cultivation of crops, the building 
 and repairing of fences, and the care of sheep, particularly 
 during the winter months, require more labor than the farmer 
 and sheep-raiser can himself perform, and more time than he 
 can bestow. This renders the question of hired labor one of 
 unusual importance to those who contemplate engaging in 
 sheep breeding and wool-raising. 
 
108 RESOURCES OF WEST VIRGINIA. 
 
 No person, however, need hesitate to engage in such employ 
 ments in West Virginia through fear of failure to secure all 
 the assistance that he may need. There are here in our State 
 many persons, both married and unmarried, who rely entire 
 ly upon iV. v tn labor for their employment. This, from the 
 competition ,; >mled, and the original cheapness of labor, 
 enables the farmer to secure assistance at prices that are ex 
 tremely favorable for his calling. 
 
 The services of good fnrm hands can be secured for prices 
 ranging from $12 to $16 -^ T month. 
 
 Farm hands that have families generally expect, in addition 
 to their monthly pay. to be boarded while they are actually 
 employed, and to bo furnished with a house, garden, and pas 
 ture for a cow, free of charges for rent. Those who have no 
 families expect to be boarded only, and both classes expect pay 
 only for the time they are actually at work. These terms ap 
 ply only to those hands that are employed for a year or longer. 
 Many can be employed to feed stock during the winter months 
 at much lower rates and upon much more favorable terms. 
 With respect to farm labor also, then, the cost is much less 
 than in many sections where sheep raising and wool produc 
 tion have proved very profitable. 
 
 During almost the entire period since the first introduction 
 of Merino sheep into the United States, by Jarvis, Humphrey, 
 Atwood, and others, the citizens of West Virginia have been 
 to a greater or less extent, employed in breeding Merino sheep 
 and raising merino wool. The experience of these breeders 
 extends through a period of more than half a century. The 
 business has employed the talents and energy of some of the 
 first men of their day. The result has been to render this one 
 of the leading sheep-breeding sections of the Union. 
 
 The business continues to expand, and is continually taking 
 in new territory and employing new men. As the breeders 
 increase in number, and become more careful in the treatment 
 of their flocks, new evidence is presented of the fact, that a a 
 successful sheep-raising and wool-producing State, West Vir 
 ginia cannot be surpassed. We may regard the matter as 
 thoroughly tested. 
 
 The grade of our flocks, the quantity and quality of their 
 wool, have of late years greatly improved. Our breeders are 
 
RESOURCES OF WEST VIRGINIA. 109 
 
 beginning to realize the fact that if sheep are profitable at all, 
 those are most so that yield the greatest number of pounds of 
 wnol of the required degree of fineness. This has induced 
 sheep breeders to exercise more care in the selection of stock 
 rams, and to breed with special reference both to quantity and 
 quality. The more wealthy and enterprising stock owners 
 are, for this purpose, led to get their stock rams directly from 
 Vermont. Here, by a long course of careful and systematic 
 breeding, and by the continued crossing of sheep of the pure 
 Spanish blood, the Merino has been brought to a state of per 
 fection, higher than any where else in the world. Some of 
 our leading breeders have recently, also, imported considerable 
 flocks of pure bred Merino ewes from Vermont. 
 
 The result of the increased care in breeding, is that the 
 character of the sheep generally in the State, has been eleva 
 ted with a decided improvement in the quality, and increase 
 in the quantity, of their wool. Besides, we have to day flocks 
 of pure Merino ewes, which, in their forms and fleeces, 
 rival the finest products of Vermont. 
 
 We have thus far spoken only of the American Merino. 
 The French and German varieties, are to be found in our 
 State, but the demand for them is comparatively small, and 
 they appear to be gradually giving way to the American 
 Merino, which is considered to be a hardier and more profitable 
 animal. In addition to the several classes named above, we 
 have several varieties of the English mutton sheep, such as 
 the Southdowns, the Cottswold, the Leicesters, and others 
 These appear to do well here, but the demand for them, 
 though increasing, is yet small. The long period during 
 which our breeders have been engaged in raising fine sheep 
 and wool, the great care which they have exercised, and the 
 steady improvement that has resulted, have all combined to 
 give us an established reputation in the business. 
 
 Not only do the inhabitants of the adjoining States get a 
 considerable per centage of their stock sheep from our flocks, 
 but there is a brisk, and increasing demand, from the South 
 ern and Western States, and the Territories. So important 
 has this demand become, that of late, many of our farmers 
 find it to be a very profitable employment, to breed for the 
 special purpose of supplying it. The demand for West 
 
110 RESOURCES OF WEST VIRGINIA. 
 
 Virginia wool is not less active. The South and West have 
 always been engaged in agricultural pursuits, and hence can 
 not be consumers, but are rather producers of wool. Those 
 countries that have a poor soil, but an abundance of water 
 power and fuel, naturally turn their attention to manufactur 
 ing; to these the surplus products of producing States must 
 go first, to be worked up. When, however, capacity for pro 
 duction, and all the requisites for manufacturing, are com 
 bined in the same State, the manufactories must prove 
 to the producing centers. At present then, we must find 
 the markets for our wools, only in the East, but in the near 
 future, we may, with confidence, expect to find in our own 
 mills and factories, purchasers of our products. 
 
 As to the standing of West Virginia wool, we may, with 
 truth, state that, in freedom from dirt, length of staple, fine 
 ness, firmness, and strength of fibre, and in its felting proper 
 ties, our wool is unsurpassed. None meets with readier sale, 
 or commands higher prices than that furnished by our flocks. 
 
 Yours truly, 
 March 1876. C. H. BEALL. 
 
CHAPTER VII. 
 
 FOREST TREES, SHRUBS, AND MEDICINAL 
 
 PLANTS. 
 
 BY WM. M. FONTAINE. 
 
 Ash (Fraxinus). The genus Fraxinus, or Ash, is composed 
 of deciduous trees, which are natives of Europe, Northern 
 Africa, a part of Asia, and of North America. They are raised 
 from seeds, or by grafting on the Fraxinus excelsior (European 
 Ash.) These trees have a great tendency to sport, or run into 
 varieties, which closely resemble each other. Hence many, or 
 few species, may be made, according to the value attached to 
 these variations. The most important representative of this 
 genus in America, is the White Ash (F. Americana). 
 
 1. The White Ash (F. Americana). This tree is quite com 
 mon in our forests. In usefulness in the arts, it is surpassed 
 by no tree except the oak. From the rapidity of its growth, 
 the beauty of its foliage, and the valuable qualities of its tim 
 ber, it is one of the most interesting of American trees. In 
 favorable situations, it sometimes attains the height of eighty 
 feet, with a trunk three feet in diameter, and is often undivided 
 for more than half its length. It grows best in rich or moist 
 ground, near the edge of streams or swamps, where the soil is 
 deep, fertile, and intermingled with fragments of rocks. It is 
 a native of North America, from Labrador to the Caiolinas, 
 and is particularly abundant when the climate is cool and 
 moist. It is but little subject to accidents and the attacks of 
 insects. The wood of the White Ash, in young, thrifty trees, 
 is very white from the bark to the center, but in large, old 
 
112 RESOURCES OF WEST VIRGINIA. 
 
 trees, the heart wood is of a reddish tinge, and the sap wood 
 white. When the annual layers are thick and coarse, it is 
 exceedingly tough and elastic, and may be applied to a great 
 variety of purposes. 
 
 It is used by coach and wagon makers for the felloes of 
 wheels, for shafts, and for the frames of carriage bodies, and 
 for those of light wagons. It is used very generally for agri 
 cultural implements and domestic wares, especially for the 
 handles of spades, hoes, scythes, &c. In Canada, and the 
 northern part of the United States, it is largely used for hoops 
 and staves. The latter are esteemed best for casks containing 
 salted provisions and flour. For the blocks of pullies, pins for 
 belaying cordage on ships, it is the best material. It is in 
 universal use for oars in all navies. This wood is largely 
 exported to Europe in the form of planks. The inner bark of 
 the tree imparts a very permanent yellow to skins, and may 
 be used in dyeing wool. 
 
 The wood is not liable to shrink and swell, when once it has 
 been thoroughly seasoned. It, hence, makes the most beauti 
 ful floors of all our timber. Ash lumber always commands a 
 ready sale at high prices. 
 
 2. Ash, Black, Water, or Hoop (F. Sambucifolia). This tree, 
 in favorable locations, frequently attains the height of seventy 
 or eighty feet, and a diameter of two, to two and a half feet. 
 The leaves, when bruised, smell like those of the elder. This 
 tree is among the last to put forth its leaves in spring, and the 
 first to lose them in autumn. The leaves are killed by the 
 first hard frost, and in the North of the United States, are fre.-. 
 quently all off by the 20th of September. It is generally 
 found in a moist soil, or one exposed to inundations. In the 
 Middle States, this tree associates with the Red Ash, a tree 
 rare west of the Alleglianies, and with the Red Maple. The 
 wood is tougher, and more elastic, than that of the White Ash, 
 but is less durable when exposed to changes from moisture to 
 dryness, and vice versa. Hence, it is less used. Like the Euro 
 pean Ash, its timber is more valuable when grown rapidly, 
 and the wood of young trees is more esteemed than that of old 
 ones. The sap wood of this variety is very white, tough, and 
 compact. It is sometimes made into posts, which rank next 
 to the cedar in durability. In Nova Scotia and the Northern 
 
RESOURCES OF WEST VIRGINIA. 
 
 113 
 
 States, it is preferred to the White Ash for hoops. The annual 
 layers, by repeated blows, tends to separate into long strips, 
 and hence the wood is not used for oars, handspikes, c. This 
 property, however, fits it for the manufacture of baskets, chair 
 bottoms. &c. The ashes of this species, like those of most ash, 
 are very rich in potash. 
 
 3. Ash, Blue, (F. quadrangulata). This variety, in favor 
 able situations, attains often the height of sixty or seventy 
 feet, with a diameter of fifteen or twenty inches. The shoots 
 are quadrangular, and have four membranes placed opposite 
 each other. The Blue Ash is mainly found in Tennessee, 
 Kentucky, and the Southern part of Ohio, where the climate 
 is mild, and the soil fertile in an extreme degree. This fer 
 tility seems to serve as a substitute for that degree of mois 
 ture, which in the Atlantic States, seems necessary for the 
 growth of the Ash. Hence it may grow well in dry woods, 
 provided they be rich enough. The wood of this tree posesses 
 the characteristic properties of the genus, and in the Western 
 States is extensively employed, and highly valued. Beside 
 the other uses, the wood is selected for the flooring of houses, 
 and for their exterior covering. Where the Tulip tree does 
 not abound, it sometimes serves for shingles. (Browne). 
 It is said that a blue color may be extracted from the bark 
 of this tree, which circumstance may have caused its com 
 mon name. 
 
 4. Ash, Green, (F. viridis). This tree, sometimes called the 
 Walnut-leaved Ash, in its natural habitat, usually attains a 
 height of 25 to 30 feet, with a trunk 4 or 5 inches in diame 
 ter. It is easily recognized by the brilliant green, color of its 
 young leaves, which are nearly of the same color on both 
 surfaces. 
 
 This variety is native of wet, shady woods, from Canada 
 to the Carolinas, but is more common in the western part of 
 Pennsylvania, Maryland, and in West Virginia, than in any 
 other sections of the United States. It is found in abundance 
 on the banks of the Monongahela and Ohio. Its wood has the 
 same character with the other species of genus, and is applied 
 to the same purposes. As, however, the White Ash is more 
 common where it grows, and is of superior size, the Green 
 Ash is only incidentally employed. 
 15 
 
114 RESOURCES OF WEST VIRGINIA. 
 
 5. A#h, Mountain-- (Pyrus Americana). This tree, though by 
 its common name, placed among the Ash trees, is really found 
 in a quite different genus. It belongs to the same family with 
 the Pear, Apple, &c. It has an erect stem, and sometimes 
 grows to the height of 20 or 30 feet, with a diameter of a foot 
 or more. The varieties are several in number, of which the 
 P. A. Microcarpa, or small fruited Mountain Ash is indige 
 nous, especially in the whole range ol the Alleghanies. It 
 may be propagated from seeds, or by grafting. The Mountain 
 Ash will grow in any soil, and in the most exposed situations, 
 whether on the seashore, or 011 mountain tops. It attains its 
 largest size in a free soil, with a moist climate, and in an 
 open dry situation. Few trees suffer more than this from ex 
 treme heat and dry weather. 
 
 The wood of this tree, when dry, weighs 51 pounds to the 
 cubic foot. It is fine grained, hard, homogeneous, and capable 
 of taking a high polish. In Europe it is much used in the 
 small manufactures, such as the handles of knives, &c., and 
 in various articles of turnery. When large enough, it is also 
 used for axle-trees, naves, felloes, &e. In some parts of 
 Europe the berries are also used as a fruit, and even ground 
 into flour. This tree is well adapted as an ornamental 
 tree. 
 
 6. Aspen, or Poplar, (Populus tremuloides). This tree is 
 common in our woods. It attains the height of 20 to 50 feet. 
 As it has no particular value as a timber tree, we need not 
 dwell upon it. 
 
 7. The Beech, (Fagus fermginea). This tree is quite com 
 mon, and attains the diameter of from 2 to 3 feet. It is found 
 commonly along streams, or on the hill sides near streams. It 
 makes a handsome tree with wide-spread, compact foliage, and 
 a trunk which dissolves into very numerous branches. 
 
 When seasoned, the wood is extremely hard and solid. It is 
 used for plane stocks, shoe-lasts, and the handles of tools. "But 
 little of it is converted into lumber, and it is mainly used for 
 fuel, 
 
 8. Beech, Water, (Carpinus Americana). This tree is not 
 uncommon along streams and in moist places. Though belong 
 ing to a different family from the Beech, from its straight 
 veined leaves, and smooth grey bark, it lias a considerable 
 
RESOURCES OF WEST VIRGINIA. 115 
 
 resemblance to that tree and hence the common name. It 
 forms a shrub or tree from 15 to 30 feet high. Its wood is very 
 hard, and from this property the tree in some sections is called 
 " Ironwood," The wood is speckled, or somewhat curled, and 
 would seem fitted for some kinds of furniture. 
 
 9. Birch, Black, (Betula lenta). This is rather a large tree, 
 growing along the Alleghany region. It prefers moist places, 
 and has on the trunk a dark brown, close bark, with a sweet 
 aromatic odor. The timber is rose colored, fine grained, and 
 valuable for cabinet work. 
 
 10. Birch, Red, (Betula nigra). This is rather a large tree, 
 growing on low river banks, rather abundantly in some locali 
 ties. Its wood is light colored, and is not much appreciated 
 for timber. 
 
 11. Buckeye, Sweet, (Aesculus ilava). -This tree, which must 
 not be confounded with the Ae glabra. or Fetid Buckeye, un 
 like the latter, grows in rich woods, and in mountains and 
 knobby districts, where it attains the height of 50 or 60Jfeet, 
 and is 2 or 3 feet in diameter. The wood is light, soft, and 
 porous, not inclined to split or crack in drying. It is valu 
 able for making troughs, bread-trays, wooden bowls, shuttles. 
 &c. 
 
 12. Buckeye, Fetid, (Aesculus glabra). This is the most 
 common species of Buckeye found in the State. It grows only 
 in the vicinity of streams, and forms a large tree occasionally. 
 Itjhas no particular value. 
 
 13. Cedar, (Juniperus Virginiana). This valuable plant, 
 which in the east grows only to a small size, in West Vir 
 ginia attain the height of 60 to 90 feet, and a diameter of 2 or 
 3 feet. It endures in its growth, a considerable variation of 
 soil and situation. It is found both on high hills and along 
 streams. This tree is considered to furnish one of the most 
 valuable of all woods. The wood is compact, fine grained, 
 light, and exceedingly durable. The heart, which furnishes 
 the timber, has a strong red color, and is peculiar for its strong 
 pleasant odor. This is so greatly disliked by moths, that 
 chests made of it are proof against them. It is capable of a 
 high polish, and is more highly esteemed than any other 
 wood in the manufacture of hollow wooden-ware. Great 
 quantities of this timber is manufactured annually into buck- 
 
116 RESOURCES OF WEST VIRGINIA. 
 
 ets, tubs, &c., <fec. For fence posts, &c., it is peculiarly fitted 
 from its great durability, lasting, as does, for generations. 
 The timber meets with a ready sale at remunerative prices. 
 
 14. Cherry, Wild, (Primus Serotina). This is one of our most 
 valuable timber trees. In the Eastern States it is very com 
 mon as a shrub, or small tree. With us, it often attains the 
 height of sixty to seventy feet, before dividing into limbs, and 
 often measures three and a half to four feet across the stump. 
 It permits a considerable range of situation, growing botli on 
 streams and hills, but delights in a rich, well drained soil. 
 
 The wood is light red, compact, and fine grained, and takes 
 a polish as fine as that of mahogany or rosewood. With age 
 and proper treatment, it will compare in polish and beauty, 
 with any wood. The wood is almost entirely used for cabinet 
 work. There are large quantities of this valuable timber in 
 the State, The tree grows everywhere, but the largest num. 
 ber, and the finest for timber, are perhaps to be found near the 
 headwaters of the Elk, Gauley, Greenbrier, and Cheat rivers, 
 in the counties of Randolph, Pocahontas, Braxton, and Web 
 ster. It grows usually scattered through the other timber. 
 Many large and fine trees, four feet in diameter, are found on 
 Cherry and Williams rivers, in the above mentioned district. 
 Trees here may be found long enough for three arid four, six 
 teen feet cuts. 
 
 15. Chestnut, (Castania Vesca). This is one of our largest 
 trees, attaining a diameter of seven feet. It grows in dry, elevated 
 ground, in every part of the State, and is more abundant in 
 and near the mountains. It has a rapid growth, and may be 
 renewed from the seed or sprout, in fifteen or twenty years, "to 
 a size sufficient to form posts and rails. 
 
 The wood resembles the Red Oak in color, being a shade 
 lighter. It is a very valuable timber on account of its dura 
 bility. In the form of shingles, or rails, it will last until 
 washed away by the rains. Chestnut rails have been known 
 to last over fifty years. When put in the ground, it is not so 
 durable as Cedar or Locust. The wood has a beautifully lami 
 nated structure, and when polished or varnished, makes hand 
 some furniture. It furnishes a very valuable edible nut, which 
 is sold in large amounts, and affords a fine mast for hogs. A 
 tree thirty-three feet in circumference has been measured in 
 Kanawha county, 
 
RESOURCES OF WEST VIRGINIA. 117 
 
 16. Coffee Tree, Kentucky, (Gymnocladus Canadensis). The 
 Kentucky Coffee Tree grows to a considerable height some 
 times 50 to 60 feet with a straight trunk, having a diameter 
 of 12 inches to 2 feet, and is often destitute of branches for 
 more than 30 feet. 
 
 In its natural habitat, it always grows in the richest soils, 
 and thrives best in sheltered situations. It is generally prop 
 agated by seeds, but may be raised from cuttings of the roots. 
 
 The wood is of a rose hue, and is very hard, compact, tough, 
 and strong. These properties render it very suitable for cabi 
 net work, and for building. It has but little sap wood, and 
 hence nearly all the trunk can be used. The pods, preserved 
 like those of the Tamarind, are said to be wholesome, and 
 slightly aperient. The seeds were used by the early settlers of 
 Kentucky and Tennessee, as a substitute for coffee, hence the 
 name. 
 
 17. Cotton Wood, (Populus Heterophylla). This tree is not 
 very abundant with us. It attains a large size in Tennessee, 
 and on the Mississippi is used for fire wood. It prefers 
 moist ground and swamps, attaining the height of 40 to 60 
 feet. The wood is white, soft, and easy to cut and split. 
 
 18. Cucumber Tree, (Magnolia Acuminata). This tree is not 
 uncommon in the State. Its trunk is straight, of uniform size, 
 and often destitute of branches for two-thirds of its length. 
 It attains the height of 60 to 80 feet, with a diameter of three 
 or four feet. It may be propagated from the seeds, or by layers. 
 The situations best adapted for it, are the slopes of mountains, 
 narrow valleys, or the banks of torrents, where the air is always 
 moist, and the soil deep and fertile. 
 
 The wood of this species is soft and light, weighing when 
 dry, only 26 pounds to the cubic foot. The timber may be 
 employed in joining, for the interior of houses, and for cabinet 
 making. From its size and lightness, it is well adapted for 
 hollowing out into canoes. The half ripe cores, steeped in 
 whisky, renders it extremely bitter, and it is then, when taken 
 in the morning, considered as a preventative of autumnal 
 fevers. 
 
 19. Dogwood, (Cornus Florida). This tree, or rather shrub, 
 js found everywhere in the State. In its natural habitat, under 
 favorable circumstances, it forms a tree 30 to 35 feet high, and 
 9 to 10 inches thick, but is usually only half this size. 
 
1.18 RESOURCES OF WEST VIRGINIA. 
 
 The Dogwood thrives best in a gravelly soil, rich in vegetable 
 matter and moisture. It may be propagated by seeds or cuttings- 
 
 The wood of this plant is hard, compact, and heavy. Its 
 fine grain renders it capable of a high polish, arid hence it 
 may be used for many of the purposes for which Logwood is 
 employed. It is also used for the construction of the handles 
 of light tools, mallets, etc.: as well as for the names of horse 
 collars, runners of sleds, &c. Being liable to split, it should 
 not be used until perfectly seasoned. The wood as a fuel makes 
 a very hot fire, and gives an abundant pure white ash. 
 
 The inner bark of the tree is extremely bitter, and forms 
 an excellent substitute for Peruvian bark. It is even claimed 
 by some physicians that the Dogwood equals Peruvian bark. 
 The bark may also be substituted for galls in the manufac 
 ture of ink. From the bark of the more fibrous roots the In 
 dians get a good scarlet dye. A Dogwood 18 inches in diame 
 ter is reported from Braxton county. 
 
 20. Elder, Box, (Negundoaceroides [Mornch]). This plant, 
 though bearing the name of Box Elder, has no affinity with 
 the true Elders. 
 
 Farther south, the tree attains a larger size than with us. 
 In Tennessee it attains a height of 40 to 50 feet, and a diame 
 ter of 15 to 20 inches. It is most abundant in the bottoms 
 which skirt the river, where the soil is deep, fertile, and con 
 stantly moist. With us it is not confined to river banks, but 
 grows in the woods with the Locust, Wild Cherry, and Coffee 
 tree. It may be raised from the seeds, and is not a long-lived 
 tree. 
 
 The wood has a fine even grain, and is saffron colored*, 
 slightly mixed with violet. Except in very old trees, the 
 proportion of sap to heart-wood is very large. In America the 
 wood is used only for fuel, but in Europe it is used in cabinet 
 making, especially for in inlaying. For this, the heart wood 
 of old trees, variagated with bluish and rose-colored veins, 
 affords handsome material. 
 
 21. Kim, Red, or Slippery, (Vlmus fulva). This is a widely 
 diffused, but not very abundant tree. In the Atlantic slope, 
 in our latitude, it is usually a shrub, but with us it attains 
 the dimentions of a large tree. It often attains the height of 
 50 or 60 feet, and a diameter of 18 to 24 inches. It grows on 
 
RESOURCES OF WEST VIRGINIA. 119 
 
 the richest lands of an uneven surface, and does well in ele 
 vated open situations. 
 
 The heart wood is coarse grained, and of a dull red tinge, 
 whence the name. It is less compact, but more durable than 
 that of the White Elm. It is said to.be the best of American 
 woods for making the blocks employed in the rigging of ves 
 sels. It makes excellent rails, which last long, and the wood 
 is easily split. The bark is very mucilaginous, and contains 
 sugar, gallic acid, and supertartrate of potash. Medically, it 
 is said to be alterative, tonic, and diuretic, and is employed 
 for the cure of herpeti;: and leprous eruptions. The leaves 
 have been employed as food for the larviu of the silk moth. 
 The bark, small branches and leaves, macerated in water, 
 give an abundant mucilage, used as a drink in coughs and 
 rheums. This mucilage may be used instead of the roots of 
 the Marsh Mallow in making emollient suppurative cata 
 plasms. 
 
 22. Elm, White, or Rock, (Ulmus Americana). This is our 
 most abundant Elm. Where it grows surrounded by other 
 trees it has a lofty trunk, very clear of branches, attaining 
 the height of 80 to 100 feet, and a diameter of from 4 to 6 feet. 
 It is more often found on river banks, and in more or less open 
 ground. Here it splits up into a great profusion of branches 
 close to the ground. 
 
 The tree may be propagated by suckers, by layers and by 
 grafting. It delights in low and humid situations, such as 
 the rich bottoms along streams, where the soil is deep and 
 fertile. It will grow, however, in any soil that is not too dry 
 and barren. The foliage of this tree is the food of several 
 kinds of insects, and its bark is pierced by others. 
 
 The wood of the White Elm is of a, dark brown color, and 
 liable to decay when exposed to the alternations of dryness 
 and moisture. It may be used for piles, foundations for mills, 
 and canal locks, and other structures which are always under 
 water. When cut transversely, or obliquely to the fibers, it 
 shows many fine undulations. It weighs, when perfectly dry, 
 only 33 Ibs. to the cubic foot. The bark, which is easily de 
 tached from the tree during 8 months of the year, is used for 
 making bast mats, ropes, and the bottoms of chairs. The 
 
120 RESOURCES OF WEST VIRGINIA. 
 
 wood when burned affords a largo amount of ash, which is 
 rich in potash. 
 
 23. Elm, Wahoo, or Witch, (Ulmus alata). This is a small 
 tree, not commonly exceeding 80 feet in height, and 9 or 10 
 inches in diameter. It is generally found on the banks of 
 rivers. 
 
 The wood of this variety is fine grained, heavier, more com 
 pact, and stronger, than that of the White Elm. The wood 
 is of a dull chocolate color, and is always in large proportion 
 to the sap wood, In some parts of the country the wood 
 is used for the naves of coach wheels, as it is tougher and 
 heavier than that of either of the other species. 
 
 24. Fir, or Spruee, Black, (Abies Nigra). This tree has a 
 variety of common names, being called in different sections, 
 Black Fir, Black Spruce, and Yew Pine. It is a Fir. The 
 tree is quite common in the higher and colder part of the 
 State, growing on the banks of streams, and on cold mountain 
 sides. It forms a handsome tree, some 60 to 70 feet high, and 
 2 to 3 feet in diameter. Since it grows mainly in the more 
 inaccessible parts of the State, not much use has, as yet, been 
 made of the timber. 
 
 Great numbers of this tree are to be found in suitable loca 
 tions all through the Alleghanies, the foots of hills near them, 
 and the deep, well shaded hollows of the higher plateau regions- 
 In the region of country around the headwaters of the Gauley, 
 Elk, and Cheat, vast numbers of this tree are to be found. For 
 this reason the district in question is called by the natives 
 the " Yew Pine Region," as they call the tree by this name... 
 
 According to Mr. Cecil Clay, President of the St. Lawrence 
 Boom and Manufacturing Company, this tree will often cut 
 20,000 feet per acre, in this part of the country. Dense masses 
 of it cover the mountains here, the trees growing clear and 
 tall, with trunks several feet in diameter. The country is yet 
 in the original forest, and millions of feet of fine fir timber can 
 be obtained. 
 
 25. Fir, Southern Balsam, (Abeis Fraseri). This tree grows 
 mainly on the highest points of the Alleghanies, and is more 
 abundant to the south of us in Tennessee. From its inacces- 
 sible position, it is not used for timber. It is chiefly remark 
 able for the balsam which gathers in blisters under the bark. 
 
RESOURCES OF WEST VIRGINIA. 121 
 
 and is used for medicinal purposes. It is found in the high 
 mountains in northern Pocahontas, and in Pendleton and 
 eastern Randolph. 
 
 26. Gum, Black, or Sour, (Nyssa Mulf iflora). This tree, called 
 variously Black Gum, Yellow Gum, or Sour Gum, seldom rises 
 above 40 or 50 feet, with a trunk 15 or 20 inches in diameter. 
 It permits a somewhat wide range of situation, growing in 
 some parts of the country on dry soil, and in others in wet 
 places. In West Virginia the tree grows in both situations; 
 in Tennessee it grows usually on rich, moist soils. 
 
 It may be propagated by seeds and by cutting or layers. 
 The wood holds a middle rank between hard and soft woods. 
 In trees exceeding 15 inches in diameter, frequently more than 
 half the trunk is hollow. The fibres of most trees are closely 
 united, and usually ascend in a perpendicular direction. The 
 Gum is peculiar in this respect, the fibres being united in 
 bundles, and interwoven like a braided cord. This gives it its 
 peculiar toughness. Where it abounds, it is used for the naves 
 of wheels employed for carrying heavy burdens. It is also 
 used for the shaft heads of windmills, and for wooden bowls. 
 As fuel, the wood burns with great slowness. 
 
 27. Gum, Sweet, ( Liquid ambar Styraciflua). This finds its 
 most congenial home in wet, marshy places. 
 
 It forms a handsome and large tree. The leaves, when 
 bruised, have a pleasant aromatic odor. 
 
 The wood is fine grained, but decays rather rapidly. It is 
 difficult to split, and resists fire longer than any of our tim 
 bers. It is occasionally used for the same purposes as the Black 
 Gum, and sawed into plank, is mainly employed in coarse 
 work. It is compact, and is said to admit of a bright polish. 
 It is sometimes used in cabinet work, and makes a passable 
 article of furniture. 
 
 28. Hemlock, Spruce, (Abies Canadensis). This tree is much 
 more common farther North than with us. It grows on rich 
 mountains and table lands. It forms a large tree, but the tim 
 ber is comparatively coarse grained and poor. The bark is 
 useiul for tanning. Dense strips of large Hemlock grow on 
 the headwaters of the Gauley, etc., rivers. 
 
 29. Hickory, (Carya) -Three species of this valuable tree grow 
 abundantly with us. There are : 1st, the Scaly Bark Hickory, 
 
 16 
 
122 RESOURCES OF WEST VIRGINIA. 
 
 carya alba; 2d, the White Hickory, carya tomentosa; and 3rd, the 
 Red Hickory or Pignut, carya porcina. The common White 
 Hickory (C. tornentosa), grows well on all soils of medium 
 quality. It rarely attains a greater diameter than 18 inches, 
 and grows by preference in dry woods. The wood of this tree 
 is white to the core, hence the name. It is tough, and some 
 times stringy, very elastic, hard, and of great weight. 
 
 When small, the shrub is used for barrel and hogshead 
 hoops, and for casings, and for wythes for various purposes. 
 It is exceedingly tough, and strong, but easy to split. The 
 bark is useful for tying up grapevines, as it may be easily 
 stripped off in spring, and kept supple under water. 
 
 The tree is worked up into axles for wagons, spokes and 
 felloes for carriages, and for axe handles. When seasoned, it 
 makes the best carpenters mallets, and the most useful han 
 dles for chisels. However, when exposed to moisture, it is 
 peculiarly liable to decay, and is also very subject to attacks 
 from worms. Large quanties of the timber are worked up into 
 chairs, &c. 
 
 The Scaly Bark Hickory, C. alba, is a much larger tree, and 
 splits more readily. It grows 80 to 100 feet high, and 2^ to 3 
 feet thick. 
 
 The Red Hickory, or Pignut, like the last, prefers a rich soil 
 on hillsides or river bottoms. 
 
 The Bitter Nut, C. amara, sometimes called Pignut, also, is a 
 common tree. The wood is less valued than that of the 
 others. 
 
 Both the Scaly Bark Hickory, and the Red Hickory, above 
 mentioned, are not rare, and have timber resembling that of 
 the Common White Hickory. They are used for the same 
 purposes. Hickory makes the finest of all fuels. It burns 
 rapidly, and gives out an intense heat. It is preferred for 
 curing tobacco and bacon, not giving so strong a taste of creo 
 sote. The ashes of the Hickory are the richest of all in 
 potash. . 
 
 30. Holly, (Ilex Opaca). i his is a beautiful evergreen tree, 
 growing mainly on mountain streams in gravelly or sandy 
 soil. Its ordinary height in favorable situations, is under 30 
 feet, with a diaintsr of 14 to 15 inches, and less. The wool 
 is wliifce, cjmpict, of fine grain, and capable of a brilliant 
 
&ESOTJ&CES OF WEST VIRGINIA. 123 
 
 polish. It is quite heavy, weighing, when dry, about 47 
 pounds to the cubic foot. Its principal use is for inlaying 
 mahogany furniture, for turning into small boxes for drug 
 gists, and for small screws. When perfectly seasoned, it is 
 very hard and unyielding, which makes it fitted for the 
 pulleys used in ships. It takes dye of various colors well, 
 and is used in imitating foreign woods. The bark, medici 
 nally, is emetic and cathartic. Fifteen or twenty berries will 
 induce vomiting, and act as a purgative. 
 
 3 1 . Hackberry, (Celtis Occidentalis). The Hackberry, or 
 Celtis Occidentalis, var. crassifolia, is a common tree west of the 
 Alleghanies. It sometimes attains a height of 80 feet, with 
 a trunk of the very disproportionate diameter of 18 or 20 
 inches. 
 
 It prefers a cool, shady situation, and a deep, fertile soil, or 
 along the borders of rivers and among other trees. Its wood 
 is of little value, from its weakness and liability to decay, 
 when exposed to alternations of wet and dry conditions. It 
 is compact, and fine grained, however, though not heavy. 
 Sawed in a direction parallel, or oblique to its fibres, it shows 
 the fine undulations seen in the Locust and Elm. In some 
 parts of the country, the timber is employed in roofs for the 
 covering which supports shingles. As it is elastic, and may 
 be easily divided, farmers use it sometimes for the bottoms 
 of chairs, and Indians use it for making baskets. Being 
 straight grained, free from knots, and wrought with the 
 greatest ease, it is sometimes used in fencing. 
 
 32. Ironwood, (Ostrya Virginica). This tree is also called 
 Hop Hornbeam, or Lever Wood. It may be distinguished by 
 the hop-like appendages, containing small nuts, which the 
 tree possesses. It forms a small tree, with brownish fur 
 rowed bark, and leaves like those of the Birch. It is common 
 in rich woods. The wood is extremely hard and tough, 
 which properties render it unequalled for handspikes, 
 and other purposes requiring these properties in a high 
 degree. 
 
 33. Locust, Common, (Robinia Pseudacacia). The Common 
 Locust, in favorable situations, attains the height of 80 or 90 
 feet, and sometimes exceed four feet in diameter. Ordinarily 
 the tree does not exceed half these dimensions. It abounds 
 
124 RESOURCES OF WEST VIRGINIA. 
 
 in West Virginia. The soil in which it grows best is a rather 
 rich sandy loam, and to attain any considerable size, it must 
 have considerable room, &nd an airy but sheltered position, 
 free from the fury of the winds. It will thrive for a few 
 years, even on poor shallow soils, but soon decays at the 
 heart, and does not attain any size. This is due to the rapid 
 extraction from the soil, of all its nutriment by the large 
 roots, which run near the surface. The only trees that will 
 make timber on such thin soils, are those of the Pine family. 
 The simplest and best mode of propogating it, is by the 
 seeds. 
 
 The wood of the Locust is of a greer.ish yellow color, 
 marked with brown veins. It is v^ry hard, o,nd compact, and 
 is capable of a very high polish. It has great strength, with 
 but little elasticity, its most valuable property being the 
 resistance to decay which it exhibits, this being greater than 
 that of almost any other wood. When newly cut it weighs 
 63 pounds 3 ounces per cubic foot ; half dry, 56| pounds, or, 
 according to others, only 46. M. Hartig, the German den- 
 droiogist, places its value for fuel, when compared with the 
 Beech (Fagus sylvatica), as 12 to 15. For duration, he 
 places it next below the Oak (Quercus robur). 
 
 There are at least three popular varieties of the Common 
 Locust, distinguished by the color of the heart wood. These 
 are : 
 
 1. Red Locust. With the heart red, and esteemed as by far 
 the most beautiful and valuable timber. Posts of this variety, 
 perfectly seasoned before,; they are put in the ground, are 
 estimated to last 40 years, or twice as long as those of the 
 White Locust. 
 
 2. Green or Yellow Locust. This is the most common variety, 
 being known by its greenish yellow heart, and it is held to 
 be next to the red Locust. 
 
 3. White Locust. This has a white heart, and is considered 
 the least valuable. 
 
 All the above mentioned variations, are supposed to be 
 caused by differences of soil and situation. In naval archi 
 tecture, the Locust is much esteemed by American ship 
 wrights. It enters into the upper and lower parts of the 
 frames of vessels. In civil architecture in this, country, 
 
RESOURCES OF WEST VIRGINIA. 125 
 
 owing to its scarcity, it is not much used. It is more partic 
 ularly applied to the support of sills. It has been exten 
 sively used in cabinet making, ancrmany small wares. The 
 roots of the Locust are very sweet, and afford an extract 
 which may be substituted for licorice. The flowers have 
 been employed medicinally as an anti-spasmodic. 
 
 34. Locust. Honey, (Gleditschia triacanthos). This in favor 
 able situations, attains a height of 70 or 80 feet, with a trunk 
 3 or 4 feet in diameter. The tree generally grows in associa 
 tion with the Black Walnut, Red Elm, Common Locust, etc. 
 It is never found except where the soil is good, and its pres 
 ence is a sign of fertility. 
 
 The wood, when dry, weighs 52 pounds to the cubic foot. 
 It is very hard, and splits with great difficulty. Its grain is 
 coarse, and its pores more open, than those of the Common 
 Locust. It is of very little u^e for timber, and can be only 
 considered as an ornamental tree. 
 
 35. Linden, or Linn, (Tilia Americana). This tree bears 
 various names, being called, the American Lime Tree, Linden, 
 or Basswood. In size it is one of the finest forest trees. It 
 often rises more than 80 feet in height, and is frequently 
 more than 4 feet in diameter, with a straight, uniform body. 
 It prefers a rich, loose, dark soil, on the borders of lakes and 
 rivers, and in moist bottoms, which are little subject to inun 
 dation. It may be propogated from seeds, by cuttings, and 
 by grafting. 
 
 The wood, when dry, weighs only 35 pounds per cubic foot. 
 . When seasoned, it is of a light brown hue. It is soft, easily 
 worked, and is often sawed into boards, which do not warp. 
 In some places it is used for the panels of carriage doors, and 
 the seats of chair--. It is frequently turned into various 
 utensihs, and carved into ornamental work. The cellular 
 integument, maybe separated irom the epidermis, and formed 
 into ropes. The greatest value which it has, is for making 
 firkin staves. It is extremely easy to decay, and hence can 
 not be used in building. It may be reduced to a pulp, and 
 made into paper. The young shoots and twigs are very glu 
 tinous, and afford considerable nutriment, and are used in 
 some sections, as food for cattle in winter when forage is scarce. 
 36. Maple, Sugar, ( Acer saccharimum). The Sugar,or Rock 
 
126 RESOURCES OF WEST VIRGINIA. 
 
 Maple, as it is sometimes called, is one of our most valuable 
 trees. In our new State the vast numbers of the trees of this 
 species affords large amounts of sugar, which yields a consid 
 erable revenue to the inhabitants. 
 
 In favorable situations the trees sometimes grow to the 
 height of 70 or 80 feet, and attain the diameter of 2 to 4 feet. 
 The trunk is generally straight, though often studded with 
 wens or excrescences. There is a variety of this tree which 
 in some respects differs from the common Sugar tree. This is 
 called the Black Sugar Maple (or A. S. Var. nigum). The 
 Ieave3 of this tree are of a darker green, thicker texture, and 
 have blunter lobes than the Rock or Sugar Maple. Both trees 
 grow together, and are alike in all other respects. 
 
 The natural habitat of the Sugar Maple is the steep and 
 shady banks of rivers which rise in mountanous regions, and 
 in all elevated regions where the soil is cold and humid, free, 
 deep, and fertile, and not too moist. 
 
 The wood of the Sugar Maple, when it has been exposed to 
 the light for some time, takes on a rosy tinge. Its grain is 
 fine and close, and when polished its lustre is silky. It is 
 very strong and heavy, but is not durable when exposed to- 
 alternations of moisture and dryness. The northern wood 
 weighs, when dry, 46 Ibs. per cubic foot, and is heavier than 
 that grown south. It makes, when dry, a fuel equal to the 
 oak. The timber requires two or three years to become per 
 fectly seasoned. It may then be used for axletrees, spokes, 
 mill-cogs, chairs and cabinet work. The wood of this tree ex 
 hibits several accidental forms in the arrangement of its fibre, 
 which are utilized in making beautiful articles of cabinet 
 work, and furniture, such as bedsteads, writing desks, inlay 
 ing mahogany and black- walnut in bureaus, piano-fortes, and 
 for veneering-slabs, &c. The first of these is Curled, Maple. 
 The undulations, or medullary rays of this variety, like those 
 of the Red-flowered Maple, are lustrous, and in one light ap- 
 appear darker, and in another, lighter than the rest of i)he 
 wood. Sometimes the zig-zag lines are crossed by beautiful 
 veins, but unfortunately the lustre of these shades disappears 
 by long exposure to the light and air- 
 
 The second is Bird s-Eye Maple. This variety exhibits small, 
 whitish spots, or eyes, not over one-tenth of an inch in diame- 
 
RESOURCES OF WEST VIRGINIA. 127 
 
 ter, sometimes occurring a little way apart, and sometimes 
 close together. The more numerous these spots the more val 
 uable the wood. They are seen only in old trees, which are 
 still sound ; and seem to come from a bending of the fibres 
 across the grain. To get the finest effect, the wood should be 
 sawed as near as possible parallel with the concentric circles. 
 
 In addition to the above named varieties, two other kinds 
 occur in the Wens. The most valuable variety is called Varie 
 gated Maple Knot. It presents an assemblage of shades, agree 
 ably disposed, sometimes like Arabic letters, which make the 
 wood well fitted for fancy work, and from its scarcity it com 
 mands high prices. The other variety is called Silver-White 
 Maple Knot. This shows a silvery lustre by the arrangement 
 of its fibres, and though more common than the other, is 
 highly prized and used for the same purposes. 
 
 The ashes of the Sugar Maple are rich in alkalies, and it 
 has been said that they furnish four-fifths of the potash ex 
 ported from the United States to Europe. In the Torges of 
 Maine, New Hampshire, &c where this tree grows, its charcoal 
 is preferred to that of any other wood. The ripening of the 
 leaves in fall causes them to take on the most beautiful colors. 
 In the mountain counties of the State there are enormous num 
 bers of this tree, and in some districts it forms half the timber. 
 
 37. Maple, Silver, (Acer dasycarpum). The White, or Silver 
 Maple, in good situations, attains the height of 30 to 50 feet, 
 with a trunk 2 to 4 feet in diameter, but sometimes has a 
 diameter as 8 to 9 feet. It is found in a sandy loam on the 
 banks of such rivers as have limpid waters, with a gravelly 
 bed, and is rare in miry, black soils. 
 
 The wood of this tree is white and of a fine texture, but is 
 softer and lighter than that of any other Maple in the United 
 States, and from its want of strength and durability, it is but 
 little used. When dry it weighs 38 Ibs. to the cubic foot. It 
 is sometimes used in cabinet making, instead of the Holly, for 
 inlaying furniture of mahogany, cherry, etc., but soon changes 
 color on exposure to light. It may be used, for want of a bet 
 ter, in making wooden bowls. Its charcoal affords a more 
 uniform heat, and of longer duration than any other. The 
 inner bark is sometimes used for domestic dying, to produce a 
 black with copperas. 
 
128 RESOURCES OF WEST VIRGINIA. 
 
 38. Maple, Red (Acer rubrum). This does not attain the size 
 of the Sugar Maple. The ordinary height does not exceed 50 or 
 60 feet, but in the " Maple Swamps" of New Jersey, it attains 
 the height of 70 or 80 feet", with a trunk 3 or 4 feet in diame 
 ter. This tree flourishes in grounds which are sometimes over 
 flowed. In the East, where it attains its greatest size, it is found 
 only on streams and in miry swamps. Singular to say, west of 
 the Alleghanies, it is seen growing on high ground ;vith the 
 Oaks and Walnuts, but here it does not grow so large as in 
 the eastern swamps. 
 
 The wood of this tree, when dry, weighs 44 pounds to the 
 cubic foot, and when green, is soft and full of watery matter. 
 This tree, like others which grow in wet places, has a large 
 proportion of sap wood, and in this case, the heart wood sends 
 rays into the sap wood. The wood has but little strength, is 
 liable to decay when exposed to alternations of moisture and 
 dryness, is apt to ferment, and is exposed to attacks of insects. 
 Yet it is solid and close grained, and for many purposes pre 
 ferred by workmen to other kinds of wood. It is principally 
 used for the manufacture of chairs, saddle-trees, shoe lasts, 
 broom handles and many other domestic articles. It is easily 
 wrought in the lathe, and acquires, by polishing, a glossy 
 and silky surface. It sometimes happens that in very old 
 trees, the grain of the wood, instead of following a perpen 
 dicular direction, is undulated, and this variety bears the 
 name of Curled Maple. This singular arrangement is ne-ver 
 found in young trees, and it is less conspicuous in the centre 
 of the tree than near the bark. But trees with this feature 
 are rare. The serpentine direction of tbe fibres produces, 
 when polished, a most beautiful effect of light and shade. 
 These efiects are made more striking, if, after smoothing the 
 wood, we rub it with a little sulphuric acid, and after 
 wards with linseed oil. Bedsteads are made of this wood, 
 which exceed in richness of lustre those of the finest 
 imported woods. One of the most constant uses to which the 
 curled maple is applied is the making of gunstocks. For 
 this it is unsurpassed, since it unites elegance and lightness, 
 with toughness and strength. The cellular matter of the 
 inner bark, boiled with copperas, gives an intense blue black 
 color; with alum, it is used in dyeing black. 
 
RESOURCES OF WEST VIRGINIA. 129 
 
 39. Mulberry, Red,(Morus rubra). The Red Mulberry some 
 times attains the height of 60 or 70 feet, with a trunk hav 
 ing a diameter of 2 feet, when growing in the forests, but 
 in open situations its statue is low, and the thickness is pro 
 portionally increased. This tree has a great tendency to 
 sport. It may be propagated by seeds, by cuttings, graft 
 ing, &c. It will grow in a great variety of soils, and 
 situations, but succeeds best in a rich, deep soil, in sheltered 
 valleys. 
 
 The wood is of a yellow hue, approaching lemon yellow. It 
 is fine grained, compact and light. It possesses strength and 
 solidity, and when properly seasoned, is almost as durable as 
 the L ocnst. In the dock-yards of Baltimore, Philadelphia, 
 etc., it is employed in the construction of both the upper and 
 lower frames of vessels, for knees, floor timbers, &c. It is 
 preferred to every other kind of wood except the Locust, for 
 trenails. 
 
 Oak, (Quercus). The number of species of Oak in the 
 State is very great. Ail the Oaks growing in the Appa 
 lachian belt, are to be found here, and many of them attain 
 here their greatest size ai-id perfection as timber trees. The 
 Oaks grow all over the State, reaching, perhaps, their great 
 est development in the central and southern parts. They 
 form the bulk of our timber, and certainly the most valuable 
 portion of it: In speaking of them it will not be necessary to 
 dwell on each species, as they ail resemble more or less, the 
 most valuable of the genus, viz.: the White Oak. 
 
 40. White Oak, (Quercus Alba). This valuable tree is one 
 of the most abundant and the largest trees in the State. It 
 attains the height of 100 feet, and more than 6 feet in diam 
 eter. In the counties on the Little Kanawha river, and to 
 the South of the Great Kanawha, in Boone, Logan, &c., it 
 attains magnificent proportion?, and is found in great num 
 bers. In dense woods it grows to J and -J of its height clear 
 of limbs. It grows in a great variety of soil and in very dif 
 ferent exposures. It does best in deep, rich alluvial bottoms. 
 
 The wood is the most valuable of all the Oaks. The tim 
 ber is better than that of trees grown farther north. It is 
 strong, compact, hard, durable, elastic, combining most of 
 the valuable properties found in limber. 
 17 
 
130 
 
 RESOURCES OF WEST VIRGINIA. 
 
 It is extensively used in making all the parts of wagons, 
 except the axles. For plough handles and beams it is indis 
 pensable. It is the only timber east of the Mississippi which 
 will make staves suitable for vessels containing wine and 
 spirituous liquors, not only on account of the tightness of the 
 casks, but because it gives no disagreeable taste to the liquor. 
 (Resources of Tenn., p. 83). 
 
 Owing to this fact, on all the navigable streams and rail 
 roads, a heavy business is done in staves for casks, pipes, &c. 
 Large quanties are shipped to the eastern markets, to Europe, 
 the West Indies, and France. 
 
 The young trees of the White Oak n,ay be rived into 
 thin splits, which are very tough and elastic, enabling them 
 to be used in basket making, ifcc. They may also be used for 
 some kinds of hoops, as for tobacco hogsheads. For building 
 purposes and fencing, it makes admirable timber. For floors 
 it is only surpassed by the Ash. 
 
 41. Post Oak, (Quercus obtusiloba). This tree, also called 
 Rough, or Box White Oak, belongs to the White Oak section 
 of the genus. It grows on dry, thin, and gravelly soil, form 
 ing a small tree, with timber not so elastic as the White Oak, 
 but more durable. Being solid, tough, close-grained, and hard 
 to split, it is for some purposes more valuable than even the 
 White Oak, especially for -railroad ties, (fee. 
 
 42. Bur Oak, (Quercus macrocarpa). This forms a hand 
 some middle sized tree, belonging to the White Oak section. 
 It grows in rich soil, and has timber of the same general 
 character with the White Oak. 
 
 43. Chestnut Oak, (Quercus Prinus L). This tree may be 
 taken as a type of another section of Oaks, which is called 
 the Chestnut Oak section. It is marked by the want of 
 lobing in the leaves, which causes them to resemble more or 
 less those of the Chestnut. 
 
 This tree does well on good soil, but delights in thin rock^, 
 or gravelly ridges and benches. It grows from 60 to 80 feet 
 high. The wood is tough and durable, being equal to White 
 Oak for many purposes. Its greatest value, perhaps, is for 
 tanning purposes, yielding a large supply of bark, which is 
 richer in Tannin than any other tree. The leather made 
 
RESOURCES OF WEST VIRGINIA. 131 
 
 by it commands the highest prices, as it is the most solid 
 and durable known. 
 
 A variety of this tree growing in rich soil, and quite com 
 mon, is called Yellow Chestnut Oak. It has leaves more like 
 the Chestnut than any other. 
 
 44. The Swamp White Oak, (Quercus bicolor). This is 
 another of the Oaks belonging to the Chestnut Oak section. 
 It forms a tall tree, common in low grounds. 
 
 45. Willow Oak, (Quercus phellos). This tree is remark 
 able for its willow-like leaves. It forms a tree from 30 to 80 
 feet high, growing on low, sandy ground. It is found in 
 small amounts, but furnishes a valuable timber. 
 
 46. Laurel or Shingle Oak, (Quercus imbriearia). This tree 
 grows to the height of 30 to 50 feet, being found on barrens 
 and in open woodlands. It is used mainly for shingles, 
 whence the name. Found only in small amounts. 
 
 47. Black Jack Oak, (Quercus nigra). This tree grows in poor 
 and thin soil by preference, but will flourish in good soil also. 
 It never grows over 30 to 40 feet high. It has a toueh, thick 
 bark, and possesses but little durability, decaying in a few 
 years. It furnishes an ash ver) T rich in potash. Otherwise 
 than as a fuel it has no value. 
 
 48. Spanish Oak, (Quercus falcata). This tree is not very 
 abundant. It grows in dry, sandy*soil, and attains the height 
 of 60 to SO feet. 
 
 The wood is tough and valuable, making good staves for 
 some purposes. Its chief value is in the bark, which is excel 
 lent for tanning. 
 
 49. Scarlet Oak, (Quercus coccinea). This species is com 
 mon, growing on moist soil. Its timber is about equal in 
 value to the Red Oak, and is used for the same purposes. 
 
 50. Red Oak, (Quercus rubra). The Red Oak does not grow 
 quite so large as the White Oak. It is found both in rich 
 and poor soil, and is quite common. 
 
 The timber is rather course and is not so durable or useful 
 as that of the White Oak. Its rigidity and comparative 
 freedom from warping, give it value for sills and house logs. 
 It makes fine slabs for roofing, and is the chief material for 
 the staves of tobacco hogsheads, and flour barrels. The 
 is valuable for tanning. 
 
132 RESOURCES OF WEST VIRGINIA. 
 
 51. Mack Oal\ (Quercus tinctoria.) The Black Oak grows 
 from 40 to 80 feet high. It grows both in rich and poor soil. 
 This is thought to be one of the most valuable in the forest for 
 making boards. Its bark also is highly esteemed by the dyers 
 and tanners. It rives easily, and the boards made from it. 
 when^nailed on a roof, are not inclined to warp. Great qlian- 
 ties are used for hogshead staves and flour barrels, it is more 
 durable than any of the Oak-, except the White Oak and 
 Post Oak. (Resources of Tenn., page 85.) 
 
 52. Pin Ort/ i , (Quercus palustris). This forms a medium 
 sized tree, growing in low grounds, and is rather common. 
 The wood is hard and heavy, though rather coarse. From 
 the great thickness of its medullary plates, it shows beautiful 
 graining when cut across, or obliquely to the fibres, The 
 wood is considered better than that of the Red Oak. 
 
 Besides the above named Oaks, others of smaller size, and 
 of less importance, arc to be found, which need not be named 
 here. 
 
 53. Pine, Yellow, (Pinus mitis). The Yellow Pine grows on 
 high ground principally, abounding on poor sandstone soils of 
 the ridges and mountains. It will grow with rapidity on soil 
 too poor to produce other vegetation. It grows to the height 
 of 60 to 90 feet, with a diameter of 2 to 4 feet. 
 
 The timber is valuable for many purposes, especially domes 
 tic ones. As it is fine gfained, durable, and strong, it has few 
 superiors. This tree, so abundant in the Eastern States, "and 
 forming so important a source of revenue there, is with us of 
 far less importance, .since it does not grow in such abundance 
 as to constitute an important timber tree. It is found in the 
 largest amounts in the sand} and rocky ridges of the plateau 
 districts, considerable quantities growing in Raleigh and the 
 adjoining counties, as well as in Wayne, Logan, and Lincoln. 
 More or less of it is scattered all over the State. 
 
 54. Pine, White, (Pinus strobus). This tree grows in the 
 State on elevated grounds, at 2,000 feet, and over. It attains 
 the height of 120 feet and more, with a diameter of several 
 feet. Some idea of the fine development which this tree 
 attains in the eastern part of the State, may be gained from 
 the statements concerning it made by Mr. Cecil Clay, Presi 
 dent of the St. Lawrence Boom and Manufacturing Company 
 
RESOURCES OF WEST VIRGINIA. 133 
 
 of Roncerverte, Greenbrier county. Mr. Clay is engaged in 
 developing the White Pine district along the Greenbrier river, 
 on its upper waters, which is the only region of the State 
 producing any large quantity of this pine. He says: " The 
 "ordinary run of cuts this winter (1876,) is from four to seven 
 16 feet cuts per tree, averaging five cuts to the 1,000 feet- 
 "There are several hundred million feet of good White Pine 
 lumber in this district. The White Pine growing, as it does 
 "here, at the altitude of 2,000 to 2,500 feet, has a climate 
 "about like that of lower Pennsylvania, and has much like- 
 " ness to the Susquelianna pine. Where the White Pine grows, 
 " it takes the ground to itself, and but little of other timber is 
 found with it. It grows in several localities through the 
 " valley (Greenbrier.) On Deer and Sitlington s creeks are 
 " 100,000.000 feet. On Knapp s creek and branches, another 
 " 100,000,000; and Spice, Laurel, and Davy s Runs, with An 
 thony s creek, and some outlying patches, would yield a 
 "third 100,000,000. This pine timber is perhaps a little 
 " heavier than the Pennsylvania pine, but is soft and smooth 
 " to work. It is generally a sound, red-knot timber, with 
 " remarkably thin sapwood. This often does not average over 
 " half an inch in a lot of 1,000 logs. As much as 40,000 feet 
 "can sometimes be cut on an acre." 
 
 This wood, as is well known, possesses great value on account 
 of its great lightness, softness, and freedom from resinous 
 matter. For the manufacture of goods boxes, mantles, shut 
 ters, window sash, and for ceiling, it is mnch used. 
 
 55. Pine, Black, (Pinus sigida). This tree, also called Pitch 
 Pine, is found in the same localities in the east with the Yel 
 low Pines. It does not grow so tall or large as the latter, and 
 prefers thin, sandy ridges. It is a tall and slender tree, from 
 30 to 70 feet high, and from 18 to 2 feet in diamter. The bark 
 is very rough and dark, hence the name. The wood is hard 
 and very rich in turpentine. 
 
 56. The Poplo.r, (Liriodendron tulipifera). ;This is by far 
 the finest tree in oar forests. Nowhere does the Poplar attain 
 greater dimensions than in West Virginia. It often reaches 
 the height of 120 to 140 feet, and the diameter of 7 to 8. and 9 
 feet, with a distance of 80 feet to the first limb. Several trees 
 are reported as 10 and 11 feet in diameter in this State. It 
 
134 RESOURCES OF WEST VIRGINIA. 
 
 delights in deep loamy and extremely fertile soils, such as are 
 found in rich bottoms and on rivers or swamps. It will grow, 
 however, on soil of different kinds, but has its timber affected 
 accordingly. A deep sandy loam seems best for it. To attain 
 the greatest size, it must be sheltered from the high winds, 
 and at the same time have light and air enough to ripen its 
 wood. It is generally propagated by the seeds. 
 
 The timber, though classed among the light woods, is yet 
 much heavier than the true Poplar, for this tree is properly 
 called Tulip tree, and not Poplar. Its grain is fine, rather 
 compact, polishes well and is easily wrought. When dry, a 
 cubic foot weighs 25 Ibs. It affords excellent charcoal, yielding 
 .22 per cent. The heart wood, perfectly seasoned, long resists 
 the action of the weather, and is rarely attacked by insects. 
 When not perfectly seasoned, however, it is apt to warp under 
 alternations of dryness and moisture. The nature of the soil 
 on which it grows has a striking effect on the color and qual 
 ity of the wood. Mechanics distinguish three kinds, "White," 
 "Blue," and Yellow. - No external marks will distinguish 
 them positively. In general, the White Poplar grows on dry, 
 gravelly, elevated ground, and has a branchy summit, with a 
 small amount of heart wood. The grain is coarser and harder, 
 and the wood decays more rapidly. The Blue has the same 
 general character. 
 
 The Yellow Poplar is by far the finest kind, and has all 
 the qualities required for a great variety of uses. It would 
 take too much space merely to enumerate all of these. 
 
 It is used extensively in the interior of houses, for shingles 
 and for weather-boarding. Large quantities are used in ma 
 king trunks covered with cloth or skins; for tables, bed 
 steads, seats of chairs, etc.; for the supports of veneers, inner 
 work of bureaus, &c. ; in winnowing machines, for bowls, 
 broom handles, rails, and planking for fences, for the backing 
 of picture frames, looking glasses, &c., it is employed. 
 
 The bark of the tree is considered by some hardly inferior as 
 an antiseptic and tonic to the Cinchona. The aromatic prin 
 ciple resides in a resinous matter in the bark, and when used 
 stimulates the intestinal canal and acts as a gentle cathartic. 
 In many instances the stomach cannot support it unlese ac 
 companied w r ith a few drops of laudanum. The bark mixed 
 
RESOURCES OF WEST VIRGINIA. 
 
 135 
 
 with an equal amount of Dogtvood, and steeped in whisky, 
 forms a tincture used as a remedy for intermittent fever. The 
 bark reduced to powder and given to horses, is a pretty sure 
 remedy for worms, 
 
 The Poplar is one of the most generally diffused and abun 
 dant trees in the State. 
 
 Great quantities of the finest trees are to be found in the 
 central and southern counties. Perhaps some of the largest 
 timber is to be found on the affluents of the New and Ka- 
 nawha rivers, and the Big Sandy. 
 
 57. Red Bud, (Cercis Canaclensis). This tree, though small, 
 is quite common, and deserves mention for the great beauty of 
 its wood. It does not often surpass the height of 20 feet, or 
 diameter of 12 inches. It grows along the banks of streams, 
 in a deep, free, sandy soil, rather rich than poor. 
 
 The wood is very hard and beautifully veined, or rather 
 blotched and waved, with black, green, and yellow spots, on a 
 greyish ground. When seasoned it takes a beautiful polish, 
 and weighs nearly 50 Ibs. to the cubic foot. It would serve 
 well to saw into veneers- The baik and young branches are 
 used to dye wool of a nankin color. The flowers are used 
 by the French Canadians in salads and pickles, and might be 
 fried with butter cr fritters. 
 
 58. Sassafras, (Sassafras officinale). The Sassafras, west of 
 the Alleghanies, is often a large tree, attaining in West Vir 
 ginia the height of 70 or 80 feet, and a diameter of more 
 than 3 feet. 
 
 The tree will grow in any free soil, rather moist than dry, 
 "and is generally propagated from seed. The wood of the large 
 Sassafras tree is of a reddish cast, and has a somewhat corn- 
 pact grain, but is quite weak, breaking easily. Stripped of 
 its bark, it resists decay well, and may be used for the posts 
 and rails of rural fences. It has almost no odor after drying 
 thoroughly. It is not a good fuel, as it snaps too much. The 
 wood imparts to wool a very durable orange color. Medici 
 nally, the wood, roots, and bark of the Sassasfras, are consid 
 ered to be an excellent stimulant and sudorific. A decoction 
 of Sassafras chips, sold by druggists, is w r ell known as a remedy 
 for scorbutic affections. The bark and pith of the young twigs, 
 abound in a mucilage very pure, and like that of Okra. This 
 
136 RESOURCES OF WEST VIRGINIA. 
 
 mucilage is peculiarly mild and lubricatory, and has been 
 used with much benefit in dysentery and catarrh, and especi 
 ally as a lotion in the inflammatory stages of ophthalmia. 
 The flowers are considered as stomachic, and purifying to the 
 blood, as is the root, when formed into an infusiou, and drunk 
 as tea. 
 
 59. Sour Wood, (Oxydendendrum arboreum). This is a 
 tree, growing from 15 to 40 feet high, and attaining occasion 
 ally a diameter of 2 to 2i- feot. It has a large proportion of 
 sap wood, which is white and rather soft. The heart wood is 
 of a pale, pinkish color. It is not abundant enough to make 
 timber of any importance. It grows mainly along the Alle- 
 ghanies, in rich woods. 
 
 60. Sycamore, (Platanus occidentalis). This is one of the 
 largest forest trees, attaining the height of 120 feet, and occa 
 sionally the diameter of 7 or 8 feet, although 3 and 4 feet is 
 the usual size. This tree grows along streams, or in the vicin 
 ity of them, since it is a moisture loving tree, and delights in 
 an alluvial soil. It takes a good polish, and sometimes the 
 grain is wavy and strikingly beautiful. It speedily decays 
 when exposed to the weather, and will n-ot split. The old 
 trees are apt to become hollow, and then attain great diameter, 
 even a-; much as 11 and 12 feet. 
 
 61. Walnut, Black, ( Juglans nigra). This fine tree is one of 
 the more important sources of revenue in our forest products. 
 It is generally diffused in rich soils all over the State. It some 
 times attains the height of 80 to 90 feet, and the great diameter 
 of 9 feet (this has baen actually measured), but is quite com 
 monly 50 to 80 feet high, and 3 to 6 feet in diameter. It grows 
 in the richest soils, perferring deep calcareous loams, full of 
 vegetable matter. It will grow at any elevation, but is espe 
 cially abundant in the plateau region, where the trees grow 50 
 and 60 feet without limbs, and 5 to 6 feet in diameter. The 
 exquisite rich, dark brown color of the wood, its hardness, 
 strength, and the high polish which it can take, will always 
 give it value for making the finer kinds of furniture. Among 
 other use*, it is extensively employed in making counters, 
 railings, and finishing work on the interior of houses ; also, 
 for gun stocks, picture frames, coffins, &c. 
 
RESOURCES OF WEST VIRGINIA. 137 
 
 Stumps and knots, when worked up into veneering slabs, 
 have great beauty and value, on account of the ornamental 
 curling of the grain. The bark is used in dying brown. 
 
 In the amount and value of her walnut timber, our State is 
 rivalled only by Tennessee among the Appalachian States. 
 
 62. Walnut, White (Juglans cinerea). This tree grows on the 
 margins of streams, and is sometimes found on rich northern 
 slopes. It is not so large a tree as the Black Walnut, and in 
 West Virginia is not nearly so abundant. The wood is much 
 lighter in color, having a reddish tinge. It is durable, but 
 not strong, and is used in some ornamental work. The bark 
 is used in some cases, in dyeing a brown, and a laxative 
 extract is gathered from the inner part of it. 
 
 63. Willow, White, (Salix alba). This is a quite common 
 tree, growing to the height of 60 to 80 feet. No use is made of 
 the wood. 
 
 The above are the more important of the timber and other 
 trees, found in the State. The enumeration does not pretend 
 to be a complete list of our forest trees, and might be extended 
 considerably by including in it, those trees and shrubs which, 
 though generally diffused, are of no importance, on account of 
 their small size, or inferior wood. 
 
 The following partial list of small trees and shrubs is given 
 to illustrate the character of our smaller growths : 
 
 The Alder Both the Mountain Alder, (Alnus viridisj and 
 the Smooth Alder, {A. serrulata), form shrubs, and grow along 
 streams, the former, as its name implies, being confined to the 
 mountains. The Crab Apple, (Pyrus coronaria), forms a 
 small tree, sometimes 20 feet high. The Chinquapin, (Casta- 
 nea purnila), sometimes forms a tree 20 feet high. The Elder, 
 (Sambucus Canadensis), bears a berry from which a palatable 
 wine is made. It is a small shrub. The Grape (vitis), of 
 several species is found. The fox Grape, (V. vulpinaj, grows 
 close to the banks of streams, and produces, a large, highly 
 odorous, and pleasant tasting berry. The Summer Grape, (V . 
 aestivalis), and the Winter Grape, (V. cordifolia), are very 
 common. 
 
 The Grape merits here a more particular mention, since 
 the size, and mode of growth shown in the wild kinds, is some 
 indication of the degree of success, with which the cultivated 
 18 
 
OF WES VIRGINIA. 
 
 kinds maybe raised in our soil and climate. So far as the 
 abundance and size of the kinds growing spontaneously with 
 us indicate anything, the conditions for grape culture are 
 very favorable. Vines are not uncommon which attain a 
 diameter of 6 and 7 inches. Some 10 inches in diameter are 
 known. 
 
 One well authenticated case is reported of a vine which grew 
 on the banks of Elk river, in Braxton county, and which 
 attained the great diameter of 21 inches. 
 
 . The Han; Black, (Viburnum prunifolium), and the Scarlet 
 fruited Haw, (Crataegus coccinea), are quite common. The 
 Mountain Laurel, (Kalmia latifolia), and the Great Laurel, or 
 Rhododendron, (Rhododendron maximum), are exceedingly 
 abundant in the rocky hills and on the mountain sides. The 
 close-grained, heavy, easily worked wood of the Rhodo 
 dendron, is largely used in the manufacture of small wares, 
 considerable amounts are shipped north from the counties on 
 the Gauley and New River, and the wood is regularly quoted 
 in the Baltimore market. The Magnolia, or Umbrella Tree, 
 (Magnolia Umbrella >, is not rare, and attains the size of a 
 small tree. Ltathv-irood, (Dirca palustris), also is found. This 
 has a very brittle soft wood, with an exceedingly tough bark, 
 which is used for thongs. It is a small shrub. Popaw, (Asi- 
 mina triloba), is very common on rich alluvial soils. It 
 grows to the height of 10 to 20 feet, and bas an edible pleas 
 ant fruit. Persimmon (Diospyra Virginiana), with a hard dark 
 wood, and edible fruit grows to the height of 20 to 60 feet 
 Scrn cfi, or Mind Bv*h (Amelanchier Canadensis), is a very varia 
 ble shrub or small tree. Spice Wood, (Lindera Benzoin}, is found 
 with highly aromatic wood, Sumach, Staghorn, (Rhus typhina), 
 sometimes grows to the size of a small tree, with hand 
 some wood. Sumach, Common, (R. glabra), is very widely dif 
 fused, and valuable in tanning and dyeing. Willon\ Black 
 (Salif mV/m), is a small tree with beautiful yellow variegated 
 heart wood. This attains the height of lo to 25 feet along 
 streams. Yelloir Wi.ll.oir, (Sails 17wuwa//A useful tor basket 
 making, is not rare, also the Common Willow (S. longifolia . 
 
 MEDICINAL PLANTS. 
 
 The following list of Medicinal Plants growing in West Vir 
 ginia, was taken from the transactions of the Med. Soc y. of 
 
RESOURCES OF WEST VIRGINIA. 139 
 
 W. Va., for 1867 and 1871. These plants were reported on by 
 a committee, of which Dr. A. S. Todd, of Wheeling, was 
 chairman. To him we are indebted for it. The botanical 
 terms used are those employed by Gray, while the common 
 names are those used in West Virginia : 
 
 1. Achillea millefolium ( Milfoil ]. 2. Acorus Calamus 
 (Sweet Flag). 3. Aletris farinosa \Unicorn, or CholicRoot}. 
 4. Alnus serrulata (Smooth Alder). 5. Apocynum andro- 
 saemifolium (Dogsbane). 6. Archangelica atropurpurea (Mas 
 ter Root). 7. Artemisia Absinthium (Common Wormwood). 
 8. Aralia hispida (Dwarf Elder). 9. Arisaema triphyllum 
 (Indian Turnip}. 10. Aristolochia serpentaria (Virginia 
 Snake Root). 11. Asarum Canadense (Wild Ginger}. 12. As 
 clepias cornuti (Common Milk > veed). 13. Asclepias incarnata 
 (Swamp Milkweed}. 14. Asclepias tuberosa (Pleurisy Root). 
 15. Baptisia tinctoria (Wild Indigo}. 16. Cassia Marylandica 
 (Wild Senna\. 17. Ceanothus Americanus (Xen- Jersey Tea). 
 18. Chimaphila Umbellafa (Pipsissewa). 19. Chenopodium 
 Botrys (Jerusalem Oak). 20. Comptonia asplenifolium (Sweet 
 Fern). 21. Cornus florida (Dogwood). 22. Corydalis forraosa 
 (Turkey Corn). 23. Cypripedium parviflorum (Small Yellow 
 Ladies Slipper). 24. Cypripedium pubescens (Large Yd- 
 low Ladles Slipper). 25. Datura Stramonum (Jaiiiexto/cn 
 Weed}. 26. Daucus Carota i Wild Carrot.) . 27. Epigaea re- 
 pens ( Trailing Arbutus). 28. Eupatorium perfoliatum Bonc- 
 xet).). 29. Galium aparine (Goose Gms$). 30. Gaultheria pro- 
 cumbus (Creeping Winter Green). 31. Gentiana puberula 
 (Gentian Blue). 32. Geranium maculatum i Spotted Crane s 
 Jbitt). 33. Hepatica triloba (liverwort). 34. Hydrastis Cana- 
 densis (Yellow Root). 35. Hamamelis Virginica (Witch Ha 
 zel). 36. Juniperus Sabina (Savin). 37. Inula Helenium 
 (Elecampane}. 38. Symplocarpus foetidus (Skunk Cabbage^). 
 39. Juglaus cinerea (Butternut). 40. Lap pa Ofticinalis (Bur 
 dock). 41. Liatris ^picata (Button Snake Root). 42. Lirio- 
 dendron tulipifera (Tulip Tree, or Poplar). 43. Lobelia iiifla- 
 ta (Indian Tobacco). 44. Lindera Benzoin (Spicetrood). 45. 
 Marrubium Vulgare (Horehound). 46. Mentha viridis (Spear 
 mint). 47. Monarda punctata (Ilorsemint). 48. Nepeta 
 Glechoma (Ground Ivy). 49. Nyrnphaea odorata (White Wa 
 ter Lily). 50. Conopholis Americana (Beech Drops). 51. 
 
140 RESOURCES OF WEST VIRGINIA. 
 
 Aralia quinquefolia (Ginseng}. 52. Pinus strobus (White 
 Pinie). 53. Phytolaccha decandra (Poke weed}. 54. Poly gal a 
 Senega (Seneca Snake Root). 55. Podopbyllum peltatum 
 (May Apple). 56. Primus Serotina (Wild Cherry). 57. Ptelea 
 trifoliata (Trefoil). 58. Polygonatum biflorum (Small Solo 
 mon s Seal). 59. Ranunculus bulboses (Crowfoot). 60. Rumex 
 crispus and R. conglomerates (Culled Dock, and Narrow 
 Leaved Dock). 61. Rubin villosus (Blackberry). 62. Salix 
 alba (White Willow). 63. Sabbatia angularis (American Oen- 
 taury). 64. Sassafras offioinale (Sassafras). 65. Solatium 
 dulcamera (Bitter-Sweet). 66. Sambucus Canadensis (Eider.) 
 67. Sanguinaria Canadensis (Blood Root). 68. Taraxicum 
 Dens Leonis (Dandelion). 70. Viburnum opulus (Hinh Cran 
 berry}. 71. Verbascum thapsus (Mul ein). 72. Veratrum 
 viride ( White Hellebore). 73. Veronica Virginica ( Culver s 
 Root-). 74. Zanthoxylum Americanum (Prickly Ash). 75. 
 Cimicifuga racemosa (Black Snake Root). 76. Lycopus Vir- 
 ginicus (Bugle Weed). 
 
 The large amount of woodland, the great variety of soil and 
 exposures in the State, would lead one to expect to find here a 
 great number of the plants which delight in a virgin soil. 
 As many of the medicinal plants of the cooler portions of the 
 temperate zone are of this character, perhaps no State of equal 
 size can present a greater variety or larger amounts of these. 
 In many parts of this section, where farming is carried on on 
 a small scale, and there is a great deal of " wild lands," the 
 people suppliment the products of their small patches of till 
 able land by gathering the medicinal plants for sale. .Of 
 course only those plants are thus collected which meet with 
 a sure sale. These are such as employed on a large scale in 
 the manufacture of medicines, or are exported. 
 
 A good deal of Blood Root, and of the different varieties of 
 Snake Root, is gathered in the State, especially in the north 
 ern part. In the southern counties a great deal of Ginseng 
 (Aralia), is collected. With many of the people of the back 
 counties, the collecting of this plant forms an important busi 
 ness. In Lincoln, Logan, &c., entire families in summer 
 leave their homes and camp out during the whole season. 
 They, with their dogs and guns, make long jounrneys in 
 search of the plant, going even into the mountains of remote 
 
RESOURCES OF WEST VIRGINIA. 141 
 
 eastern counties, such as Pocahontas, c. Many tons of this 
 material are thus gathered, whose ultimate destination is 
 China. When green, it sells for 50 cents per pound ; washed 
 and dried in the sun it commands from $1,00 to $1,25 and 
 $1,50, according to the demands for it. 
 
CHAPTER VIII. 
 
 TIMBER ITS DISTRIBUTION AXI) DEVEL 
 OPMENT. 
 
 BY \VM. \V. FONTAIN-E. 
 
 In West Virginia, as in most thinly and newly settled 
 States, which possess fine forest lands, the first source of 
 income which becomes available, is the timber. Many causes 
 conspire to induce the new settler to turn first to forest pro 
 ducts, among the most important of which is the necessity of 
 removing the wood from the soil, in order to prepare for the 
 plough. 
 
 He is especially tempted to fell his forests, when, as with 
 us, much of the timber is of good quality, and of the kind 
 most used in the large manufacturing cities of the adjoining 
 States. ( 
 
 Indeed, the only cause which has prevented the almost total 
 demolition of our woodlands, has been the impossibility of 
 getting much of the lumber to market. West Virginia has 
 had much to complain of in her lack of means of transpor 
 tation, but it is a question, whether in the near future, she 
 will not be more than repaid for any previous lack of reve 
 nue from her timbers, by having been compelled to retain 
 them, until from the rapid consumption of the forests in the 
 adjoining States, she will obtain something like an adequate 
 return for them. Indeed, it is not too much to say that ere 
 long, it will pay to build short lines of narrow-gauge rail 
 roads to develop the timber alone, of favored districts. That 
 this time is not far oft is shown by the greatly decreased 
 
RESOURCES OF WEST VIRGINIA. 14. > 
 
 exportation of the principal timber producing sections. Of 
 late years, we have feen the lumbermen of Michigan and 
 Maine, investing in the pine forests of Florida and Alabama, 
 and the vast amount of lumber shipped from Pensacola and 
 other Southern ports, points to the speedy exhaustion of this 
 field also. The timber men of Pennsylvania have already 
 secured the greater part of our White Pine forests. -But we 
 give this merely by way of illustration, for Pine can never 
 be with us a principal export. It is in our Poplar, hard and 
 ornamental woods, &c., that we look for the greatest develop 
 ment. 
 
 Of the 16,640,000 acres of land in the State, between 9,000,- 
 000 and 10,000,000 are in the original forest. The older set 
 tled counties, such as Jefferson, Berkeley, Harrison, Monon- 
 galia, Greenbrier, Monroe, <X:c., have the smallest pro 
 portion of timbered land. In the other part. of the State, the 
 main body of the cleared land lies immediately along the 
 principal streams, and their more important tributaries. The 
 first settlements were naturally made where the land was 
 richest and most level, I e., along tbe water courses, and later, 
 the streams afford advantages for sending the timber to mar 
 ket, which caused their banks to be more closely cleared. 
 
 The rest of the country is covered quite uniformly, with 
 those varieties of trees which permit a pretty wide range of 
 soil and exposure. The tiees, of course, vary in size, abund 
 ance, and the quality of their wood, according to the adap 
 tion of the locality to supply their special requirements, but 
 are never entirely absent. These aro mainly deciduous and 
 hard- wood species. 
 
 Other varieties of trees, which require particular condi 
 tions for their growth, are found confined to limited areas in 
 particular districts. Such trees are the Evergreens, as the 
 Pines, Firs. c^cc. 
 
 DISTRIBUTION OF TIMBEK. 
 
 It will be found convenient to retain, in considering this 
 part of our subject, the subdivision of the State, made under 
 the head of Topography. It will be rernembsred that there, 
 two principal divisions were made, viz.: The Mountain Re 
 gion and the Hill vTlegion. It was also stated that the Pla- 
 teau portion of the Hilly Region, differed in many points 
 
144 RESOURCES OF WEST VIRGINIA. 
 
 from the rest. In speaking then of the distribution of the 
 timber over the State, we will recognize three sections, the 
 Mountain Region, the Plateau Region, and the Hilly Region 
 (proper). This latter, it will be remembered, includes the 
 great body of the central and western portions of the State. 
 
 For much valuable information concerning the general 
 distribution of timber over the State, we are indebted to Col.. 
 B. W. Byrne, State Superintendent of Schools, whose exten 
 sive acquaintance with the country, makes this particularly 
 reliable. 
 
 There is great similarity in the timber over most of the 
 State. It is composed mainly of White, Chestnut, Black and 
 Red Oaks, Chestnut, Hickory, Poplar, Ash, Sugar Maple, 
 Hemlock, Beech, Locust, and Black Walnut. These are 
 almost universally present, and form, in the Hilly Region, 
 almost the entire timber. Some Yellow Pine is found grow 
 ing in a dispersed manner, almost everywhere in the State, 
 mainly confined to the ridges. This and the Hemlock Spruce 
 (Abies Canadensis), of the Evergreens, seem to permit the 
 widest range of growth. They are both most at home in the 
 Plateau and Mountain Regions. It is said that there was 
 once once a considerable belt of Yellow Pine, growing in 
 the counties near the Ohio river, and some distance back, as 
 in Ritchie county. This has almost disappeared, although 
 scattered trees are to be found even on the ridges along the 
 Ohio itself. There are indications that this tree was once 
 much more abundant, for Pine knots are found in numbers, 
 where the trees do not now grow. 
 
 Tiie Hemlock Spruce seems to have crept down from the 
 eastern highlands along the streams, heading up in them, 
 and to have maintained its position along them, for a con 
 siderable distance within the deciduous timber of the Hilly 
 Region. Thus we find considerable bodies of this tree far 
 down the Big Sandy and Guyandotte, towards the Ohio, in 
 Wyoming, Logan, &c. 
 
 Of the hard woods, the White Oak is by far the most 
 abundant. It forms one-third, and perhaps one-half, of all 
 the timber in the State, and is one of the most generally dif 
 fused trees. In the Hilly Region of the northern part of the 
 State, between the head waters of the Cheat and the Ohio, 
 
RESOURCES OF WEST VIRGINIA. 145 
 
 according to Diss Debar, " It grows on heavy rich clay loams, 
 " and in closeness of grain and firmness, is unsurpassed. In 
 " the whole basin drained by Fishing creek, Middle Island 
 l creek, Little Kanawha and branches, Sand creek, Great 
 " Kanawha, and those of its branches emptying into it below 
 " the Falls, and the Guyandotte and Big Sandy rivers, the 
 "Oaks, Poplar or Tulip tree, Walnut, Cherry, Sycamore, Ash, 
 " Chestnut, and Locust, attain a size not surpassed on the 
 " North American continent, east of the Rocky Mountains." 
 To this, we may add that the Oak, Poplar, and Chestnut, seem 
 to increase in size south of the Great Kanawha. Gigantic Pop 
 lars are reported reliably from that district, 10 and 11 feet in 
 diameter, and Oaks 6 and 7 feet. 
 
 A White Oak from Taylor county, is reported as 8 feet 6 
 inches in diameter. We mention these merely as instances of 
 extreme size. This belt of country is emphatically the home 
 of the deciduous trees. Only scattered groves of White and 
 Yellow Pine are occasionally found. 
 
 The Big Sandy and Guyandotte, with their tributaries, and 
 the country between these rivers and the Great Kanawha, 
 are very heavily timbered, and almost untouched. Along 
 with the hard-woods, and Hemlocks of this district, some 
 Yellow Pine occurs. 
 
 In many parts of the State throughout this region, we find 
 Chestnut Oak on the ridges, large Chestnuts on the hillsides, 
 and Beech rather closely confined to the vicinity of the 
 streams. Besides the principal trees above named, we find 
 other varieties distributed all over the Hilly Region. Among 
 them we may name the Black Gum, the Sweet Gum, Buckeye, 
 White Maple, White Walnut, Linden, Cucumber Tree, sev 
 eral species of Maple, Elm, and Ash, the latter quite abund 
 ant, &c., &c. 
 
 Eastward of this belt of fine deciduous timber, as we ascend 
 the Plateau, the size of the deciduous trees diminishes, and 
 the timber is, in some kinds of trees, poorer, except along the 
 streams and in their vicinity, although still valuable. The 
 Evergreens increase in frequency in this direction, until we 
 pass into certain sections when the timber changes considera 
 bly, mainly by the diminution of the Oak, Poplar and Hick- 
 
146 RESOURCES OF WEST VIRGINIA. 
 
 ory, and the increase of the Walnut. Cherry, Chestnut, Maple, 
 and coniferous trees. 
 
 Mr. R. K. Cautley, who has traveled over a good deal of the 
 State, and is an excellent observer, says of this region, in 
 " The Lumberman," that the streams flow in deep gorges, 
 which, however, are not precipitous, and have usually a rich 
 soil. Their benches carry heavy timber, while even the tops 
 of the ridges have good Chestnut Oak. On the great upland 
 plateaus, especially near the heads of the streams, i. e., the 
 New River, there are large tracts of heavy timber, with large 
 lots of Black Walnut, and Figured Maple. He measured on 
 six upland acres, on an average of land, 4 White Oaks to the 
 acre, with a girth 8 feet, 5 feet from the ground. And again, 
 he says that he finds here a larger proportion of the timber 
 below marketable size, although, as the whole face of the 
 country is timbered, a good deal could be picked out. As an 
 illustration, he mentions that on one tract, some 70 miles up the 
 Gauley rive 1 , one-fourth of it was excellently timbered, while 
 a good deal of the remainder was possessed chiefly by enormous 
 Red Oak, Chestnut, and Chestnut Oak, with quantities of Su 
 gar Maple. Each of the numerous water courses, were lined by 
 Hemlock forests, however, such as he had never seen in this 
 section. In two or three other districts, he rode through a great 
 deal of White Oak and Poplar, but the size was too small to 
 justify the title of a finely timbered country, and yet the next 
 valley to such a one would be splendidly clothed with many 
 kinds of valuable trees. He gives the opinion of the head of 
 one of the largest stave houses in New York, on the White 
 Oak of this district. This is: That in size, it is con-iderably 
 inferior to the Michigan timber, but in every other respect 
 superior to it, and equal, if not superior, to any in the United 
 States, i. <?., in strength, grain, absence, of streaks, and worm 
 holes. Pennsylvania experts also, place it above their own 
 White Oak. He thinks that the run of the trunks in this 
 section will not give an average diameter in the best trees, of 
 more than 20 inches, at breast high. The larger Oak lies in 
 patches. It will be observed that in this account, Mr. C. is 
 speaking of the timber in demand for exportation, and of the 
 average of that. As an illustration of what may be fre 
 quently obtained, even in this belt, by selection, we may add 
 
RESOURCES OF WEST VIRGINIA. 147 
 
 the following account by the same person. After speaking 
 of his riding through a good deal of small timber, he says, we 
 entered a big promontory of 800 acres or more, of rich, 
 smooth land, timbered with huge trees, Poplar, Hickory, Ash, 
 Walnut, &c. The Hickory was both shell and close-bark the 
 largest he ever saw; the Poplar both numerous and large; the 
 Ash very nice, and the White Oak the finest he had yet seen 
 in this country. It grew along the ridges, and dozens of trees 
 were seen, 30 to 40 inches in diameter, at breast height. One 
 was 54 inches, and rose 60 inches, clear of limbs. All the timber 
 was straight, and held its size high towards the limbs. 
 
 These examples may suffice to give a fair idea of the two 
 zones of timber to be found in the Hilly Region and on the 
 lower parts of the Plateau district. 
 
 We will now turn our attention to the higher Plateau dis 
 trict and the eastern parts of the State : 
 
 Here we will find considerable change in the forests. Com 
 mencing in the southern part of this belt we find the Plateau 
 terminating on the east in the broad and lofty ranges of the 
 Great Flat-Top and White Oak mountains. The eastern edge 
 of this elevated table-land, after crossing New river into the 
 western part of Greenbrier, no longer presents an unbroken 
 out-crop, but is cut down into irregular, more or less isolated, 
 spurs and knobs, while northward, in the north-western part 
 of Pocahontas, and in Randolph, it passes into the anticlinal 
 and synclinal folds of the Alleghany system ; thence the belt 
 of uplands is continued north east to the Potomac, along the 
 west face of the east Front Ridge of the Alleghany. The height 
 of this varies from about 3,000 feet in the south, to 3,200 and 
 2,500 in the north. 
 
 All along this belt, and spreading east and west from it, we 
 have the largest amount of coniferous timber to be found in 
 the State. In the southern portion, on the Flat-Top and 
 White Oak mountain, vast forests, consisting mainly of White 
 Oak are to be found, and this has given the name to the moun 
 tains last mentioned. This White Oak timber spreads over 
 the east face of these mountains in Mercer, and covers the 
 Black Oak mountains in that county. Hemlock Spruce 
 grows here also, as elsewhere, in the Icwer levels, occupying 
 the notches in the mountains and the hollows along streams, 
 
148 RESOURCES OF WEST VIRGINIA. 
 
 along with the Beech, while the Chesnut Oak is found on th 
 ridges, its usual place. 
 
 There is considerable body of White Pine on Blue Stone 
 river, near the borders of Summers and Mercer counties, form 
 ing the southern extremity of a somewhat important belt of 
 this timber, which extends towards New river on the east 
 side of Rale ; gh county, along Glade and Piney creeks. The 
 tree here, from its more southerly position, does not attain 
 the size found further north. The timber, besides, is not so 
 good, the wood being heavier and harder. This, so far as we 
 know, is the most southerly position in which any body of 
 White Pine is found. We find mixed with the White Pine 
 of this belt some Yellow Pine, and Black or Pitch Pine. 
 
 Passing northward along the Plateau region, in the vicin 
 ity of Big Sewell, and in the western part of Greenbrier, the 
 Sugar Maple is very abundant, and more to the north, on the 
 flat tops of the mountains, the White Birch and White Ma 
 ple, with scattering Oak and Chestnut, predominate until we 
 reach the " Yew Pine district," as the natives call it. This 
 extends from the north end of Greenbrier along the boundary 
 line between Pocahontas and Webster, and some distance into 
 Randolph along the head waters of the Elk and Gauley. 
 
 Mr. Cecil Clay, of the St, Lawrence B, and Mfg. Co., says, of 
 this country : 
 
 " As you go west from the valley of the Greenbrier river 
 " towards the mountains, the timber, instead of running out 
 " towards their tops, frequently grows larger and better than 
 " lower down. Sugar Maple, Birch, Ash, and Cherry flourish, 
 "and, in places, fine Tulip trees. On the mountain tope 
 " dense forests of Black Spruce (Abies nigra), are found. This 
 " tree, called by the natives "Yew Pine," would cut often over 
 " 20,000 feet to the acre. [The size of the trees has been des 
 cribed under the head of this tree. Author. ] 
 
 " Along the main Gauley river, Williams river, Cranberry 
 " river, and farther south, Cherry river, is a tract of country 
 " 30 miles long and 25 miles wide, which is a perfect wil- 
 " derness. The streams are exceedingly rough, and the 
 " mountains high, and almost no cleared land exists, The 
 " land, however, often produces good grass when cleared of the 
 " timber (as does most of our forest land). The principal 
 
RESOURCES OF WEST VIRGINIA. 149 
 
 "timber is Beach, Sugar, Maple, Cherry, Ash, Poplar, and 
 " farther South, Oak. Sometimes dense strips of large Hem- 
 " locks, grow along the streams and millions of feet of Black 
 " Spruce are found higher up on the hillsides and mountain 
 " tops. 
 
 Col. Byrne, speaking of this region, says the Oak hardly 
 ever appears here, and we may say the same in this higher 
 region of the Poplar and Hickory. On Cherry river, a branch 
 of the Gauley, the Cherry tree abounds as you ascend the Yew 
 mountains. This tree is also found in considerable quantity 
 on Cranberry and Williams rivers, and the headwaters of the 
 Elk. This association of the Cherry with the coniferous trees 
 of the plateau and mountain regions, is also found farther 
 north, in the Canaan district of Tucker and Grant. The 
 greater portion of the Cherry timber of the State, is found in 
 the belt we are now describing. 
 
 Southeast and south of the u Yew Pine District," on the 
 Greenbrier and its tributaries in Pocahontas, and Greenbrier 
 counties, we have the largest body of White Pine and the 
 finest timber of this kind in the Sta^te. A detailed descrip 
 tion of the character of this timber in this section, has been 
 given nnder the head of the " White Pine," among the trees. 
 Mixed with this White Pine, is some Yellow and Scrub Pine, 
 also some Hemlock, while large Chestnut Oaks cover the 
 sunny mountain sides. About Droop mountain we find Wal 
 nut and some Poplai. 
 
 Still farther north, the branches of Cheat river, in the East 
 ern part of Tucker, especially the Black Fork of Cheat, are 
 covered by dense forests of Hemlock Spruce and Black Spruce, 
 the leaves of which have given the Black Fork the dark color, 
 to which it owes its name. The belt of country from South 
 ern Randolph to Grant, adjacent to, and on the west 
 side of the Alleghany Front Ridge, is a vast forest 
 with the Hemlock and Black Spruces predominating, but 
 with large amounts of valuable species of deciduous trees. 
 Diss Debar says of this belt : " The finest specimens of Hem 
 lock abound in the Cheat and Greenbrier mountains, and 
 u on the table-lands of Tucker, Randolph, Pendletun, Poca- 
 " hontas, Nicholas and Webster. Here, also, neither Oak, 
 " Poplar nor Hickory are to be found, but in their room thrive 
 
150 RESOURCES OF WEST VIRGINIA. 
 
 " noble specimens of Sugar Maple, Ash, Beech, Birch, Wild 
 " Cherry, and Black Walnut. Some of the two latter, meas- 
 " uring 4 and 5 feet, and exceptionally even 6 and 7 feet 
 " in diameter. From the Staunton and Parkersburg turn- 
 " pike, near the head of the Greenbrier river, toward the 
 "north, south, and east stretch upwards of 150,000 acres of 
 " the finest forests in the State, scarcely broken by less than 
 "50 scattered mountain farms." 
 
 Mr. Guerard, Assistant to the State Board of Centennial 
 Managers, says of the Hemlock of this district, that many of 
 the trees are 130 feet high, and 4 feet in diameter, and of the 
 other woods, that they are not surpassed in the State. 
 
 In the higher parts of the lofty country in Pocahontas, and 
 the adjoining counties, the Southern Balsam Fir, (Abies Fra- 
 seri), occurs mixed with the Black Spruce. It is stated that 
 a considerable body of it, is found in the high region, between 
 Randolph and Pocahontas, at the source of the East Fork of 
 Greenbrier river. 
 
 In Pendleton, some White Pine occurs, and on the South 
 Branch mountain, in Hardy county, a good deal of excellent 
 White Oak and some good White Pine is found. 
 
 The parallel mountain ridges, abutting on the Potomac in 
 Mineral, Hampshire and Morgan, are clothed with a mixture 
 of a great variety of trees, among which, besides the usual 
 hard-wood trees, there is a good deal of coniferous wood, com 
 posed of Hemlock Spruce, Black Spruce, Yellow Pine, Pitch 
 Pine, and some White Pine, the Evergreens predominating in 
 the higher and colder parts. 
 
 On the Greenbrier river, on the eastern side especially, we 
 find hard wood again predominating on account of the com 
 parative lowness of the country (1,800 to 2,000 feet). In the 
 hills and ridges, between the Alleghany mountains, and the 
 river, we find a good deal of Oak, especially Chestnut Oak, 
 which exists in quantities sufficient to furnish a large 
 amount of tan-bark. There is a good deal of good White Oak 
 all along the east side of the river. 
 
 It is interesting to note the effect of altitude, and the conse 
 quent temperature, on the character of the timber. The decid 
 uous trees attain their maximum developments in numbers, 
 size, and quality, in the lower portions of the State, where 
 
RESOURCES OF WEST VIRGINIA. 151 
 
 they almost exclude the evergreens or conifers. As we as 
 cend the plateau, the former gradually diminish with the 
 the increasing height in numbers, and size, while the latter 
 begin to come in greater force. It must be borne in mind, 
 however, that in our latitude the altitude above tide, is 
 nowhere great enough, entirely to exclude deciduous timber. 
 In the southern part of the State, in spite of the increased 
 altitude, we find the oaks and other hardwood trees maintain 
 ing their supremacy over the lofty slopes of the Great Flat 
 Top, and other mountains, owing to the more southerly lati 
 tude. As we advance north, it is only in the lofty ranges along 
 the west side of Pocahontas, where the general level is the 
 highest west of the Alleghany. that we find any great body of 
 conifers. 
 
 DEVELOPMENT. 
 
 The following are the timbers which have received the most 
 attention : White Oak, Poplar, Walnut, White Pine, Cherry, 
 Ash, Locust, Chestnut Oak, Chestnut, Sycamore. The form in 
 which the timber is sent out depends largely on the kind of 
 transportation available. On the railroads and small streams? 
 the weight and bulk are reduced as much as possible, by par 
 tial or complete manufacture, while on the larger streams and 
 those which in floods give water enough, the timber is mainly 
 cut into logs, and made up into rafts, which are floated down 
 on the high waters, either to markets in other States, or to 
 points within our own borders, which are favorably situated 
 for cutting them up into forms suited for more distant trans 
 portation, or for manufacture on the spot. 
 
 As almost none of the streams have received any improve 
 ment, the amount of development in the State at large, is ex 
 ceedingly small. A vast deal of fine timber, remote from the 
 railroads and streams, and much that is within striking dis 
 tance of them, is annually wasted by being girdled and left to 
 decay standing, or by being burnt in logheaps. In some sec 
 tions u worm fences " are made out of the most valuable Wal 
 nut and Cherry trees, the sole question being, to get a timber 
 easy to split. 
 
 On the eastern boarder of the State, the only development 
 taking place, is in the White Pine along the Greenbrier river, 
 and this is carried on by a single company. The St. Lawrence 
 
152 RESOURCES OF WEST VIRGINIA. 
 
 Boom and Manufacturing Company, controlled by Pennsylva 
 nia capitalists, of which Mr. Cecil Clay is President, has a 
 charter for operating the river, and is engaged in improving 
 its navigation. The spring floods now, give them water 
 enough to run rafts of 100 to 150 feet in length. Logging can 
 be done very cheaply in this country, for the surface is smooth, 
 and supplies for men and forage for teams, are abundant around 
 the camps. 
 
 This timber region can readily be reached from the Chesa 
 peake and Ohio Railroad, from Milboro, Covington, or Ronce- 
 verte. This latter place has, according to Mr. Clay, fine nat 
 ural advantages for the concentration of the lumber business 
 of the Greenbrier Valley. Timber can be had in the river 
 suited for the manufacture of cars, wagons, agricultural imple 
 ments, furniture, woodenware, pump stocks, and for planing 
 purposes. 
 
 Lumber can be delivered in Cincinnati so as to compete 
 with the Michigan pine, and in Philadelphia so as to cost less 
 than the Pennsylvania timber. A large market can be had 
 both ways. 
 
 The St. Lawrence Boom and Manufacturing Company, has 
 a paid up capital of $60,000, which is increased as needed, and 
 owns and controls 100,000,000 feet of White Pine timber in 
 Greenbrier and Pocahontas counties. It has a boom of several 
 millions of feet capacity, and uses splash dams and tramways 
 in its logging. In times of ordinary prosperity, a good busi 
 ness might be done in square timber, Oak, etc. Mr. Clay 
 thinks that there are several million dollars worth of timber 
 standing, on the Greenbrier river. He says that they are now 
 offered 842.00 per M, Michigan inspection, for timber delivered 
 in Philadelphia. 
 
 On the headwaters of the Elk and Gauley nothing has been 
 or is being done to develop that heavily timbered section. 
 Webster county has sent some logs from her western borders 
 down Elk. No timber comes out of the splendid forests on the 
 upper waters of the Cheat. This magnificent timber has never 
 been touched. In the counties along the Potomac, the timber 
 is mainly cut by saw mills within the district. Some Yellow 
 and Pitch Pine is sawed and sent East. The most attention 
 is paid to the hard woods for the smaller manufactures, for 
 
RESOURCES OF WEST VIRGINIA. 153 
 
 cooperage stuff, straps, tanbark, railroad ties, etc., etc. Of the 
 the latter, the Balltimore and Ohio Railroad consumes a great 
 many. 
 
 Of the general development of the timber in the central and 
 western parts of the State. Diss Debar speaks in 1870, as 
 follows : 
 
 " The lumber trade in West Virginia has been among the 
 " earliest vocations of the pioneers, who settled on navigable 
 " or raftable streams. In the absence of anything like a reli- 
 " able record of the business, some idea of its extent may be 
 " found from the fact that streams like the Little Kanawha, 
 11 Guyandotte, or Big Sandy rivers, respectively, bring down, 
 " logs in rafts to the aggregate value of from 840,000 to $50,000 
 " at a single rise. Up to this date rafting and floating have been 
 " confined to the larger streams and tributaries. Yet the floating 
 a of single logs, and small rafts, is practicable from five to six 
 " miles below the source of almost any stream west of a line 
 " of rapids, extending from the Valley Falls in Taylor county, 
 " to the Kentucky line, and crossing Elk river eight or ten 
 " miles above the mouth of Holly, the Little Kanawha at 
 " Bulltown, and the Great Kanawha, at the Great Falls in the 
 " county of Fayette. East of that line, the rapidity and tor- 
 u tuousness of the streams, and the protruding rocks and 
 " boulders in their beds, interfere more or less with the safety 
 " of rafts, though single logs are floated down without much 
 " trouble, and then caught and rafted in the stiller waters below. . 
 
 " Not only timber in the log, but staves and sawed lumber, 
 u green and seasoned, are floated down the principal streams 
 " in good sized boats. From counties as far inland as. Lewis, 
 " Gilmer, Braxton, Calhoun, Roane, Nicholas, Fayette, 
 " Raleigh, Wyoming, and McDowell, and the counties below 
 " (west of) them, boats with gunwales hewed out from a 
 " single Poplar, over 100 feet in length, are brought down in 
 u ordinary freshets without difficulty. Smaller sized boats 
 " descend Fishing creek, Middle Island, and Sand creek, from 
 " points within 10 miles of their uppermost source. 
 
 " As late as 10 years ago, seven-eights of the lumber con- 
 
 " sumed in the State and exported, were manufactured by 
 
 " water power but since then, portable and stationary steam 
 
 " saw mills have rapidly increased. Along both branches of 
 
 20 
 
154 RESOURCES OF WEST VIRGINIA. 
 
 < l the Baltimore and Ohio railroad, from 20 to 30 first-class 
 " mills are cutting on an average 8,000 feet per day. This pro- 
 " duct consists of flooring, scantling, furniture stuff, ship and 
 a railroad timber, for eastern and western markets, the Rail- 
 " road Company itself being an important customer. Many 
 " of these mills possess a capacity of 10,000 feet per day, 
 " which maximum is seldom reached, for want of adequate 
 " force to supply logs and take care of the t lumber. Large 
 " mills are also in operation on the Ohio and its principal 
 " West Virginia tributaries. 
 
 " A company of enterprising Pennsylvanians, with a capi- 
 " tal of $300,000, are now engaged in developing 80,000 acres 
 " of land in Braxton and Webster counties, with saw mills, 
 " planing mills, and business headquarters at Charleston, on 
 u the Great Kanawha. One of the first operations of 
 " this company, was the shipping by river to Park- 
 " ersburg, and thence by rail to Baltimore, 10,000 feet of 
 " Black Walnut plank, which, notwithstanding expensive 
 ; freight over a distance of 050 miles, yielded a handsome 
 " profit. Immense quantities of dressed and seasoned staves 
 " are shipped along the line of the Baltimore and Ohio Rail- 
 u road, for coopering in Baltimore, and as far north as Massa- 
 11 chusetts, while several factories along the line of the road 
 : are turning out from 150 to 200 barrels per day. 
 
 " Staves are being made almost at the very source of the 
 " streams flowing towards the railroad and the Ohio river-, 
 "floated down loosely in times of freshets, and caught by 
 11 booms at convenient points. 
 
 " The development of ship timber is receiving much atten- 
 " tion just now, along the line of the railroad, and late orders 
 u from abroad have disclosed the fact that not only Oak, but 
 " other kinds of West Virginia timber were in demand for 
 " that purpose, as for instance : 
 
 " White Oak, for keels, planking, beams, knees, floors and 
 11 ceilings. 
 
 " Ash, for blocks, oars, etc. 
 
 " Hickory, for capstan bars and handspikes. 
 
 u Sugar Maple, for keels, or bottom plank. 
 
 " Beech, Red preferred, for frames, planking, &c. 
 
 " Poplar, for cabinet work. 
 
RESOURCES OF WEST VIRGINIA. 155 
 
 u White Oak knees bring higher prices in proportion to 
 ki to post, than any other class of ship timber, and will amply 
 u repay hauling on country roads to the station, over 15 or 20 
 " miles. Thousands of limbs and tops, admirably shaped for 
 " knees, are thoughtlessly destroyed in our clearings every 
 " year. 
 
 Hoop-poles are among the primitive commodities exported 
 " from West Virginia, and being speedily renewed from the 
 u root or stump, the supply is almost inexhaustible, so long 
 " as the grubbing-hoe is kept out of the woods. 
 
 " Wagon and carriage stuff is beginning to be manufac- 
 " tured for exportation, at various points on the railroad. 
 
 " The prejudice heretofore prevailing in favor of Connecticut 
 u Hickory, is rapidly waning, to judge from the large orders 
 u now being received for West Virginia spokes, &c. An occa- 
 " sional survey of the Railroad Depot at Parkersburg, when 
 " filled with tons of wagons, carriages, plough-beams, furni- 
 " ture, and twenty other articles of wooden-ware, manufac- 
 ik tured from West Virginia timber, outside of the State, and 
 westward bound, give a faint idea of what is continally lost 
 through our lack of manufacturing enterprise." 
 
 After this general statement, we may give some facts illus 
 trating the present and prospective development of particular 
 points in the central and western parts of the State. 
 
 In the northern part of the State, almost the entire devel 
 opment is by means of the Baltimore and Ohio railroad. All 
 along the main stem, and the Parkersburg branch of this road, 
 are numerous mills and manufactories, whose business is 
 almost entirely in cooperage stuff and sawed lumber, and 
 whose aggregate sales cannot be less than $2,500,000 annually. 
 We will first mention some of the more important points 
 along the line of this road, where lumber is received and 
 shipped. 
 
 Cranberry Summit is the center of a consider lumber busi 
 ness, consisting in its collection and preparation for ship 
 ment. 
 
 At Rowlesburg, where the railroad crosses Cheat river, is 
 another center. As we have stated, Cheat is entirely unde 
 veloped at present. Diss Debar says that main Cheat, for 
 some 20 to 25 miles above the railroad, and the Black Fork of 
 
156 RESOURCES OF WEST VIRGINIA. 
 
 Cheat, have been to some extent developed, 15 years ago, for 
 ship timber, for the English market, bv a company whose 
 mill-works were located at Rowlesburg. It would certainly 
 seem that at no distant day the vast amount of timber, trib 
 utary to this-stream, would induce capitalists to open it up by 
 tram railroads, booms and splash dams. Cheat would, in tan- 
 bark and coniferous timber, furnish supplies equal to any 
 demand. 
 
 At Graf ton, we find a lumber center which is just in the 
 first stages of development. All the timber brought by Ty- 
 gart s Valley river to this point, must of necessity be put in 
 shape at this point, to allow transportation on the railroad. 
 At this point there is a boom erected, and Mr. Whitescarver 
 says of it. " In last June (1875), there were 12,000,000 feet of 
 " lumber in, consisting of Popular, Oak, Ash, Chestnut, Wal- 
 " Spruce Pine (Hemlock Spruce), and Cherry, but mainly Poplar 
 and Oak. The boom is supplied from Taylor, Barbour, Pres- 
 " ton, Randolph, andUpshur. In Taylor and Barbour, Poplar, 
 " Oak, Ash, and Walnut; in Randolph and Upshur, Poplar, 
 " Oak, Cherry, Walnut, Ash. and Pine, are the principal tim- 
 " bers. Hickory is plentiful in all the counties. The area of 
 " country that supplies the boom at Grafton, is about 100 
 u miles in length by 50 in width, all of which is accessible to 
 u streams that empty into the Valley river. The present capac- 
 " ity for manufacturing the timber into lumber in and about 
 " Grafton, is estimated at about 60,000 feet per day. 
 
 " The Poplar is principally used in the Eastern markets 
 " for carriages, beds, coffins, pumps, and furniture. Oak is 
 " used for shook s, for railroad, and agricultural implements. 
 " Cherry, Walnut, and Chestnut is employed for furniture and 
 c * the inside finish of houses. 
 
 " From Philippi up, the Valley river, and all of its tribu- 
 " taries, pass through an almost unbroken forest." 
 
 At Valley Falls, in Marion county, a considerable business 
 is done in sawed lumber and cooperage stuff. At Manning- 
 ton, Belton, and other points on the main stem, a considera- 
 able trade is done, and the manufactories in Wheeling consume 
 a large amount. 
 
 On the^Parkersburg branch, between West Union and Park- 
 ersburg, a heavy business is done in timber shipment. 
 
RESOURCES OF WEST VIRGINIA. 157 
 
 Large amounts of sawed lumber, ship timber, barrel stuff, 
 etc., are shipped from various points along the line of this rail 
 road. Dealers in lumber here, estimate that for from five to 
 ten years back, there have been Lent out from Doddridge county, 
 each year, more than 3,000,000 feet of hard, and 2,000,000 feet 
 of soft lumber, to Baltimore and the East, and 1,000,000 feet, 
 westward down the Ohio river. Also, above 5,000,000 Oak 
 staves of medium size, and 5,000,000 hoop poles, to Eastern 
 markets; mainly to England. Harrison county has shipped 
 nearly an equal quantity, while the exports from Ritchie 
 surpass the above amounts. 
 
 More attention has been paid here to the development of the 
 country along the railroad by means of short branch roads. 
 
 The railroad from Pennsboro to Harrisville opens up a good 
 deal of timber. Mr. Bryan, Assistant to the State Board, says 
 of Ritchie, and the adjoining counties : ll The amount of tim- 
 " her, barrel staves, and headings, principally of White 
 " Oak and Poplar, taken out of Ritchie county, is enormous- 
 " The North and South Forks of Hughes river, and the Penns- 
 " boro and Harrisville railroad, make the timber very accessi- 
 " ble. White Oak of the finest quality abounds. Messrs. Kim- 
 " ball and Shaffer, of Pennsboro, have had in operation a stave 
 " and heading factory, for the supply of their Baltimore barrel 
 " factory. Mr. K. says that in 1875, he shipped from Penns- 
 " boro to Baltimore, 8800,000 worth of stuff for barrels." 
 Again, of Calhotin, Mr. Bryan says: 
 
 " The timber of this county is splendid. The Little Kana- 
 " wha, West Fork, Steer creek, and minor streams, have 
 " enabled the people to take out in rafts, a large amount of the 
 u finest logs, but the timber is hardly missed a mile or two 
 " from the streams. The traffic in staves, as in Ritchie and 
 " Wirt, is enormous. Few hoop poles are now gotten out here, 
 " but vast numbers are taken from Ritchie and Wirt. The 
 " Oak timber is gotten for barrel and tierce staves, and head- 
 " ings. As this timber does not float well, Poplar and Walnut 
 " are the principal trees put in logs and rafts. Staves, head- 
 " ings, and all manner of sawed stuff are run out on high 
 " water in flat boats. These same remarks apply to all the 
 " counties between the railroad and the Big Kanawha. Ritchie 
 " has the most White Oak. 
 
158 RESOURCES OF WEST VIRGINIA. 
 
 " In Wirt county, one Ohio firm got out, in 1875, 10,000,- 
 " 000 staves. Trees are often sold on the stump for $1. or 
 " belted and allowed to die. 
 
 " A good deal ol Poplar from Braxton, is cut at Elizabeth, 
 " Wirt county, and at Burnsville, in Braxton county, the 
 " Messrs. Burns & Co., have a fifty-horse power engine, and 
 " one of the largest saw mills in the State. They do a large 
 " business, mainly in hard wood, Walnut, &c., and cut 
 " immense amounts of Poplar, &c., and run it out on floods in 
 " flat boats, on the Little Kanawha. 
 
 " The branches of the Little Kanawha, afford development 
 " for the timber of Gilmer. Here logs under 2J feet are rarely 
 u cut or hauled, except for staves." 
 
 A good deal of the White Oak, tight-work staves, pipe, 
 hogshead, and claret staves go to Europe from this region, 
 and a great many Red Oak staves are used for the West India 
 trade. Schooners are chartered "to N. side or S. side of Cuba 
 ki and return," at so much, and are then loaded with shooks 
 and hoops, and bring back sugar and molasses. (Clay). 
 
 Mr. R. T. Lowndes, of Clarksburg, says of the timber of 
 Doddridge, <fcc.: " We-have a tram road 20 miles long, run- 
 ning through the S. E. portion of Doddridge county, for 
 " the purpose of bringing the timber to market. It drains 
 vt that section of Doddridge, and a part of Harrison, Lewis, 
 " and Gilmer. Our woods consist nearly altogether of Oak 
 t% and Poplar, for commercial purposes. We have some Wal- 
 nut and Locust, and a large amount of Beech, Hickory, Syc- 
 amore, Sugar, and several varieties of Pine. The Oak is 
 " generally shipped in coopers stuff, railroad lumber and 
 u ship timber ; the roots and crotches for ship-knees and 
 " names. The Red and Chestnut Oak is used for bark, shook 
 " staves, ties, &c. Our Poplar is generally shipped in lum- 
 " ber, as chair plank, panel boards, &c., sometimes in the log. 
 Our Yellow Poplar is much sought after by the furniture 
 u manufacturers, and when prime and well seasoned, com-- 
 mands good prices. 
 
 a But the White Oak is our princpal timber, and is very 
 " fine. There is a steady demand from Europe for it, but the 
 " cost of handling is so great that prices are not remunera- 
 u tive." 
 
RESOURCES OF WEST VIRGINIA. 159 
 
 Down the Ohio, from Wetzel county to the Little Kaiia- 
 wha, no large E. and W. flowing river empties into the Ohio, 
 but several considerable creeks, such as Middle Island and 
 Fishing creeks, which bring in a considerable amount of logs 
 from some distance inland. Something is done in squared 
 timber for bridge building, but the main business along the 
 river is in sawed or cooperage stuff, of which a great deal is 
 handled. Some attention is also paid to ship timber, both 
 for river boats and foreign markets. 
 
 As an illustration of the excellence of the Ohio river tim 
 ber for this latter purpose, we may mention the fact, stated by 
 Mr. C. T. Beall, of Mason, that the brig Somers, distinguished 
 in the Mexican war, was built at the mouth of the Kanawha, 
 by the Gilmores, of Ma?on county lumber. 
 
 When this vessel was docked some 8 years ago, her timbers 
 were found tj be sound. 
 
 While the bottoms along tho Ohio are cleared, yet much of 
 the upland, a little back of the river, it still heavily tim 
 bered. 
 
 In passing down the Ohio, the Little Kanawha is the first 
 stream reaching back a considerable distance towards the 
 Alleghanies. From this river southward, the E. and W. 
 flowing tributaries of the Ohio, are all extensive, and 
 eerve to develop considerable tracts of country. 
 
 The little Kanawha develops a good deal of the country- 
 described above by Mr. Bryan, and brings a vast amount of 
 railroad ties, sawed stuff, cooperage material, square timber, 
 and logs, to Parkersburg and points on the Ohio river. 
 
 Mr. L. B. Dellicker, General Superintendent of the Little 
 Kanawha Navigation Company, gives the following as the 
 shipments of timber out of the Little Kanawha, from Janu 
 ary 1, 1875, to January 1, 1876: 
 
 Four hundred and twenty log rafts, containing about 504,000 
 cubic feet, 1,816,000 feet of manufactured lumber, mainly inch 
 boards. 
 
 Three million five hundred and fifty-two thousand nine 
 hundred and twenty-seven oil barrel staves. 
 
 Seventy thousand one hundred and eighty-four railroad 
 cross-ties. 
 
 Seventeen thousand hoop-poles. 
 
 One hundred and seventy-seven cords of keg wood. 
 
160 RESOURCES OF WEST VIRGINIA. 
 
 Col. Byrne estimates the product of this stream as follows : 
 The Burns Brothers, at Burnsvillc, cut and send to the Pitts 
 burgh market, probably $50,000 worth of boards. Other saw 
 mills, between that point and Parkersburg, probably manu 
 facture as much more in boards, and perhaps $10,000 worth of 
 White Oak in ship timber, with $50,000 worth of staves, or per 
 haps much more. Besides these items, there are $50,000 worth 
 of cross-ties, and $100,000 worth of logs, mainly manufac 
 tured at Parkersburg. In all, $310,000 worth of timber, and 
 perhaps much more. The business along the Ohio from 
 Wheeling south to this stream, may be as much, say $350,000. 
 
 Omitting for the moment the business on the Great Kana- 
 wha and the Chesapeake and Ohio Railroad, we may pass to 
 the region south of the last named stream. 
 
 The Big Sandy, the Guyandotte, and Twelve Pole, are the 
 present means of developing the timber of the southern coun 
 ties, and drain an extensive area of heavily wooded country. 
 We have no details of the business done, but it is known that 
 they all do a heavy business in logs, mainly for Ohio river 
 markets. White Oak is largely manufactured into staves. 
 Large numbers of hoop poles are cut, and a considerable amount 
 of tanbark is sent out. Besides the hard woods, some Hemlock 
 and Yellow Pine is sent West. It would not be an overesti 
 mate perhaps to put the trade done in these three streams at 
 $300,000. 
 
 On the Kanawha river, the principal development of tim 
 ber is from the mouth of Elk downwards. Col. Byrne says of" 
 the business on the Kanawha and its tributaries : u Elk river 
 " sends out $100,000 worth of logs, cut by mills at and near 
 " Charleston, either for use there or for shipment down the 
 " river. The White and Black Oak, are chiefly manufactured 
 " into salt barrel staves, for use in the vicinity of Charleston. 
 " The mills there have a capacity for producing 1,000 barrels 
 " per day. The Poplar, Ash, Chestnut, Walnut, and other 
 kinds, are chiefly manufactured into boards, plank, and 
 " scantling at Charleston for the Cincinnati and other mar- 
 " kets on the river, after supplying the h/)me market. Besides 
 u the logs, Elk sends out a large number of coal boats, ($20,000 
 " worth), for use in shipping coal and salt from the Kanawha 
 " river. The manufactured value of Elk river timber, i. e. 
 u boards, staves, hoop poles, etc., is at least $150,000. 
 
RESOURCES OF WEST VIRGINIA. 161 
 
 " The Great Kanawha, from the falls down, must produce as 
 " much lumber in the shape of logs, staves, hoop poles, boards, 
 " and ship timber, as the Elk, or $150,000." 
 
 Pocatalico and Coal rivers contribute largely to this pro 
 duce of the Lower Kanawha, Pocatalico sending probably 
 20,000 worth. Coal river sends out some fine Walnut, which 
 goes to Europe. The Lower Kanawha sends oat some fine Oak 
 timber for ship building, and a good deal of pine. 
 
 At and near the falls of the Great Kanawha, and on Laurel 
 creek, a considerable business is done in cooperage stuff and 
 sawed lumber, perhaps $100,000 worth. Westward to Hinton, 
 hardly anything is done. 
 
 At Hinton, a good deal is done. Some staves* are, according 
 to Mr. Clay, floated down from up New river, caught at Hin 
 ton and shipped by rail. Mr. J. S Thompsen says of the tim 
 ber trade of Hinton: u Quite a large trade is carried on here 
 " in the lumber business. Large quantities of pipe staves of 
 11 Oak, are shipped by rail to the East, and several thousand 
 " Walnut logs have been shipped both to the Eastern markets 
 " and to Europe, from the county within the last 18 months. 
 " There is a large saw mill at this point, owned by New York 
 " men, who ship pine (of a fine quality) lumber; also shingles, 
 " laths, etc. They deal extensively also in Poplar lumber and 
 " and furnish the Chesapeake and Ohio Railroad, with rail- 
 " road ties." 
 
 Besides the above localities, the Mononghela river in Manon- 
 galia county, and the West Fork from Harrison, carry out 
 some forty to fifty thousand dollars worth of White Oak for 
 ship timber, and other timber in logs. 
 
 Taking everything into consideration, we may, without 
 exaggeration, state that the revenue to be derived for many 
 years to come, from the timber of West Virginia must equal 
 that to be obtained from any other of her resources. Putting 
 her acreage in timber at 9,000,000, and estimating 8,000 feet 
 of boards to the acre, at $1.00 per M., a very moderate esti 
 mate, we have $72,000,000. It is certain that this State has 
 a larger amount of surplus hard wood timber, (and that of the 
 most marketable kinds), than any other State in the Union, 
 and that the excellence of the material is attracting constantly 
 more and more attention. 
 21 
 
CHAPTER IX. 
 THE COAL FIELD. 
 
 BY M. F. MAURY. 
 
 Tlie most important coal region in America, is the Appalach 
 ian Coal Field, which is, says Rogers, "almost the largest ex- 
 " panse of continuous coal measures in the world. It possesses 
 4i a length of 875 miles, and a maximum breadth, between its 
 " eastern outcrop in southern Pennsylvania and its western 
 u in northern Ohio, of about 180 miles/ It extends from 
 northern Pennsylvania to middle Alabama, parallel to the 
 Appalachian chain to the east of it. Its coals are better than 
 those of any other field in America, and, save anthracite, are 
 of every kind necessary to the arts andinanufactur -s. Its area 
 is made up as follows : 
 
 West Virginia 10,000 sqr. miles. 
 
 Pennsylvania 12,700 " " 
 
 Ohio 10,000 " 
 
 Eastern Kentucky 8,<)00 " " 
 
 Alabama " 5,000 " 
 
 Tennessee 5,100 " " 
 
 Man-land... 550 " 
 
 Total 58,550 sqr. miles. 
 
 Of these the amounts for Pennsylvania and eastern Ken 
 tucky are the results of careful surveys, while the others are 
 estimates taken from the best and latest sources : 
 
 By the U. 8. census of 1870, these States mined the t following 
 tonnage : 
 
 Alabama 11,000 tons 
 
 Kentucky 150,000 " 
 
 Maryland 1,819,824 " 
 
 Ohio... 2,527,285 " 
 
RESOURCES OF WEST VIRGINIA. 163 
 
 Pennsylvania 7,798,.MS tons. 
 
 Tennessee 133,41 K " 
 
 West Virginia. 008,878 
 
 Totnl 12,045),5()otons. 
 
 These tables, therefore, show that while West Virginia em 
 braces (in round numbers) nearly 28 per cent of the coal area, 
 it produces only 5 per cent of the coal mined therein. 
 
 In the absence of an exact and definite location, the eastern 
 boundary of the West Virginia Coal Field may be described as 
 follows : Beginning at the south on the mountain just east 
 Blue Stone river, and proceeding thence to Little Sewell, on 
 the top of which the lowest seam of the lower measures may be 
 seen : thence, but by not a very clearly denned line, with the 
 common boundary of Nicholas and Greenbrier, and Webster and 
 Pocahontas, to Rich mountain in Randolph; following this 
 last named ridge to Laurel mountain, the dividing line be 
 tween Upshur on the west and Randolph and Barbour on 
 the east; and thence with the Briery mountain into Preston 
 count} and on the Pennsylvania line. To the east of this 
 boundary there are small outlying patches of coal, (mention 
 ed at the end of this chapter), as in Greenbrier in Meadow 
 mountain, and possibly in Pocahontas and in some of the 
 synclinal valleys of Tucker, but they are unimportant as 
 compared with the vast area to the west, and in but few in 
 stances will yield fuel of any value except for local use. This 
 remark will not, however, apply to the valuable, though small, 
 trough in Mineral and Grant, which is entirely seperated by 
 sub-carboniferous strata from the main West Virginia Coal 
 Field. 
 
 In every county west of the general boundary to the Ohio 
 river valuable coal will be found, if not in the hills, then 
 below the surface and accessible by shafting, so that out of 54 
 counties in the State, only Monroe, Pendlcton, Hardy, Hamp 
 shire, Morgan, and Jefferson, lack it in toto. 
 
 Before going into a detailed account of the field, it will be 
 well to give a general sketch thereof, which cannot be better 
 done than in the following condensed description of Prof. W. 
 B. Rogers, State Geologist of Virginia from 1836 to 1840, who 
 says, concerning it : 
 
164 RESOURCES OF WEST VIRGINIA. 
 
 From the eastern margin of the coal field the strata have 
 a general inclination to the northwest, so that as we leave the 
 Alleghany mountains the rocks belonging to the formations 
 below the coal disappear, and the coal measures themselves 
 in their turn become buried as we approach the Ohio river in 
 the region of Point Pleasant, Parkersburg, fcc., where we find 
 on the surface the Upper Barren Measures the highest mem 
 ber of the coal formation consisting of shales, slates and sand 
 stone, either destitute of coal, or contaning it in variable and 
 unimportant beds as compared to the richer portions of the 
 field. These gently sloping strata, thus gradually depressed, 
 again rise to the surface as we proceed still further west, thus 
 bringing into view over a wide and affluent belt of country in 
 Ohio the counterparts of the lost coal seams and their associ 
 ated strata, in the reverse order in which they had been seen 
 to disappear in West Virginia some distance east of the Ohio. 
 
 As necessary to the general picture of this wide-spread series 
 rocks, it may be added that beyond this belt of productive coal 
 measures in Ohio, as we ascend to the valley of the Scioto, we 
 come into view of a group of underlying, easterly-dipping 
 sandstones, slates and limestones, corresponding to the sub- 
 carboniferous formations ot the Alleghanies, so that, leaving 
 out all the undulations on the eastern side of the tract, we are 
 presented with the imposing scene of a vast synclinal trough or 
 basin, spreading from the eastern escarpment of the coal rocks 
 in West Virginia entirely across the largest portion of that 
 State and the eastern half of Ohio, and terminating there in a 
 similar escarpment, in which the rocks are seen inclining to 
 the east, to meet their counterparts dipping in the opposite 
 direction in West Virginia. It is a little west of the center 
 line of this basin that the Ohio river pursues its course for 
 most of the distance, for which it forms the western boundary 
 of our State. 
 
 But another feature has yet be introduced to complete the 
 general outline of this interesting region. The eastern and 
 western margins of this basin, though nearly parallel about 
 midway of its length, gradually approach each other as they 
 extend towards the north, and thus bending around, the for 
 mer in Pennsylvania and the latter in Ohio, at length actually 
 coalesce and form the head or northern termination of the 
 
RESOURCES OF WEST VIRGINIA. 166 
 
 trough. As a result of this configuration, the various coal 
 seams of the whole area may be looked upon as a basin made 
 up of a series of oblong, shallow bowls, whose longer diamters 
 run N. E. and S. W., fitting one within the other and inter- 
 stratified with shales, sandstones, &c. From the various por 
 tions of the margins thieve would therefore dip towards a com 
 mon axis, so that along the northern edge of the basin the 
 coals would have an inclination south, and as we follow the 
 rim through West Virginia to Kentucky, first a S. S. W., then 
 S. W., W. S. W, W., W. N. W., X. W.. &c., dip would obtain. 
 
 Fortunately for the resources of the valuable, though small 
 tract, between Pennsylvania and Ohio, in which are the coun- 
 tie^ of Hancock, Brooke, Ohio, and Marshall, known as the 
 "Panhandle," this northern termination of the trough takes 
 place at no great distance from where our State begins; so 
 that the Ohio, in its western course along the margin of that 
 tract, intersects the southerly dipping strata in a direction 
 highly favorable for the developement of their rich mineral 
 contents. 
 
 Bearing this illustration in mind, it will at once be seen that 
 a river that runs through this basin will first pass over one 
 edge, will then flow through its center, and finally cut the 
 opposite edge, and if, as is the ca^e with the Ohio, it enters 
 near one end and flows nearly along the central axis, it will 
 first cut the edges of the lowest bowl^, and then higher and 
 higher ones, till finally all will be exposed by it. Fur 
 ther, if in the course of this passage, it deviates from a 
 straight line, so as to run W. or N. W., it will go into lower 
 strata, or outer bowls, and if it then deflects back to its orig 
 inal position, near the axis, it will come into higher strata, or 
 inner bowls. This cutting of the successive strata is very 
 well shown along the whole river front of the State, for 
 beginning at the northern extremity, near the mouth of 
 Little Beaver, the Ohio flows in the lower part of the Lower 
 Coal Measures, the outcrop of which is further towards the 
 north. Thence, descending the river, the inclination of the 
 rocks being towards the south, these lower coals pass below 
 the bed of the stream, and at the tops of the hills at Steuben- 
 ville, the lowest coal seam of the Upper Coal Measures^ makes 
 its first appearance. The southerly dip still continuing, this 
 
166 RESOURCES OF WEST VIRGINIA. 
 
 seam, as we proceed down the river, comes nearer and nearer 
 the water, till a short distance helow Wheeling, it also disap 
 pears, and the superior strata come lower and lower in the 
 hills, till Fishing creek, in the southwest corner of Wetzel 
 county, is reached. The river is here a little west of the axis, 
 or center, of the basin, and is therefore in the innermost 
 howl, or highest strata, all, or nearly all, the coals lying 
 beneath it. Below this point, assuming a direction more 
 toward the west, it flows a little west of, and parallel to, the 
 axis, still exposing only the upper strata, but bending toward 
 the northwest. As it approaches Marietta it displays lower 
 formations, and thence, pursuing a direction nearly parallel 
 to the course from Fishing creek, it passes Parkersburg sev 
 eral miles west of the axis, still continuing to display nearly 
 the same rocks as are met with at Marietta. It now, by 
 various flexures, gradually works back nearer to the axis, and 
 therefore into higher strata, till it reaches the bend below Mill 
 creek, in Jackson county, when, by a sudden turn to the N. 
 W., it penetrates some distance into the western side of the 
 basin, and, the rocks having a dip towards the axis, that is to 
 wards the S E., the strata, which, during its previous course, 
 were buried below its bed, are now seen successively emerg 
 ing to the surface, and bringing into light, above water level, 
 the seam worked at Pomeroy. and which has not been seen 
 since we left it at a little below Wheeling. Here, resuming 
 its ireneral southwesterly course, and, though having numer 
 ous flexures, preserving its general direction as far as Guyan- 
 dotte, in Cabell county, it continues to expose nearly the 
 same strata appertaining to the western side of the basin 
 throughout the whole distance. Then bending away to the 
 west, it enters the lower coal group (which we have not seen 
 since we left Brooke county, in the northern part of the 
 State), about three miles above the mouth of the Big Sandy? 
 after which, taking a northwesterly course, it emerges from the, 
 basin near Porsmouth. This passage of the Ohio through the 
 length of this basin, presents a line of observation of great inter- 
 erest and value to the geologist, for it shows nearly all of 
 the strata of the coal measures. 
 
 The coal measures rest upon a well-marked series of rocks, 
 known as the Great Conglomerate, and the following descrip- 
 
RESOURCP:S OF WEST VIRGINIA. 167 
 
 tion of them, condensed from Prof. Roger?, is here given, as it 
 may often serve to prevent fruitless exploration for coal in 
 the strata underneath. This formation contrasts strongly 
 in general aspect and composition, with the one immediately 
 below it. It consists of whitish, or light gray sandstones, 
 generally of coarse texture, and comprising heavy beds of 
 conglomerate, usually conspicuous for the white round peb 
 bles of which it is mainly composed. As the rock disinte 
 grates, these latter are set free, and are often profusely strewn 
 over the surface, becoming a useful landmark when the rock 
 itself is hid from view. 
 
 At all points, however, this formation does not display the 
 same conspicuous conglomeratic structure, for it passes from a 
 mere mass of large rounded pebbles to a conglomerate of shot 
 like gravel, and thence to a coarse, and in some instances, a 
 fine grained sandstone of even and compact texture, and varies 
 in thickness from 100 feet, and less, DO 1,000 feet, and perhaps 
 more. 
 
 Xor in all cases doe^ it maintain its character of a purely 
 siliceous rock, for it sometimes contains beds of shale and 
 coal. Yet with all these variations the general characters of 
 the group as above described, are sufficiently definite to enable 
 the practiced observer to recognise it at a, glance. 
 
 It is the boundary between the Coal Measures, and the 
 Appalachian formations below, and therefore, as a general 
 rule, explorations for coal should bedirected to the strata lying 
 geologically above it. 
 
 The remarkable expansion and diversified character assumed 
 by this formation for some distance, within the margin of our 
 great coal field west of the Greenbrier river and on New river, 
 has caused it to spread over a wide area, and to include seams 
 of coal of sufficient magnitude to be worthy of exploration. 
 As, for instance, at Quinnimont, on the latter stream. 
 
 Having thus hastily sketched the general geology of the 
 coal field, let us now examine the number of coal seams con 
 tained therein. 
 
 To do this so as to be the more fully understood, the coal 
 strata can be divided into four great geological divisions, viz : 
 TJie Lower Coal Measures, resting upon the Great Conglomer 
 ate, just described so fully, containing very many important 
 
IBS RESOURCES OF WEST VIRGINIA. 
 
 and valuable coal seams, and having a thick bed of sandstone, 
 called the " Mahoning/ as its upper limit. 
 
 The Lower Barren Measures, composed of reddish and bluish 
 shales and slates, sandstones and limestones the latter in 
 some parts of the State very important usually destitute of 
 workable coals, and terminating at the base of a valuable and 
 persistent coal seam known as the "Pittsburgh." 
 
 The Upper Coal Measures, containing several important coal 
 seams, of which the "Pittsburgh " is the lowest. 
 
 The Upper Barren Measures, composed of- sandstones and 
 shales, nearly destitute of coal. 
 
 There are also geographical divisions in the field that should 
 be noticed, for, in several cases, ridges, parallel to the eastern 
 margin of the basin, make their appearance, and are composed 
 of sab-carboniferous strata, which separate one coal basin 
 from another, and form well marked boundaries thereto. 
 
 These anti-din als, or upheavals, are more marked in the 
 northern than in the southern portion of the State. In the 
 former, as we proceed west, they become more and more gentle 
 iu their slopes, and, as they are traced south, become wider 
 and flatter, until they are more or less lost, and allow the coal 
 measures to coalesce in one grand expanse, or gently undulat 
 ing plane, that sweeps from Rich and Sewell mountains 
 entirely, across the State, with scarcely a single interruption, 
 save the small and narrow one of the "Oil Break," near the 
 Ohio river. 
 
 In fact, in considering this question, the State may be divided 
 by a line running in a northwest direction, from the common 
 eastern corner of Greenbrier and Pocahontas, to the northern 
 end of Pleasants county, on the Ohio. North of this, we find 
 our anti-clinal axes and the rock beds folded, while to the 
 south the upheavals are so gentle, that while they may flat 
 ten the strata, we have no positive assurance that they reverse 
 the northwest dip anywhere in the whole territory. 
 
 Let us now proceed to show what seams are contained in 
 these several geographical divisions, t he first one taken has 
 been alluded to as lying in Mineral and Grant counties, and 
 may be called 
 
EESOURCES OF WEST VIRGINIA. 169 
 
 THE POTOMAC BASIN. 
 
 This is bounded on the east by the Front Ridge of the Alle- 
 ghany, and on the west, by the Backbone of the Alleghany- 
 In the intervening space are two anti-clinal axes or undula. 
 tions, which divide this area into three sub-fields. As we trace 
 these ridges to the southwest, they more or less coalesce, form 
 ing the high land between Tucker and Grant counties, cutting 
 off all continuity of the coal strata between this basin, and the 
 main one of the State. 
 
 Continued to the northeast, these two -intermediate axes 
 flatten down and die out, so that what in West Virginia, are 
 three basins; in Maryland, is the single one, so well known 
 as the "Cumberland Coal Field." 
 
 THE EASTERN TROUGH, 
 
 Of the Potomac Basin, is bounded by the Front Ridge of the 
 Alleghany and the anti-clinal ridge, which is the watershed 
 between Abrams creek and Stony river. On the east side 
 the strata dip northwest, and on west they incline southeast. 
 By reason of the proximity to the Appalachian upheaval, the 
 rocks are here inclined at a comparatively steep angle, and 
 by this means the bottom of the trough was rendered suffici 
 ently low to permit the whole of the Lower Coal and Lower 
 Barren Measures, and a little of the Upper Coal Measures, to 
 escape the destructive torrents which have eroded and washed 
 away so much of the coal-bearing formation of this section. 
 The seams found in this basin all furnish a semi-bituminous 
 coal. 
 
 The following section was kindly supplied by the Hon. H. 
 G. Davis, and is the result of actual measurements, taken some 
 ten years ago by Wm. Brace, Esq., of Cumberland, at some 
 point near the Baltimore and Hampshire Company s mine, 
 in Mineral county . 
 
 Ft. In. 
 
 1. "Millstone Grit" 
 
 2. Coal 3 
 
 3. Slate 120 
 
 4. Coal 6 
 
 5. Slate and Sandstone 130 
 
 6. Coed 3 
 
 7. Slate 1 6 
 
 8. Coal 3 6 
 
 22 
 
170 RESOURCES OF WEST VIRGINIA. 
 
 Ft. In. 
 
 <). Sandstone, Slate, and Shale, etc loO 
 
 10. <W 4 
 
 11. Sandstone and Limestone 120 
 
 12. Cnnl 2 (5 
 
 ]. . Shale and Sandstone <)() 
 
 14. Fire Clay :\ 
 
 l.\ C< t( ,1"\tig Vein" 14 
 
 1(>. Slate :50 
 
 17. Black Band Ore 
 
 15. Shale and Slate ; -}."> 
 
 19. Coal 7 
 
 By comparing this section with one made on the Maryland 
 side of the river by Prof. Tyson it will be seen that Mr.. 
 Brace has mistaken the heavy bed of sandstone under No. 2 
 of the section for the Great Conglomerate, whereas he 
 should have gone some 39 feet lower. Had he done so, 
 he would have found another coal seam, which is to be 
 setn in the bed of the Potomac, a short distance belo\v the 
 mouth of Sivage river, and at Brantzburg, showing itself 2 
 feet 11 inches thick, 20 feet above the water, where it any- 
 alyzes : 
 
 Carbon 72.4 
 
 Volatile Matter l!).72 
 
 Ash 7.88 
 
 100.00 
 
 Beginning now to discuss the section as it stands, Prof. 
 Rogers makes Coal, No. 2, only 20 inches at the mouth of 
 Savage, but as measured by Prof. Win. S. Kowson, of- New 
 Jersey, on the head waters of Abrarns creek, in Grant county, 
 on the 886 acres of J. Hutton & Co., it shows Coal, 4 inches ; 
 Slate 2 inches; Coal, 1 foot; Slate 4 inches; Coal, 2 feet G 
 inches. Total 4 feet 4 inches. 
 
 Coal No. 4, is well exposed above the mouth of Savage, and 
 from its quality, thickness, accessibility, and the large area 
 over w r hich it may .be wrought, is to be looked on as a very 
 valuable deposit. I have no analysis of it at this place^ but 
 samples from up Abram s creek, from the land of Mr. Vando- 
 yer and Mr. McDonald, show respectively: 
 
RESOURCES OF WEST VIRGINIA. 171 
 
 Carbon <>1.4i 74.00 
 
 Volatile matter 14/28 18.60 
 
 Ash... .. 24.28 7.40 
 
 100.00 100.00 
 
 At the head of this creek, on the land of Hutton Co., 
 Prof. Row-son measured it 6 feet 9 inches, but this shows 
 many partings of slate, the bottom, 2 feet 5 inches, being the 
 thickest bench in the whole height. 
 
 Coals, Nos. 6 and 8, show some line exposures in this, and 
 the next basin on Stony river, to the west, the intervening 
 slate getting thinner, so that at Whistler s opening on Stony, 
 Prof, Rowson found a thickness of S feet 3 inches, the slate 
 being represented by a band only 3 inches thick, 5 feet from 
 the floor. 
 
 Coal, Xo. 10, was measured by the same gentleman, on the 
 100-acre tract of J. W. Shillingburg. Here, including the top 
 shales and coals, it was 5 feet 10 inches, but only the lower 4 
 feet is solid coal. 
 
 Coal, Xo. 12, in the same locality as the last, shows 3 feet 2 
 inches, but is worthless, being so much cut by partings that 
 the thickest bench of coal is only 1 foot 3 inches. 
 
 Coal, Xo. 15, some 850 or 900 feet above the river, is the first 
 of the Upper Coal Measures, the fame that is so exten 
 sively wi ought in the Frostburg Region of Maryland. From 
 its great elevation in the hills, it is not only more difficult of 
 access than the lower coals, but is spread over a comparatively 
 limited area, and is, in many cases, likely to be injured by the 
 the insufficient protection of the superincumbent strata. A bet 
 ter idea of its high position may be obtained from the fact that 
 out of 1,933 acres owned by the Hampshire and Baltimore 
 Coal Company, about a mile above Piedmont, a careful survey 
 showed that only 21 63- acres were underlaid by this seam.* 
 
 The mines of this company, and the Virginia Coal Com 
 pany, are the only ones now in operation in this field, and 
 both are working this great bed, the coal from wlrch is very 
 free from impurities. In the Virginia mine, it is 14 feet 
 thick, with only one parting, I. 1 ,, inches thick, 4 feet from the 
 
 Report on the Coal Properties ol the: Cumberland Coal Basiii, by James T. 
 Hodge, Mining Geologist, 18(59, 
 
172 RESOURCES OF WEST VIRGINIA. 
 
 floor. The whole is very tender and soft, the bottom, 4 feet, 
 particularly so, and from this cause, amongst others, only 
 about 60 pr cent of the contents of this magnificent bed goes 
 to market. (For analysis see next chapter). 
 
 Coal, JVo. 10, " is called the eight-foot bed, and affords 6 feet 
 " of good workable coal. It is in rectangular blocks, harder 
 u and firmer than the coal of the great bed, and is said to be 
 i more gaseous in character. Its area appears to be full half 
 " of that of the large b:>d, and is possibly more than this." 
 -(Hodge). 
 
 It has been mentioned that the boundaries of this sub-basin 
 coalesce to the southwest, ami the coals disappear, so that as 
 we go from the Potomac towards the head of Abram s creek, 
 in Grant county, first the top seams vanish, then the ones 
 below, and so on to the lowest. 
 
 Proceeding west, and crossing the dividing ridge between 
 Abram s creek and Stony river, we enter upon the Second, or 
 Middle Trough, of the Potomac basin, which has for a western 
 boundary, the anticlinal ridge between Stony river and Diffi 
 cult creek, and its southwest termination at the head of the 
 former stream. As this upheaval is less sudden and abrupt 
 than the ones to the east, we would expect that the inclina 
 tion of the strata would be more gentle, and such proves to 
 be the case. Hence, the coal beds were not so well protected 
 from erosion by ancient currents, and as a consequence, we 
 find that all of the Upper Coal Measures have been washed 
 away, and only the Lower Coal Measures are left. 
 
 On the lower part of Stony river, in Mineral county, no 
 explorations have been made to show what coals are present, 
 but in Grant county, they were examined in March, 1876, by 
 Mr. A. R. Guerard, of the Royal School of Mines, London, 
 and the following distinct seams were observed : 
 
 On Rinker s land, 4 miles below the Falls of the river, is an 
 8-foot seam, containing a good deal of slate. Lower down the 
 river, and j of a mile from this, is the " Harnes" bed, which 
 is also 8 feet, containing more slate than the last. It is very 
 probable that it is the same as the "Rinker," but this could not 
 be certainly determined, as Mr. Guerard was able to spend 
 but a verv short time in the district, 
 
RESOURCES OF WEST VIRGINIA. 173 
 
 Above the Rinker 8-foot coal, comes in a 3-foot bed, and above 
 this a 4-foot one, near the falls of the river. In connection 
 with these two, it should be said that as the distance between 
 them is some four miles, and there are no intermediate expo 
 sures, Mr. Guerard thinks that possibly these may be one 
 and the same stratum, which has undergone an alteration in 
 thickness. Above these, also, at the falls of Stony, is an 8- 
 foot seam the Whistler seam, with very little slate and 
 above this Mr. T. W. Evan?, a mining engineer, of Pennsyl 
 vania, who examined this field iri November, 1875, reports a 
 6-foot seam of good coal. 
 
 From Stony river, we now cross over the anti-clinal ridge, 
 between that stream and Difficult creek, and come into the 
 Western Trough, which, like the last, has more gently sloping 
 strata than the eastern, and the coals belong to the Lower 
 Measures. 
 
 Tn Grant county, on Difficult creek, up the stream from the 
 crossing of the pike, and about 1| miles from Lees, are 7 feet of 
 very good coal the only important parting being 3 inches 
 thick. It is semi-bituminous as, in fact, all in the Potomac 
 Basin seem to be, with some slate in it. Higher in the hills 
 than this, at the bend in the Northwestern Pike, Mr. Evans 
 reports a 4-foot seam, of very fine coal. On Difficult creek, 
 at the crossing of the Northwestern Pike, and apparently 
 below the 7-foot seam, is one that is made up of 3 feet of good 
 coal 1 foot ot slate and 2 feet of bad coal on top. By compar 
 ing these thicknesses with those mentioned in the section on 
 page 169, it will be noticed that the last named bed corresponds 
 to -A T o. 4 Coal, 6 feet, except that a parting is developed here. 
 The 7-foot seams correspond to Nos. 6, 7 and 8, though having 
 suffered a slight diminution in thickness, while the 4-foot 
 seams corresponds to No. 10 Coal, 4 feet. 
 
 Separating the Potomac Basin from the one next to the 
 west, is a wide region of lofty and broken hills, traversed by 
 the Cheat river, and bounded on the east and w r est by the 
 Backbone and Briery mountains, respectively, between which 
 the formations which lie below the coal are at, or very near, 
 the surface. This shallow basin expands and deepens in a 
 northwesterly direction, through Maryland, and when traced 
 into Pennsylvania, becomes of great value, as it is the coal 
 
174 RESOURCES OF WEST VIRGINIA. 
 
 field between the axes of the Alleghany and Negro mountains. 
 There are no observations to determine what it does in its prolon 
 gations to the south, but as in West Virginia, it is too shallow 
 to contain any valuable coal, we may at once pass on to the 
 consideration of 
 
 THE PRESTON COUNTY BASIN, 
 
 Which is boiinded-on the east by the Briery mountains, on 
 the west by Laurel ridge, and is the southerly continuation of 
 the Ligonier Valley, or second basin of the Pennsylvania sur 
 vey, which, in West Virginia, is divided into two troughs by 
 a gentle anti-clinal axis, lying just west of Kingwood. As 
 this has not been w r ell traced out, both troughs will just now 
 be considered as one. 
 
 In it are all the Lower Coal and Lower Barren Measures, 
 and in the southern end, in the tops of the highest hills, the 
 first, or PiifeHmrflh, seam of the Upper Coal Measures. 
 
 There is positive information only as to live seams in this 
 field, but it is fair to presume that a careful search will find 
 others which properly belong to this geological horizon, though 
 as they have never yet been discovered, it is just to suppose 
 that they are small and unimportant. 
 
 The first Scam, or lowest, is said to be in view, at very low 
 water, in the bed of (/heat river half a mile below Kingwood 
 Ferry, resting", according to Prof. Rogers, upon a limstone. 
 Ju.-t below this place, the shales, which overlie this seam-, con 
 tain five bands of rich iron ore within a vertical space of four 
 or live feet, the lowest band occasionally four or five inches 
 thick, and the upper ones generally about two inches. 
 
 The Second Seam, varies from 2 to 4 feet, in different parts of 
 the field. Though valuable for fuel, it is often (mite sulphur 
 ous, and is nowhere worked except for local use. 
 
 Between seams Nos. 1 and 2, appears a limestone, often 4 to 
 5 feet thick, which, from its purity and frequent exposure, is 
 to be esteemed a valuable resource in connection with the agri 
 cultural improvement of this region, as well as for other uses 
 to which it may be put. Though often impregnated with 
 iron, it is never so much so as to unfit ii for masonry, to which 
 it has been frequently applied with satisfactory results. (For 
 analysis, see table in chapter 13 on Miscellaneous Minerals,) 
 
RESOURCES OF WEST VIRGINIA. 175 
 
 Tlic Third Seam varies generally from 2 to 4 feet, in some 
 cases swelling to 7 and 8 feet, and contains a very good article 
 of fuel. Three miles south of the mouth of Big Buffalo creek 
 it measures 4 feet, including from 8 to 10 inches of impure 
 slaty coal, and is very compact, breaking with difficulty. 
 Two miles S S. W. of the same point it is 5 feet, with a part 
 ing of 6 to 8 inches. At the head of Deep Run hallow it has 
 dwindled to 18 or 20 inches, while opposite King wood it is 7 
 to 8 feet including the partings, and yields about 5 feet of coal, 
 of which o feet are in one bed. Corresponding to this increase 
 in thickness, there is also an improvement in the quality, but, 
 unfortunately, the expansion here described is quite local. 
 Two analysis fiom this place give : 
 
 Carbon 07.28 08.82 
 
 Volatile Matter 29.08 . 20.48 
 
 Ash , .>.04 5.20 
 
 100.00 100.00 
 
 As far as the scant data on this region go, it would appear 
 that the 8 or 9-foot seam worked at Austin, on the Bait, ct 
 Ohio R. R., and to the S. W. of Kingwood, must be another ex 
 pansion of this stratum. Just as has been mentioned of it 
 elsewhere, it is here divided by partings, having 4 feet of solid 
 coal at the bottom yielding an excellent article. This is the 
 only part of it worked at present, though if mined on an ex 
 tensive scale the whole thickness can be utilized. 
 
 It is here at Austin a very valuable bed, for, according to a 
 report on it by Prof. J. P. Lesley, " it makes a clear, even, sil- 
 " very coke, sufficiently hard to bear the heaviest burden of 
 the blast furnace. 1 
 
 Above it is sometime-; a shale, which, in some localities, as 
 at Fairfax s, south of Kingwood ferry, abounds in nodules of 
 very rich Iron ore of a delicate gray color, while in others the 
 ore is replaced by nodules of impure limestone. At Austin a 
 seam of ore 1-6 to 20 inches thick, and the same as worked at 
 the Martin Iron Works, is seen 30 feet below it. 
 
 In geological nomenclature, this coal is known as the Up 
 per Freeport." It is near the top of the Lower Coal Measures, 
 though, according to Prof. Lesley s report, before alluded to, it- 
 would be very close to, if not at, the bottom of them, as he 
 
1?6 RESOURCES OF WEST VIRGINIA. 
 
 locates it 400 feet below the Mahoning sandstone, which is the 
 upper number of the series. There is a coarse sandstone in the 
 Barren Measures at this distance above the Upper Freeport, 
 which, I think, he has mistaken for the Mahoning, for the 
 Lower Coal Series in the Preston basin are not as thick as 400 
 feet. 
 
 Between seams Nos. 2 and 3 is a limestone band, sometimes 
 in nodules and again some 4 or 5 feet thick, often very rich in 
 lime, and associated with a white argillaceous clay and shales 
 of a very peculiar character. It varies very much in its posi 
 tion, between the two coal seams, being at some localities 50 
 or 60 feet above No. 2, while, in others, it is only 4 or 5 feet ; 
 on Sypole Run being 8 or 10 feet. This, and the band men 
 tioned as lying between seams Nos. 1 and 2, are so much alike 
 it would be difficult, by aspect or composition, to tell them 
 apart. It is a fine grained, bluish-gray stone, and like many 
 of the limestones of the coal measures, slightly ferruginous 
 sometimes so much so as to burn with difficulty, slacking 
 slowly, but nevertheless making a valuable lime for agricul 
 ture. It has been quarried on Sandy Ridge. Near King wood 
 it is a dull, bluish gray, tinged with yellow, compact, fine 
 grained, conchoidal, with specks of iron pyrites and calc spar, 
 very hydraulic, sets promptly, and becomes very hard. (For 
 analysis, see table in chapter on Micellaneous Minerals. 
 
 The fourth Scam, 300 feet above No. 3, is in the Lower Bar 
 ren Measures. It contains 3 feet of an excellent quality of coal. 
 
 The Fifth Scam, 150 feet above the last, is the lowest member 
 of the Upper Coal Group, and is the same as that worked in 
 Mineral county, near Piedmont, by the Virginia Coal Co. It 
 occupies the centre of the basin in the tops of the hills at New- 
 burg, where it yields an excellent gas coal, and is 10 to 12 feet 
 thick, though only 9 to 9J feet are worked, the top being left 
 to .support the slate roof. 
 
 In Prof. Rogers report on the Preston field it is not men 
 tioned at all, for the reason, I presume, that his explorations 
 seem to have been in the northern-half of the county, where 
 the hills are too low to catch it. As to whether this will prove 
 to be the case, also, as we go south from Newburg, "nothing real 
 ly deffinite can now be stated, on account of the paucity of data 
 concerning the region, but it may safely be asserted that, if 
 
RESOURCES OF WEST VIRGINIA. 177 
 
 it does exist, it will be in small isolated patches as at the 
 place where it is now worked. 
 
 THE LOWER GOAL AND BARREN MEASURES IN THE MONON- 
 GAHELA BASIN. 
 
 The broad elevated tract extending from Pennsylvania into 
 West Virginia, nearly coinciding with the boundary between 
 Preston and Monongalia counties, and which, on the West 
 Virginia map, is called Laurel Hill, contains the last 
 important axis met with in this part part of the State. As 
 followed in a southwest direction, the dips of the rocks, on 
 both sides of the ridge, are seen to be rapidly becoming more 
 gentle, and. the axis, thus flattened out, soon buries from view 
 the Appalachian rocks previously exposed, while the ridge 
 itself subsides to a less and less elevation, until, at the 
 Falls of the Tygart s Valley river, in the southern part of Mar 
 ion county, about 30 miles from the Pennsylvania line, it 
 becomes so insignificant that the Mahoning sandstone, the 
 top of the Lower Coal Measures, parses over it unbroken. 
 
 Proceeding northwest from that portion of this axis, which 
 is sufficiently marked by an anticlinal to bring to view the 
 sub carboniferous rocks, and so completely separate the Pres 
 ton from the Monongalia basin, we soon enter upon the Lower 
 Coal Measures. These rapidly dip below the water level, giv 
 ing place to the Lower Barrens, which, in turn, disappear 
 and are supplanted by the Upper Coal Measures, whose lowest 
 seam, the Pittsburgh, is seen high in the hills, a few miles 
 east of Morgantown, but comes to the water level some 2 
 miles up Scott s Run, a west branch of the Monongahela 
 river. The northwest dip still continuing, the upper coals 
 sink below the surface as this run is ascended, leaving the 
 surface of the country composed of the shales, &c., of the 
 Upper Barrens. 
 
 As these upper coals will form a chapter to themselves, I 
 will at present treat only of the measures below them, for the 
 following, description of which, I am indebted to a paper 
 read before the American Philosophical Society, on 16 Feb., 
 1872, by Prof. J. J. Stevenson, and to the Geology of Virginia, 
 1839, by Prof. Wm. B. Rogers, In making the section the 
 line of observation was, in both cases, along Decker s creek to 
 the river, thence down the same to Scott s run, and on up the 
 23 
 
178 RESOURCES OF WEST VIRGINIA. 
 
 stream. The following measurements* are those given by 
 the former gentleman, but in the reversed order to that in 
 which they were published. I give them in this way so as 
 to keep up the line of march heretore observed, viz.: from 
 east to west. 
 
 SECTION OF THE LOWER COAL MEASURES. 
 
 1. Shale 10 feet 
 
 2. Coal 1 " 
 
 3. Sandstone 4 " 
 
 4. Coal 1| " 
 
 5- Shale 25 * 
 
 b . Sandstone 25 to 30 " 
 
 7. Shale 15 to 20 " 
 
 8. Coal 2 to 3 " 
 
 9. Sandstone and Shale 20 to 30 * 
 
 10. Coul JJA (?) " 
 
 11. Shale 30 " 
 
 12. Limestone "Ferriferous" . 4 to 5 " 
 
 13. Shale 10 " 
 
 14. Sandstone 5 " 
 
 15. Conl 1 " 
 
 Hn Shale 10 " 
 
 17. Coal 4 to 5 " 
 
 18. Inhales 1 to 25 " 
 
 19. Coal U " 
 
 20. Shale 12 " 
 
 21. Sandstone, "Mahonin^" 75 " 
 
 This would therefore make the Lower Coal Measures in this 
 part of West Virginia from 260 to 300 feet thick. 
 
 Shale (No. 1). Near the bottom of this is an irregular band 
 of a coarse gray or grayish dun carbonate of iron, covered with 
 layers of hydrated protoxide the result of decomposition* 
 The band has an estimated thickness of one foot, though it 
 sometimes occurs in nodular masses, varying from 2 to 12 
 inches in diameter. It is generally of inferior quality, though 
 
 -Iu the section, as given by Prof. Rogers, Coals Nos. 2 and 4 are not men 
 tioned, while between Sands one Xo. 14, and Coal Xo. 15, he places 6 to 8 feet of 
 dark blue, argellaceous shale, in the lower part of which is a layer of nodules 
 of Carbonate of Iron, coated with Brown Oxide of Iron, and was the material 
 chielly used at the old furnace on Decker s creek. It was mined on the side of 
 Laurel Hill, in a southeast direction from, the furnace. The average thickness 
 of the band is from 6 to 10 inches, 1 h rough* the nodules are sometimes a foot in 
 diameter. (For analysis see Chapter on Iron). This is mentioned to call atten 
 tion to the matter, so that future exploration may reconcile the slight differ 
 ences in the sections. 
 
RESOURCES OF WEST VIRGINIA. 179 
 
 in bygone days it was used in the Decker s creek furnaces, and 
 for this purpose was mined at various points, in isolated patches, 
 along the west base of Laurel Hill. 
 
 Coals (Nos. 2 and 4), as exposed on Decker s creek, are of no 
 importance. No. 4 shows a thickness of 21 inches, in which 
 are 3 partings. A very hard refractory sandstone, containing 
 some imperfect specimens of vegetable fossils, mostly of the 
 genus Lepidodendron, lies between these coals. It is a good 
 fire stone, and was so used in the old furnace near by. No. 2 
 is one foot thick, and of good quality. On Decker s creek these 
 may be seen near the bridge, below Hagadore s mill. On 
 Booth s creek, only one of them was seen. At Nuzum s mill, 
 it is as irregular as the Brier Hill coal of Ohio. Along the 
 railroad cutting for some distance, it shows itself about 3 feet 
 thick, but as it approaches the station, the underlying fire 
 clay increases in thickness, while the coal diminishes, until at 
 length the latter entirely disappears. At this locality (? . t. 
 where 3 feet thick), it has been worked to a slight extent, 
 yielding a coal of excellent quality. The fire-clay seems to be 
 equal to that of Dover, Ohio, which it greatly resembles. 
 
 Sandstone (No. 6) varies from moderately coarse comglomer- 
 ate to fine grained sandstone. Compact and flaggy layers 
 alternate on Decker s creek. On Booth s creek it is mostly 
 compact. At Nuzum s mill it is uneven in texture, and has 
 weathered so as to have huge chambers. The compact layers 
 are very refractory, some of them having been employed for 
 furnace hearths. On Decker s creek, 3 or 4 inches of coal have 
 been found in this rock, 
 
 Coal (No. 8) has been opened at several points along Decker s 
 creek and its tributaries, and is in high repute for domestic 
 use. It is friable, free from pyrites, and has been locally 
 termed the " Blacksmith s Vein." Near the furnace, it is of 
 the peacock variety. It was formerly worked near Clinton 
 Furnace, but after the discovery of the larger seam above, the 
 workings were abandoned, and have caved in. So far as known 
 it has not been worked at Nuzunrs mill. 
 
 Coal (No. 10) was worked many years ago on Decker s creek, 
 a little below the old furnace, but in 1872 it was so closed up 
 by slides that Prof. Stevenson was not able to see it. Old 
 miners said it was 3^ and 4 feet thick, and resembled cannel. 
 
180 RESOURCES OF WEST VIRGINIA. 
 
 The shales above it are laminated and highly bituminous, 
 burn readily and have been mistaken for cannel. 
 
 The ferriferous Limestone (No. 23) is frequently double with 
 an intervening shale, sometimes several feet thick. For a 
 few inches near its upper surface, it is yellow and so highly 
 ferruginous as in some places to constitute a calcareous iron 
 ore, for which it has been worked in bygone days, in one or 
 two places. It is quite persistent for twenty miles south of 
 the Pennsylvania line, but does not appear in the sections at 
 Nuzum s mill. It was lued as a flux at the old furnace on 
 Decker s creek, and at the Clinton Furnace on Booth s creek. 
 It affords a good lime for agricultural and rough work, though 
 but little use has been made of it, notwithstanding that it 
 shows in almost every hill, and lime commands 15 cents per 
 bushel at the kiln. 
 
 Shale (No. 13) contains nodular masses of carbonate of iron, 
 which, though of good quality, is in too small quantity to be 
 of value. 
 
 Coal (No. 17). In some places parts of it are rendered quite 
 impure by pyrites, but towards the center it is remarkably 
 free from that mineral. This is the important and most per 
 sistent seam of the group. It appears on Cheat river near 
 Ice s Ferry, where it is worked on Tibbs Run, a tributary of 
 Decker s creek, and in some of the various openings near it. 
 In these localities it is 4 feet thick, divided near the bottom 
 by a thin clay parting. The shale above is very bituminous," 
 has a conchoidal fracture, and is a cannel coal of inferior qual 
 ity, which in some places has been worked with the coal 
 below. The coal in this seam is very friable, breaking into 
 rhombic pieces. Traced southwesterly it crosses Aaron s creek, 
 near the King wood road, about four miles from Morgan town, 
 and is worked by Mr. Bell. It also appears at several points 
 along Coburn s creek. On the Evansville road, about seven 
 miles from Morgantown, it is opened by Mr. Howell. Here it 
 lies directly under the Mahoning sandstone, and gives the fol- 
 lowing section : 
 
RESOURCES OF WEST VIRGINIA. 181 
 
 Feet. Inches 
 
 Coal 3 1 
 
 Clay Shale. - 2 to 4 
 
 Coed 1 3 
 
 Shale 2 
 
 Coal 3 
 
 4 11 
 
 Evidently the whole bed is not worked here, for on the 
 other side of the hill appears to be a foot or more of coal above, 
 but it does pay to work more than the lower 4 feet. 
 
 Coal, (local). Ten to fifteen feet below this coal, in a 
 branch of Decker s creek, there is is a seam about one foot 
 thick, which appears to be a very local, as it is Lot found on 
 the main stream, or to the south. 
 
 Coal (No. 19). On Decker s creek, this is about 15 inches 
 thick, was worked some years ago near the Point House, on 
 that stream, and is said to be of excellent quality. This seam 
 does not appear on Booth s creek, nor did Prof. Stevenson see 
 it on White Day. A coal bed occupying the same position 
 has been slightly worked at Nuzum s Mill, and is there 
 3 feet thick. 
 
 Shale (No. 20). On Decker s creek, this is of dark color, and 
 near the middle contains a band of fossiliferous nodular iron 
 ore. It seems to be present on White Day creek, 12 miles 
 south of Morgantown, but is not persistent in Pennsylvania. 
 
 Mahoning Sandstone (No. 21), is for the most part a massive 
 rock, with alternating fine and coarse layers, the latter being 
 sometimes a conglomerate. In some places it is flaggy, while 
 in others it is compact and very suitable for building pur 
 poses, as blocks 6 to 8 feet thick can be quarried without diffi 
 culty. The lower part descends to the bed of Decker s creek, 
 near the site of the old forge, but, owing to the diminished 
 dip in going west, together with the rapid descent of the 
 creek in the same direction, about 40 feet of it are seen at the 
 mouth. About 2 miles below Morgantown, near Granville, it 
 sinks below the river. To the south, it rises quite rapidly, 
 and at Booth s creek, 4 miles above Morgantown, it is about 
 40 feet above the river, where it shows in a blufit of about 75 
 feet, in some portions weatbered in large rounded cavities, 
 and in others, showing a strangely honey-combed surface. 
 
182 RESOURCES OF WEST VIRGINIA. 
 
 THE LOWER BARREN MEASURES. 
 
 In this part of the State these are about 400 feet thick. I 
 do not consider it necessary, in a treatise of this kind, to give 
 a detailed section of them, as they contain only one coal 
 seam, out of about live, that is thick enough to be of 
 any importance, and even that appears to be compara 
 tively local. According to Prof. Rogers section, it is about 180 
 feet above the Mahoning sandstone. On Decker s creek it has 
 been wrought at several places as high up as the Old 
 Forge, where it runs out on the top of the hills. It sinks 
 below the bed of the Monongahela river, above the mouth 
 of Scott s run, about 2] miles below Morgantown. Some 
 30 years ago it was opened in the hill opposite the University, 
 near the village, while 5 or 6 years ago it was worked in a 
 ravine, east of the town, to supply local use, but the mine 
 was abandoned, owing to the thinness of the bed, which made 
 the cost of extraction too great to admit of competition with 
 the openings into the Pittsburgh seam, which is 7 to 8 feet 
 thick in this immediate vicinity. In 1872, it, was opened by 
 Mr. Miller and Mr. Fordyce, to supply their own fire-places, 
 and at the opening by the former gentleman, it showed : 
 Bituminous shale, 6 to 8 inches, Coal, 3 to 3J feet. The gen 
 eral structure of the coal is slaty, and contains a considerable 
 a considerable amount of sulphur, which is unfortunate, as 
 otherwise its large proportion of fixed carbon would render 
 it \ery valuable for manufacturing purposes, for in burn 
 ing it gives off an intense heat, lasts long on the fire, and 
 makes but little soot. The bed is frequently cut up by 
 " horse-backs " and " mud-seams." 
 
 According to the section of Prof. Rogers, the Lower Barrens 
 in this part of West Virginia contain 11 bands of limestone, 
 of an aggregate thickness of 24 feet. 
 
 Most of these are ferrugenous, and otherwise impure, 
 but are still generally capable of yielding a lime well suited 
 to agriculture and building, as well as some domestic uses 
 where the color is unimportant. 
 
 THE LOWER COAL MEASURES WEST OF TUCKER COUNTY 
 AND RICH MOUNTAIN". 
 
 On page 177 et- *ey. it was noted that Laurel Hill formed a dis 
 tinct boundary between the coals of the Preston and Mononga- 
 
RESOURCES OF WEST VIRGINIA. 183 
 
 hela basins, but that as it was traced to the southwest it be 
 came broader and flatter, until, at Valley Falls, in Marion 
 county, the Mahoning sandstone and its underlying seams 
 passed over it unbroken. ^lence, it will be understood that 
 somewhere between this point and Decker s creek, the lower 
 coals will be seen lapping over this anticlinal and joining the 
 the two basins, so that what in the north were two separate 
 troughs coalesce at some place about the northern edge of Tay 
 lor county and gradually form one continuous area, which 
 stretches uninterruptedly across the State from Rich moun 
 tain in Randolph, which range, as mentioned in the early 
 part of this paper, is practically the eastern boundary of the 
 coal formation in this part of West Virginia/ Unfortunately 
 but little reliable information concerning this region is be 
 had, for accurate observations thereon are few and far between, 
 and even these very cursory. It is impossible to give any de 
 tailed section of the strata, for none has ever been made, and 
 beyond the fact that the Lower Coal Measures have increased 
 from 250 feet in Monongalia, to a considerably greater thick 
 ness in Randolph, but little can be said. Whether the num 
 ber of the included seams has also increased, as is the case 
 further south, or what changes the^ have undergone, or what 
 their total combined thickness is, is entirely unknown. Care 
 ful examinations may show that other beds, besides those to 
 be presently mentioned, which in the north were small and 
 worthless, are here thick and important ; and there is no doubt 
 that valuable seams, now hidden by the soil and loose rock 
 that cover the hills, and of which, at this time, we know 
 nothing, will be found, for it should be borne in mind that 
 western Randolph, the largest part of Barbour, Upshur, and 
 Webster, and parts of Braxton and Lewis, have the Lower 
 Coal Measures and their included seams above water level, 
 while the western portion of Barbour and Upshur, and much 
 of the area of Braxton and Lewis, have also the coals of the 
 Upper Coal Measures. 
 
 The following partial section, beginning with the Mahon 
 ing sandstone is said to have been obtained in a salt well 
 bored on the Buckhannon river : * 
 
 * The detailed measurements given in this and the next few pages were ob 
 tained from Notes on the Geology of West Virginia," by Prof. J, J. Stevenson, 
 a paper read before the Am. Phil. Soc,, 5th Feb., 1875. 
 
184 RESOURCES OF WEST VIRGINIA. 
 
 1. Rock 60 feet. 
 
 2. Coal 15 " 
 
 3. Shale . 32 " 
 
 4. Sandstone . 40 " 
 
 5. Coal 4 " 
 
 6. Rock 160 " 
 
 7. Coal 4 " 
 
 8. Sandstone 40 " 
 
 9. Coal 3 " 
 
 10. Sandstone... ...120 " 
 
 478 feet. 
 
 There is no evidence in this to show that the boring leached 
 the base of the lower coals. 
 
 No. 2. Coal, 15 feet, is the Upper Freeport, or the same seam 
 that on Decker s creek, in the Monongalia basin, shows 4 to 5 
 feet, (page ISO), and at Austin, in the Preston basin, 7 to 9 
 feet, (page 175). As traced south it seems very much to aug 
 ment in thickness, in some places showing 21|- feet, but its 
 partings so increase that, as a rule, whenever it gets over 12 ft. 
 thick, it is so much cut up that the amount of workable coal 
 in it bears no just ratio to the total size. As an example : In 
 Up-hur county, on Sand Run. several miles south of the 
 Beverly road, it measures : 
 
 1. r.iiuminous Shale 5 feet. inches 
 
 2. COAI - " 7 " 
 
 3. CANNEL, poor 2 " " 
 
 4. Shale, slightly carbonaceous 4 " 
 
 5. COAL, slaty 1 " 10 
 
 6. Shale, slightly carbonaceous 1 " 3 
 
 7. CoaL partly cannel 2 " 2 
 
 8. Clay, drab. - " 8 " - 
 
 <). Coal, bony - " 6 " 
 
 10. Clay .* - " 8 " 
 
 11. Coal, slaty 1 " 1 " 
 
 12. Clay, with streaks of coal 1 " 
 
 Total 21 6 " * 
 
 On Grassy Run, another tributary of Buckhannon river, as 
 well as on the river itself, 10 or 11 miles below Buckhannon 
 
 "This section is given in detail to especially correct an erroneous impression 
 that seems to be generally prevalent concerning its value, as it is often as im 
 portant to the interests of a community to know what they have not got, as to 
 know what they have, for accurate knowledge and statements concerning the 
 resources of a, district will often save both its credit and Its money. 
 
RESOURCES OF WEST VIRGINIA. 
 
 185 
 
 town, it is seen in its great thickness, but very much inter- 
 stratified with slate. In fact, at the former place, out of a 
 thickness of 18 feet 1J inches there are only two benches that 
 could be worked. The top one is 5 feet 11 inches and tho lower 
 3 feet 8 laches, 3 feet 4J inches of partings and thin worthless 
 coals being between. On Roaring creek, in Randolph county, 
 however, we find that out of a thickness of 13 feet 10 inches 
 there are 8 feet 11 inches of good coal, (though quite sulphur 
 ous when examined under a magnifying glass), with partings 
 so thin on the outcrop that they may all save one of 4 inches 
 practically disappear on driving in,* and consequently it is 
 a very valuable seam. On Tygart s Valley river it is seen in 
 many places in Barbour and Taylor, to within a few miles of 
 Grafton, in the latter, but at some of these, though it presents 
 a very handsome appearance to the eye, yet, under a glass, a 
 good deal of sulphur can be distinguished. At Nuzuin s Mills, 
 Marion county, it shows: Cannel, 1 foot ; Bituminous Coal, 4. 
 to 5 feet, and is a good, strong fuel. Near Weston, in Lewis 
 county, this coal-bed is said to occur in the bed of the West 
 Fork river. 
 
 On Roaring creek and Sand run, Randolph and Upshur 
 counties, we find below this seam, and corresponding to No. 
 5 of section given on page 184, a persistent coal bed, quite reg 
 ular in thickness, and varying but little from 4 feet. The 
 coal is irised, exceeding rich in bituminous matter, and burns 
 and cokes well. 
 
 Still lower than this, and quite near the bottom of the 
 Coal Measures, is the seam from which the town of Beverly 
 draws its supply of fuel. As opened by Mr. S. B. Hart, near 
 the pike, the bed is made up of: 
 
 Coal, sulphurous .......................................................... 4- 
 
 Black Clay .................... ................ . ............................. 1 
 
 Coal ............................................................................ 3 (i 
 
 Clay ........................................................................... 1 
 
 Coal ............................................................................ 1 7 
 
 Total... o 7 
 
 * Between this point and Beverly, 7 miles from the former, and 9 miles from the 
 latter, on the Stauiiton & Parkershurg Pike, Mr. J. R. Bestor, one of the assist 
 ants to the State Board of Centennial Managers, measured this seam at " Hilla 
 ry bank," where it is partially worked, and gives, in the ascending order: Coal 
 21 inches ; Hlate 2; Coal, 4 feet; Slate, 2> inches; Coal, 2 feet: total 8 feet 1^ in 
 ches. No solid roof had been reachwd, and coal was found under the floor, 
 which was 8 inches of Slate. 
 
 24 
 
186 RESOURCES OF WEST VIRGINIA. 
 
 The bottom coal is very inferior, and contains a notable 
 proportion of sulphur. 
 
 In February of 1876, Mr. Bestor made an examination of a 
 portion ot Barbour county, near the Tygart s Valley river, 
 and reports the following beds. It is to be regretted that the 
 examinations were not sufficiently in detail to identify the 
 various seams, one with the other in the different localities. 
 
 On B. Woodford s land, 5-J- miles north of Philippi, on the 
 Parkers burg and Webster pike, a 5-J-foot seam of bituminous 
 coal is worked. The bed is, in reality, some 8 feet thick, but 
 the top and bottom are so mixed with slate as to be worth 
 less. This is reported to be very generally found in this part 
 of the country, and is used at nearly every farm house in the 
 neighborhood. The abutments of the bridge at Philippi are on 
 a 5-foot coal seam, which is accessible in low water. The 
 total thickness has not yet been discovered. This, or another 
 seam, is found 3 miles below Philippi, in the riverbed. Thick 
 ness 5 feet, as far as seen, the bottom never having been 
 reached. About 40 feet up the hill, on the east side of the 
 river, at Philippi, is a bed made up of: Coal, 2J- feet; Slate, 
 2 feet 2 inches ; Coal, 2 feet; total, 6 feet 8 inches. On the 
 west side of the stream it is 5J feet thick, and is worked at 
 various places along the Philippi and Beverly pike. On Geo. 
 Pitman s land, 4 miles south of Philippi, isoj feet bituminous 
 coal, 40 feet above which is 2J feet of carbonate of iron, and- 
 10 feet higher, a 10-foot coal bank, the upper part being can- 
 nel. This latter is seen again on J. H. Strickland s land 4-J- 
 miles southwest of Philippi, on the east side of the river, and 
 40 feet over it is 5 to %\ feet of bituminous coal. Near C. T. 
 Fisher s mill, (Ji miles south of Philippi, is a 3-foot 10-inch 
 seam, and near Burlington, 11^ miles south of the same radi 
 ating point, a 3-foot s-eam, both the last bituminous. 
 
 Before leaving the northern half of the State, mention 
 should be made of 
 
 THE LOWER COAL MEASURES OF HANCOCK AND BROOKE 
 
 COUNTIES. 
 
 These appear in Hancock county, at its northern end, and 
 as they dip to the south they disappear below water level 
 before they reach Brooke county, so that they have to be 
 reached by shafting. Two seams have been proven in the 
 
RESOURCES OF WEST VIRGINIA. 1*7 
 
 northern end of Brooke, being 180 and 210 feet, respectively, 
 below high water mark, and each averaging about 4 
 feet 2 inches thick. No shafting for these has been done in 
 West Virginia, but at Steubenville, on the Ohio side of the 
 river, there are 9 shafts in operation, raising large quantities 
 of coal considered superior for iron making. One of these col 
 lieries has driven their entries under the river to the West 
 Virginia side. 
 
 These two seams give a value to the land in this neighbor 
 hood of $100 per acre for the " mineral privileges" alone. 
 
 THE NEW AND KANAWHA RIVEB COAL BASINS. 
 
 We now come to that district of the State, which, by reason 
 of the variety of its coals, and number of its seams, is to be 
 considered one of the most valuable portions of the Appa 
 lachian coal field, and has helped, in no little degree, to give 
 West Virginia the reputation it enjoys of being one of the 
 richest of any State in the Union in this great element of civ 
 ilization, wealth and prosperity. For this reason it has a 
 peculiar interest to the capitalist, while from a geological 
 point of view, the great development of the coal measures is 
 very important. 
 
 Going back to a pre-carbonaceous period, it would seem that 
 this section was a deep basin, constantly settling down, and 
 being filled up, while the northern portion of the State was 
 n.early stationary. As an indication of this, it may be noted, 
 that the Vespertine formation at Westernport, on the Poto 
 mac, is, according to Prof. Rogers, 200 feet thick, while in 
 Greenbrier, it is 800 feet. In this latter measurement, he 
 seems to have taken no notice of some 300 feet of rock, that 
 justly belongs to its upper portion. In the north, at the same 
 place, the Umbral (or Sub-carboniferous) limestone is 80 feet, 
 while in the Greenbrier mountain, in Pocahontas, he gives it 
 as 822 feet. On the Potomac the Umbral shales are 838 feet ver 
 sus 1,260 feet in the above mentioned locality in Pocahontas, 
 and the indications are that all three of these still increase in 
 thickness as we come south toward New River, so that at 
 Hinton they may be taken as aggregating 3,500 feet versus 
 1,128 feet in the north. Continuing on up in the geological 
 column, the Conglomerate is 150 feet thick on the Potomac, 
 and on New river, according to Prof. Wm. M. Fontaine, 1,350 
 
188 RESOURCES OF WEST VIRGINIA. 
 
 feet, including the Passage Rocks, while 400 feet takes in the 
 Lower Coal Measures in the one case, and 1,340 feet about 
 embraces them on the Kanawha. Finally, in the north, the 
 Lower Barrens are 400 feet, against 700 feet in the south. 
 
 By an addition of these figures, and dealing in round num 
 bers, we see that while 2,000 feet of strata were forming on 
 the Potomac, or northern West Virginia, some 6,840 feet were 
 being deposited in the New River and Kanawha region ; or, 
 in other words, durinsr this period, the latter sank about 
 4,840 feet more than did the former. 
 
 It is to this that we must look for an explanation of the 
 presence of the various anti-clinal axis in the north, and their 
 absence in the south. 
 
 As this depression took place, the strain, or tension, of the 
 rock-beds on the eastern border of the basin increased in a 
 direct ratio with the amount of the subsidence ; so that the less 
 the latter the less was the former, and it is a self-evident proposi 
 tion that the less the tension the greater would be the force 
 necessary to break the rocks asunder. Therefore, when the 
 great thrust, or press, on the strata from the east came into 
 effect, it found the strength of the beds on the eastern border 
 of this southern basin so much impaired, that it crushed up 
 the formations adjacent thereto, breaking them into a number 
 of faults of great magnitude, which extend along the southern 
 border of West Virginia, and are nearly coextensive with 
 this depression, and its prolongation, southward, while in the 
 north, the rocks, not being in this very tense state, were not 
 broken, but the Alleghanies and the country to the west were 
 thrown into a series of folds, which became less and less 
 abrupt, as they would -naturally do, the further and further 
 we get from the primary force. 
 
 The gradation of faults to folds, is well seen in the most 
 westerly of the former, which passes just west of Peters 
 mountain, in the southern part of the State, and is seen near 
 Caldwell Station, in Greenbrier county, at the Chesapeake and 
 Ohio Railroad trestle, over Monroe branch. In the former 
 place it brings the Silurian rocks agaist the Vespertine, while 
 in the latter it becomes so small that only the highest members 
 of the Devonian abut against the Vespertine. 
 
 From this we can see, that, as the strata were elevated along 
 
RESOURCES OF WEST VIRGINIA. 189 
 
 this most western fault, their flank would raise the country 
 to the west as a whole, and give it a gradual slope at right 
 angles to the line of elevation, and as the latter was northeast 
 and southwest, so the former would he northwest. This is 
 really the case, for, from this range on the eastern edge of 
 Greenbrier to the Ohio river the formations have one continual 
 northwest downgrade, save here and there where they become 
 nearly horizontal, and there is no good evidence after we get 
 away from the immediate vicinity of the fault, that a single 
 reversal of dip comes in during the whole distance. In the 
 eastern portion of this vast extent of territory, denudation 
 and erosion have carried oft the upper strata, and east of 
 Little Sewell, all of the Lower Coal Measures have disappeared. 
 Going west, the rocks dip faster than the plane of erosion, 
 and thus we get successively into higher and higher strata, 
 so that Gauley mountain .is sufficiently high to catch nearly 
 all of the lower coals. Below the Kanawha Falls the dip 
 still continuing the conglomerate passes out of view ; a 
 short distance west of Charleston, the Lower Measures in their 
 turn sink below water level, and near Pocatalico some 14 miles 
 further on, the highest member of the Lower Barrens is lost to 
 sight, as it goes beneath the bed of the Kanawha. 
 
 Between these extremes, of gently inclined formations in 
 the south, and folded strata, in the north, must be an inter 
 mediate area where the one passes into the other. 
 
 As the depression of the southern basin became less and less 
 as it went northerly, the tension, and therefore the cause for 
 the faults diminished, so that somewhere about opposite Hun- 
 tersville, in Pocahontas, this system begins to cease, and north 
 of a line drawn from the northeast corner of Greenbrier to the 
 northern part of Pleasants, the strata commence to appear in 
 folds, and as we proceed towards the Pennsylvania line and 
 away from the modifying influence of the faulted country, so 
 these anti-clinals become more and more marked. 
 NKSV RIVER COALS;. 
 
 In Mercer county, in the valley of the Blue Stone river, are 
 extensive beds of bituminous co-el, which would seem to 
 belong to the sub-Conglomerate Measures, and are here devel 
 oped to a greater thickness than in any other portion of the 
 State. The examinations in this county have not been sum- 
 
190 RESOURCES OF WEST VIRGINIA. 
 
 ciently in detail to enable us to state the number of tbe 
 seams but it may be mentioned that the thickest one reported 
 is 11 feet, although nothing is said as to the amount of clay 
 partings in it, 
 
 In Summers county, in the hills on the opposite side of New 
 river from Hinton, a 6-foot seam of coal has been opened some 
 800 feet above the stream, and indications would seem to 
 point out that it is the same as the seam presently to be spo 
 ken of as worked at Quinnimont. 
 
 A carefully observed section of the strata on New river was 
 made by Prof. Wm. M. Fontaine, at Quinnimont, and on 
 Piney river two miles below. The observations were begun 
 at the former place at the base of the hill, for the sake of 
 obtaining as much as possible of the Umbral shales. As the 
 strata dip westerly, Nos. 1 and 2 of these are carried below 
 water level, so that at Piney, the foot of tbe hill shows only 
 the bottom of No. 3. The measurements marked not seen" 
 were obtained from observations elsewhere, or were given by 
 Mr. S. F. Morris, the engineer at Quinnimont : 
 
 CM BRAL SHALES. 
 
 1. Rod shales, thinly laminated, visible. 
 
 2. < iray calcareous sandstone- 
 
 0. Variegated shales, with nodnles of carbonate of lime near 
 
 the top 70 
 
 Total for umbral 1 10 
 
 TRANSITION STRATA OR PASSAGE ROCKS, FROM THE UMBRAL TO 
 THE CONGLOMERATE SERIES. 
 
 Feet. 
 
 1. Thinly laminated grey tUigrs and calcareous shales, with impure 
 
 Coal near the top ^0 
 
 2. Black fissile slates and sandstones 20 
 
 Total for transition "0 
 
RESOURCES OF WEST VIRGINIA. 191 
 
 CONGLOMERATE SERIES OX PINKY. 
 
 Fret. 
 
 1. Lower conglomerate 80 
 
 2. Black slate with U loot Coal bed (not seen) 11 
 
 3. Olive colored murlytes passing into olive and reddish 
 
 sandstones 100 
 
 4. (Wand slate. 1 ft. in. ] 
 Sandstone. 8 " 8 " | 
 
 G)7, " 8 " 1- 13 
 
 Slate, 2 " H " I 
 
 Coal, " 8 " j 
 
 5. Bright red shales and marlytes 30 
 
 G. Variegated marlytes 40 
 
 7. Ferruginous limestone 
 
 8. Sandstones 75 
 
 9. Coal system with hiterst ratifications of thin Coal and 
 
 slate at base, and on. top, sandstones, shales, and nags SO 
 
 10 Fine grey flags and sandstones 90 
 
 11. Coal, not fully seen 2i 
 
 12. Firm grey sandstones 50 
 
 i:;. Olive marlytes 40 
 
 14. Coal system, at bottom interst ratifications of slate and 
 
 coal, one seam 1 foot ; on top, Hags passing into firm 
 sands-tones SO 
 
 15 Fire clay, and 1-foot Coal seam imperfectly exposed, given 
 
 as 2 to 4.} -feet of impure splint coal - to 4 
 
 lt>. A thick mass of strata not fully exposed at every point, 
 may be divided as follows : (1.0a) sandstone, 50 feet ; 
 (Itib) Coal seam, not seen, given as 2 feet ; (Hie) bluish 
 sandy slates, 60 feet; tHkl) Coal, not seen, given as 20 
 inches; (Hie) olive grey shaly sandstones, 40 feet. Total.. 150 
 
 17. Quinnimont Coal series, which is made up of splint Coal, 
 
 at bottom, 1 foot 2 inches ; fire clay 2A feet ; semi-bitu 
 minous Coal, 4 feet. Total 7jj 
 
 18. Dark blue slate and sandstones 80 to 100 
 
 19. Olive grey sandstones and shales 100 
 
 20. Black slate, with some thin Coal 10 
 
 21. Upper, or Great Conglomerate 150 to 200 
 
 Total for Conglomerate Series 1,195 
 
 The Coal in No. 20, as seen at Quinnimont, is only 6 inches 
 on the outcrop. In Feb., 1875, it was opened, and the first 8 
 feet down increased to 3 feet, and was still improving when 
 this thickness was measured. It cokes well, and when heated 
 in a pipe in a smith s forge, gave a clear, white, bright light 
 in such quantities as to suggest a good gas coal. 
 
192 RESOURCES OF WEST VIRGINIA. 
 
 The 4-foot seam of Nc. 17 is the most important of this sec 
 tion, being the one where the Quinnimont Furnace draws its 
 yupply of fuel. It is 1,085 feet above New river. The coal is 
 a semi-bituminous, very soft and friable and makes a most 
 superior coke, not being excelled by even the celebrated Con- 
 nelsville coke of Pennsylvania. It is, also, a most excellent 
 steam and domestic article, making a very hot, red fire. It 
 will be spoken of more fully in these respects, in the the chap- 
 devoted to the quality of West Virginia coals. 
 
 The Great Conglomerate usually forms the tops of the 
 mountains facing New river. As we go back into the country, 
 on each side a second range of hills very soon appears, and in 
 these will be found more coals, which, though usually accredi 
 ted to the Conglomerate Seiies, in reality belong to the Lower 
 Measures. In the vicinity of Raleigh court-house, southwest 
 of Quinnimont, on Buddy s Mill tract, is seen one of the lower 
 beds of this latter, which measures 6 feet 2 inches of soft and 
 very pure bituminous coal, with shale overhead. It is seen 
 again on Loup creek, 15 miles from the court-house, on the 
 Fayetteville road, at McCoy s bank, where it measures 4 feet 10 
 inches in the breast, and 6 feet on the outcrop. In neither 
 place are there any partings, and it is a most valuable seam, 
 for the most part underlying the whole of the Raleigh plateau. 
 Some distance above this, and about 200 feet below the tops of 
 the hills, at the head of one of the hollows of Big White Stick, 
 occurs a 4j-foot seam, with no parting save about 1 inches of 
 coal dirt and sulphur one or two inches from the roof, which 
 is shale. Continuing in a southwest course from here, the .. 
 Raleigh plateau gives out, and we descend into the valley of 
 the Marshes of Coal, which, cutting far down into the Con 
 glomerate Series, are marked by an absence of any workable 
 seams till we cross over to the Guyandotte and Cherry Pond 
 mountains, on the borders of Wyoming and Boone, in the 
 upper portions of which the Lower Coal Measures and their . 
 included seams again make their appearance; and on Gravel 
 Hollow of Peach Tree creek, near the juncture of the two 
 ranges, four seams belonging to this series have been seen, and 
 measure: . 
 
 No. 1, 3 feet ; No. 2, 2 feet 8 inches ; No. 3, 3 feet 3-J inches ; 
 No. 4, 4 feet ; all free from partings and containing an exceed- 
 
RESOURCES OF WEST VIRGINIA. 193 
 
 ing pure, though friable, article. The distance between Nos. 
 1 and 2, and Nos. 3 and 5, are each about 50 feet, that between 
 Nos. 2 and 3, was not ascertained. Several hundred feet above 
 No. 4 and the gaps in the mountains, first a 12-foot, and above 
 that a 4-foot seam have been reported. 
 
 The deep valley position of the head-waters of Coal river is 
 not fully appreciated until the observer stands on the moun 
 tains last mentioned, where, being Home 2,000 feet above the 
 streams below, he has the whole country spread at his feet, 
 and sees that the plateau of Raleigh court-house forms a high 
 eastern rim of the Marsh Fork basin, and is far above its level, 
 while, looking across this, he can note the country rising into 
 White Oak and Flat-Top mountains, over which, so great is 
 the elevation of the observer, can be distinguished the blue 
 out-line of Peter s mountain in Virginia. 
 
 Passing Irom this point in a west-southwest direction into 
 Wyoming and McDowell, the hills become lower than the 
 Guyandotte mountains, though still high enough to contain 
 not only the Conglomerate Series but a portion of those above. 
 This country is accredited with seams as thick as 12 feet, but 
 there are no reliable observations to justify more than a mere 
 mention of this fact. 
 
 Returning now to Quinnimont, and proceeding towards the 
 tier of hills back from the river, the same seams observed in 
 the Raleigh plateau ought to be found. However, as they 
 have never been examined, their thickness is a matter of con 
 jecture, but as Big Sewell mountain has a far greater height 
 than the region immediately to the southwest of the river, it 
 will contain a good deal more of the Lower Coal Measures, and 
 hence more seams may be expected. Continuing northeast 
 into the western part of Nicholas, and into W r ebster, the gen 
 eral elevation of the country is below Sewell, consequently 
 the hills contain only lower strata, and the hill tops west of 
 the Forks of Cherry river are made up of the conglomerate, 
 all the upper coals having been denuded off, and on Hominy, 
 Cherry, Cranberry, Williams, and the heads of Gauley and 
 Elk rivers, are to be found only the conglomerate coals, very 
 thin and very unimportant.* 
 
 The largest seam that we know of in the this region is 3 feet 7 inches. It i* 
 seen on Panther run. of Gauley rivor, near the bridle-path from Kentucky to 
 the Promised Land, 
 
 25 
 
194 RESOURCES OF WEST VIRGINIA. 
 
 Resuming the northwest line of examination, the New 
 river basin becomes more shallow, and the strata begin to feel 
 the effects of the dying out of the faults, and the beginning 
 of the folds on the eastern border of the State, and we notice 
 that they hrctme more tilted, so that when we reach Rich 
 mountain, in Randolph, they are very much steeper than 
 when seen on New River. 
 
 This line of observation from Wyoming to Randolph has 
 been chosen because it is about the eastern edge of the Lower 
 Coal Measures, while that of the conglomerate series may be 
 said to be a line joining Rich mountain and Flat-Top, as 
 explained in the beginning of this chapter. 
 
 Returning row to Quinnirnont, the course of observation 
 leads us down New River. To better appreciate the dip of 
 the strata, a---, we go west, I will, whenever possible, refer to 
 the one horizontal line of tide water, so that it will be plainly 
 seen how any individual stratum becomes lower and lower. 
 In some cases these figures will not be exact, but very close 
 approximations, not varying more than 15 or 20 feet from 
 reality. 
 
 About 16 miles, by railroad, below Quinnimont, in the hill 
 opp site Dimmock station, two seams have been exposed. By 
 aneroid measurement, they are 437 and 703 feet respectively 
 above New river, and both in the conglomerate series. The first, 
 by the side of the path going up the hill, is 4-J feet thick, with 
 no partings, and a very pure and fine bituminous coal, much 
 harder than the average of the New river coals. The second 
 one is a few feet above the level of Rush creek, which mouths 
 at Dimmock, measures o feet of clear coal, and was worked by 
 Gary Bibbs. 
 
 Twenty miles from Quinnimont, by the railroad, at the 
 mouth of Ephraim s creek, the following seams were opened 
 by J. A. McGuffin, Esq., Superintendent of the Longdale Coal 
 and Iron Company: 
 
RESOURCES OF WEST VIRGINIA. 
 
 195 
 
 Estimated 
 Heights Above 
 Tidewater. 
 
 Heights above 
 New River. 
 
 
 Thickness of 
 Seams. 
 
 1,020 
 1 555 
 
 
 535 
 
 New River Level 
 No 1 Seam 
 
 2 feet, inches 
 
 1 655 
 
 635 
 
 2 
 
 1 " " 
 
 1 695 
 
 675 
 
 3 
 
 > 6 " 
 
 1 707 
 
 687 
 
 4 
 
 ) " 8 " 
 
 1 807 
 
 787 
 
 5 
 
 > " 6 " 
 
 1 907 
 
 887 
 
 6 
 
 [ " " 
 
 2,135 
 2 185 
 
 1,115 
 
 1 165 
 
 About the top of tht 
 Great Conglomerate- 
 No. 7 Seam 
 
 4 " 10 
 
 2,375 
 
 1,355 
 
 8 " 
 
 4 " 6 " 
 
 No. 5 of the table is the seam worked at Quinnimont, but 
 here dwindled to 2ij feet. At that place it is 2,250 feet above 
 tide, while here it is only 1,807 feet a dip of 443 feet in a 
 straight line of 10 miles, or 44 feet to the mile. 
 
 No. 7, the first seam of the Lower Coal Measures, is the only 
 one worked at this place. The mine is about a mile further 
 down the river, and a quarter of a mile above Sewell depot, 
 and shows at that place an average thickness of 3J feet, yi eld 
 ing a very soft and tender coal that makes a most excellent 
 coke, which is used by the Longdale Coal & Iron Co. in their 
 furnace at Longdale, Alleghany county, Va. The first open 
 ing on the seam was at the place noted in the section, but a 
 nipping down of roof caused an abandonment of the work. 
 
 Ten miles below Sewell, at Hawk s Nest, on the land of the 
 Gauley Kanawha Coal Co., the following partial section has 
 been made : 
 
 i 
 
 !i 
 
 "&! 
 
 s 
 
 > 
 
 
 
 r& ~" 
 03 
 t> 
 
 ^ 
 
 &C| 
 Sfc 
 
 l "~ l 
 
 
 Thickness of 
 Seams. 
 
 751 
 
 928 
 
 
 
 177 
 
 Level of New River. 
 No 1 Seam, about 
 
 2 feet inches 
 
 1,351 
 1,729 
 
 600 
 
 978 
 
 Top of Conglomerate on East side 
 of Mill Creek. 
 No. 2 Seam Bituminous 
 
 11 " " 
 
 1,929 
 
 1,178 
 
 3 Splint (?) 
 
 3 ^o 4 feet 
 
 2,079 
 
 1,328 
 
 4 . 
 
 4 feet 8 inches 
 
 2,163 
 
 2,220 
 
 1,412 
 1,469 
 
 5 Splint and Cannel 
 6 
 
 10 " " 
 3 " 6 " 
 
 2,353 
 
 1,602 
 
 7 Splint 
 
 9 " " 
 
 2,363 
 
 1,612 
 
 Black Flint Ledge. 
 
 
196 RESOURCES OF WEST VIRGINIA. 
 
 In comparing this with the section at Sewell, the top of the 
 Conglomerate falls from 2,135 feet to 1,351 feet, or, as the 
 straight line, measured on the dip, is between 8 and 9 miles, 
 so the dip will be between 97 and 85 feet per mile. This has 
 brought the Conglomerate so low that Gauley mountain, as it 
 rises above, catches 1,000 feet of the Lower Coal Measures. 
 
 Seam No. 1, seen on the railroad, going up Mill creek, is the 
 Quinnimont that has dipped, from an elevation of 2,250 feet, 
 at the place whence it derives its name, to 928 feet at the pre 
 sent point of observation. 
 
 Seam No. 2 is the one now operated by the Gauley Kanawha 
 Coal Co., at the head of West Lakes Branch, a fork of Mill 
 creek. It produces a very fine and pure, hard, bituminous 
 coal, and has four partings in it, measuring 10, 3, 3, and 5, in 
 ches, respective]}^. These vary in different parts of the mine, 
 some of them getting thinner as the work is carried to the 
 northwest, till, on the other side of the mountain, the com 
 pany s engineer reports that the seam shows 9 feet of clear coal 
 in one bench. 
 
 Nos. 3, 4, and 6, have not been worked at all. 
 
 No. 5 was opened for the sake of its Cannel, which is of a 
 very poor quality. Beginning at the floor this seam shows : 
 
 Coal, 2 feet; Slate, 2 inches; Coal, 2 feet ; Slate, 2 inches ; 
 Coal, 10 inches ; Slate, 2 feet 10 inches ; Coal, 2 feet. 
 
 No. 7. The opening on this shows magnificent splint, having 
 in it 17 inches of bony or bad coal. 
 
 The. Black flint Ledge, which is nearly at the mountain top, 
 has usually been taken by myself and others as the top of 
 the Lower Coal Measures, which would therefore have a thick 
 ness of about 1,000 feet. To do this, however, is wrong, for on 
 the Kanawha, in the vicinity of Paint creek, at least 200 feet 
 of strata that contain valuable workable beds come above it, 
 arid above these appears the Mahoning sandstone, which, six 
 miles above Charleston, at Maiden, * is 140 feet thick, accord- 
 
 * At this place the Mahoning rests on the Flint, showing that as we come 
 west, the intermediate strata give out. AVhether the reverse of this is true, as 
 we go east towards the Hawk s Nest, is not known, as there are no data 
 from which we can reason, for the Mahoning is every where above the tops of 
 the hills. In fact the sections in the vicinity of Paint creek are not sufficiently 
 in detail to enable us to say if it is found even there, and future observations 
 may show that the strata between it and the Flint are even thicker than have 
 been given. 
 
RESOURCES OP WEST VIRGINIA. 197 
 
 ing to Prof. W. B. Rogers, so that to the measurement at 
 Hawk s Nest could be added some 340 feet before the Lower 
 Barrens would be reached, making the Lower Coal Measures of 
 this country 1,340 feet thick. 
 
 In the section given for Hawk s Nest, not all of the coals of 
 the Lower Coal Measures are shown, but only those which 
 have been exposed and measured by the company working the 
 property , and the=e show no less than 6 workable seams, with 
 an aggregate thickness of 30i- feet of solid coal, exclusive of 
 partings. 
 
 Continuing our observations down New river and into the 
 Kanawha valley, we see the Conglomerate sinking lower and 
 lower, till at Kanawha Falls it is but a short distance above 
 the stream, leaving all the mountains rising above made up 
 wholly of the Lower Coal Measures, and a short distance be 
 low Loup creek it sinks below the water level to rise no more 
 until the north-western margin of the Alleghany basin is 
 reached in the State of Ohio. 
 
 THE KANAWHA COALS. 
 
 The main body or principal thickness of the Lower Coals may 
 be said to have their practical eastern margin in Gauley 
 mountain, for beyond this the strata rapidly rise above the 
 hills, and are lost in the air, leaving only the lower seams as 
 found in the Raleigh plateau and the adjacent country. A 
 line drawn from the mouth of Elk river, in a northwest 
 direction, passing near the mouth of Big Otter, in Clay 
 county, is the general western boundary, for the Mahoning 
 sandstone comes down to water level on or about this course. 
 Throughout the whole of the distance across this area are to 
 be found various seams of the very finest qualities of splint, 
 cannel, and bituminous coals. The steep hillsides readily 
 expose them ; the country is cut, and counter-cut in all direc 
 tions by numerous streams, up which narrow-gauge railroads 
 can be run with the most favorable grades ; there are no faults 
 to seriously interfere with the operations of the coal miner, 
 and the merchant and manufacturer can find every class of 
 fuel, save anthracite that they may need lor the use and com 
 fort of mankind. In no other part of the Appalachian coal 
 field are the Lower Coal Measures developed to such an extent. 
 
198 RESOURCES OF WEST VIRGINIA. 
 
 contain a greater number of workable seams, or more varie 
 ties of coals, or better or purer fuel. 
 
 After leaving Hawk s Nest, the next important disclosure 
 has been made by the Cannelton Coal Company, 9 miles 
 below the Kanawha Falls. A partial section of the hill shows 
 7 seams above water level. Beginning at the river : 
 
 Sfam No. 1, bituminous coal, is 4 feet thick, but not worked. 
 
 Seam No. 2, .some 100 feet above the river, is about 7 Teet 
 thick on the average, has two slight partings, and produces a 
 gas coal of so high a grade as to make it rank one of the most 
 valuable beams of the Kanawha Valley. This same bed is 
 worked just across the river by the Coal Valley Coal Com 
 pany. A half mile below Cannelton it is opened again, but 
 not worked, and shows 6 feet 3^ inches, with 3 inches of shale 
 2 feet from the floor. 
 
 Seams Nos. 3 and 4, are seen on the path leading from the 
 old opening on No. 2 to the " Stockton Seam," No. 6. They 
 measure 3J and 4 feet on the outcrop, and have never been 
 worked. 
 
 Seam No. 5, is splint coal, 5 feet thick, and not worked. 
 
 Seam No. 6, is 8 or 9 feet above No. 5, 750 feet above the 
 river, and 1,350 feet above tide. On an average it is 7 feet 
 thick in the mine, and is made up of cannel coal at the bot 
 tom, which averages about 3 feet 6 inches, and is very vari 
 able, and a splinty bituminous coal, known in market as 
 " Cannelton Splint," on top. The whole seam is now worked, 
 though for a long time only the cannel was shipped. This 
 and Peytona cannel quote higher in the eastern markets 
 than any other American cannel. 
 
 The Black Flint Ledge is 12 to 14 feet above No. 6, or 767 
 feet above the river, and 1,367 feet above tide. 
 
 Seam No. 7, shows 8 feet thick near the mouth of the open 
 ing ; with 14 inches of slate 10 inches from the floor, leav 
 ing 6 feet of clear coal above. This last is a mixture of hard 
 bituminous and splint, yielding a first class article for steam, 
 domestic wants, and use in the raw state in the blast fur 
 nace, 
 
RESOURCES OF WEST VIRGINIA. 
 
 199 
 
 A recapitulation of these seams shows that there is here, 
 above water level, 
 No. 1 4 feet 
 
 3i 
 4 
 
 b . / 
 
 7 8 , 
 
 38* feet. 
 Including the partings, which are small. 
 
 Paint creek empties into the Kanawha from the south side, 
 5 miles below Cannelton. In the hill at the mouth of the 
 Left-Hand Fork, about 4 miles from the river, the following 
 section was made in lS73. The height above tide is obtained 
 by allowing Paint creek a fall of 20 feet per mile, and adding 
 the result for 4 miles to the elevation of the mouth of the 
 creek, which is 570 feet above tide. 
 
 Height above 
 Tidewater. 
 
 Height above 
 the Creek. 
 
 
 Thickness of 
 Seams. 
 
 650 
 
 690 
 702 
 713 
 742 
 763 
 778 
 857 
 892 
 950 
 959 
 997 
 1,020 
 1,037 
 1,080 
 1,113 
 1,166 
 1,208 
 1,274 
 1,285 
 1,295 
 1,317 
 1,341 
 1,624 
 
 
 
 40 
 52 
 63 
 92 
 113 
 128 
 207 
 242 
 300 
 309 
 347 
 370 
 377 
 420 . 
 453 
 506 
 548 
 614 
 625 
 635 
 657 
 691 
 974 
 
 Le\ 
 tl 
 I: 
 
 Sea 
 
 Bla 
 
 Sea 
 
 Toi 
 
 el oi 
 le m 
 ^and 
 m, > 
 
 ckF 
 in,]S 
 
 < 
 
 )0f 
 
 Paint Creek at 
 outh of the Left 
 Fork, 
 o. 1 
 
 2 feet, 6 inch 
 3 
 2 
 3 6 < 
 2 
 2 
 Out Crop 
 
 i 
 
 2 feet, 6 inch 
 Out Crop 
 6 feet, inch 
 3 6 
 11 4 
 4 
 4 
 
 3 6 
 2 
 Out Crop 
 
 2 
 
 3 
 
 4 
 
 5 
 
 6 
 
 
 8 
 
 9 
 
 10 
 
 11 . 
 
 12 
 
 13 
 
 14 
 
 15 
 
 16 
 
 17 
 
 18 
 
 lint Ridge. 
 r o. 19 
 
 20 . 
 
 21 
 
 Hill. 
 
 Total thickness, inclucl- 
 ing partings 
 
 51 feet, 10 inch 
 
200 
 
 RESOURCES OF WEST VIRGINIA. 
 
 There are, in this, 8 seams 3 feet thick and over, measuring 
 38 feet 10 inches, including the partings that may be present. 
 
 The next section is made 5 miles below the mouth of Paint 
 creek, on the land of Col. Wm. Dickinson, opposite Coalburg. 
 It is complete, showing every seam in the hill. 
 
 _0 
 
 v^ j 
 
 bOO) 
 
 c CH 
 
 ~ ^~ 
 .? 
 
 
 563 
 589 
 (508 \ 
 626 J 
 655 
 685 1 
 7331 
 819 
 884 
 
 Qtt 
 
 
 26 
 45.V 
 63 
 92 
 122} 
 170| 
 256 
 321 
 
 2Q9 
 
 Le 
 
 < 
 
 vel of 
 im, Is 
 
 Kanawlia Iviver. 
 o. 1 
 
 > 
 
 
 
 4... 
 
 f> 
 
 6.. . 
 
 
 s 
 
 < 
 
 Thickness of 
 
 Seams. 
 
 ,046-1 
 
 ,085 
 
 .131 
 
 ^2181 
 1^393 I 
 
 4731 
 
 4831 
 
 522" 
 
 568 
 
 582J 
 
 055 i 
 
 830 A 
 
 10 
 
 11 
 
 12 
 
 13 
 
 Black Fl nt Ledge. 
 
 Seam, ISTo. 14 
 
 " 15 .., 
 
 Top of Hill. 
 
 4 feet 
 
 6 in dies 
 
 I) 
 
 
 
 
 
 (j 
 
 7 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 6 
 
 (J 
 
 6 
 
 Total thickness of seams ...|54 feet, 3 inches . 
 
 The top seam. No. 15, shows 4^ feet of coal at the bottom, 
 then 2 feet of slate, 4J feet of coal, 2 feet of slate, and 2 feet 
 of coal. In mining, the upper 2 feet of slate would mo?t 
 probably be left as the. roof, so that this would leave 9 feet of 
 workable coal out of the 15 feet. This, together with the 
 other eight seams, 3 feet thick and ovej, and including what 
 partings may be present therein, gives an aggregate thickness 
 of 41 feet 3 inches. 
 
 At Cannelton, seam No. 2, (7 feet thick) is about 667 feet 
 below the Black Flint ledge, and belo\v No. 2 is a 4-foot seam 
 (No. 1). Assuming that this well marked stratum of flint 
 has this same relative position to the seams below it in the 
 last two sections (the Dickinson and Paint .creek) in the 
 Paint creek measurement, the 7-foot seam should be 42 feet 
 
RESOURCES OF WEST VIRGINIA. 
 
 201 
 
 below, and in the Dickinson section, 85 feet below water level. 
 The 4-foot seam is of course still lower, but whether these 
 thicknesess continue from Cannelton to the other points, 
 only an actual sinking to them can determine. 
 
 SYNOPSIS OF THE SECTIONS OF THE LOWER COAL MEAS 
 URES ON THE KANAWHA AND NEW RIVERS. 
 
 Locality. 
 
 a .a * i 
 
 1 j,^3 o | Aggregate Thickness of 
 Nature of the Sections. +a C Seams, including part- 
 
 
 
 : "o_S ^ 
 1 ^ 
 
 : 3,5 * 
 
 I 
 
 | 
 
 i 
 
 Hawk s Nest 
 
 Partial 
 
 g 
 
 41 ft. 2 in., to 4 J ft. 2 in. 
 38 " (> " 
 38 " 10 " 
 
 141 u 3 " 
 
 Cannelton 
 Paint Creek.... 
 
 Oppoisite 
 Coal burg 
 
 Partial above 
 Water Level 
 
 
 Complete above 
 Water Level 
 
 s 
 
 Complete above 
 Water Level 
 
 9 
 
 Other sections could be given, but these are deemed suffi 
 cient to show, better than could any words, the great richness 
 of the Lower Coal Measures in this region, and I would call 
 especial attention to the uniformity that exists in the aggre 
 gate thickness of workable seams.* In tbis connection it is 
 well to state that as we recede from the Kanawha river to 
 wards the heads of the many creeks which flow into it from 
 each side, the seams become thicker. I have personally no 
 ticed this up Paint and Campbell s creek, and on Gauley river, 
 8 or 9 miles from its mouth. But more openings and extended 
 observations will have to be made to enable me to say posi 
 tively whether this, as a general thing, is so, or whether the 
 increase may not be confined to individual localities. To 
 elucidate such important points as this, is one great argu 
 ment in favor of the necessity of a careful State geological 
 survey. 
 
 "Taking the specific gravity of coal at 1.3, 40 feet would give 48,000 tons pet- 
 acre, from which, if even one-third is deducted for partings and waste in min 
 ing, there would still Be left 32,000 tons per acre, which, at 12% cents royalty, 
 the common oue iu the district, would givean income of $4,000 to the OWIHT. 
 
202 RESOURCES OF WEST VIRGINIA. 
 
 From Hawk s Nest to Cannelton, (20 miles by river and 10 
 miles on the dip), the Black Flint Ledge falls 1,000 feet, or 
 about 100 feet per mile. Continuing down the Kaiiawha it 
 becomes very much flatter, and in some cases horizontal, until 
 Burning Springs, 21 miles further down the river, is reached, 
 and from that point to where it disappears below the water, 
 (8 miles by road and some 6 miles on the dip), it once more 
 resumes its slope of 100 feet per mile to the mouth of Elk 
 river, at Charleston. Between these extremes of Gauley 
 mountain on the east, and Charleston on the west, these Lower 
 Coals have an average width of about thirty miles, and a point a 
 little below the mouth of Paint creek is about the centre of the 
 belt. Drawing a line North 60 degs. East and South 60 degs. 
 West, receding from each side of the Kanawha into Nicholas, 
 Cla} r , Braxton, and Webster, on the one hand, and Boone, Lin 
 coln, Logan, and Wayne, on the other, these vast amounts of 
 coals still continue to be found, and in every direction abun 
 dant evidence of them is discovered ; sometimes they form 
 the bed of a stream, or crop out to view in the cliffs and steep 
 mountain sides ; in other places they are exposed by slides on 
 the hills, and are everywhere indicated by the presence of 
 lumps of coal lying, smooth and water worn, in the beds of 
 the creeks. Going North 30 degs. West, or South 30 degs. East, 
 from this axis, the Measures rise in the latter case till they 
 pass into the air above the hills, while in the former, they 
 gradually dip below the water level, and are lost to sight, 
 though shafting will still reach them in many counties where 
 at present they lie untouched. 
 
 The Lower Barren Measures on the Kanawha. Of these very* 
 little can be said beyond the fact that they have been estima 
 ted at 700 feet thick, and probably contain one workable 
 seam of 5 or 6 feet, as seen at the head of Two Mile creek, of 
 the Kanawha, some 3J miles from the river. On Elk river, 
 above Clay court house, in Clay and Braxton, they become of 
 great importance, from the fact they bear several beds of valu- r 
 able Iron Ore, which are now worked by the Elk River Iron 
 and Coal Company. Mention will be made of those in the 
 chapter on Iron. 
 
 THE UPPER COAL STRATA OF WEST yillGINIA. / 
 
 Having now perhaps at the risk of prolixity described 
 
RESOURCES OF WEST VIRGINIA. 
 
 203 
 
 those portions of West Virginia which have to look to the 
 Lower Coal Measures for their fuels, we would draw attention 
 to those sections where the Upper Coal Measures form the im 
 portant series. 
 
 On reaching the upper limit of the Lower Barrens, the cir 
 cumstances which gave rise to the enormous development of 
 the Lower and Conglomerate Measures seem to have ceased, 
 and in the south the formation of new strata was slow, but in 
 the north very fast, so that, while in the former case there were 
 only about 400 feet of Upper Coals and Upper Barrens form 
 ing ; in the north, as in Monongalia county, about 600 feet of 
 the former, and some 1,200 feet of the latter were deposited. 
 There is also another marked difference between the two sec 
 tions, viz.: on the Kanawha the Upper Measures contain prin 
 cipally shales, no limestone of any great consequence, and 
 only one workable coal seam* the Pittsburgh which, at 
 Raymond City, measures 6J feet ; while in the north as in 
 Monongalia they contain heavy ledges of sandstone, some 8 
 or 9 strata of limestone, aggregating 50 or 60 feet, and often 
 yielding most excellent limes, both hydraulic and agricul 
 tural; and five workable coal seams, having an aggregate 
 thickness of 28 to 33 feet, and containing, as a rule, fewer 
 partings than exist in the larger seams of the Lower Coals on 
 the Kanawha. In the Upper Barrens there is no evidence 
 that any coal seams exist in the south, but in the north there 
 are several, though none are workable. 
 
 As might be expected from what has been said, all the 
 mines, save only the Austin in Preston county, in the north 
 ern portion of the State, are on the seams of the Upper Meas 
 ures ; while in the south, with the exception of the Raymond 
 Coal Company, and the Oak Ridge Coal Company, in Putnam 
 county, and the Hartford City, &c., mines, in Mason county, 
 all working the " Pittsburgh," the present mines look to the 
 Lower Coal and Conglomerate Measures for their supply. 
 
 In preparing the following account of the Upper Coal 
 Measures, we are largely indebted, especially in the general 
 description of the beds, to Prof. J. J. Stevenson, Professor of 
 Geology in the University of New York, and of the Geologi- 
 
 *Tliere may be one or two more, but on this nothing definite can be said till 
 the country is more thoroughly explored. 
 
204 RESOURCES OF WEST VIRGINIA. 
 
 cal Survey of Pennsylvania, who has paid more attention to 
 them, as developed in this State, than any one else. 
 
 The Upper Coal Region embraces all that portion of West 
 Virginia, in which the exposed rocks overlie the Pittsburgh 
 coal bed. The eastern and southern limits are marked by the 
 outcrop line of that coal, which passes through Monongalia, 
 Marion, Taylor, Barbour, Upshur, Braxton, Clay, Kanawha, 
 Putnam, and Cabell counties, and crosses the Ohio river in the 
 vicinity of Guyandotte. Westward this area extends into 
 Ohio, and northward into Pennsylvania. Its northern line 
 crosses the Ohio river near Steubenville. 
 
 No close survey of this region has ever been made. Its 
 eastern limit was studied out, and several reconnoissance lines 
 were run across it by the State Surveyors during the survey 
 under Prof. W. B. Rogers, but only scanty references to the 
 work N ere made in the annual reports. Almost the only 
 material respecting this region now accessible, is to be found 
 in the brief memoirs published by Prof. Stevenson, in 
 1872-3-5, and these refer exclusively to the northern portion. 
 
 Within this region, a small area, embracing the greater 
 part of Ritchie, Wirt, Wood, and PJeasants counties, has been 
 deprived of the coals by the oil break. The effects of this dis 
 turbance extended westward to the Ohio river, from a line pass 
 ing almost N. and S. through Ellenboro, on the Parkersburg 
 Branch of the Baltimore and Ohio railroad. How far this 
 line extends north and south from that place has not been 
 determined. Aside from this limited space, the whole region 
 is underlaid by the coals of the upper group : but as the thick 
 ness of the rocks in this series is not far from 1,800 feet, where 
 fully exposed, the more important beds are so deeply buried in 
 some counties that many years must pass before they can be 
 made available. All the coals attain their greatest thickness 
 between the Pennsylvania border, near the Monongahela 
 river and the Baltimore and Ohio railroad, and diminish 
 somewhat rapidly southward, so that before reaching the 
 Parkersburg and Staunton pike, in Lewis and Gilmer, they, 
 with the exception of the Pittsburgh, have become compara- 
 tively worthless. 
 
 The principal coals of the upper series are known as the 
 Pittsburgh, Redstone, Sewicklcy, Waynesbury and Washington, 
 
RESOURCES OF WEST VIRGINIA. 205 
 
 having received these names from localities in Pennsylvania. 
 Besides these, several other beds occur, but as they barely cross 
 the line from Pennsylvania into West Virginia, and never 
 become of any value in that State or this, it is unnecessary to 
 make farther reference to them here. 
 
 Of all these, the Pittsburgh alone maintains its importance 
 throughout, as far as the examinations go. The availa 
 ble area of this bed, therefore, is of economical interest, and 
 we give its limits in detail, as observed by Prof. Stevenson 
 in 1874 : 
 
 The eastern limit of the. Pittsburgh bed, and therefore of the 
 Upper Coal Measures, aside from small outlying areas, is 
 marked by a line beginning on Cheat river, near the Pennsyl 
 vania border, in Monongalia ccunty, and extending west of 
 south to Fairmont, in Marion county, crossing the Tygart s 
 Valley river a little distance above that town ; thence irregu 
 larly to Pruntytowii, in Taylor county, where it turns east by 
 south to Flemitigton. From this point it follows a south of 
 southeast course almost to Tygart s Valley river, thence south 
 ward, crossing the Buckhannon river near the Upshur county 
 line. There it again turns east by south, and so continues 
 almost to the Middle Fork of that river, where it is changed 
 to southwest, which is maintained to the line between Upshur 
 and Lewis counties. From this point to where it crosses 
 Pocotalico -river, near the Great Kanawha, in Putnam county, 
 it has not been followed. The extreme eastern exposure 
 occurs in Upshur county, on the Staunton pike, about five 
 miles east from Buckhannon. 
 
 The western limit, or the line along which the coal passes 
 below the surface, cannot be given accurately without entering 
 into great detail, as it is farther east or west, as the case may 
 be, according to the depth to which the streams have eroded 
 their channel-ways. The extreme limit may be regarded as 
 marked by a line which begins at the Pennsylvania line, 
 about four miles west from the Monongahela river, and crosses 
 that river about a mile below Fairmont. It lies a little west 
 from the West Fork River, and crosses Harrison county from 
 Shinnston to Wolfe s Summit, on the railroad ; thence it 
 passes southwestward through Lewis county, reaching Gilmer, 
 near Troy, on the Staunton pike, and the Little Kanawha, just 
 below Glenville, 
 
206 RESOURCES OF WEST VIRGINIA. 
 
 Owing to the abruptness of the Laurel Hill anticlinal, the 
 area is very narrow at the north, hardly more than six or seven 
 miles wide, but southward this fold becomes gentler and the 
 area rapidly widens, until, along 4 the Staunton pike, the coal is 
 available for a distance of nearly 40 miles. The coal has its 
 greatest thickness, ten feet, at the Pennsylvania line, and 
 diminishes south and southeast, becoming only five feet at 
 Glenville, and barely four feet at Buckhannon. 
 
 In the Ohio Pan-Handle the same coal is available. There 
 it is known as the Wheeling coal. Openings in it are numer 
 ous from Moundsville to a little way above Steubenville. 
 
 MONONGALIA COUNTY. 
 
 The Pittsburgh Bed is worked on both sides of the Mono nga- 
 hela river, and varies in thickness from eight to somewhat 
 more than ten feet, in this estimate is included only the 
 workable portion, for above that, and separated from it by clay 
 is a roof-division, which is from zero to four feet thick. The 
 coal in this county is quite variable in quality, but for the 
 most part is an excellent fuel. It is hardly equal to that ob 
 tained from the same bed at Connellsville, in Pennsylvania. 
 
 The Redstone Coal is exceedingly variable. In this county it 
 is exposed on both sides of the Monongahela river, near the 
 Pennsylvania line, where it is from three to four feet thick. 
 In some localities it is a little better than a richly bituminous 
 shale, while in others, not far distant, it is one of the hand 
 somest coals in the whole trough west of the Alleghanies. No" 
 sulphur is usually apparent to physical examination, but 
 chemical analysis shows that it is present to the extent of 
 from 1.75 to 2.8 per cent. The coke is hard and bright, but 
 sometimes shows as much as 2.85 per cent, of sulphur, which, 
 however, seems to be present in combination with lime and 
 magnesia, and not as sulphide of iron, and consequently will 
 not be so injurious for iron making. 
 
 The Sewickley Coal is from 70 to 100 feet above the Pittsburgh, 
 and is quite as variable as the Redstone. It is very thin where 
 exposed east from the Monongahela river, but west from that 
 stream, it is a very valuable bed. On Robinson r s, Dent s and 
 Scott s runs, it is found varying from 4 to 6 feet. A parting 
 of cannel occurs at irregular distances from the base. The coal 
 is comparatively free burning, would bear shipping well, and 
 
RESOURCES OF WEST VIRGINIA. 207 
 
 contains from 1.5 to 3 per cent, of sulphur, which exists mostly 
 as sulphate of lime and magnesia, and not as iron pyrites, and 
 is not, therefore, as deleterious as the percentage would seem 
 to indicate. It is a very handsome coal, and in many places, 
 says Prof. Stevenson, is well fitted for gas making. 
 
 The Waynesburg Coal is a very persistent seam, but is marked 
 by a constant diminution southward, so that like the last two 
 beds, it becomes of no economical value whatever. It is found 
 from 190 to nearly 400 feet above the Pittsburgh, the interval 
 being greatest near the Pennsylvania line. 
 
 It attains its greatest thickness in West Virginia, in this 
 county, where it is a double bed, occasionally triple. The total 
 thickness, including the clay partings, varies from 6 feet 8 
 inches to nearly 10 feet. The clay sometimes thins out so as to 
 be barely perceptible, while at others, it thickens up and forms 
 a "horseback," which is grievously annoying to the miners. 
 
 MARION COUNTY. 
 
 Tlie Pittsburgh Coal has been mined very extensively, and 
 shipped for use iu the manufacture of gas, for which purpose 
 it ranks very high. The bed in this county varies from 7 to 
 10 feet thick, and averages 8 feet, and shows no roof division. 
 The percentage of sulphur is much larger than in the Yough- 
 iogheny coal, but compensation for this drawback is found in 
 the fact that it yields a much greater amount of gas per ton. 
 Experiments have been made to ascertain the value of this as 
 a coking coal, but they have not proved altogether satisfactory. 
 The coke is very compact and handsome, in these respects ex 
 celling the Connellsville, but the percentage of sulphur is so 
 great as to render it utterly unfit for use in smelting iron, 
 even when mixed with Connellsville in the proportion of two 
 to one. It is a very excellent steam coal, but the distance 
 from the eastern cities prevents it going on those markets as 
 such. 
 
 The Redstone Coal, about 80 feet above the last, is from 3 to 
 6 feet thick, and, as far as one may judge from the outcrop, it 
 is a good article. 
 
 The SewicJdey Coal is from 100 to 150 feet above the last, and 
 verages 3 feet thick. 
 
 Tlie Waynesburg Coal, as seen in the eastern portion of the 
 county, is high up in the hills, and only 3 to 4 feet thick. 
 
208 RESOURCES OF WEST VIRGINIA. 
 
 Further northwest along the railroad, it is mined for local use. 
 It is]extremely variable in character, showing from 2 to 4 bench 
 es of coal, of which the bottom one varies from 3 to 4 feet. 
 
 TAYLOR COUNTY. 
 
 The Pittsburgh Coal. In the southwestern portion of this 
 county, this underlies some 10,000 acres, of which 5,000 acres 
 are now owned by foreign capital, and the rest by the farmers 
 whose land it underlies. It is found high up in the rolling or 
 hill lands, and is about 9 feet thick, yielding an article of high 
 reputation for gas, and producing an excellent coke. It is now 
 worked by the Tyrconnel and the Flemington Mines. 
 
 This seam appears, Irom the reports on it, to be so high, 
 that the hills do not catch the other seams that lie above the 
 Pittsburgh, though below it we find three coal beds, measuring 
 5, 4 and 3^ feet, respectively. At the mouth of Lost run, on 
 the Tygart s Valley river, there is also reported a 7-foot seam 
 of cannel and bituminous, the former being 2 feet thick (and 
 of very inferior quality), 18 inches from the roof. The infor 
 mation concerning all these is not suHicient.to enable .them 
 to be identified. 
 
 HARRISON COUNTY. 
 
 The Pittsurcjh Coal in this county is mined extensively at 
 Clarksburg, Wilsonburg, and Coketon for shipment. Here it 
 shows the same defects and excellencies as at Fairmont. The 
 percentage of sulphur is considerable, but the amount of vola 
 tile combustible matter is very great. At Clarksburg the bed 
 is 8 feet 10 inches ; at Wilsonburg, from 7 feet 6 inches to 
 8 feet 4 inches, and at Coketon, from 5 feet to 7 feet. This is 
 a solid mass, broken about midway by a thin parting of clay. 
 Above this the coal is hard, but below, it is soft. The base 
 for about one foot, is usually poor and not marketable. This 
 feature, however, is characteristic of the bed throughout its 
 whole extent. We have been unable to learn that any careful 
 attempts have been made to test the value of this as a coking 
 coal. Pyrites is largely present, but it occurs mostly as lumps 
 which are easily separated. The larger portions can easily be 
 removed as the coal is taken out, and washing would take out 
 the rest. The coke is so handsome that the experiment is well 
 worth trying. The Pittsburgh disappears at Wolf s Summit, 
 on the railroad, where it is six feet thick. From this point 
 
RESOURCES OF WEST VIEGI^IA. 209 
 
 to within one eighth of a mile of Ellenboro, it is at no place 
 more. than 400 feet below the surface, and from Long Run to 
 West Union, it can be reached at less than 200 feet. 
 
 The Redstone Coal may be seen at several localities along the 
 railroad, but varies so in thickness as to be utterly useless. 
 At Wilsonburg it is one foot thick and twenty-five feet above 
 the Pittsburgh; while at Coketon it is four feet thick and 
 twenty feet above that coal ; and at Wolfe s Summit it is only 
 three inches thick. On the Staunton pike it could not be 
 found. 
 
 Seicickly Coal. The " blossom of this has not been obser 
 ved north of the railroad. At Clarksburg it is found 70 feet 
 above the Pittsburgh, and 2J feet thick, but no attempt has 
 been made to ascertain its character. At Wolfe s Summit, 8 
 miles west of Clarksburg, it is only 2 inches thick, and one the 
 Staunton pike it has not been found. 
 
 Waynesburg Coal. Of this we have no information. 
 
 MARSHALL, OHIO, AND BROOKE COUNTIES. 
 
 In Marshall, the Pittsburgh Coal is worked as far south as 
 Moundsville, though at that place it is a little below water 
 level. As we go south it could easily be reached by shafting. 
 As we come north it rises above the level of the Ohio river, 
 and is extensively mined in the vicinity of Wheeling for 
 steam and puddling uses. The working portion of it here 
 averages about 5 feet. Above this comes in a slate parting 
 from J to 26 inches thick, and then the roof coals, which are 
 from 24 to 20 inches, divided in the middle by a thin slate 
 parting, which often swells to 6 or 8 inches. It is available 
 as far north as Steubenville, being within easy reach in many 
 localities in Brooke county. The Redstone and SewicUy seams 
 in this district are usually almost worthless. The latter is 
 separated into two beds, of which the upper is occasionally 2 
 or 3 feet thick. This is mined near Triadelphia, in Ohio 
 county, but is of only local importance. The Waynesburg is 
 very thin in this portion of the State, seldom more than 2 
 feet thick and always of poor quality. 
 
 The following section of Chapline hill, at Wheeling, made 
 by Messrs. Hubbard and Gilchrist, may be interesting as 
 showing the seams of coal that have been discovered in this 
 locality : 
 
 27 
 
210 RESOURCES OF WEST VIRGINIA. 
 
 Character of Seam. Thickness. 
 
 I I . J 
 
 07 
 
 88 
 
 90 
 
 202 
 
 249 
 
 No. 1. Pittsburgh Seam, the lower 5 feet workable,! 
 and the rest of slates and roof coals not worked...!? to 9 ft. 
 
 Ab. 2. Divided near the middle by a slate parting, 
 the portion below being but little better than a 
 bituminous shale. At Jim s Run, 5 miles south,! 
 this seam is 4 feet 9 inches, making a fair fuel for! 
 domestic use j:} ft. 
 
 No. 3. In two layers, separated by a 4 inch parting. I 
 The lower layer is 14 inches. The #eam is not 
 worked in this vicinity ;2 ft. 4 in. 
 
 No. 4. Coal ! |i ft. 
 
 Ab. 5. Coal J8 in. 
 
 No. 0. One foot of the lower part is an impure can- 
 nel, while the upper portion is a block coal, and isj 
 good for domestic uses , |3 ; ft. 
 
 No. 7. Slate parting in th e mid die 1 1 1 f t . 
 
 No. 8. Mas a 5-inch parting near the middle. Lo-j 
 cally used for domestic purposes, but is not a de- , 
 
 sirable coal [5 ft. 
 
 \No. 9. Coal ._ | 9 in. 
 
 LEWIS COUNTY. 
 
 The Pittsburgh Coal is accessible along the Staunton Pike 
 all across the couuty. It varies from 4J feet to nearly 8 feet, 
 the thickness increasing northward, though at one open 
 ing on the Pike it approaches the maximum. It is worked 
 only to supply local Demands. 
 
 Of the Redstone, Sewickley, and Waynesburg Coals in this 
 county, we have no information, though they no doubt exist. 
 
 GILMEB COUNTY. 
 
 The Pittsburgh Coal in this county is from 5 to 5J feet. The 
 quality is good, but it seems to have rather more sulphur in 
 it than at Clarksburg, though no analysis has been made to. 
 definitely settle this point. As is the case in Lewis county, it 
 is worked only to supply the local demands. Of the Re stone 
 and Sewickly, we have no information beyond the fact that 
 they exist, but of the thickness nothing is said. 
 
 The Waynesburg Coal is rarely more than 2 feet thick in this 
 county. 
 
RESOURCES OF WEST VIRGINIA. 211 
 
 UPSHUR COUNTY. 
 
 In this county the openings on the Pittsburgh ar quite 
 numerous in the vicinity of Buckhannon, where the thickness 
 varies from 3 feet 9 inches to 4 feet. Farther north, near the 
 Barbour county line, it is 5 fe:-t 6 inches. The quality is 
 superior, and no doubt the coal would prove well \vorlh work 
 ing for market, notwithstanding its thinness. 
 
 Of the other seams of the Upper Coal Measures we can state 
 nothing, except the fact that they exist, but of the thickness 
 and quality there are no reports. 
 
 DODDRIDGE COUNTY. 
 
 Here the Pittsburgh, Redstone, and Sewicldy Coals seem to be 
 below water level, and would have to be reached by shafting. 
 
 The Waynesburg Coal.-^-A.n opening is seen near the Bait. & 
 Ohio R. R., just west from Wolfe s Summit, where the coal is 
 4 feet thick and divided mid-way by a parting of clay. At a 
 little beyond this it goes under, but is s?-en again near the 
 mouth of Long Run, and is available thence to West Union, 
 there being numerous openings along the railroad, It is 
 mined at W< st Union, where it is in three benches, and has a 
 total thickness, including the clays, of 4 feet. The middle 
 bench is 31 inches thick. 
 
 BRAXTON, CLAY, CALHOUN, KOANE, AND KANAWHA COUN 
 TIES. 
 
 In portions of Braxton, Clay, and Kanawha, that lie north 
 west of Elk river, and in southern Calhoun and Roane, the 
 seams of the Upper Coal Measures exist above water level, 
 but it is impossible to speak of their quality or thickness, as 
 no explorations have ever been made in these districts. 
 
 PUTNAM COUNTY. 
 
 The Pittsburgh Coal, is worked at Raymond City and Oak 
 Ridge, containing in the former case an average of 6 feet 2 
 inches of workable coal in the lower bench, and in the latter 
 about 4 feet. 
 
 Of the other coals but little is known. 
 
 CABEL.L AND MASON COUNTIES. 
 
 Here the Pittsburgh is seen cropping out along the Ohio. At 
 the Hartford Coal Company Mines it is from 5 to 6 feet thick, 
 but in the main portions of the counties it, as well as the 
 others, are below water level, and would be reached by shaft- 
 
212 RESOURCES OF WEST VIRGINIA. 
 
 ing. At West Columbia, in Mason, it is 100 feet above the 
 river, and has a seam about 2 feet thick, 70 feet above and 30 
 feet below it. 
 
 THE OTHER COUNTIES ALONG THE OHIO. 
 
 In these and Wirt, and the main portions of Roane, Cal- 
 houn, and Ritchie, all the coals would have to be reached by 
 shafting. In Wetzel, on Fishing Creek, we find a seam 
 reported 10 feet thick, and in Tyler, some of the Upper Coals 
 may be above water level, and in Cabell the Pittsburgh out 
 crops, but beyond these facts, we know, at this time, nothing 
 definite concerning their values. 
 
 Above the four seams that have been described as occurring 
 in the Upper Coal Measures, is found a fifth one, called 
 
 The Washington Coal, which seems to be confined to the 
 northern half of the State. It is often 3 feet thick, and is 
 found at from 300 feet to nearly 600 feet above the Pittsburgh, 
 the smallest interval being" along the Parkercburg Branch 
 of the Baltimore and Ohio railroad. It is referred to here 
 simply because it is of local importance as a source of supply, 
 where all the other coals, already described, are so deeply 
 buried as to be unavailable, except at great expense. It 
 occurs in Monongalia, Marion, Wetzel, Doddridge and eastern 
 Ritchie, as well, no doubt, as in Tyler. Xo examination of 
 the latter county has been made, so that a definite statement 
 respecting the availability of the coal in it is impossible. The 
 coal from this bed is poor, very slaty, and contains much sul 
 phur. At the same time, as it is frequently quite thick, it is 
 a source of fuel not to be despised, especially when the Pitts 
 burgh is several hundred feet under the surface. 
 
 In this Upper Coal Series we find in the northern tier of 
 counties a great mass of limestone, which grows thinner and 
 poorer southward. It is represented by a few thin and earthy 
 beds on the Parkersburg Branch of the Baltimore and Ohio 
 railroad, but has almost completely disappeared in the south 
 ern portion of the Upper Coal Region. This limestone is 
 finely exposed along the Ohio river in the vicinity of Wheel 
 ing, where it has been quarried for use as a flux in iron smelt 
 ing. Some of the layers are well adapted to this purpose, and 
 others, which are injurious as flux, yield a very fair hydrau 
 lic cement if carefully prepared, 
 
RESOURCES OF WEST VIRGINIA. 213 
 
 COAL IN THE EASTERN PART OF THE STATE. 
 
 On page 163, the general eastern boundary of the coal field 
 was given, but it was mentioned that small, though unim 
 portant, patches of coal are found still more easterly. We see 
 these in Greenbrier and Pocahontas counties, in the valley of 
 the Greenbrier river, but the coal -5 occur in the geological 
 formation next below the true Coal Measures, and are called the 
 " Vespertine Coals," because they are found in the geological 
 horizon of that name. There are several seams, but all thin, 
 and worthless, though one them has a local expansion of 3 
 feet on the land of D. C. B. Caldwell, near Ronceverte Depot, 
 in Greenbrier county. A short distance from this place, at 
 the railroad bridge over the river, it has split up into a num 
 ber of strings, and is of not the slightest value. ,Near the 
 White Sulphur Springs are several exposures of these seams, 
 but they are of no account because of their thinness. 
 
 In Pocahontas, west of the Cranberry, Black and Elk 
 mountains, the seams that may be present belong to the true 
 Coal Measures, though it is extremely problematical, whether 
 they are here of any value, for to the west, on Williams river 
 and the east side of Gauley, they are thin and unimportant. 
 
 In Randolph county, between the Alleghanies and Cheat 
 Mountain, and in .Tucker county, between its eastern bound 
 ary and the Backbone mountain, "there are vague reports of 
 an abundance of coal which, in all probability, will prove to 
 be those of the Vespertine formation, and especially may this 
 be said of the latter county, for in the geological reports of 
 Virginia, made in 1839, a series of observations was made on 
 Cheat river and the Black Fork thereof, and in not a single 
 instance was a workable bed reported. 
 
 %,-In Berkeley county these same coals are seen again, though 
 here converted into anthracite of a very pure quality*, and in 
 sufficient quantity to answer some slight local demands, ^and 
 have, given rise to many bright visions concerning their 
 importance in the mineral resources of this county. In 
 March 1876, they were jvisited by Mr. A. R. Guerard, of the 
 Royal School of Mines, London, for the State Board of Cen 
 tennial Managers, and that gentleman reports, that " between 
 " Sleepy Creekland Third Hilljmoun tains, at an opening on 
 u the Meadow Branch, by Embry & Cushwa, a shaft 45 feet 
 
214 RESOURCES OF WEST VIRGINIA. 
 
 " deep has passed through three reams from 1 to 3 feet thick, 
 u and a tunnel from the hillside strikes a 4-foot seam below. 
 t; The coal appears to be of fair average quality, but some- 
 " what broken up and intermixed with slate. There was 
 " nothing in this opening to lead me to the conclusion that 
 u the problem which has been on hand for the last 40 or 50 
 " years, as to the coal being here in paying quantities, was at 
 u last sitisfactorilv solved/ 
 
CHAPTER X. 
 
 THE QUALITY AND VARIETY OF COAL, 
 AND THE MIXING ADVANTAGES. 
 
 BY M. F. MA TRY. 
 
 The coal mining advantages of West Virginia arise from 
 the great number of seams found accessible above water level, 
 and from the fact that they contain coals of various composi 
 tions adapted to all the requirements of trade and manufac 
 ture. The fat coking, gassy bituminous, the hard and valuable 
 splint, and the rich and oily cannel in this highly favored 
 region/are found in great purity, and made easily accessible 
 to the miner, through the agency of running water, which 
 has exposed the seams in thousands upon thousands of 
 places, and in consequence of this, and their size, coal, as a 
 general rule, can be mined cheaper, and with more economy, 
 under the same rates of labor, than in any other part of the 
 Allegbany coal field. 
 
 In fact, when the northern portion of the State was 
 wrinkled into folds, and the southern tilted gently from its 
 original horizontal position, water, with its vast planing and 
 eroding pow r er, washed off the superincumbent strata, and cut 
 and counter-cut the country by deep and narrow valleys, thus 
 preparing this field with numerous objective points for safe 
 and economical working, for it left vast areas of the coal 
 measures above water, accessible at many points by simply 
 removing from the outcrops of the 3eams the alluvium that 
 has formed there by the decaying work of ages. 
 
 This will more clearly appear by a comparison of the posi 
 tion of the coals here and in Great Britain in this respect. 
 
216 RESOURCES OF WEST VIRGINIA. 
 
 There the coal is deep below water level, and to reach it 
 requires years of lahor and vast sums of money. In its great 
 northern coal field, the shafts are rarely less than 150 feet 
 deep, and many have the great depth of 1,800 feet, sunk at 
 an expense, in some cases, of $240,000,* while the Dukinfield 
 colliery was taken down 2,600 feet, at a cost of 8500,000, 
 mainly to reach the " Black Mine C?oal," a seam 4 feet 8J- 
 inches thick. 
 
 Here mighty natural forces have sunk pits which need 
 neither repair or renewal. The inclination of the 
 .strata, coupled with the laws of gravity, have provided the 
 most costless, perfect and permanent pumping machinery, 
 and the perfect ventilation of the mines is but a matter of the 
 most simple and ordinary eare, as, except in one or two 
 instances in. the northern portion of the State, there are none of 
 those noxious gases to be dealt with which oftentimes render 
 coal mining so dangerous. 
 
 There are, however, many districts where the seams are 
 below the surface, though easily reached by shafting, but 
 when we consider the number that are over 3 feet thick, and 
 that such an one is workable and yields about 4,800 tons per 
 acre, it will be seen that we need not treat of the deeper ones, 
 for v\e have no need to sink shafts at all, as it will be a long 
 time before the cost of winning coals from day levels will be 
 so far raised as to necessitate other styles of working, and 
 AVest Virginia can justly be proud of the numerous advanta 
 ges it holds in this respect. 
 
 The coals may be divided into three great classes, viz.: 
 Bituminous, Splint, and Cannel. 
 
 . BITUMINOUS COAL 
 
 Is the most abundant, occurs in all portions of the field, and 
 some of it is found in nearly every seam of the other two 
 classes. It is the only class worked in the northern half of 
 the State, and with but few exceptions, is the only one of 
 value of that region, so far as present explorations show. 
 
 The Redstone, Sewickly, Waynesburg, and Washington 
 seams were shown in the last chapter to be of great impor 
 tance in the north, but dwindle down and are little value, 
 
 H L 0:1 Uoj.1 to the New York J^e^islaLure, 18b5. Pagu 11 
 
RESOURCES OF WEST VIRGINIA. 
 
 217 
 
 or are not even found, as the case may be, in the southern 
 part of the State. Owing to the general prevalence of the 
 more important and valuable Pittsburgh seam, none of them 
 are worked except to supply local demands, though the coal 
 produced is often a most excellent and superior article, though 
 varying in this respect in different counties and localities, as 
 we would naturally expect it should. 
 
 The following are analyses of the first three from Monon- 
 galia county, near Morgan town : and of the Redstone, as seen 
 5 miles north of Fairmont, in Marion county, on the land of 
 R. S. Radcliff, where it is 6 feet 4 inches thick.* 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 a 
 
 si 
 
 
 
 
 ^ c 
 
 
 ,d 
 
 ;_ 
 
 3 
 
 
 
 -30 
 
 ^0 
 
 
 SEAM. 
 
 5 
 
 
 rtj 
 
 Ash. ! 
 
 ts*z! 
 
 != 
 
 
 i "^ 
 
 "^ r^ ! "5 
 
 
 n 
 
 
 
 (x! 
 
 f ^ ^ ^ 
 
 I 
 
 r-* "^ 
 
 M -*. 
 
 
 
 s 
 
 O _2 
 
 ^ ^ 
 
 
 
 
 O r ~ 
 
 Redstone, 
 
 Monongalia 
 
 54.36 
 
 37. SS 
 
 0.37 
 
 7.391 
 
 2.87 
 
 2.85 
 
 Redstone 
 
 IVIarion 
 
 5033i 4097 
 
 1.01 
 
 
 4 ^7 
 
 286 
 
 Sewickley 
 
 . Monongalia 
 
 54.31 35.78 
 
 0.44 
 
 9,47; 
 
 3.10! 2.78 
 
 Waynesbijrg, Monongalia 
 
 56.36 35.8H 0.74 
 
 7.5o! 
 
 0.70, 0.55 
 
 - On these analyses Mr. Dwight makes the following remark : 
 " The color of the ash from the Redstone is dark gray, and the 
 sulphur in the coal seems to be in combination with lime 
 or magnesia, and not as sulphide of iron; consequently it will 
 not be injurious for iron making. The coke is hard and 
 bright. The ash from the Sewickley is gray, and the sulphur 
 seems to be in the same form as in the last. The coke is medium 
 hard. From the Waynesburg the ash is light buff, and the 
 coke moderately hard." 
 
 The Pittsburgh seam is the present source of the shipping 
 coals of the northern half of the State. Except from the Po 
 tomac basin, its fuel goes on the market as "West Virginia 
 Gas Coal, and for that purpose ranks among the highest of 
 the United States, being extensively used in the large cities of 
 the Atlantic seaboard. But where mined on the Potomac, in 
 Mineral county, it has lost this quality, though it is very 
 valuable and highly prized for steam, foundrys, rolling-mills, 
 smiths work, &c. 
 
 "These, and all other analyses given in this chapter, are by C. E. Dwight, ot 
 Wheeling, unless some other chemist is mentioned. 
 
 28 
 
218 [RESOURCES OF WEST VIRGINIA. 
 
 Where wrought by the Newburg Orrel Coal Co., in Preston 
 county, this seam is from 10 to 11 feet thick, but only 9 to 9J 
 are worked, the rest being left to support the roof. The 
 coal is shipped to the eastern markets for gas purposes, yield 
 ing, by the tests of the Manhattan Gas Light Co., of New 
 York, over 10,000 cubic feet j-er ton of 15 J candle power. In 
 Monongalia county it produces a most excellent fuel, which is 
 extensively used in Morgantown and various other portions 
 of the county. It of ten contains as much as 2 per cent- of sul 
 phur, which unfits it for the manufacture of iron and coke, and 
 renders its value for gas somewhat doubtful, though at the 
 same time it should be said that analyses of coal exten 
 sively used for this purpose in New York, show that the 
 Monongalia coal is not much inferior. But apart from any 
 value it may have for this, its other excellent qualities will 
 command a ready market for it when the completion of the 
 locks and damson the Monongahela river give it a, ready 
 and cheap exit to consuming centres. 
 
 The Flemington and Tyrconnel mines, in Taylor county, do 
 their mining on the same bed, the product of which, as tested 
 from the latter, shows itself, according to the report to the 
 company, by C. M. Cresson, of Philadelphia, to be much supe 
 rior for gas making purposes to the celebrated Penn coal of 
 Pennsylvania. From the mines at Fairmont, in. Marion 
 county, it goes on the eastern and western markets, but, par 
 ticularly on the former, with an exceedingly high reputa 
 tion for gas, and it is also a good steam generator, but at pres 
 ent prices the mines are too far from the seaboard to enable 
 it to bear the expense of transportation, for it would have, to 
 come into competition with the cheaper and less distant fuel 
 of the Cumberland Coal Field of Maryland. 
 
 To show its rank in this respect, with other coals from 
 other States, the following table is given. The Fairmont coal 
 spoken of in it, was from the West Fairmont mines : 
 
RESOURCES OF WEST VIRGINIA. 
 
 OFFICIAL TESTS OF COAL, 
 
 At Chicago Water Works. 
 
 219 
 
 | 187U j 
 
 State. 
 
 * . ! 
 i 5 
 
 1 
 
 (Quantity, 
 
 . 
 
 i i i 
 
 o sa, 
 
 3 \ 3 0> 
 ^ 
 
 Gallons of Wat 
 per Ib. Coal. 
 
 > 
 
 cS CJ 
 
 6 
 too-o 
 
 ; 103-4 
 07-3 
 
 113-7 
 114-0 
 1114-9 
 115-7 
 li7-4 
 117-6 
 117-7 
 ! 120-5 
 
 155-7 
 
 Name of 
 Coal. 
 
 4 i f 
 
 I ! I 
 
 Vfay 3 to "51 Triplet 
 
 
 HsM 
 
 71-45 
 71-10 
 50-40 
 35-05 
 52-55 
 54-SO 
 54-50 
 5*5-50 
 1 48-00 
 i - 
 60-25 
 192-0( 
 
 4240 
 
 Ts ILhs. 
 51 360 
 75 
 
 521 272 
 47| 420 
 "5111,950 
 51 H,860 
 511 140 
 5311,510 
 49 1 ,1 50 
 352! 260 
 54 1 1,590 
 ,285 l,9i)0 
 
 i 44 1,470 
 
 55,563 1 37.110,743 
 83,97- 56,241.28 
 60,876 i 40..W.071 
 49,376 38,896. 79" 
 63,74Pj 42,581,673 
 63,fl52 42,957.960 
 68,907: 42,559962 
 <J7.::53 |rU V7.SHS 
 49.4 16j 42.2uS.30* 
 347.667J3 >o.4.6.8fl6 
 69J706 46 80ft,855 
 240,083206.293,815 
 
 56,658 47,251,650 
 
 362-f 
 374 -J 
 
 389- 
 4 "2-1 
 412-4 
 413-( 
 416-t 
 1419-5 
 425-C 
 I2fi-* 
 427-0 
 437-1 
 
 528-1 
 
 Apr ..25 to 28i Willow Bant... 
 " 122 to 23 Briar Hill 
 I f-Henco t 
 
 Ohio". .! 
 Ohio... 
 
 May , 5 to 7 Peal 
 
 Apr 23. to 251 Fort Pitt 
 
 " ii8 to 21 S Pittsburgh Penna 
 " 28 to 80 Walnnt Hill.... Ohio ... 
 
 Oct...jl8 to 19iLackawana iPenna 
 Sept.! 9 to 20 1 Hock ing Valley lOhio .. . 
 
 May.. 1 to SiCherry Mines...! 
 Sept. I to 9! HockingVallev Ohio.. 
 " |21 to ?2! Fairmont .. W. \* 
 
 
 
 In Harrison county, at the Despard and Murphy s Run col 
 lieries it (the Pittsburgh seam) is again extensively mined and 
 sent on eastern markets for the same use as mentioned above 
 and is also excellent for steam, but the same reasons that oper 
 ate against the Fairmont coals do not allow these to be burnt 
 under the boilers of the eastern cities. Compared with the 
 Penn and Westmoreland coals, of Westmoreland county, Pa., 
 (which have no superior in that State), the gas from the 
 Harrison county coal is superior in illuminating power, but 
 not quite equal to them in purity, requiring more lime in 
 purification, but this slight additional cost, say 10 cents per 
 ton, is more than compensated for by the higher illuminating 
 power, coupled with the larger yield. 
 
 At and near Wheeling, in Ohio county, this coal is exten 
 sively used in the puddling furnaces, but contains too much 
 sulphur for. gas. As worked on the Kanawha river, at the 
 Raymond Mines, in Putnam, it produces a domestic fuel of 
 the highest grade, and as such goes on the western markets. 
 It is also excellent for steam but does not seem to be in de 
 mand for gas, as there is an abundant supply of other more 
 noted coals for that purpose. 
 
 In Mason county, and on the opposite side of the river in 
 the State of Ohio, it is largely worked, both for consumption 
 at the salt furnaces, and for exportation down the Ohio river. 
 
220 RESOURCES OF WEST VIRGINIA. 
 
 In 1875, in Mason, there were 9 nine mines in operation, produc 
 ing 301,000 tons, of which 101,000 were used at the salt furna 
 ces and the rest was shipped to market. 
 
 Its quality, however, seems to have deteriorated very much, 
 for in the Cincinnati market we find it, as shipped from Pom- 
 ery, quoting about 2 cents per bushel lower than the coal 
 from Raymond City. 
 
 The following table shows the analyses of the coal of this 
 seam from the different localities just mentioned : 
 
RESOURCES OF WEST VIRGINIA. 
 
 221 
 
222 RESOURCES OF WEST VIRGINIA. 
 
 In connection with these results, it should be mentioned 
 that the analysis of the American Mine is from the practical 
 workings on two cargoes ; that of the Despard from the prac 
 tical workings of six months, and of the Murphy s Run coal, 
 for three days. The others are laboratory tests. 
 
 As showing the results of locomotive use of the fuel from 
 this seam, the following letter is very useful : 
 BALTIMORE AND OHIO RAILROAD, 
 
 OFFICE OF CHIEF ENGINEER, 
 MARTINSBURG, W. VA., 6 April, 1876. 
 M. F. Maury, Esq.: 
 
 DEAR SIR : I give you results of observations on the con 
 sumption of fuel in Locomotives on this road: 
 
 first Division Baltimore to Martinsburg, 100 miles : 
 
 Weight of Engine 72,900 pounds. 
 
 " " train 834,000 
 
 Maximum grade (per mile) t 80 feet. 
 
 Minimum radius of curvature 600 
 
 Ascent westward 1,282 
 
 " eastward 913 " 
 
 Consumption of coal per mile run 60 pounds. 
 
 Coal was from large vein near Piedmont (in Mineral 
 county). 
 
 Third Division, trip from Keyser to Grafton and return, 157J 
 miles : 
 
 Weight of engine 95,300 pounds. 
 
 "train 831,000 
 
 Maximum grade (per mile) 117 feet. 
 
 Minimum radius of curvature 600 
 
 Ascent westward .*. 2,518 
 
 eastward 2,334 
 
 Consumption of fuel per mile run 134 pounds. 
 
 Coal was from large vein near Piedmont (in Mineral 
 county). 
 
 Fourth Division, Grafton to Benwood, 95J- miles : 
 
 Weight of engine 73,400 pounds. 
 
 " train 795,000 tf ^ 
 
 Maximum grade (per mile) 80 feet. 
 
 Minimum radius of curvature 600 
 
 Ascent westward 825 
 
 " eastward 1,167 
 
 Consumption of fuel per mile run 90 pounds. 
 
 Coal was from the mines at Fairmont, (in Marion county). 
 
RESOURCES OF WEST VIRGINIA. 223 
 
 Parkersburg Branch, Parkersburg to Grafton, 104 miles : 
 
 Weight of engine 73,400 pounds. 
 
 " " train 600,000 " 
 
 Maximum grade (per mile) 52.8 feet. 
 
 Minimum radius of curvature.... 600 
 
 Ascent westward 1,644 " 
 
 eastward . 2,088 
 
 Consumption of fuel per mile run. 85 pounds. 
 
 Coal was from the mines at Clarksburg, (in Harrison 
 county). Respectfully, JAMES L. RANDOLPH,* 
 
 Chief Engineer. 
 
 Returning now to the general discussion of the quality of 
 the bituminous coal in West Virginia, the only seam of it in 
 the Lower Coal Measures, in the northern half of the State, 
 that is largely worked, is the Upper Freeport, at Austin, in 
 Preston county. It is here 8 or 9 feet thick, though only the 
 lower bench, say, 4 feet, affords in all places a first-rate quality 
 of coal, though if mined on an extensive scale the whole bed 
 can be utilized. It makes a clear, even, silvery coke, suffi 
 ciently hard to bear the heaviest burden of the blast furnace. 
 (J. P. Lesley). An analysis is shown in the next table. 
 
 In .Upshur, Randolph, Barbour, Taylor, Monongalia, and 
 Marion counties, this seam has been examined at various 
 placesf by Prof. Stevenson, and while it is often of great thick 
 ness, and yields a good strong fuel for domestic use, i t is usually 
 much contaminated with sulphur, which, in many cases is not 
 discovered without the aid of a magnifying glass or chemical 
 tests. In many places in these counties it has an inferior 
 cannel associated with it. 
 
 On the land of the Kingwood Gas Coal and Iron Company, 
 near Tunnelton, in Preston county, several seams of very ex 
 cellent bituminous coal are found. An analysis of one of 4J 
 feet is shown in the first two items in the following table : 
 
 *These results given by Mr. Randolph are, I believe, for freight trains. 
 fFor measurements, see description of these counties in the last chapter. 
 
224 
 
 RESOURCES OF WEST VIRGINIA. 
 
 
 c 
 
 
 
 
 
 "3 
 
 o 
 
 
 
 
 
 | 
 
 
 
 a 
 
 O 
 
 
 
 U 
 
 ts 
 
 
 
 F* 
 
 j"" 
 
 
 Remarks. 
 
 
 
 rt 
 
 
 
 ^j 
 
 
 r^i 
 
 
 
 K 
 
 
 
 si 
 
 ^ 
 
 g 
 
 T: 
 
 
 
 E 
 
 E> 
 
 < 
 
 
 
 OQ 
 
 ce 
 
 
 Top of Seam 
 Bottom of Seam 
 
 65.66 
 66.13 
 
 31.47 
 31.19 
 
 2.C3 
 2.17 
 
 0.51 
 
 0.58 
 0.61 
 
 0.58 
 053 
 
 Ash buff. Coke 
 haul and bright. 
 
 Austin Mine 
 
 66.29 
 
 81.12 
 
 2.48 
 
 0.12 
 
 064 
 
 0.01 
 
 Coke: medium 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 hard. Is being used 
 
 " " (Coke) 
 
 87 55 
 
 
 11.25 
 
 0.54 
 
 
 65 
 
 at the Belmont Fur- 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 ind gives peneral sat 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 isfaction. 
 
 In the Southern portion of the State the bituminous coal is 
 very pure and hard, and often approaches splint so closely 
 that it is almost impossible to draw a dividing line between 
 the two, or to know to which class a certain seam may be con 
 sidered to belong. As found here, its seams furnish admirable 
 coals for gas, domestic use, and steam, and, where interstrati- 
 fied with splint, for use in the blast furnace, in the raw or 
 uncoked state. 
 
 In 1874, the Richmond (Va.) Gas Company tested various 
 coals from the Kanawha valley with the following results: 
 
 - 
 
 d 
 
 -+ i ^ 
 
 g 
 
 
 "i 
 
 "<N~ 
 
 ^ 
 
 
 Q^ 
 
 ^ 5-i rT 
 
 V-^ 
 
 LOCALITY. 
 
 ^ H 
 
 ^ -^ 
 
 
 
 
 % 
 
 III 
 
 2 
 
 
 M 
 
 
 
 a 
 
 Coalburg 
 
 951 
 
 8,534 
 
 14.5 
 
 Houston Mining and Manufacturing Cornp y 
 
 876 
 
 10,281 
 
 17 
 
 J B Lewis & Co 
 
 993 
 
 9,760 
 
 15 
 
 Cannt^ltoii Coal Company 
 
 1,049 
 
 8,892 
 
 14 
 
 Jlampton City Coal Company 
 
 609 
 
 9,184 
 
 15.5 
 
 Gordon and Seal 
 
 648 
 
 8,064 
 
 13.9 
 
 H C Replier (Coalmont) 
 
 1,003 
 
 
 17.1 
 
 Coal Valley Coal Company 
 
 
 
 10,080 
 
 17 
 
 "The coal from the Houston, Coal Valley, and Coalmont 
 "mines, is superior to any tested so far, is more free from 
 " slate and sulphur, produces greater heat, yields more gas, 
 " and makes the best coke." (Report of Richmond Gas 
 Works, 1875.) 
 
 In order to better appreciate these figures, it should be men- 
 
RESOURCES 0V WEST VI&&HU. 225 
 
 tioned that the Penn Gas Coal, which is generally adopted 
 as a standard in the United States, gives 9,856 cubic feet of 
 gas, of 14-candle power, per ton, of 2,240 pounds. 
 
 The coals given in the tabl are from various localities in 
 the valley, the distance between the extreme eastern and 
 western ones being 15 miles. 
 
 The tent of Coalburg was on the rich bituminous coal at 
 the bottom of the seam. The main portion of the bed, which 
 is usually called splint (though in reality a mixture of that 
 and bituminous), gave, when tested by the Chelsea Gas Com 
 pany, the remarkable result, for this class of fuel, of 10,640 
 cubic feet, of 17J-candle power. 
 
 The coal from the Cannelton Coal Company was from the 
 splinty bituminous division of their cannel seam. 
 
 The coal from the lower 5 feet 8 inches of the seam of the 
 Coal Valley Coal Company shows : 
 
 Fixed carbon 01.602 
 
 Volatile combustible, matter ;$;V20:$ 
 
 Ash 1S.73 
 
 Moisture 1.322 
 
 100.000 
 
 Sulphur in coal O.t>58 
 
 ; coke 0.865 
 
 Dr. C. M. Cresson, analysed the coal from the same seam, 
 from just across the river from the land of the Cannelton 
 Coal Company, and in his report speaks of it as u a bitumin- 
 " ous coal of first rate quality, and as especially adapted for 
 " gas making. It exceeds in /value for such purposes, the best 
 * bituminous coal in use in this or the New .York market, by 
 " about 7 per cent, and is remarkably free from sulphur." 
 
 The 4J to 5-feet 2-inch seam, at the old Winnifrede mines 
 on Fields creek, in Kanawha county, is bituminous with 1J 
 feet of splint at the bottom. An analysis by Prof. Locke, of 
 Cincinnati shows : 
 
 Carbon 68.53 
 
 Volatile matter 27.01 
 
 Ash ;i.22 
 
 Water 1.24 
 
 An analysis from the labratory of the Royal School of 
 Mines, in London, of the coal from the 11-foot seam, worked 
 29 
 
226 
 
 RESOURCES OF WEST VIRC4INIA. 
 
 by the Gauley Kanawha Coal Company, on Gauley Mountain, 
 in Fayette county, gives : 
 
 Ash 2.1.", per cent. 
 
 Sulpliur 0.74 
 
 Coke <>5.09 
 
 Volatile matter 8<>1 
 
 "Water 1.40 
 
 100.00 
 
 Volatile gas per ton, of 2,240 pounds, 10,100 cubic feet, of 
 17.9-candle power. 
 
 Proceeding east from the Gauley Kanawha Coal Company, 
 the hard bituminous coals disappear, and the serai-bitumin 
 ous come in. They are almost altogether shipped to the east 
 ern market, and in Richmond quote 50 cents per ton, of 2,240 
 pounds, higher than the coals from the Richmond field. They 
 make a most excellent fuel, but their great value is in the 
 admirable coke they produce. As mined at Sewell Station, by 
 the Longdale Coal and Iron Company, it is mostly made into 
 coke for use in the Company s furnace, at Longdale, in Alle- 
 ghany county, Virginia, where they succeeded in reducing 
 their fuel bill to a little over 2,200 pounds of coke per ton of 
 pig metal produced. 
 
 At the Nuttallburg Mines, it is extensively shipped both 
 raw and coked, the latter being done in open kilns. At Quin- 
 nimont, it is largely worked by the New River Car Com 
 pany, for use in their furnace, on the spot, as well as for ship 
 ment The first of the following tables gives analysis of the 
 coals from these three localities, and the second of tho cokes. 
 In the latter is added, for the sake of comparison^ an analysis 
 of a sample, composed of 49 different pieces of the celebrated 
 Councils ville colrc, of Pennsylvania : .. 
 
 COALS. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 MINK. 3 
 
 r~ r-i 
 
 
 - 
 
 - 
 
 Cliemist. 
 
 
 
 
 ^ ^ 
 
 
 3 
 
 > 
 
 X 
 
 
 ^ 
 
 
 Nuttallburu: 0000 
 
 29.59 
 
 1.07 
 
 0.7S o.:5-l 
 
 ( \ \\. 1 )\visj, lit. 
 
 Sewoll 7 %> :! ; 
 
 %> 1 :>s 
 
 5 27 
 
 0.27 1 o:5 
 
 
 Quinuimont - 
 
 18.19 
 
 4. OS 
 
 
 0.9-1 
 
 J. I ,, r.riflon. 
 
 COKES. 
 
 Nuttalllmr"- 01.22 7.5:; 0.02 
 
 ( . !<;. l)\virlit. 
 
 Sewel! 0:500 
 
 0.7:: 
 
 0.27 
 
 
 Quinnimont, No. 1 9:5. 85 
 
 0.15 
 
 o.:;o 
 
 
 ,!. i . Brit (on. 
 
 " " 2 91.72 
 
 
 5.57 
 
 0.48 
 
 
 " * 
 
 Connellsville i>7.40 ; 
 
 11. :# 
 
 O.OU 
 
 "- 
 
 . 
 
RESOURCES OF WEST VIRGINIA. 227 
 
 No. 1, Quinnimont, is of the^coke made from the coal, as 
 usually mined.,, No. 2 is^of the coked slack, or mine screen 
 ings and refuse. The ash in the Nuttallburg coal and coke 
 shows that the former was either a picked sample, or else that 
 the latter was a poor specimen. 
 
 Connellsville coke has obtained so high a reputation, and 
 justly, that there are^many persons prone to believe that it 
 can have no superior, and for such it would be well to state 
 that the analyses from Sewell and Quinnimont were made for 
 the private use of _the companies using the coal, and that of 
 Nuttallburg was made_by the State Board [of Centennial 
 Managers. 
 
 At various points in. the surrounding counties, beds of this 
 variety of fuel are found up to (> feet 2 inches thick, as, for in 
 stance, near Raleigh court-house. Everywhere that I have ex 
 amined them they contain the same tender, friable, rich, bitu 
 minous coal. As far as a physical examination goes for no 
 analysis has ever been made from this region, beyond those 
 given they are exceedingly pure and would make excellent 
 coke, and the seams have the advantage of being very free 
 from partings. 
 
 ^ Returning to the hard bituminous coals of the Kanawha 
 valley,*! have measured very many exposures, varying from 
 2 to 9 feet, on Gauley, Elk and Coal rivers, and their tributa 
 ries. In Logan, Lincoln, Wayne, &c., are, also, many valuable 
 seams as shown in the following, analyses, which are from 
 Wayne county, and as far as I can learn, all that have 
 been made for the district. In the table there is no attempt 
 to separate Splint from Bituminous, the list being given 
 merely to show the general purity of the coals ; 
 
228 
 
 RESOURCES OF WEST VIRGINIA. 
 
 i 
 
 1 
 
 If 
 J ; 
 
 T 
 
 
 
 . 
 
 I r-t 
 \ 3 
 
 1 I ;5 
 
 o ; II 
 
 
 LOCALITY. 
 
 a .5 
 
 S |O O 
 
 Chemist. 
 
 I ^^ 
 
 0) 
 
 
 J- 
 
 il 
 
 -j i r * 4 j 
 
 
 
 
 ?4 1 i 
 
 5J 
 
 TO 
 
 ~ 
 ! i? 
 
 -^ 
 
 
 ^ p I 
 
 ^Cj 
 
 
 
 j X "^ 
 
 r=. 
 
 ~t^ 
 
 fS 1 
 
 ,rr 
 
 ^ rf 
 
 
 1 *"" i 
 
 < 
 
 ^ 
 
 GO 
 
 OQ 
 
 6 
 
 
 v i 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Mouth Camp CVk ( | -.. .,- y - ,./ 
 of 12P6le. | 56.35 37.60 
 
 6.05 
 
 1.60 
 
 0.57 
 
 0.14 
 
 
 
 Worm ley. 
 
 Stephen s Br. of f ., n 1ft ; op (A 
 Laurel of 12 Pole f 60.1036.40 
 
 o.50 
 
 1.70 
 
 0-72 
 
 0.18 
 
 
 
 u 
 
 J 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Tn<* Fork 61. 181 38.741 1 SS 
 
 
 02 
 
 
 Taylor 
 
 00.54 
 
 W (5(j 
 
 2.80 
 
 
 
 003 
 
 
 
 Cassville 44.89 
 
 43.22 
 
 10.33 
 
 156 
 
 0.824 
 
 
 
 
 Dwight. 
 
 As showing the thickness of the seams in this portion of 
 the State, the following measurements of outcrops were ob 
 tained from a report on the coals of Twelve Pole river, by 
 Prof. E, B. Andrews, of the Ohio Geological Survey : 
 
 
 
 
 So 
 
 
 
 
 
 Thick 
 
 53 
 
 Am t 
 
 
 
 
 ness 
 
 
 oi 
 
 
 LOCALITY. 
 
 Character of Coal. 
 
 ot 
 
 (S 
 
 Cl ear 
 
 Remarks. 
 
 
 
 Seam. 
 
 IM 
 
 ("oal. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 ^0 
 
 
 
 Mouth Carnpf 
 Creek .. . f 
 
 Bituminous 
 
 Ft. In. 
 6 4 
 
 2 
 
 Ft. In. 
 5 f> 
 
 fl>ry burning and 
 1 verj T pure. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 [ 
 
 Sulphur Spring) 
 
 Splint 
 
 6 
 
 1 
 
 .1 S 
 
 -! Excellent quality. 
 
 < - rcek \ 
 
 
 
 
 
 ( 
 
 Stephen sEr. ) 
 
 tl 
 
 4 9 
 
 3 
 
 -1 o 
 
 
 of Laurel ( 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Wm. Wiley* 1 
 Cove Creek f 
 
 Spl t and Cannel 
 
 6 6 
 
 
 6 6 
 
 f Contains 4 ft. <J in. 
 "i Cannel. 
 
 HezekiaTis Cr k > 
 
 .- 
 
 8 2 
 
 2 
 
 7 3 
 
 (Contains 5 ft. 6 in, 
 
 j Cannel. 
 
 Brush Creek - 
 
 
 
 4 1 
 
 1 
 
 o 10 
 
 j Contains 2 ft. in. 
 1 Cannel. 
 
 The coals from all of these are spoken of in the highest 
 terms by Prof. Andrews. On numberless other creeks and 
 ravines in Wayne and the counties of Lincoln, Logan, Wyom 
 ing, and Boone, exposures of equal thickness and purity can, 
 be fou nd t 
 
RESOURCES OF WEST VIRGINIA. 220 
 
 SPLINT COAL, 
 
 Except in a local expansion on one of the seams above the 
 Pittsburgh, near Wheeling, there is no well authenticated in 
 stance of this class of coal being found in the Upper Coal 
 Measures, or in the northern-half of the State. Possibly this 
 may arise from the fact, that the attention of the miner is 
 there mainly directed to gas coal. Hard, open burning, bitu 
 minous fuels exist, but they lack the highly laminated, sonor 
 ous characteristics of splint. 
 
 Without saying that it occurs nowhere outride of the fol 
 lowing limits, the area where it is known positively to exist 
 in workable beds is in the Lower Coal Measures in B rax ton, 
 Webster, Clay, Nicholas. Fayette, Kanawha, Boone, Logan, 
 Lincoln, and Wayne counties, and its boundaries may be 
 roughly outlined as follows: Beginning at the juncture of 
 Louisa and Tug Forks of Big Sandy river, on the Kentucky 
 line, and thence in a straight northwesterly lino to the Forks 
 of Coal, in Lincoln and Kanawha ; thence to Charleston, on 
 the Kanawha : thence to the point where Elk river crosses the 
 Clay and Braxton line ; thence bending to the east and run- 
 ningto where the Elk crosses the Braxton and Webster line ; 
 thence southeasterly to the vicinity of Addison ; and thence 
 southwesterly, passing though Summers ville, in Nicholas, 
 Gauley mountain, near the Hawk s Nest, in Fayette, the ex 
 treme southern corner of Kanawha, and thence on to the com 
 mon corner of Wayne and Logan, on Tug Fork of Big Sandy. 
 It should be clearly understood that these boundaries are only 
 general, and that instead of being straight, as laid down, they 
 will run in and out in. curves, so as, in some cases, to add to 
 this area, and in others to subtract from it. 
 
 In this region it is abundant, and in admixture with more 
 or less bituminous coal is found in seams as thick as 10 and 
 11 feet. For the combined purposes of steam, domestic use, 
 and the manufacture of iron, it may be looked upon as the 
 most useful and valuable coal of the State, and even now it 
 ranks so high that in the New York retail market it quotes 
 higher than any other West Virginia coal, except cannel. Its 
 value is due to its firmness and solidity, which enables it to be 
 handled, shifted and stored with very little lo^s; it burns well ; 
 leaving but little ash has both high calorific, power and in- 
 
230 RESOURCES OF WEST VIRGINIA. 
 
 tensity ; is usually remarkably free from sulphur (iron pyrites) 
 and other impurities; has little or no tcndenccy to clinker; is 
 free from the danger of firing by spontaneous combustion 
 a great desideratum in storage and ocean transportion ; is first- 
 rate as a steam andj household fire, and it has a particular 
 adaptability in the raw state to the manufacture of iron in the 
 blast furnace, for which purpose it is eagerly sought in dis 
 tricts accessible to market, as it makes a quality of iron which 
 can only be surpassed by the use of charcoal. In this latter 
 connection, it is well to point out how this fuel is esteemed 
 in other States : 
 
 The Block Coal of Ohio, in its position in the coal, measures, 
 its structure, composition and its appearance, is exactly the 
 same as the " Splint " of Kanawha, and is well adapted, in the 
 raw state, to the smelting of iron ores. It is, indeed, a typical 
 furnace coal, and forms the fuel by which fully half of the iron 
 in the State is manufactured. It is the only fuel us-vd in the 
 furnaces of the extensive iron district of Cleveland, and is, in 
 fact, the basis of the great iron industry of Northern Ohio. 
 (Geology of Ohio, 1870, page 26 and 27.) 
 
 The u Block Coal" of Indiana, also, is the same as Kanawha 
 Splint. " As a blast furnace fuel to smelt iron ores it has been 
 amply tested in the five furnaces that are now using it in 
 Clay county, and leaves nothing to be desired. The pig iron 
 made at the Clay county blast furnaces from Iron mountain 
 and Lake Superior iron ores, by use of block coal as fuel, com 
 mands from $2 to $8 more per ton, at the furnace than the 
 same grade of pig iron made in Kenucky and Ohio will com 
 mand in Indianapolis." (Geology of Indiana, 1869, page 70). 
 
 " The reputation of the block coal for smelting iron ores 
 continues to be fully sustained by its excellent behavior in 
 the blast furnaces that are using it. * * Mr. Hicks, the 
 founder, assures me that the furnace (the Brazil) now runs 
 with the utmost regularity, and he finds no difficulty in 
 making a uniform grade of gray pig." (Geology of Indiana, 
 1872, page 9.) In the same book (page 37) Prof. Cox, the State 
 Geologist, notes a case in Clay county where only 4,250 p >unds 
 of raw block coal are required to make a ton of iron. 
 
 After four years examination and trial of these splint coals 
 in Indiana, Prof. Cox says: "I have every reason to believe? 
 
RESOURCES OF WEST VIRGINIA. 231 
 
 that, when used under the most favorable conditions, we will 
 obtain as large yields of iron with Indiana block coal fuel as 
 can be obtained from the same ores with coke." Geology of 
 Indiana, 1873, page 115.) 
 
 Let us now look at Pennsylvania. "There is no bituminous 
 coal in Pennsylvania that can be used in the raw state for 
 smelting iron except the splint or block coal, as it is com 
 monly called, of this region close to the Ohio line, in Mercer 
 county, on the Pittsburgh and Erie R. R. and the Beaver and 
 Erie Canal. * * There was nearly 500,000 tons of block 
 coal produced in Mercer countv in 1871, and twenty-three blast 
 furnaces in the district above mentioned were running on this 
 coal in that year." (Coal Regions of America, page 209). 
 
 As regards practical tests of this coal from West Virginia, 
 the following is about all that has been done. 
 
 Mr. Mendenhall, of C. C. Mendenhall & Co., tried it, and 
 speaks of ic under date of October 10, 1867, thus : " We have 
 thoroughly tested its quality for this purpose (a blast furnace 
 fuel) in our own furnace, near Wheeling, with the most satis^ 
 factory results; regarding it as better adapted to smelting iron 
 than any known coal of the Alleghany coal field. We 
 used Campbell s creek and Coalburg coals with about equal 
 results. The estimate in which our furnace manager holds 
 these coals is evidenced from the fact that I am authorized to 
 contract for a supply to be carried up the Ohio river to Wheel 
 ing, for use in our furnaces there." 
 
 Coalburg splint has also been used in the furnaces at Iron- 
 ton on the Ohio ; but they, as well as Wheeling, stopped their 
 orders several years ago, because, on account of the uncertainty 
 of the navigation of the Ohio and Kanawha rivers, they could 
 not get a regular supply, and had to keep large stocks on 
 hand. This stoppage I should mention, was before the Chesa 
 peake and Ohio railroad was completed. 
 
 The Kenton furnace, of Newport, Ky., up to 1873, had used 
 some 10,000 tons of Campbell s creek splint, mixing it with 
 an equal amount of Connellsville coke. Of this mixture it 
 took 1J tons to make one ton of iron. 
 
 In the summer of 1873 I visited the Elizabeth Furnace, 
 Augusta county , _Virginia. They were then using two-thirds 
 charcoal, and one-third Coalburg splint, with very satisfac- 
 
RESOURCES OF WEST VIRGINIA, 
 
 tory results. Since then the Lewiston splint has been a good 
 deal used and very much liked, but I am not aware that 
 Kanawha coal alone has ever been tested here. 
 
 The same summer I also visited the Buffalo Gap Furnace in 
 the same county. At that time Coalburg splint, mixed with 
 a little charcoal was the fuel, and the iron went on the mar- , 
 ket as charcoal iron. On one occasion, before my visit, the 
 supply of charcoal gave out, and they ran on raw coal alone 
 for three days, and Mr. McClure, the Superintendent, estima 
 ted that one ton of pig would take If tons of coal, which he 
 thought would produce a better iron than coke. 
 
 In the spring of 1875, the Powhatan Iron Company, near 
 Richmond, Virginia, made a test of Kanawha splint, with a 
 view of substituting it for anthracite, which they were then 
 using, but abandoned it, returning a verdict that the coal was 
 not suited for iron making. This can be amply accounted for 
 by the fact that they attempted to use it without making the 
 proper and necessary changes in their furnace. Exactly the 
 same difficulty was met with in the early days of the use of 
 splint (or block coal, as there termed), in Indiana. The fur 
 naces originally put up had a tendency to chill, and what 
 grade of iron would be tapped, was always uncertain. After 
 many experiments with changes in the interior form of the 
 furnace, they learned exactly what was required, and in 1872, 
 the Brazil " was running w T ith the utmost regularity, and the 
 founder experienced no difficulty in making a uniform grade 
 of gray pig." 
 
HESOtJRCES OF WEST VIRGINIA. 
 
 233 
 
 The following table shows the analyses of various West 
 Virginia splint coals. For the purpose of comparison, there 
 is also added the block coal of Indiana, and the Mahoning 
 Valley, Ohio, the Pittsburgh coal, and two of the best iron 
 making coals of Great Britain : 
 
 LOCALITY. 
 
 Chemisi 
 
 Campbell s Cr k. Kana- ! 
 wha j 
 
 Coalburg, 4-foot Seam, f 
 Kanawha i 
 
 Coalburg Main Seam, 
 Kanawha .. 
 
 35.64i 61.07 
 
 33.20 02.01 
 
 40.50; 50,50; 
 
 121 
 1.81 
 1.50 
 
 1 qu j Riverside Iron 
 Company. 
 
 .) ! , ( Riverside Iron 
 1 Company. 
 
 2.00J J Li-vette. Indiana. 
 
 Paint Creek Mines, 
 Kanawha j 
 
 30.1.3; 
 
 63.74| 
 
 ,:,,. 
 
 N Doremns, X. V. 
 
 jl 
 
 Kellev s Cr k, Kanawha.. 
 
 37.08 
 
 00.92; 
 
 2.00 .. 
 
 IRogers, Virginia. 
 
 Stephen s Branch, 
 Wavne j 
 
 30.40 
 
 60-10 
 
 3.50 
 
 1.70; \ Wormlev. Ohio. 
 
 1 
 
 Tug Fork, Wavne 
 
 38.74 1 
 
 61.18 . 
 
 1.88. . 
 
 Taylor, Ohio. 
 
 " < 
 
 30.00, 
 
 60.54 1 
 
 2.80... 
 
 ; " 
 
 Coal Vallev Coal Co.. ] 
 
 
 
 
 If 
 
 Upper 10 in. of Seam V i 
 
 38.32: 
 
 57.20! 
 
 4.30 
 
 0-18N D\vight, W. Vy, 
 
 Favette J 
 
 
 
 
 i ( 
 
 Briar Hill, Ohio 
 
 32.58! 
 
 62.60- 
 
 1.16 
 
 3.00jWormlev, Ohio. 
 
 Star Mine, Indiana 
 
 32.50 ! 
 
 .61.50 
 
 2.50 
 
 3.oOLevette, "Indiana. 
 
 Pittsburg Coal 
 
 41.10| 
 
 56.90 
 
 1.00 
 
 1.00 " 
 
 Cl vde Splint 
 
 30.80; 
 
 59 00! 
 
 4.20 ., 
 
 IMnshct. 
 
 Worsborrongh, Yorkshire 
 
 48.18J 
 
 00.32! 
 
 1.50 .. 
 
 .:_ __".! _. L 
 
 In conjunction with this table, I would submit an extract 
 as to what analysis gives as a good furnace coal : 
 
 "It would appear that a furnace coal, to have sufficient 
 reducing power, should have from 58 to 62 per cent, of fixed 
 carbon, with little hygrometric moisture and few impurities. 
 There should be als > such physical structure as to prevent 
 the bitumen from running together in the process of com 
 bustion and cementing the mass, and at the same time suffi 
 cient firmness to bear up under the burden of the furnace 
 30 
 
234 RESOURCES OF WEST VIRGINIA. 
 
 charge. l The effects produced by such a coal, says Mushet, in 
 a blast furnace, either as to quality or quantity of cast-iron, 
 far exceed anything in the history of the manufacture of that 
 metal with charcoal. With these coals, a greater quantity 
 of iron, in proportion to the fixed carbon, is produced than 
 with anthracite ; the quality of iron is better, and tKe wear 
 upon the furnace is less destructive."* 
 
 Now note the reputation of some of the coals given in the 
 table : The Briar Hill coal has been spoken of page 230. 
 The praise bestowed upon it is very his^h, indeed, but in the 
 same letter, from which an extract was quoted on page 231, 
 Mr. Mendenhall says : " The coal in the Mahoning valleyt 
 which is now used in tho works of Governor Todd and others 
 there, has hitherto been regarded as of the finest quality 
 known by the works which use it. but our founder, who lias 
 managed furnaces for many years in the valley, places the 
 Kanawha coal unquestionably before it." 
 
 The coal from the Star Mine is that used for making iron 
 at the Planet furnace, Clay county, Indiana, and for manu 
 facturing iron it is not surpassed by any in the country. "t 
 
 The Pittsburgh specimen is a coking coal. The analysis 
 was made of a picked sample obtained from one of the Indian 
 apolis coal dealers, by Prof. Levette, chemist on the 
 State Geological Survey of Indiana. In his report on the 
 Wayne county coals, as shown on Twelve Pole, Prof. Andrews, 
 of the Geological Survey of Ohio, says, in speaking of the 
 4-foot 9-J-inch seam, on Stephens branch : "I have seldom 
 " found a coal ^1 can commend so strongly and positively as 
 " this." 
 
 Thus we have the testimony of analyses that the West Vir 
 ginia splint ranks with the most celebrated iron coals of the 
 United States, and with two of the best British ones, whilst 
 the verdict of practical tests places it in the front rank of val 
 uable furnace fuels, one of the large iron making firms of the 
 West giving it as their opinion, that it is better adapted to 
 smelting iron than any known coal of the Alleghany coal 
 field." 
 
 -Report on the iron smelting coals of Southern Indiana, 1871. Page 14, Prof. 
 J. W. Foster, LL. I), 
 f Briar Hill, in this valley. 
 JGeology of Indiana, ISG J, Page 49. Prof. E. T. Cox, State Geologist. 
 
RESOURCES OF WEST VIRGINIA. 
 
 235 
 
 Another glance at the table will show a very small propor 
 tion of ash. This fact has a two-fold importance : 
 
 1. The smaller the quantity of ash the less limestone is re 
 quired in the furnace to flux it : less slag is formed from that 
 particular source, and consequently less heat and less coal are 
 needed in forming that chemical compound in the blast fur 
 nace. 
 
 2. It is well known that phosphorus makes iron "cold 
 short," i. e., brittle under a blow: imparts fluidity to cast iron, 
 but spoiling it for the manufacture of steel. 
 
 Prof. Wormley, Chemist on the Geological Survey of Ohio, 
 in his analysis of the ashes of coal, finds phosphorus present 
 in every case, though, of course, in variable quantities.* The 
 same was found to be the case in the analysis made of ten 
 noted coals for Prof. S. Newberry, State Geologist of Ohio. 
 
 Phosphorus no doubt, therefore, occurs in those from Ka- 
 nawha; but as in all cases it forms but a small percentage of 
 the ash, and as in the Kanawha splints the ash forms such a 
 small percentage of the coal itself, therefore the phosphorus will 
 form but a small percentage of the coal itself. 
 
 It is due to this fact, amongst others, that splint coal, 
 wherever found, owes its superiority in the blast furnace; and 
 also, I have no doubt, that it is said, that iron smelted by it is 
 especially adapted to the manufacture of steel by the Bessemer 
 process, which process is superseding all others 
 
 Its firmness and capability of bearing handling and trans 
 portation ha^ been remarked on; but this will be better ap 
 preciated when it is stated, that where it has been thrown out 
 on the mountain side many years ago, from old openings, it 
 may be found in many cases covered with moss, while on the 
 shoals of the creeks and rivers are scattered lumps, varying 
 from the size of a pebble up to 20 and 30 pounds weight, 
 smooth and water-worn. How long they have been there no 
 man can tell, and yet break them in either case and they are 
 as black, rich, pure, sound and solid as when first severed from 
 the mother seam. 
 
 This hardness has an admirable illustration in a cargo ot 
 lump coal that was shipped to New York by the Kanawha 
 Semi-Cannel Coal Co. It was closely examined during the. 
 
 - Geological Survey of Ohio, 1870, page 428, 
 
236 RESOURCES OF WEST VIRGINIA. 
 
 loading of the vessel in Richmond, and while discharging in 
 New York, out of the whole cargo only about two tons had 
 been broken up into sizes of " egg " and " nut. ? 
 
 As regards its advantages for steam and reheating furnaces, 
 it has been largely tried both in the east and west, and is 
 rapidly gaining popularity wherever introduced, but, unfor 
 tunately, the mines are usually careless in getting the re 
 sults of such practical tests, so that but very few detailed ones 
 are accessible, and all that I have been able to obtain for this 
 work are as follows: On the completion of the Chesapeake and 
 Ohio R . R. in 1873, a trial of this coal was made by the Trede- 
 gar Iron Works of Richmond. This test brought forth the 
 report, " that we have made a limited trial of the Kanawha 
 kb splint coal. That, however, was sufficient to satisfy us of 
 u its admirable qualities for the heating furnace. The only 
 " question as to its use on a large scale here, is the price at 
 which it can be delivered." 
 
 In the winter of 1875-6, the steamers of the New York and 
 Harlem Steamboat Co. were using Kanawha coal, and the en 
 gineers report a preference for it, as they could raise steam on 
 short notice and could bank their fires over night wUh the 
 certainty of quick combustion and ready steam in the morn 
 ing, which they could not count on without re-lighting when 
 other coals, to which they were accustomed, were in use. The 
 Bridgew:iter Iron Co., of Massachusetts, made a very limited 
 trial of the coal from the Kanawha Serni-Cannel Coal Co., 
 which induced them to give an order for some 307 ton^, which 
 they used under their boilers and in the rolling mills. They 
 .reported it as being superior to any bituminous coal formerly 
 used, and entered into contracts for farther supplies. This 
 same Coal Co. is also supplying the Mantanzas and Havana 
 R. R. Co., in Cuba, with its fuel. 
 
 For steam purposes the most satisfactory tests (because the 
 most in detail), have been obtained from the Kentucky Cen : 
 tral, Chesapeake and Ohio, and the Atlantic. Mississippi and 
 Ohio railroads. The former made a months careful tests of 
 Youghiogheny, Pa., and Ashland, Ky., coal, witrh a result of 
 3i) pounds in the former case, end 43 pounds in the latter, 
 consumed per mile run, for freight and passenger traffic. The 
 rrr-.r 5 , x ,b? r . bought its fuel frora the Coalburg mines, in Karia- 
 
RESOURCES OF WEST VIRGINIA. 237 
 
 wha, and a months trial gave 25 pounds per mile run. At 
 the end of 12 months the fuel books showed that the average 
 for the year (including what had baen used of ail three kinds 
 named above) was 32.1 pounds per mile run for all kinds of 
 service. The difference between the 25 pounds and 32.1 pounds 
 can be accounted for by the care exercised while testing, with 
 a view to contract for a year s supply, the difference in the 
 seasons, and condition of the track (the first trial being made 
 in the summer), and the one month s use of the lower grade 
 Youghiogheny and Ashland, which, of course, tended to bring 
 down the average. For the following information concerning 
 the trials on the Chesapeake and Ohio, and Atlantic, Missis 
 sippi and Ohio, railroads I am indebted to the kinJness of 
 Gen. J. M. St. John, the Consulting Engineer of the former : 
 
 u Our best monthly average for C. 0. engine perform 
 ance is 29.62 pounds coal, per mile run. for passenger 
 service, with loaded engine and tenders, weighing 88,000 to 
 90,000 pounds, and five cars weighing 220,700 pounds. Sum 
 of ascents, Richmond to Huntington,* west, 6,271 feet ; descents, 
 west, 5,639 feet. This monthly average includes all wastage 
 and deterioration of fuel on hand, and for train detention, a 
 per centage of lo-s that should always be considered in com 
 paring statements of engine performance, and which is often 
 large enough to explain the difference cited in your letter of 
 llth of February, between the 25 pound trial trip on the Ken 
 tucky Central and their 32.1-pound average. 
 
 In this connection, I have just received from the Atlantic, 
 Mississippi and Ohio railroad, a report of Le \\iston (Kana- 
 wha) coal, which may interest you : 
 
 Weight of engine and tender, loaded 110,300 pounds. 
 
 " " train, west. ears., exclusive of engine 273,250 
 
 " " " east, 5 " I " " 214.000 
 
 Sum of ascents, west, (Lynch burg to Bristol) 4,815 feet- 
 
 " " descents, u " " 3,755 " 
 
 Maximum grade, 70 feet per mile; curve, 7 degrees; coa] 
 consumed per round trip, of 408 miles, 29.02 pounds per mile 
 run. 
 
 Allowing for the difference of grades between the Atlantic, 
 Mississippi and Ohio, and the Kentucky Central the results 
 
 *Distanc<;, 4 27 miles; maximum grade, going west, T.I feet per mile; lowest 
 radius of curve, 1,000 feet, 
 
RESOURCES OF WEST VIRGINIA. 
 
 of the two trial trips do not vary essentially, while the Ches 
 apeake and Ohio monthly average is probably a more reliable 
 guide than either for estimating the value of Kanawha coals." 
 The fuels used during this monthly average, by the C. it O. 
 R. R., were from Levviston, Coatburg, and Coal valley, the two 
 last being respectively about 4 and 13 miles east of the first, 
 thus showing the distribution, in the Kanawha valley, of a 
 first-rate article for steam. 
 
 CANNEL COAIi 
 
 May be termed a "fancy" article, as it sells at high prices, 
 and the seams are erratic, varying from zero to 5J feet. It is 
 universally associated with some other kind of coal, usually 
 bituminous, a very fortunate circumstance, as in mining the 
 41 bearing in " can be done in this latter, leaving the whole of 
 the cannel available, and as it separates very easily from the 
 others, a 10 or 12-inch stratum in a large seam can be gotten 
 out profitably and shipped by itself. Were it otherwise it 
 would have to be mined with the rest and t-old at the smaller 
 prices of lower grades. 
 
 Unfortunately, from the peculiarity of its geological deposi 
 tion, it cannot be stated over what area any given seam of it 
 will be found, or how long it will last of any given thickness, 
 so that it cannot be reasoned that, because a 5- foot seam is 
 found on the northern edge of, say 5,000 acres, it will be found 
 on the southern edge. The seam will be found, but the cannel 
 may have been completely displaced by another kind of coal. 
 This will be made more clear by a few examples : 
 
 The celebrated Bog-head cannel, of Scotland, varied from 1 
 inch to 2 feet 6 inches. The cannel in the seam at C.innel- 
 ton, on the Kanawha, has extremes, in the present mine, of 
 10 inches and o feet, the average being 89 to 42 inches. 
 About half a mile to the west the seam has increased to 
 10 feet 4 inches of splint and bituminous, but without 
 out a semblance of cannel, while to the east, arid across the 
 river, the latter is so thin as not to be workable. At Peyton a, 
 on Coal river, the; thinest place yet found in the seam now 
 worked is 2 feet f> inches, and the thickest : :> > feet 8 inches. 
 The entry is about half a mile from the river, on the other 
 side of which the cannel has disappeared. 
 
 Another example : Some four miles up Paint creek, before 
 
RESOURCES OF WEST VIRGINIA. 239 
 
 the war, two companies made Qil from this mineral. On the 
 east side of the creek a seam was opened and worked till the 
 cannel stratum became too thin to get out easily. An open 
 ing was then made on the west side, about 800 yards from the 
 first, and the cannel was found 40 inches. A mile to the west 
 the same bed is opened to its usual thickness, but the cannel 
 has dwindled down to 14 inches. 
 
 From its frequency in the southern portion of the State ? 
 there is no telling where it may not bs found, but only an ac 
 tual opening on it can prove its existence, and in searching 
 for it, and in determining the extent of a deposit, the annular 
 diamond drill can be most advantageously used. 
 
 Its principal development in West Virginia appears to be 
 in the area assigned to Splint Coal, though with more con 
 tracted boundary lines, and in this the thickest exposures yet 
 observed, are as follows : 
 
 Locality. Thickness. 
 
 Ft 
 
 Wayne ! Laurel Branch of Hezekiah (outcrop) "> 
 
 iBrush ("reek (outcrop) - 
 
 Cove Creek " 4 
 
 Logan iNine mile of Guyandotte (outcrop) | :> 
 
 Boone Workman s Branch 4 
 
 i: Peytona Coal Co. Lower Seam (average) > 
 
 Kanawha.. Paint Creek Coal Co. (thickest place) ; 3 
 
 iMill Creek Coal Co. (reported) i 4 
 
 Fay ette.... Cannel ton Coal Co. (average) | 
 
 Nicholas. ..jLittle Elk of Gauley (outcrop) | 
 
 In the northern half of the State this coal seems to accom 
 pany only one bed, viz : the Upper Freeport, and but little is 
 known of it, for it has never been worked except in one case 
 noted hereafter and there are no analyses except of the expo 
 sure at Lost run, in Taylor county. 
 
 In Monongalia county, on Tibb s run, a branch of Decker s 
 creek, the Upper Freeport was examined by Prof. Stevenson, 
 who reports that "the shale above it for several feet, is very 
 bituminous, with a conchoidal fracture, and is undoubtedly 
 " a cannel coal of inferior quality. Tn an exposure of this 
 seam on Sand run. Randolph county, is a poor cannel of 2 feet 
 6 inches, which a mile distant shows 1 foot 1 inch; at Nuzum s 
 
240 RESOURCES OF WEST VIRGINIA. 
 
 Mill, Marion county, it show.s 1 foot. On Prickett s creek, in 
 the same county, we have the general statement that the can- 
 nel is thicker, hut no measurement of it. On Lost run, in 
 Taylor county, is a seam composed of 
 
 Bituminous Coal, 1 it. 6 in. 
 
 Cannel " 2 " " 
 
 Bituminous " . ... 3 " 6 
 
 Total, 7 ft, in. 
 
 In this the cannel, though very handsome in appearance, 
 is of very poor quality, as will he seen by its analysis in the 
 next table. 
 
 On White Day creek, in the northern part of Taylor county, 
 is a seam composed of 2 feet of bituminous and 3J feet of can- 
 nel. In 1859 the White Day Cannel Coal & Oil Company, 
 purchased 1250 acres here, and erected extensive buildings and 
 machinery for the purpose of distilling oil from the cannel. 
 After five or six weeks profitable running, a careless manage 
 ment allowed fire to reach the gas in the condensing pipes, 
 which exploded the works. It was decided to rebuild them, 
 but the discovery of petroleum caused an abandonment of the 
 idea, and the property was sold. Mr. Hiram Winchester, who 
 was formerly connected with these works, and who kindly 
 furnished the above account, writes that the coal yielded about 
 37 gallons ot crude oil per ton. This is very low, and would 
 seem to indicate that the coal would be poor in gas, which is 
 the element that gives cannel its great value. The Peytona 
 cannel of Boone county, gives 
 
 Crude Illuminating Oil, 20 gals. 
 
 Crude Lubricating Oil, 52 
 
 Oily Farafin, 7.2 " 
 
 79.2 " * 
 
 Cannelton cannel, Fayette county, yielded by the treatment 
 of the Union Oil Company, 2 gallons per bushel, or 56 gallons 
 per ton. This is really not the full yitld, for when the retorts 
 were taken up, the present company found there had been 
 considerable waste and leakage. Two companies on Paint 
 creek, and one on Mill creek, Kanawha county, formerly dis 
 tilled oil from this mineral. They were stopped chiefly on 
 
 "The New York Times, 1856. This is the latest information on this point I 
 can find. The coal wa* jiwver distilled on a lurj;* seal*, that I am aware of. 
 
RESOURCES OF WEST VIRGINIA. 
 
 241 
 
 account of the war, and have not resumed operations since, 
 partly from lack of capital, but mainly from t-be discoveries of 
 the cheaper Petroleum. There are now no oil works of this 
 class, in operation in the State. 
 
 The chief value of this coal is as a gas producer. For this 
 purpose, that from West Virginia has no superior in America. 
 The only two mines in operation within our borders at this 
 date, are the Cannelton Coal Company, on the Kauawha. and 
 the Peytona Coal Company, on Coal river. The quotations 
 for their article are higher, without an exception, in all mar 
 kets that they reach, than any other fuel mined in the United 
 States. 
 
 To better appreciate the high results of the analyses, from 
 Peytona and Cannelton, in the following table, the reader 
 should compare them with the bituminous coai some pages 
 back : 
 
 
 
 i 5; 
 
 
 , 
 
 i 
 
 .. 
 r 
 
 i ^x ! 
 
 
 
 : ~ 
 
 ->- 
 
 - r "*" X 
 
 i 
 
 
 
 . 
 
 *NV r ; 
 
 > 
 
 
 TY.: Locality, "b 
 
 pr 
 
 2 : 
 
 
 Chemist. 
 
 i 
 
 _; , 
 
 : " - o 
 
 a 
 
 
 ^ 
 
 ^ ; 
 
 : ~ ^1 
 
 "T 
 
 
 : X 
 
 :- 
 
 3 i |^ ; 
 
 1 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 f Manhattan 
 
 Teytona- ! 4!.0 
 
 400 ; 
 
 13.0 ; 13,200 
 
 32.00 
 
 ^ (i-as Lip it 
 ( Co , X. Y. 
 
 i i 
 
 
 
 
 ( Manhattan 
 
 Fayette....jCannelton... 23.r> I oS.O | 18.5 12,025. 45.0 \-{ Gas Light 
 
 i I Co., N.Y, 
 
 Kanawha.1. 
 
 Taylor Lost Run 4232: 23.08J 34.01: I 
 
 iTwelve Pole.l 42.59 ! 49.40! 7.41:.. 
 
 C. E. Dwight. 
 
 Before leaving this coal, attention should be called to the 
 bituminous or cannel shale that is very often mistaken for it 
 There are many outcroppings of it varying from a few incher 
 to 5 or more feet. In appearance it is like cannel, but from 
 which it can usually be distinguished by its greater specific 
 gravity and slaty structure, this latter being particularly 
 observable where the blocks have been exposed for some time 
 to the weathering action of the atmosphere. It burns well, 
 evolving great heat, and igniting readily, but leaves so large 
 
 *At 10.000 cubic feet per ton, the illuminating power was 41,10 candles. 
 ol 
 
242 RESOURCES OF WEST VIRGINIA. 
 
 an amount of ash as to be unfit for fuel. It seems to be almost, 
 if not quite, as rich in oils as the caiinel itself, and, if Petro 
 leum was still undiscovered, would be a very valuable source 
 of illuminating oils, whereas, at present, it is of no value. 
 The similitude to cannel is so marked that in some cases 
 the most practiced observer has to be very careful not to be 
 deceived, and it has been the cause of erroneous rumors and 
 many false hopes started. As an example we can cite the 
 case of a company, in West Virginia, improving a property, 
 building an incline, and opening a mine, to find out, after 
 their money was gone, that they were shipping an unmar 
 ketable article, and of another, so- deceived were they by 
 appearance, that built the incline and opened the mine, to 
 discover that their "cannel" contained 52 per cent of ash. 
 Experientia docet. 
 
 MARKETS. 
 
 First, there is the Eastern one of the Atlantic seaboard 
 states which are reached by the Baltimore and Ohio railroad, 
 in the north, and the Chesapeake and Ohio railroad, in the 
 south, and next is the Western one, of the great Mississippi 
 valley, with its 16,674 miles of waters navigable for steam 
 boats, and its system of 20,000 miles of railroads now in suc 
 cessful operation, and its hundreds ot thousands of coal 
 burning engines, locomotives, factories, furnaces, machine 
 shops, &c. 
 
 These rivers and railroads traverse the country of 16 mag 
 nificent, populous, and growing States, of an aggregate 
 of one million square miles, and minister to the wants of 
 abont one-third of the population of the United States. 
 
 To form a better idea of the wealth and demands of this 
 western country, it may be stated that the tonnage of the 
 Upper Ohio, in steamers, barges and boats, exceeds that of 
 New York, and that the trade of the Ohio river, as estimated 
 by Government Engineers, exceeds the entire foreign commerce 
 of the United States. 
 
 Before the war, the consumption of mineral fuel was 
 increasing year by year, at a rapid rate throughout the 
 West, and as the growth of that region in population and 
 wealth has been even more rapid since that time, so the 
 demand for coal has [increased, and must do so, to enormous 
 bounds. 
 
RESOURCES OF WEST VIRGINIA. 243 
 
 Again, not only does the market become greater by increase 
 of population, but it makes larger demands, year by year, 
 from additions and improvements to the arts and manufac 
 tures ; for every new invention of a labor saving machine 
 usually implies a new source for the use of coal, either directly, 
 in the production of steam to run it, or indirectly, in produc 
 ing heat or steam for its manufacture, and often for both. 
 
 Surely with so excellent fuels as West Virginia possesses, it 
 may with all reison, look forward to the time when it may 
 contribute no small per centage of this growing increase. 
 
 The cannel and the gas coals will, from their superiority, 
 grow yearly in favor, and become more in demand, and the 
 State can expect larger and larger exportations. But for splint 
 and pure coking coals that are suitable to iron making, the 
 greatest demand will not be from abroad, but in home markets. 
 By this is meant the consumption that will be found within 
 or near our own borders in the blast furnace and its attendant 
 industries. 
 
 Besides the iron ores found in the Coal Measures of West 
 Virginia, its eastern side forms part of the great iron belt of 
 the United States, which runs from northern Pennsylvania to 
 middle Alabama, and is so richly developed in our State and 
 Virginia, between the Alleghanies and the Blue Ridge. 
 
 In this belt the ores, for the most part, are the brown 
 oxides, yielding in Virginia from 40 to 50 per cent, of iron. 
 They are usually worked in open quarries, and though fine 
 in the northern portion of the State, increase, both in quality 
 and quantity, as we follow the belt in its southwesterly course, 
 till in the last counties to the south they are very rich. 
 
 In treating of the geology of this portion of Virginia and 
 West Virginia, Professor Rogers says : " Of the twelve rocks, 
 each marked by certain distinctive characteristics, composing 
 the mountains and valleys of this region, it has been deter 
 mined that at least eight are accompanied by beds of iron ore."* 
 
 General Haupt,t in speaking of the minerals along the line 
 of his road, which runs in this iron belt across the State of 
 Virginia, says : " The iron deposits are very numerous, and 
 of superior quality. Pennsylvania, rich as she is, is poor in 
 iron ores as compared with Virginia. 
 
 -Geology of Virginia. 183(>. "W. B. Rogers, State Geologist, 
 f Chief Engineer ot the Shenandoah Valley Railroad, 
 
244 RESOURCES OF WEST VIRGINIA, 
 
 On the eastern edge of this iron country, on both sides of 
 the Blue Ridge, are the magnetic and red haematite ores. On 
 the James river, in the counties of Bedford, Amherst, Nelson, 
 Buckingham, &c., the magnetics are exceedingly fine, and in 
 Patrick, Henry. Grayson, Floyd and Carrol counties, they, as 
 well as the brown oxides, also abound. 
 
 Scattered throughout this belt are many charcoal furnaces, 
 some of them producing metal of such quality that in 1871 it 
 was bringing 55 to $56 per ton in Philadelphia, while the 
 Pennsylvania iron on the Lehigh, was selling for $35, 
 
 A furnace of 6 to 7 tons daily capacitj , requires about 200 
 acres of ordinary Virginia forest to supply it with fuel for a 
 year, and hence it will be seen that timber is too soon stripped 
 from the vicinity of a furnace to depend on it as a smelting 
 i,gpt in very large and extensive works; while in rolling 
 mills, c-, coal, ia a necessity. These ores will, therefore, look 
 to other sources for their reduction, and they must turn to 
 West Virginia coal, for besides being most excellent for this 
 purpose, they are the nearest. 
 
 In the history of the iron trade, the ore usually has come to 
 the coal, and not the cjal to the ore : but in this case, owing to 
 the nea,i 4 iictf of the one to the other, a reciprocity ot freights 
 v r ili be established, and each will be taken into the other s 
 district, and when brought into communication along the 
 length of the State, we can look forward to the day when 
 West Virginia and the bordering iroi* counties of Virginia will 
 be teeming hives of industry and wealth, and one of the most 
 important centres of the iron manufacture of the United 
 States, while the ever consuming fires of the blast furnace will 
 furnish one of the largest markets for our fuels. 
 
 The following tables show the quotations of the chief West 
 Virginia coals in the principal eastern and western markets to 
 which they are carried. For the sake of comparison, their 
 greatest rivals from other States, are also added. The prices 
 are taken from the quotations given in the Engineering and 
 Mining Journo-1, on the first Saturday of each of the six months 
 ending 1st April, 1876. 
 
RESOURCES OF WEST VIRGINIA. 
 
 245 
 
 NEW YORK. 
 
 "Wholesale Per Ton of 2,240 Pounds Alongside 
 
 COAL. 
 
 State, 
 
 ! 
 
 : Nov. 
 
 Dec. 
 
 Jan. 
 
 Feb. March April. 
 
 Westmoreland and ) 
 Per n j 
 
 Penna.. 
 W Va 
 
 ., SO 50 
 
 .; 0.50 
 0.50 
 
 S0.50 
 
 (i 50 
 
 0.50 
 0-50 
 0.50 
 0.50 
 8.50 
 10.00 
 11.00 
 11.50 
 0.50 
 
 $0.50 
 
 0.50 
 
 0.50 
 0.50 
 6.50 
 50 
 8.50 
 10.00 
 11.01 
 11.00 
 50 
 
 r ~~ 
 i ~f 
 
 $0.00 
 
 5.75 
 
 6 00 
 6.00 
 
 o.oo 
 
 0.00 
 
 8.50 
 
 so.oo 
 
 5.75 
 
 0.00 
 0.00 
 000 
 0.00 
 
 8.50 
 
 Youghiogheny, 1 
 Waveny County.. / 
 Despard 
 
 Murphy s Run 
 
 lYnna.. 
 Ohio 
 W.vVa, 
 
 050 
 0.50 
 (5.50 
 . 8.50 
 . 10.00 
 . 11.00 
 11.50 
 6.50 
 
 Fairmont 
 
 Newburg Orrel 
 
 Red Bank Cannel 
 Straitsville " 
 Caimeltoii " 
 Paytona " 
 Canneltoii Splint 
 
 10.51 
 
 ooc 
 
 10.50 
 10.50 
 6.00 
 
 PvICHMOXD, VA. 
 
 "Wholesale Per Ton of 2, 240 Pounds on Ship Board. 
 
 COAL. 
 
 State. 
 
 Nov. 
 
 Dec. 
 
 Jan. 
 
 i 
 Feb. March] April. 
 
 Kanawha Cannel W. Va. 
 Coalburg Splint " 
 Lewiston " " 
 
 $12.00 S12.00S1200 
 4 90 4.75 4.75 
 4.90 ! 475 4.75 
 
 $9.00 
 4.75 
 4.75 
 
 so.oo: $9.00 
 
 4.75 4.75 
 4.75 4.75 
 
 Kanawha Gas 
 
 4.501 4 50 4.50 
 
 4 50 
 
 4.50 4.50 
 
 New River bituminous " 
 Clover Hill Va, 
 James River ) u 
 Bituminous j j 
 
 4.50; 4.50 4 50 
 4.2"); 4.25 4.25 
 
 3.30 3 30 3 30 
 
 4.50 
 4.00 
 
 : , 30 
 
 4.50 4.50 
 4.00 4 00 
 
 330 3.30 
 
 CINCINNATI, OHIO. 
 
 "Wholesale Per Bushel Afloat. 
 
 COAL 
 
 Nov. Dec. 
 
 I 
 
 Jan. j Feb. March April. 
 
 Youghiogheny 
 
 Pittsburgh 
 
 Penna... 
 Penna... 
 Ohio 
 
 lOc 
 lOc 
 8c 
 lOc 
 
 lOc 
 lOc 
 
 8c 
 lOc 
 
 9c 
 
 9c 
 Oc 
 lOc 
 
 7}c i 
 7Ac ; 
 
 _f I 
 7$c \ 
 
 7-]c 
 7|c 
 5c 
 
 7 2 C 
 
 7.1c 
 7Jc 
 5Jc 
 
 7|c 
 
 Pomerov 
 
 Kanawha 
 
 W. Va... 
 
 LOUISVILLE, KY. 
 
 Retail Per Bushel. 
 
 COAL. State. 
 
 Nov. 
 
 Dec. 
 
 Jan. 
 
 Feb. 
 
 ~ j 
 j March. 
 
 April. 
 
 Pittsburgh Penna . . . 
 Raymond : 
 
 City \\. Va... 
 
 Pine ffilLJKy 
 
 Pevtona 
 
 14c 
 
 13c 
 13c 
 
 14c 
 
 13c 
 
 14c 
 
 13c 
 
 Cannel. ..[W. Va..~ 20 to 22c|20 to 22ci20 to 22c 
 
 14c 
 
 i:]c 
 13c 
 
 14c 
 
 13c 
 13c 
 
 20 to 22ci20 to 22c 20 to 22c 
 
 lie 
 13c 
 
24fi RESOURCES OF WEST VIRGINIA. 
 
 A final summing up of the advantages possessed by the West 
 Virginia coal field, are : 
 
 1st. A very large area of coal strata of unusual -regularity, 
 great thickness and excellent quality. 
 
 2d. In this coal field are numerous seams of splint, cannel, 
 and bituminous coal, which rank with, and sometimes excel 
 the best coals of the Tnited States. 
 
 3rZ. It has railroad connection with the western markets, as 
 well as communication with 40,000 miles of western river 
 navigation and railroads, along which are many large and 
 manufacturing towns. 
 
 4th. Within its boundaries, and skirting its eastern borders, 
 are deposits of iron ore of good quality, in great profusion, and 
 of all the varieties necessary for the manufacture of first rate 
 iron. 
 
 bth. The vast deposits of ore in the adjoining State of Vir 
 ginia, have to look to the West Virginia coal field for the fuesl 
 for their reduction. 
 
 These facts should commend our State in the most confident 
 terms to the careful notice of those who desire an advantage 
 ous location for mining coal, and for the erection of blast fur 
 naces and their allied industries. 
 
CHAPTER XI. 
 IRON. 
 
 BY M. F. MAURY. 
 
 The iron to be found in West Virginia may be divided into 
 two classes : 
 
 1. Those ores which belong to, and are found in the Appa 
 lachian Coal Measures, consisting of Brown Oxides, Carbon 
 ates, and Black Bands, and in some places, nodular red 
 hematite. 
 
 2. Those which belong to the region lying between the 
 eastern escarpment of the coal formation and the eastern 
 border of the State, forming a part of the great iron belt of 
 the Atlantic States, and consisting of the brown and red 
 haematites, which are much more rich and abundant than 
 those of the first class. 
 
 IRON ORES OF THE COAL MEASURES. 
 
 Little attention has been paid to the iron of this geological 
 horizon, except in the northern counties, where a few small 
 blast furnaces have worked the native ores. With these excep 
 tions, as there was generally no cheap and convenient outlet, 
 and consequently no great value for this mineral or its pro 
 duct, it has not possessed much attraction for the people at 
 large, and but little attention has been paid to it. 
 
 A careful geological survey may, and no doubt will, show 
 that we possess more workable beds of it than are now known, 
 and in fact, within the last two years most valuable searns of 
 Black Band ores have been uncovered, the presence of which 
 was not thought of before. 
 
 Laboring under these disadvantages, and with a great lack 
 
248 RESOURCES OF WEST VIRGINIA. 
 
 of data, only a very imperfect sketch of this mineral element 
 of wealth can at present be given. 
 
 In the chapter on Coal, it will be remembered that the Coal 
 Measures were divided into four great divisions, viz.: 
 
 The Lower Coal Measures. 
 
 The Lower Barren Measures. 
 
 The Upper Coal Measures. 
 
 The Upper Barren Measures. 
 
 With but one exception (in Jackson county), so far as exam 
 inations go, it is only the first two that in West Virginia con 
 tain workable beds of ore, which may be divided into Carbon 
 ates and Black Bands. 
 
 Black Band Iron Ore. This is nothing more than a Carbon 
 ate of Iron, of a more or less black color, by reason of an. 
 admixture of bituminous matter. So far as yet known, it is 
 confined entirely to the southern part of the State, where it 
 has been discovered only within the last few years. From the 
 fact of its very often resembling black slate in its structure, it 
 may often have been passed over unnoticed, and careful. search 
 will no doubt show it in many places, where it is not now sus 
 pected. 
 
 It is a class of material that makes an excellent iron, and 
 from which much of the celebrated Scotch pig is smelted. It 
 possesses an especial value, from the fact that, in many cases, 
 a low grade ore can be roasted into a higher grade. For 
 instance, take that from Davis creek, in Kanawha county. 
 Where mined, it contains 33 per cent of metallic iron, and 26 
 per cent, of carbonaceous matter. By piling it in heaps, and 
 setting fire thereto, the carbonaceous matter is burnt out, and 
 in the process of combustion, generates enough heat to con 
 vert the carbonate of iron in the ore into a richer oxide, so 
 that the mass, after being thus roasted, analyses 65 per cent, 
 of metallic iron. 
 
 Unfortunately, we can never reckon or depend upon any 
 seam of it continuing of a uniform value, for in one place it 
 will contain an ore well worth working, while half a mile off it 
 may become so mixed with slate or earthy impurities as to be 
 utterly valueless. As an example: On Bell creek, Fayette 
 county, an excellent bed about 4 feet thick was found by 
 Mr. L. Bemelmans, of Charleston. Some 2 or 3 miles from 
 
RESOURCES OF WEST VIRGINIA* 249 
 
 this place, up a ravine a short distance below the mouth of 
 Bell, the same seam showed only 12 to 14 inches of the good 
 material, while on Little Elk run, of Gauley river, some 
 three miles to the north, the results of two analyses from the 
 same seam gave only 5 and 7 per cent, respectively, of metal 
 lic iron. If we search for it in another direction, it may open 
 to a very valuable deposit. From this irregularity, and from 
 the fact that it has been well proven in this field, it will be 
 readily understood that careful search may find it in many 
 places where it has never yet been noticed, and wherever it JB 
 found in workable quantity its presence adds great value to 
 the land. 
 
 So new is this ore to our people that it has been discovered 
 in workable strata in only two counties. 
 
 The first is in Wayne, near the Big Sandy river. There 
 has been no analysis of it from this place, but one made by E. 
 S. Wayne, of Cincinnati, from the 2-J-feet seam in Kentucky, 
 a short distance from the West Virginia line, shows : 
 
 Prot. Oxide Iron - . 54.07 
 
 Per Oxide Iron 231 
 
 Alumina .43 
 
 Lime ,. . 7.31 
 
 Magnesia 0.30 
 
 Carbonic Acid 37.40 
 
 Phosphoric Acid 17 
 
 Sulphur 34 
 
 Organic Matter * 0.45 
 
 Insoluble Matter 3.34 
 
 Water 2.30 
 
 100.00 
 Metallic Iron 28.12 per cent. 
 
 The second is on Davis and Briar creeks, in Kanawha 
 county, where many openings have been made, and its extent 
 over a large area well proven. The seam is 6 to 7 feet thick, 
 and in this are from 4 to 5 feet of good workable ore. 
 
 An analysis by Otto Wuth, of Pittsburgh, Pa., gives: 
 
 Silicic Acid 4.04 
 
 Carbonate of Iron 68.35 
 
 Phosphoric; Acid 0.58 
 
 Sulphur . 0.42 
 
 Carbonaceous Matter, some Lime and Alumina 20.02 
 
 100.00 
 Metallic Iron , 33 per cent, 
 
 32 
 
250 RESOURCES OF WEST VIRGINIA. 
 
 Thoroughly roasted, it would then contain about 6.5 per 
 cent of metallic iron, while there is more than enough car 
 bonaceous matter to roast it. I consider it a Black Band ore 
 of the first quality." (Otto Wutli). 
 
 On Bell creek, in Fayette, Little Elk run, in Nicholas, and 
 Little Sycamore creek, of Elk river, in Clay, outcrops of it 
 have been observed. 
 
 Carbonate of Iron. Under this head may also be classed the 
 Brown Haematites of the Coal Measures, as they are merely 
 the results of the decomposition of the Carbonates, and in 
 fact, when a seam of the former is discovered, we may expect 
 it to turn into the latter as soon as we go far enough under 
 ground to get beyond atmospheric influences. 
 
 We see the result of this decomposition in the pieces of 
 Brown Oxide that are found on the hills in every portion of 
 the State. These have lead to many erroneous ideas as to the 
 richness of certain localities in this mineral, which came origi 
 nally from the carbonates of iron existing in the beds that 
 were once superimposed upon the present strata, and have 
 long since been worn away by erosion. As this took place, the 
 lighter materials wore washed off by the currents, while the 
 heavier ore Fettled down and was left, resting on our hill sides. 
 Sometimes a great deal was deposited in one place, and the soil 
 is full of it, while in others but a single lump w r as left, and 
 hence it is that on many of our mountains w r e find the u blos 
 som " of good ore, and yet have no bed of it near by. 
 
 Like the Black Band, the seams of Carbonate of Iron are 
 quite variable, so that in one locality they will be workable, 
 while in another they may have thinned down or degenerated 
 so much from an admixture of earthy impurities, as to be 
 worthless. They usually contain more or less Carbonate ot 
 Lime, which is of much importance in the blast furnace, in 
 helping to flux out any earthy impurities that may be present. 
 
 By roasting, the carbonic acid of this ore is driven off, and 
 the mass is converted i nto the red oxide. As the former, when 
 pure, contains 48.3 per cent of iron, and the latter 70 per cent., 
 it will at once be perceived that a thorough burning will raise 
 the per c>iitage so that an ore of low grade can often be roasted 
 to a higher one a very fortunate circumstance, as otherwise 
 many of our seams would be too poor to be of value. 
 
RESOURCES OF WEST VIRGINIA. 251 
 
 With the present lack of information, we are not able to 
 trace the various seams from point to point, showing how 
 they thin out or thicken up, and can only mention the indi 
 vidual localities where the;/ have been opened. This will 
 show the frequent occurrence of this mineral, and gives reason 
 to believe that very many more localities with workable de 
 posits, can be found. 
 
 Mineral and Grant Counties. lu that portion of these coun 
 ties that is underlaid by the Coal Measures, the ores that have 
 been discovered, though very good, are not usually workable, 
 on account of the thinness of the beds. The following are the 
 analyses that have been made from this region by Prof. Rogers : 
 
 
 No 1. 
 
 ! i 
 No. 2.|No. 3.|No. 4. 
 
 j 
 
 No. 5. 
 
 Curb. Iron . 
 
 79.56 
 3 36 
 
 71.00 
 5.76 
 4.00 
 12.20 
 3 60 
 
 77.20 
 324 
 2.80 
 11.40 
 244 
 1.32 
 trace 
 
 6164 
 3.48 
 2 24 
 
 24.*88 
 4.60 
 2.04 
 trace 
 
 68.68 
 1.80 
 3.12 
 20.72 
 2,76 
 1.56 
 trace 
 
 Carb. I>irQf 
 
 Carb \Ea ir nesia. 
 
 2.56 
 10.16 
 1 84 
 
 Silica 
 
 \lumina 
 
 Water 
 
 1.40 
 truce 
 
 1.80 
 trace 
 
 Carb. Alaii^aiieBC 
 
 Metallic Iron 
 
 98 88 
 38.42 
 
 98.36 
 1 34.29 
 
 98.40 
 
 38.28 
 
 , 98.80 
 ! 29.77 
 
 98.64 
 33.17 
 
 
 No. 1, is from Grant county, on Stony river, 4 miles from the 
 crossing of the Northwestern pike. It occurs in nodules of 
 from 8 to 10 inches in diameter, in a band of calcareous shales, 
 which latter also contain, irregularly distributed, another and 
 coarser kind of ore, quite siliceous, and sometimes having the 
 appearance, when freshly fractured, of a poor article, but upon 
 exposure assuming a deep ferruginous hue. An analysis of 
 this latter is shown in 
 
 No. 2, from the Falls of Stony river, 7 miles above the North 
 western pike. Here the shales are 15 to 20 feet thick. The 
 ore is found in a 5 foot bed, which would yield about 3J feet 
 of solid ore. 
 
 No. 3. In the same band, 6 miles below the mouth of Abrams 
 creek, in Mineral county, on the Potomac, the ore occurs again, 
 being in some places 18 inches thick, though very variable. 
 
 No. 4, Is still from the same band, from Wilson s Mill, 2 miles 
 below the mouth of Abrams greek, in Mineral county. The 
 
252 
 
 RESOURCES OF WEST VIRGINIA. 
 
 ore occurs in nodules 1 to 12 inches in diameter. It would be 
 well to state that these shales in many places, especially on 
 Stony river, contain bands of very pure limestone. 
 
 No. 5. From a seam 6 inches thick, from the shales above the 
 second seam of coal, at Brantzburg, on the Potomac, in. Miner 
 al county. 
 
 These analyses are given mainly to show the quality of the 
 ore hi this basin, with the hopes that they may encourage fur 
 ther investigation as to the quantity of this valuable mineral. 
 
 Preston County. The following are the analyses that wer e 
 made of the ores of this county by Prof. Wm. B. Rogers. 
 
 
 No. 1. 
 
 .No. 2. 
 
 No. 3. 
 
 Carbonate of Tron 
 
 <>8.(U 
 5.84 
 12.04 
 10.48 
 1 80 
 
 92.00 
 
 jl.20 
 J 
 
 4.80 
 1.20 
 
 82.50 
 2.24 
 3.7H 
 
 8.44 
 2.12 
 1.04 
 trace 
 
 Carbonate of Lime 
 
 Carbonate of Magnesia 
 
 Silica 
 
 Alumina . 
 
 Water... 
 
 2.12 
 
 trace 
 
 100.92 
 33.15 
 
 1.12 
 
 trace 
 
 Carbonate < >f Manganese 
 
 Metallic Iron -. 
 
 100.32 
 44.43 
 
 lOO.ltt 
 39.87 
 
 No. 1. One mile below Kingwood Ferry the shales which 
 overlie the lowest coal seam of the basin, contain 5 bands of 
 rich iron ore within a space of 4 to 5 feet; the lowest band is 
 occasionally 4 to 5 inches thick, and the upper ones generally^ 
 about 2 inches. 
 
 No. 2. In the vicinity of German Settlement, on the summit 
 of a high hill on the north side of the Rhine, is the outcrop of a 
 body of iron ore of a superior quality. It occurs on the surface 
 over a wide area in large fragments, and is also found a short 
 distance beneath. These fragments are evidently in place, 
 and are portions of a bed which occurs near the surface. ( W. 
 B. Rogers.) 
 
 No. 3. Two and a half miles up Muddy creek from its 
 mouth, at Deep run hollow, the ore varies from 3 to 12 inches. 
 Beneath this is a cacareous shale containing nodules of im 
 pure iron ore 8 to 10 inches in diameter. 
 
 A very rich ore occurs at Mr. Mich. Hart man s old place in 
 Crab Orchard. The fragments are strewn on the surface over 
 
RESOURCES OF WEST VIRGINIA. 253 
 
 a wide area and seem to indicate a contiuous vein. (W. B. 
 Rogers.) It is a deep red. inclining to bro;vn, compact, fine 
 grain. It shows 24.96 per cent of silica, and 46.67 per cent of 
 metallic iron. 
 
 The Austin Coal Co., on the Bait, and Ohio R. R., have a 
 seam of iron ore 16 to 20 inches thick, 30 feet below their 
 coal mine. The material is shipped to the Lancaster Furnace, 
 Irontown, in Taylor county, and the seam is the same as that 
 worked at the Franklin or Martin Iron Works, on Three 
 
 Forks creek. 
 
 From the northeast portion of Preston, in Grant township, 
 we have reports of two veins of ore, each 4 feet thick, but no 
 details concerning them are given. 
 
 In the western portion of the county, from the vicinity of 
 Reedsville, two seams are reported: one 22 inches of honey 
 comb ore, and the other 6 to 36 inches of red lump, which 
 were formerly worked at the Rock Forge, in the adjoining 
 county of Monongalia. 
 
 On Three Forks river the ores are said to be of superior 
 quality and to occur under peculiarly favorable conditions for 
 working. 
 
 On the estate of the Kingwood Gas Coal and Iron Co., at 
 Tunnelton, is .a seam of carbonate of iron that is reported as 
 averaging 2 feet thick. It crops out in many places on the 
 company s land, and also for several miles over the adjacent 
 country. 
 
 An analysis of an average of various sample?, by Otto Wuth, 
 of Pittsburgh, shows : 
 
 Silicic Acid 2.64 
 
 Alumina 0.31 
 
 Carbonate of Iron 67.36 Metallic Iron 32.52 
 
 " Lime 18.80 
 
 " Magnesia 6.41 
 
 Manganese : 0.51 
 
 Sulphate of Lime 0.56 Sulphur 0.13 
 
 Phosphate of Lime 3.32 Phosphorus 0.66 
 
 " When roasted the ore will yield about 50 per cent in the 
 k * furnace, "it being a limestone ore, remarkably free from sili- 
 k ca, other more siliceous ores can be worked with it without 
 " using an additional flux." 
 
254 RESOURCES OF WEST VIRGINIA. 
 
 Four iron furnaces have been worked in this county, though 
 none are now in operation. Hardman and Lancaster Furnace 
 (the Franklin or Martins), on Three Forks, near the Bait, and 
 Ohio R. R., went out of blast in the spring of 1875. The other 
 three are Muddy Creek Furnace (Landoa s), on Muddy creek ; 
 the Gladeville Furnace, and Carlisle s Furnace, in the north 
 eastern portion of the county, near the Pennsylania line. 
 This last is said to have been one of the original furnaces in. 
 the country. 
 
 Monongalia Comity. The workable beds of iron ore seem to 
 be found in the eastern portion 01 this county. Samples from 
 nine distinct seams were gotten and sent to the Centennial 
 office in Wheeling in February, 1876, to be forwarded to the 
 International Exhibition to be held in Philadelphia. Begin 
 ning at the lowest and ascending in regular order, they were 
 described in the invoice that accompanied them, as follows : 
 
 No. 1. " Martin Vein/ about 18 inches thick at the outcrop. 
 
 No. 2. England Ore." Thickness 18 inches. Formerly 
 used at the Decker s Creek Furnace. 
 
 No. 3. "Stratford Ore." Thickness IS inches. Formerly 
 used at the Decker s Creek Furnace. 
 
 No. 4. "Spring Hill Ore." Thickness 30 inches. This is 
 the same seam as that worked at Duncan s Furnace, Pennsyl 
 vania. 
 
 No. 5. u S wisher Ore." Formerly extensively used at the 
 Decker s Creek Furnace. 
 
 No. 6. " Haine s Ore." Thickness 2 feet. Formerly used 
 at the Decker s Creek and Cheat River Furnaces. 
 
 No. 1. " Scott Ore." Thickness 18 inches. Formerly used 
 at the Decker s Creek Furnace. 
 
 No. 8. u Hastings Ore." Thickness 18 inches. Formerly 
 used at the Cheat River Furnaces. 
 
 No. 9. " Clippart Vein." About 2 feet thick. The analyses* 
 of samples from each of these give : 
 
 "These and all other analyses given in this chapter, were in ad 
 another Chemist Is mentioned,) by C. E. Dwight, of Wheeling, 
 
SSSOtTRCES OF WEST VIRGINIA. 
 
 255 
 
 
 ^ 
 
 .3 
 
 
 
 i 
 
 
 
 
 , 
 
 
 
 co 
 
 QO 
 
 CO 
 
 T ( 
 
 cf 
 
 
 i^ 
 
 : . 
 
 CO 
 
 T f 
 
 CO 
 
 CONTENTS. 
 
 q 
 
 
 
 2 
 
 6 
 
 "I 
 
 00 
 
 oT 
 
 .5 
 
 
 o 
 J^ 
 
 o 
 
 g 
 
 5 
 
 O 
 
 
 
 O 
 
 > 
 
 
 3 
 
 88 
 
 jLq 
 
 1 
 
 32 
 
 6 
 
 .9 
 
 a 
 
 ^ 
 
 bo 
 
 y-* *t1 
 
 rH 
 
 ^ 
 
 
 re 
 
 
 i 
 
 
 
 
 
 c3 
 
 
 
 3 
 
 ^ 
 
 <H -1 W 
 
 CC OQ 
 
 jQ ! * 
 
 XI 
 
 ffl 
 
 o 
 
 Carbonate of Iron J61.01 09.61 
 
 31.19 
 
 59.159 ... 
 
 4981 
 
 51.67 
 
 62.60 
 
 Hesquioxide of Iron 3.44 
 
 1.79 
 
 11.89 70.49 
 
 L8.76 
 
 57.71 
 
 2380 
 
 7.55 
 
 2.54 
 
 
 
 071 
 
 122 
 
 
 
 
 Oxide of Manganese-... { 0.01 
 Carbonate of Lime 11,95 
 
 trace 
 4.91 
 
 tr ce 
 
 26.05 
 
 1.07 1,41 
 2.28 5.22 
 
 3.34 
 
 5.60 
 
 2.43 
 13.25 
 
 0.23 
 19.26 
 
 0.02 
 8.37 
 
 Carbonate of Xagnesia. j 2 10 
 
 0.21 
 
 2.-15 1.01 031; 2.10 
 
 311 
 
 1.35 
 
 0.31 
 
 Silicr 15.14 
 
 20 75 
 
 15-55 
 
 14.41 13.041S 19 
 
 4.06 15,98 
 
 21.62 
 
 Alumina, 4 4K 
 
 1 3 
 
 2.12 
 
 2.10 
 
 0.31 
 
 2.10 
 
 1.48 1.25 
 
 321 
 
 Phosphor" - " ! d 
 
 53 
 
 71 i M S9 
 
 0.44 0.37 
 
 1.99 ().(;: I 
 
 069 
 
 041 
 
 Sulphuric Ackl 
 
 0.37 
 
 0.30i 0.42 
 
 0.32 0.49 
 
 0,74 
 
 0.54 
 
 082 
 
 0.22 
 
 -Moisture 
 
 04 
 
 0.48 1 %> 
 
 6.90 038 
 
 6.80 
 
 0.68 0.7 
 
 048 
 
 
 
 
 
 99.09 99.97 
 
 
 
 
 99.09J100.oo 
 
 99.59 
 
 99.80 
 
 99 80 
 
 99.56 
 
 9978 
 
 Metallic Iron 31.86 34.6927.24 
 
 49 69 41.94 11.35 
 
 40.71 39 2 j 
 
 32.00 
 
 Phosphorus 0.231 0.31 
 Sulphur 0.15 1 0.12 
 
 0.39 
 0.17 
 
 0.19i 0.16 0.87 
 013! 020 030 
 
 027; 0..30 
 0.22 0.33 
 
 0.18 
 009 
 
 These thicknesses appear to be somewhat excsptional and, 
 local, as neither Profs. Wm. B. Rogers or J. J. Stevenson, who 
 have both examined this county on the line of Decker s creek 
 and Scott s run, make any mention of so many seams of these 
 sizes. 
 
 According to this latter gentleman, the most extensive ore 
 deposit (the Clippart vein,) of this county, is in the Lower Bar 
 ren Measures, in the shale immediately underlying the Pitts 
 burgh coal seam. It is a proto-carbonate of iron, rich and 
 pure, in some places locally known as the % Olyphant blue 
 jump." Near Uniontown, in Pennsylvania, it is well devel 
 oped, and Mr. Olyphant has worked it successfully there for 
 many years in the Fair Chance Furnace. On Scott s Run, 
 near Haigh s Mill, the quantity is considerable. It is said to 
 be found south of Fairmont, in Marion county, on the Monon- 
 gahela river. 
 
 The following are the analyses that have been obtained of 
 the ores of this county, by Prof. Wm. B. Rogers, who gives the 
 following account of these . 
 
256 
 
 RESOURCES OF WEST VIRGINIA. 
 
 
 No.l. 
 
 No. 2. 
 
 No. 3 
 
 No. 4. 
 
 No. 5. 
 
 No. 0. 
 
 No. 7. 
 
 Cnrb. Iron 
 
 93 08 
 
 04 3 
 
 00 00 
 
 71-16 
 
 89 I 9 
 
 70 72 
 
 78 9 
 
 Carb. Lime 
 
 trace 
 
 trace 
 
 trace 
 
 
 
 3.72 
 
 4.40 
 
 Carb. Magnesia 
 
 trace 
 
 trace 
 
 trace 
 
 X 1 40 
 
 j 
 
 | 0.80 
 
 2.80 
 
 3.00 
 
 Silica 
 
 4.48 
 
 2720 
 
 31.20 
 
 22.48 
 
 7.78 
 
 12.72 
 
 11.20 
 
 \1 urn in a. 
 
 80 
 
 4 10 
 
 3 70 
 
 90 
 
 1 40 
 
 04 
 
 1 40 
 
 Water 
 
 1 %> 4 
 
 1 k> 
 
 > 00 
 
 1 04 
 
 088 
 
 1.70 
 
 oo 
 
 Carb. Manganese 
 
 trace 
 
 trace 
 
 trace 
 
 trace 
 
 trace 
 
 trace 
 
 trace 
 
 Metallic Iron... 
 
 99.00 
 44.95 
 
 90.88 
 31.00 
 
 97.56 
 
 29 27 
 
 99.04 
 34.37 
 
 99.98 
 43.04 
 
 99.70 
 37.05 
 
 100.20 
 37.77 
 
 Nos. 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5, are from three bands from a black shale 
 from 20 to 30 feet thick, that immediately underlies the 
 Great Conglomerate. It is the ore from these bands that sup 
 plied the Henry Clay and Grenville Furnaces. 
 
 Nos. I and 5 come from the Upper, or Castile band, which is 
 the most uniform in thickness of the three. It varies from 8 
 to 15 inches, and, having but a slight covering of shale, has 
 been less protected from weathering than the others, and is 
 therefore, found in a decomposed state, the whole bed some 
 times presenting the appearance of a friable, shaly oxide 
 much valued on account of the ease with which it works. Oc 
 casionally it occurs in nodules merely incrusted with oxide, 
 the nucleus being in the original state of carbonate of iron. 
 
 Nos. 2 and 3 are from the Rock Vein at the Grenville Fur 
 nace. It is some 8 or 10 feet below the " Upper Vein." The 
 ore is generally 8 or 10 inches thick, though varying from 3 
 feet to 3 inches. 
 
 No. 4 is from the Lower Vein at the Grenville Furnace, and* 
 is 8 or 10 feet below the " Rock Vein. 1 It varies from 2 to 6 
 inches averaging 4 inches and is usually coarse and silice 
 ous, and chiefly valuable at the outcrop, where it has been 
 decomposed. 
 
 No. 6 and 7 are both from the lower part of a 6 to 8 feet bed 
 of dark blue argillaceous shale on Decker s creek. The ore. con 
 sists of a layer of nodules, and was the material chiefly used 
 at the old furnace (the Valley), on that stream prior to 1837. 
 It was mined on the side of Laurel hill, in a southeast direc 
 tion from the furnace. The average thickness of the band is 
 from G to 10 inches, though the nodules are sometimes 1-foot 
 in diameter. 
 
RESOURCES OF WEST VIRGINIA. 257 
 
 There are no furnaces now in operation in the county. The 
 Valley (?) (Mr. Glair s), on Decker s creek, and the Henry 
 Clay, and Grenville, near the State line on Cheat river, were 
 started at a very early day in the iron history of the region. 
 The others that have been worked are the Pridevale, on Cheat 
 River, and the Clinton on Booth s creek. 
 
 Taylor County. The Centennial Local Board of this county 
 report as follows : " There is a large amount of iron ore and 
 it is in various parts of the county. By the side of the Bait, 
 and Ohio R. R., on the Valley river, at the mouth of Lost 
 Run, there is a seam of excellent ore, and more than 50 years 
 ago an iron furnace was erected there. In the northeastern part 
 of the county, next to Preston, on Three Fork creek and the 
 railroad, a company from Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, 
 erected a furnace named the " Lancaster," and made iron from 
 the ore obtained. The property was afterwards purchased and 
 is now owned by the " Lancaster Furnace and Mining Co.," 
 who built entirely new, large and costly buildings, furnaces 
 and machinery, and shipped to market a large amount of me 
 tal made from the ore obtained from that neighborhood." 
 
 Two miles from the mouth of Lost Run, on the steep hill 
 in front, of John Riley s house, are three strata, each 8 inches 
 thick, of an excellent carbonate of iron, imbedded in 8 feet of 
 rotten slate and clay. Below these are nodular pieces of 3 to 
 15 pounds weight in blue clay. 
 
 On Plummer s run a very fine article of the same class of ore 
 has been discovered, but never worked, and its thickness is not 
 known, though it is said that it is in workable quantities. 
 
 33 
 
258 
 
 RESOURCES OF WEST VIRGINIA. 
 
 The following are the analyses made of ores from this 
 county : 
 
 
 Lancaster Fur 
 nace. 
 
 cc 
 3 
 
 11 
 
 a 
 
 Lost Run, near 
 J. Riley s. 
 
 Garb. Iron 
 Peroxide Iron 
 
 31.34 
 33 98 
 
 24.576 
 34443 
 
 33141 
 33 100 
 
 Binoxide JVLan^anose 
 
 
 trace 
 
 0256 
 
 Oarb Li m e 
 
 16 5 
 
 13 913 
 
 12495 
 
 Garb Magnesia 
 
 6.28 
 
 3478 
 
 3214 
 
 Phosphoric Acid * 
 
 068 
 
 0.477 
 
 0.536 
 
 Sulphuric Acid 
 
 013 
 
 1 01 
 
 1 050 
 
 Silica 
 
 9 36 
 
 16 9 60 
 
 7536 
 
 
 131 
 
 2 98 
 
 4978 
 
 Water and Loss 
 
 1.40 
 
 2673 
 
 3.697 
 
 
 
 
 
 Metallic Iron .... 
 
 100.00 
 
 38.91 
 
 100.000 
 35.983 
 
 100.000 
 39.100 
 
 Phosphorus .. 
 
 0.296 
 
 0.207 
 
 0.234 
 
 Sulphur s 
 
 0052 
 
 0.480 
 
 0.420 
 
 Barbour County About 2J- miles south of Philippi, on the 
 east side of Tygart s Valley river, and some. 30 feet above the 
 water, is a reported2 feet seam, and still above this is another 
 of the same thickness. Both of these are carbonate of iron of 
 very excellent quality by the samples that were forwarded to 
 the Centennial office in Wheeling. 
 
 Braxton and Clay Counties. In 1874 the Elk River Iron and 
 Coal Co. built a furnace at the mouth of Strange creek, in 
 Braxton, close to the Clay line, and since that date have gone 
 into operation, making a No. 1 cold blast charcoal iron. Their 
 developments have shown some most excellent beds of ore, on 
 which the following notes were made in 1874, when I last 
 visited them. 
 
 In Clay county, at the mouth of Standing Rock Run, 246 
 feet (barometric measurement.) above Elk river, is a fine de 
 posit of nodular brown oxide of iron, the result of decomposi 
 tion from the carbonate. The nodules are very thickly 
 embedded in a soft, gray clay, and will yield from 35 to 40 per 
 cent, of metallic iron, and being soft and cellular, work well in 
 the furnace. The bed averaged 4 feet thick, but when exam 
 ined, there was no roof exposed, and the ore was still under 
 
RESOURCES OF WEST VIRGINIA. 259 
 
 foot. Mr. J. Savage, the President of the company, who made 
 this opening, said that at one place he went to the bottom of 
 the bed, and found the total thickness 6 to 7 feet. He also 
 traced the seam for 3J miles by walking along the out crop, 
 and striking his pick in at every 80 or 100 yards, till he rolled 
 out nodules of the ore, and, having noted it in the game way at 
 many other places, feels confident that it runs for many miles 
 up and down Elk river. About 15 feet lower down the hill 
 was a very encouraging out crop, which, however, was not 
 sufficiently opened to speak of its thickness. 
 
 About a mile higher up the river, and below the last, is 
 another seam of the same class of ore, though not quite so rich, 
 It was opened enough to prove the existence of a workable 
 bed, but the exact thickness could not be measured. Just 
 across the river it is partially opened again. Here the ore is 
 of better quality, and in very valuable and easily workable 
 quantities. Above this, on the east side of the river, Mr. Sav 
 age opened a 2{> foot bank. 
 
 These 3 seams are found again from 2 to 4 miles below the 
 company s iurnace in Braxton county. Concerning the min 
 eral at these points, Mr. Savage, under date of 22nd March, 
 1876, writes : "Our heaviest seam of ore, which is of a gray 
 ish color before it is burnt, lies 50 feet above Elk river, and is 
 a regular bed. We also have two more regular beds which are 
 100 and 150 feet respectively, above the stream. There is 
 another seam in which the ore lies in pockets or bunches, 
 sometimes 3 or 4 feet thick, and again running out complete 
 ly. Near the top of the hill is what we call the ; top hill ore, 
 which is scattered promiscuously over the country, and appears 
 to be more plentiful in Clay than in Braxton county." 
 
 Besides the places mentioned, Mr. Savage has noticed one 
 or more of these seams at various points on either side of the 
 river for many miles down, but as to the continued thickness 
 nothing can be said, as few or no openings, beyond the discov 
 ery of out crops, have been made, though the indications are 
 very encouraging. 
 
 The furnace of this company is 42 feet high and 11 feet 
 across the boshes. Concerning its working, the same gentle 
 man mentioned before, has kindly furnished the following 
 points; " We are making only about 8 tons per day at this 
 
260 RESOURCES OP WEST VIRGINIA. 
 
 time,* using 18 tons 580 pounds of roasted ore, 4 tons 600 
 pounds of limestone, and 1500 bushels of charcoal. These cost 
 US- 
 Charcoal, 5 cts. per bushel, delivered. 
 
 Limestone, S2.00 per ton. 
 
 Ore, 2.25 " " 
 
 "Expenses of manufacturing about 821 per day. These 
 items give a cost for the pig iron of about $17 per ton. In 
 good weather on dry stock we can make an average of 10 to 
 11 tons a day, which will make the pig cheaper. The reason 
 that we are not making more now is because last season was 
 a very bad year to make charcoal, and it was out in the 
 weather and is in bad condition, as we had not gotten up our 
 coal house. The in wall bosh and hearth rock were obtained 
 from this neighborhood and is superior to lire brick. 7 It 
 may be proper to remark that all of the ore beds of this re 
 gion just described occur in the lower barren group of the 
 coal measures. 
 
 Kanawha County. As far as examinations have gone, only the 
 northwestern half of this county can lay claim to iron ore. 
 Those exposures that have been observed are : a 2-foot bed in 
 the hill-s across Elk river, opposite Charleston, from which the 
 Kanawha Iron Company, whose furnace is now building, 
 expects to draw a portion of its supplies ; a bed, 2 feet 2 inches 
 thick, one and a quarter miles up Campbell s creek, of a brown 
 oxide, lying just above the Black Flint Ledge. It has, how 
 ever, a good deal of sand in it, and would have to be mixed 
 with other and richer ores for furnace use. 
 
 A seam, on the Davis creek side of the dividing ridge between 
 that stream and Rush creek, was opened some 15 or 20 years 
 ago, with the intention of starting a small furnace, but the 
 idea was abandoned. It is 2J feet thick, according to the recol 
 lection of General L. Ruffner, and is on the Black Flint. It 
 is, therefore, the same bed as the last. The ore that is still 
 lying about is a siliceous brown oxide, containing some 30 or~ 
 35 per cent, of iron. It would mix well with the richer ores 
 of Virginia. 
 
 Lower down Davis creek several workable seams of carbonate 
 of iron, or the results of its decomposition, are reported, an 
 
 22ud March, 1876 . 
 
RESOURCES OF WEST VIRGINIA. 261 
 
 analysis, by O. N. Stoddard, of Woocester University, Ohio, of 
 one 80 feet above the Mahoning Sandstone, giving 
 
 Iron 34.927 
 
 Carbonate Lime 9.400 
 
 Carbonate Magnesia 2.450 
 
 Siliceous Matter 15.400 
 
 Alumina 4.210 
 
 Manganese 2.900 
 
 Sulphur- 0.243 
 
 Loss of Water by Drying, 0.400 
 
 Loss of Combined Matter by Ignition 27.800 
 
 Loss.! ." 2.270 
 
 100.000 
 
 This shows that after the ore is roasted, and the 28.2 per cent, 
 of water and combined matter are driven off, the remaining 
 mass will contain 48.6 per cent, of matallic iron. 
 
 Wayne County. Perhaps the best idea of the iron ore of this 
 county can be obtained from a section made at Cassville, on 
 the Big Sandy river, by Mr. Dwight : 
 
 LEVEL OF SANDY RIVER. 
 INTERVAL, 155 FEET. 
 
 \. Clay and Fossiliferous Iron in kidneys 5 feet. 
 
 INTERVAL, 8 to 10 FEET. 
 
 2. Shale containing lumps of -Blue Carbonate of Iron, con 
 
 taining 34 per cent, of metal 5 feet. 
 
 INTERVAL, 104 FEET. 
 
 3. Carbonate of Iron 2 feet. 
 
 INTERVAL 12 FEET. 
 
 4. Black Manganiferous Iron Ore, containing 25 per cent, of 
 
 Binoxide of Manganese, and 27 per cent, of Iron 2 feet. 
 
 INTERVAL, 52 FEET? 
 
 5. Mixed stratum of Limestone and Iron Ore, the latter con 
 
 taining 42 per cent of Iron 2 feet. 
 
 tt. Clay with kidneys of Red Haematite, containing 55 per cent, 
 of Iron 
 
 INTERVAL, 37 FEET. 
 
 7. Carbonated Iron and Limestone 2 feet. 
 
 8. Clay and kidneys of Iron Ore 3 feet 
 
 INTERVAL, 14 FEET. 
 
 9. Limestone Ore 1 foot, 
 
262 KESOUBCES OF WEST VIRGINIA. 
 
 INTERVAL, 138 FEET. 
 
 10. Clay with kidneys of Keel Haematite, containing 58 per cent. 
 
 of Iron 3 feet. 
 
 INTERVAL 60 FEET. 
 
 Top of Hill 
 
 Nos. 5 and 6 are locally known as the u Wilson Seam," and 
 an analysis of the mixture of the ores therefrom shows : 
 
 Peroxide of Iron . 16.20 
 
 Protoxide of Iron 25.70 
 
 Protoxide of Manganese *.. 20.85 
 
 Caustic Lime 30.22 
 
 Silica 3.56 
 
 Alumina 3.11 
 
 Phosphoric Acid 0.64 
 
 Sulphur Trace. 
 
 100.00 
 In December, 1875, 58 tons of this ore was tried at the Bel- 
 
 mont Furnace, Wheeling, and so much liked that an order 
 
 for 1,000 tons was at once given : 
 
 Mr. D wight s analysis of the Black Manganiferous Ore, 
 
 from No. 4, shows : 
 
 Sesquioxide of Iron 27.400 
 
 Binoxide of Manganese 26.802 
 
 Carbonate of Lime 37.214 
 
 Carbonate of Magnesia 1.908 
 
 Silica 
 
 Alumina 
 
 Phosphoric Acid- 
 
 Sulphuric Acid < 
 
 Moisture 
 
 Loss 
 
 100.000 
 
 Metallic Iron in raw ore 19.18 percent. 
 
 " " "roasted ore 27.87 
 
 Phosphorus 0.679 " 
 
 Sulphur 0.142 
 
 It will be noticed that, in the extensive belt from the Penn 
 sylvania line, in Monongalia and Preston counties, to the Ken 
 tucky line, at Cassville, the workable beds of ore that have 
 been discovered, are confined to four localities, viz : 1st. Mo 
 nongalia, Preston, Barbour, and Taylor counties, 2d. 
 
RESOURCES OF WEST VIRGINIA. 263 
 
 ton and Clay counties, near the furnace at Strange creek; 
 3d, Kanawha county, near Elk river, and 4th, Wayne county, 
 on the Big Sandy. Of the gaps between these, we know noth 
 ing, but it is fair to presume that, in these blank spaces, a 
 careful and systematic search will develop beds fully as good 
 as those of which we now know. 
 
 Jackson County. A bed of Oxide of Iron, 6 miles from the 
 mouth of Mill creek, has lately been purchased by the Bellaire 
 Iron Company, in the State of Ohio, just below Wheeling, but 
 we have no data showing its thickness. 
 
 Raleigh County. A bed of Brown Haematite, 3 feet thick, 
 has recently been discovered 3 miles north of the Court House, 
 on the land of Wm. McCreery. It is very soft, porous and 
 earthy, as taken from the outcrop. By an analysis, it gives: 
 
 Peroxide of Iron 79.350 
 
 Silica 3.599 
 
 Alumina 1.593 
 
 Phosphoric Acid 1,880 
 
 Sulphuric Acid., 0.895 
 
 Lime 0821 
 
 Magnesia 0.034 
 
 Water 11.232 
 
 Organic Matter (rootlets) and Loss 0.589 
 
 100.000 
 
 ^Tetallic Iron 55.545 per cent. 
 
 Phosphorus 0.819 
 
 Sulphur.... 0.358 " 
 
 Red Hasmatite. In several places mention has already been 
 made of this, which occurs in nodules in a series of bands of 
 red and reddish-yellow shales, which are found in the Lower 
 Barren Measures along the general line that has been indica 
 ted for the carbonates of iron. These nodules often contain 
 from 50 to 60 per cent of metal, but in no place as yet, with, 
 perhaps, the exception of Wayne county, have these been 
 found in sufficient quantity in the shale to constitute a 
 workable deposit. If they should be, the probability is that 
 the continuation of such would be uncertain, and would 
 not justify the erection of any works looking to them as the 
 main source of supplies. 
 
264 RESOURCES OF WEST VIRGINIA. 
 
 IRON ORES EAST OF THE COAL MEASURES. 
 
 We now come to the consideration of what may be called, 
 par excellence, the Iron Region of West Virginia, as the ores 
 are far richer and in greater abundance than those of the coal 
 measures. It is to be regretted that the present knowledge 
 concerning them is so scant that we are not able to trace the 
 beds from point to point along the whole border of the State, 
 showing where any individual one has its greatest develop 
 ment, and we shall, therefore, have to be satisfied with point 
 ing out those localities in the various counties where beds or 
 deposits have been observed and their value examined into. 
 
 The same remarks that were made about the ores in the 
 coal measures can be reiterated for this district, viz : that in 
 many localities a proper exploration will develope valuable 
 deposits of which we have now no information, and this can 
 be said with all the more positiveness because the beds are 
 more strong and continuous, and less likely to die out in this 
 geological horizon than they were in that. 
 
 Mercer County. " The northern slope of the East River 
 mountain shows considerable deposits of iron ore, ledges of 
 variegated marble, very pure barytes and fine mill-stone-grit 
 extending along Peter s mountain into Monroe county. Iron 
 ore does not exist in such masses as in Giles county,* but 
 Bluestone river, above the mouth of Brushy creek, presents 
 fine bodies of ore, * * chiefly lying upon the spurs of thp 
 Black Oak mountains, as well as in ridges and spurs of the 
 Flat Top mountain, upon the opposite side of the Bluestone 
 river." 
 
 (Report of C. R. Boyd on the Minerals of New River. Exec. 
 Doc. Nov. 25. 3rd Ses. 42d Congress). 
 
 Monroe County. " Little Mountain, lying next to Peter s 
 mountain, on the south boundary, possesses a very fine de 
 posit of iron, from which metal of good quality has been 
 manufactured." (Boyd s Report). 
 
 On Peter s mountain, on the road from Union to the Salt 
 Pond, a very fine outcrop of brown haematite has been observ 
 ed, and along the eastern border of the county it is probable 
 that other deposits will be found. 
 
 * Giles is the adjoining couuty in Virginia, 
 
RESOURCES OF WEST VIRGINIA. 265 
 
 Greenbrier County. On Howard s creek, within 4 or 5 miles 
 of the White Sulphur Springs, iron ore of fair quality and 
 apparently in large quantities has lately been discovered; and 
 on Anthony s creek the fossiliferous and block ores make their 
 appearance. At the point of observation the fossil ore was 9 
 inches thick, but the block ore has been opened at two places, 
 each showing 7 feet. It inclines at a good angle for mining. 
 A bluff ore. also, shows itself at numerous points in large 
 masses. (Report of T. S Ridgeway on the Minerals along the 
 C. & 0. R. R). Analyses of several of these ores by J. B. Brit- 
 ton, show : 
 
 Fossil Ore 52.23 per cent Iron. 
 
 Pipe " 61.75 " " 
 
 Haematite Ore 57.17 " " 
 
 Bluff Ore 36.69 " 
 
 Pocahontas County. Beyond the fact, that large bodies of 
 iron ore are usually accredited to this county, nothing posi 
 tive can here be stated, there being no data to show the quality 
 of the mineral or the thickness of the deposits. We may, 
 however, look with confidence for the same classes as are found 
 in Greebrier, for the strata of the two counties are, in many 
 places, identical. 
 
 Pendleton County. A. R. Guerard, Associate of the Royal 
 School of Mines, England, and one of the assistants of the State 
 Board of Centennial Managers, made a reconnoiance of this 
 and the counties presently to be mentioned, in February 1876. 
 
 He writes : u So far, there have been no detailed Geological 
 examinations of the great iron belt between the Blue Ridge 
 and Alleghany mountains, passing through this State ; and 
 the only authentic information on the subject at all, is the 
 now scarce report of W. B. Rogers, made in 1838, as State Ge 
 ologist of Virginia- Nor is it now to be expected, in the very 
 short time allotted to me, in so extensive a region, that I should 
 have been able to arrive at anything like adequate details, or 
 indeed to make more than a confirmation of the existence of 
 workable deposits of iron ore in this section of the State. I 
 submit my report to the Board, therefore, with this reservation, 
 prompted by the hope that if it cannot satisfy all demands 
 it may at least call attention to the valuable mineral resour- 
 
 34 
 
266 RESOURCES OF WEST VIRGINIA. 
 
 ces of this region, and awaken a desire for further investiga^ 
 tion and development. 
 
 u The principal deposits of this county (Pendleton,) are in 
 the eastern portion, along the South Fork mountain, a few in 
 dications only of no special importance being observed on the 
 ranges of the North Fork. The ores comprise the red, brown 
 and red fossiliferous haematites peculiar to, and always asso 
 ciated with, this Geological formation, and traceable over a 
 large extent of surface in West Virginia, including the coun 
 ties of Hampshire, Hardy, Grant and Pendleton. 
 
 "The red fossiliferous haematite, the most uniform and im 
 portant of this group, displays itself at many points along the 
 sides and summit of the South Fork range. This ore, from its 
 occurrence in layers arranged parallel with each other, inter- 
 stratified with friable red shales, and from its being usually 
 filled with impressions of hollow castings of shells, admits of 
 being readily identified and is traceable in a series of seams, 
 though seldom very thick, in considerable numbers, and for a 
 great distance; it presents everywhere the same natural advan 
 tages, indicating the abundance in which it might be procured, 
 as well as the facility with which it might be mined. Of its 
 extraordinary value to any region, the experience in Pennsyl 
 vania furnishes the most conclusive evidence, where, since the 
 discovery of its admirable adaption for the furnace, it has been 
 keenly sought after, and seams, which from their thinness, 
 would, if composed of any other material, have remained unno 
 ticed, have not only been diligently but profitably worked. 
 This formation, which further north and south is not so well 
 developed, expands in passing through this State, and here 
 attains a thickness not found elsewhere. 
 
 " Associated with these strata, at the junction of this with 
 the overlying formation, are found valuable deposits of red and 
 brown haematites, derived probably from the former. These 
 appear in out crops and scattered boulders along the entire 
 length of this mountain." 
 
RESOURCES OP WEST VIRGINIA. 
 
 267 
 
 The following analyses were made of the samples of the ores 
 of this county, exhibited at the International Exhibition 
 of 1876: 
 
 
 No. 1. 
 
 63.470 
 3150 
 18.000 
 5.707 
 .146 
 .713 
 .300 
 1 575 
 6.197 
 .432 
 310 
 
 No. 2. 
 
 No. 3. 
 
 
 No. 5. 
 
 No. 6. 
 
 Sesquioxide of Iron 
 BinoKide of \Ian <r anese 
 
 80.336 
 
 80.838 
 trace 
 17.544 
 1.266 
 trace 
 trace 
 .026 
 .423 
 
 X 1.02 
 
 50.010 
 
 70.201 
 trace 
 17,361 
 3,503 
 .456 
 1.489 
 2.400 
 1.345 
 
 X 2,754 
 
 55.706 
 
 Silica 
 
 5.722 
 7.291 
 1517 
 .482 
 1.331 
 1.070 
 
 X 1.864 
 
 37.151 
 8.390 
 .756 
 .432 
 .080 
 .925 
 
 X 1.877 
 ,379 
 
 18.110 
 13.463 
 1.321 
 .120 
 .090 
 2.147 
 7.799 
 .732 
 .512 
 
 \liin~iina 
 
 Lime 
 
 Ala^nOSia 
 
 Phosphoric Acid 
 
 Sulphuric \cid 
 
 Coin biiied Water 
 Hygroscopic Water 
 
 Loss 
 
 Iron 
 
 100-000 
 
 100,000 
 
 56.232 
 .580 
 .428 
 
 100.199 
 
 100.000 
 
 100.000 
 
 100.000 
 
 44.42 
 .131 
 .730 
 
 56.586 
 .012 
 .169 
 
 35.010 
 .035 
 .370 
 
 49.137 
 1,046 
 
 .538 
 
 38.994 
 .039 
 .858 
 
 Phosphorus 
 
 Sulphur 
 
 No. 1, is a Brown Haematite, from the neighborhood of 
 Franklin. 
 
 No. 2, is a Red Fossiliferous Haematite, from Dickenson s 
 land, on South Fork mountain. 
 
 No. 3, is a Red Haematite, from the vicinity of Upper Tract. 
 
 No. 4, is a Red and Brown Haematite (mined), from George 
 Miller s, South Fork mountain. 
 
 No. 5, is a Red Haematite (part of No. 4). 
 
 No. 6, is a Brown Haematite, from Col. Johnson s place near 
 Franklin. 
 
 Hardy County. Mr. Guerard in his report on these counties 
 goes on to say : "Large and important bodies of iron ore, iden 
 tical with those already mentioned, are conspicuously devel 
 oped in this county on the ranges of the Middle and North 
 mountains. 
 
 "On the west side of Elk Horn Knob, 13 miles south from 
 Moorefield, three separate seams of the Red Fossiliferous Hae 
 matite crop out with the usual favorable characteristics of 
 this valuable formation. They measure respectively : 
 
 (1) feet, 8 inches 
 
 , (2) 1 " 6 " 
 (3) 3 " 3 " 
 
 Y Ketterman s Farm." 
 
268 RESOURCES OF WEST VIRGINIA. 
 
 " The upper ores of this group are remarkably well shown on 
 the same range : 
 
 (1) Red Haematite, 25 feet (16 feet solid ore) Pine moun 
 tain, 1J miles from Ketterman s. 
 
 (2) Brown Haematite, 30 feet (from outcrop) Salt Spring 
 Run Knob, 5 miles from Ketterman s. 
 
 (3) Brown Haematite (very pure), 14 feet Cunningham s 
 Tract, 3 miles from this and 9 from Moorefield. 
 
 " The Brown Haematites occur largely again on the spurs 
 and ridges of the North or Capon mountain. These have long 
 been mined and smslted by various iron works in this portion 
 of the county. The only furnace now in existence, is that 
 known as the Capon Iron works, six miles from Wardensville, 
 on the east side of the mountain. 
 
 " The ore bank shows in an open drift of a 100 yards, a remark 
 able deposit of ore. Having sunk 70 feet on the vein, which 
 is inclined at an angle of 40, it still appeared to be continu 
 ous. The deposit lies between sandstone and limestone, of 
 which there is a large supply, and the outcrop can be traced 
 some distance along the mountain. Three smaller veins of 
 the same ore crop out above this larger one, and some hundred 
 yards below, a vein of Brown Fossiliferous Haematite, the 
 counterpart of which has been worked at Bloomery, in Hamp 
 shire, has lately been discovered. It is 2 feet thick near the 
 outcrop, but has never yet been worked. 
 
 " The following data show the general charge and working 
 of the Capon furnace : 
 
 f 800 to 1,000 pounds, limestone ^) 
 
 I 140 to 160 bushels, Charcoal VTo 1 ton pig. 
 
 nf nn 2 * % tOUS, charred OFC J 
 
 1 25 to 30 tons pig a week. 
 $15 cost per ton at the works. 
 Shipping point Winchester, dis 
 tant 20 miles. 
 
 " The ores worked are said to produce an excellent quality of 
 iron, especially adapted to the manufacture of car wheels and 
 boiler plate. 
 
 u Of the furnaces formerly worked, but now abandoned, there 
 were three in this county : One on Orr s mountain, west of 
 Moorefield, and two on the east side of the mountain. la the 
 neighborhood of Wardensville, Messrs. Saliard and Bryan car- 
 
RESOURCES OF WEST VIRGINIA. 
 
 269 
 
 ried on a furnace many years ago, and 8 miles from Capon 
 Iron Works, on the same range, was the Crack Whip Furnace, 
 owned by Charles Carter Lee. A large deposit of ore was devel 
 oped in this locality, as shown by the old workings still expos 
 ing several feet of solid ore. 
 
 The following are analyses made of the oros from this county : 
 
 
 Xo. 1. 
 
 Xo. 2. 
 
 Xo. 3 
 
 Xo. 4. 
 
 Scsouioxidf of Iron 
 
 8480 
 
 72990 
 
 83.47 
 
 64.287 
 
 Protoxide 1 of Iron 
 
 
 
 4.64 
 
 
 Binoxidc of M!aii?ancse 
 
 
 
 trace 
 
 7.680 
 
 Silica. 
 
 5.90 
 
 23.500 
 
 9.40 
 
 11.771 
 
 Alumina 
 
 
 
 1.81 
 
 3.184 
 
 
 
 
 
 2.657 
 
 
 
 
 
 1.141 
 
 Phosphoric Acid . 
 
 1 60 
 
 .122 
 
 .373 
 
 1.110 
 
 Sulphuric A-cid 
 
 .10 
 
 .870 
 
 .120 
 
 1.180 
 
 \Vater 
 
 ) 
 
 ) 
 
 ) 
 
 6.695 
 
 Loss . . 
 
 V 4.60 
 
 v 2.518 
 
 [ - .187 
 
 295 
 
 
 100.000 
 59.36 
 
 100.00 
 51 09 
 
 100.000 
 62.01 
 
 100.000 
 45.00 
 
 Phosphorus 
 
 .698 
 
 053 
 
 163 
 
 .483 
 
 Sulphur 
 
 040 
 
 .035 
 
 048 
 
 .472 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 No. 1, is a Red Fossiliferous Haematite, from the 3-feet 3-inch 
 seam on Ketterman s farm. 
 
 No, 2 is a Red Haematite, from the 25-feet vein on Pine 
 mountain. 
 
 No. 3, is a Brown Haematite, from the 14-feet vein on Cun 
 ningham s tract. 
 
 No. 4, is a Brown Haematite, from Capon Iron Works. 
 
 Grant County Mr. Guerard reports from this county: "The 
 associated Haematites are exhibited in a still more remarkable 
 manner in Grant than in Hardy and Pendleton. The beauti 
 ful symmetry of arrangement, too, of the mountain strata here 
 particularly well-defined, as well as the striking development 
 of iron ore in close proximity to the coal basin of the Alle- 
 ghany, render this county more than usually interesting, 
 both in a geological and economical point of view. 
 
 In the vicinity of Greenland Gap, the Red fossiliferous 
 Haematite shows itself in 5 parallel layers, on the east side 
 of Walker s bridge, dipping N. W., and on the west side 
 of Little or Knobly mountain, dipping S. E., indicating the 
 
270 RESOURCES OF WEST VIRGINIA. 
 
 wreck of a denuded anticlinal arch over the New Creek moun 
 tain. These seams, workable in Pennsylvania when only a 
 few inches thick, here assume the following large dimensions: 
 
 (a) 8 feel | 
 
 } Walker s Ridge (measured from outcrops). 
 
 J 
 Little Mountain (measured from section). 
 
 (b) 18 
 
 (c) 13 
 
 (d) 11 
 
 Total . 57 feet. 
 
 On either side, and overlying these strata, massive beds of 
 limestone (partly hydraulic) and sandstone are exposed. 
 Above the latter, the Brown Haematites crop out along the 
 summits of Walker s ridge and Knobly mountain. From 
 these ores, the Fanny furnace^ 4 miles from the village of 
 Greenland, on Hasard s creek, was formerly worked, being long 
 famous for its iron. 
 
 These ores are only 6 miles from the coal of the Alleghany, 
 and 20 miles from Keyser, on the Baltimore and Ohio rail 
 road. 
 
 The following table shows analyses of the ores of this 
 county : 
 
 
 
 No. 1. 
 
 No. 2. 
 
 Se^uuioxide of Iron 
 
 75 033 
 
 68 750 
 
 
 025 
 
 
 Silica 
 
 14 354 
 
 1 5 555 
 
 
 7 445 
 
 13 733 
 
 
 230 
 
 
 Lime... 
 
 .521 
 
 
 Phosphoric Acid j 2.020 1.842 
 
 Sulphuric Acid ! .240i 0.120 
 
 Loss, etc ! .132 
 
 100.000100.000 
 
 
 52 52 
 
 48 13 
 
 Phosphorus . . 
 
 880 
 
 .803 
 
 Sulphur 
 
 096 
 
 .048- 
 
 No. 1, is a Fossiliferous Red Haematite, from the 7-feet seam 
 near Greenland Gap, Little Mountain. 
 
 No. 2, is a similar variety, from the 13-feet seam on Walk 
 er s ridge, in the same neighborhood. The 13.733 per cent, 
 ascribed to alumina, includes, according to Mr. Dwight s report, 
 also the moisture and loss. 
 
RESOURCES OF WEST VIRGINIA. 271 
 
 Hampshire County : Mr. Guerard goes pn to report "The Iron ^ 
 ores of this county are more scattered and not so conspicuously 1 
 developed as those of the counties previously mentioned; but \ 
 my observations led me to estimate the deposits of this county, 
 (though small when compared with those of Grant, Hardy, 
 &c) as still of economical importance. 
 
 At various points along the slopes and ridges of the Patter 
 son s Creek, Short and Capon mountains boulders may be 
 observed lying thick over the surface, and here and there 
 occasional outcrops of true beds of ore. 
 
 The only deposits at present worked are those occurring at 
 Bloomery, on the east side of Capon mountain, in the north 
 eastern portion of the county. Here a fossiliferous variety of 
 brown haematite occurs in a rein, varying from 18 inches to 
 4 feet. This and a vein of the ordinary Brown Iron ore (thick 
 ness not known) has been mined and smelted here for many 
 years. The furnace has been out of blast for the last few 
 months, but will probably soon be in operation again. Lime 
 stone, charcoal and fine water power are easily obtained any 
 where along this valley, The following are the general pro 
 portions of the charge and the production of the furnace, as 
 given me by Mr. Withers, the present Manager and part 
 owner. 
 
 f 800 Ibs. limestone/ ) 
 
 Cold blast 4 120 bushels, charcoal. [To ] ton Pig 
 
 ( 2 J to 2| tons of raw ore j 
 Cost $2-0 00 per ton, Pig delivered at Paw-paw station, distant 14 miles. 
 
272 
 
 RESOURCES OF WEST VIRGINIA. 
 
 The following table gives the analyses of the ores from this 
 county 
 
 Sesquioxide of Iron.. ; 73531 75.250 
 
 Binoxide of Manganese.. * 4.380 trace 
 
 Silica 13.329 12.035 
 
 Alumina 3.025 2.199 
 
 Lime 024 1.254 
 
 Magnesia .251 .631 
 
 Phosphoric Acid 241 ,089 
 
 Sulphuric Acid 1.204 2,058 
 
 Combined Water 3.082 .750 
 
 Hygroscopic Water 032 .631 
 
 Loss 301 ,524 
 
 100.000 100,000 
 
 Iron , 51.471 52.675 
 
 Phosphorus 105 .038 
 
 Sulphur .481 .823 
 
 No. 1, is a Brown Haematite from Short mountain, 15 miles 
 from Romney. 
 
 No. 2, is a Brown Hematite, from the same locality. 
 
 Morgan County. Mr. Guerard continuing his reconnoissance 
 into the Valley of Virginia, reports on this county : 
 
 " There are no iron ores of any importance in this county. 
 On the slopes of Sandy ridge, near Sir John s Run Station, 
 are two veins of ore of a siliceous character, one measuring 6 
 and the other 2 feet, but not workable, except under peculiar 
 circumstances. 
 
 " At various points along the summit of Sleepy Creek moun-" 
 tain boulders of ore may be observed, but indicating no work 
 able deposits. 
 
 " It may be mentioned, more as a mirieralogical curiosity 
 than as of economical importance, that specimens of micace 
 ous red haematite may be picked up frequently in both this 
 and Berkeley county, at the base of the mountain." 
 
 Berkeley County: Mr. Guerard reports, "two deposits of iron 
 ore have been developed in this county, one owned by Charles 
 J. Faulkner, about a mile south of the town of Marti nsburg, 
 and the other by Adam Small, five miles in the opposite direc 
 tion. The-se form a part of a series of irregular deposits im- 
 
RESOURCES OF WEST VIRGINIA. 273 
 
 bedded in arenaceous limestone extending through this valley 
 along the western base of the Blue Ridge. The ores consist of 
 the cellular, honey-combed and pipe, or stalactitic varieties of 
 brown haematite, in many cases proving valuable, and said 
 to produce a very good iron. Both of the deposits above- 
 mentioned have been worked and the ore shipped to Penn 
 sylvania." 
 
 Jefferson County. Mr. Guerard s report on this county con 
 tains the following : " The ores of this county are analogous 
 to those occurring in Berkeley, and belong to the same forma 
 tion. Deposits have been worked on the Virginia side of the 
 Potomac river, below the mouth of Antietam creek, to supply 
 the Antietarn Iron Works, opposite, and also near Bolivar 
 Heights at Harper s Ferry, furnishing the old Keeptryst fur 
 nace with its stock when it was in blast, many years ago. But 
 the most recent working is on the west side of the Shenan- 
 doah river, 6 miles from Charlestown, at what is known a s 
 Maltby s ore bank. Here is a large body of fine ore, giving every 
 indication of a continued heavy yield. This bank has lately 
 been abandoned in consequence of the furnace, which it fur 
 nished with ore in Maryland, having stopped. 
 
CHAPTER XII. 
 
 SALT A]\ T D PETROLEUM. 
 SALT. 
 
 BY DR. J. P. HALE, OF CHARLESTON. 
 
 CHARLESTON, W. VA., APRIL 5TH, 1876. 
 
 Prof. M. f. Maury: 
 
 DEAR SIR : In compliance with your request, I send you> 
 herewith, some facts in regard to the early history, subsequent 
 developments, and present condition of the salt manufacture 
 and salt interest of Kanawha and Mason counties, and of West 
 Va., generally 
 
 Hoping that the paper may, in some degree, furnish the in 
 formation you desire, I am 
 
 Very Respectfully, 
 
 Yours Truly, 
 
 J. P. HALB. 
 
 Rich as is West Virginia in coal, iron, timber, &c., she is 
 scarcely less rich in that indispensable necessity to human 
 health and comfort, and to animal life common salt. Fossil or 
 rock salt bas not been found in the State; but salt brines of 
 greater or less strength, and in greater or less abundance are 
 found by Artesian borings, at greater or less depth throughout 
 the Appalachian coal field, which underlies the greater portion 
 of our state. 
 
 The strength of these brines varies in different localities, 
 and in different wells in the same locality ; the range may be 
 
RESOURCES OF WEST VIRGINIA. 2*75 
 
 stated at say 6 to 12 by the salometer, Baume scale (distilled 
 water being , saturation 25), biit the average strength of 
 the brines from which salt is now made is about 8 to 10. 
 The value of thess brines depends, of course, upon their location, 
 as regards accessibility, and cheap transportation of the prod 
 ucts to market, as well as the convenient proximity of cheap 
 coal for fuel, and timber for barrels. Only locations on the 
 navigable rivers, or lines of railways at present fulfill these 
 indications; but, as population increases, aud new routes of 
 travel and traffic are opened up, it is probable that new salt 
 manufacturing localities will be developed. 
 
 The principal points at which salt has been manufactured 
 in the state, are Charleston on the Great Kanawha river; from 
 West Columbia to Hartford City on the Ohio river; at Bull-town 
 on the little Kanawha; at Louisa on the Big-Sandy; in Mercer 
 county on New river ; near Birch of Elk river; (at the mouth 
 of Otter creek on Elk. Authors.) and at a few other less im 
 portant points, on a very small scale for local use. At present, 
 owing to the greater facility of reaching the markets of the 
 great west by cheap water transportation, and the advantages 
 of cheap fuel, salt is only manufactured, on a commercial 
 scale near Charleston on the Great Kanawha, and in Mason 
 county on the Ohio. It is of these localities that I propose 
 to .give some account ; and of the latter first, reserving for 
 the Kanawha works, the oldest in the State, a fuller account 
 and description, much of which will apply to the Mason coun, 
 ty and other works as well. 
 
 The Mason county Salt works, now the most extensive in 
 present productive capacity in the State are of conparatively 
 recent development. 
 
 In 1849 Messrs. Williams & Stevens, aided by Capt. Tom / 
 Friend all Kanawha Salt makers bored for salt water at 
 West Columbia, in Mason county on the Ohio river; they suc 
 ceeded at about 700 feet in getting a fine well of water of good 
 strength, and at once proceeded to erect the first Salt furnace 
 on the Ohio river ; they also bored several other wells in the vi 
 cinity, none of which, however, proved so good as the first 
 They, shortly after, sold tho property to New York parties who 
 remodeled and rebuilt the furnace on a much larger scale, giv 
 ing it a productive capacity of some 1200 bushels, or more per 
 
276 RESOURCES OF WEST VIRGINIA. 
 
 day. The success of this enterprise gave a great impetus to 
 to salt boring, and coal mining throughout the available coal 
 frontage of this region. This developed coal frontage along the 
 river extends from West Columbia to Hartford City, about 7 
 miles. Up the river the coal dips, until it passes under water 
 level at, or just above Hartford City 
 
 The second salt furnace was erected at this upper limit of 
 the coal frontage in 1854 by a Hartford City, (Conn.^company, 
 / then under the management of W. 0. Healy, Esq ; since, and 
 now under the management of G. W. Moredock, Esq. who has 
 three large furnaces, with abundance of good brine, and cheap 
 and convenient coal. These two operations, one at the extreme 
 lower, and the other at the extreme upper limit of the coal fron 
 tage, demonstrated pretty clearly the existence of good brines 
 throughout that extent, and at once gave a value to furnace sites 
 and coal lands which the owners had not hitherto suspected 
 them to possess. 
 
 / In 1855 Mr. R. C. M. Lovell, another Kanawha salt manu 
 facturer, bored wells and erected a large furnace about half 
 way between the two points above named, and laid out a town 
 which he called " Mason City/ 
 
 This valuable salt and coal property was afterwards pur 
 chased by L. H. Sargent of Cincinnati, O., and more recently 
 has passed into the hands of Messrs. Roots & Kilbreth of the 
 same city. 
 
 Following these three furnaces, and within the next few 
 years, were built the New Castle, Burnup, Clifton, Bedford, 
 Hope, German, Jackson, Valley City, Starr, and New Haven 
 City, in all 13 in number. 
 
 These 13 furnaces have a present productive capacity of 
 over 3,000,000 bushels per year. 
 
 The usual depth to which the wells in this neigborhood are 
 bored, is about 1,100 to 1,200 feet : the strength of brines 8 to 
 10 : the quantity, 15 to 50 gals, per minute per well. The 
 wells are tubed with iron tubing, usually about 4 inches in 
 ternal diameter, and bagged at 600 to 800 feet depth, at which 
 depth the pumps were worked, run by steam power. 
 
 The coal used here in the manufacture of salt, and also ship 
 ped to a considerable extent to the lower markets, is, geologi 
 cally, the same as the well known Pittsburgh seam, so exten- 
 
RESOURCES OF WEST VIRGINIA. 
 
 277 
 
 sively mined and shipped near the city of that name. It is 
 here a fine seam of coal, 4-J to 5 feet thick, easily mined, acces 
 sible and cheap. 
 
 From the natural advantages of this locality, salt is pro 
 duced here very cheaply, and cheaply freighted to the markets 
 of the west, where it is in ready demand and its reputation de 
 servedly excellent. 
 
 From the bitterns or waste liquors from the salt furnaces 
 here, a considerable quantity of bromine is manufactured, the 
 uses and demand for which are steadily increasing. 
 
 Chloride of calcium is also manufactured to some extent 
 from these waste, bitter waters. 
 
 The following table, kindly furnished by G. W. Moredock, 
 Esq., of Hartford City, the largest manufacturer in Mason 
 county, gives a very clear understanding of the present status 
 of the salt manufacture in that county. 
 
 SALT WORKS, MASON COUNTY, W. VA. 
 
 NAME OF FURNACE. 
 
 OWNERS NAMES. 
 
 Bush, i Feet. 
 
 New Haven i 300,000j 
 
 Hartford City : 300,000 
 
 Star ". 325,000! 
 
 Vallev City 350,000! 1,125-35 
 
 Jackson j 200,0001,120-30 
 
 German i 250,000 
 
 Hope i 350,000 
 
 Mason City 325,000 
 
 Bedford 300,000 
 
 Clifton 300,000| 
 
 Burnup or Quaker City 150,000 
 
 Newcastle 250,000 1,155 
 
 West, Columbia ; 300,000 1,125-40 
 
 1,200 if Hartford City Coal and 
 
 1,150-00 Salt Co., 1,100 acres 01 
 
 coal land, 
 
 1,150 
 
 Actual capacity ! 3,700,000 
 
 Actually made" in 1875... |2,500,000 
 
 Valley City Coal and Salt C. 
 V. B. Horton, jr. 
 
 ! German. Salt Co 
 jHope Salt Co. 
 (Mason. City Salt Co. 
 Bedford Salt Co. 
 Not running. 
 
 " It takes one bushel of coal to make a bushel of salt. 
 Strength of brine from wells at Hartford City, 9 to 10 
 measured by Baurne s salometer ; saturated brine 25, making 
 the brine stand 40 per cent salt. (G. W. Moredock). 
 
278 RESOURCES OF WEST VIRGINIA. 
 
 The Kanawha salt works are situated in Kanawha county, 
 on the Kanawha river, commencing about three miles above 
 Charleston and extending up the river for several miles, on 
 both side 1 *. 
 
 These "Licks," as they are called, have not only been known 
 and extensively worked, from the first settlement of the valley 
 by the whites, but have been known and used, from time im 
 memorial, by the Indian tribes, and frequented by swarms of 
 buffalo, elk, deer, and other wild animals, before, the advent of 
 the white man. 
 
 In 1753, when all this region was an unbroken wilderness, 
 which had never bean penetrated by the most adventurous 
 white man, a party of Shawnees who dwelt upon the Scioto, 
 in what is now Ohio, made a raid upon the frontier settle 
 ments of Virginia, in what is now Montgomery county. Hav 
 ing taken the settlers unawares, and after killing, burning, 
 .and capturing prisoners, as was their custom, they retreated, 
 with their captives, down New river, Kanawha, and Ohio, to 
 their homes. One of these captives. Mrs. Mary Ingles,* who 
 afterwards made her escape, and was returned to her friends, 
 related that the party stopped several days at a salt spring on 
 the Kanawha river, rested from their weary march, killed 
 plenty of game and feasted themselves on the fat of the land; 
 in the meantime, boiling salt water and making a supply of 
 salt, which was carefully packed and taken with them to 
 their western homes. This is not only the first account we 
 have of salt-making on Kanawha, hut anywhere else west of 
 the Alleghanies. In fact, if there is any earlier record of salt- 
 making from brine springs, anywhere in the United States, I 
 am not aware of it. 
 
 The earliest settlement made by whites, in the Kanawha 
 Valley, was by Walter Kelley and family, at the mouth of the 
 creek, which bears his name, in the spring of 1774, several 
 months before the battle of Poiat Pleasant, where the combined 
 Indian tribes, under the celebrated Sachem, Cornstalk, were 
 defeated and driven back by the Virginians, under Gen. Lewis. 
 
 Kelly and his family paid the forfeit of their lives to their 
 temerity; they were all killed by the Indians ; but after the 
 battle of the Point, when there was greater security for life, 
 
 *The great grand-mother of the writer. 
 
RESOURCES OF WEST VIRGINIA. 279 
 
 the valley was rapidly settled, mostly by Virginians, and in 
 great part by the hardy soldiers who had followed Lewis to 
 Point Pleasant. 
 
 The early pioneer settlers, in a wilderness, without commu 
 nication with other settlements, except by foot or bridle paths, 
 depended upon the Kanawha Licks for their scanty supply of 
 salt. In those days of simple economy and provident thrift, 
 when ererything useful was made the most of, the women s 
 wa?h-kettles were put under requisition for a fourfold duty ; 
 they boiled the daily hog and hominy, and other wholesome, 
 frugal fare; once a week they boiled the clothes, on washday; 
 semi-occasionally they boiled the salt water for a little of the 
 precious salt, and every spring they went to the sugar camp, 
 to boil the annual supply of maple sugar and molasses. 
 
 It is related that atone time, when there was an apprehended 
 attack from the Indians, the few early settlers were posted at 
 the mouth of Coal river, for protection. Being out of salt and 
 suffering for the want of it, they sent some of their hardy and 
 daring } 7 oung men in canoes up to the salt spring, where they 
 dipped the canoes full of salt water; and, getting safely back, 
 the water was boiled, and the precious salt made under cover 
 of the fort. 
 
 Among the earliest land locations made in the valley, was 
 one of 502 acres, made in 1785, by John Dickinson, from thev/ 
 Valley of Virginia, to include the mouth of Campbell s creek, 
 the bottom above, and the salt spring. Dickinson did not im 
 prove or work the property himself, but meeting with Joseph \f 
 Rufmer, an enterprising farmer from the Shenandoah Valley, 
 Virginia, in 1794, and describing this salt spring to him, Ruif- 
 ner became so impressed with its value, that he then and there 
 purchased the 502 acres upon Dickinson s own report, with 
 out himself seeing it, agreeing to pay for it 500 pounds sterl 
 ing without condition, and other sums conditioned upon the 
 quantity of salt to ba made which might increase the price to 
 10,000 pounds sterling. Having gone thus far, he sold out his 
 Shenandoah estates, and in 1795 removed himself and family 
 to Kanawha to look after his salt property. Upon arriving 
 here, however, his penchant for rich farming lands overcame 
 him, and he purchased, from George and William Clendenen, 
 the large river bottom of 900 acres extending from the niouth 
 
280 RESOURCES OF WEST VIRGINIA. 
 
 of Elk river up Kanawha; and, upon 40 acres of which the 
 village of Charleston had been laid out and started the previous 
 year. This last purchase, and the subsequent attention to 
 clearing and improving the farm diverted Ruffner s attention 
 for a time, from the salt project ; the delay was fatal so far as 
 he was concerned ; he did not live to execute his pet scheme 
 or realize his cherished hopes. Dying in 1803, he willed the 
 ^property to his sons, David and Joseph, enjoining it upon them 
 to carry out, as speedily as practicable, his plans of building 
 up extensive salt manufactories to supply not only the increas 
 ing local demand, but a larger and still mora rapidly growing 
 demand which was now coming from the many thrifty settle 
 ments throughout the Ohio Valley. During the elder Ruff 
 ner s life, however, he had leased to oniXElisha Brooks, the use 
 of salt water and the right to manufacture salt; and in 1797 
 this Elisha Brooks erected the first salt furnace in Kanawha, 
 or in the western country. It consisted of two dozen small 
 kettles, set in a double row, with a flue beneath, a chimney at 
 one end, and a fire bed at the other. 
 
 To obtain a supply of salt water he sank two or three "gums," 
 some 8 or 10 fest each in length, into the mire and quicksand 
 of the salt lick, and dipped the brine with a bucket and swape, 
 as it oozed and seeped in through the sands below. 
 / In this crude, rough-and-ready way, Brooks managed to 
 make about 150 pounds of salt per day, which he sold at the 
 kettles, at 8 to 10 cents per pound. No means were used to 
 settle or purify the brines 01- salt, as the salt water came from 
 the gum, so it was boiled down to salt in the kettles, with 
 whatever impurities or coloring matter it contained. As it 
 issues from the earth it holds some carbonate of iron in solu 
 tion; when it is boiled, this iron becomes oxidized, and gives a 
 reddish tinge to the brine and salt. 
 
 This Kanawha salt soon acquired a reputation for its strong, 
 pungent taste, and its superior qualities for curing meat, but 
 ter, etc. A great many who used it and recognized these qual 
 ities in connection with its striking reddish color came to 
 associate the two in their minds in the relation of cause and 
 effect, and orders used to come from far and near for some of 
 " that strong red salt from the Kanawha "Licks." 
 
 Almost the only mode of transporting salt beyond the neigh 
 
RESOURCES OF WEST VIRGINIA. 281 
 
 borhood, in those early days, was by pack-horses, on the prim 
 itive, backwoods pack-saddle. So-much of this was done, and 
 so familiar did the public mind become with the term, as used 
 in tbat sense, that even to this day, among a large class of 
 people, the verb to pack" is always used instea.d of other 
 synonymous or similar terms, such as carry, transport, fetch, 
 bring, take, etc., and the " tote u of Old Virginia. 
 
 It was not until 1806, that the brothers, David and Joseph / 
 Ruffner, set to work to ascertain the source of the salt water, 
 to procure, if possible, a larger supply and of better quality, 
 and to prepare to manufacture salt on a scale commensurate 
 with the growing wants of the country. 
 
 The Salt Lick, or "The Great Buffalo Lick, "as it was called, 
 was ju?t at the river s edge, 12 or 14 rods in extent, on the 
 north side, a fow hundred yards above tho mou-th of Camp 
 bell s creek, and just in front of what is now known as the 
 "Thoroughfare Gap," through whicb, from the north, as well 
 as up and down the river, the Buffalo, Elk, and other rumi 
 nating animals made their way in va-t numbers to the lick. 
 I may mention en passant that so great was the fame of this 
 lick, and the herds of game that frequented it, that the great 
 hunter, explorer, and conqueror of the "bloody ground "of 
 Kentucky, Daniel Boone, was tempted up here, made a log 
 cabin settlement, and lived just on the opposite side of the 
 river, on what is now known as the Donnally farm or splint 
 cord bottom. I have had, from old Mr. Paddy Huddlestone, 
 who died a few years ago, at nearly one hundred years of age, 
 many interesting anecdotes of their joint adventures in hunt 
 ing and trapping. Boone still lived here in 1789-90, when 
 Kanawha county was formed, and in 1791 served as one of the 
 delegates for the county, in the Legislature at Richmond. 
 
 But to return to the Lick, and the operations of the Ruff, 
 brothers. In order to reach, if possible, the bottom of the mire 
 and oozy quicksand through which the salt water flowed, they 
 provided a straight, well-formed, hollow sycamore tree, with 4 
 feet internal diameter, sawed off square at each end. This is 
 technically called a "gum." This gum was set upright on 
 the spot selected for sinking, the large end down, and held 
 in its perpendicular position by props or braces, on the four 
 
 sides. A platform, upon which two men could stand, was fixed 
 36 
 
282 RESOURCES OF WEST VIRGINIA. 
 
 about the top ; then, a swape erected, having its fulcrum in a 
 forked post set in the ground close by. A large bucket, made 
 from half of a whisky barrel, was attached to the end of the 
 swape, by a rope, and a rope attached to the end of the pole to 
 pull c|pwn on, to raise the bucket. With one man inside the 
 gum, armed with pick, shovel, and crowbar, two men on the 
 platform on top to empty and return the bucket, and three or 
 four to work the swape, the crew and outfit were complete. 
 
 After many unexpected difficulties and delays, the gum, at 
 last, reached what seemed to be rock bottom at 13 feet ; upon 
 cutting it with picks and crowbars, however, it proved to be 
 but a shale or crust, about 6 inches thick, of conglomerated 
 sand, gravel and iron. Upon breaking through this crust the 
 water flowed up into the gum more freely than ever, but less 
 salt. 
 
 Discouraged at this result, the Ruffner brothers determined 
 to abandon this gum, and sink a well out in the bottom, 
 about 100 yards from the river. This was done, encountering, 
 as before, many difficulties and delays ; when they had gotten 
 through 45 feet of alluvial deposit, they came to the same bed 
 of sand and gravel upon which they had started, at the river. 
 
 To penetrate this, they made a 3J inch tube of a 20 foot oak 
 log, by boring through it with a long shanked augur. This 
 tube, sharpened, and shod with iron at the bottom, was driven 
 down, pile-driver fashion, through the sand to the solid rock. 
 Through this tube they then let down a glass vial with a 
 string to catch the salt water for testing. 
 
 They were again doomed to disappointment; the water, 
 though slightly brackish, was less salt than that at the river. 
 They now decided to return to the gum at the river, and, if 
 possible, put it down to the bed rock. This they finally sue 
 ceeded in doing, finding the rock at 16 to 17 feet from the 
 surface. 
 
 As the bottom of the gum was square, and the surface of the 
 rock uneven, the rush of outside water into the gum was very 
 troublesome. By dint of cutting and trimming from one side and 
 the other, however, they were, at last, gotten nearly to a joint, 
 after which they resorted to thin wedges, which were driven 
 here and there as they would " do the most good." 
 
 By this means the gum was gotten sufficiently tight to be so 
 
RESOURCES OF WEST VIRGINIA. 283 
 
 bailed out as to determine whether the salt water came up 
 through the rock. This turned out to be the case. The quan 
 tity welling up through the rock was extremely small, but 
 the strength was greater than any yet gotten, and tnife was 
 encouraging. They were anxious to follow it down, but how ? 
 They could not blast a hole down there, under water; but this 
 idea occurred to them; they knew that rock blasters drilled 
 their powder holes two or three feet deep, and they concluded 
 they could, with a longer and larger drill, bore a correspond 
 ingly deeper and larger hole. 
 
 They fixed a long iron drill, with a 2-J inch chisel bit of 
 steel, and attached the upper end to a spring pole, with a rope. 
 
 In this way the boring went on slowly and tediously till on 
 the 1st of November, 1807, at 17 feet in the rock, a cavity or 
 fissure was struck, which gave an increased flow of stronger 
 brine. This gave new encouragement to bore still further 
 and so, by welding increasing length of shaft to the drill, from 
 time to time, the hole was carried down to 28 feet, where a 
 still larger and stronger supply of salt water was gotten. 
 
 Having now sufficient salt water to justify it, they decided, 
 and commenced, to build a salt furnace ; but while building, / 
 continued the boring, and on the 15th January, 1808, at 40 w 
 feet in the rock, and 58 feet from the top ot the gum, were re 
 warded by an ample flow of strong brine for their furnace and 
 ceased boring. 
 
 Now was presented another difficulty : how to get the strong 
 er brine from the bottom of the well, undiluted by the weaker 
 brines and fresh water from above ; there was no precedent 
 here ; they had to invent, contrive, and construct anew. A 
 metal tube would naturally suggest itself to them; but there 
 were neither metal tubes, nor sheet metal, nor metal workers 
 save a home-made blacksmith in all this region, and to bore 
 a wooden tube 40 feet long, and small enough in external di 
 ameter to go in the 2J inch hole, was impracticable ; what 
 they did do, was to whittle out of two long strips of wood, two 
 long half tubes of the proper size, and, fitting the edges care 
 fully together, wrap the whole from end to end with small 
 twine ; this, with a bag of wrapping near the lower end, to fit, 
 as nearly as practicable, water tight, in the 2-J inch hole, was 
 cautiously pressed down to its place, and found to answer the 
 
284 RESOURCES OF WEST VIRGINIA. 
 
 purpose perfectly; the brine flowed up freely through the 
 tube into the gum, which was now provided .with a watertight 
 floor or bottom, to hold it; and from which it was raised by 
 the simple swape and bucket. 
 
 Thus was bored arid tubed, rigged and worked, the first rock- 
 bored salt well west of the Alleghanies, if not in the United 
 States. The wonder is not that it required eighteen months 
 or more to prepare, bore and complete this well for use, but, 
 rather, that it was accomplished at all under the circumstan 
 ces. In these times, when such a work can be accomplished 
 in as many days as it then required months, it is difficult to 
 appreciate the difficulties, doubts, delays, and general troubles 
 that beset them then. Without preliminary study, previous 
 experience or training, without precedents in what they un 
 dertook, in a newly settled country, without steain power, ma 
 chine shops, skilled mechanics, suitable tools or materials, 
 failure, rather than success, might reasonably have been pre 
 dicted. 
 
 The new furnace, which for some time had been under con 
 struction, was now complete. It was simply a reproduction 
 of the Elisha Brooks kettle furnace, or a larger s-cale. There 
 were more kettles, of larger size, and better arranged. 
 
 On the 8th of February, 1808, the Ruffner Bros, made their 
 first lifting of salt from this furnace, and simultaneously re 
 duced the price to the, then, unprecedentedly low figure of 4 
 cents per pound.* 
 
 .From this time forward, salt making, as one of the leading 
 industries of Kariawha, was an established fact, and Kanawha 
 salt one of the leading commercial articles of the west; and 
 wherever it has gone, from the Alleghani- S to the Rocky 
 mountains, from the Lakes to the Gulf, its superior qualities 
 have been recognized and appreciated. 
 
 The neighboring property owners, who had watched the 
 progress and result of the Ruffoer well with such deep interest, . 
 now instituted borings on their own lands, above and below, 
 and on both sides, of the river. Among these earlier, enter- 
 
 interesting facts in this history of tin- boring of ib.c first well, I am in- 
 (!*-btc(l To a MS by the late Dr. Henry Rufl m r-am! 1 or personal recollections 
 
 .-u litioiis 1. uia indebted o. is Hutt ncr, Isaac IluiFiirr, \V. D. 
 
 ShivwsbeiT.v, Col. II. II. Smith, Col. L. I V/oo-lyan!, W. C. Brooks, and others, 
 mid my o\\ ncrs for the last 3J your.s. 
 
RESOURCES OF WEST VIRGINIA. 285 
 
 terprising experimenters, were William Whitaker, Tobias./ 
 Ruffner, Andrew Donally, and others. All were more or less 
 successful in getting a supply of brine, at depths varying from 
 50 to 100 feet, and by 1817 there were some 30 furnaces and 15 
 or 20 wells in operation, making in the aggregate 600,000 to 
 700,000 bushels of salt. 
 
 In this year an important revolution in the manufacture of 
 salt was effected by the discovery of coal. Although, in one of 
 the finest coal fields of the world, coal had not, hitherto, been 
 found here in workable seams, nor been used at all, except for 
 blacksmith purposes. Wood had been the only fuel used in 
 salt making, and for other purposes, and all the bottoms and 
 convenient hill slopes for several miles up ai d down the river 
 had been stripped of their timber to supply this demand. 
 
 David Ruffner, true to the spirit of enterprise and pluck 
 which bored the first well, was the first here to use coal as a 
 fuel. This would appear to be a very simple matter now; but 
 was not so then. It was only after many months of discourag 
 ing efforts, and failing experiments, that he finally succeeded 
 in getting it to work to his satisfaction. Its value established, 
 however, its use was, at once, adopted by the other furnaces, 
 and wood ceased to be used as a fuel for salt making in Ka- 
 nawha. 
 
 Other important improvements w r ere gradually going on in 
 the manner of boring, tubing and pumping wells, &c. The 
 first progress made in tubing, after Rtiffner s compound wood- 
 and-wrapping-twine tube, was made by a tinner who had loca 
 ted in Charleston to make tin cups and coffee pots for the 
 multitude, lie made tin tubes in convenient lengths, and 
 soldered them together as they were put down the well. The 
 refinement of screw joints had not yet come, but followed 
 shortly after, in connection with copper pipes, which soon 
 took the place of tin, and these are recently giving place to 
 iron. 
 
 In the manner of bagging the wells, that is, in forming a 
 water-tight joint around the tube to shut off the weaker 
 waters above from the stronger below, a simple arrangement, 
 called a k< geed-bag," was fallen upon, which proved very effec 
 tive, which has survived to this day, and has been adopted 
 wherever deep boring is done, as one of the standard appliances 
 
286 RESOURCES OF WEST VIRGINIA. 
 
 for the purpose for which it is used. This seed-bag is made of 
 buckskin, or soft calf-skin pewed up like the sleeve of a coat 
 or leg of a stocking ; made 12 to 15 inches long, about the size 
 of the well hole and open at both ends ; this is slipped over the 
 tube and one end securely wrapped over knots placed on the 
 tube to prevent slipping. Some six or eight inches of the bag 
 is then filled with flaxseed, either alone or mixed with pow 
 dered gum tragacanth ; the other end of the bag is then wrap 
 ped, like the first, and the tube is ready for the well. When 
 to their place and they are put down any depth, to hundreds 
 of feet the seed and gum soon swell from the water they ab 
 sorb, till a close fit and water-tight joint are made. 
 
 The hydraulic contrivance for raising salt water from the 
 gums, consisting of a bucket, a swape and a man, was simple, 
 
 I slow and sure ; but the spirit of progress was abroad and it 
 
 : soon gave place to a more complicated arrangement, consist 
 ing of a pump, lever, crank, shaft, and blind horse or mule, 
 
 that revolved in its orbit around the shaft. This was consid 
 ered a wonderful achievement in mechanical contrivance, es 
 pecially by the men who had worked the swapes. 
 
 For several years this "horse-mil]," as it was called, was the 
 
 only mode of pumping salt water on Kanawha, but in the 
 
 ; fulness of time it also went to the rear in 1828 and the steam 
 
 engine came to the front, not only for pumping, but also for 
 
 boring wells and various other uses. 
 
 / In 1831 William Morris, or "Billy" Morris, as he was fa 
 miliarly called, a very ingenious and successful practical well 
 borer, invented a simple tool, which has done more to render 
 deep boring practicable, simple and cheap, than anything else 
 since the introduction of steam. 
 
 This tool has always been called here "Slips," but in the 
 oil regions they have given it the name of "Jars." It is a long 
 double-link, with jaws that fit closely, but slide loosely up and 
 down. They are made of the best steel, are about 30 inches 
 long, and fitted, top and bottom, with pin and socket joint, 
 respectively. For use they are interposed between the heavy 
 iron sinker, with its cutting chisel-bit below, and the line of 
 augur poles above. Its object is to let the heavy sinker and 
 bit have a clear, quick, cutting fall, unobstructed and unen 
 cumbered by the slower motion of the long line of augur pole? 
 
RESOURCES OF WEST VIRGINIA. 287 
 
 above. In the case of fast augur or other tools in the well, 
 they are also used to give heavy jars upward or downward, or 
 both, to loosen them. From this use the oil well people have 
 given them the name of "Jars." 
 
 Billy Morris never patented his invention, and never asked 
 for nor made a dollar out of it, but as a public benefactor, he 
 deserves to rank with the inventors of the sewing machine, 
 reaping machine, planing machine, printing cylinders, cot 
 ton gin, &c. 
 
 This tool has been adopted into general use wherever 
 deep boring is done, but, outside of Kanawha, few have heard 
 of Billy Morris, or know where the slips or jars came from. 
 
 The invention of this tool, the adoption of the heavy sinker 
 and some other minor improvements in well boring, gave a 
 great impetus to deep boring in Kanawha. Wells were put 
 down 500, 1,000, 1,500, and 1,800 feet, and one, the deepest in 
 Kanawha, by Charles Reynolds, to about 2,000 feet. These 
 borings would doubtless have been carried to a much greater 
 depth, but that the fact soon got to be understood, that the 
 salt-bearing strata had been passed, and that no brines were 
 obtained at a greater depth than 800 to 1,000 feet. The limit 
 of the salt-bearing rocks is readily told by the character of 
 the borings. Within this limit are sandstones, shale, coal, 
 &c., of the Coal Measures lying nearly horizontal, though 
 dipping slightly to the northwest ; below is the Carbonifer 
 ous Limestone which underlies the Coal Measures, and crops 
 out 100 miles to the eastward. This limestone, when pene 
 trated, is known to the well-borers as the "long-running 
 rock," from the fact that a boring-bit will run along time in 
 it without being dulled. 
 
 No regular suites of samples of borings from the Kanawha 
 wells have ever been kept. This is not important, however, 
 as the strata are well known, and can be examined along the 
 New river canon as they crop out to the eastward. 
 
 The Kanawha borings have educated and sentjbrth a set of 
 skilful well-borers, all over the country, who have bored for 
 water for irrigation on the western plains, for artesian wells 
 for city, factory, or private use, for salt water at various 
 places, for oil all over the country, for geological or miner- 
 ological explorations, &c., &c. 
 
288 RESOURCES OF WEST VIRGINIA. 
 
 Nearly all the Kanawha salt wells have contained more or 
 less petroleum oil, and some of the deepest wells a consider- 
 ble flow. Many persons now think, trusting to their recol 
 lections, that some of the wells afforded as much as 25 to 50 
 barrels per day. This was allowed to flow over from the top 
 of the salt cisterns, on to the river, where, from its specific 
 gravity, it spread over a large surface, and by its beautiful 
 iridescent hues, and not very savory odour, could be traced for 
 many miles down the stream. It was from this that the river 
 received the familiar nickname of " Old Greasy, by which it 
 was for a long time familiarly known by Kanawha boatmen 
 and others. 
 
 At that time this oil not only had no value, but was con 
 sidered a great nuisance, and every effort was made to tube it 
 out and get rid of it. It is now the opinion of some compe 
 tent geologists, as well as of practical oil men, that very deep 
 borings, say 2,500 feet, would penetrate rich oil-bearing strata, 
 and possibly inexhaustible supplies of gas. 
 
 In 1775, Gen. Washington visited the Kanawha valley in 
 person, and located some very valuable lands for his military 
 services. About three miles above the Salt Lick, he set apart 
 and deeded to the public, forever, a square acre of land near 
 the river, on which was a great natural wonder, then little 
 understood, called a "burning spring."* For many, many 
 years aft^r, it was visited by every one who came to or pa?sed 
 through Kanawha, as one of the great curiosities of the region. 
 It was simply a hole in the ground, which filled with water 
 when it rained, and up through which issued a jet of gas, 
 giving the water the appearance of boiling, and when lighted 
 burned with a bright flame till blown out by high wind. 
 
 In 1841, William Tompkins, in boring a salt well a short 
 distance above the burning spring, struck a large flow of gas, 
 which he turned to account by boiling his furnace 7 and 
 making salt with it, effecting a great saving in fuel and econ 
 omy in the cost of salt. 
 
 In 184B, Messrs. Dickinson & Shrewsberry, boring a few 
 
 -The following is an extract from George Washington s will : " The tract of 
 which tho 123 acres is a moiety, was taken up by Gen. Andrew Lewis and 
 myself, for, and on account of, a bituminous spring, which it contains, of so 
 inflammable a nature as to buni as freely as spirits, and is as nearly difficult 
 to extinguish." 
 
RESOURCES OF WEST VIRGINIA. 289 
 
 rods below, tapped at about 1,000 feet in depth, nature s great 
 gas reservoir of this region. So great was the pressure of this 
 gas, and the force with which it was vented through this 
 bore hole, that the augur, consisting of a heavy iron sinker, 
 weighing some 500 pounds, and several hundred feet more of 
 augur poles, weighing in all, perhaps 1,000 pounds, was shot 
 up out of the well like an arrow out of a cross-bow. With it 
 came a column of salt water, which stood probably 150 feet high. 
 The roaring of this gas and water, as they issued, could be 
 heard under favorable conditions for several miles. 
 
 It w r ould have been difficult to estimate with any approach 
 to accuracy, the quantity of gas vented by this well, and no 
 attempt was made to measure it. I heard it roughly esti 
 mated as being enough to light London and Paris, with, per 
 haps, enough left to supply a few such villages as New York 
 and Philadelphia. But as this is a salt well, as well as gas 
 well, I suggest that the gas estimates be taken, " cum grano 
 salis." 
 
 While this well was blowing it was the custom of the stage 
 drivers, as they passed down by it, to stop and let their pas 
 sengers take a look at the novel arid wonderful display. On 
 one occasion a professor from Harvard College was one of the 
 stage passengers, and being a man of investigating and 
 experimenting turn of mind, he went as near the well as he 
 could get for the gas and spray of the falling water, and 
 lighted a match to see if the gas would burn. Instantly the 
 whole atmosphere was ablaze, the Professor s hair and eye 
 brows singed, and his clothes afire. The well-frame and 
 engine-house also took fire, and were much damaged. The 
 Professor, who had jumped into the river to save himself from 
 the fire, crawled out, and back to the stage, as best he could, 
 and went on to Charleston, where he took to bed, and sent 
 for a doctor to dress his burns. 
 
 Col; Dickinson, one of the owners of the well, hearing of the 
 burning of his engine house and well frame, sent for his man 
 of affairs, Col. Woodyard, and ordered him to follow the un 
 known stage passenger to town, get a warrant, have him ar 
 rested and punished, for wilfully and wantonly burning his 
 property, unless concluded Col. Dickinson, as Woodyard was 
 about starting, unless you find that the fellow is natur-al d d 
 37 
 
290 RESOURCES OF WEPT VIRGINIA. 
 
 fool, and didnt know any better* Arriving at Charleston, 
 Woodyard went to the room of the burnt Professor at the hotel, 
 finding him in bed, his face and hands blistered, "and in a sorry 
 plight generally. He proceeded to state in very plain terms, 
 the object of his visit, at which the Prof, seemed greatly wor 
 ried, and alarmed, not knowing the extent of this additional 
 impending trouble, which his folly had brought upon him. 
 Before he had expressed himself in words, however, Woodyard 
 proceeded to deliver, verbatim, and with great emphasis the 
 codicil to Dickinson s instructions. The Prof, notwithstand 
 ing his physical pain and mental alarm, seemed to take in the 
 ludicrousnc ss of the whole case, and with an effort to smile 
 through his blisters, replied that it seemed a pretty hard alter 
 native; but, under the circumstances, he f 4t it his duty to con 
 fess under the last clause, and escape. Well, said Woodyard, if 
 this is your decision, my duty is ended, and I bid you good 
 morning. 
 
 The salt water and gas from this well were partially collect 
 ed, and convoyed through wooden pip^s, to the nearest furnace, 
 where they were used in making salt. 
 
 Ftfr many years this natuial flow of gas lifted the salt water 
 1,000 feet from the bottom of the well, forced it a mile or more 
 through pipes, to a salt furnace, raised it into a reservoir, 
 boiled it in the furnace, and lighted the premises all around at 
 night. About the only objection to the arrangement was, 
 that it did not lift the salt and pack it in barrels. 
 
 The success of this well induced other salt makers to bore 
 \leep wells for gas, and several were successful- Messrs. Worth 
 & English, Tompkins, Welch & Co., Wm. D. Shrewsberry, 
 I J". H. Fry, and J. S. O. Brooks, got gas wells and used the gas 
 either alone, or in connection with coal, for fuel in salt mak 
 ing. Gas was also struck in a few other wells, but did not 
 last long, and was not utilized. 
 
 The first flow of gas ever struck in Kanawha, was as far 
 back as 1815, in a well bored by Capt. James Wilson, within 
 the present city limits of Charleston, near the residence of 
 C. C. Lewis, Esq. 
 
 The Capt. had not gotten as good salt water as he expected ; 
 but instead of being discouraged, he declared in language em- 
 
RESOURCES OF WEST VIRGINIA. 291 
 
 phatic, that he would have better brine or bore the well into 
 lower regions, with higher temperature. 
 
 Shortly after this the augur struck a cavity which gave vent 
 to an immense flow of gas and salt water. The gas caught 
 fire from a grate near at hand, and blazed up with great force 
 and brilliancy, much to the consternation of the well borers 
 and others. Capt. Wilson thought it would be a reckless 
 tempting of Providence to go any deeper, and ordered the 
 boring stopped. 
 
 This well is now owned by the Charleston Gas Light Com 
 pany, w r ho at some future time contemplate re-opening it to 
 test the gas for lighting the city. 
 
 Of the many wells in the neighborhood, that have furnished 
 gas, some have stopped suddenly, and some by a slow and 
 gradual process. Whether these stoppages have been from 
 exhaustion of the gas, or sudden, or gradual stoppage of the 
 vent-ways, has not been definitely determined. It is known, 
 however, that in the Dickinson and Shrewsberry well, which 
 blew longer than any other, that the copper pipes in the well, 
 and the wooden pipes leading to the furnace, were lined with 
 a mineral deposit, in some places nearly closing them. This 
 deposit has not been analyzed, but may possibly be silicate 
 of lime. A system of torpedoing might break up these incrus 
 tations from the walls of the well and roek cavities, and start 
 the gas again. 
 
 From the results of such wells in Pennsylvania, and New 
 York, we have large encouragement to hope for similar results 
 here. 
 
 A few wells intelligently manipulated, might give gas 
 enough to boil all the salt manufactured here, and run all the 
 machinery, in the neighborhood. 
 
 After the introduction of steam power, and the use of coal 
 for fuel, no striking change was effected in the process of salt 
 manufacture for a number of years. What improvements 
 were made, were simply in degree. Wells were bored deep 
 er, the holes were bored larger, the tubing was better, the 
 pumps and rigging simpler. The furnaces were larger, better 
 constructed, andj more] effectively] operated, the quality of the 
 salt improved and the quantity increased, but still they were 
 kettle furnaces of the original type. 
 
292 RESOURCES OF WEST VIRGINIA. 
 
 * The mammoth of the kettle era was that of Joseph Friend 
 \t & Son, at the mouth of Campbell s creek, on which they made 
 100,000 bushels of salt per annum. The usual capacity of 
 other furnaces was 25,000 to 50,000 bushels per annum. 
 
 This was about the condition of the salt manufacture here 
 in 1835, when there were, all told, about 40 furnaces, producing 
 annually about 2,000,000 bushels of salt. 
 
 i During this year Geo. H. Patrick, Esq. of Onondaiga, New 
 York, came here, to introduce a patent steam furnace. 
 
 The furnace proper, after it was developed and improved, 
 consisted of cast iron pans, or bottoms, 8 to 10 feet by 3 feet. 
 Eight or ten of these pieces were bolted together by iron screws, 
 forming one section 24 to 30 feet long, by 8 or 10 feet wide. 
 There were two, three, or four of these sections according to the 
 size of the furnace. Over each of the sections was constructed 
 a wooden steam chest, bolted to the flanges on the sides of the 
 pans, and otherwise held together by wooden clamps and keys, 
 and iron bolts and rods, all made steam and water tight by 
 calking. These several sections are set longitudinally on the 
 furnace walls to form one continuous furnace. 
 
 After the furnace comes a series of wooden vats or cisterns, 
 a usual size for which, is about 10 feet wide and 100 feet long. 
 The number of these cisterns varies according to the size of 
 the furnace, They are constructed of poplar plank, 4 to 5 
 inches thick, dressed to joints, and fitted in a frame of oak by 
 sills and clamps. They are tightened by driving wooden keys, 
 and then calked to make them water tight. This system of 
 clamping and keying cisterns, was introduced here from a 
 model brought by Col. B. H. Smith, from the navy yard at 
 Norfolk,. It was very simple and effective, and has been re 
 tained to this day, without improvement or change. 
 
 There are two sets of these cisterns, the first in which the 
 brines after boiling in the furnace proper, ars settled, and at the 
 same time strengthened up to saturation. The latter in which 
 the salt is graduated from the clear saturated brines. These 
 settling and graining cisterns are very much alike, except that 
 the grainers, are but 15 to 18 inches deep, while the settlers may 
 be double that or more. Through each and all of these cisterns 
 from end to end are three rows of copper pipes, usually 5 inches 
 in diameter. 
 
RESOURCES OF WEST VIRGINIA. 293 
 
 After the salt water is boiled in the furnace proper, it runs 
 into these settling cisterns, and after being thoroughly settled 
 and saturated, is drawn into the grainers, where the salt is de 
 posited, and once in 24 honrs is lifted out by long handled 
 shovels, on to a salt board, suspended above the grainer, and 
 from which, after proper draining it is wheeled in wheel bar 
 rows to a salt house, where it is packed in barrels ready for 
 shipment. 
 
 The steam generated by the boiling in the furnace proper, 
 is carried from the steam chest, by wooden pipes, to the copper 
 pipes and through the settlers and grainers. This steam giv 
 ing up its heat in passing through these cisterns, keeps up the 
 temperature of the brines, and causes rapid evaporation. The 
 temperature of these cisterns varies from 120 to 190, an 
 average would probably be 165. 
 
 This in short, is a description of the steam furnace, after it 
 was improved, and the first mistakes and crudities eliminated. 
 In the first experiments only very slight heat was imparted by 
 the steam to t the brines, and only very coarse or alum salt 
 made. It was very simple, accomplished all that was expected, 
 and so soon as it was fairly tested, improved up to its working 
 condition, and its advantages demonstrated, the days of kettle 
 furnaces were numbered. 
 
 Andrew Donnally and Isaac Xoyes were the first to try and j 
 adopt the plan. Then followed John D. Lewis, Lewis Ruffner, i 
 Frederick Brooks, and others, till all had made the change ; i 
 and when the Ohio river furnaces were built, the system was 
 fully adopted there. 
 
 It is now about 40 years since George Patrick introduced the j 
 steam furnace, but it still holds its position securely, and j 
 without a rival. 
 
 Minor improvements have been made, and the furnaces much 
 enlarged, but the general plan has not been changed. From 
 the 2,000 or 3,000 or 4,000 bushels per month of the earlier 
 furnaces, the production has been increased to 20,000, 30,000 
 or 40,000 bushels per month. The writer s furnace, Snow Hill, 
 has made in one year, independent of all stoppages, delays, 1 
 etc., 420,000 bushels, the largest single month s run being 41,- 
 000 bushels. This furnace has 20,000 square feet of evapor 
 ating cistern surface, and over 1,300 square feet of metal-pan 
 
294 RESOURCES OF WEST VIRGINIA. 
 
 furnace-surface. About 1.200 bushels of coal per d&y are con 
 sumed in the furnace proper, and about 300 more for engines, 
 houses, and other purposes. 
 
 How far this will be exceeded in the future remains to be 
 seen. The same progress has occurred in freighting salt, as 
 in the manufacture. In the days of Elisha Brooks, the neigh 
 bors took the salt from the kettles. in their pocket handker-- 
 chiefs, tin buckets, or pillow cases. Later, it was taken in 
 mealbags, on pack-horses, and pack-saddles. 
 
 The first shipment west, by river, was in 1808, in tubs, boxes, 
 and hogsheads, floated on a raft of logs. Next came small 
 flat-boats, 50 to 75 feat long, and 10 to 18 feet wide, " run " by 
 hand, and in ft hich salt was shipped in barrels. These boats 
 increased in size up to 160 feet or more long, and 24 to 25 feet 
 wide, and carried 1,800 to 2,200 barrels of salt. 
 
 These boats were all run by hand, at great risk, and although 
 the Kanawha boatmen were the best in the world, the boats 
 and cargoes were not unfrequently sunk, entailing heavy loss 
 upon the owners of the salt. The late Col. Andrew Donnally 
 used to ask, when he heard of one of his boats sinking, whether 
 any of the boatmen were drowned; if not, he contended it was 
 not a fair sink. But all this is now done away. with. Salt is 
 now shipped eastward by rail, and to the nearer westward 
 markets by daily and weekly steamboat packets, and to the 
 more distant markets by towbpats and barges. Atowboat will 
 now take 8,000 to 15,000 barrels at one trip, landing them at 
 Louisville, Evansville, Nashville, Memphis, St. Louis, or else 
 where. 
 
 In the matter of packages, no change has occurred here since 
 the first use of barrels, the principal change being a gradual 
 improvement in the quality of the cooperage. Our neighbors 
 in Mason county, ship some salt in bulk, arid some in bags, 
 but the larger portion in barrels. 
 
 Kanawha uses barrels exclusively. We use two sizes 280 
 pounds and 350 pounds net salt, respectively. The pork pack 
 ing trade takes the larger size, and the retail trade, the smaller 
 chiefly. 
 
 These barrels are made of white oak staves and hickory 
 hoops, and it is believed that nothing cheaper or better can be 
 devised for salt packages. They are cheaper than bags, more 
 
RESOURCES OF WEST VIRGINIA. 295 
 
 convenient to handle, more convenient to store, stand rougher 
 usages, and more exposure to the weather. Markets having 
 choice of salt in bags or barrels, generally prefer the barrels. 
 
 In the earlier times of salt making here, various substances 
 were experimented with for the purpose of settling or sepa 
 rating the impurities from the brine. Blood, glue, jelly, lime, 
 *alum, etc., were used. Something of the sort was necessary 
 when the brine was boiled down in kettles with all its impur 
 ities, but they are all useless, and worse than useless in the 
 present process, and have long been abandoned. Plenty of 
 settle-room and plenty of time, are all that are needed to have 
 the brines as clear as spring water. The bitterns, after the 
 salt is granulated, are thrown away, or used for other purposes. 
 
 It has long been known that a small portion of some greasy 
 or oily substance, on the surface of the brine helped u to cut the 
 grain, and hasten the granulation. Butter, tallow, lard, 
 rosin, oils, etc., have been tried. Of these, butter is far the 
 best, and next to butter, tallow ; lard and some of the other? 
 are positively detrimental. 
 
 What the action of butter is, whether chemical or mechani 
 cal or both, I think has never been determined, but certain it 
 is, that a very small quantity of butter on the surface of brine, 
 while it is granulating very much improves the salt, making 
 the grain finer and more uniform. 
 
 Heat, too, is an important condition in making fine salt. 
 The higher the temperature, other things being equal, the 
 finer the salt. In making the finer grades of table and dairy 
 salt, it is necessary to have the brine up to, or near, the boil 
 ing point. 
 
 On the other hand, the coarser grades of salt, preferred for 
 meat packing and other purposes, are made at temperatures of 
 from 100 to 150 F. 
 
 A still coarser grained, or larger crystalled salt, known as 
 alum salt or solar salt, and made in the open air by solar evap 
 oration, is not made here, but there is no reason why it should 
 not be to great advantage, as we have longer summers and 
 warmer suns, than at Onondaiga, New York, where it is very 
 largely made, and with more profit than other grades of salt. 
 
 Some of the waste products from salt making, are recently 
 being utilized. Mr. Lerner, an enterprising German, is manu- 
 
296 
 
 RESOURCES OF WEST VIRGINIA. 
 
 facturiiig bromine, both here and at the Mason county fur 
 naces, from bitterns, and Mr. Bemmelmans, a Belgian chemist, 
 is erecting works to manufacture hydrochloric acid from bit 
 terns, arid pigments from the impalpable oxide of iron which 
 is deposited from salt brines. 
 
 The cost of manufacturing salt on Kanawha varies, of 
 course, from time to time, with the varying price of living,* 
 labor and supplies. It also varies with each particular furnace 
 according to size, and the greater or less advantages which it 
 possesses. The larger the furnace, other things being equal, 
 the cheapf3r it will make salt. The general superintendence 
 and management of a large furnace, costs very little, if any 
 more, than, for a small one ; and a given quantity of coal will 
 make more salt on a large furnace than a small one. 
 
 The best furnace .will make 100 bushels of salt with 80 to 
 90 bushels of coal. A good average result is, a bushel of salt 
 for a bushel of coal, and the least economical consume about 
 125 bushels of coal per 100 bushels of salt. 
 
 Some of the furnaces mine their own coal, and some buy 
 fine or nut coal from mines that are shipping coal. Even the 
 best furnaces do not use coal at all economically or to the best 
 advantage. There is, in this respect, great room for improve 
 ment. 
 
 The cost of coal delivered at the furnaces, ranges from 2J- to 
 4 cents per bushel. The present cost of barrels is 25 to 28 
 cents for the smaller size and 28 to 32 cents for the larger. 
 The cost of common day labor is $1,00 to $1,25 per day. Coal 
 miners get 2 cents per bushel. 
 
 The cost of producing salt at these figures may be stated at 
 8to 11 cents per bushel in bulk, or 13 to 16 cents in barrels, 
 ready for shipment. 
 
 The present cost of boring a salt well here, say 1,000 feet, 
 after engine, well frame, &c., are ready, is $1,200 to $1,500. 
 The time necessary to bore and ream it complete, is 60 to 90 
 days. The cost of a salt furnace, complete, depends upon size, 
 &c., and varies within wide limits. It may be stated roughly 
 at $40,000 to 100,000. 
 
 The people of the United States consume more salt than 
 those of any other country, the estimated average consump 
 tion being one bushel of 50 pounds, per capita, for the entire 
 
RESOURCES OF WEST VIRGINIA. 297 
 
 population. The great western markets, where our product 
 goes, consume even more largely than the general average, as 
 this is the largest pork-packing region on the globe. This 
 portion of the country is rapidly increasing in population, 
 and as rapidly in its meat crop and salt consumption. 
 
 It is well known to chemists that salt is a valuable fertilizer 
 on most soils for wheat, cotton, grass, potatoes, turnips, and 
 other crops ; and as an ingredient in compound manures it has 
 a wide range of value. It is often recommended by the high 
 est authorities, but, as yet, very little is so used in this coun 
 try. When agriculture gets to be better understood and prac 
 ticed, and agricultural people understand their interests better, 
 a large demand and consumption will doubtless be developed 
 in that direction. 
 
 The most important and prospectively promising develop 
 ment in the manufacture of salt here, is its probable use on a 
 large scale in the manufacture of alkalies and other chemicals 
 having salt as a basis or important constituent. 
 
 With a population of 40,000,000, and covering the greater 
 part of a continent, it is an astonishing fact that our last 
 census does not report a single Soda Ash works in operation 
 in the United States, while the official returns show the im 
 portation of these chemicals into the country to be enormously 
 large. 
 
 In 1872 the importation of soda ash, caustic soda, <fec., was 
 over 100,000 tons; in 1873, 118,000 tons; in 1874, 140,000 tons; 
 in 1875, tons. 
 
 These figures, together with the following article, cut from 
 the New York Tribune a few years ago, are strikingly sugges 
 tive and instructive, and present, in a very forcible manner, 
 the great and rapidly growing importance of this manufacture 
 to this country. 
 
 " GIVE US THE SODA ASH MANUFACTURE." 
 
 " Soda ash, within ten days, has gone up J a cent a pound. 
 Well, what of that ? Just this : For the bread we Ameri 
 cans eat, for the window glass that lights our houses, and in 
 fact shelters us from the weather, for every pound of hard 
 soap that we use, for every sheet of our letter, cap, and print 
 ing paper, for the bleaching of our cotton cloths, and very 
 38 
 
298 RESOURCES OF WEST VIRGINIA. 
 
 many other blessings, we are absolutely dependent upon Great 
 Britain. Her manufactories of soda ash have the monopoly 
 of furnishing the United States with that article, indispensa 
 bly necessary in itself, and in its correlative products, to the 
 supply of the commonest wants of our social and domestic 
 life. There is nob a soda ash manufactory in the United 
 States. 
 
 There are the skeletons of many, killed dead under a com 
 petition under Free Trade Tariffs, or Free Trade clauses in 
 Protective Tariffs, which represents the difference of wages 
 paid to common laborers in the United States and Great 
 Britain, 50 cents a day there, and $1.50 a day here. But there 
 is not a single living, kicking soda ash factory in our whole 
 country. Let us re-state this, our nation s dependence. If a war 
 should break out between Great Britain and the United States 
 we would be instantly cut off from the supply of the mate 
 rials to make bread, soap, glass, and paper. The manufactur 
 ing interests dependent upon soda ash and its correlations, 
 would forthwith be brought to the greatest distress, or to abso 
 lute ruin. So soon as the imported stock on hand was 
 exhausted, we should have to depend on blockade running to 
 obtain the chemical element necessary to enable the nation to 
 wash its clothes and raise its bread and cakes. In the event 
 of such a war, soda ash would go up to $2.00 per pound, 
 indeed it could not be gotten at any price. Oar people would 
 expiate with widespread distress their folly in not hav 
 ing encouraged and established this article of prime and indis- 
 pensible necessity, at least to the point of independence from 
 foreign supply. 
 
 But soda ash has gone up ^ a cent a pound. It is a new 
 fluctuation, which we simply wish to employ in urging the 
 solemn duty to make this nation independent of Great Britain, 
 for the comfort of its social and domestic life. The fluctua 
 tion in the price of soda ash in 1865 was between 3J cents the 
 pound and 12^ cents. During that time, the profit the Britisli 
 manufacturers and importers made out of us, ranged 
 between 200 and 400 per cent. Money enough was sent out 
 of this country, to pay inordinate profits to foreigners, to have 
 paid for the successful establishment here of the soda ash 
 manufacture in at least eight different States, and to have 
 
RESOURCES OF WEST VIRGINIA. 299 
 
 secured a permanently low and steady price of the article in 
 all the American markets. This rise of J a cent a pound, a 
 British tax on every glass, soap, paper, and cotton manufac 
 turer in this country, will not excite a protest. How wise it 
 would be for these manufacturers, quitting forever their 
 chronic protests against a tariff on soda ash, to unite in 
 demanding one that should immediately establish the manu 
 facture here, and save them forever from those inevitable 
 fluctuations in the price of the foreign article, and the extrav 
 agant profits from which only home competition, between 
 established producers, saves the consumer." 
 
 All, or nearly all, of our supply of these chemicals comes 
 from Great Britain. Official reports of 1870, giving the opera 
 tions of 1869. will give an idea of the extent and importance 
 of the manufacture in that country. 
 
 In that year the manufactories there consumed 10,184, 
 000 bushels of salt ; 26,908,000 bushels, or 961,000 tons of coal ; 
 281,000 tons of limestone and chalk ; 264,000 tons of pyrites ; 
 8,300 tons of nitrate of soda, and 33,000 tons of timber for 
 casks. 
 
 The manufacture, I am told, has largely increased since 
 1869, but I have not seen official reports of a later date. 
 
 Is there any sufficient reason why this manufacture should 
 be so neglected and ignored in this country? On the con 
 trary, the advantages are so great and so palpable that it is 
 difficult to understand why capital and enterprise have not 
 been enlisted in it. To illustrate, compare the conditions of 
 manufacture at New Castle, on the Tyne, the seat of the largest 
 manufacture in England, with what they would be on the 
 Kanawha. 
 
 The New Castle manufacturer buys his salt in Cheshire and 
 transports it several hundred miles by rail. He buys his coal 
 from neighboring collieries, paying railway transportation on 
 that to his works. His pyrites and manganese come from 
 Spain, and his timber for casks from Canada or Norway. 
 
 When the chemicals are made, he sends them to Liverpool 
 or Glasgow by rail for American shipment, thence by steamers 
 to New York, paying ocean freight, insurance, and govern 
 ment duty. At New York he pays commission, cartage, &c., 
 and thence railroad freight to the western markets, say to 
 Pittsburgh, St. Louis, &c. 
 
300 RESOURCES OF WEST VIRGINIA. 
 
 Per contra, the Kanawha manufacturer would have salt and 
 coal at his doors, at a small margin over producer s cost, if he 
 did not produce them himself at actual cost. On the line of 
 the dies. & Ohio R. R., accessible, cheap and convenient, are 
 inexhaustible mines and beds of superior pyrites, manganese 
 and limestone, and timber of the finest qualities abounds 
 throughout the region, and. is extremely cheap. . 
 
 The product, when ready, could be rolled from one door of 
 the factory into boats or barges, and in a short time, by cheap 
 water transportation, be landed at these same large western 
 consuming markets from Pittsburgh to St. Louis, inclusive; 
 or from the opposite do3r of the factory, on the cars of the 
 Ches. & Ohio R. R. for early delivery into any of the eastern 
 cities. 
 
 It will be readily seen, I think, that the advantages are great 
 ly in favor of the American manufacture, and especially at 
 Kanawha, where there are, probably, more advantages com 
 bined than at any other point in the country. 
 
 With cheap salt, cheap coal, cheap sulphurets, cheap manga 
 nese, cheap limestone, cheap timber, cheap labor, and cheap 
 transportation, there is nothing lacking but capital to make 
 the Kanawha the Tyne of America. 
 
 West Virginia should at least supply soda ash, caustic soda, 
 and bleaching powder, to the great chemical consuming mar 
 kets of the west, so near and cheaply accessible to us, if not, 
 indeed, to the whole continent, thus saving to the consumers 
 millions 01 dollars of extra cost for the foreign article, and 
 saving the country from the risk of the unpleasant contin 
 gencies described in the foregoing Tribune article. 
 
 The inauguration of this industry here on a large scale, it is 
 believed, would promote other enterprises depending largely 
 upon these products as well as upon cheap coal and cheap 
 timber. 
 
 Glass works, soap factories, paper mills, <fcc., might, with 
 advantage, be located here convenient to salt and chemical 
 supplies. The products of these establishments would, of 
 course, have the same advantages of cheaply reaching the 
 great consuming and rapidly growing markets of the west. 
 
 The Great Kanawha Coal Field, within which lies the Ka 
 nawha salt basin, is one of the finest known coal fields in the 
 
RESOURCES OF WEST VIRGINIA. 301 
 
 world. We have coal of the finest qualities, splint, bitumin 
 ous and cannel, hard block coal, suitable for iron making ; soft, 
 rich coal for gas ; good coking coal ; steam coal and grate coal. 
 Oar cannel coals for parlor use or gas making are unexcelled. 
 Iron ores, carbonates of the coal formation, are found through 
 out the region, red and brown haematites and specular ores 
 are cheaply accessible by rail, and black band of superior qual 
 ity is found here in large abundance. As a timber region, 
 especially for the hard woods, this can hardly be excelled on 
 the continent. 
 
 It is not my purpose, however, in this paper, to describe the 
 coal, iron or timber ; they will doubtless be written up by 
 others; but I wished, simply in a few words, to call attention 
 to the conjunction, or convenient proximity of these great 
 leading staple, raw materials, herein described or mentioned, 
 and all on a great line of railroad and a navigable river, con 
 necting with all the 16,000 miles of water-ways draining the 
 interior of the continent into the "Great Father of Waters," the 
 Mississippi, and reaching the teeming millions of population 
 who dwell upon his fertile shores to their farthest limits. 
 
 It is upon such valuable, staple raw materials, as I have 
 named, and so favorably located as here, that communities and 
 nations, found their industries, and build their wealth. 
 
 I will not undertake to give any detailed description of the 
 geology of this salt basin, to do so, would be to give the geology 
 of the Appalachian coal field. The strata here, are simply the 
 usual strata of the coal measures, lying nearly horizontal, and 
 saturated in an unusual degree, with valuable brines. 
 
 Pun. salt, or chloride of sodium, is the same under all cir 
 cumstances, but no commercial salt is entirely pure. Sea water, 
 brine springs, rock salt, and all sources of commercial supply 
 contain, associated with common salt, other saline ingredients- 
 
 These are chiefly sulphates and chlorides, in greater or less 
 quantity, and varying proportions. 
 
 Probably the most common, as well a^ the most deliterious 
 of these compounds is sulphate of lime. Our salt has the ad 
 vantage of being absolutely free from lime and other sulphates, 
 our process of manufacture, perhaps better, than any other, 
 enables us to separate the hurtful compounds and purify the 
 brines. 
 
302 RESOURCES OF WEST VIRGINIA. 
 
 The salt when carefully made analyzes 98.00 to 99.00 per 
 cent of pure chloride of sodium, the remaining fraction being 
 made up of chlorides of magnesium, and calcium. These absorb 
 a little moisture from the atmosphere, relieve the salt from a 
 chappy dryness, and impart to it that valuable property of 
 penetrating and curing meat in any climate or weather, for 
 which it has so long enjoyed a high reputation.. In fact the 
 distinctive characteristics of Kanawha salt may be stated as 
 follows : 
 
 1st. It has a more lively, pungent and pleasant taste as a 
 table salt than any other known. 
 
 2nd. "It is the only commercial salt that is absolutely free 
 from sulphate of lime. 
 
 3rd It does not, under any conditions of climate and weather, 
 cake or crust on the surface of the meat, but penetrates it and 
 cures it thoroughly to the bone, so that in large pork packing 
 establishments in Cincinnati and elsewhere, it is found to save 
 meat in very unfavorable weather, where with any other salt 
 known or used the meat would have been injured. 
 
 4ih. On account of its pnngency and penetrating qualities a 
 less quantity of it will suffice for any of the purposes for which 
 it is used whether table, dairy, grazing or packing. 
 
 Certificates from numerous western firms show that the Ma 
 son county salt quotes with this ; though at the same price 
 consumers prefer that from the Kanawha wells. 
 
 There are in this salt district, about 120 salt wells, all told. 
 Some of these being inferior, have been abandoned, and will 
 probably never be used again. Others are good wells, the fur 
 naces connected with which, have been dismantled by " dead 
 rents," or other causes. These furnaces may be rebuilt, and 
 restarted. The good wells, if all run, would supply brine for 
 about 5,000,000 bushels of salt per year. Each furnace requires 
 three to five wells. 
 
 There are at present ten furnaces here, of which the follow 
 ing is a list, with name of furnace, name of owner, and capac 
 ity. The aggregate capacity is about 2,500,000 bushels per 
 year, if all were run full time. Two of the furnaces, however, 
 are not in repair, and some others that had been idle, have 
 only recently been repaired, so that the product of 1875 was, 
 very small. 
 
RESOURCES OF WEST VIRGINIA. 
 LIST OF KANAWHA SALT FURNACES. 
 
 Name of Furnace. 
 
 Name of Owner. 
 
 6 
 o 
 > 
 
 p 4 
 
 Remarks. 
 
 
 
 Bushels. 
 
 
 Daniel Boone 
 Crittenden 
 
 W. B. Brooks 
 W. D. Shrewsberrv ... 
 
 300,000 
 280,000 
 
 Not in repair. / 
 
 Snow Hill 
 ^V ashin^ton 
 
 J. P. Hale : 
 .T. ]) Lewis 
 
 420,000 
 230 000 
 
 \ot in re])alr. 
 
 Pioneer 
 
 Gen TJ Ruffner 
 
 180 000 
 
 
 Quincy 
 
 J ( ) Dickinson 
 
 210 000 
 
 
 Burning Sprin< r 
 
 Mrs K Tompkins 
 
 160 000 
 
 
 Aldeii- 
 
 Airs S Dickinson 
 
 40 000 
 
 
 Lorena 
 
 Splint Coal Company 
 
 240 000 
 
 
 Kenton 
 
 Splint Coal Company 
 
 240 000 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 10 
 
 
 2,500,000 
 
 
 Statement Showing the Production of Salt in Kanawha. 
 
 Date. 
 
 Bushels. 
 
 Date. 
 
 Bushels. 
 
 1797 
 1808 
 1814 
 
 150 pounds per day. 
 25 bushels per day. 
 000,000 bushels per vear. 
 
 <1850 
 1851 
 1852 
 
 3,142,100 bushels per vear. 
 2,802,070 " " * " 
 2741,570 
 
 1827 
 
 787,000 
 
 
 
 
 1853 
 
 2,729,910 
 
 1828 
 
 8153,542 
 
 
 < 
 
 1854 
 
 2,233,803 
 
 1829 
 
 989,758 
 
 
 t. 
 
 1855 
 
 1,493,54S 
 
 1830 
 
 900,132 
 
 
 i 
 
 1850 
 
 1,204,049 
 
 1831 
 
 950,814 
 
 
 ( 
 
 1857 
 
 1,266,749 " 
 
 1832 
 
 1,029,207 
 
 
 " 
 
 1858 
 
 
 1833 
 
 1,288,873 
 
 
 u 
 
 1859 
 
 
 1^34 
 1835 
 
 1,702,956 
 1,900,583 
 
 
 It 
 
 1800 
 1861 
 
 - No records. 
 
 1830 
 
 1,702,410 
 
 
 it 
 
 1802 
 
 
 1837 
 
 1,880,415 
 
 
 i 
 
 1803 
 
 J 
 
 1838 
 
 1,811.076 
 
 
 < 
 
 1804 
 
 1,300,991 bushels per year. 
 
 1839 
 
 1,593,217 
 
 
 1 
 
 1865 
 
 801,973 " 
 
 1840 1,419,205 
 
 
 
 1806 
 
 1,275,017 
 
 1841 [1.443,645 
 
 
 
 
 1807 
 
 1,321,000 " " 
 
 1842 1,919,389 
 
 
 I 
 
 1808 
 
 1,528,282 
 
 1843 
 
 2,197,887 
 
 
 t 
 
 1801) 
 
 1,822,430 " 
 
 1844 
 
 1,874,919 
 
 
 1 
 
 1870 
 
 1,721,903 
 
 1845 2,578,499 
 
 
 i 
 
 1.871 
 
 1 
 
 1840 3,224,786 
 1847 2,690,087 
 
 
 u 
 
 t it 
 
 1872 
 1873 
 
 - No records. 
 
 1848 2,876,010 
 
 
 
 i874i!!!. ! 
 
 J 
 
 1849 |2,951,492 
 
 
 t a 
 
 1875 
 
 907,405 bushels per year. 
 
304 RESOURCES OF WEST VIRGINIA. 
 
 CHKONOLOGICAL LIST OF EVENTS AND INCIDENTS CON 
 NECTED WITH THE KANAWHA SALT INTEREST. 
 
 Indians made salt at the Kanawha salt springs. Reported by Mrs. 
 
 Mary Ingles, then a captive, 
 
 Walter Kelley and family, first white settlers in Kanawha Valley. 
 General Washington reserved from his lands, and gave to the pub 
 lic, the Kanawha Burning Spring. 
 
 1785. John Dickinson "located" the Kanawha Salt Spring. 
 1790. (Before and after) Daniel Boone lived here opposite the Salt 
 
 Spring. 
 1794. Joseph Runner purchased the Salt Spring, and in 1795, moved to 
 
 Kanawha. 
 1797. Elisha Brooks put up a little kettle furnace, made 150 pounds of 
 
 salt per day, and sold it at 8 to 10 cents per pound. 
 
 1806. David and Joseph Ruffner, commenced to bore the first salt well. 
 1808. Same parties started their kettle furnace, made 25 bushels per day, 
 
 and sold it for 4 cents per pound. 
 1808. Win. \Vhittaker Tobias Ruffner, Andrew Donnally, and others 
 
 followed, boring wells and building furnaces. 
 1808. First salt shipped west by river, in tubs and boxes on a log raft, 
 
 and in canoes. 
 1810-12. The late Tom Ewing. of Ohio, boiled salt and studied law and 
 
 Latin here. 
 
 1815. First gas well struck by Captain James Wilson. 
 
 1816. First steamboat ever in Kanawha, called the Eliza. 
 
 1817. Coal first used in salt making. 
 
 1817. The first Kanawha salt company, " Steele, Donnally & Steele." 
 
 1822. Highest water ever known in Kanawha to that time. 
 
 1822. Second salt company, " William and Robert M. Steele." 
 
 1827. Lewis Ruffner and Frederick Brooks introduced the first steatn 
 
 engine to pump salt water. 
 
 1827. Third salt company, " Armstrong, Grant & Co." 
 
 1830. F. Brooks laid the first wooden tramway to haul coal. 
 
 1831. Billy Morris invented the " Slips." 
 
 1833. Fourth salt company, Donnally, Bream & Co." 
 
 1834. Col. B. H. Smith brought from the Norfolk navy yard, model for 
 
 keyed clamped cistern. 
 
 Geo. Patrick introduced steam evaporation in salt making. 
 Lewis Ruffner built the first keyed cistern (20 by 7 feet), and put 
 a cast iron pipe through it. 
 
 1836. Fifth salt company, " Hewitt, Ruffner & Co." 
 
 1841. John D. Lewis first used steam under copper pans for making 
 salt. 
 
 1841. Frederick Brooks first used copper pipes and steam through cis 
 terns. 
 
 1843. Big Burning Spring gas well struck. 
 
RESOURCES OF WEST VIRGINIA. 305 
 
 1849. Williams & Stevens bored and built first furnace on the Ohio. 
 
 1851. Sixth salt company, "Eiiffner, Donnally & Co." 
 
 1856. Seventh salt company, " Ruffner, Hale & Co." 
 
 1856. Lowest water ever known on the Kanawha and Ohio rivers. 
 
 1856-7. Coldest winter and longest freeze-up ever known here. 
 
 1861. Disastrous flood in river, the highest water ever known here. 
 
 1861-5. War. 
 
 1864. Eighth salt company, " Kanawha Salt Co " 
 
 1872. The Chesapeake and Ohio Railroad opened. 
 
 1875. The ninth and present salt company, "The Kanawha Salt Co.," 
 
 organized. 
 1875. United States Government commenced to improve the Kanawha 
 
 river by locks ami dams. 
 
 PETROLEUM. 
 
 BY HON. WM. E. STEVENSON, OF PARKERSBURG. 
 Prof. M. F. Maunj : 
 
 DEAR SIR: In accordance with your request, I give you some 
 account of the oil interests of West Virginia, and am sorry 
 that sickness and a press of business prevented my writing a 
 fuller statement of .this very important item in our natural 
 resources. 
 
 A source of considerable wealth to the State since 1864, is 
 found in the production of Petroleum. This production 
 at present, is confined principally to what is known as 
 the " Oil Break," a geological upheaval of the earth s surface, 
 giving it a roof shape or bulge, especially the rocky portion. 
 This break, passing from Ohio into this State, crosses the 
 Horse-Neck Fork of Bull creek, Cow creek, and French creek, 
 all of which flow into the Ohio river, a few miles above Mari 
 etta ; then passes in a direction to the southeast, across 
 Goose creek, Hughes river, and the valley of the Little Kana 
 wha, in the direction of Charleston. 
 
 Petroleum in small quantities was found within, and even 
 outside the territory of this break, at a very early day. As far 
 back as 1771, Thomas Jefferson gave an interesting descrip 
 tion of a burning spring, and the oil connected with it, found 
 in the Great Kanawha valley. 
 
 But it was not until modern discovery and invention had 
 transmuted the oily treasure into a source of money making, 
 39 
 
806 RESOURCES OF WEST VIRGINIA. 
 
 that its abundance and multifarious uses became rapidly 
 known. 
 
 The main development of the oil districts of West Vir 
 ginia commenced soon after the close of the war in 1865. 
 There had been partial developments in different sections of 
 the State prior to that period, but it was in a very primitive 
 way. 
 
 At Burning Springs, in Wirt county, and at different points 
 along " The Break," wells had been bored and oil obtained in 
 paying quantities, but the difficulties found in getting it to 
 market, deterred operators from making "developments" in 
 any satisfactory manner. 
 
 Petroleum has been obtained near Morgantown, in Monon- 
 galia county, and at points on a line from Morgantown to 
 Charleston, Kanawha county. This fact has given rise to the 
 theory that the " Great ^Pennsylvania Oil Belt" extends into 
 West Virginia, and crosses the State from north to south, 
 Acting upon this theory, parties are now actively " prospect 
 ing " for new oil territory. A beginning will be made during 
 this summer, on territory at the head waters of the Little 
 Kanawha river. 
 
 It is thought by practical oil men, that this line is to be the 
 future oil field of the State. Everything in this direction, 
 however, is in the future. A few months will, it its believed, 
 confirm, or disappoint the now pronounced belief of some 
 of the most successful operators of Pennsylvania, in the 
 success of the attempt. Many of them propose to make large 
 investments in this direction. 
 
 But looking to the past, we must consider what has already 
 been done, in the way of actual accomplished facts : 
 
 Up to 1865, the oil busines in West Virginia had been almost 
 entirely speculative. Large amounts of money had been ex : 
 pended, and but little return had been made on the invest 
 ments. In 1865-6, however, the business assumed a legiti 
 mate form. Oil men came to an appreciation of the fact that 
 this, like any other legitimate calling, had to be followed with 
 an eye to economy, and to a proper regard for order and sys 
 tem, in the management of oil and oil wells. As a conse 
 quence of this, oil development assumed a more scientific and 
 business-like shape. Operations commenced almost simulta- 
 
RESOURCES OF WEST VIRGINIA. 307 
 
 neously at Burning Springs, Oil Rock, California House, Vol 
 cano, Sand Hill, and Horceneck. Large quantities were pro 
 duced at all of these points. Light oil was obtained at each 
 of these places except at Volcano and Sand Hill. At these 
 points were produced the u Heavy Oils," which have obtained 
 a world wide reputation as u Lubricators. " 
 
 The amount of heavy oil produced in the West Virginia oil 
 regions, is about 300 barrels per day. Its gravity runs from 
 26 to 32 Beaume. It is used, in its crude state, almost exclu 
 sively for the purpose of lubrication. It will stand a lower 
 degree of cold test than any other oil lubricator; this, added to its 
 extreme cheapness, gives it the preference to all other lubrica 
 tors, for general purposes. By different processes of reducing 
 and admixture with oils of a lighter gravity, most excellent 
 lubricators, at still lower rates than the crude article, are pro 
 duced. These, as well as the crude heavy oil, are used in all 
 parts of the country, and even form a large item in our export 
 trade. The wells producing heavy oil are durable in their 
 character, yielding not a large but steady flow of their oily 
 treasure. It is the opinion of the most experienced operators, 
 that there is still undeveloped, heavy ;oil territory of large 
 extent within the State. 
 
 Whilst the light oil regions ran a rapid course, giving a 
 large yield during their productive career, the heavy oil dis 
 trict continues to remunerate the producer. 
 
 Some idea may be gained of the extent of the oil develop 
 ment in the districts just named, by the inspection of a few 
 figures. As far as can be estimated, there have been produced 
 not less than 3,000,000 barrels of oil. The specific gravities of 
 these range from 27 to 45 degs., Beaume, the greater portion 
 varying from 27 to 33 degs. 
 
 The estimated value of this product is about $20,000,000. 
 The number of producing wells at present, is 292, averaging 
 about 3 barrels per day each. If the price and the times jus 
 tified it, this number would probably be doubled in twelve 
 months. One noticeable feature in the development of oil in 
 West Virginia, is the cheapness of putting down wells. In 
 Pennsylvania, it costs from $5,000 to $10,000 to bore a well, 
 while in the oil district of West Virginia, it costs not exceed 
 ing $1200. Men of small means can operate in this State, but 
 
308 RESOURCES OF WEST VIRGINIA. 
 
 in Pennsylvania, the operator must have a fortune to make 
 success certain. In this respect. West Virginia affords advan 
 tages not shown by any other section. 
 
 Notwithstanding the fact that oil had been developed in 
 Pennsylvania long prior to 1865, and that large sums had been 
 expended in the production of the crude product, in Venango 
 county, in that state, to West Virginia belongs the honor of 
 first furnishing the means of transporting it to market in the 
 modes now recgnized to be cheap, safe, and expeditious. By 
 means of tubing lines, and iron tank cars, oil is shipped to the 
 seaboard and to all parts of the country in bulk, thus cheap 
 ening transportation, and bringing the article to the door of 
 the consumer. 
 
 By means of steam pumps, adapted to the purpose, oil is 
 propelled for miles through iron tubing to such termini as are 
 accessible. It is cheaply pumped to the Ohio river, or to the 
 Baltimore & Ohio R. R.. and to the Laurel Fork, and Sand 
 Hill R- R., and from thence transported in tank cars, to its 
 destination, the product being handled with safety, and 
 great expedition. 
 
 By these means the producer is enabled to send his oil to mar 
 ket from the most inaccessible points. 
 
 Parkersburg is the great oil centre of the state. Here is the 
 market for the crude article, both for West Virginia and Ohio. 
 Here are large refineries, which not only consume our own 
 production, but import largely from Pennsylvania. The refi 
 ning capacity of Parkersburg is about 2000 barrels per day, 
 
 In connection with most of the refineries, "are reducing" and 
 and "treating" houses, for putting the heavy crude oil into 
 shape for lubrication. 
 
 Being at the junction of the Little Kanawha, and the Ohio 
 river, and the center of railroad connections which give it the 
 advantage of river and rail transportation, it has become a rec 
 ognized point in the sale and delivery of crude oil and its prod 
 ucts. The trade gives employment to several hundred opera 
 tives, besides furnishing facilities by which great prosperity 
 has been brought to this active and well-to-do city. 
 
 A few words about the uses of Petroleum may be of interest to 
 the general reader. The "heavy oils" are extensively em- 
 ployad for lubricating purposes, taking the place almost wholly 
 
RESOURCES OF WEST VIRGINIA. 309 
 
 of the various articles heretofore in use for this purpose. For 
 illuminating purposes, the light oils, when refined are exten 
 sively, almost universally used. 
 
 This is not to be wondered at, when it is known that the in 
 tensity of the light of refined Petroleum, is eighteen times as 
 great as that of burning fluid ; six times as great as that of 
 sperm oil, and more than twice that of camphene, while the 
 oil itself is furnished more cheaply than any of the above named 
 articles. 
 
 Printing inks of all colors are made from Petroleum, the 
 black especially, being an excellent article. Many varieties of 
 soap are made from it, and are held in high repute. The med 
 icinal qualities of Petroleum, especially the crude article, have 
 long been known ; its use as a liniment, more especially for 
 cutaneous diseases, is quite extensive. As a specific for Con 
 sumption, by the inhalation of its vapors, it has acknowledged 
 virtues. 
 
 Recently, it has been applied with very satisfactory results 
 as a motive power in running the machinery of steam boats 
 iron mills &c. It is also used successfully in smelting iron 
 ores, and as a coating for iron and wood to preserve them from 
 decay, indeed for almost numberless other purposes which can 
 not be even named in a brief article like this. 
 
 Yours very truly, 
 
 WM. E. STEVENSON. 
 Parkersburg, W. Va., April 1876. 
 
CHAPTER XIII. 
 MISCELLANEOUS MINERALS. 
 
 BY M. P. MAURY. 
 
 Having, in the three preceding chapters, spoken of the Coal, 
 Iron. Salt, and Oil, of the State, its most abundant and valu 
 able minerals, it is proposed, in this, to speak of the others 
 that may be of interest and importance, giving such informa 
 tion as may be deemed of practical utility. 
 
 LIMESTONE-COMMON. 
 
 In great abundance and of great, purity, this stone is found in 
 the region between the coal measures and the eastern border of 
 the State. In (he counties in the coal formation in the 
 northern-half of the State it is also very abundant, the Lower 
 Barrens and the superincumbent strata containing, in some 
 districts, an aggregate of 75 to 80 feet. 
 
 In the southern counties of the coal field there is a striking 
 scarcity of this mineral, the seams being thin and usually of 
 very poor quality. 
 
 The limestones of West Virginia are suited to all the pur 
 poses of the farmer, builder and blast furnace use. Where there 
 is so much land that would be most materially benefitted by 
 the use of lime, this material should attract the attention of 
 the agriculturist far more than it does. Indeed it is rather a 
 matter of surprise that the agriculture of this State has hither- 
 to been suffered to reap so little benefit from this source of im 
 provement so easily within reach. As yet, its application as 
 a manure has been restricted to particular neighborhoods, 
 though there is no portion of the uplands, especially of the 
 limestone regions themselves, where it could not be used ad 
 vantageously. The impression that the soils of a limestone 
 
RESOURCES OF WEST VIRGINIA. 311 
 
 country are already impregnated with calcareous matter, in 
 consequence of the proximity of the limestone, which in many 
 places rises to the surface in the fields, seems more than any 
 other circumstance to have lead to the erroneous idea that lime 
 could be of no benefit to the soil. It may, therefore, alter the 
 opinions of many to state, that in a great many cases the 
 soils even when in contact with this class of rock of the best 
 quality, contain little or no available calcareous matter, for to 
 have it, the material must be in the form of a soluble salt, and 
 the ledges which crop out on the surface are carbonate of lime T 
 which may be said to be insoluble for all practical purposes. 
 When, however, it is burnt and applied to the land as quick 
 lime, it imparts fertility partly by being dissolved in the sur 
 face waters, and so- passing into the soil in such a shape that 
 the roots of plants can seize hold of it, but mainly by tending 
 to decompose vegetable matter and so forma fertilizing humus. 
 In the chapter on Agricultural Geology we have treated of 
 the soils that would be particularly benefitted by an applica 
 tion of this class of manure. 
 
 The following are analyses from various portions of the 
 State, and will tend to show the great purity in which this 
 mineral may be found: 
 
312 
 
 RESOURCES OF WEST VIRGINIA. 
 
 
 
 
 
 g 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 cj 
 
 <^H 
 
 OS 
 
 
 
 m 
 
 
 DC 
 
 9 
 
 
 
 
 
 | 
 
 COUNTY. 
 
 LOCALITY. 
 
 I 
 
 I 
 
 x 
 
 ^ 
 
 | 
 
 9 
 
 CHEMIST. 
 
 
 
 Q 
 
 
 
 1 
 
 -jn 
 
 
 
 
 
 33 
 
 O 
 
 c3 
 
 cc 
 
 -3 
 
 
 
 
 ^j 
 
 
 ^w 
 
 
 
 d 
 
 
 
 
 Cw 
 
 08 
 
 UV 
 
 
 C2 
 
 
 
 
 | 
 
 O 
 
 ,0 
 
 a 
 
 r-* 
 
 p_ 
 
 O 
 
 
 
 
 Cv 
 
 gg 
 
 "* 
 
 ^ 
 
 K 
 
 
 
 
 O 
 
 
 
 < 
 
 M 
 
 ^ 
 
 
 Grant 
 
 Knoblv Mountain 90.08 
 
 400 
 
 0,72 
 
 4 56 
 
 064 
 
 W.B Rogers 
 
 
 Near Petersburg 88 52 
 
 3.24 
 
 1 52 
 
 600 
 
 0.72 
 
 
 Greenbrier... 
 
 Fort Spring 90.11 
 
 2.49 
 
 202 
 
 5.04 
 
 034 
 
 J. B. Britton 
 
 
 On C. O. R. R 93.76 
 
 0.29 
 
 1.12 
 
 3.92 
 
 0.91 
 
 C.ED wight. 
 
 " 
 
 Blue Sulphur Sp gs 98.20 
 Muddy Creek Mt ... 88.64 
 
 000 
 9.60 
 
 048! 0.40 
 0.12 1.20 
 
 0.92! W.B.Rogers. 
 0.44 
 
 Harrison 
 
 Near Clarksburg-... 95.52 
 
 1-88 
 
 0.96j 092 
 
 0.72 
 
 
 
 Jefferson 
 
 Harpers Ferry 81-16 
 
 10.80 
 
 52 
 
 6.68 
 
 084 
 
 " 
 
 
 2 miless.w. H. F.... 153.88 
 
 43.40 
 
 0.48 
 
 1,68 
 
 0.56 
 
 
 
 " 
 
 4 " AV. " .... J95.86 
 
 1.46 
 
 tr ce 
 
 1.83 
 
 0.85 
 
 " 
 
 Mineral 
 
 Patterson s Creek... 
 
 92.44 
 
 140 
 
 076 
 
 4.96 
 
 0.68 
 
 " 
 
 Monongalia.. 
 
 Grenville Furnace.. 
 
 88.32 
 
 0.00 
 
 252 
 
 7.24 
 
 1.92 
 
 
 
 Monroe 
 
 Red Sulphur Spg s.. 
 
 90.92 
 
 tr ee 
 
 1.20 
 
 620 
 
 1.68 
 
 
 
 it 
 
 Union 
 
 95 $9, 
 
 u 
 
 0.56 
 
 1.88 
 
 1.62 
 
 " 
 
 it 
 
 Dun lap s Creek 
 
 8652 
 
 952 
 
 0.52 
 
 2.96 
 
 0.48 
 
 " 
 
 " 
 
 Little North Mt 
 
 78.48 
 
 9.20 
 
 1.00 
 
 1080 
 
 052 
 
 " 
 
 Ohio 
 
 \Villo\v Grove 
 
 85 95 
 
 1 38 4 10 
 
 7.61 
 
 096 
 
 C.E.Dwi^ht 
 
 Preston 
 
 Jenkins Lime-kiln 
 
 88.16 
 
 2.32 1.16 
 
 5,80 
 
 2,56 
 
 W.B.Rogers. 
 
 " 
 
 Richard Foreman s 
 
 91.80 
 
 5.72! 0.40 
 
 1.36 
 
 0.72 
 
 " 
 
 " 
 
 Below Coal No. 2... 
 
 79 52 
 
 2.801 312 
 
 13.80 
 
 0.76 
 
 " 
 
 LIMESTONE-TUFA. 
 
 This is another valuable class of lime within our State, in 
 the counties on the eastern border, that has been much neglected; 
 though occurring in some places in enormous beds. It is formed 
 by the precipitation of calcareous matter from limestone water, 
 and may therefore be looked for in those neighborhoods where 
 the springs, thus impregnated, are of general occurence. In 
 Jefferson, Hardy, Hampshire, Grant,* etc., this chalky deposit 
 forms beds of great thickness, mingled with but little extran 
 eous matter, and yields a lime ot very superior quality. Its 
 utility in agriculture, added to the facility with which the 
 
 *A deposit on Patterson s creek, in Grant county, has a surface from. to 8 
 acres, and a depth of 25 to 30 feet, the mass being very friable and extremely 
 easy to work. 
 
RESOURCES OF WEST VIRGINIA. 313 
 
 deposit may often be obtained (no quarrying being necessary 
 to separate it from the mass), renders it a very advantageous 
 substitute for the limestones of the same neighborhood. More 
 over it should be remembered that in its more friable and pow 
 dery state, it may, as in Europe, be very beneficially applied 
 as a marl without being burnt. Although it is of the same 
 composition as limestone, yet when it is spread on the ground 
 in a pulverized state, it presents so large a surface to the action 
 of the carbonic acid that exists in the atmosphere, and is gen 
 erated by the decay and decamposition of vegetable matter, 
 that a portion of it is converted into a soluble bicarbonate of 
 lime, which can then be taken up by the soil. But, as this 
 chemical change is slow, a larger quantity has to be applied to 
 the land, than if it was first burnt. If the ordinary pure lime- 
 stone was ground to powder, it would have the same effect, but 
 the expense forbids it being done, and besides, the burning the 
 hard stone is cheaper, as well as produces a more active fer 
 tilizer. 
 
 The immense improvement that tide-water Virginia has 
 derived from calcareous marl must render any illustration of 
 its beneficial effects quite superfluous, when it is understood 
 that its composition cannot be distinguished from the better 
 classes of pulverulent marls, independent of which, its value 
 has been unequivocally tested in other countries, where it has 
 been found to have the most decided ameliorating effects upon 
 land to which it is properly applied. 
 
 LIMESTONE--HYDKAULIC. 
 
 Associated with the common limestone strata of all portions 
 of the State, are many bands of most excellent Hydraulic 
 Limestone, which can be converted into a cement to suit all 
 the requirements of trade. In Jefferson county, near Shep- 
 herdstown, quarries on a stratum from 10 to 15 feet thick are 
 now in operation, and have been, since 1825, the product being 
 used in the various public buildings in Washington for many 
 years. At Wheeling, a band some 9 feet thick, is being worked 
 by Mr. A. J. Long, and it produces a very valuable article. 
 These are the only two places in the State where this mineral 
 is at present wrought. In our southern counties some three 
 seams of it have been observed, but never tested to any prac 
 tical extent. 
 40 
 
314 
 
 RESOURCES OF WEST VIRGINIA. 
 
 The following are analyses from some of the principal local 
 ities where it has heen observed, and received high indorse 
 ment, according to laboratory tests. 
 
 
 
 
 I I 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 hH 
 
 0) 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 C3 
 
 "o 
 
 "c3 
 
 
 
 
 
 a? 
 
 1 
 
 r 
 
 02 
 
 
 
 
 
 3 
 
 So 
 
 *w 
 
 
 
 
 COUNTY. 
 
 LOCALITY. 
 
 5 
 
 S3 
 
 
 
 O 
 
 o 
 o 
 
 1 
 
 CHEMIST. 
 
 
 
 (3 
 
 "45 
 
 2 
 
 3 
 
 H-i 
 
 
 
 
 
 o 
 
 M 
 
 CQ 
 
 
 
 
 
 0) 
 CJ 
 
 1 
 
 oi 
 
 <D 
 
 5 
 
 
 
 
 1 
 
 s 
 
 2 
 
 1 
 
 o 
 "c8 
 
 
 
 
 O 
 
 
 <H 
 
 M 
 
 ^ 
 
 
 Hampshire .. 
 
 Near Bloomer y 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Furnace 
 
 46.64 
 
 30.68 
 
 6.32 
 
 ] 5.(>0 n 7<; \v \\ l.v i -(i H. 
 
 Jefferson 
 
 "Gray Cement," 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Reynolds Quarry, 
 Shepherdstown ... 
 
 23.90 
 
 24.36 
 
 42.90 
 
 2.10 
 
 6.74 
 
 
 
 
 
 Near Charlestown.. 
 
 38.66 
 
 9.50 
 
 42.50 
 
 3.50 
 
 5.84 
 
 a 
 
 Monongalia.. 
 
 Near Morgantown.. 
 
 52.04 
 
 17.12 
 
 8.60 
 
 19.36 
 
 1.40 
 
 " 
 
 Ohio 
 
 Rilcv s Hill, Wheel 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 ing 
 
 43.44 
 
 26.44 
 
 4.40 
 
 24,64 
 
 1 .08 
 
 u 
 
 Preston 
 
 Cheat river, mouth 
 
 
 
 
 > 
 
 
 
 
 of Laurel... 
 
 41.60 
 
 25.92 
 
 9.68 
 
 20.00 
 
 2.80 
 
 
 
 u 
 
 Near . Kingwocxl, 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 below Coal No. 3 
 
 57.16 
 
 23.80 
 
 9.12 
 
 8.52 
 
 1.40 
 
 u 
 
 LIMESTONE-MARBLE. 
 
 There are no true marbles in West Virginia, though in the 
 counties on our eastern borders are many varieties of dark var 
 iegated, and nearly white limestones, susceptible of a high and 
 beautiful polish, which bear that name. This is especially 
 the case in Jefferson, where they appear to be very abundant, for 
 here we see pink and gray, red and yellow, white, dove colored, 
 etc., stones. A light gray stone shows a thickness of 25 feet at 
 Shepherdstown, and crops out along with strata of colored 
 marbles, on the river cliff, where a quarry might be advan 
 tageously located. A very beautiful black variety has also 
 been found, and if it should prove to be free from flaws and 
 
RESOURCES OF WEST VIRGINIA. 315 
 
 fissures when gotten out in large slabs, will be a valuable ele 
 ment of wealth to this county. Five miles from Charlestown, 
 a marble of this color has been worked by a Pennsylvania 
 company for tile?, but is now abandoned. Not far from here 
 is a small outcrop of a beautifully crystalline variety of a 
 pure white stone, and it is possible that it may belong to a very 
 valuable deposit. In Berkeley, also, are some gray and black 
 limestones approximating to a compact marble. In Greenbrier 
 a bed of this black ornamental stone has been found on the 
 land of the Hon. James Withrow, near Lewisburg, but the 
 quarry has not been opened so as to show the size. In this 
 county some of the lighter shaded varieties of the limestone 
 can be polished into very handsome facings and trimmings. 
 The same remarks would seem to be applicable to other por 
 tions of the limestone belt of our eastern borders. 
 
 BUILDING STONES. 
 
 From various limestone and sandstone, strata over the State 
 most excellent building material of innumerable shades and 
 colors can be had. 
 
 Many of the limestone bands of our eastern borders yield a 
 most beautiful and durable material for any class of work, but 
 except for foundations, chimneys, and dams, they have been 
 put to very little practical use. 
 
 Among the beds of the conglomerate coal measures, sand 
 stones of almost any size and texture can be quarried. Near 
 Morgantown, in Monongalia county, a portion of the Mahon- 
 ing sandstone can be quarried without difficulty, into blocks 
 6 or 8 feet long. Some distance higher in the hills than this 
 is a stratum 15 feet thick, that furnishes a most beautiful and 
 superior sandstone for all kinds of building. It is a light 
 buff and dove color, dresses well, and when the improvement 
 of the Monongahela river is completed and the material can be 
 cheaply shipped, will form a most valuable source of revenue 
 to the county, as it has but few equals and no superiors in the 
 building market ; in fact, it is of so excellent a quality that 
 Col. Merrill, who has charge of the river improvement, ex 
 presses the opinion that it could well bear the expense of 
 transportation to New York. It is now being used in the con 
 struction of the locks and dams in the Monongahela by the 
 United States Government, and it forms the facings and dress- 
 
316 RESOURCES OF WEST VIRGINIA. 
 
 ings to the two main buildings of the West Virginia Univer 
 sity. 
 
 In Taylor county, the Grafton sandstone as it is called, is of a 
 most superior order. The texture is close, the grit sharp and 
 clean, and the color gray. It has been used by the Baltimore & 
 Ohio Railroad for their most superior masonry in this State. In 
 Ritchie county, the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad have for many 
 years worked a large quarry of a very handsome and durable 
 gray sandstone, which has be^n used in the construction of their 
 bridges, etc. An extremely valuable quarry of gray sandstone 
 was opened at Weston, in Lewis county, and from it was con 
 structed the Insane Asylum, located at that place. In archi 
 tectural beauty this stone is said to have but few, if any^ 
 superiors in the United States. In Greenbrier county, near 
 Ronceverte, large deposits of an extremely hard, durable and 
 handsome sandstone occur. One is of a gray color, and was 
 largely quarried and boated 6 miles down the Greenbrier river 
 to build the piers, etc., of the railroad bridge over that stream, 
 the contractors preferring to do this to using the stone 
 nearer at hand. The other is of a chocolate color, and has a 
 local use for building purposes. 
 
 On the upper portion of the Kanawha river, the sandstones 
 of the Lower Coal Measures furnish the materials for the locks 
 and dams now being built by the United States Government, 
 and from the various hills along its line, the Chesapeake and 
 Ohio Railroad obtained the stone for the construction of its 
 bridges, culverts, etc., while the Mahoning sandstone at Charles 
 ton furnishes a beautiful gray and easily wrought trimming, 
 for many of the houses of that city. 
 
 Many other instances could be citsd, but it may suffice at 
 present to merely mention the fact that in nearly all portions 
 of the State can good and first-class building stone ba obtained 
 
 FIKE CLAY. 
 
 Fire clay is frequently found in the Coal Measures, often an-, 
 derlying a seam of coal. It results from the decomposition of 
 siliceo argillaceous shale, and its plasticity and impervious 
 nature, when collected in a bed, prevents it from being carried 
 away by infiltration. 
 
 A very valuable seam, 4 feet thick, is mined by the Glade 
 Fire Brick Company, at Nuzum s Mill, Marion County. The 
 
RESOURCES OF WEST VIRGINIA. 
 
 317 
 
 bricks are used in all parts of furnaces where great heat is re 
 quired. The capacity of the works is 4,000 bricks per day. 
 Of this Mr. Dwight, who made the analysis given in the next 
 table, says: "The clay is superior to Mt. Savage clay, which 
 has obtained such a reputation here (Wheeling,) as to exclude 
 all other clay for blast furnace use. The analysis of Mt. Sav 
 age clay shows 1.5 per cent, of Protoxide of Iron, while this 
 clay has no trace of this greatest enemy to the refractory na 
 ture of fire clays." 
 
 This seam shows across the Monongahela rivei, in Taylor 
 county, one mile up Lost Run, where, to all physical exami 
 nation it is of exactly the same quality. 
 
 On the property of the Kingwood Gas Coal and Iron Com 
 pany, at Tunnelton, in Preston county, is the out crop of a very 
 good article, which varies from 20 inches to 3 feet, being 2 feet 
 thick on the average. 
 
 In Monongalia county, a very promising bed 4 feet thick 
 occurs near Morgantown, and this class of mineral was also 
 worked by the Pridevalo Furnace Company, though nothing 
 has been done in this line at that place for many years. 
 
 The following table shows the analyses of the clay from these 
 places : 
 
 
 CONTEXTS. 
 
 g 
 
 s 
 
 ^o . 
 
 j-i 
 i i 
 
 c 3 
 p ^ 
 
 |,o 
 
 Near Morga n to wn , 
 Monongaliil Co. 
 
 Silica 
 
 
 45 86 
 
 6g.l6 
 
 5427 
 
 Alumina 
 
 
 44.23 
 
 24.11 
 
 33.83 
 
 Oxide of 
 
 Iron 
 
 0.00 
 
 0.01 
 
 0.01 
 
 Lime 
 
 
 0.24 
 
 trace 
 
 trace 
 
 Magnesia 
 
 
 0.36 
 
 trace 
 
 0.02 
 
 Potash ai 
 
 id Soda 
 
 trace 
 
 truce 
 
 trace 
 
 
 hygroscopic 
 
 70 
 
 85 
 
 3 00 
 
 " 
 
 combined ) 
 
 8 35 
 
 ) 6.66 
 
 10.86 
 
 Organic r 
 
 natter. / " 
 
 
 j trace 
 
 0.15 
 
 
 . 
 
 99.74 
 
 99.79 
 
 100.14 
 
 In Hancock county some 20 firms, employing from 200 to 
 oOO hand-, are employed in working a fire clay which 
 a good refractory brick. 
 
318 RESOURCES OF WEST VIRGINIA. 
 
 On Two Mile creek of Elk river, in Kanawha county, a few 
 miles from Charleston, very excellent fire clays have, been 
 worked and shipped to western markets. In Wayne county, 
 near Cassville, a bed apparently of the best quality, is found. 
 Also, one and a half miles from Savageville, on J. W. John 
 son s farm, Braxton county, is a stratum about 3 feet thick, 
 and frequently of excellent quality. 
 
 Taking into consideration the process by which this mineral 
 is formed, we may expect to find it in very many places in the 
 Coal Measures of the State. 
 
 POTTER S CLAY. 
 
 This clay results from the decomposition of granites and 
 shales. That in West Virginia comes from the latter source 
 entirely, of which there is a great abundance and variety, so 
 that we may look for very many deposits of the material. 
 When it is yellow or red, it denotes the presence of oxide of 
 iron, which tinges the manufactured articles red. When the 
 clay is white, there is no iron present. Potter s clay has a 
 peculiarly unctous feel, and has the valuable property of 
 resisting heat without cracking. Within our State are sev 
 eral establishments that carry on a very successful business 
 in this material Notable amongst these, is that of Mr. James 
 Smith, at Point Pleasant, Mason county, who manufactures 
 all sizes of tiles, the demand for which is double the capacity 
 of his present works. 
 
 In Berkeley this clay is worked and made into crocks at Mar- 
 tinsburg ; in Barbour county it is worked by Messrs. Burley & 
 Holler ; in Greenbrier county, near Alvon, on Anthony s 
 creek, a blue variety of excellent quality is found; in Harri 
 son county it is worked at Shinnston by Wilkinson & Flem- 
 ming into crocks, jugs, jars, vases, drain pipes, &c. This clay, 
 which is white, burns blue and very compact, forming a strong 
 ware, and is found two miles from Shinnston, on the Clarks 
 burg road. In Hampshire county potter s clay is wrought on 
 North river, arid again in Hardy county on the outskirts of 
 Moorefield and in Capon mountain ridge ; also, in Jefferson 
 county at the Shepherdstown pottery, as well as in Lewis 
 county by S. A. Col v in, where it is white. It burns blue, 
 forming a strong ware and all forms of pottery used in the 
 country is manufactured. Also, on Kincheloe creek, in this 
 
RESOURCES OF WEST VIRGINIA. 319 
 
 county, on the farm of A. Davis, a clay is abundant which 
 will make table ware, where very hard burning is not de 
 manded. At Palatine, in Marion county, Knotts, Swindler & 
 Co. work an excellent article, found two miles from the town 
 down the river road. It is 6 feet thick, and on R. M. Hill s 
 property. This firm manufactures excellent wares jugs, jars, 
 crocks, vases, &c. There is, also, at Mr. Hill s, a clay which 
 presents all the physical properties of an excellent slip. In 
 Mercer county, on East river, potter s clay is manufactured in 
 to crockery and pipes by Messrs. Brown & McKenzie. 
 
 At Morgantown, in Monongalia county, there are crockery 
 works, and at Parkersburg, in Wood county, is a large estab 
 lishment making jars, jugs, vases, tiles, drain pipes, &c. In 
 Wirt county, on the farm of Mr. Bibbee, 1| miles from New 
 port, is found a 4-foot seam of white potter s clay, which has 
 been tried with great success. 
 
 . On the land of I. S. Boggs, on Steer creek, near Kennedy s 
 mills, in Gilmer count} 7 ", is a deposit of clay, 4 feet thick, so 
 white, and sand so fine and clear, as to lead to the belief that 
 excellent ironstone china and terra cotta ware could be made 
 therefrom. This stratum, from surface indications, is exten 
 sive. 
 
 A very fine article is found, extensively, near Cassville, in 
 Wayne county. 
 
 GLASS SA3SID. 
 
 In Hampshire county, in Blue s Gap of Short mountain, 
 occurs a very remarkable deposit of pure, white, siliceous sand, 
 tbat would be most admirably adapted to glass making, as it 
 seems to contain no trace of any deliterious coloring matter. 
 The cliffs, for a height of several hundred feet are composed of 
 it, forming a hard rock where in mass, but quickly disin 
 tegrating when exposed to the air. From its great quan 
 tity and purity it will form a very important item in the 
 mineral wealth of this highly favored district, when railroads 
 give it a free exit to the manufacturing world. 
 
 In Monongalia county, near Morgantown, is a stratum 30 
 feet thick, of a very soft sandstone that rapidly disintegrates 
 on exposure to the atmosphere, and would make a good glass 
 sand where absolute freedom from coloring matter was not a 
 prerequisite. The same may be said of a deposit, of unknown 
 
320 RESOURCES OF WEST VIRGINIA. 
 
 size, in Morgan county, li- miles from Sir John s run, on the 
 Bait. & Ohio R. R. In the same county, on Sanely ridge, are 
 large deposits of a fine white sand, which are at present worked 
 by a Philadelphia company for glass works in that city. The 
 quarry is at Alpines, on the railroad, and while the sand is of 
 good quality, it is not so pure as that at Blue s gap in Hamp 
 shire county. 
 
 OCHRE. 
 
 In Lewis county, on the land of Perry T. Smith, near Wes- 
 ton, is a deposit some 3 feet thick of an exceedingly fine yel 
 low ochre, which in burning yields a pure rich red. It mines 
 easily, can be ground to powder either raw or burnt, with the 
 greatest facility, and, as it can go on the market at once, with 
 out further preparation, as a mineral paint of excellent qual 
 ity, it will be of great value when railroads connect it with the 
 commercial world. 
 
 In Hardy county a light yellow ochre though not of so fine 
 a quality as that from Lewis has been observed in the South 
 Branch valley about 6 miles south of Moorefield, as well as on 
 Lost river near Harper s Mills, this latter being a delicate buff 
 and very good. In Jefferson county, near Shepherdstown, ochre 
 has been discovered, and the article is so pure that after wash 
 ing, it already has been used as a pigment in oil paintings. 
 Of a yellow color, this material also occurs at Clines Cross 
 Roads, near Upper Tract in Pendleton county. In Cabell coun 
 ty on Guyandotte river is a very fine deposit several feet thick 
 of a yellow ochre, and also in Wayne county near Ceredo. 
 
 BARYTES. 
 
 Is a heavy, white, mineral, used in cheap paints, and for 
 the adulteration of white lead. Deposits occur in Jefferson 
 county, 8 miles from the Baltimore & Ohio R. R., and 4 miles 
 from the Winchester Branch of the same, but no tests have as 
 yet been made, to show the size of the bed. 
 
 A very pure article has also been reported from Mercer coun 
 ty on the north side of East River mountain, but no informa 
 tion is obtainable a:s to the quantity present. 
 
 BLACK OXIDE OF MANGANESE. 
 
 Manganese is one of the important concomitants in the 
 manufacture of steel by the Bessemer process, aud the black 
 
RESOURCES OF WEST VIRGINIA. 321 
 
 oxide is used largely in bleaching and in printing cotton 
 goods, and produces the purple color used in imprinting 
 images on china ware. 
 
 It is also used by the flint glass manufacturer to correct the 
 green tinge which his glass is apt to derive from the iron 
 present in the sand he employs. 
 
 It will be found in the eastern counties of the State, associ 
 ated with the strata that contain the Brown Oxide of Iron. A 
 very pure article, though in what quantity is not yet known, 
 is found on Anthony s creek, in Greenbrier county. 
 
 To make it marketable, from 60 to 70 per cent of the mate 
 rial mined should be pure mineral. 
 
 SALTPETRE 
 
 Is to be found mingled with the earth in many of the caves of 
 the limestone region of Greenbrier, Monroe, and Pocahontas, 
 and in the first named county, has been procured from time to 
 time in considerable quantities from this source. This earth, 
 or "^etre-dirt," as it is called, is a sediment deposited from 
 the waters formerly, or at the present time, found in these 
 caves, and sometimes has a texture of such impalpable fine 
 ness as to indicate that the deposition took place while the 
 liquid was in a very quiet state. Besides this, it also con 
 tains a large amount of nitrate of lime, which, by mingling 
 the washings of common wood ashes with those of the petre- 
 dirt, is, by direct chemical action, converted into saltpetre. 
 
 LEAD, ZINC, COPPER, GOLD, AND SILVER. 
 
 Lead. In innumerable localities small pieces of Galena 
 (Sulphide of Lead) are found, sometimes in a creek, and some 
 times, in small nuggets or masses of several pounds weight, 
 embedded in rock. These fragments have given rise to many 
 traditions, handed down from Indian days, concerning vast 
 deposits. They can be heard of in nearly every county in the 
 State, but amount to traditions and traditions only, for 
 nowhere within our borders is, or will, this metal be found in 
 workable quantities, except, perhaps, in the extreme eastern 
 counties, in some of the limestone formations, and even there 
 it is doubtful. 
 
 Zinc and Copper. Zinc is also found in several localities, 
 but is not workable in a single one, and the same may be said 
 in most emphatic terms of Copper. 
 41 
 
> 22 RESOURCES OF WEST 
 
 As to Gold and tfilver, many are the hopes that have been 
 raised by old men s stories of money coined, and silver dollars 
 moulded in the wild hollows of the State, and many a day s 
 labor lias been lost to the laboring man by ".wild goose 
 chases, 7 induced by old traditions concerning the presence of 
 these metals, when the geological structure of West Virginia 
 does not, in a single locality, from north to south, or east to 
 west, admit of their profitable presence. It would be far better 
 for our general welfare if Nature had not put an ounce of 
 Lead, Zinc or Copper within our borders, and that there were 
 no shining yellow iron pyrites or silvery glittering scales of 
 mica to tempt men off from profitable labor. 
 
CHAPTER XIV. 
 MINERAL WATERS. 
 
 BY DR. J. J. MOORMAN, 
 
 OF THE GREENBRIER WHITE SULPHUR SPRINGS. 
 As a scientist might infer from the general geological char 
 acter of West Va., and especially from the chemical character of 
 her abounding minerals, numerous medicinal waters are found 
 to exist in the State, some of which have been well and fully 
 tested for many years, and are equal, or superior to any waters 
 of their class, found in any portion of the world. 
 
 West Virginia comprises, within her southern a.nd south 
 eastern border, a large portion of the celebrated mineral 
 spring plaza, long known as the " Spring Region of Virginia, " 
 and which, for the last 80 or 90 years, has been greatly resort, 
 ed to by the seekers of health and pleasure, of every great 
 section of the United States. 
 
 The springs of this State present considerable variety of 
 chemical character, and therapeutic adaptation: comprising 
 various and differently compounded sulphur waters ; the Chaly 
 beate*, simple, and compounded : the Aeidulom. or Carbonated ; 
 the Saline: the Aluminated CJialybeates; with thermal waters, 
 not of very high temperature. 
 
 Of these springs, the sulphur waters, so far as such springs 
 have yet been developed, are found in greatest abundance, 
 and in greater strength, on the southern border of the State, 
 and on the western and northern slopes of the Alleghany 
 mountains: The Simple Cholybeates, are found in every great 
 section of the State, but in greatest strength, so far as they 
 have been tested, along the course of the great Appalachian 
 Ranges, extending from the northeastern to the southwestern 
 extremities of the State, 
 
324 RESOURCES OF WEST VIRGINIA. 
 
 The Acidulous Carbonated waters, as well as the Aluminated 
 Chalybeates, are found in different parts of the State^but have 
 been most developed on its southern border. 
 
 The most valuable mineral waters of the State, so far as they 
 have been tested in the treatment of diseases, are the sulphur 
 ous, the alum waters, as they are called commonly, and the 
 Compound Acidulated waters. The latter especially, are gen 
 erally found adjacent to faults in the strata, or where the 
 rocks give evidence of displacement from their natural posi 
 tion, and near the junction of slates with limestone. 
 
 The alum waters, so far as I have ever known, are an infil 
 tration through slate, which generally lies a few feet below 
 the surface of the earth, but often cropping out considerably 
 above it. I have examined numerous specimens of these 
 waters, obtained from different sections, and found them all 
 to possess the leading chemical characteristic of the springs 
 of this class, which have been brought into popular use. 
 
 My observations are to the effect that the mineral waters of 
 the State generally; and certainly those within the ranges 
 of the disturbances of the rocks so common in the southern 
 section of the State, are slightly thermal, compared with the 
 temperature of the common springs in their vicinity, or of 
 the earth through which they flow. The decided thermal waters, 
 some of them running up as high as 107, are found immedi 
 ately on the eastern slopes of the Alleghany in Virginia, and 
 within a few miles of the southern border of West Virginia. 
 
 In particularizing the leading, and long used mineral 
 springs of the State, and it is such only that I propose par 
 ticularly to mention, I will first mention those on the ex 
 treme eastern border. 
 
 BEBKELEY SPBINGS, 
 
 In the county Morgan, are the oldest in the State, or in 
 the southern country, in public use. They were much vis 
 ited in Colonial times, and long before the Revolutionary 
 war. The land upon which they are situated, originally 
 belonged to the Right Honorable Thomas Lord Fairfax. 
 Building lots were laid off here by an act of the Legisla 
 ture, in 1776, and among those who became owners of them 
 and were the habitues of the springs, were Charles Car 
 roll, of Carrollton, Gen. Horatio Gates, Gen. George Wash 
 ington, and many others of note and distinction. 
 
RESOURCES OF WEST VIRGINIA. &~0 
 
 The bathing establishments are extensive and convenient. 
 The ladies bath house is an elegant structure, 90 feet long, 
 containing nice private baths, and a plunge bath 30 by 16 
 feet, floored with white marble. The hotel accommodations 
 are extensive and well gotten up. 
 
 The temperature of the water ranges from 72 to 74 Fahr., 
 and remains the same at all seasons. It has never been care 
 fully analyzed. 
 
 Medical Use. While these waters possess considerable virtues 
 when taken internally, they have been most celebrated as a 
 bath. Thus used, they have been found beneficial in the whole 
 class of nervous disorders, that are disconnected with a full 
 plethoric habit, extrema debility, or decided organic derange 
 ments. In reduced habit, or debility, when sufficient power 
 of reaction exists in the system, they prove useful. Persons 
 who are suffering from a residence in a warm or damp climate, 
 are generally much benefitted by these baths. In subacute 
 rheumatism, they have a good reputation, and in many such 
 cases have been advantageously employed. 
 
 As a beverage, they are serviceable in several of the mildly 
 chronic, or subacute disorders; such as derangements of the 
 digestion, unconnected with organic disease. 
 
 In the early stages of calculus diseases, attended with irrita 
 ble bladder, their use internally and externally is often bene 
 ficial. 
 
 ORICH S SULPHUR SPRINGS. 
 
 Situated three and a half miles from Berkeley, on the Warm 
 Spring run, and near the road that leads to Hancock, is Orich s 
 Sulphur Spring. It is a very pleasant water, of the tempera 
 ture of 85 Fah. If properly improved, it will become a bene 
 ficial place for popular resort, and an important auxiliary to 
 Berkeley Springs. 
 
 SH ANN ON DALE SPRINGS. 
 
 The Shannondale Springs are in the county of Jefferson, and 
 arise in a peninsula of the Shenandoah river, known as the 
 Horse Shoe." They are five and a half miles from Charles- 
 town, the seat of justice for Jefferson county. 
 
 The springs are three in number, but one only is principally 
 used. The temperature of the water is 55 Fah. 
 
326 RESOURCES OF WEST VIRGINIA. 
 
 The Shannondale water seems to have some approximation, 
 in its nature and effects, to the celebrated Bedford" water. It 
 may properly be classed as a Saline Chalybeate, and may be used 
 with good effects, as a mild alterative tonic, in some forms of 
 dyspepsia, nervous diseases, general debility unattended with 
 serious organic derangements, chronic diseases of the mucous 
 surfaces, such as gleet, leucorrhoea, etc., and in that class of 
 female diseases requiring the aid of mineral tonics. The water 
 acts generally ay a diuretic, and very commonly has a noted 
 aperient effect. 
 
 The late Dr. DeButts, of Baltimore, analyzed this water in 
 1821. One hundred grains of its solid contents afforded the 
 following results: 
 
 Carbonate of Lime 1.0. o grains 
 
 Sulphate of Lime (>30 " 
 
 Sulphate of Magnesia ^ 23.5 " 
 
 Chloride of Magnesium 1.0 " 
 
 Chloride of Sodium 1.0 
 
 Sulphate of Iron 0.3 " 
 
 Carbonate of Iron 0.7 
 
 Gaseous contents, sulphuretted hydrogen, quantity not ascer 
 tained; carbonic acid, quantity not ascertained. 
 
 The accommodations at Shannondale are not extensive, being 
 perhaps adapted to 140 to 150 persons; but it is, admittedly a 
 very delightful placs, and the scenery is unsurpassed for its 
 varied beauty and grandeur, exciting the admiration of all 
 who behold it. 
 
 CAPON SPRINGS, 
 
 At the -western base of North mountain, in the county of 
 Hampshire, have been a favorite resort for those seeking recre 
 ation and health, for many years. 
 
 The improvements here are extensive, and comfortable; suf 
 ficient for the entertainment of seven or eight hundred persons. 
 The bathing establishments are extensive and elegant. 
 
 The spring is bold, affording a,bout 100 gallons of water per 
 minute. The temperature of the water as it flows from the 
 earth is 64. A qualitative analysis shows that the water 
 contains: Silicic acid. Soda, Magnesia, Bromine, Iodine, Car 
 bonic acid. 
 
 Except in thermal character, this water cannot be closely 
 
RESOURCES OF WEST VIRGINIA. o 27 
 
 compared to any of the springs of the State. As a therapeu 
 tic agent it more resembles Berkeley, than any other. 
 
 Medical Uses. Both as a bath and a beverage it will, when 
 properly directed, be found very useful in a wide range of dis 
 eases, especially in idiopathic affections of the nervous system 
 dyspeptic depravities, chronic derangements of the mucous 
 surfaces, etc. 
 
 It has acquired reputation, and I believe justly, as a remedy 
 in gravel, and other derangements of the urinary organs. It 
 is a valuable water, and like the Berkeley water, is destined 
 to grOAV in public favor. 
 
 THE SWEET" SPRING, 
 
 In the county of Monroe, next to Berkeley, is the oldest water 
 ing place in the South that has permanently kept up its visita 
 tions and maintained its reputation. The hotel accommoda 
 tions are extensive and comfortable. The bathing facilities, 
 for both sexes , are neat and well adapted to their purpose. 
 
 The temperature of the water of the spring and bath varies 
 from 72 to 76 Fah. The analysis of the water by Professor 
 Rogers, shows that it contains in 100 cubic inches, the follow 
 ing ingredients and proportions, viz : 
 1st. Solid matter procured by evaporation from 100 cubic 
 
 inches of the water 32.07 grains 
 
 2d. Quantity of each solid ingredient, estimated as perfect 
 ly free from water, in 100 cubic inches of water : 
 
 Sulphate of Lime 5.703 grains 
 
 Sulphate of Magnesia 4.007 " 
 
 Sulphate of Soda 2.740 " 
 
 Carbonate of Lime 13.012 " 
 
 Carbonate of Magnesia 0.357 " 
 
 Chloride of Sodium 0.060 " 
 
 Chloride of Magnesium 0.136 " 
 
 Chloride of Calcium 0.065 " 
 
 Peroxide of Iron 0,065 " 
 
 Silica 0.075 
 
 Earthy Phosphate Trace. 
 
 Iodine Trace, 
 
 3d. Volume of each of the gMs.-s contained in a free state, 
 in 100 cubic inches of water : 
 
 Carbonic Acid 37.17 cubic inches 
 
 Nitrogen 1.87 " " 
 
 Sulphuretted Hydrogen Trace. 
 
 Oxygen Trace, 
 
328 RESOURCES OF WEST VIRGINIA. 
 
 Therapeutic Effects. Its first effects when drunk, due to its 
 temperature and gaseous contents, are a feeling of warmth at 
 the stomach, with a sensation of fullness of the head and some 
 giddiness. Taken at intervals in moderate quantities, it pro 
 duce 4 ? a slight moisture of the skin, and an increase in the flow 
 of urine. If the stomach be in a good condition, it increases 
 the appetite, and imparts general vigor to the system. Its 
 effects upon the bowels vary at first, but after some days use, 
 it will be found to increase a costive habit. 
 
 As a tonic in pure debility, unaccompanied by congestion 
 in the vital organs, it may be used both as a beverage and bath, 
 to great advantage. In -that form of dyspeptic depravity, 
 accompaned by gc&rodenia, or spasm, with pains occurring at 
 intervals, connected with heartburn, and generally with cold 
 feet and topid skin, it is employed with decided advantage. 
 
 In chronic diarrhoea and dysentery, it is often highly 
 beneficial. 
 
 In sub-acute rheumatism, in primary neuralgia,, and for deli 
 cate females, enervated by long nursing, it is employed with 
 good effect. As might be supposed from its excess of carbonic 
 acid, it is found useful in calculus and nephritic complaints. 
 
 As an exhilarating and tonic bath, this water is highly 
 prized. It is advantageous in quite a large number of cases, 
 for which baths of its temperature and chemical composition 
 are adapted. 
 
 WHITE SULPHUR SPRINGS, 
 
 The White Sulphur Springs, so long famous among the 
 mineral waters of the world, are in the county of Greenbrier, 
 o miles west of the crest of the Alleghany mountains. 
 
 These springs have been known, and appreciated as min 
 eral waters, for nearly 100 years, and for 75 of that period, 
 have been held in high repute for their medicinal efficacy. 
 
 The improvements here are extensive, affording accommo 
 dations directly, and with their cottages, for from 1,500 to 
 2,000 persons. The altitude of the spring above the sea level 
 is about 2,000 feet. 
 
 The spring is a bold one, yielding upwards of 30 gallons 
 per minute, and is not influenced in its flow, or in the strength 
 of the water, either by the season of the year, or by wet and 
 dry weather. The temperature of the water is uniformly 
 
RESOURCES OF WEST VIRGINIA. 329 
 
 62 Fah., which is 10 warmer than the neighboring surface 
 springs, or the earth through which it flows. 
 
 The analysis of this water shows that 100 cubic inches, or 
 3-J pints, nearly, contain the following ingredients : 
 
 Sulphate of Lime, 31. (580 grains. 
 
 " Magnesia 8.241 " 
 
 " Soda... 4.050 " 
 
 "Alumina., 0.012 " 
 
 Protosulphate of Iron 0.069 " 
 
 Carbonate of Lime 1.520 " 
 
 " Magnesia 1.071 " 
 
 Chloride of Calcium 0.010 " 
 
 ." " Sodium 0.226 " 
 
 Earthy phosphates a trace. 
 
 Azotized organic matter, combined with a large amount of 
 sulphur, about 005 grains. 
 
 Also some Iodine, combined with Sodium or Magnesium. 
 Volume of each of the gases, in a free state, estimated in 100 
 cubic inches of water : 
 
 Sulphuretted Hydrogen 0.66 cubic inches, 
 
 Nitrogen 0.6G " 
 
 Oxygen 0.19 
 
 Carbonic Acid 3.67 " 
 
 MEDICAL CHARACTER, 
 
 The distinctive medicinal influence of these waters upon 
 the system, are cathartic, diuretic, sudorific, and alterative. Some 
 cathartic and diuretic effect, as well as a distinct determination 
 to the skin by sweating, is induced by its use in the great 
 majority that drink it ; but its most decidedly controlling effect 
 over diseased action, and that which, more than any other, 
 gives it its highest and most valuable character as a remedy, 
 is its alterative power, or that peculiar action by which it 
 effects salutary changes, or alterations in the blood, in the 
 various secretions, and in the tissues of the body generally. 
 
 The water has also the remarkable power of reducing the 
 frequency of the pulse when unduly excited. This is not to 
 be attributed to a direct sedative effect of the water upon the 
 heart and arteries, but to its potent influence in abating gener 
 al excitement, resolving inflammations, and removing obstruc 
 tions, thus bringing back the system to its normal condition. 
 42 
 
330 RESOURCES OF WEST VIRGINIA. 
 
 Experiment has abundantly established the fact of the 
 direct and positive effect of these waters in controlling and 
 eradicating many diseases. When properly used, their effect 
 is to revive the languishing circulation, to give a new direc 
 tion to the vital energies, re-establish the perspiratory action 
 of the skin, bring back to their physiological type the vitiated 
 or suppressed secretions, provoke salutory evacuations, either 
 by urine or stool, or by transpiration ; thus they bring about in 
 the animal system, through their alterative power, an internal 
 transmutation or profound change. 
 
 It is thus that they relieve chronic disordered action, and im 
 part natural energy and elasticity to vessels that have been 
 distended either by inflammation or congestion, while they 
 communicate an energy to the muscular fibre and to the ani 
 mal tissues generally, which is not witnessed from the ad 
 ministration of ordinary remedies. This is the alterative effect 
 and the profound change to which I have alluded, and which 
 gives to these waters their characteristic efficiency. 
 
 The White Sulphur water is used with good effect in most 
 of the disorders of the abdominal viscera such as dyspepsia, 
 chronic irritations of the mucous coat of the stomach and bowels , 
 chronic live complaint, jaundice, and in long standing cases of 
 diarrhoea and dysentery, when unattended by inflammatory 
 action. In the various disorders of the urinary organs, and 
 especially when such disorders depend upon acid predomi 
 nance in the fluids it is useful. To chronic rheumatism and the 
 various diseases of the skin, as exema and its kindred affections, 
 it is most happily adapted. 
 
 A regular and marked effect of the free use of this water, is 
 its potency in abating, or entirely overcoming, during the 
 time of its use, the desire for drinking ardent spirits by those 
 who have been habitually indulging in their use. During 
 my long residence at the Springs, I have witnessed hundreds 
 of cases justifying the above statement. This influence de 
 pends, first, on the action of the sulphuretted hydrogen in the 
 water, which is an active nervine stimulant, and as such, sup 
 plies, for the time, the want the inebriate feels for his accus 
 tomed alcoholic stimulant; and secondly, on the alterative 
 influence exerted by the waters on the organism, which brings 
 the entire animal structure into harmoneous action, and pro- 
 
RESOURCES OF WEST VIRGINIA. 331 
 
 duces an abatement of the cerebral and nervous irritation 
 which prevails in the habitual drunkard. This enables him 
 to exert a greater moral power than he could before, and at 
 least gives him time for reflection, free from the craving for 
 for alcoholic stimulants. Of course it is not meant that the 
 waters are a sure cure for absolute or threatened inebriation, 
 but that a proper and continuous use of them will be a, 
 valuable aid in returning to sobriety. 
 
 In that enfeebled, susceptible and very peculiar condition 
 of the the system, often found to exist as the result of a long 
 continued or injudicious use of mercury, and in what is com 
 monly known as the Secondary form of Venereal Disease, the 
 White Sulphur water, when carried to its full alterative 
 effects, displays its highest curative powers. A long experi 
 ence in the use of the water, in the peculiar forms of disease 
 under consideration, causes me not to hesitate to name these 
 as the diseases in which they are most certainly efficacious. 
 The water in such cases,, exerts a specific effect, and more 
 certainly brings relief to the sufferer than any other agency. 
 I have no hesitancy in saying to those who are so unfortunate 
 as to be subjects of the disease in question, that they have in 
 these waters, when properly and fully used, in connection with 
 warm and hot sulphur baths, a reasonable hope of permanent 
 cure, which they cannot have from the u^e of any other remedy 
 known to the profession. 
 
 BATHS AT THE WHITE SULPHUR. 
 
 Warm and hot bathing, especially in highly medicated 
 waters, is a remedy of leading importance, in a large number 
 of the cases which resort to mineral waters for relief. The 
 water used for bathing at the White Sulphur, flows from the 
 spring from which the visitors drink, and no other waters in 
 America, used for bathing, except the Washita Springs, in 
 Arkansas, are more highly impregnated with mineral salts. 
 These baths, in connection with the drinking of the sulphur 
 waters, although not required in every case, are a matter of 
 the utmost importance, in a large number of cases, in aiding 
 to produce the best effects of the waters. 
 
 The bathing-house is large, affording ample accommodations 
 for the bathers. The bathing-rooms are spacious, airy, and 
 comfortable, and in addition to the usual tub-baths, they have 
 
RESOURCES OF WEST VIRGINIA. 
 
 erected douche baths, for the application of hot or warm water 
 to local parts of the body, and have set apart rooms arranged 
 for sweating-l>a.ihs. The water is heated by steam in the ves 
 sel in which it is used, and the heat is never so great as to 
 cause any precipitation, and loss of the solid contents. Hence 
 they are left in their natural suspension in the water, to 
 exert their specific effect upon the bather. Steam may also 
 be let from time to time into the tub, so as to keep up 
 the temperature during the entire period of bathing, a matter 
 of no small importance. 
 
 THE BED SULPHUR SPRINGS, 
 
 In the county of Monroe 40 miles south from the White 
 Sulphur, have been known and distinguished as a watering 
 place for more than 60 years. The water of the spring is 
 clear and cool, having the temperature of 54 Fah. The fol 
 lowing is Prof. Rogers analysis of this spring : 
 Gaseous contents in an Imperial GaMon: 
 
 Sulphuretted Hydrogen 4.54 cubic inches. 
 
 Carbonic Acid 8.75 
 
 Nitrogen 4.25 
 
 Solid contents in 32 cubic inches oj witter, 1.25 grains, consist 
 ing of sulphate of soda, lime, and magnesia, carbonate of 
 lime, and chloride of sodium. Besides these ingredients, the 
 water contains in considerable quantity, a peculiar organic 
 substance, mingled with sulphur, which is deposited on the 
 sides ef the spring, and seems to increase by a species of 
 organic growth. 
 
 These springs have, for many years, had a high reputation in. 
 the treatment of various diseases of the lungs, as well as lor 
 many other diseases, for which the milder sulphur waters have 
 been advantageously employed. 
 
 THE SALT SULPHUR SPIRNGS. 
 
 Near Union, in Monroe county, afford a valuable mineral water. 
 They were largely visited for many years, especial!} by South- 1 
 ern people. The improvements here are large and comfortable, 
 but for several years have not been opened to visitors. The 
 lollowing is the analysis of the water, furnished by Prof. Wm, 
 B. Rogers : 
 
 Temperature, variable, from 49 to 56 ". 
 
RESOURCES OF WEST VIRGINIA. 
 
 Solid matter procured by evaporating 100 cubic inches of 
 the water, and drying at 212 : 81. 44 grains. 
 
 Quantity of each solid ingredient in 100 cubic inches, esti 
 mated as perfectly free from water : 
 
 Sulphate of Lime 36.755 grains. 
 
 " Magnesia . 7.883 " 
 
 " Soda 9,682 " 
 
 Carbonate of Lime 4445 " 
 
 " Magnesia 1.434 " 
 
 Chloride of Magnesium 0.116 " 
 
 " " Sodium 0.683 " 
 
 " Calcium 0.025 " 
 
 Peroxide of Iron from Protosulphate 0042 " 
 
 Azotized Organic Matter 0.004 " 
 
 Earthy Phosphates trace. 
 
 Iodine trace. 
 
 Volume of each gas contained, in a free state, in 100 cubic 
 inches : 
 
 Sulphuretted Hydrogen 1.10 to 1.50 cubic inches. 
 
 Nitrogen 2.05 
 
 Oxygen 0.27 " 
 
 Carbonic Acid 5.75 
 
 In addition to the springs already mentioned, there arc in 
 various parts of the State, indeed in every great section of it, 
 mineral fountains that are well worthy of public attention. 
 Among these are the Blue Sulphur springs in Greenbrier county, 
 once a place of much resort and an excellent mineral water, 
 and Guinn s Spring, in Fayette county, near the mouth of Lick 
 creek. This has bean but little tested, and not at all chemi 
 cally. It is evidently a sulphur water of excellent promise. 
 There is also a spring in the vicinity of Parkersburg, now 
 attracting considerable attention, of which I know too little, 
 either therapeutically or chemically, to attempt a description, 
 but it is favorably regarded by many persons. 
 
 Besides the springs mentioned by Dr. Moorman, in the above 
 paper, we may note here, two additional ones. The first of 
 the^e is the Hardy \Vfiite Sulphur Spring, situated at the east 
 base of the South Branch mountain, 14 miles south of Moore- 
 field. This is a white sulphur, forming a deposit of snowy 
 whiteness. No analysis has been made of it, but carbonic acid 
 escapes from it continually. The temperature in summer is 
 50 Fah., and in winter 48. The flow is 65 gallonsjper hour. 
 
334 RESOURCES OF WEST VIRGINIA. 
 
 It has baen a place of resort for 45 years, and its medicinal 
 qualities well established. It is anti-acid, and diuretic, and 
 tonic, and in diseases arising from a disordered liver, its cura 
 tive effects are well marked. [Thos! Maslin.] The second 
 spring to be noted, is the Magnesia Spring, on Howard s creek, 
 near the White Sulphur in Greenbrier. The following analy 
 sis of it is by Dr. Aiken, of Baltimore, Md. 
 
 Solid contents in one imperial gallon : 
 
 Carbonate of Lime 22.367 grains 
 
 Carbonate, of Magnesia 11.160 " 
 
 Carbonate of Iron 0.320 " 
 
 Sulphate of Lime 21.010 " 
 
 Sulphate of Magnesia 12.060 " 
 
 Sulphateof Potasium 1.460 " 
 
 Sulphate of Soda 1.201 " 
 
 Sulphateof Ammonia 0.179 " 
 
 Organic Matter Trace. 
 
 Chloride of Sodium 1.260 " 
 
 Chloride of Potasium 1.742 " 
 
 Silica 0.860 " 
 
 Iodine Trace. 
 
 Lithia Trace. 
 
 Bromine Trace. 
 
 Loss 0.43 
 
 Specific gravity i 1.0004 
 
 This is a new spring, and we have no report of its thera 
 peutic effects. 
 
 The following analysis of the Parkersburg Mineral Wells 
 was furnished by Rezin P. Davis, M. D., to the owner of the 
 wells : 
 
 One quart of water contains : 
 
 Carbonic acid gas 16 cubic inches 
 
 Sulphate of Magnesia 10 grains. 
 
 Sulphateof Soda 24 " 
 
 Sulphate of Iron 4 u 
 
 Chloride of Lime 41 
 
 Carbonate of Soda 4 " 
 
 Iodine ... .. Trace. 
 
CHAPTER XV. 
 TRANSPORTATION, 
 
 BY M. F. MAURY. 
 
 With mineral riches of so vast an extent, with forests of 
 such magnificent size, with soils of such fertility, and with so 
 many other natural advantages as have been shown in the 
 preceding chapters, the question naturally arises, Why, if 
 these things be true, are the resources of West Virginia so 
 little developed? The answer is readily given when we exam 
 ine the lack of railroads within our borders. 
 
 Before the western country along the Ohio river sprang up, 
 with its mighty power of population, manufactures and wealth 
 the main markets of the Union were in the seaboard States, 
 bordering the Atlantic, and all trade tended to them. Conse 
 quently the inauguration of public improvements were 
 around these business centers, and, tending to bring them into 
 closer communication, were made north and south, the west 
 ern connections being built but slowly; so that 1861 saw but 
 one company that had built an east and west line through 
 West Virginia, and, now, that, with its western feeders, does a 
 heavier freight business than almost any road in the United 
 States. Up to 1861, Old Virginia, which then stretched from 
 the Atlantic to the Ohio, fostered the railroads centering 
 arouiid the eastern cities, and western connections, though 
 projected, were not pushed, and the beginning of the war 
 showed only the Baltimore and Ohio railroad, a foreign cor 
 poration, and one that carried trade to northern centers, and 
 away from her seaports completed. During the sectional 
 struggle of four years, no improvements were made, and it 
 
336 RESOURCES OF WEST VIRGINIA. 
 
 was not until 1872 that the southern portion of the State had 
 any rail communication with markets. 
 
 There is another reason why we were passed over, viz.: Our 
 population was comparatively smalj, and possessed nothing 
 that was not found more or less abundantly elsewhere, and the 
 Alleghany mountains on the eastern borders were generally 
 looked upon as a very awkward barrier to be overcome in rail 
 roading. The knowledge concerning our mineral riches in 
 the money centers, was vague and uncertain, and the existing 
 lines in Pennsylvania passed through coal fields that could 
 fill all demands. No north and south lines were built, simply 
 because there were no great commercial cities to be connected 
 by them, while the products along such lines would have gone 
 into markets, with railroad charges on them, to compete with 
 articles that already existed in great profusion around the 
 termini. 
 
 But this state of things can no longer remain so. The 
 trade of the west has become so great, and its surplus pro- 
 ducts, that find their best markets in Europe, and other por 
 tions of the world, have become so vast that they call for new 
 routes to the seaports. The Alleghanies on our eastern bor 
 der have been shown not to be the barrier supposed, for the 
 Baltimore and Ohio railroad runs over their summits, and the 
 Chesapeake and Ohio railroad passes them with grades of only 
 30 feet per mile, while other roads, already surveyed, show most 
 practicable and feasible routes. Those now in operation have 
 placed our coals in eastern markets, where they always equal, 
 and sometimes outrank, the best of the United States ; iron 
 ores of good quality and in vast deposits have been well" 
 proven, while in every portion of the State streams have cut 
 the roadbeds, so that lateral branches can be run up innu 
 merable creeks to furnish a vast tonnage for the main trunk 
 lines, and an enormous ireight traffic can be looked for in local 
 business in carrying coal to iron, and iroa to coal, and then 
 transporting the results of the manufactuie. 
 
 In fact, though there can be no question that this lack of 
 of transportation has been of great disadvantage in the past, 
 and still is at the present, yet it has its compensatory advan 
 tages for the future, as it has left the riches of this State un 
 touched, while all the country around was being developed 
 
RESOURCES OF WEST VIRGINIA. 337 
 
 and new markets constantly created every year growing 
 larger. Formerly we would, in common with the other States, 
 have looked to the eastern trade alone, but now we are sur 
 rounded on the west, north, and east, by immense and ever 
 consuming centres, that have been changed from producers 
 and competitors into consumers and customers, and many an 
 item of wealth that would, heretofore, on account of lack of 
 demand or low price, have been used or prepared for market, 
 in the most wasteful manner, and have been a positive loss to 
 our ultimate prosperity, now becomes a source of revenue and 
 wealth. Hence, West Virginia occupies the enviable position 
 of being a " new country" with all the advantages of an "old 
 one," in being surrounded with counsumers for every article 
 that it can supply, ar.d this fact alone should attract no little 
 attention from the miner, lumberman, agriculturist, mechanic 
 and laborer. 
 
 The following are the transportation companies now in 
 operation : 
 
 Baltimore and Ohio Railroad runs through the northern por 
 tion of the State, having Baltimore as its eastern terminus 
 and passing through the counties of Jefferson, Berkley, Mor 
 gan, Hampshire, Mineral, Preston, Taylor, Marion, Wetzel, 
 Marshall, and part of Ohio, connecting the towns of Harper s 
 Ferry, Martinsburg, Keyser, Piedmont, Rowlesburg, Graft-on, 
 Fairmont, Moundsville and Wheeling. A branch leaves the 
 main road at Grafton, in Taylor county, and passes through 
 the counties of Harrison, Doddridge, Ritchie and Wood, to 
 Parkersburg on the Ohio river. Besides its termini, the main 
 towns on it are Clarksburg, West Union and Cairo. 
 
 Pennsboro & Harrisville Railroad, leaves the Parkersburg 
 Branch of the Bait. & Ohio R. R. at Pennsboro, in Ritchie 
 county, and runs about 14 miles to Harrisville, in same coun 
 ty. It was built to accommodate the timber interests of this 
 section. 
 
 Chesapeake & Ohio Railroad. In the southern part of the 
 State with its eastern terminus on tide-water at Richmond, 
 Va., and its western at Huntington, on the Ohio river. It 
 passes through the counties of Greenbrier Monroe, Summers, 
 Fayette, Kanawha, Putnam, and Cabell, having, as its princi 
 pal stations, the White Sulphur Springs, Lewisburg, with 
 43 
 
338 RESOURCES OF WEST VIRGINIA. 
 
 Ronceverte as the depot, 3 miles distant ; Quinnimont Fur* 
 nace, Kanawha Falls, Coalburg, Charleston, Saint Albans, 
 Barboursville, and Huntington, whence it is 160 miles by 
 the Ohio river to Cincinnati. 
 
 Martinsburg & Potomac Railroad. JLu West Virginia this road 
 is altogether in Berkeley county. It runs from the Baltimore 
 and Ohio R. R., at Martinsburg, to Hagerstown in Maryland. 
 Pittsburgh, Cincinnati & St. Louis Railroad. This road crosses 
 the Ohio river at Steubenville and passes across the Panhan 
 dle in Brooke county, touching Hancock county at Holliday s 
 Cove. 
 
 Pitklmrgh, Wheeling < Baltimore Railroad. Runs from Wheel 
 ing to Washington in Pennsylvania, where it has connections 
 with Pittsburgh. In West Virginia it is altogether in Ohio 
 county. When completed through to Baltimore, it will be 
 shorter than of any existing line between Cincinnati and 
 the seaboard, and will be used by the Bait, & Ohio R. R. as 
 their quick passenger route. 
 
 Valley Railroad. Passes from the Bait. & Ohio R. R. at Har 
 per s Ferry, southward through Jefferson county, and into 
 Virginia to the Chesapeake & Ohio R. R. at Staunton. 
 
 To show the interest that is being attracted to and mani 
 fested in the deveiopement of this State, the following is a list 
 of the charters that have been granted, and still exist, within 
 our borders since 1867, though it is proper to remark, that t.he 
 construction of some of the roads are in the distant future. 
 
 Blue Stone Mining Railroad Company. To construct a rail 
 road up the Blue Stone river in Summers and Mercer counties, 
 for the development of the minerals. 
 
 BucJchannon Mineral Railroad Company. To construct a rail 
 road from some point on the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad/ 
 between Clarksburg and Grafton, to Buckhannon, in Upshur 
 county. 
 
 Coal River Railroad Company. To build a railroad from Saint 
 Albans, in Kanawha county, up Coal river to the juncture of 
 the Marsh and Clear Forks, in Raleigh county, to have a 
 branch running up Little Coal river to Boone Court House. 
 Objects : To develop the mineral and timber resources of Coal 
 river. 
 
RESOURCES OF WEST VIRGINIA. 339 
 
 Cumberland^ Moorefield and Broadway Railroad Company. To 
 build a railrood from a point in Mineral county opposite Cum 
 berland, to Moorefield, in Hardy county, thence to Petersburg, 
 in Grant county, and thence to the State line near Monterey, 
 in Highland count} 7 , Virginia. 
 
 Gaidey River Railroad Company. -To build a railroad from 
 the mouth to the head of Gauley river, passing through 
 Fayette, Nicholas, and Webster, into Pocahontas. Objects : 
 To develop the mineral and timber resources of Gauley river. 
 
 Guyandotte Railroad Company. rto build a railroad from the 
 Chesapeake and Ohio Railroad, at Huntington, to Cabell Court 
 House (Barbournville), and thence on up the Guyandotte river 
 into Logan county. Objects : To develope the mineral and 
 timber resources of the Guyandotte river. 
 
 Guyandotte and Ohio River Railroad, and Mineral. Company. 
 To build a railroad from some point in Logan county, on 
 Guyandotte river, above Dusenbury Mill, to the Ohio river, be 
 tween the mouths of Four Pole and Seven Mile creeks. Ob 
 jects : The same as the last. 
 
 Hartford, Mason and Clifton Railroad. To extend along the 
 Ohio river, in Mason county, to connect the three towns named 
 in the title. 
 
 Iron Valley and Pennsylvania Line Railroad Company. To 
 build a railroad from where Big Sandy creek crosses the 
 Pennsylvania line, via Brandonville, Bruceton Mills, Muddy 
 Creek Furnace, valley of Green s Run, and Martin Iron Works, 
 to a point on the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad. Altogether 
 in Preston county. 
 
 Mud River Railroad Company.- To a build a railroad from 
 Milton Station on the Chesapeake and Ohio Railroad, in Cabell 
 county, up Mud river to the mouth of LTpton creek, in Lincoln 
 county, and thence crossing to Big Ugly creek, and down that 
 stream to the Guyandotte river, in Logan county. Objects : 
 To develop the mineral and timber resources along its line. 
 
 New River Railroad, Mining and Manufacturing Company. - 
 To build a railroad from the Chesapeake and Ohio Railroad, 
 at the mouth of Greenbrier river, up New river to the State line. 
 
 North Branch Railroad Company. To build a railroad from a 
 point on the Baltimore arid Ohio Railroad, between Piedmont 
 
340 RESOURCES OF WEST VIRGINIA. 
 
 and Bloomiiigton Ridge, south to a point on the Chesapeake 
 and Ohio Railroad. 
 
 Northern and Southern West Virginia Railroad Company. 
 To build a railroad from the Pennsylvania line, in Monongalia 
 county, via Morgantown, Fairmont, Clarksburg, Weston, and 
 Charleston, to some p:>int on the Kentucky line, in Wayne 
 county. This is a most important line, being, as its name im 
 plies, a north and south ore, and passing through the center 
 of the State, developing enormous mineral and timber inter 
 ests throughout its whole route. 
 
 Ohio River and Wayne County Mineral Railroad Company. 
 To build a railroad from any point on the Ohio river, in 
 Wayne county, to the mineral lands in Wayne and Lincoln 
 counties. 
 
 Paint Creek Railroad Company. To build a railroad from 
 the C. & 0. R. R. at the mouth of Paint creek, up that 
 stream, in Kanawha and Fayette counties. Objects : To de 
 velop the coal interests of Paint creek. 
 
 Pittsburgh, Wheeling and Kentucky Railroad. To connect with 
 the Pittsburgh, Cincinnati and St. Louis railroad, at Holli- 
 day s Cove, in Hancock county, and thence to pa^-s down the 
 Ohio river to Wheeling, and thence on to the Kentucky line, 
 ultimately to connect with the Texas Pacific railroad. This is 
 another very important north and south line, as it would 
 develop all the Ohio river counties. The road bed is already 
 graded as far south as Wheeling. 
 
 Potomac and Ohio Railroad Company. To build a railroad 
 from near Harper s Ferry, in Jefferson county, to the Ohio 
 river, via the SouthBranch Valley, in Hampshire, Hardy and 
 Grant counties. 
 
 RipUy and Ohio Narrow Gauge Railroad Company. To build 
 a railroad in Jackson county, from Ripley, down Mill creek 
 to the Ohio. 
 
 Steer Creek Valley and Elk River Railroad Company. To build a 
 railroad from the mouth of Steer creek, in Calhoun county, to 
 some point on Elk river, in Braxton county, between Little 
 Otter and Duck creeks. 
 
 tihcnandoah and Ohio Railroad Company. To build a railroad 
 irom the Virginia line, in Pendleton county, on the east, to 
 
RESOURCES OF WEST VIRGINIA. 341 
 
 Parkersburg, on the Ohio river, on the west. This will traverse 
 the whole State through a most valuable mineral country. 
 
 South Branch Railroad Company. To build a railroad in 
 Hampshire county, from Romney to the Baltimore <C* Ohio Rail 
 road. This is partially built. 
 
 Tug River Railroad Company.-r- Fo build a railroad from the 
 Ohio river, up Big Sandy river and Tug Fork thereof, into 
 Logan county, to a point opposite Lonsville, in Pike county, 
 Kentucky. Object : to develop the mineral and timber re 
 sources of Big Sandy river. 
 
 Union and Greenbrier River Turnpike and Railroad Company. 
 To build a railroad from Union, in Monroe county, to some 
 point on the C. & O. Railroad, on Greenbrier river. 
 
 Washington and Ohio Railroad Company. This is a very im 
 portant projected east and west line in the State, as it passes 
 through the rich coal, iron, timber and agricultural region ly 
 ing between the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad on the north, 
 and the C. & 0. Railroad on the south. It begins at Alexan 
 dria, in Virginia, on the Potomac, and the first 51 J miles are 
 completed. It will pass through Winchester, and enter West 
 Virginia in Hampshire county, and thence, according to the 
 route laid down on the map of West Virginia, will run through 
 Hardy, Grant, Tucker, Randolph, Upshur, Lewis, Gilmer, Cal- 
 houn, Roane, Jackson, and Mason counties, to the Ohio river, 
 at Point Pheasant. 
 
 West Virginia Railroad Company. Beginning at or near the 
 mouth of the Big Sandy river, in Wayne county, their rail 
 road runs thence in an easterly direction to the Kanawha 
 river, nt-ar St. Albans, in Kanawha county, thence to Charles 
 ton, at the mouth of Elk river, thence up that stream for 150 
 miles, thence northeasterly to the South Branch of the Poto 
 mac, and thence down the same to its mouth, passing through 
 the counties of Wayne, Cabell, Putnam, Kanawha, Clay, Brax- 
 ton, Webster, Randolph, Pendleton, Grant, Hardy, Hampshire 
 and Morgan. 
 
 West Virginia Central Railroad Company.- From Charleston, 
 their railroad runs up the Kanawha, thence up Gauley to its 
 head, ad thence through Pocahontas county to Harrisonburg, 
 in Virginia, passing through the counties of Kanawha, Fay- 
 ette, Nicholas, Webster, and Pocahontas. 
 
342 RESOURCES OF WEST VIRGINIA. 
 
 West Fork and V/eston Railroad Company. Their railroad 
 runs from Weston, in Lewis county, to Clarksburg, in Har 
 rison county. 
 
 West Virginia Division of the People* Freight Railroad Company. 
 Their railroad runs from the Ohio river, between Short and 
 Buffalo creeks to where the State line crosses the latter, in 
 Brooke county. 
 
 RIVERS. 
 
 The Ohio River forms the western boundary of the State for 
 some 300 miles, and washes the counties of Hancock, Brooke, 
 Ohio, Marshall, Wetzel, Tyler, Pleasants,Wood, Jackson, Mason, 
 Cabell, and Wayne. Daily, weekly and tri-weekly steamers 
 from Wheeling to Marietta, Parkersburg and Cincinnati, and 
 mail boats from Parkersburg to Charleston, on the Kanawha, 
 keep up constant communication between all the river land 
 ings in West Virginia, and the great markets in the adjoin 
 ing States. There are also daily lines connecting with the 
 C. & O. R. R., from Huntington to Cincinnati, and regular 
 lines ply from Pittsburgh to Cincinnati, stopping at all West 
 Virginia landings. 
 
 It is open to navigation, with but r<are exceptions from ice 
 and low water, all the year round. 
 
 Great Kanavtha River Is navigable all the year round, except 
 in exceptional cases, when, navigation is impeded by ice, from 
 the Ohio lo Brownstown, a distance of 70 miles. In a good 
 stage of water we can go up to Loup creek, 22 miles higher. 
 In low water only the smaller classes of boats can run. In 
 order to give the enormous mineral interests of this stream, a 
 free exit to the Ohio all the year, the United States Govern, 
 ment is now locking and damming it so that 6 feet of water can 
 always be expected. From Maiden, 6 miles above Charleston, 
 there is a weekly line of beats to Cincinnati, and a daily line 
 to Gailipolis, on the Ohio, and tri-weekly connections with 
 Parkersburg and Cincinnati packets. 
 
 Little KanawJm River Is locked and dammed to Elizabeth, in 
 Wirt county, and on good water steamboats pass up daily to 
 Burning Springs, 38 miles from Parkersburg, on the Ohio 
 river, and even to Grants ville, Calhoun county. The work is 
 done by the Little Kanawha Navigation Company, and will 
 tend much to foster the rich timber and oil resources, etc., of 
 this important portion of our State. 
 
RESOURCES OF WEST VIRGINIA* 343 
 
 The Mononghelia River, in Monongalia county, is navigable 
 on good water to Morgantown, and in exceptional cases steam 
 ers have gone as far up as Fairmont, in Marion .county. The 
 United States Government are now locking and damming this 
 stream as far as Morgan tow o, and steps are being taken for an 
 appropriation to carry the work on to Fairmont, so as to give 
 the important coal interests of Marion and southern Monon 
 galia a cheap water exit to the western markets. 
 
 Big Coal River In Kanawha and Boone counties, is im 
 proved by locks and dams by the Coal River Navigation Com 
 pany to the Peytona Mines, 35 miles above its mouth. Many 
 years ago Little Coal river, a branch of Big Coal, was locked 
 and dammed for the first few miles for the accommodation of 
 the Marae Mining Company, but the workshavenow gone to 
 ruin, owing to the suspension of the mines. This stream 
 could be improved as. high as Boone court-house, which is 
 .some 40 miles from the Kanawha, 
 
 Big Sandy River Which divides West Virginia from Ken 
 tucky, is usually navigable to Louisa, and in good water many 
 miles above. 
 
 The Chesapeake & Ohio Canal. Though this is nowhere with 
 in the borders of the State, yet, as it is largely used by the 
 citizens of the eastern counties, it may be looked upon as one 
 of the transportation lines of West Virginia. It extends from 
 Cumberland to Georgetown, and follows the West Virginia 
 line, on the opposite side of the Potomac river, from the first 
 named place to Harper s Ferry, a distance of over 100 miles. 
 The counties that are opposite to it are Mineral, Hampshire, 
 Morgan, Berkely. and Jefferson. Before the completion of the 
 Bait. & Ohio R. R., Cumberland was the great connecting 
 point for all goods from the western country to the eastern 
 markets and vice versa. 
 
 The following is a list of the other streams that have con 
 templated improvements, as shown by the charters to naviga 
 tion companies. % 
 
 Grcenbrier River. The St. Lawrence Boom and Manufactur 
 ing Company, whose boom and saw mills are at Ronceverte, 
 Greenbrier county, have a charter to improve the navigation 
 of this stream. The work so far done has been to remove the 
 
344 RESOURCES OF WEST VIRGINIA. 
 
 obstructions to the lumber business, so that logs can conie 
 down freely. 
 
 New River. -The Greenbrier, New, and Kanawha rivers, is 
 the intended route for the James River and Kanawha Canal 
 from Richmond, Va., to the Ohio river. The gap still left for 
 completion, between this last point and Buchanan, on the 
 James river in Virginia, is 207 miles. As regards its chances 
 for completion, the following letter from Commodore M. F. 
 Maury, who will readily be admitted as an authority of the 
 highest standing, is very interesting. 
 
 VIRGINIA MILITARY INSTITUTE J 
 LEXINGTON, 6th July, 1872. ) 
 COL. R.L MAURY, 
 
 MY DEAR SIR : You ask my opinion as to "the probabili 
 ties of completing the James River and Kanawha Canal." I 
 think them not only reasonable but proximate, and any one 
 who will make himself acquainted with that work, who will- 
 consider the rapidly increasing population and production, the 
 growing wealth and political power of the West, and who will 
 then consider what has been done with regard to it, will be 
 very apt to come to a like conclusion. 
 
 That work was commenced more than a generation ago by 
 the State of Virginia. After reaching the eastern base of the 
 Allegheny rhountains, the work, owing to difficulties of 
 various sorts, and the absence of appropriations and the exigen 
 cies of war amongst them, was suspended. 
 
 During this long suspension, the public mind was with 
 drawn from this canal and given to things of more absorbing 
 interest. But that attention was recalled to it by "Report 
 No. 1. Physical Survey of Virginia" * * * * * 
 
 Look at the map and you will see that Virginia is as the 
 keystone to the arch of States that border on the Atlantic 
 Ocean. She has the best harbor of the coast, is midway be 
 tween the Northern and Southern extremes, and offers the 
 shortest and best passage that can be found for commerce be 
 tween the Atlantic seabord and the chief centres of the Mis 
 sissippi Valley, such as Cincinnati, Louisville, St. Louis, St. 
 Paul, and even Chicago, on the lakes; for, if you will take 
 the the trouble to measure, you will see that by opening these 
 
OF WEST VIRGINIA. 345 
 
 routes, they will bring the Capes of Virginia and the sea, near 
 er to Chicago than Sand v Book now is. 
 
 The Government in Washington, impresssd with these facts, 
 sent out their corps of engineers to examine the ground and 
 see if a practicable route for the canal can be found, and they 
 have found it, for it was well known to exist. And in antic 
 ipation of this canal, Congress and the city of Richmond, as if 
 to prepare for it have moved in the matter andare now spend 
 ing large sums of money upon the improvement of James Riv 
 er. They aim ultimately to give this river 18 feet of wafer 
 from the cifcy to the sea, and by so doing to bring the seaport 
 of the great West 100 miles up into the interior; and then by 
 opening docks for its shipping, they expect to, establish that 
 port at Richmond. * * * 
 
 For my part, content to wait and watch, I look upon a canal 
 from the James river at Richmond to the "fairway" of the Kan- 
 awha River, as a thing that muit be. There is no event of the 
 future that falls not in the "order of nature." but which de 
 pends upon the accidents of time and circumstances, the coming 
 of which E regard as more certain than the completion, sooner 
 or later, of this canal. It is a work of transcendent importance 
 and must be built. Your truly, 
 
 M. F. MAURY. 
 
 Gauley River In IS 72 a charter was granted the Gauley 
 River Improvement Manufacturing, Mining and Lumber Co. 
 giving it the exclusive privilege of improving the river by re 
 moving obstructions to the navigation, and by constructing 
 dams by cutting a canal or by sluices. So far the only work 
 done has been to improve the navigation so that lo^s can come 
 down freely from Peters creek, which is some 20 miles above 
 the Kanawha. 
 
 Elk River. The Elk River Navigation Company have put 
 in one dam abjve Charleston, and the stream has been so 
 improved that on a good stage of water a small steamboat 
 can go up 70 miles to the furnace of the Elk River Iron and 
 Coal Company. In this distance, according to the survey of 
 the Northern and Southern West Virginia railroad, the fall 
 of the River is 206 feet. 
 
 Quyandotte River. Improvements were in progress before the 
 war and dams built for some distance up, but neglected since, 
 and finallv destroyed. 
 44 
 
346 RESOURCES OF WEST VIRGINIA. 
 
 Twelve Pole River. A charter has been granted to the 
 Twelve Pole River Mining and Navigation Company, an 
 association formed for the purpose of improving the naviga 
 tion of Twelve Pole river and its tributaries by slack water 
 dams and otherwise, and of mining and shipping coal and 
 other products therefrom." 
 
 Steer Greek. A charter has been granted to the Steer Creek 
 Lumber, Boom and Navigation Company to improve the 
 waters of that stream in Calhoun and Gilmer counties. Ob 
 ject : To develop the timber resources. 
 
 Middle Island Creel:. A charter was granted to the Middle 
 Island Navigation Company, to improve the stream from its 
 mouth throughout so much of its course as lies iri Tyler and 
 Pleasants counties. 
 
 Fishing Creek. A branch of the Ohio river, in Wetze l 
 county. Navigation to be improved by the Fishing Creek 
 Lumber and Boom Company. Object : To develop the tim ber 
 resources. 
 
 North Branch oj the Potomac River. A charter to the North 
 Branch Lumber and Boom Company, to improve the naviga 
 tion of Stony river and the North Branch to Cumberland. 
 Object: Lumber shipping. 
 
 Shenandoah River. In Jefferson county. The title of the 
 improvement is the Shenandoah Navigation Company ; to 
 improve the navigation of the stream. 
 
CHAPTER XVI. 
 EDUCATIONAL INTERESTS. 
 
 BY M. F. MAIJRY. 
 
 For much of the information in the following paper, I am 
 indebted to a manuscript on this subject by Dr. J. G. Blair, 
 Principal of the Branch of the State Normal School, at Fair 
 mont. 
 
 FREE SCHOOLS. 
 
 The constitution ot West Virginia requires the Legislature 
 to provide by general law for a thorough and efficient- system of 
 Free Schools. To secure this end- " the existing permanent 
 and invested school fund, and all moneys accruing to this 
 State from forfeited, delinquent, waste, and unappropriated 
 lands ; from lands hitherto sold for taxes and purchased by the 
 State [of Virginia, if hereafter redeemed or sold toothers than 
 this State ; all grants, bequests, or devises that may be made 
 to this State for educational purposes; the State s just share of 
 the literary fund of Virginia, whether paid over or otherwise 
 liquidated; any sums of money, stocks or property which this 
 State shall have a right to claim from the State of Virginia 
 for educational purposes ; the proceeds of the estates of persons 
 who die without leaving a will or heir, and of all escheated 
 lands ; the proceeds of all taxes that may be levied on any cor 
 poration ; all moneys that may be paid for exemption from 
 military duty, and such sums as may be appropriated from 
 time to time by the Legislature, shall be set apart as a school 
 fund, and invested under such regulations .as maybe prescribed 
 by law in the interest bearing securities of the United States, 
 and of this State, or in such other solvent interest bearing 
 
348 . RESOURCES OF WEST VIRGINIA. 
 
 securities as maybe approved by the Governor, Superintendent 
 of Free* Schools, Auditor and Treasurer," who are constituted, 
 the Board of the School Fund, to manage the same under 
 such regulations as maybe prescribed by law, and the interest 
 thereof shall be annually applied to the support of free schools 
 throughout the State, and to no other purpose whatever. * * 
 Any portion of said interest, remaining unexpended at the 
 close of the fiscal year, shall be added to, and remain part of 
 the capital of the school fund." The Legislature is required 
 "to foster and encourage moral, intellectual, scientific and 
 agricultural improvement, and when it may bo practicable, to 
 make suitable provision for the blind, mute, and insnne, and 
 organize such institutions of learning as the best interests of 
 general education in the State may demand." 
 
 Under the Constitution of 186}, the Legislature put into 
 efficient operation the Free School system of the State. The 
 popular school law then adopted still retains its essential fea 
 tures, having only been changed in expedients, to give the 
 schools greater advantages. This law, as re-enacted by the 
 Legislature in 1*873, compares favorably with the most liberal 
 school legislation of other States. 
 
 For school purposes, each county is divided into districts (cor 
 responding to townships in other States), and each of these 
 into sub-districts. Each district is controlled by a " Board of 
 Education," consisting of a President, and t\vo Commissioners, 
 and each sub-district, is under the management of one "Trustee." 
 The officers are chosen by the electors of the district every two 
 years. 
 
 In addition to the,School Fund already alluded to, the School 
 Law says: " For the support of the Primary Free Schools of 
 their district, and in each independent school district, the 
 Board of Education thereof shall annually levy by the author 
 ity of the people, such a tax on the property taxable in the 
 district, as will, with the money received from the State for 
 the support of Free Schools, be sufficient to keep such schools 
 in operation at least four months in the year; provided, the 
 said tax in any year shall not exceed the amount of -50 cents on 
 every 100 dollars valuation." (School Laws, Sec 40.) The 
 proceeds of this tax, together with the distributable State 
 School Fund, constitute the k: Te;iohor s Fund," which is to be 
 used only in paying teachers salaries. 
 
RESOURCES OF WEST VIRGINIA. 349 
 
 Should any Board of Education fail to make this levy, after 
 the people have voted to do so, the law requires that the county 
 court shall compel them to do so, and every district rejecting 
 said levy by a majority vote, shall not receive its pro rata of 
 the State funds. 
 
 The School Law (Sec. 60) provides: "That for the support 
 of Free Schools, there shall be a State tax, levied annually, 
 of 10 cents on the 100 dollars valuation of all real and per 
 sonal property of the State." This amount, combined with 
 the interest accruing on the invested fund, makes up the 
 annual appropriations by the State in aid of the " Teachers 
 Fund." 
 
 Section 38 of the School Law says : "To provide school houses 
 and grounds, furniture, fixtures and appendage?, and to keep 
 the same in good order and repair, and to supply fuel and other 
 things needed for comfort and convenience, the Board of Edu 
 cation shall annually levy a tax on the taxable property of 
 each district, not to exceed in any single year 40 cents on the 
 100 dollars, valuation thereof, according to the latest assess 
 ment of the same for State and county taxation," This tax, 
 together with the bequests and other revenues that may be for 
 the purpose, constitute a " Building Fund," which is entirely 
 distinct from the " Teachers Fund." 
 
 The report for 1875 of the State Superintendent of Free 
 Schools shows that the Permanent School Fund amounts to 
 $325,243fVir; the Current Teachers Fund to $541, 358 T %\; the 
 Current Building Fund to $255,233-^; and the aggregate 
 amount expended for school purposes for thut year to $796,- 
 592 ^V 
 
 The school year begins on the 1st of September, and the 
 District Boards hold their first meeting for this year on the 1st 
 Monday of September, when they have to determine the num 
 ber of months the schools shall be taught in each sub-district, 
 the number of teachers to be employed, andtheir wages, which 
 latter are graded according to the individual merits of the 
 teachers, as shown by the certificates granted them by the 
 County Board of Examiners. The trustee in each sub-district 
 employs the teacher. He has discretionary power in minor 
 matters relating to the comfort, order and success of thQ 
 Bchool. 
 
350 RESOURCES OF WEST VIRGINIA. 
 
 At the time of electing the Trustees and District Boards, the 
 people of each count} elect a County Superintendent of Free 
 Schools, who shall be, says the law: " a person of temperate 
 habits, of literary acquirements, and of skill and experience in 
 the art of teaching." This officer is charged with grave re 
 sponsibilities, and by his efficiency contributes largely to 
 school success. It is his duty to visit the schools of his coun 
 ty each year, to advise and direct the teachers in their work, 
 to see that the school law is executed by all subordinate offi 
 cers, to look after school finances, to act as Chairman of the 
 County Board of Examiners, to examine into the condition of 
 school-houses and property, to encourage and to aid in the 
 organization of County Institutes, and, if need be, in the for 
 mation of Union Institutes between two or more counties, to 
 distribute official blanks or papers relative to school work, 
 and annually to report the exact condition of the schools in 
 his district to the State Superintendent. 
 
 Two experienced teachers, appointed by the Presidents of 
 the District Boards of each county, at a meeting held for that 
 purpose in August of every year, constitute, with the County 
 Superintendent, a County Examining Board," which issues 
 teachers licenses. These are granted for a period of not more 
 than one year, and are of five grades, No. 1 being the highest. 
 The examination fee is one dollar. 
 
 The Constitution provides for a State Superintendent of 
 Free Schools, who is the highest officer known in the school 
 law, and is elected by the people of the State at large. His. 
 term of office is four years. The law provides that he shall 
 be * of good moral character, of temperate habits, of literary 
 acquirements, and skill, and experience in the art of teach 
 ing." His salary comes out of the general school fund. He 
 has complete charge of all State educational matters, sees that 
 the school funds are properly distributed, has to do everything 
 that will lend energy and efficiency to his department at 
 large, and makes an annual report to the Governor, as to the 
 condition of the free schools ot the State and their financial 
 condition, with such suggestions for improvements in any of 
 the departments, as may seem to him to concern their general 
 welfare. This report is communicated by the Governor to 
 
RESOURCES OF WEST VIRGINIA. 351 
 
 the Cession of the Legislature at each biennial session triers 
 after. 
 
 The Code of West Virginia declares that "all teachers. 
 Boards of Education, and all other school officers, are charged 
 with the duty of providing that moral training for the youth 
 of the State, which will contribute to securing good behavior 
 and manners, and furnishing the State with exemplary citi 
 zens," (Sec. 32, chap. 123), and provides for three grades of 
 of schools, viz.: Primary, Graded, and High, 
 
 The present free school system was inaugurated in the entire 
 State in 1865, and speedily put into operation, though several 
 counties adopted a similar system at a much earlier date. 
 
 In no State in the Union has the" educational system been 
 more cordially adopted, or met with less opposition, and the 
 spirit of each Legislature has been in unison with the Con 
 stitution, in cherishing the State system of public instruction. 
 From the first the schools have been of the most approved form 
 that the funds would sanction. In 1865 there were 133 houses 
 for free schools; in 1875, 2,959. The value of school property in 
 1865 was $52,856, while in 1875, it was $1,605,627. In 
 1875 the number of free schools, both high and sub-district, 
 taught, was 3,231. In 1865 there were 387 teachers, of both 
 sexes, engaged in teaching in the free schools, while in 1875, 
 there were 3,461, which gives one teacher for about every 144 
 of our citizens. In Illinois, one of the first free school Pfcates 
 of the country, the ratio is as 1 to 141. 
 
 The Free School work in West Virginia is shown with 
 some degree of accuracy by the following official statistics, for 
 the year beginning 1st September, from the office of the State 
 Superintendent : 
 
352 
 
 RESOURCES OF WEST VIRGINIA. 
 
 
 
 
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 Barbour 
 
 > 4 706.74 
 
 3942 
 
 75 
 
 Br t forward 
 
 
 
 
 Berkeley.... 
 
 5,892.39 
 
 4,935 
 
 811 
 
 Mineral. .. 
 
 $ 2,31277 
 
 1,937 
 
 31 
 
 Boone 
 
 2,078.751 1,741 
 
 32 iMonongalia 
 
 5,907.91 
 
 4,948 
 
 46 
 
 Braxton 
 
 3,42081 
 
 2,865 
 
 70 i Monroe 
 
 3,884,08 
 
 3,253 
 
 67 
 
 Brooke 
 
 2,315.16 
 
 1,939 
 
 49 
 
 Morgan 
 
 1,796.97 
 
 1,505 
 
 29 
 
 Cabell 
 
 4,144.37 
 
 3,471 
 
 58 
 
 Nicholas 
 
 2,350.98 
 
 1,969 
 
 44 
 
 Calhoun ... 
 
 1 732.49 
 
 1,451 
 
 24 
 
 Ohio 
 
 2,783.21 
 
 2,331 
 
 32 
 
 Clav 
 
 1,262.08 
 
 1,057 
 
 21 
 
 Pendleton .. 
 
 3,020.82 
 
 2,530 
 
 47 
 
 Dodd ridge... 
 
 3,633.34 
 
 3,043 
 
 69 
 
 Pleasants ... 
 
 1,798.16 
 
 1,506 
 
 29 
 
 Fayette 
 
 3,301.41 
 
 2,765 
 
 68 
 
 Pocahontas. 
 
 1,708.61 
 
 1,431 
 
 26 
 
 Gilmer 
 
 2,479.93i 2 ,077 
 
 41 
 
 Preston 
 
 6,882.21 
 
 5,764 
 
 100 
 
 Grant.. 
 
 1,905.62 
 
 1,596 
 
 35 
 
 Putnam 
 
 3,806.47 
 
 3,188 
 
 52 
 
 Greenbrier.. 
 
 4,884.65 
 
 4,091 
 
 85 
 
 Raleigh 
 
 2,622 02 
 
 2,196 
 
 54 
 
 Ha mpshire. 
 
 3,413.64 
 
 2,859 
 
 57 
 
 Randolph... 
 
 2,755.75 
 
 2,308 
 
 55 
 
 Hancock 
 
 1,993.98 
 
 1,670 
 
 44 
 
 Ritchie 
 
 4,481.08 
 
 3,753 
 
 89 
 
 Hardy 
 
 2,390.38 
 
 2002 
 
 48 
 
 Roane 
 
 3,934.61 
 
 3,297 
 
 62 
 
 Harrison. ... 
 
 7,720.40 
 
 6,466 
 
 112 
 
 Summers ... 
 
 2,521.72 
 
 2,112 
 
 51 
 
 J IK"* lv SO 11 
 
 5 475 68 
 
 4 ^P. 
 
 104- 
 
 Taylor 4 15 9 73 
 
 3,478 
 
 
 Jefferson.... 
 
 5^469.71 
 
 TTjtJClJ 
 
 4,581 
 
 XU~r 
 
 44 
 
 Tucker 1,161.76 
 
 *973 
 
 24 
 
 Ivanawha.... 
 Lewis 
 
 11,052.94 
 4,602.87 
 2,765.30 
 
 9,260 
 3,855 
 2,316 
 
 105 
 
 70 
 51 
 
 : Tvler . 
 
 4,022.58 
 3,755.13 
 4,701.97 
 
 3,369 
 3,145 
 3,938 
 
 66 
 71 
 62 
 
 lUpshur 
 
 IV\^vnp 
 
 Lincoln 
 
 Logan 
 
 2,330.68 
 
 1,952 
 
 21 Webster 
 
 903.85 
 
 757 
 
 
 Marion 
 
 6.820.12 
 
 5,712 
 
 87 jWetzel 
 
 4,973.01 
 
 4,165 
 
 " ?8 
 
 Marshall 7.903.40 
 
 6 033 
 
 S! Wirfc 
 
 2,208 90 
 
 1,850 
 
 29 
 
 Mason 
 
 8,183.68 
 
 6 854 iWood 
 
 9.260.66 
 
 7,756 
 
 121 
 
 McDowell... 
 Mercer 
 
 1,065.04 
 2,490.68 
 
 892 24 1 Wyoming... IJ583.24 
 2,086 s 53 Wheel. City 10,763.91 
 
 1,326 
 9,015 
 
 26 
 73 
 
 
 
 
 |$214,791.32 
 
 179,897 
 
 2,993 
 
 During the present year the number of pupils who are study 
 ing all the branches of the free school course has been greatly 
 increased. Each year is adding greatly to the elevation of the 
 grades of study. 
 
RESOURCES OF WEST VIRGINIA. 353 
 
 No text books books are used except those prescribed by the 
 Legislature, which has provided most amply for all subjects 
 taught in the best schools. 
 
 NORMAL SCHOOLS. 
 
 The?e were organized at an early period of the school work 
 of West Virginia, to supply trained teachers for the rural dis 
 tricts and towns, and are therefore valuable adjuncts of the 
 common school system. 
 
 They are under the direction of a Board of Regents, consist 
 ing of the Governor, Auditor, Treasurer, and Superintendent 
 of Free Schools of the State, and one member from each Con 
 gressional district. 
 
 Section 88 of the School Law give* this Board the control 
 of the property and conduct of the schools, and fall authority 
 to make such by-laws and regulations for the government of 
 the same, as, in their opinion, will be^t subserve the purposes 
 of their creation. They appoint the teachers, determine their 
 compensation, prescribe the conditions upon which students 
 shall be admitted, and the text books and general course of 
 study, regulate the condition^ of graduation, and prepare and 
 confer normal diploma*, which, by a provision of law, are 
 accepted throughout the State as teachers 1 certificates, and 
 empower Boards of Education to employ such graduates 
 as free school teachers, without further examination by 
 County Boards. The object of this regulation was to encour 
 age teachers to seek those higher qualifications for their work, 
 which the Normal schools were designed to bestow. 
 
 In fulfilment of their duties the Board of Regents, on the 
 8th July, 1873, adopted the following regulations for the 
 admission of pupils to these institutions : 
 
 The number of students which each county of the State 
 ?hall be entitled to send to the Normal Department in the 
 State Normal school and its branches, free of charge, for 
 tuition, shall be as follows : 
 
 45 
 
354 
 
 RESOURCES OF rt EST VIRGINIA. 
 
 Barb /ir. 
 
 9 Hancock 
 
 4 M on on cr alia 
 
 i ? 
 
 Roane 
 
 7 
 
 Berkeley 
 
 1") 1 1 irdy 
 
 
 9 
 
 Summers 
 
 4 
 
 Boone... 
 
 4 Harrison ... 
 
 . . ..15! Morgan 
 
 4 
 
 Taylor - 
 
 s 
 
 Braxton 
 
 H Jackson --. 
 
 9 j McDowell 
 
 9 
 
 Tucker 
 
 2 
 
 Brooke 
 
 f> .Jefferson 
 
 V J1 Nicholas 
 
 4 
 
 Tyler 
 
 
 Cabell 
 
 1 i Ivanawha 
 
 20iOhio 
 
 26 
 
 Upshnr . 
 
 
 Calhoun 
 
 3 Lewis 
 
 9 Pendleton 
 
 6 
 
 Wayne 
 
 7 
 
 Clay 
 
 9 Lincoln 
 
 5 Pleasints 
 
 3 
 
 Webster 
 
 > 
 
 Doddrin^e 
 
 (vLo^ail . 
 
 5 Pocahontas 
 
 4 
 
 Wetzel 
 
 s 
 
 Favette 
 
 6 Marion .... 
 
 .... 1M Preston 
 
 IS 
 
 Wirt . . .. 
 
 4 
 
 Gilmer 
 
 4 Marsliall 
 
 .. 13 Putnam 
 
 
 Wood 
 
 17 
 
 Grant 
 
 4 Mason 
 
 14Rttleigh 
 
 3 
 
 Wyoming 
 
 3 
 
 Greenbrier 
 
 9 Mercer 
 
 (j Randolph 
 
 fS 
 
 
 
 Humpshire ..... 
 
 7 Mineral 
 
 .... Ritchie.. 
 
 
 
 
 
 Applications for admission to the Normal Department, of the 
 ^ta!e Normal School and its Branches, are made to the Super 
 intendent of Free Schools of the^county in which the applicant/ 
 resides. 
 
 Male pupils must not 1)3 less than 15, and females not less 
 than 13 year> of age. No applicants can be selected unless they 
 are of good moral character and found, upon examination, to he 
 entitled to a No. 4 Teacher s certificate. 
 
 The county Superintendent shall require from each selected 
 applicant, a written declaration, that they propose to -become 
 teachers in the State Frefi Schools and that they will, on the 
 conplelion of their studies in the Normal School, teach for one 
 year in the Free Schools, or upon failure to do so, to pay to the 
 school, the usual amount of fees charged to other students. 
 The Normal School, or any of its Branches, may admit paying 
 students from any State (preference being given to those from 
 West Virginia) whether they desire to become teachers or not. 
 State student.^ of any one of the Normal Schools may be trans 
 ferred to another of said schools, only upon procuring a certifi 
 cate of good deportment from the Principal of the school he 
 has been attending or by permission of the Board of Regents* 
 and the time he has so attended, shall be credited to him in 
 course, by the Principal of the school to which he is trans 
 ferred. 
 
 To all persons appointed in accordance with the foregoing 
 provisions, tuition is free and students not qualified to enter 
 the Junior class of the Normal course, may, if of proper age and 
 
RESOURCES OF WEST VIRGINIA. 355 
 
 otherwise qualified, receive one years preparatory instruction 
 in the school. 
 
 The Normal course consists of two years the Junior and 
 the Senior. 
 
 The Junior Normal course shall embrace Reading, Spelling, 
 Writing, Arithmetic, Geography, Algebra (commenced), Eng 
 lish Grammar, Composition, and History of the United States. 
 
 The Senior Normal course shall embrace. Composition, Alge 
 bra (continued), Rhetoric, Physical Geography, Mental Sci 
 ence, General History, Geometry, and plain Trigonometry, 
 School Economy, Method of Teaching, and Systematic Classi 
 fication of pupils. 
 
 The Principal and assistants of any of the Normal Schools, 
 are authorized to teach a classical and scientific course 
 in addition to the Normal course ; provided, the Normal course 
 shall not be abridged or neglected in any manner, by the 
 teaching of such scientific and classical course. 
 
 The rates of tuition for pay scholars are hereby fixed as 
 follows : 
 
 For Junior Normal Course per year $2000 
 
 " Senior " " " " 24.00 
 
 Classical department per year 3200 
 
 One-half of which shall be paid on entrance, and the resi 
 due, when half the year has elapsed. 
 
 The Board of Regents direct that the method of discipline 
 in the Normal Schools shall be : 
 
 1st. Private admonition by the Instructor. 
 
 2d. Admonition by the Faculty. 
 
 81 A I monition before the whole school. 
 
 4th. Suspension. 
 
 oth. Dismissal. 
 
 Striking in anger, any pupil or teacher, or the commission 
 of any felony, is to be followed by expulsion, and any viola 
 tion of the law of the State, is to be followed by suspension or 
 .expulsion, as the Executive Committee may direct. 
 
 The following Normal Schools have been provided for. A 
 further increase in their numbsr is prohibited by the Consti 
 tution, which says that " no appropriation shall hereafter be 
 made to any State Normal School or branch thereof, except to 
 those already established, or in operation, or now chartered." 
 
356 RESOURCES OF WEST VIRGINIA. 
 
 WEST VIRGINIA STATE NORMAL SCHOOL, or, Marshall Colleg^ 
 
 Has an admirable location on the Ohio, at Huntington, 
 in Cabell county. As "Marshall Academy," it was aschool 
 of high rank, before it was transferred to the State. On 
 27th February, 1867, an act of the Legislature established 
 it a State Normal School. The main building of the col 
 lege is 70 by 40 feet, with a wing 100 by 30 feet, both be- 
 being three stories high, and having accommodations for 100 
 boarders 60 male and 40 female. The institution has a small 
 cabinet of minerals, a fair amount of chemical and philosoph 
 ical apparatus, and a library of much 1133 to the students 
 of about 1,000 volumes of standard \vorks. About 100 of its 
 pupils are now teaching in the Free Schools. From 1870 to 
 1875, both inclusive, 47 students have graduated from the Nor 
 mal School Department. 
 
 Fairmont Branch of the State Normal School, is situated at Fair 
 mont, in Marion county. On the 8th March, 18(58, the State 
 purchased this property, consisting of a brick building 60 by 
 40 feet, two stories high, and created it a branch State Normal 
 School. During the year, 1872-3, a substantial brick edifice 
 three stories high, and 70 by 38 feet, was added to the former 
 building, thus furnishing ample accommodation for 300 stu 
 dents. Nearly all the teachers who have graduated from this 
 school, have been continuously engaged in teaching, and dur 
 ing the present year, about 1 60 of its pupils have been employed 
 in the Free Schools. From 1872 to 1875, both inclusive, the 
 number of graduates was 82. During the year, 1874-5, the 
 number of pupils was 152 
 
 Shepherd s College and Branch State Normal School, located at 
 Shepherdstown, Jefferson county, has been in operation as a 
 Normal School, sines 8th September, 1873. The buildings are 
 commodious and well arranged for school purposes. The main 
 building is of brick, two stories high. To this are added two 
 wings. The building occupies an eminence in the center of 
 the town, and is surrounded by extensive and beautiful grounds. % 
 The property is valued at 810,000. The graduates of this 
 school number 50, of which more than half, ao) now teaching 
 in the State. The number of pupils in attendance the present 
 year, is 135, of which 62 are in the Senior class. 
 
 Glenville Branch Normal School, located at Glenville, Gil- 
 
RESOURCES OF WEST VIRGINIA. 357 
 
 mer county, has been conducted with success since its organi 
 zation in March, 1873. The enrollment of pupils in 1875, 
 was 105. The graduates have been 14 in all. This school is 
 of great value to the State, as it is located in an interior 
 county, where its educational -influence is much appreciated. 
 
 T/ie Bmnrh Sonnal School at West Liberty, Ohio county, has 
 been in operation since 1870. The buildings are very conven 
 ient for school purposes, and ample to accommodate from 100 
 to 150 pupils. The school began with 30 pupils, and at the 
 end of 3 years had 110. Its graduates have nearly all become 
 teachers in the State. 
 
 The Branch Normal School at Concord, in Mercer county, 
 has been in operation only a short time, and has turned out 
 no graduates. 
 
 WEST VIRGINIA. UNIVERSITY. 
 
 This was designed to stand at the head of the literary insti- 
 tionsof the State, and was located by the Legislature at Mor- 
 gantown, in Monongalia county. The buildings are new, 
 tasteful, spacious and well adapted to their purpose, consisting 
 of a University Hall, an Armory, arid new Central Hull. The 
 surroundings are favorable for student life. 
 
 The origin of this institution began in the grant of lands, 
 made several years ago, by the United States to most of the 
 States of the Union, for the purpose of establishing agricul 
 tural colleges. The proceeds of the land script thus given to 
 West Virginia were about $90,000. To this the State has 
 since addo ( about 620,000, thus furnishing the school a per 
 manent fund of 3110,003, the income from which goes to meet 
 the curient expenses of the college. In addition to this fund 
 the Legislature has been accustomed to make special appro 
 priation for its current expenses. 
 
 From the outset, the plan and scope of the college was made 
 broad and liberal, assuming the features of a university. 
 The departments of instruction embrace the literary, scien 
 tific, practical and experimental, agricultural and military. 
 The Unite-1 States furnishes arms and equipments, and also 
 details an officer from the regular officer army to teach 
 military science, &c. 
 
358 RESOURCES OF WEST VIRGINIA. 
 
 The various departments, as at present arranged, are as 
 follows : 
 
 1st. Philosophy and English Literature. 
 
 2d. Astronomy and Physics. 
 
 3d. Mathematics and Engineering. 
 
 4th. Military Science and Tactics. 
 
 5th. Modern Languages and Literature. 
 
 6th. History, Political Economy, and Belles Lettres. 
 
 7th. Chemistry, Natural History, and Agriculture. 
 
 The University is in possession of the apparatus, requisite 
 for a thorough illustration of Chemistry and Physics, and its 
 Museum contains extensive mineralogical, geological and con- 
 chological cabinets, together with many specimens in other 
 departments of Natural History. Its laboratory of Practical 
 Chemistry is in operation, the instruction at present being 
 devoted chiefly to analysis, with its application to agricul 
 ture. Its library embraces about 4,000 volumes, which 
 include not only valuable books of reference, but also stand 
 ard works in the various departments of History, Biography, 
 Theology, Agriculture, Arts, Sciences and General Literature. 
 
 In 1874-5 there were 150 students enrolled. This includes 
 the preparatory class. 
 
 This institution is un ier the control of a Board of nine 
 Regents, one from each judicial district of the State, who are 
 appointed by the Board 01 th School Fund. The law pro 
 vides that four cadets from each judicial district of the State 
 may be appointed to the Military Department. These enjoy 
 all the privileges of the college, have all their books furnished 
 them, and are exempt from any charges for tuition. 
 
 STATE COLORED SCHOOLS. 
 
 When the number of colored youth in any sub-district of a 
 county exceeds 25, the law requires the Trustee to pro 
 vide a school for the class, or two or more sub-districts may 
 unite in maintaining such a school. Accordingly there are 
 well arranged, and conducted schools, in the cities of Wheel 
 ing, Parkersburg, Charleston, arid Martinsburg, for this 
 portion of the population of the State. 
 
RESOURCES OF WEST VIRGINIA. 359 
 
 PRIVATE SCHOOLS. 
 
 In addition to the foregoing schools belonging to, and pro 
 vided for, by the State, the youth of West Virginia have edu 
 cational advantages in. many private and denominational in 
 stitutions, among which .may be mentioned the following, as 
 among the most conspicuous : 
 
 Bethany College, located at Bethany, in Brooke county, and 
 under the control of the Christian Church, was organized by 
 the renowned Rev. Alex. Campbell. It is a literary college of 
 high grade, and offers a liberal training to its pupils. Its 
 building* and grounds are fine and ample ; its library and ap 
 paratus extensive, and its students have become distinguish 
 ed educators in this and oth?r States. 
 
 Fleming College, at Flemington, Taylor county, was estab 
 lished as a " Free Will Baptist" College, in 1868. The course 
 of study i.s largely of a normal character. During 1875, there 
 were 70 pupils in attendance. 
 
 Stover Colleyz chartere-l in 1868, received its name from the 
 late John Stover, of Maine, who gave S 10,000 towards its en 
 dowment. It is situated at Harper s Ferry, in Jefferson coun 
 ty. It was the wish of the founder that it should be operated 
 as a seminary and normal school, until it-* endowment should 
 justify the establishment of a college course. Its catalogue 
 says that a cardinal feature in it-< administration, is that "stu 
 dents shall be admitted without distinction, on account of race, 
 color, sex or religious preferences." It is, however, only at 
 tended by colored pupils. Its buildings furnish a chapel, 
 recitation rooms, library, printing office, reading room, and 
 boarding hall for 70 male students, and the effort now is 
 to erect a similar hall for girls. This has been begun, but is 
 not completed. The school has an annual course of lectures 
 on scientific, and other topics, and an excellent feature in its 
 administration is, that instruction is given in printing and in 
 dustrial pursuits. The course of study is academic and normal. 
 The Board of Instruction consists of a principal and nine as 
 sistants. The aggregate number of pupils for the year. ending 
 June 1875, was 285. 
 
 Wheeling female College, chartered in 1849, has been in ex 
 cellent reputation for many years, and is the property of a 
 joint stock company. The building occupies a commanding 
 
360 RESOURCES OF WEST VIRGINIA. 
 
 position in tho centre of Wheeling, is well furnished, and can 
 accommodate a large number of boarding pupils. At present 
 it has an enrollment of 100 pupils, a large number of whom re 
 side in Wheeling. 
 
 The Doddridge Mmic and Art School, located on 12th street, in 
 Wheeling, was established in 1874. Instruction is given in oil 
 painting, drawing and music. Number of pupils the present 
 your, 69. 
 
 Morgantown female Seminary, in Monongalia county, was 
 organized in 18-V2, and has been in successful operation since 
 that time, enjoying an excellent reputation. The want of 
 statistics showing the extent of its work, is much to be re 
 gretted. 
 
 St. Albrins Seminary, in Kanawha county, was begun a few 
 years ago, under the care of the Baptist church, and has an ex 
 cellent reputation. There is also an academy at French creek, 
 in Upshur county. Also, a High School, at Buckhannon, in 
 [Jpshur county, which bids fair to become very useful in the 
 State. 
 
 St Josrph s Academy, in Wheeling was opened 1st of September 
 1865, by the "Sisters of St. Joseph, for girl* and boys under 12 
 years old. The present attendance is 115 of the former and 57 
 of the latter. German is taughc gratis to children of German 
 parentage. These Sisters also conduct St. Josephs Parish School 
 with 240 pupils; St. Alpltonxw (German) with 300 pupils, and 
 a Parish and Orphan Asylum School, with 260 pupils. Also in 
 Graf to n, Taylor county, they teach a parish school with 165 
 pupils; an academy at Clarksburg, Harrison county, with 122* 
 pupils, and one at Charleston, Kanawha, with 8S pupils. 
 Total number of pupils 1347. Number of teachers, including 
 those engaged solely in teaching music and the languages, 46 
 In the^e schools the boys and girl* are taught separately. 
 
 Mount de Chainrl. Near Wheeling, controlled by the "Sisters 
 of the Visitation," has been in operation since 1864, and has 
 done much valuable work. It is to be regretted that statistics 
 showing the extent and progress of this institution, have not 
 been furnished by those in charge. 
 
 Commercial Srhonlx In Parkersburg, Charleston and Wheel 
 ing, busiiK-s- colleges have been organized, and are in success 
 ful operation. Asa school of the highest type of its class in 
 
RESOURCES OF WEST VIRGINIA. 361 
 
 the State, may be named the National Business College in 
 Wheeling. It is designed for the practical education of ladies, 
 young men, and boys, in business affairs. It embraces in 
 struction in all departments of Book-keeping, Penmanship, 
 Arithmetic, Spelling, Commercial Law, Commercial Corres 
 pondence, Lectures and Practical Exercises. 
 
 PUBLIC SCHOOLS OF WHEELING-. 
 
 Although the Free Schools of the State have been generally 
 mentioned, yet those of Wheeling are so important that they 
 merit a special notice. 
 
 The Free School system of this city was organized in 1849 
 many years before the formation of the State of West Virginia 
 and under it, they have been successfully conducted ever 
 since, though the plans have been modified from time to time 
 to meet the growth of the city, and the increasing needs of 
 the youth. These schools are governed by a "Board of Educa 
 tion/ consisting of 21 commissioners, elected to represent the 
 eight wards of the city. There are seven large admirably con 
 structed buildings, and one smaller one, suitably furnished for 
 school purposes, and all conveniently located. Every school 
 is under the charge of a Principal, assisted by teachers who 
 each take charge of a room and class of pupils. In the high 
 est grade the Principal gives instruction in Mathematics and 
 various Physical Science?. German is taught in all the 
 grades, to such pupils as desire to study this language. 
 
 Colored Schools. In accordance with the school law. before 
 alluded to, a school for the colored youth of Wheeling was 
 established in 1866. Since that date it has been taught 10 
 months in the year, under the control of Board of Education. 
 It has a principal and one assitant, with an average daily 
 attendance of 60 pupils. The building provides comfortable 
 and ample room for the scholars. 
 
 The number of pupils in the Wheeling Public Schools in 
 January, 1876, was 3,308. These were under the care of one 
 Superintendent, one Secretary, nine Principals, and seventy- 
 seven assistants. 
 
 TEACHERS NORMAL INSTITUTES. 
 
 The school law of West Virginia makes it the duty of the State 
 Superintendent of Schools, u to endeavor to render available to 
 the people of the State, all such improvements in the sys* 
 46 
 
362 RESOURCES OF WEST VIRGINIA. 
 
 tem of Free Schools, and the methods of instruction, as may have 
 been tested and proved by the experience of other communi 
 ties." It enjoins upon the County School Superintendents " to 
 encourage the formation of County Institutes, and to give such 
 advice and instruction in regard to their management, as in 
 his judgment may contribute to their greater efficiency." In 
 obedience to this spirit, the Stale Teachers Association was 
 organized, soon after the establishment of the Free School 
 system, and holds its meeting annually. The leading teach 
 ers of the State contribute liberally to the welfare and interest 
 of these gatherings. . 
 
 LITERARY CONTRIBUTIONS TO EDUCATION. 
 
 West Virginia teachers have not hitherto contributed 
 largely to the general fund of text-books, &c., in circulation, 
 but this is by no means an indication of their incompetency 
 in this direction. Of those works that now exist, the follow 
 ing should be mentioned : 
 
 The Geography of West Virginia, by Miss A. C. Knote, embrac 
 ing in simple and clear form, a complete view of the State, is 
 especially adapted to use in the Primary Schools, and has been 
 made one of the text books of our Free School system. 
 
 West Virginia Educational Monthly, a pamphlet of about 50 
 pages, is published in Parkersburg. Concerning it the follow 
 ing notice is clipped from the Wheeling Register, of the 22d of 
 March, 1876: " This magazine of popular education and gen 
 eral literary intelligence, has been published in the interests 
 of the educational work of the Free Schools, and literary insti 
 tutions of West Virginia, for almost four years. During "this 
 time the * Monthly has done a good work for education in the 
 State, by advocating and illustrating the best methods of 
 instruction, by urging teachers to a higher degree of attain 
 ment, by stimulating them to study for the sake of their own 
 culture, as well as for the benefit of their pupils, and by seek 
 ing to encourage every influence for good among the masse of 
 the people. It contains items of intelligence connected with 
 schools throughout the State, and affords to teachers and school 
 officers, a medium for the interchange of ideas concerning the 
 duties of the profession. In this way the 4 Monthly has been 
 of great service in cultivating and developing laborers in our 
 
RESOURCES OF WEST VIRGINIA. 363 
 
 The Medical Student, a "monthly record of the progress of 
 medicine, surgery, and the allied sciences," is published in 
 Wheeling. 
 
 It is a matter of regret that the limits and scope of this vol 
 ume on the resources of our State, will not permit a more 
 detailed account of the history of the progress of its educational 
 interests, hut enough has been said to show that these advan- 
 tuges are by no means narrow or limited, and it may be added 
 that few States of the Union have made more ample or relia 
 ble provisions for popular education, or made schools more 
 fully accessible to all the population. 
 
CHAPTER XVII. 
 
 THE DESCRIPTION OF THE INDIVIDUAL 
 COUNTIES. 
 
 The data given in the following account of the counties, so 
 far as they relate to the topography, soil, productions, mar 
 kets, &c., &c., were obtained from the answers to circulars, 
 which, to the number of 4,000, were sent out into the State, 
 and from such other sources as were available. It is to be 
 regretted that the account is not, in all cases, as full and accu 
 rate as it might have been made, had the answers to the ques 
 tions been more complete and satisfactory. The number of 
 Public Schools was obtained from the Report of the Superin 
 tendent of Public Schools, for the year 1874, the number of 
 Postoffices from the United States Official Postal Guide for 
 October, 1875. The number of churches and the population 
 were obtained from the United States Census for 1870, and the 
 value of taxable property was gotten from the Auditor s Report 
 for 1874. 
 
 BARBOTJR COUNTY. 
 
 This county is hilly, and the hills in the east rise into the 
 Laurel mountain range. The land is generally good, and a 
 considerable amount of it is in a good state of cultivation. 
 A large amount is in wood still, and the timber is very 
 fine. The soil is mainly clay, or clay loam, which on the 
 hills, is from 4 to 6 inches deep, and on the level lands 
 about 12 inches. Corn, Wheat, Oats, and Rye are the 
 crops best adapted to the soil in this county. The 
 
RESOURCES OF WEST VIRGINIA. 365 
 
 yields are : Corn, 25 to 50 bushels per acre ; Wheat, 10 to 15 
 bushels ; Rye, 20 to 25 bushels, and Oats, 30 to 50 bushels. 
 The lower yields are on the hill?, and the higher, on the levels 
 and bottoms. No manures are used to produce these yields. 
 
 The value of the agricultural land varies from $12 to $40 
 per acre; of the mineral land, from 815 to $40; of timber land, 
 $5 to $15. The value of the timber is about $1 per tree, stand 
 ing, and 31 to $1.50 per hundred feet for lumber at the mills. 
 
 The principal industries are farming, grazing, and timber 
 getting. The principal exports are cattle, wool, and forest 
 products. The principal market is Grafton for the timber, 
 where it is received and cut. Baltimore is the market for 
 cattle. The minerals are, Coal, in abundance, in the hills and 
 workable ; Limestone, in quantities sufficient for building, 
 and agricultural purposes ; some Potters Clay, some Iron, and 
 Sandstone for building. No mines exist, except of coal for local 
 use. Manufactures: One w r oolen factory, several saw and grist 
 mills, one pottery, worked by Burley, Bennett & Lowry. 
 Principal streams. Tygart s Valley river, navigable for 
 canoes, and used largely in floating logs to Grafton. Im 
 provements completed : Beverly turnpike and dirt roads ; in 
 contemplation : W. C. & St. L. Narrow Gauge railroad. Public 
 Schools, 73; Postoffices, 16 ; Churches, 38. Population, 10,312. 
 Value of taxable property, $2,020,800,98. County seat, Phil- 
 ippi. Newspapers, Philippi Plaindealer and Barbour Jeffer- 
 sonian, both weekly, and published at Philippi. 
 
 BERKELEY COUNTY. 
 
 Berkeley, in the western part, is mountainous and broken, 
 but in the eastern part, is smooth and undulating. 
 
 The soils are loams a nd clay; thinner and less productive in the 
 west, but in the east there is a large amount of highly produc 
 tive and improved calcareous lands, forming a part of the Great 
 Valley of Virginia. Depth of soil not given, but varying from 
 4 inches to 2, on the hills, to 12 inches and more on the levels. 
 The grains specially adapted to the lands, are Wheat, Corn, 
 Oats, and Barley. All the cereals do well. Yield of Wheat, 
 on hills, 8 to 10 bushels. On level, limestone lands, 12 to 15 
 bushels. The yields of the other grains are not reported. No 
 manures are used to produce these yields. Value of land with 
 limestome soil, $20 to $50 per acre. Mineral land, none sold. 
 
RESOURCES OF WEST VIRGINIA. 
 
 Timber land, price according to the amount of wood; prices not 
 reported.. Timber, stumpage not reported ; lumber at the mill, 
 $1.50 to 82.00 per hundred. The principal industries are stock 
 farming, and grain raising. The principal exports are Wheat^ 
 Corn, and Stock. The markets for stock and grain, Baltimore 
 and Marti nsburg. The minerals are some Anthracite coal, in 
 the western part of the county, in Third Hill mountain, and 
 its continuations, worked in a small way for local use. Iron 
 Ore, in good quantities, is also found, of excellent quality, and 
 is worked to some extent, and was shipped to Philadelphia. 
 Limestone is abundant, and furnishes fine material for agri 
 cultural and building purposes, both when burnt for lime and 
 quarried for building stone. Potter s Clay exists, and is man 
 ufactured into crocks, etc., at Martinsburg. Sandstone suita 
 ble for building, is also found. Mineral waters, sulphur and 
 chalybeate exist. Manufactures, 4 cigar factories, producing 
 219,100 cigars; 2 small breweries, making 200 barrels of lager 
 beer; 1 distillery, producing 253,914 gallons of spirits value, 
 $355,479.60. All these products are for 1875. 
 
 One woolen factory, one iron furnace, besides sawmills and 
 other manufacturies, are established at Martinsburg, where the 
 shops of the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad are located. Im 
 provements, canal, turnpikes, Baltimore and Ohio Railroad, 
 Martinsburg and Potomac Railroad ; streams, the Potomac 
 river,Opecquan, and Back creeks, are all navigable for good sized 
 boats. Contemplated improvements: A railroad from ;Mar tins- 
 burg to Bunker Hill. Schools: Two seminaries, and 53 public 
 schools. Postoffices, 15. Churches, 39. Population, 14,900. Val 
 ue of taxable property, S6,142, 387. County Seat, Martinsburg, 
 which is a wealthy and thriving town of some3,500 inhabitants, 
 and is situated on the B. &. O. R. R. 101 miles from Baltimore. 
 Newspapers, Martinsburg Independent, daily and weekly ; Mar- 
 finsburrf Statesman, weekly, published at Martinsburg. 
 
 BOONE COUNTY. 
 
 This county, in most part, is very hilly and mountainous, 
 with much of the hilly land too steep for profitable cultiva 
 tion. Some good bottom land is found on Big and Little Coal 
 rivers. The soil, even when the hills are steep, is usually 
 quite deep and fertile, being on the hills, where they are cul 
 tivated, 5 to 6 inches deep, and on the levels, one to several 
 
RESOURCES OF WEST VIRGINIA. 367 
 
 feet. It is mainly a sandy or clay loam. Corn, Oats, Wheat 
 Rye, and Tobacco grow well. The bottoms yield: Corn, 30 to 
 50 bushels; Wheat, 10 to 12 bushels; Oats, 30 bushels; Pota 
 toes, 50 to 100 bushels. Hillsides : Corn, 25 bushels; Wheat, 
 12 bushels; Oats, 30 bushels. Xo manure is used, for these 
 yields. Principal industries, cattle raising, farming, lumber 
 getting, and coal mining. Principal exports, cattle, lumber 
 as staves, etc., and timber in Walnut. Poplar, etc., logs and 
 Cannel coal from Peytona. Markets, neighboring counties for 
 youngstock. The lumber goes to Cincinnati ; also the 
 Poplar timber. The Walnut timber is sent to New York. 
 Minerals: Coals, Cannel of all kinds, Splint and Common 
 Bituminous. Several seams of each kind of workable size are 
 found in the hills above water level. See general chapter 
 on Coals and Iron. Some little limestone. Excellent sand 
 stone for building is found. Coal is mined extensively at 
 Peytona, and shipped. Saw and grist mills exist; number 
 not reported. Streams : Big and Little Coal rivers. Big Coal 
 is locked and darned up to Peytona, and is navigable to that 
 point, for small steamers and barges. Little Coal is navigable 
 for canoes for some distance up. Improvements, are on Big 
 Coal in the form of locks a-d dams. It is proposed to lock 
 and dam Little Coal, and to build a railroad up Big Coal to the 
 Forks of Coal, and up Little Coal to Madison. Public schools, 
 32, Postoffices, 8. Churches, 2. Population, 4,553. Value of 
 taxable property, 8595,732.46. County seat, Madison. 
 
 BRAXTON COUNTY. 
 
 Braxton is a hilly county, with some of the hills quite high? 
 even mountainous. The county is within the plateau region 
 and hence although the streams are deeply sunken into the 
 urface, and the hills along them are rough and broken, their 
 summits are flat, and there is much rolling, and tolerably 
 smooth surface in the uplands. The soils are red clay, and san 
 dy loams, with a depth of 4 to 6 inches on the hillsides, and 
 10 to 12 and more, on the levels. Crops well adapted to the 
 county are Corn, Oats, Wheat, and Grass, and Buckwheat. 
 The yields are on the levels. c ,Corn, 40 bushels : Wheat, 10 bush 
 els ; Hay two tons ; on the hills, Corn, 30 bushels; Wheat 12 
 bushels; Rye, 20 bushels ; Hay litons; Potatoes, 120 bushels. 
 Value of the lands, agricultural, 5 to 15 dollars per acre; min- 
 
368 RESOURCES OF WEST VIRGINIA. 
 
 eral land, 4 to 6 dollars per acre ; of timber land, 3 to 5 dollars. 
 Value of the timber; Sfcumpage, 50 cents; at the mill, 5 
 cents per cubic foot, or $1.00 per hundred, board measure. 
 Principal industries : Farming, Cattle raising. Lumber get 
 ting, Principal exports, Stock and Lumber. Stock is raised 
 and partly fattened, and then sold to parties who fatten farth 
 er, and send to eastern markets. The Lumber, goes to Charles 
 ton, where it is cut for home consumption, and for shipment 
 to the markets on the Lower Ohio. Mineral: Coals, splint and 
 soft bituminous, in workable seams, in the hills above water 
 level, Iron in workable quantities is found, and worked by the 
 Elk River Iron and Coal Company. Some limestone, and 
 good sandstone for building. Two salt wells and furnaces 
 are at Bull Creek near Stitton on Elk River. Besides the 
 usual country grist and saw mills, the Messrs. Burns & Co., 
 have a large 50 horse power steam saw mill at Lumberport^ 
 and the Elk River Iron and Coal Co., have erected a cold blast 
 charcoal furnace, at Strange Creek, which went into blast in 
 1875. Elk River is the principal stream, and runs north and 
 south 40 miles through the county. It is navigable for bat- 
 teaux and light crafts 10 months in the year, and with some 
 improvements, would be so for small Steamboats. Rich and 
 Holly Rivers are tributaries of Elk in the county. No public 
 improvements except the Weston and Gauley Bridge Turnpike. 
 Slack water on the Elk is contemplated. Contemplated R. R.; 
 The N. & S. & W. Va. R. R. Steer Creek Valley & Elk River 
 R. R. and the \V. Va. R. R. Public Schools 43 ; Post Offices, 
 15; Churches, 7; Population 6480. Value of taxable property 
 $1.472,916,45, County seat, JSutton. Newspapers, The Moun 
 taineer," weekly, at Sutton. 
 
 BROOKE COUNTY. 
 
 Brooke county is hilly and rolling, the hills being quite 
 high, but smooth, and capable of cultivation to their summits. 
 The soils are clay, and calcareous loams, very fertile, and in a 
 high state of cultivation. They have a depth on the hill sides 
 of from 3 to 6 inches, and on the levels, of from 12 to 18 inches 
 and over. Crops best adapted, are Corn, Oats, Wheat, Barley, 
 Buckwheat, and Grass. Yields, on uplands and lowlands are 
 about the same, viz: Corn, 40 to 60 bushels; Wheat 10 to 15 
 
RESOURCES OF WEST VIRGINIA. 
 
 bushels; Oats, 30 to 45 bushels; Rye, 10 bushels; Grass, 1 to 
 2 tons. No manures are used for these yields. The farmers 
 of this county, as well as of the adjoining ones of the Pan- 
 Handle, by means of Timothy and Blue Grass, in rotation after 
 grain crops, keep the land in a high state of productiveness. 
 Value of the land, agricultural, from 840 to $100; mineral 
 land, 825 to $100; timber land, $40 to $70 per acre. Princi 
 pal industries, Farming, Cattle and Sheep raising, and Man 
 ufacturing. Principal exports, Sheep, Wool, Cattle and Grain. 
 Markets, Pittsburgh, Wheeling, Baltimore, eastern cities, and 
 points on the river. Minerals, C^,d, bit :*ninous. The Pitts 
 burgh seam is above water level, and worked for local use. 
 Some Sandstone, fit for building. Limestone is abundant. 
 There are manufacturies of Mowing Machins, a Woolen Mill, 
 a Paper Mill, one Brewery, making 127 barrels annually. Cigar 
 factories, making 782,000 Cigars. An Iron Foundry, Machine 
 Shops, &c., besides the ordinary Grist and Saw Mills. The 
 Ohio river skirts the county, and is navigable for steamboats. 
 Good roads exist. The West Virginia Division of the Peo 
 ple s Freight Railroad is contemplated, and the Pittsburgh, 
 Wheeling and Kentucky Railroad is partly completed. Schools 
 and Colleges, Bethany College, and 27 Public Schools; Post- 
 offices, 5; Churches, 13: Population, 5,464; value of taxable 
 property, $2,739,77294; County Soat, Wellsburg ; Newspa 
 pers, Panhandle News, and We kburg Herald, both weekly. 
 
 CABBLL COUNTY. 
 
 Cabell county is hilly, but the hills are low and easily culti 
 vated. Wide flats are found along the Ohio river, and also on 
 Mud river, and some on the lovver Guyandotte river. These 
 are all fine lands, with small exceptions. The uplands have 
 generally a productive soil. The soil is clay and clay loam, 
 sometimes quite stiff. The hills have a depth of soil of 4 to 
 6 inches, and the bottoms and levels a depth of 12 inches to 
 many feet. The grains, &c., which do well are, Corn, Wheat, 
 Oats, Tobacco, Rye, and Grasses. Corn, on bottoms, yields 40 
 to 50 bushel; Wheat, 10 bushels; Oats, 40 to 50 bushels. On 
 uplands. Corn, 25 bushels; Wheat, 10 bushels; Oats, 15 to 20 
 bushels; Rye, 12 bushels; Tobacco, no estimate, but produces 
 finely. Value of land, improved agricultural, hills, $5 to $20 ; 
 bottoms, 340 to $100. Timber land, $2 to $9. Value of tim- 
 47 
 
->/0 RESOURCES OF WEST VIRGINIA. 
 
 ber, btumpage, 81 per tree; at the mills, 10 to 12^ cents per 
 cubic foot. Principal industries: farming and timber getting, 
 markets for timber are down the Ohio river. Minerals: Coal, 
 4 feet seam of soft bituminous, above water level. Some Iron 
 Ore, fine Yellow Ochre, good Fire and Potter s Clay, good 
 Building Stones, of blue and grey sandstones, several Salt 
 Wells, Magnesia, Sulphur, and Chalybeate Springs, Limestone 
 in small amounts. Coal is worked for local use. Manufactures: 
 Shop* of the Ches. & Ohio R. R. at Hun ting ton, also the Foun 
 dry of the Ensign Iron Works, for making Carwheels, etc.; 
 Planing Mills, and Soap Factory. Near Huntington is a large 
 Brush Factory at St. Cloud ; at Guyando tte are a Woolen Fac 
 tory and a large Saw Mill; at Milton is a Steam Saw and 
 Grist Mill ; at Barboursville a Tan-Yard and Grist Mill. 
 Streams: The Ohio river skirts the county, and Guyandotte 
 and Mud rivers, the latter both navigable for canoes and light 
 craft--, and Guyandotte for "push-boats" some distance inland. 
 Lines of Trans portion : Ohio river, Ches. & Ohio R. R., Guy 
 andotte and Mud rivers. Contemplated Improvements: The 
 Locking and Damming of the Guyandotte river, also, of Mud. 
 Railroads projected : Guyandotte R. R., Guyandotte & Ohio 
 River R. R., Mud River R. R., The West Virginia R. R. Pub 
 lic Institutions: Marshall College, the State Normal School at 
 Huntington, Public Schools, 49 ; Post Offices, 13; Churches, 13. 
 Population, 6,429; Taxable Property, 82902,46639. County 
 Seat, Barboursville ; Newspapers: Huntington Advertiser and 
 Huntington Commercial, both weekly. 
 
 CALHOTJN COUNTY. 
 
 This county is hilly, and the land is generally good. Since 
 a great deal deal of it is owned in very large tracts, there is 
 not much land in cultivation. The soils are sandy and clayey 
 loams, being about 15 inches deep in the bottoms and 6 to 8 
 inches on the hiils. The crop yields given in the reports for 
 this county are so unsatisfactory that we cannot quote them. 
 No manures are usfd. 
 
 The value of the agricultural land is : 85, to -$20, per acre; 
 of the timber land, 33 to $10 : value of Timber, stumpage, 50 
 cents to 81 per tree, and at the mills 8 to 10 cents per cubic 
 foot. The principal Industries are, .Farming grazing, and 
 lumbering. The principal export is Lumber; principal rnar- 
 
RESOURCES OF WEST VIRGINIA. 371 
 
 kets, Baltimore for Stock, and Pittsburgh, Baltimore, and Par- 
 kersburg. for Lumber: principal minerals, Limestone for 
 building and Agricultural purposes ; good Sandstone for build 
 ing, and Coal below water level, except in the southern part, 
 where it will be fonnd in the hills; principal manufactures, 8 
 Grist Mills, uorked mainly by steam, though the water pow 
 er is good and extensive. The principal streams are the Lit 
 tle Kanawha and its tributaries: the former is navigable to 
 Glenville on winter and spring tides, and to Burning Spring 
 the whole year, per batteaux. In good water steamboats go to 
 the latter place. Steer creek is navigable for batteaux as far 
 as Stumptown. Thu means of transportation are the Little 
 Kanawha river and county roads. The contemplated improve 
 ments are, the locking and damming of the Little Kanawha 
 through the county, and the building of the Washington and 
 Ohio R. R. Public Schools, 31 ; Post Offices, 6; Churches, 13. 
 Population, 2939; value of taxable property, $513,972 00. 
 County seat, Grantsville. 
 
 CIiAY COUNTY. 
 
 Clay is an extremely hilly county, the hills being very 
 high above the bottoms (800 to 1,000 feet), and having narrow 
 tops. The valleys are very narrow, and the streams are 
 deeply sunken below the surface. The land is mostly 
 wild, and in very large tracts. The hills are usually 
 too steep to cultivate to advantage, but have a pretty deep 
 and fertile soil, it being 4 to 6 inches on the hills, and 12 
 inches or more on the level lands. The soil in some parts, 
 is a stiff clay, and in others, a clay loam or sandy loam, which 
 is naturally fertile. Grains adapted to the lands, are Corn, 
 Wheat, Oats, Rye, &c. The yields on the hills and level lands 
 do not differ much. Corn yields 25 bushel?, Oats 20 bushel?, 
 Rye 10 bushels, Wheat 8 bushels, Potatoes 50 to 100 bushels, 
 Turnips, 100 to 200 bushels. No manures are used for these 
 yields. In general, the averages given for the grain yields in 
 the counties, will be those obtained without manures. Value 
 of land : Agricultural land is worth about $5 per acre, Min 
 eral land the same, and timber land, $2 per acre. Timber is 
 worth 10 to 20 cents per log, stumpage, and at the mills, 7 to 
 8 cents per cubic foot. The principal industry is lumbering, 
 and the principal .exports are Saw-logs, Hoop-poles, Staves, 
 
372 RESOURCES OF WEST VIRGINIA. 
 
 &c., which all go to Charleston. Minerals : Coals, Splint, 
 Cannel, and Soft Bituminous, all in workable quantities, in 
 fine seams above water level. Iron Ore in workable beds is 
 found. Some Limestone, and some good Sandstones for build 
 ing. Streams : Elk river is the principal stream, and is nav 
 igable 70 miles from its mouth for small steamboats, and 100 
 miles, to Sutton, for batteaux. It is proposed to lock and dam 
 Elk river in Braxton county. The same proposed railroads 
 pass through Clay that penetrate Braxton. Public Schools 
 21, Postoffices, 6, Churches 2, Population 2,196. Value of 
 taxable property, $399,879.50. County seat, Clay C. H. 
 
 DODDRIDGE COUNTY. 
 
 The surface of Doddridge is rolling and hilly, with average 
 bottoms. The soil is loam and clay-loam, with a depth on the 
 levels of 15 inches, and on the hills of 4 to 6 inches. A good 
 deal of the land has fine timber on it. The grains best adapt 
 ed to the soil, are Corn, Oats, Buckwheat, and Wheat. On 
 the bottoms, the yields are: Corn, 30 to 50 bushels; Wheat, 
 10 to 15 bushels; Oats, 25 to .35 bushels; Rye, 20 bushels ; Po 
 tatoes and Turnips, 100 bushels. On the hills, Corn, 25 bush 
 els : wheat 8 to 10 bushels : Oats 20 bushels ; Potatoes, 50 
 to 100 bushels. No manure used for these. The value of 
 the agricultural land is $7 to $20; mineral lands, 810; timber 
 lands, 85 to $15. The timber is worth $1 per tree stum page, 
 and lumber $12 50 per 1000 at the mills. The principal in 
 dustries are. Farming, Lumbering and Grazing. The prin 
 cipal exports, are Timber and Stock. Market for stock. Balti 
 more ; market for timber, Baltimore and other points east. 
 Doddridge sends out a large amout of cooperage stuff, sawed 
 lumber, and ship timber from Smithton, West Union and 
 other points on the railroad, and down Middle Island creek. 
 Coal in workable seams is found above water level. Some 
 Limestone for building and agricultural purposes. Steam and 
 water Grist and Saw Mills exist. The coal is mined only for 
 local use. The only stream is Middle Island creek, navigable 
 in winter, and in full stanres of water, for rafts and flat boats. 
 The lines of transportation are, the Baltimore and Ohio rail 
 road, and the Middle Island railroad, a tram road 22j miles 
 long, passing through the southern part of Doddridge, in 
 order to develope the timber, &c., and several turnpikes. 
 Public Schools, 59. Postoffices, 13 ; Churches, 28 ; Population, 
 
RESOURCES OF WEST VIRGINIA. 373 
 
 7,076. Value of taxable property, 81.406,560 09. County 
 Seat, West Union. Newspapers, West Union lObscrrer, and the 
 Baptist Messenger, both weekly. 
 
 FAYETTE COUNTY. 
 
 The surface of Fayette, is hilly, mountainous, and high 
 tableland. The hills and mountains usually are not precipi 
 tous, and have a fertile soil, the soil is a rich light loam, and 
 a sandy loam, which is well suited for the culture of Tobacco, 
 There are some fine bottom lands on Meadow River, the soil 
 is 6 inches deep on the hills, and 12 inches or more, on the lev 
 els. The grains and crops, especially suited to the land- 1 , are. 
 Corn, Oats, Wheat, Rye, Tobacco, and Grass. The principal 
 exports are Coal, Timber, Tobacco, and Stock. Principal in 
 dustries, are Coal, Mining, Farming, Lumbering, and Stock 
 raising, Markets. The tobacco goes to Richmond, Stock to 
 Baltimore, Timber to New York, and Cincinnati. 
 
 Minerals : Coal in large amounts, in fine workable seams, 
 Soft bituminous, Splint, and Cannel, the two former are those 
 mined and shipped. Some limestone, but poor. Fine sand 
 stone for building purposes. The mineral waters are Alum, 
 and Chalybeate. Several important Coal mines are in opera 
 tion in this county, they are the Gauly Kanawha Coal Co. 
 (limited), Longdale Coal and Iron Co; New River Car Co.; 
 Nutallburg Mines ; Coal Valley Coal Co. and a new Mine now 
 being opened by George Straughan, besides these, there are sev 
 eral Mills and Factories, amcng which we may mention the 
 Fayetteville Tobacco Factory, making 2568 pounds yearly 
 Junction Saw Mill Co ; Atlantic Barrel Co ; Koontsman & Go s. 
 Shook and Stave Factory ; Kanawha Falls Lumber Co. 
 
 The principal streams, are the Gauley, New and Kanawha 
 rivers. The Kanawha is navigable six months tor steam 
 boats, and 12 months for batteaux ; Gauley, 8 months for bat- 
 teaux, and 12 months for canoes for 12 miles ; New river in the 
 lower part is too rough for canoes even, in the upper part it is 
 navigable for batteaux. The lines of transportation, are the 
 rivers, and the Chesapeake & Ohio R. R., and the Jarnes river 
 and Kanawha turnpike. 
 
 Contemplated improvements; locking and damming Kana 
 wha and New Rivers, and the continuation of the James river 
 and Kanawha canal, from its present eastern terminus. 
 
 Public Schools, 63 ; Post Offices, 23 ; Churches; 10. Popula- 
 
374 RESOURCES OF WEST VIRGINIA. 
 
 tion 6647. Value of taxable property $1.440,839,83. County 
 seat, Fayetteville; Newspapers, fayetteville Enterprise, weekly. 
 
 GILMER COUNTY. 
 
 Gilmer county is billy, and bas a rich soil. There are 
 some fine bottoms with loam and sand. Red calcareous clay 
 and sandy loams are found on the hills. On the levels the 
 soil is 12 to 14 inches deep, on the level 6 to 8 inches. It is espe 
 cially adapted to Corn and Grass. Wheat does best on the 
 hills. The county has fine forrest range for cattle. 
 
 Some of the level land grows 80 to 105 bushels of corn. 
 The average yields are, on the bottoms, Corn, 40 bushels; 
 Oats, 15 to 25 ; Turnips, 150. On the hills, Corn yields 20 
 bushels; Wheat, 10 to 15 ; Oats, 10 to 25; Turnips, 100. The 
 Tobacco grown on the hills is large, bright, and very fine ; on 
 the bottoms, it is large and heavy. Little or no attention is 
 paid to manures. 
 
 The value of agricultural land, slightly improved, is $5 to 
 $10 per acre ; of the improved, $10 to $25 ; of the timber land, 
 $2 to 5. The principal industries are farming, stock raising, 
 and lumbering. The principal exports are timber and stock. 
 The markets are, for stook, Baltimore and eastern cities ; for 
 timber, Parkersburg and Pittsburgh. Principal Minerals: 
 Coal, and Sandstone for building purposes. The principal 
 manufactures are two steam saw mills on Tanner s Fork, and 
 one at Troy, as well as various grist mills, both steam and 
 water. The means of transportation are, by the Little Kana- 
 wha, which is navigable for batteaux and rafts 9 months of 
 the year, and by various county roads and turnpikes. The 
 principal stream is the Little Kaiiawha, on which, on rare oc 
 casions, steamboats have been as far as Glenville. The contem 
 plated improvements are : The locking and damming of the 
 Little Kanawha to Glenville, and the building of the Wash 
 ington and Ohio railroad. Schools, &c.: Glenville Normal 
 School, at Glenville; Public Schools, 40; Postoffices, 13; 
 Churches, 14. Population, 4,338. Value of taxable property, 
 $856,174.00. County seat, Glenville. 
 
 GRANT COUNTY. 
 
 Grant county is rolling table land, and mountainous, with 
 fine broad bottoms on the streams. Much of the county is in 
 the original forest, and the land is in both small and large 
 tracts. The soil along the streams, is exceedingly fertile, and 
 
RESOURCES OF WEST VIRGINIA. 375 
 
 much of the rolling table land has a very productive soil, as is 
 shown by the exceedingly fine timber which covers it. The 
 soil of the bottoms is a deep loam, of the upland.-, sandy loam. 
 It is slaty and thin, on some of the hills and mountains. 
 Depth on hills, to 4 inches, on bottoms, 12 inches to many 
 feet. Crops best adapted, are: Corn, Wheat, Oat?, Rye, Grass. 
 Corn yields, on bottoms, 50 to 80 bushels ; Wheat 1.0 to 25 
 bushels; Oats, 30 to 50 bushels ; Potatoes, 75 to 200 bushels. 
 On uplands, Corn 25 to 40 bushels ; Wheat 8 to 10 bushels. 
 The principal industries are farming and grazing. Piinci- 
 pal exports, Cattle, Sheep, Hogs, Grain. No development has 
 been made of the timber of this county. The vast amount of 
 Hemlock and Black Spruce, etc., on the west face of the Alle- 
 ghany, points to this as an important source of future reve 
 nue. The markets for Cattle, are Baltimore and Philadelphia, 
 and New York for the best cattle. This county, with the 
 others of the South Branch District," is emphatically a cat 
 tle and grain producing region, Bottom lands are worth 835 
 to $100; hill lands, S5 to 810 per acre. There is no market 
 for timber except the home ones. At the mills plank is worth 
 812 to 820 per 1000. Minerals: Coal, in large and workable 
 seams above water level; Iron in abundance, both red fossilif- 
 erous and brown haematite ; Limestone in large amounts, 
 good for agricultural and building purposes; some Hydraulic 
 Limestone. Mineral Springs, white sulphur and chalybeate. 
 Principal stream, South Branch of the Potomac. This was 
 used for boating flour and grain, before the completion of the 
 Baltimore & Ohio Railroad. The present lines of transporta 
 tion are, the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad, and various mud 
 pikes leading to it. Contemplated lines : Washington & O. 
 Railroad, Cumberland, Moorefield & Broadway. Railroad, North 
 Branch Railroad, Potomac & Ohio Railroad. Public Schools, 
 41; Postoffices, 10; Churches, 12; Population, 4,467; value 
 of taxable property, 81,835.533 21; County Seat. Grant C/H. 
 Three small Woolen Factories exist in the county, and it is 
 intended to establish an Agricultural Fair next year. (1877.) 
 
 GREENERIES COUNTY. 
 
 This county, on the eastern and western sides, is moun 
 tainous, the western mountains rising high above the sea, but 
 not so much in proportion above their bases. They are not 
 too rugged for cultivation in parts, or for grazing. The cen- 
 
376 RESOURCES OF WEST VIRGINIA. 
 
 tral portion is a rolling plateau, embracing very fertile and 
 highly cultivated grass and grain lands. The soil on the 
 eastern and western sides is a red clay, or clay loam. In the 
 central portion, over the limestone, the soil is yellowish, red 
 clayey, and calcareous loams. The depths on the hills is 4 to 
 6 inches; on the levels* 12 to 18 inches. The crops best 
 adapted to the land, are Corn, Wheat, Oats, Buckwheat, Grass. 
 Corn produces on the levels, 20 to 40 bushels ; Wheat, 15 bush 
 els: Oats, 30; Buckwheat, 30; Potatoes, 100; on the hills corn 
 produces 10 to 15 bushels: Oats 15 ; Wheat, 8; Buckwheat, 35; 
 Potatoes, 75. No manures used for these yields. The value of 
 the land is: Best Agricultural, 820 to $50: second-class and 
 rougher land, with less improvements, but some subsoil, 82 to 
 $10 ; Timber lands, 81.50 to $6: Iron and Coal lands are worth 
 from $2.50 up to 8100, according to distance from railroad and 
 richness of deposit. In the X. part, near the Greenbrier river, 
 is a good deal of valuable timber, especially White Pine. 
 
 Timber is worth, stumpage, 81.25 par 1,000 feet; at the mill, 
 86 to $7. 50. The principal industries are farming and stock- 
 raising- The principal exports are grass-fed Cattle, Sheep, 
 Horses, Wool, &c The county is emphatically a grazing one- 
 
 The market for stock is Baltimore ; some goes to Rich 
 mond. Surplus grain is fed to shipping stock. Horses go to 
 North Carolina and East Virginia. For timber, Baltimore, 
 and other eastern cities. In the western part, some workable 
 seams of Coal ; fine workable Iron Ores on Anthony s and How 
 ard s creeks, and elsewhere ; Limestone in abundance, of all 
 qualities for agricultural, building, and hydraulic lime ; Clays 
 suitable for rough crocks are found, and these were made, for 
 years, at Lewisbnrg. Excellent grit for grindstones is found. 
 Mineral Springs: White Sulphur, Blue Sulphur, and Alum. 
 Many Chalybeate springs. Coal was formerly worked on 
 Little Sewell, and hauled 22 miles to Lewisburg, now discon 
 tinued, on account of more ready transport on the C. & O. rail 
 road, for the coals further west. Manufactories : four Carding 
 Mills, three Woolen Mills, one Tan Yard, exporting leather? 
 and several smaller one,-?, St. Lawrence Boom and Manufactur 
 ing Company. The Greenbrier river is the principal stream, 
 and is navigable for canoes and batteaux on rises. Means of 
 transportation, Chesapeake and Ohio railroad, and turnpikes. 
 
RESOURCES OF WEST VIRGINIA. 377 
 
 Contemplated lines, the Pittsburgh, Virginia and Charleston 
 railroad. Schools , Lewisburg Female Institute, High School 
 at Frankford, and 68 Public Schools; Postoffices, 22; Churches, 
 35. Population, 11,417. Taxable property, $4,524,562.59. 
 County seat, Lewsburg. Newspaper, Greenbrier Independent, 
 weekly. . 
 
 HAMPSHIRE COUNTY. 
 
 Hampshire county is composed of mountains, rolling hills, 
 and bottom lands, in the proportion of two-fifths mountains, 
 two-fifths hills, and one-fifth bottom land. Soil on the uplands, 
 4 to 8 inches, of a light loamy character. On the hills, the 
 soil is sandy and clayey, 5 to 10 inches deep, and is especially 
 adapted to grazing and rfmall grain. In the bottoms, the soil 
 is a black and sandy loam, 3 to 15 feet deep, and brings im 
 mense crops of Corn, Wheat, Potatoes, Hay, etc., without rota 
 tion or fertilizers. The grains especially adapted to the county 
 are, Corn. Wheat, Oats, Rye, and Buckwheat. The yields on 
 the bottoms are on an average, Corn, 50 bushels; Wheat, 20 
 bushels ; Oats, 40 bushels ; Potatoes, 100 bushels ; Hay, 2 
 tons. On the upland-!, Corn produces 25 bushels; Wheat, 12 
 bushels; Oats, 25 bushels; Buckwheat, 25 bushels. A little 
 barn yard manure is sometimes used on the uplands. No Fair 
 is held in the counties of the South Branch district. They 
 are represented at the Fairs held at Winchester, Virginia. 
 The bottom lands sell for $100 per acre, and upwards. Clay 
 and hill land from $5 to $30. Timber lands from 50 cents to 
 $10 per acre. There is no fixed price for mineral lands, of 
 -which there are large areas. Hardly anything is done in tim 
 ber, except for home consumption. Price on stump, 25 cents 
 per hundred. At the mill, $12 50 to $15.00 per thousand. The 
 principal industries are farming and stock raising. The prin 
 cipal exports, are Cattle, Horses, Hogs, Wheat, etc. Of these, 
 cattle are by far the most important, since all the counties of 
 this district, make the fattening of Cattle their main business. 
 The heavy Cattle go to New York, and the lighter to Baltimore 
 and Philadelphia, these latter cities not having a sufficient 
 demand for the finer grades. The cattle are grazed on the 
 uplands and mountains, in summer, and fed on corn in winter. 
 Hence all the corn raised is consumed at home. Wheat, 
 Oats, Rye, and small marketing find sale in Cumberland and 
 
378 RESOURCES OF WEST VIRGINIA. 
 
 the mines around. Excellent Iron ores, both red fossil iferous 
 and brown haematite, are found in workable deposits in the 
 county, and are smelted at the Bloomery Furnace. Good 
 limestone for building and agricultural purposes is found, and 
 some potters clay, which is worked by a pottery on Xorth 
 river. One at Glencoe has suspended operations. Good sand 
 stones for building are found, and a deposit of fine glass sand 
 also. The celebrated Capon Mineral Springs are found in this 
 county. The iron ore is worked in the vicinity of the Bloom 
 ery Furnace. Besides this last, there are among the manufac 
 tories, three woolen factories. The Big Capon and South 
 Branch run through the county, and are navigable for bat- 
 teau\ in seasons of full water in winter and spring. The 
 North Branch of the Potomac skirts it on the north, to which 
 the same remarks apply. The present lines of transportation 
 are the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad, which runs through the 
 northern part, and the county roads and pikes. Contempla 
 ted lines aiM : The Washington and Ohio Railroad, the South 
 Branch Railroad, the West Virginia Railroad, the Potomac 
 and Ohio Railroad. The Deaf and Dumb Asylum is at Rom- 
 ney. Public school-?, 51. Postoffic^s, 22. Churches, 15. Pop 
 ulation, 7,643. Valu* of taxable property, $2,542,408.82. 
 County seat, Roinney, with 600 inhabitants. Newspapers, 
 South Branch Intelligencer, weekly. 
 
 HANCOCK COUNTY. 
 
 This is the most northerly county in the State. It is hilly 
 and somewhat broken, with the hills quite high, and valleys 
 narrow. The soil is the usual calcareous and clayey loam of 
 the Pan-Han lie counties. The depth on the hillsides is from 
 5 to 7 inches, being deeper, as is usual in the counties of this 
 part of the State, on the north sides of the hills. On the levels 
 and bottoms, it is from 12 inches, to many feet. The crops 
 best adapted to them, are Corn, Oats, Barley, Wheat, and espe 
 cially grain. All the calcareous lands of the Pan-Handle, 
 bring fine Blue Grass, Timothy, Clover, etc., while the height 
 of the hills make them well adapted to the pasturage of sheep. 
 The hills and levels produce equally well. Corn yields 50 to 
 75 bushels; Oats, 40 bushels; Wheat, 15 bushels; Pototoes, 
 100 to 200 bushel >; Hay, H- to 2J tons. No manures are used 
 for these yields. Value of improved agricultural lands, $50 to 
 
RESOURCES OF WEST VIRGINIA. 379 
 
 WO per acre, and over. Mineral lands: Coal, 50. Timber 
 land, $30. No timber sold except for home use. Principal 
 industries, Sheep and Wool growing, Farming, and manufac 
 turing of Fire Clay. Principal exports. Sheep, Wool, various 
 products of the manufacture of Fire Clay, such as bricks, 
 drainage pipes, etc. Markets : For grain, etc., home; for 
 Sheep, Wool, etc, eastern cities. Minerals: Good Coal, in 
 workable beds above wat.er level. Good sandstone, for build 
 ing. Limestone in abundance for building and agricultural 
 purposes. Large deposits of excellent fire clay, which is 
 largely manufactured. Principal stream, the Ohio river, 
 which is navigable for go xl sized steamers. Manufactories : 
 One woolen mill, several flouring mills, and about 20 c mipan- 
 ies engaged in mining and manufacturing fire clay, brick, etc., 
 affording employment to from 200 to 300 hands. Public 
 schools, 21. Churches, 7. Postofnces, 6. Population, 4,363. 
 Taxable property, 2,052,676.11. County seat, Fairview. 
 Newspaper, Hancock Courier, weekly. 
 
 HAKDY COUNTY, 
 
 The same remarks apply to the topography and soil, crops, 
 yields, value of land and timber, principal industries, market*, 
 and exports of Hardy, that were made concerning these points 
 in connection with Hampshire. The deposits of Iron in Hardy 
 are larger than those in Hampshire. They are worked at the 
 Capon Iron Works. Hardy has a great number of Mineral 
 Springs, Alum, Sulphur and Chalybeate, none of which are 
 >*. improved. The Hardy White Sulphur Springs are consid- 
 p ered by some equal to the Greenbrier White Sulphur. Near 
 Moorefif ld good fire clay is found, also pipe and potter s clay, 
 whi vi last has been worked to some extent. Good lime for 
 hail ling and agricultural purposes, and the fluxing of iron 
 exists. Good sandstone for building are also found. Iron is 
 mine -I for Capon Furnace. The principal streams are, the 
 South Branch of the Potomac and Capon river, both navigable 
 for hatteaux and canoes one-half of the year. Transportation 
 is to the Bait. & Ohio R. R. by county roads, and to the Valley 
 R. R. in Virginia. Contemplated lines~are, the Washington 
 .v Ohio R. R., the Cumberland, Moorefield & Broadway R. R., 
 pntomac & Ohio R. R., the West Virginia R. R. Schools: 
 High School for males and Seminary for girls, at Moorefield, 
 
380 RESOURCES OP WEST VIRGINIA. 
 
 and 36 Public Schools; Post-Offices, 11 ; Churches, 9. Popula 
 tion 5,518 ; value of taxable property, $2,812,194 37. County 
 seat, Moofielrl, a thriving village with 850 inhabitants. News 
 papers, Moorefield Courier and Advertiser and Moorfield Weekly 
 Examiner, both weekly. 
 
 HARRISON COUNTY. 
 
 The surface in Harrison is rolling and hilly. The hills are 
 broad and low, comparatively speaking, and the valleys wide. 
 
 The county has much improved land with good soil, and is 
 well cultivated. The soil is mainly clay loam and calcareous 
 loam, 6 to 8 inches deep on the hills and from 12 inches to 18 
 inches on the levels. Crops best suited are Corn, Oats, Wheat, 
 Rye, and especially grass. The Blue Grass sods over the land 
 spontaneously. The county is pre-eminently a grazing one. 
 Hills and levels yield about alike. Corn, 30 to 60 bu-h^ls ; 
 Wheat, 10 to 15 bushels; Oats, 15 to 25 bushels; Rye, 15 to 25 
 bushels. The Central Agricultural and Mechanical Society 
 holds an annual Fair at Clarksburg, where $1,550 (about) are 
 distributed in premiums. The prices of improved agricultu 
 ral land is 825 to $50 per acre, of mineral land (Coal), $75 to 
 $100 per acre, of timber land, $10 to $15 per acre. The timber 
 of Harrison is not so abundant as that in the counties farther 
 west, though still considerable in amount. Price, stumpage, 
 $2,50 per 1,000 feet; after sawing $10 to $12 50 per 1,000 feet, 
 The principal industries are Stock raising, Farming, and Coal 
 mining. Principal exports, Stock, Coal and Lumber. Mar 
 kets for Stock, Baltimore ; for. Grain and General Produce, 
 Clarksburg and other home markets ; Coal is sent, for gas ma 
 king, to the eastern cities; Timber goes to Pittsburgh, mainly 
 White Oak and Poplar logs, Lumber as cooperage stuff, and 
 sawed stuff goes east. Minerals : Coal in large quantites above 
 water level; Limestone, both for agricultural and building 
 purposes ; Potter s Clay exists, and has been worked : Sand 
 stone of good quality for building is found ; several mines of 
 Coal are worked on a large scale for gas making ; among them 
 are the Despard Coal Company, The Murphy s Run Coal Com 
 pany, Harrison County Coal Company, Wakeman Mines, 
 Monongahela Gas Coal Company, &c., Harrison county is 
 well supplied with mills and manufactories. They are as fol 
 lows : Three Cheese Factories, 1 Pottery, 8 Tanneries, 16 Grist 
 
RESOURCES OP WEST VIRGINIA. 381 
 
 and Saw Mills, 7 Flour and Saw Mills, 4 Saw Mills (3 porta 
 ble), 3 Grist Mills, 2 Flour Mills, 1 Flour Mill with Saw and 
 Carding, 1 Flour Mill and Woolen Factory, J_ Portable Saw 
 Mill and Machine Shop, making doors, sash, <fcc., 1 Flour 
 Mill with wood-working machinery, 1 Saw Mill with wood 
 working machinery, 1 Planing Mill with machinery for ma 
 king doors, sash, &c., 1 Foundry and Machine Shop and Man 
 ufacture of Saw-Mill Truck Cars. 1 Foundry with machinery 
 for making Portable Grist and Saw Mills, Truck Cars, Porta 
 ble Engines, &c., &c. The principal stream is the West Fork 
 of the Monongahela, navigable for rafts and batteaux during 
 high water. Means of transportation are, the Bait. & Ohio R. 
 R. and turnpikes. Contemplated lines are, The Buckhannon 
 Mineral R. R., Northern & Southern West Virginia R. R., 
 The Weston and W. Fork R. R. Schools : Academy at Clarks 
 burg, and 101 Public Schools; Post-Offices, 25 ; Churches, 57. 
 Population, 16,714; value of taxable property $7,331,48648. 
 County Seat, Clarksburg, a thriving town, with a population 
 of about 1,600 inhabitants. Newspapers Clarksburg Telegram 
 and The News, both weekly. 
 
 JACKSON COUNTY. 
 
 The surface of the county is hilly and rolling, the hills 
 to the eastward becoming quite high. All are somewhat 
 rough. Considerable flats are found on the Ohio river, which 
 skirts the county for 30 miles. Along this, the bottoms avere 
 age \ mile. The bottoms on Mill and Sandy creeks, averag 
 200 yards. These are, as is usual in this part of the State, very 
 productive The soils vary a good deal, being a heavy clay, 
 calcareous loam, and sandy loam, in different locations. About 
 -J of the county is in timber, some being very fine. The depth 
 of soil on the hills is 6 to 8 inches ; on the levels and bottoms, 
 1 foot to many. On the bottoms Corn yields 40 to 60 bush 
 els; Wheat, 12 to 15 bushels; Oats, 40 to 50 bushels; Potatoes, 
 100 to 150 bushels; Hay, 1 to 2 tons. These are the crops, 
 along with Tobacco, best suited to the lands. On the hills, 
 Corn yields 25 to 30 bushels ; Wheat 10 to 12 bushels ; Oats, 
 25 bushels ; Potatoes, 75 to 100 bushels. No manures are 
 used for these yields. It is proposed to establish an Agricul 
 tural Fair at Ripley, the county seat, under the auspices of 
 the Patrons of Husbandry. Price ot improved bottom lands, 
 
382 RESOURCES OF WEST VIRGINIA. 
 
 from $40 to $70 ; Upland Farming land, 85 to $20; Timber 
 land, $4 to $8. The timber is worth, stumpage, $1 per tree 
 sawed at the mills, $5 to $12.50 per 1,000. The principal 
 industries are, farming, cattle-raising, and lumbering. The 
 principal exports are, Timber, Stock, and Grain, and Tobacco. 
 The markets for the Timber are down the Ohio river; for 
 grain, along the Ohio; for stock, Baltimore. Minerals : Coal 
 in small seams, enough for local use, above water level : some 
 Iron Ore in. workable quantities; excellent sandstone for 
 building purposes; a considerable amount of Limestone in 
 the northern part of the county, which will make good agri 
 cultural and building lime ; Iron Ore is worked on Mill creek, 
 by Mr. Melville for the Bell ai re Iron Works. Manufactories : 
 One Tobacco factory, making 4,808 pounds ; one cigar fac 
 tory, making 5,300 cigars; Woolen Mill, at Ripley ; Wagon 
 Factory; Flour Mill, and Barrel Factories at Ravenswood; 
 Flour Mill, and Saw Mill, at Sandyville and Cottageville, 
 and several movable steam Saw Mills. Principal streams : 
 The Ohio, along the west border ; Mill and Sandy creeks pen 
 etrate the county, and are navigable 10 to 20 miles from the 
 Ohio, by rafts and canoes, on high waters.. Means of trans 
 portation: Ohio river and turnpikes; contemplated ones: 
 W. C. & St. L. Narrow Gauge railroad; Pittsburgh, Wheeling 
 and Kentucky railroad ; Ripley and Ohio Narrow Gauge 
 railroad ; Washington and Ohio railroad. Public Schools, 69 ; 
 Churches, 21; Postoffices, 20. Population, 10,300. Value of 
 taxable property, $2,342,559.19. County seat, Ripley. News 
 papers, Jackson County News, weekly, at Ravenswood. 
 
 JEFFERSON COUNTY. 
 
 This county has a rolling and hilly surface, except in the 
 eastern part, where it is bounded by the Blue Ridge moun 
 tains. The soil is mainly calcareous loams and clays. The 
 depth on the hills varies from 2 to 8 inches, and in the valleys, 
 from one to many feet. Crops adapted to the soils, are Wheat, 
 Corn, Oat?, Rye, and Grass especially. Crops yield on the 
 hills. Wheat, 10 bushels; Corn, 30 bushels ; Rye, 15 bushels ; 
 Potatoes, 100 bushels; Oats, 30 bushels. On the bottoms, the 
 yields are one-third to one-half more. These are all for the 
 improved calcareous agricultural lands. The value of the 
 agricultural land, which embraces all the county is from $30 
 
RESOURCES OF WEST VIRGINIA. 388 
 
 to $60 per acre, according to location and amount of improve 
 ment. Not much is done in timber. The principal indus 
 tries, are farm ing, manufacturing and stock raising. The 
 principal exports are grain and stock of various kinds, manu 
 factured articles, and some Poplar and Walnut. Markets for 
 timber, Baltimore and home. For grain, Baltimore and east 
 ern cities. For stock, Baltimore and Philadelphia. Minerals: 
 Iron ore is found in several localities. On the Potomac, near 
 Antietam creek, it is worked for the Antietam Iron Works. 
 Other localities where it is in workable quantities are near 
 Bolivar Heights, and on the Shanandoah river, at Mulby sOre 
 Bank, which is now worked. A fine deposit of hydraulic 
 limestone is worked at Shepherdstovvn, and furnishes a cement 
 of well known good quality. Limestone for building stone, 
 is quarried of good quality, and ,ent down the canal. Lime 
 stone for burning, of good quality is abundant. 
 
 Some of the limestones approach marble in grain, and occa 
 sionally yield a stone of good color and taking a good polish. 
 A good quarry of grey marble might be obtained at Shepherds- 
 town. Chalybeate and sulphur springs exist. Some potters 
 clay is found. Manufactories: 4 cigar factories, making 329,- 
 350 cigars ; 3 wool factories, 20 flour mills, 2 hardwood factor 
 ies, 4 or 5 portable steam saw mills, 2 paper mills, 1 planing 
 mill and sash factory, agricultural implement factory and 
 foundry, 1 cement mill, and 1 pottery. The county is skirted 
 by the Potomac and Shenandoah, the latter being navigable 
 on full waters by flat boats. Xeans of transportation are by 
 Baltimore and Ohio Railroad, Chesapeake and Ohio Canal, and 
 Valley Railroad. Contemplated improvements : The Shenan 
 doah Valley Railroad, Potomac and Ohio Railroad, and the 
 improvement of the Shenandoah river. Public institutions : 
 State Normal School at Shepherdstown, schools, etc.; Stover 
 Co lege, for colored persons, at Harper s Ferry, and 32 public 
 schools. Churches, 27- Postoffices, 11 Value of taxable 
 property, $7,434,309.63. Population, 13,219. County seat, 
 Shepherdstown, with a population of about 2,200. News 
 papers, Charlestown Spirit of Jeff er son, Shepherdstown Register, and 
 Virginia Free Press, all weekly. 
 
 KANAWHA COUNTY. 
 
 The topography of this county is hilly and mountainous. The 
 
384 RESOURCES OP WEST VIRGINIA. 
 
 hills in the west are comparatively low; in the middle portion 
 they become quite high, and in the western part, they become 
 mountainous. Much of the surface is quite rough and broken- 
 The valleys are usually narrow. The soil is naturally produc 
 tive, and is quite deep. On the hills, it varies from 4 to 12 
 inches, and on the levels from 12 inches to many feet. The 
 crops suited to the lands are Corn, Wheat, Oats, Rye, and To 
 bacco. On the bottoms, as those along the Kanawha, the yields 
 are high. Corn produces 40 to 60 bushels ; Oats, 30 to 40 bush 
 els; Wheat, 10 to 15 bushels; Tobacco, 1,000 to 1,400 pounds. 
 On the hills. Corn produces 20 to 50 bushels; Oats, 20 to 25 
 bushels ; Wheat, 8 to 10 bushels ; Tobacco, 800 to 1,000 pounds. 
 Value of improved lands, $5 to $50; of mineral lands, coal, $10 
 to $100, according to location and deposits. Timber lands, S5 
 to $20; value of timber, stumpage, 2 to 3 cents; at mill, 8 to 
 10 cents, per cubic foot. Principal industries, farming, lum 
 bering, coal mining, and the manufacture of salt. Principal 
 exports, Coal, Salt, Timber, Grain, and Tobacco. Markets for 
 timber, Ohio river and eastern cities ; for grain and farm pro 
 duce, Charleston and home. Stock goes east, as does some of 
 the timber. The coal goes down the Ohio,and to the eastern 
 cities. The principal minerals are Coal, Iron, and Salt. The 
 iron is siderite, and blackband; the former has been worked 
 somewhat. Large exports of salt are made, mainly down 
 the Ohio, and to Richmond. Fire clay was worked, and ship 
 ped to Cincinnati. Sandstone for building can be obtained, 
 of good quality. There are: 1 tobacco manufactory, manufac 
 turing 648 pounds; 3 cigar manufactories, making 51,100 
 cigars; 1 brewery, making 722 barrels; 1 bromine works. 
 Mines : These are exclusively of coal, which is common bitu 
 minous, splint and cannel. The mines now in operation are 
 Bibby s mine, Pioneer Coal Company, Campbell s Creek Coal 
 Company, J. B. Lewis & Co., Coalmont Coal Company, Hous 
 ton Mining and Manufacturing Company, Kanawha and Ohio 
 Coal Company, Hampton Mines, Blacksburg mines, Blackberry 
 mines, Enterprise Coal and Iron Company, Kanawha Semi- 
 Cannel Coal Conipany, Gordon & Seal, Cannelton Coal Com 
 pany, and various mines to supply the salt companies. Salt 
 companies are: Brook s Furnace, Lorena Furnace, Snow Hill 
 Furnace, Campbell s Creek Furnace, Pioneer Furnace, a furnace 
 
RESOURCES OF WEST VIRGINIA. 
 
 a short distance above Maiden ; now building at Charleston, 
 the Kanawha Coal and Iron Furnace. Lines of transportation 
 now used : Kanawha river, navigable by steamboats and 
 barges; Elk, navigable for batteaux, in all stages, and for rafts 
 in full water, and also for small steamers, 10 mile*.. B:g Coal 
 is locked and darned to Pevtona, and used by small -tenners 
 and barges. Rafts are sent out of Pocatalieo in full stages. 
 Contemplated improvements: The locking and darning of 
 Elk, extension of the James river and Kanawha canal, Coal 
 River Railroad, Northern and Southern West Virginia Central 
 Railroad, Paint Creek Railroad, West Virginia Railroad, the 
 West VirginiaCentral Railroad. Public schools, 125. Churches, 
 37. Postoffices. 24. Population, 22,349. Value of taxable 
 property, $6,430,051. County seat, Charleston, with a popula 
 tion of 5,000. It has one woolen mill, two barrel factories, 10 
 steam saw mills in and near Charleston, 1 brewery, 1 foundry, 
 2 tanneries. One steam saw mill is at St. Albans, and another 
 at Coallmrg. Newspapers: Charleston Courier, tri-weekly ; 
 Kanawha Chronicle, weekly ; West Virginia Journal, weekly ; all 
 at Charleston. 
 
 LEWIS COUNTY. 
 
 The surface of Lewis is rolling and hilly. The soil is uni 
 formly fertile, being clay and clayey loam, sometimes calcare 
 ous. It produces grass well. Depth on hills 3 to 12 inches, 
 and on the levels, 12 to. 18 inches. Crops suited to the lands, 
 are Corn, Wheat, Oat*, and the grasses ; yiekls-on the levels, 
 Corn, 40 to 60 bushels ; Wheat, 10 to 12 bushels ; Oats, 25 to 40 
 bushels ; on the hills, Corn, 25 to 30 bushels ; Wheat, 8 to 10 
 bushels ; Oats, 20 to 25 bushels. The Lewis County Agricul 
 tural and Mechanical Association hold an annual Fair near 
 Weston. The usual sum distributed in premiums per annum 
 is $2,000. The price of Agricultural land is from 85 to 825 ; 
 Timber land, from f^to $6. Timber is worth, stumpage, $1 
 per average tree ; at the mills, sawed, 810 per 1,000, 
 
 The principal industries are farming and stock-raising. 
 The county is mainly a grazing one. The principal exports 
 for stock are Baltimore and eastern cities. Some timber is 
 exported to Pittsburgh and Brownsville, Pa. Minerals are 
 coal, ordinary bituminous in large seams, and ot good quality ; 
 Limestone is found for cement, and Agricultural purposes; Pot- 
 
386 RESOURCES OF WEST VIRGINIA. 
 
 ters Clay is found and worked by Parker & Co.; Sandstones for 
 building, of excellent quality, and very handsome, exist. 
 The Insane Asylum, at Weston, is built of a handsome sand 
 stone, quarried on the spot. A fine Ochre, of a rich orange 
 color is found, and used in painting in the vicinity. The 
 West Fork of the Monongahela is the principal stream, and 
 is used in high stages of water for running rafts out. But 
 for the dams it could be navigated by canoe.-. The means of 
 transportation at present are pikes and dirt roads alone. Con 
 templated improvements are, the Weston and West Fork rail 
 road, and the Washington and Ohio railroad, the Northern 
 and Southern West Virginia railroad, Shenandoah and Ohio 
 railroad. The Insane Asylum is at Weston. Manufactories 
 are, Cigar factories, making 78,000 cigars ; Weston Woolen 
 Mills, Weston Flouring Mills, Weston Iron Foundry, for cast 
 ings and hollow ware, Furniture factories, <fec. Public 
 Schools, 72; Churches, 36; Postoffices, 14. Population, 10,175. 
 Taxable property, 82,616,650.00. County seat, Weston, a 
 growing town with about 1,200 inhabitants. Newspaper, 
 Weston Democrat, weekly. 
 
 LINCOLN COUNTY. 
 
 The surface of Lincoln is hilly, with hills generally of a con 
 siderable elevation, in some cases rising almost into moun 
 tains. The slope is usually sufficient for cultivation Only 
 about one-fifth of the land is cleared, and much of the uncleared 
 land is in large tracts, up to 100,000 acres. There is some 
 fine bottom land along the Guyandotte river, but the hills on 
 the Guyandotte and Coal rivers are high and rough. On Mud 
 river, the soils are clay, elsewhere they are Sandy loams, all 
 generally deep and very fertile. The crops best suited to the 
 lands, are Corn, Oats, Wheat, Rye, Buckwheat, and Tobacco. 
 Lincoln is one of the most extensive Tobacco raising connties 
 in the State, and the soils are especially adapted to this crop. 
 The glasses also do finely. Lincoln produces large amounts of 
 ginseng. The soils are from 7 to 10 inches deep on the hills, 
 and 12 to 14 inches on the levels. The hilis and levels pro 
 duce about alike. Corn yields 30 to 40 bushels; Wheat, 10; 
 Rye, 12; Oats, 20. Land in large tracts is worth, when con 
 taining fine coal, as much of it does, 35 to $10, which is 
 also about the value of the farming land. The timber is in 
 
RESOURCES OF WEST VIRGINIA. 387 
 
 large amounts, and of the finest quality. Coal and timber 
 land can also be purchased at from $1 to $1.50 Timber is 
 worth 50 cents per tree, stumpage, and at tne mills 6 to 10 
 cents per cubic foot. Principal industries, farming, lumber 
 ing, and stock raising. The stock is very good. Principal 
 exports, timber, lumber, tobacco, forest products, and stock. 
 Markets: The timber is sold at the stump, and ra ted down 
 to markets on the Ohio river, as is the lumber. The tobacco 
 and stock are sent to Cincinnati. Minerals : Coal in great quan 
 tity ; splint, common bituminous, and cannel ; fine sand 
 stones for building, Manufactories: Three or more large 
 grist and saw mills, on Mud river, one on Guyandotte river, 
 and several steam saw mills, two tan-yards, at Hanilin. The 
 principal streams are Guyandotte and Mud rivers. The 
 former is navigable several months of the year for " push 
 boats," and timber may be floated down it on full water. Mud 
 and Little Coal are navigable for canoes and rafts in full 
 stages. Mean^ of transportion at present, are the above 
 streams, and county mud roads, to the Chesapeake and Ohio 
 railroad. Contemplated improvements: Coal River railroad, 
 the branch running up Little Coal ; Guyandotte railroad, 
 Guyandotte and Ohio River railroad, Mud River railroad, Ohio 
 River and Wayne County Mineral railroad. Public Schools 
 50; Churches, 6: Postoffices, 7. Population, 5 053. Value of 
 taxable property, $1,073,901.45. County seat, Hamliri. 
 
 LOGAN COUNTY. 
 
 This county is quite broken, the hills which occupy most 
 of the surface are very high, attaining the dignity of moun 
 tains in places. The valleys are narrow, with, as a rule, little 
 botto n land. On the Guyandotte there is a good deal of gent 
 ly rolling and bottom lands. A considerable amount of gently 
 sloping land is also found on Pigeon and Island creeks, while 
 near and below the court-house is fine farming land. The soil 
 is loam, more or less sandy or clayey, quite productive, and 
 yielding grass and grain well. The crops are Corn, Wheat, 
 Oats, Rye, Buckwheat and Tobacco. All yield well, f- of the 
 land is in timber, which grows to enoimous size. Some of the 
 largest trees in the State, especially of Poplar and Oak, are re 
 ported here. The land is in large tracts and mostly has the 
 timber untouched. The soil is deeper on the northwest side of 
 
RESOURCES OF WEST VIRGINIA. 
 
 the hills, and is usually on the uplands from 4 to 15 inches ; 
 on the bottoms 12 inches to several feet. The yields on the 
 hills, where cultivated, which is only in patches, are the same 
 as the bottoms : Corn produces 30 to 60 bushels ; Oats, 20 to 40 
 bushels; Wheat, 10; Rye, 12. Not much farming on a large 
 scale is done. Grass grows luxuriantly, and the winters are 
 mild. Some stock is raised. The land in large tracts may be 
 bought at from $1 to $10. The timber and wild lands mainly 
 at the former price. Value of timber, stumpage, 50 cents to 
 SI per tree, and $2 on the river. For logs in the riv^r, 8 to 
 10 cents per cubic foot. Principal industries, Farming and 
 Lumbering. Principal exports. Timber in Logs, and forest 
 products. Logan, as well as Lincoln, exports a large amount 
 of Ginseng, the collecting of which form a" considerable busi 
 ness with the inhabitants, as they go long distances for it. 
 The markets for all products are down the Ohio. Minerals : 
 Coal, Splint, Caunel, and ordinary Bituminous, in fine work 
 able seams ; Sandstone for building is abundant; Salt w r ater 
 is found in some localities. There are several Saw and Grist 
 Mills on Guyandotte river. The people manufacture at home 
 a good deal of the minor articles for household use. The pre 
 sent means of transportation are the Big Sandy and Guyan 
 dotte rivers. The former stream is navigable for steamers, 
 barges, and timber. rafts, several months in the year, as is the 
 Guyandotte for canoes and timber rafts. Contemplated im 
 provements: Improvement of the navigation of the Guyan 
 dotte river, which was in progress before the war; Tug River 
 R. R. ; Mud River R. R. ; Guyandotte & Ohio R. R. ; Guyan 
 dotte R. R. Public Schools, 43; Churches, 8 ; Post-offices, 9; 
 Value of taxable property, 8604,851 14. Population, 5,124. 
 County Seat, Logan Court-House. 
 
 MARION COUNTY. 
 
 The surface of the county is rolling and hilly, the hills 
 being often quite high, and the valleys narrow. The soil is 
 usually pretty deep, and naturally fertile. It is a loam, 
 clayey, sandy, or calcareous, from 6 to 8 inches deep on the 
 hills, and 10 to 12 inches on the levels. The land is well 
 adapted to the production of Grass, Corn. Wheat, Oats, Rye, 
 Potatoes, and Buckwheat. There is little difference between 
 the yields on the hills and levels. The average without 
 
RKSOHRCKS OK WEST VIRGINIA. 389 
 
 manures is as follows: Corn, 30 to 40 bushels ; Wheat, 12 
 hushels ; Oats, 30 bushels; Potatoes, 75 to 100 bushels ; Rye, 
 15 bushels. An annual Fair is held at Fairmont; the amounts 
 given out in premiums are not reported. ; Principal indus 
 tries, fanning, stock-raising, coal mining, and lumbering. 
 Principal exports, stock, iarm products, lumber and coal. 
 Large amounts of sawed and cooperage stuff are sent from 
 along the line of the railroad, and large exports of excellent 
 gas coal are made from the vicinity of Fairmont. Markets 
 for stock, Baltimore ; for timber, Baltimore, eastern cities, &c.; 
 for coal, eastern cities. Minerals : A* large and fine seam of 
 Gas Coal, and other workable seams ; good Limestone for agri 
 cultural and building purposes ; good Sandstones for building ; 
 good Potter s Clay, manufactured at Palatine ; Clay near Pal- 
 tine suitable for Potter s slip; excellent Tin Clay, mined and 
 manufactured at Nuzum s Mills, by the Glade Tin Brick 
 Company. The following coal mines are in operation : The 
 Gaston mines of the Fairmont Gas Coal Company, the West 
 Fairmont mines, of the West Fairmont Gas Coal Company ; 
 the Palatine mines, of the O DonnelTs : the Central mines, of 
 O. Jackson. Manufactories: These have not been fully 
 reported, and we cannot give thetn in any detail. There are 
 ten cigar factories in the county, making 242,100 cigars in 
 1875; a pottery in Palatine; a fine Jbrick manufactory at 
 Nuzum s Mills ; at Fairmont. Palatine and other point- , there 
 are 9 strain Flouring mills, most of them have saw attach 
 ments ; 9 Water mills ; Furniture shops ; a Foundry and Ma 
 chine shops; Agricultural Machine manufactory, etc.; Flour 
 ing mills, &c., etc-; at Valley Falls, is a Sa.v^ mill and Shook 
 factory; at, Farmington, Flour and Grist mills, a Tannery, 
 &c.; at Mannington, a good deal of lumber and shooks are ship 
 ped ; there are here Flouring, Grist, and Saw mills, a Planing 
 mill, a Wagon Factory, a Foundry, &c,, &c. Principal streams 
 are, the West Fork, Tygart s Valley, and Monongahela, all 
 navigable for timber rafts and batteaux in full stages. Good 
 sized steamers have several times been up as high as Fair. 
 mont in very high stages of water. The present lines of 
 transportation are, the Baltimore and Ohio railroad and 
 turnpike roads; in contemplation, are the improvement of 
 the Monongahela river, the Northern and Southern West 
 
390 RESOURCES OF WEST VIRGINIA. 
 
 Virginia railroad. The Fairmont Normal school is at Fair 
 mont. Public schools, 94 , Churches, 37 ; Postoffices, 21. 
 Population, 12,107. Value ot taxable property, $4,169,099.06. 
 County seat, Fairmont, a thriving town on the Monongahela 
 river. Newspapers, fairmont Index, Fairmont West Virginian, 
 Mannington Ventilator, and Golden Rale. 
 
 MAKSHALL COUNTY. 
 
 The topography of this county is much like that of Ohio 
 county. The amount of bottom land along the Ohio river and 
 Grave creek is considerable, and of excellent character. The 
 hills are high, but not r6cky, and the slopes are not too steep 
 for grazing and cultivation; they have narrow valleys be 
 tween The soil is very fertile, being calcareous clay loam, or 
 sandy loam. The depth on the hills is 7 to 8 inches, and on 
 the levels 1 to many feet. The crops adapted to the lands are 
 Corn, Oats, Wheat, Barley, and especially Grass. The hills 
 and levels produce about alike. Corn produces 40 to 70 bushels; 
 Oats, 30 to 40 bushels; Wheat, 6 to 15 bushels. No manures 
 are used for these yields. Agricultural improved land is worth 
 $50 to $300 per acre; Mineral land (Coal) 81,000 to $1,500; 
 Timber land, $35 to $40. Timber is worth 82 per cord, stump- 
 age, and $4 per cord at the mill. Principal industries : Farm 
 ing, Stock raising and Manufacturing. Principal exports: 
 Stock, such as Hogs, Sheep, and Cattle, also, Grain. Markets 
 for Stock, the East; for Grain and general produce. Wheeling, 
 also, for Timber. Minerals: Coal, in good seams above water 
 level; Limestone for agricultural and building purposes, etc., 
 are found ; a Sandstone for building is obtained ; Coal is min 
 ed at Moundsville and up the river for consumption in the 
 vicinity. Manufactories : Two Rolling Mills, Cigar Factories 
 making 454,000 cigars, 1 Blast Furnace, Saw Mill at Bellton 
 and Moundsville, Flouring Mills, Saddlery, Wagon Manufac 
 tories, Brick Yards, &c., &c. W r e may state here, that the re 
 ports made to us of the manufactories in the several counties, 
 are very imperfect, and our lists cannot pretend to be com 
 plete. The principal stream is the Ohio river. Means of 
 transportation are the Ohio river and the Bait. & Ohio R. R. 
 Contemplated: The Pittsburgh, Wheeling & Kentucky R. R. 
 The State Penitentiary is at Moundsville. Public Schools, 88; 
 Churches, 13 ; Posi-Offices, 21. Population, 14,941. Value of 
 
RESOURCES OF WEST VIRGINIA. 391 
 
 taxable property is 84,363,713 35. County seat, Moundsville, 
 a considerable village. Newspapers, Moundsville National, 
 Moundsville Reporter, and New State Gazette. 
 
 MASON" COUNTY. 
 
 The surface of this county is gently rolling and hilly, with 
 much flat land along the Ohio and Great Kanawha. The hills 
 are low and gently sloping, comparatively epeaking, and the 
 valleys are wide. The Ohio skirts the county for 50 miles, 
 and the Kanawha passes through its center. The county has 
 75,000 acres of river bottoms. The soil on the flats is a rich 
 loam very deep. Clay loams, clays, and calcareous loams, are 
 found on the hills. More than half of the land is in cultiva 
 tion, and the rest contains a great deal of fine heavy timber. 
 The levels have a soil from one to many feet deep, while on the 
 hills it is from 8 to 12 inches. The crops raised are Corn, 
 Wheat, Oats, Rye, and the Grasses, which do finely. The yields 
 on the bottoms are Wheat, 15 to 20 bushels; Corn, 40 to 50; 
 Oats, 30 to 40; Rye, 30. On the uplands, Corn yields about 30 
 to 35 bushels; Wheat, 10; Oats, 25 to 30, etc. No manures used 
 for these yields. Corn has been produced on the flats, at the 
 rate of 106 bushels in a 30 acre field. The Mason County 
 Agricultural and Mechanical Association holds an annual Fair 
 at Point Pleasant. Value of premiums distributed, $1,000. 
 The bottom lands sell for $80 to $100 per acre; the uplands 
 for from $5 to $20 ; mineral land (coal), $200 DO $400; timber, 
 stumpage, is worth $1 per tree; at the mill, $10. The princi 
 pal industries are farming, stock raising, lumbering, salt man 
 ufacturing, mining, etc. Mason pays a good deal oi attention 
 to stock and the introduction of improved breeds, for the rais 
 ing of which its fine grass lands afford many advantages. 
 The principal exports are Coal, 5,000,000 bushels ; salt, 2,500,- 
 000 bushel; Wheat, Cattle, Bromine, Nails, Glass, Wool, Hogs, 
 Lumber, etc. Markets: The agricultural products arid stock, 
 go to eastern cities ; others down the river. Minerals: Coal, 
 in a searn from 5 to 6 feet, is exposed above water level for 7 
 miles in the northern edge of the county. Salt water is fur 
 nished from wells 1,000 to 1,200 feet deep, in the northern 
 part of the county. Clay, for tile making, is found and 
 worked. Sandstone of good quality abounds in the county. 
 Mines : Coal is mined at nine different openings from Camden 
 
392 RESOURCES OF WEST VIRGINIA. 
 
 to New Haven City. They send 5,000,000 bushels down the 
 Ohio, and use half that amount in making salt. [I. W. C. 
 Davis.] This is soft bituminous coal. Manufactories: Mason 
 county has one brewery, making 126 barrels of beer per annum. 
 Salt is manufactured by 11 companies, with 13 furnaces. 
 These, with the coal -mines, and other manufactories, make a 
 continuous village along the Ohio for six miles. There are 
 bromine works at Clifton, Mason City, and Valley City, and 
 two at Hartford City. One nail factory and rolling mill, of 
 large size, at Clifton, 2 glass factories at Mason City, 2 stove 
 factories at Hartford City; also 2 steam saw mills at Mason 
 City, 1 steam saw mill and 1 keg factory at Clifton, 1 tile fac 
 tory opposite Point Pleasant, I flour, 1 lumber and planing 
 mill at Point Pleasant, 1 Hour mill at New Haven City, 3 saw 
 mills along the Ohio above Point Pleasant, and 1 floating 
 dock at that place. Principal streams: The Ohio and Kana- 
 wha, both navigable for large steamers. Present means of 
 transportation: The Ohio and Kanawha rivers. Improve 
 ments contemplated : The improvement of the navigation of 
 the Kanawha, the Washington and Ohio Railroad, the W., C. 
 & St. L. Narrow Gauge Railroad, the Pittsburgh, Wheeling 
 and Kentucky Railroad, Hartford, Mason and Clifton Rail 
 road. Public schools, 96. Churches, 29. Postoflices, 22. Pop- 
 ulatim, 15,978. Value of taxable property, $6,207,710.49. 
 County seat, Point Pleasant. Newspapers: The Weekly Regis 
 ter, The Mason County Journal, both weekly. 
 
 M DO WELL COUNTY. 
 
 McDowell is a hilly and mountainous county, much of it 
 broken and rough. Most of the land is in the original foreat, 
 aud very little cultivation is carried on, except in patches. 
 The land is generally held in large tracts. The county is very 
 inaccessible, as may be gathered from the fact that not a sin 
 gle answer has been obtained to fifty circulars sent into it, ask 
 ing for information. In consequence of this, we cannot give 
 any detailed account of it. The topography, soil, industries, 
 etc., are like those of Wyoming, except that the land is rougher, 
 and less cultivated. The soil is naturally fertile, the winters 
 mild, and the timber very fine. There are no public improve 
 ments, and no means of transportation, except down the Big 
 Sandy and rough roads. The improved land is worth $5 to 
 
RESOURCES OF WEST VIRGINIA. 393 
 
 810 per acre, and the unimproved wild lands, in large tracts, 
 50 cents to 61. The crops, industries, and exports are the 
 same as those of Wyoming and Logan. Good coal, in work 
 able seams, exists. Public schools, 14. Churches, 8. Post- 
 offices, 4. Value of taxable property, $303,878.43. Popula 
 tion, 1,952. County seat, Perrysville. 
 
 MEKCEB COUNTY. 
 
 This county is flanked on the east by the East River 
 mountains, and on the west by the Flat-Top mountains. It 
 consists chiefly of hilly or rolling plateau land, with some 
 mountains. The soil is fertile, being a clay, sandy loam, and 
 calcareous loam. The soil on the hills is 6 to 8 inches deep, 
 but thinner near the mountains ; on the levels, 10 to 12 
 inches and more. The crops raised are, Corn, Oats, Wheat, 
 Tobacco, and Grass, for which latter much of the soil is espe 
 cially adapted, making this essentially a grazing country 
 The yields on the levels are, Corn, 30 to 40 bushels ; Wheat, 15 
 to 20 bushels ; Oats, 40 to 50 bushels ; Tobacco, 1,200 pounds; on 
 the hills, Corn, 15 to 25 bushels; Wheat, 7 to 9 bushels ; Oats, 
 20 to 30 bushels ; Tobacco, 900 pounds. These are without 
 manures. The agricultural land is worth from $8 to $50 per 
 acre; timber land, from $2 to $5, and mineral land (coal and 
 iron), the same. Timber is worth, stumpage, 25 cents per 
 tree, and at the mills, $10 to $12.50 per 1,000 feet. The prin 
 cipal industries are, stock-raising and farming. Principal 
 exports, stock, wheat, and tobacco. Markets for tobacco and 
 grain, Richmond, Virginia; for stock, Baltimore and Phila 
 delphia. Minerals, good Coal (ordinary bituminous), in work 
 able seams above water level ; abundance of Limestone, suit 
 able for building and agricultural purposes ; good Potters 
 Clay is obtained and worked ; large deposits of good brown 
 haematite are found. The manufactories are not definitely 
 reported ; one Pottery exists on "East river, making crockery 
 and pipes, and one or more woolen factories are in the county. 
 The principal streams are Blue Stone and New rivers. The 
 former is navigable for canoes, and the latter for batteaux and 
 canoes. Present means of transportation, are by these rivers 
 and the county roads. Contemplated improvements, improve 
 ment of the navigation of New river, the New- River railroad, 
 Blue Stone Mining railroad. The Mercer county Normal 
 50 
 
394 RESOURCES OF WEST VIRGINIA. 
 
 school is at Concord. Public schools, 38; Churches, 11; 
 Postoffices, 12. Population, 7,064. Value of taxable property, 
 $660,895.06. County seat, Princeton. 
 
 MINERAL COUNTY, 
 
 Mineral county is mountainous, with long valleys along the 
 streams. What was said of the soil, products, &c., etc., of 
 Grant and Hampshire counties applies to Mineral, with the 
 important exception that .this county has a large amount of 
 fine Coal and not so much Iron. The soil along the broad 
 bottoms is extremely fertile, and brings fine Grass and Grain 
 crops. The soil on the hills and mountains is sandy and san 
 dy loam. Depth on highlands, to 10 inches ; on the bot 
 toms many feet. Crops : Corn, Wheat, Oats, Rye, Grass. In 
 the bottoms, Corn yields 30 to 50 bushels ; Wheat, 10 to 15 
 bushels ; Rye, 10 to 15 bushels ; Oats, 25 to 35 bushels. On the 
 hills, Corn, 20 bushels; Wheat, 8 bushels; Oats, 10 to 15 
 bushels; Rye, 10 bushels; Buckwheat, 20 bushels. Value of 
 land, (agricultural, bottom), S20, to $100; uplands, $5 to $20; 
 Timber land SI to $5 ; Mineral lands, $50 to $150, per acre. 
 Timber is worth, stumpage, $1,25 to $3 per 1,000; at the mills, 
 sawed $15 per 1,000. The principal industries are Farming, 
 Grazing, and Coal mining. Principal exports : Cattle, Tim 
 ber, Coal; Timber is sold to Bait. & Ohio R. R. and eastern 
 cities ; Cattle goes to Baltimore and eastern cities ; Coal goes 
 east for steam making. Minerals : Soft Bituminous, in large 
 workable beds. Knobby mountain contains an abundance of 
 Limestone, good for agricutural and building purposes ; good 
 Sandstone for building purposes exists. The Virginia Coal 
 Company, and the Baltimore and Hampshire Coal Company, 
 are mining and shipping it from this county. The Manufac 
 tories have not been reported from this county. The Bait. 
 & Ohio R. R. Machine Shops are located at New Creek or Key- 
 ser City, as it is now called. The principal streams are the 
 North Branch of the Potomac and Patterson s creek, both navi 
 gable for small boats and timber rafts in high water. The pre 
 sent means of transportation are the Ches. & Obio Canal, and 
 the Bait. & Ohio R. R. and county roads. Contemplated : The 
 improvement of the North Branch of the Potomac; The Cum 
 berland, Moorefield <fc Broadway R. R. ; North Branch R. R. 
 Public Schools, 28 ; Churches, 21 ; Post-Offices, 9. Population, 
 
RESOURCES OF WEST VIRGINIA. 395 
 
 6,332 ; Value of taxable property, $2,463,434 96. County Seat, 
 Keyser. Newspapers: West Virginia Tribune, and The Piedmont 
 Independent, both weekly. 
 
 MONONGALIA COUNTY. 
 
 The surface is very hilly, with many of the hills quite high, 
 but none too steep for grazing and agricultural purposes. 
 Many of the hills have broad tops, on which a good deal un 
 dulating land is afforded. Laurel hill on the east rises into 
 a low range of mountains. The soil is a loam, varying from 
 sandy to clayey, with some calcareous lands. All is naturally 
 productive and well suited for grass. The depth on the hills 
 is from 6 to 15 inches, deepest on the northwest sides; on the 
 levels, from 1 to several feet. The. crops are Corn, Oats, 
 Wheat, and Grass. There is not much difference in the pro 
 duct of the hills and levels. Average yields are, Corn, 30 to 
 40 bushels ; Oats, 25 to 35 bushels ; Wheat, when succeeding, 
 10 to I2[bushels; Potatoes, 75 to 150 bushels. The Mononga- 
 hela Agricultural and Mechanical Association holds an an 
 nual Fair at Morgantown, where about 81,400 in premiums 
 are distributed. Value of land (Agricultural), from $10 to 
 $75 ; no Mineral or Timber land is sold as such. Timber is 
 worth, stumpage, 3 to 4 cents per cubic foot, and sawed lum 
 ber at the mills, $1,50 per hundred. The principal industries 
 are Farming and Stock raising. Principal exports, Farm 
 Produce, Stock, and some White Oak Timber. The market 
 for Timber is Pittsburgh and down the river : for Stock, Bal 
 timore; for Farm Products, Pittsburgh. Minerals : Good Coal 
 in numerous workable beds above water level, all common 
 bituminous ; Limestone in large amounts, in the east, of fine 
 quality for agricultural and building purposes ; large amounts 
 along the river; Iron Ore in workable quantities; excellent 
 Sandstone for building ; good Glass Sand ; good Fire Clay, from 
 which bricks have been made ^Manufacturers : One Cigar 
 Factory, making 71,600 cigars : Carriage Factory and Planing 
 Mill at Morgantown ; Cabinet and Furniture Factory, and 
 several large Steam Saw and Grist Mills. The principal 
 streams are the Monongahela and Cheat rivers ; the latter 
 navigable for small boats, and the former for steamers on full 
 water. Present means of transportation : The Monongahela 
 river and dirt pikes. Contemplated and in progress: The 
 
396 RESOURCES OF WEST VIRGINIA. 
 
 improvement of the Monongahela by locks and dams, also, 
 the Northern and Southern West Va. R. R. Public institu 
 tions : West Virginia University at Morgantown, Schools 
 etc. ; The Morgantown Female Seminary, and 79 Public 
 Schools; Churches, 39; Post-Offices, 27. Population, 13,547. 
 Value of taxable property, $4,597,207. County seat, Morgan- 
 town. Newspapers, Morgantoivn Post and The New Dominion, 
 both weekly, at Morgantown. 
 
 MONROE COUNTY. 
 
 What was said of the topography, soil, products, ect., etc., of 
 Greenbrier, applies, in great part, to Monroe. The surface is 
 hilly and undulating, rising suddenly at some points into 
 pretty high mountains. The soil is loam, clay, and calcareous 
 clayey loam, producing fine farming and grazing lands. Depth 
 on hills, 4 to 10 inches ; on levels, 12 to 18 inches. Crops are 
 Corn, Oats, Wheat, Grass, and Tobacco. Corn yields on the 
 level lands, 30 to 40 bushels; Wheat, 15 ; Oats, 25 to 30. On 
 the hills : Corn, 10 to 15 ; Wheat, 8 to 10; Oats, 15. Value of 
 the land, which is mainly agricultural, 810 to $50; timber 
 land, $5 to $20. Value of the timber, stumpage, 50 cents per 
 tree; at the mill, $8 to $15. Principal industries: Farming 
 and grazing. Principal exports : Stock of all kinds, and farm 
 produce, tobacco, etc. Markets for grain and tobacco, Rich 
 mond; for stock, Baltimore. Minerals: Iron in workable 
 quantities (brown haematite). Limestone in abundance, for 
 building and agricultural purposes. Several celebrated min 
 eral springs exist in this county, viz : " The Red Sweet," u Salt 
 Sulphur," etc. The manufactories are not reported. One cigar 
 factory is worked, making 3,000 cigars. Principal streams, 
 New and Greenbrier rivers. Present means of transportation, 
 Chesapeake and Ohio Railroad, and turnpike roads. Contem 
 plated: The New River Railroad, the improvement of New 
 river, and the extension of the James River and Kanawha 
 Canal. Schools: 1 high school, 1 female seminary, and 69 
 public sehools. Churches, 32. Postoifices, 15. Population, 
 11,123. Value of taxable property, $2,891^953.20. County 
 seat, Union. Newspapers : Border Watchman and Monroe Reg 
 ister -, both weekly. 
 
 MORGAN COUNTY. 
 
 Morgan county is a mountainous one, with numerous rocky 
 
RESOURCES OF WEST VIRGINIA. 397 
 
 ridges, many of which are too steep, and the soil too thin, for 
 ordinary cultivation. There is some fine bottom land along 
 the Potomac, and good farming land along the Great Cacapon 
 and Sleepy creek. The soil is loam and sandy, from to 4 
 inches on the highlands, and 4 to 8 inches on the levels. The 
 crops are Wheat, Corn, Oats, Tobacco, and Buckwheat. The 
 yields on the cultivated lands, which are mainly the levels, 
 are: Corn, 15 to 25 bushels ; Oats, 10 to 20 bushels; Buch- 
 wheat, 15 to 30 bushels ; Wheat, 8 to 15. The value of agri 
 cultural land is from $4 to 820; of timber land, on an average, 
 $3 to $4. Price of timber, stumpage, $1 per tree ; of lumber 
 sawed at the mills, $10 per 1,000 feet. The principal industries 
 are farming and lumbering. The principal exports are forest 
 products, such as crossties, shingles, staves, hoop- poles, straps, 
 tanbark and sawed lumber, mainly Yellow Pine. The mar 
 kets are the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad, and eastern cities. 
 Minerals : Iron ore of fair quality on Sandy Ridge. Large 
 deposits of white sand on Sandy Ridge, now used by a Phila 
 delphia company. Some potters clay, which was formerly 
 worked, at Hancock Station. The Berkely Mineral Springs 
 have long been celebrated, and much resorted to. Manufac 
 tures, etc: 2 large tanneries, 1 small woolen factory, 1 broom 
 factory, 4 steam saw mills, and 14 grist and saw mills moved 
 by water. The principal streams are the Potomac, Sleepy 
 creek, and Great Cacapon, all navigable for rafts and canoes, 4 
 months in the year. Present means of transportation: Balti 
 more and Ohio Railroad, and Chesapeake and Ohio Canal. 
 Contemplated : Improvement of the navigation of the Great 
 Cacapon, the Potomac and Ohio Railroad, the West Virginia 
 Railroad. Public schools, 25. Churches, 14. Postofnces, 11. 
 Populat : on, 4,315. Value of taxable property, $1,082,354.80. 
 County seat, Berkeley Springs. Newspaper, Morgan Mercury. 
 
 NICHOLAS COUNTY. 
 
 The surface is hilly, mountainous, and plateau, or glade. The 
 soil is generally good. Much of it is held in large tracts, and 
 is unimproved, or in the original forest. The soil is loam, sandy, 
 and sandy loam ; depth on hills, 4 to 8 inches ; on the bottoms, 
 8 to 20 inches. Crops raised are Corn, Oats, Wheat, Rye, 
 - Irish and Sweet Potatoes. Corn brings on the levels 30 to 40 
 bushels; Wheat, 10 to 12 bushels ; Rye, 15 to 20 bushels; Po- 
 
398 RESOURCES OF WEST VIRGINIA. 
 
 tatoes, 100 to 150. On the hills : Corn, 15 to 25 bushels ; Wheat, 
 8 to 10 bushels; Rye-, 10 to 15 bushels; Potatoes, 50 to 75 bush 
 els. The unimproved land is worth from SI to $3 per acre, 
 and the improved, $5 to $15. Timber is worth, stumpage, 
 about $1 per tree; at the mill, $7.50 to $12. Principal exports, 
 farming, grazing, and lumbering. For want of means of trans 
 portation, but little is sent out of the county, and this is mainly 
 timber and stock. Market for stock, Baltimore ; for timber, 
 mouth of Gauley, where it is sawed up. Minerals : Coal ; 
 bituminous (ordinary), splint and cannel, in workable seams 
 above water level. Good sandstone for building ; also, mill 
 stone and grindstone grits. Brine has been found in the 
 county. Principal stream, Gauley, navigable for rafts and 
 single logs, on full tides. Present means of transportation, 
 county roads. Contemplated improvements : Improvement 
 of the navigation of the Gauley, Gauley River railroad. Pub 
 lic schools, 49. Churches, 11. PostofFices, 8. Population, 4,- 
 458. Value of taxable property, $990,847. County seat, Sum- 
 mersville. 
 
 OHIO COUNTY. 
 
 This county is very hilly, many of the hills being quite 
 high, but they are fertile, and may be cultivated to their sum 
 mits. It has a large amount of splendid bottom land on the 
 Ohio and the creeks. The soil is excellent everywhere, and 
 is mainly well cultivated. The soils of the bottoms are san 
 dy loams, of the uplands, clay and sandy loams, usually like 
 the other counties of the Panhandle, with a large amount of 
 calcareous matter. On the levels the soil is from 12 inches to 
 many feet deep on the hills from 5 to 7 inches, being deeper 
 and better on the north fides. All the cereals and root crops, 
 grow well, and grass nourishes. The yields on the hills and 
 bottoms are nearly alike ; Grass produces 2 to 3 tons of Hay ; 
 Corn, 60 to 75 bushels ; .Oats, 40 to 50 ; Wheat, 15 to 20 ; Rye, 
 20 to 30 ; Potatoes, 100 to 200 bushels. No manures are used. 
 Grapes do well, and in good seasons, produce as much as 1,000 
 gallons of wine per acre. Value of agricultural land, from 
 $50 to $100 per acre. Good land can be rented for from $5 to 
 sK) per acre per annum. The principal industries are farm 
 ing grazing, mining coal, and manufacturing. Principal 
 ox ports, farm products, stock, wool, and manufactured arti- 
 
RESOURCES OF WEST VIRGINIA. 399 
 
 cles. Markets for produce, stock, wool, &c., Wheeling, Pitts 
 burgh, and eastern cities. The minerals are coal, in large 
 quantities, limestone for agricultural purposes and hydraulic 
 cement. The principal river is the Ohio, which is naviga 
 ble for steamers during the greater part of the year. The 
 means of transportation are the Ohio river, the Baltimore and 
 Ohio railroad, Pittsburgh, Baltimore and Wheeling railroad ; 
 contemplated railroads are the Pittsburgh, Wheeling and 
 Kentucky railroad, partly completed from Steubenville to 
 Wheeling. Public institutions, State Capitol, Custom House, 
 Branch of the State Normal School. Schools, &c., are, Cath 
 olic Female Seminary, Commercial College, and 33 Public 
 Schools; Postoffices, 8; Churches, 36. Population, 40,831. 
 Value of taxable property, 815,104,740.00. Newspapers, 
 Standard, daily and weekly ; Intelligencer, daily and weekly ; 
 Register, daily, tri-weekly and weekly; Sunday Leader, weekly; 
 Arbiter Freund, German, weekly ; The Medical Student, 
 monthly, all published at the county seat, Wheeling, which 
 is the principal city of the county and State, being the State 
 Capital. 
 
 THE CITY OF WHEELING. 
 
 This is both the principal town and Capital of the State. 
 Its population, according to the latest data, is a little over 
 30,000. Its principal industry is manufacturing, and in 
 this it is surpassed by few, if any, cities of its size in the 
 Union. For the purpose of manufacturing, and bringing the 
 completed articles to market with smallcost, it has unexcep 
 tionable advantages. 
 
 A large seam of good coal crops out in the hills around, and 
 almost overhangs the furnaces consuming it. The Ohio river 
 and Wheeling creek, furnish an abundance of water, while 
 the Ohio river and railroad connections give easy and cheap 
 access to all parts of the country. 
 
 Within the limits of this article we can only notice the 
 leading manufactures. These are, the production of cigars, 
 malt liquors, glass, and various manufactured forms of iron. 
 For information concerning the manufacture of tobacco and 
 liquors, we are indebted to Thos. J. Blair, Deputy Collector 
 Internal Revenue, who has kindly furnished the statistics 
 which follow. 
 
400 RESOURCES OF WEST VIRGINIA. 
 
 Manufacture of Cigars. Mr. Blair says : " The manufacture 
 of cigars in the city of Wheeling, has been quite extensive 
 for many years, to my knowledge, say 25 years, and what are 
 known as Wheeling Stogies have had a national reputation 
 for at least that period. They are made of what is known as 
 * Kentucky Leaf obacco and weigh, on an average, about 
 12 pounds to the 1,000, and were sold in the year 1875, at from 
 $10 to $12 per 1,000, the United States revenue tax being, for 
 two months of said year, $5 per 1,000, and for the remaining 
 part of the year, $6 per 1,000. 
 
 "Other cigars of finer grades, ranging in value from $15 to 
 $30, per 1,000, have also been produced to some extent, but 
 are not to be compared in numbers to the Stogie above 
 referred to. 
 
 " I believe from examination, that during the year, 1872, 
 there were more cigars manufactured in the city of Wheeling 
 than in any previous year, and also, perhaps, outside of the 
 city, and within the First District of West Virginia, viz.: 
 
 "Manufactured in the city of Wheeling, in 1872 31^)00,000 
 
 " Manufactured outside of the city of Wheeling, in 1872 5,000,000 
 
 " Making a total production of 36,000,000 
 
 "The number of cigars manufactured in the city of Wheel 
 ing during 1875, was 22,783,000, and the total sales in the 
 city were 22,765,000, while the number of cigar factories in 
 that year was 52. The number of hands employed in the 
 city in 1875, in the manufacture of cigars, was, on an aver 
 age, 260. 
 
 " The manufacture of Tobacco for the year 1875 shows a 
 falling off, as compared with previous years. The production 
 of smoking tobacco during the year 1875, was, from three 
 factories, about 38,000 pounds, taxed by the government at 
 the rate of 24 cents per pound. 
 
 Malt Liquors. The production of Ale, Beer, and Porter, in 
 the city of Wheeling, has been for many years quite large, 
 and is increasing every year, that of Beer especially. The 
 following is the number of barrels manufactured in 4876 : 
 
 " Ale and Toiler, 2 breweries, barrels 3,700 
 
 "Beer, 8 breweries, barrels 21,606 
 
 Total 25,366 
 
RESOURCES OF WEST VIRGINIA. 401 
 
 " Taxed by the government at the rate of $1 per barrel." 
 The following facts concerning the manufacture of glass, 
 
 were kindly furnished by Mr. Joseph Bell, President of the 
 
 Excelsior Glass Company : 
 
 Manufacture oj Glass in Wheeling. The first manufacture of 
 window glass in this State was undertaken in Wheeling about 
 1820. The commencement of this branch of business, and the 
 subsequent change to the manufacture of flint glass are describ 
 ed in the following extracts from a letter written by Col. Red- 
 ick McKee. He says : 
 
 " Up to 1817 or 1818, Wellsburg, then called Charlestown, 
 was the principal town in the Pan-Handle, but the approach 
 ing completion of the " National Road" caused business men 
 from other places to move into Wheeling, and changed the rel 
 ative position of the two places. However, the immigrants 
 brought, as a general thing, but little active capital, and the 
 former inhabitants, though many of them were wealthy, had 
 their money mainly locked up in lands, town lots, &c. Hence, 
 new enterprises, such as the building of factories, steam mills, 
 &c., were left to new-comers. 
 
 " About 1820 or 1821, Mr. George Carothers of Brownsville, 
 Pa., came to Wheeling and proposed the building of a Win 
 dow Glass Factory. Aided by Wheeling capital, he erected 
 the necessary buildings for an eight-pot furnace, annealing 
 ovens, &c. Owing to accidents the first attempt at glass mak 
 ing in this furnace failed, and the works were finally bought 
 by Knox <fe McKee, who employed Carothers as superinten 
 dent, and in the latter part of 1821, or early in 1822, com 
 menced successfully the manufacture of cylinder glass, packing 
 mainly in half boxes (50 feet), with the brand, " Virginia 
 Works, Knox & McKee, Wheeling." 
 
 "We," says Col. McKee, "continued the business satisfactorily 
 for several years, turning out, I think, annually, some 3,000 
 or 4,000 boxes of all sizes, from 6x8 to 14x20, together 
 with large quantities of green hollow-ware ; gallon, half gal 
 lon, and quart bottles ; oil and porter bottles ; and pint bottles 
 innumerable. Our 6x8 and 7x9 glass was sent to Boston ; for 
 other sizes the west and south furnished a market. Our No. 
 1 glass was in high repute, and bore transportation to distant 
 points, even going to the trading posts in New Mexico. 
 51 
 
402 RESOURCES OF WEST VIRGINIA. 
 
 lt As factories multipled, and blowers became more numer 
 ous and skillful, prices declined, and finally ceased to pay. 
 We followed them down from $12 to $3,50, and then changed 
 the concern into a White Flint Hollow-Ware Factory, under 
 the firm of Wheat, Price & Co." 
 
 The glass works spoken of above by Col. McKee, occupied 
 the square on which now stands the Fourth Ward School 
 House. 
 
 " In 1829 a Flint Glass House was erected in Wheeling by 
 John and Craig Ritchie, located on the side of the hill, east of 
 the Second Ward Market House. This establishment was 
 operated for several years with great activity and success, and 
 had a wide spread reputation for the manufacture of fine cut 
 glass-ware. 
 
 " This success, and the unrivalled advantages for procur 
 ing cheap fuel at Wheeling, encouraged other firms to embark 
 in the business, and in 1835 the Messrs. Sweeney put a large 
 Flint Glass Works into operation, in the northern part of 
 the town, which was followed in the course of the next few 
 years, by the erection of another large establishment at the 
 extreme south end, built by Plunkett & Miller. The estab 
 lishment built by the Messrs. Sweeney,was operated actively for 
 more than 35 years, in Wheeling, until, in the changes of 
 business, its proprietors found it to their advantage to move 
 it across the river, where it is now known as the Excelsior 
 Glass Works. " These works, though on the Ohio side, are 
 operated by Wheeling capital, and have the company incor 
 porated under the laws of West Virginia. Hence, as it is in 
 fact a Wheeling enterprise, it should be mentioned here. Mr. 
 J. Bell, the President of the company, has kindly furnished 
 us with the following statistics : 
 
 " The goods manufactured are known as crystal glassware 
 made up into table, lamp, and bar goods, such as goblets 
 tumblers, pitchers, bowls, dishes, beer glasses, lamps^ lamp- 
 chimneys, &c. About 150 persons are employed, of whom 10 
 to 15 are females. The annual product is about $115,000." 
 
 Returning to the establishments within the limits of the 
 city of Wheeling, we quote still further from Mr. Bell s 
 description of them : 
 
 " The works built at the south end of the city by Plunkett 
 
RESOURCES OF WEST VIRGINIA. 403 
 
 & Miller, are now owned and operated by Hobbs, Brockunier 
 & Co. The establishment has grown to be one of the most 
 extensive in the country, and its products deservedly have a 
 national reputation for excellence of quality. 
 
 " Another extensive and noted establishment located in the 
 city of Wheeling, is known as the Central Glass Works, 7 
 making flint glassware. This has been in existence about 
 fourteen years. It commenced with one small furnace, and 
 now has three large furnaces, producing large quantities of 
 common and fine cut glassware, and enjoys a reputation 
 equal to any in the country. 
 
 " The increase in the number of establishments does not 
 fully represent the growth of glass production in Wheeling, 
 for it is safe to say that any one of the works now operating 
 makes ten times the quantity produced by any one running in 
 Wheeling forty years ago. The improvement in quality, and 
 the cheapening of the cost of production have been equally 
 marked. Articles of great beauty of design, excellence of 
 finish, and unsurpassed in purity of metal, are of every day 
 manufacture, and are sold at prices so low as to excite sur 
 prise. It is safe to say that nowhere is glassware of equal 
 quality made more cheaply than in Wheeling." 
 
 IRON INTERESTS OF WHEELING. 
 BY A. W. CAMPBELL, ESQ. 
 
 Wheeling is chiefly known as the centre of a large iron 
 industry, particularly for Cut Nails. The city and vicinity 
 constitute the largest Nail market in the world. The growth 
 of this business, as indeed of all the manufactures of Wheel 
 ing, is due to the abundance of cheap fuel (stone coal) in the 
 hills around the city, and to the facilities for reaching all the 
 markets of the country, either by rail or water, at low rates 
 for freight. 
 
 The iron out of which these nails is made is produced on 
 the spot, mostly from mixtures of Missouri and Lake Supe 
 rior ores, and when made is immediately in market, without 
 cost for transportation. There are now, at Wheeling and 
 Steubenville, nine blast furnaces for the manufacture of iron, 
 as follows : On the Wheeling side of the river, the " Top 
 " furnace, the " Belmont," and the " Riverside." On the 
 
404 RESOURCES OF WEST VIRGINIA. 
 
 Ohio side, the "Bellaire" furnace, the " Benwood," the "Mingo," 
 the two "Jefferson - furnaces, and the " Stony Hollow." These 
 furnaces have mostly 16 feet boshes and 60 feet stacks. The 
 " Top Mill has an 18 foot bosh, and the Benwood a 13 foot. 
 They produce mostly Red Short " irons, such as are used for 
 Nails. At this time iron is made as low as $19 per ton, worth 
 in the market say $22, on four months time. The connec 
 tion now being made, via the Hempfield Short-line, between 
 Wheeling and Connellsville, will so reduce the price of coke 
 as to give Wheeling a further margin in its manufacture 
 of iron. 
 
 The Nail mills at Wheeling and vicinity are as follows : 
 The " Riverside " works, running 126 machines, including, 
 also, a separate Bar and Rail mill belonging to the same 
 company. Their blast furnace is three miles below their 
 mills, with which they connect by rail and water. 
 
 The "Top Mill," running 106 machines, situated in the 
 north part of the city, on the line of the Pittsburgh, Wheel 
 ing and Kentucky railroad a new road not yet completed. 
 Their blast furnace immediately adjoins their mill, and iron 
 can be handled at a minimum cost through all its processes. 
 
 The "Belmont Nail Works," situated in Center Wheeling, 
 running 110 machines. This mill has turned out as high as 
 8,155 kegs of nails in one week, on an extraordinary run. Its 
 blast furnace immediately adjoins the mill. It has also a large 
 cooper shop, whereat all its kegs are made. 
 
 The La Belle Nail Works, running 85 machines, but is one 
 of two mills owned by the same company. The other is the 
 Jefferson, situated at Steubsnville, and it also runs 85 ma 
 chines, and has two blast furnaces. Together they form a 
 large and wealthy company, which was originally started as a 
 practical workingmen s organization. 
 
 The Benwood Nail Works, running 112 machines, four miles 
 below the city. The company owns some 80 tenement houses, 
 and has built up the suburb of " Benwood." The Mill has a 
 cooper establishment connected with it. Its blast furnace is 
 on the opposite side of the river, in the suburb of Martin s 
 Ferry. 
 
 The Bellaire Nail Works, situated immediately opposite 
 Benwood, on the Ohio side, runs 100 machines, and has a blast 
 
RESOURCES OF WEST VIRGINIA. 405 
 
 furnace on its premises. Is a large and valuable property. 
 
 The Ohio Ci5y Nail Works, situated in the suburb of Mar 
 tin s Ferry, a town lying opposite the north end of the city 
 of Wheeling. This is a new mill, and only runs 50 machines. 
 On a double turn it can produce 2,500 kegs of Nails per week. 
 
 During the years 1871, 72 and 73, the mills above named, 
 except the Ohio City, produced 2,995,509 kegs of Nails. In 
 those years Wheeling manufactured about one fourth of all the 
 Nails made in the United States. 
 
 Nails can be shipped at the following low rates of freight: 
 To New Orleans, 20 cents per keg ; to St. Louis, 10 cents ; to 
 Chicago, 22 cents ; to Cincinnati, 7 cents. 
 
 The other principal iron manufactories of Wheeling and 
 vicinity, are as follows : 
 
 The Wheeling Hinge Company, now in the 12th year of its 
 existence, has steadily grown from a small affair to be a large 
 concern. It owns the patent for the Dunning hinge an arti 
 cle intended to supersede, to a certain extent, the old screw 
 and strap hinge. 
 
 The Superior Machine Works, a large concern organized for 
 the manufacture of the Superior Reaping and Mowing Ma 
 chines, and where also engines and other machinery are built. 
 
 The Centripetal Power Company Works, organized for the 
 manufacture of portable machinery for the use (principally) 
 of farmers, whereby important advantages are claimed in over 
 coming friction, and in the retention of speed and momentum. 
 
 The Crescent Rail and Sheet Mills situated on the south 
 bank of Wheeling creek connected by a bridge across said 
 creek with the 4th ward of the city, and directly opposite the 
 works of the Wheeling Hinge Co. A large concern, owned by 
 the VVhitakers, well known iron men. Is principally run 
 now on sheet iron. 
 
 The .-Etna Iron Works, situated in the suburb of ^Etnaville, 
 a new village just growing up opposite the city, midway be 
 tween Bridgeport and Martin s Ferry. Manufactures bar and 
 sheet iron, and also small rails for coal banks and light roads. 
 
 The Norway Tack Factory, situated in the 4th ward of the 
 city; started in 1865 owned by Jones, Heald & Phinney 
 manufactures all varieties of tacks and a fine, three-penny nail. 
 
 The Arlington Stove Works and Foundry of Joseph Bell fr 
 
406 RESOURCES OF WEST VIRGINIA. 
 
 Co. ; the Star Stove Works and Foundry of Benjamin Fisher ; 
 the Boiler Works of Moorehead & Son ; the Foundry, Machine 
 and Repair Works of A. J. Sweeney & Son ; the Foundry, Ma 
 chine and Repair Works of Cecil, Hobbs & Co.; the Bellaire Im 
 plement Factory ; the Stove Works and Foundry of Spence, 
 Baggs & Co., at Martin s Ferry; the Ohio Valley Machine Works 
 of L. Spence & Co., (same place,) whereat were built the engines 
 of the Belmont Blast Furnace, and where also are made Thresh 
 ers and Cleaners, and other machinery; the large Foundry of 
 Culbertson, Wiley & Co., (same place,) where was cast the 
 heavy iron work of the J^tna Mill. 
 
 The foregoing are the principal iron establishments in and 
 around Wheeling. Quite a number of them are of recent ori 
 gin, either in whole or part. Just previous to the panic of 
 1873, an important impetus had been given to the develop 
 ment of the iron business of this vicinity, growing out, as we 
 have said, of the abundance of cheap fuel and the facilities for 
 shipment. It is hoped that these advantages will, at an early 
 day, re-assert themselves, and go on, as in the years 72 and 73, 
 increasing the number of our manufactories. 
 
 Tanneries. The business of tanning has long been impor 
 tant in Wheeling. Hides and bark are obtained in the vicin 
 ity. The following data are given by one knowing the facts : 
 2 large steam tanneries and 5 small ones, employ 100 work 
 men, use yearly 4,700 cords of bark, 25,000 hides, and make 
 725,000 Ibs. of harness, sole and upper leather; the principal 
 part being harness leather, of a quality second to none in the 
 country, which is sold to all parts of the Union, from Main to 
 Wisconsin, Kansas and Texas. These tanneries also dress 8,000 
 calfskins, and 60,000 to 70,000 sheep skins a year. Large 
 numbers of saddles, harness, collars, &c., are made in the city. 
 2 glue factories make 75,000 Ibs. of glue yearly. 
 
 Lumber. This trade is extensive. 5 large steam planing 
 mills make flooring, doors, sash, boxes, &c. Steamboat build 
 ing, and the making of wagons, carriages, barrels, kegs and 
 other articles composed in whole or part of wood, deserve 
 mention. Furniture is made in several factories. 
 
 Miscellaneous. Six factories are engaged in making candy. 
 The amount made yearly, exceeds 350,000 Ibs. I woolen fac 
 tory uses from 60,000 to 80,000 Ibs. of wool, making 6,000 yards 
 of flannel a month, also knitting yarn. 2 factories make soap 
 
RESOURCES OF WEST VIRGINIA. 407 
 
 and candles. The supply of clay for brick is good, abundant, 
 and largely worked. The manufacture of flour, paper, drugs 
 and medicines, paper boxes, blank books, printed calico, gloves, 
 brushes, willow ware, shoe nails, and wrought trace chains? 
 while not as extensive as the interests before named, should 
 not be overlooked. It may be added that Wheeling manufac 
 tures enjoy the reputation of being exceedingly well made. 
 
 PENDLETON COUNTY. 
 
 Pendleton county in position, topography, and soil, belongs 
 to the South Branch group of counties, and much that was 
 said of Hampshire and Hardy may be said of it. The amount 
 of mountain land is larger, however, and the elevations are 
 greater, the surface rougher, and the amount of cultivation 
 less than in the counties to the north of it. The mountains of 
 this county form some of the highest, if not the very highest, 
 land in the State. The soils are sandy, sandy loams, clayey 
 loams, with some calcareous soil. The crops are Wheat, Corn, 
 Rye, Oats, Buckwheat, and Grass, which latter is the staple. 
 The grains are raised only for home consumption. The depth 
 of soil on the highlands is to 12 inches ; on the levels, 4 to 
 12 inches. Yields of grain on the bottom lands, are Corn, 20 
 to 50 bushels ; Wheat, 12 to 15 bushels ; Oats and Buckwheat, 
 25 to 40 bushels. On improved uplands, not much less. The 
 mountainous lands are not cultivated. Value of land : The 
 South Branch agricultural land is worth from 85 to $100 per 
 acre ; timber land is worth from $5 to $10. Timber is worth 
 on the stump, 35 to 50 cents per cord ; at the mills, $10 to 
 $12.50 per 1,000. The principal industries are farming and 
 stock raising. The principal exports, cattle, sheep, horses and 
 wool. The principal market for stock is- Baltimore. Min 
 erals : Iron, in workable quantities (brown and red hematite, 
 and fossil ore). Limestone in abundance for agricultural and 
 building purposes. Some potters clay, that has been worked 
 with success. Good limestone and sandstone for building. 
 Mineral waters : White Sulphur, Alum, and Chalybeate. One 
 woolen factory exists. Principal streams : Headwaters of the 
 South Branch of the Potomac ; these are not navigable. Pres 
 ent means of transportation, county roads. Contemplated : 
 The Cumberland, Moorefield and Broadway railroad, Potomac 
 and Ohio railroad, Shenandoah and Ohio railroad, W., C. & 
 
408 RESOURCES OF WEST VIRGINIA. 
 
 St. L. Narrow Gauge railroad. Public schools, 63. Churches, 
 13. Postoffices, 15. Value of taxable property, 81,559,435.51. 
 Population, 6,455. County seat, Franklin. Newspaper, Pen- 
 dleton New^ weekly. 
 
 PLEASANTS COUNTY. 
 
 This county is hilly, like the others along the Ohio river, 
 and has a good deal of flat land along the Ohio, and the numer 
 ous creeks which empty into it. On the bottoms, the soil is a 
 sandy loam ; on the hills, clayey loam, with some calcareous 
 land. The first Ohio bottoms have 3 feet and more of soil ; 
 the second bottom sand valleys, 1 foot and more ; the hills, 6 to 
 8 inches. Crops are Corn, Oats, Wheat, Rye, Potatoes, and 
 Grass. On the bottoms Corn yields 40 to 60 bushels; Wheat, 
 15 to 30; Oats, 20 to 30; Rye, 20. Hills yield of Com, 20 to 
 25 bushels; Wheat, 10; Oats, 15; Rye, 10. No manures used 
 for these yields. The value of the land is: Ohio bottoms, $80 
 to $100; creek bottoms, $40 to $50 ; hill land, 815 to 20; timber 
 land, $10 to 20. Timber is worth, stumpage, 2 cents per linear 
 foot ; at the mill, 10 cents per cubic foot. Principal industries, 
 farming, stock raising, and lumbering. Principal exports, 
 grain, cattle, wool, lumber, cooperage stuff, etc. Market for 
 stock, Baltimore ; for grain, lumber, etc., points down the Ohio 
 river. Minerals : Thin coal seams above water level. Some 
 good sandstone for building. Petroleum and salt water are 
 found. The petroleum is worked and exported. Several tan 
 neries, barrel and shingle factories, saw mills, etc., exist, but 
 are not definitely reported. The principal streams are the 
 Ohio river and Middle Island creek. Middle Island is naviga 
 ble for flatboats, rafts, etc., when high. Present means of trans 
 portation : The Ohio river, Baltimore and Ohio railroad, and 
 Middle Island. Contemplated : Slack water navigation for 
 Middle Island, the Pittsburgh, Wheeling and Kentucky rail 
 road. Public schools, 25. Churches, 15. Postoffices, 6. Pop 
 ulation, 3,012. Value of taxable property, $784,841. 86. County 
 seat, Saint Marys. 
 
 POCAHONTAS COUNTY. 
 
 This county has a considerable variety of surface. Much 
 of the land is in high mountains, which are rough and 
 broken. The county has a good deal of the smoothly undu 
 lating limestone land, found in Greenbrier and Monroe, 
 
RESOURCES OF WEST VIRGINIA. 409 
 
 which is of the finest character. The soils are calcareous clays, 
 or loams, or sandy loams. On the levels, the depth is 18 
 inches and more: on the hills and highlands, to 6 inches. 
 Crops are Corn, Wheat, Oats, R>e, Buckwheat, and Grass. 
 Yields on the bottoms, Corn, 35 to 40 bushels ; Wheat, 15 to 
 20; Oats, 30 to 40 ; Rye, 20 to 30; Buckwheat, 20 to 30 bush 
 els ; on the uplands, when cultivated, Corn, 20 to 25 ; Wheat, 
 8 to 10; Oats, 25 to 30; Rye, 20 to 25; Buckwheat, 30 to 40 
 bushels. No manures used with these yields. Value of best 
 agricultural land, S40 to 875 per acre; of ordinary $5 to 20; 
 of timber land, 1 to 88. Timber, stumpage, is sold by the 
 acre at 81.50 to $2 per acre ; at the saw mills lumber is worth 
 812,50 per 1,000. The principal industries are farming and 
 grazing. The principal exports are, cattle, sheep, timber, and 
 farm produce. Market for farm produce, Staunton : for cattle, 
 Baltimore and New York : timber, mainly white pine, is &ent 
 down the Greenbrier river to Ronceverte. Minerals, limestone 
 in abundance for agricultural and building purposes ; good 
 sandstone for building; also grits for grindstones and whet 
 stones ; iron ore of good quality and in workable seams. 
 Mineral waters, sulphur and chalybeate. Principal stream, 
 Greenbrier river, navigable for rafts and small boats in high 
 water. Present means of transportation, the turnpike and 
 dirt roads to the Chesapeake and Ohio railroad. Contempla 
 ted: Improvement of the Greenbrier river, the W. C. & St. L. 
 Narrow Gauge railroad, North Branch railroad, West Virginia 
 railroad. Public Schools, 35; Qhurches, 9; Postoffices, 16. 
 Population, 4,069. Value of taxable property, 81,405,462.69. 
 County seat, Huntersville. 
 
 PRESTON COUNTY. 
 
 The surface of Preston county shows a good deal of variety, 
 it being mountainous, hilly and rolling, and "glady," or with 
 a rolling plateau character. The soil varies a good deal also, 
 being sandy, sandy loam, clay loam, and calcareous loam. 
 The limestone appears in the hills, and gives the strongest 
 soil. The " glade land " has a deep, black, unctious soil, often 
 several feet deep, and sometimes needs ditching. Crops are 
 Corn, Wheat, Oats, Rye, and Buckwheat. The depth of soil 
 on the levels is 12 to 15 inches ; on the hills, 4 to 6 inches- 
 Yields of grain, Corn, 25 to 40 ; Oats, 15 to 25 ; Buckwheat, 
 
41 RESOURCES OF WEST VIRGINIA. 
 
 20 to 25 ; Rye, 12 to 15 bushels. These are on improved 
 agricultural lands. Value of land, best agricultural, $25 to 
 840; common, from $10 to $20; timber land. $5 to $10 ; min 
 eral land, $5 to $40. Value of timber, sturnpage, SI per tree ; 
 at the mills, $10 to $15 per 1,000. Principal industries, farm 
 ing, grazing and lumbering. Principal exports, stock, lum 
 ber, and coal. Markets for all these are in the eastern cities. 
 The minerals are coal (common bituminous), in several good 
 workable seams ; iron (siderite), in workable quantities ; 
 an abunance of excellent limestone, for building and agricul 
 tural purposes ; good sandstone, for building purposes ; pot 
 ters clay of good quality is found and worked. Manufactures 
 and mines, the Newburg Orrell Coal Company, and the Aus 
 tin mines, both ship a good deal of coal. Besides these, there 
 are many openings for local use.- Manufactures, tfec., are, two 
 iron furnaces, one foundry, four woolen factories, besides vari 
 ous saw and grist mills; one cigar factory, making 105,400 
 cigars ; stave factories, cvc., etc., the number and kind not 
 being definitely reported. The principal stream is Cheat, 
 navigable in its lower portion for rafts and flat boats. Pres 
 ent means of transportation, Baltimore and Ohio railroad and 
 several good turnpike roads. Contemplated improvements, 
 Iron Valley and Pennsylvania Line railroad. Public Schools, 
 110; Churches, 38; Postoffices, 30. Population, 14,555. Value 
 of taxable property, $3,106,778.00. County seat, Kingwood, 
 with about 900 inhabitants. Newspapers, Presion County 
 Jfjiiriial and Preston County Herald, both weekly. 
 
 PUTNAM COUNTY. 
 
 This county is generally hilly and rolling. It has a good 
 deal of bottom land of considerable fertility on the Kana- 
 wha and the numerous creeks. These bottoms are a mile 
 wide- on the Kanawha, and have a deep loam. On the 
 hills the soil is clay, and calcareous clayey loam, of con 
 siderable productiveness. The county is wooded over five- 
 sixths of its area. The crops are Corn, Wheat, Oats, Buck 
 wheat, and Tobacco. Yields of Corn on the bottoms are 50 to 
 -SO bushels: Wheat, 12 to 15 bushels ; Oats, 25 to 30 bushels: 
 while on the hills Corn produces 20 to 30 bushels; Wheat, 
 S to 10 The soil on the bottoms is many feet deep, and on 
 the hills 12 to^ IS indies, producing line grass and tobacco. 
 
RESOURCES OF WEST VIRGINIA. 
 
 Value of land : Kanawha bottoms bring $100, other lands from 
 $1 to $20, according to location and condition. Timber, stump- 
 age, is worth about SI per tree ; at the mills, $13. Principal 
 industries : Farming and Lumbering. Principal exports, Lum 
 ber, Cooperage Stuff, Grain, and Coal. Staves, &c , go to Eng 
 land ; Farm Produce, to Richmond and Cincinnati ; Timber, 
 in logs, and Coal are sent down the river to Cincinnati, &c. 
 Minerals: Coal of fme quality, and workable in quantity, is 
 above water level ; some good Limestone, and Sandstone suit 
 able for building occurs. Mines : Raymond Coal Co., ship- 
 ing annually from 1,300,000 to 1,400,000 bushels. ,Oak Ridge 
 Colliery ha^ just commenced operations. Manufactories, &c.: 
 A large Flour Mill at Buffalo, Flour and Saw Mill at Win- 
 field, Saw Mill at Hurricane, and at Raymond City, all driv 
 en by steam. Principal streams, Kanawha, navigable for 
 steamers ; Pocatalico, navigable for batteauxand rafts in good 
 water. Present means of transportation, Kanawha river and 
 Ches. & Ohio railroad. Contemplated : Improvement of the 
 Kanawha river, now going on, and the West Va. R. R. Public 
 Schools, 48; Churches, 14; Postofnces, 11. Population, 7,79-1. 
 Value of taxable property, $1,823,624 00. County seat, Win- 
 lield. Newspaper, Winfield Independent, weekly. 
 
 RALEIGH COUNTY. 
 
 The surface of Raleigh is hilly and mountainous, with a 
 large proportion of plateau land, covered with undulating and 
 rolling hills. The rivers cut deeply into the plane of the 
 country, and the roughest land lies in the sides of the hills 
 facing them. The soil is a loam, or sandy loam, 4 to 6 inches 
 deep on the hills, and 6 to 10 inches, or more, on the levels. 
 The hills and levels produce about alike. The crops are Corn, 
 Wheat, Oats, Buckwheat, and Potatoes. Yields are Corn, 20 
 to 40 bushels ; Oats, 20 to 25 ; Wheat, 10 ; Rye, 15 to 25 ; Pota 
 toes, 100 to 150. Price of agricultural land, $5 to $15 ; of tim 
 ber and coal lands, from $1 to $5. Timber is worth 50 cents 
 to $1 per tree, according to kind and location; at the mills, 
 $10 per 1,000. Principal industries, farming and stock rais 
 ing. Principal exports, cattle. Market: Cattle go to Balti 
 more. Manufactures, etc.: Several steam saw mills, besides 
 the usual grist and saw mills on streams. Minerals : Coal, in 
 workable seams of good quality ; iron, in workable quantities ; 
 
412 RESOURCES OF WEST VIRGINIA. 
 
 sandstone of good quality for building; good millstone grit. 
 Principal streams: New river, navigable for batteaux; Piney 
 river, for logs, in full water. Present means of transporta 
 tion : Chesapeake and Ohio railroad and county roads. Con 
 templated: The improvement of New river, and the Coal River 
 railroad. Public schools, 47. Churches, 4. Postoffices, 10. 
 Population, 3,673. Value of taxable property, $730,862.19. 
 County seat, Raleigh C. H. 
 
 RANDOLPH COUNTY. 
 
 This county is quite mountainous, with a large proportion 
 of rolling plateau, or glade land , and a good deal of fertile 
 bottom land along the streams. It has a great amount of 
 heavily timbered iorests, and a considerable proportion is 
 owned in large tracts. The bottoms are loam, and sandy loam > 
 the uplands and glades, sandy loam, and some calcareous land. 
 On the hills the depth is 3 to 10 inches ; on the bottoms, from 
 one to many feet. Crops are Corn, Wheat, Oats, Rye, Buckwheat 
 and fine Grass. Corn produces on the levels, 25 to 70 bushels; 
 Wheat, 10 to 15 ; Oats, 25 to 40. On the hills, Corn, 15 to 25 ; 
 Wheat, 8 to 10; Oats, 20 ; BucV wheat, 20. Value of improved 
 land, bottoms, $50 to $100; mountain, or glade land, $4 to $10; 
 timber land, in large tracts, Irom $1 to $2.50 per acre. Value 
 of timber, stumpage, $1 per tree. After sawing at the mills, 
 $10 to $12.50 per 1,000. Principal industries, farming and 
 stock raising. Principal exports : Stock and wool. The stock 
 goes to eastern markets. Minerals: Coal, in workable beds in 
 the western part ; limestone, suitable for building and 
 agricultural purposes; good sandstone for building. Tygart s 
 Valley is the principal stream; navigable for small boats 
 in full water. Present means of transportation: Turnpikes 
 and good county roads. Contemplated improvements : Wash 
 ington and Ohio railroad, Potomac and Ohio railroad, W., C. 
 & St. L. Narrow Gauge railroad, Shenandoah and Ohio rail 
 road, and West Va. railroad. Public schools, 70. Churches, 14. 
 Postoffices, 17. Population, 5,563. Value of taxable property, 
 $1,561,101.23. County seat, Beverly. Newspaper, Randolph 
 Enterprise, week ly . 
 
 KITCHIJEJ COUNTY. 
 
 This county is for the most part very hilly, and some of the 
 hills are quite high, rising 600 feet above their valleys. There 
 
RESOURCES OF WEST VIRGINIA. 413 
 
 are fine bottom lands along the streams. The soils are clayey 
 and sandy loams, on the levels, 12 to 18 inches deep, and on 
 the hills, 4 to 6 inches. The- crops adapted to these soils are, 
 Corn, Oats, and Grass. But little wheat is sown, and most of 
 the flour used comes from the State of Ohio. The crops aver 
 age, per acre, on the levels, Corn, 40 to 50 bushels ; Oats, 20 to 
 25 : Potatoes, 75 to 100 ; Grass, 2 tons, and 1 ton on the hills. 
 The hill crops of the grains are often as good as those on the 
 levels. No manures are used for these yields. The value of 
 the agricultural land is 810 to 820 per acre, and of the timber 
 land from 84 to 86, according to location and amount of tim 
 ber. Value of timber, stumpage, $1 per tree, and at the mills, 
 8 to 10 cents per cubic foot. Principal industries, farming, 
 grazing, lumbering, arid -oil production. Principal exports, 
 timber, lumber, cooperage stuff, on a iarge scale, stock, oil, and 
 building stone. Principal markets, Parkersburg, Cincinnati, 
 Baltimore, and eastern cities. The minerals are, petroleum, 
 building stone of fine quality, and small seams of coal above 
 water level. Manufactures, &c., stave factory at Pennsboro, 
 one at Petroleum, and four mills on the North Fork of 
 Hughes river, five mills on the South Fork, and several 
 steam and water mills in other parts of the county ; cigar fac. 
 tories making 77,000 cigars. The Baltimore and Ohio Railroad 
 Company works a large and valuable quarry of superior build 
 ing stone. The Ritchie Asphaltum mines formerly carried on. 
 extensive operations, but the deposit has now given out. The 
 principal streams are the North and South Forks of Hughes 
 river. They are navigable for rafts, ba.tteaux, and canoes, on 
 a full stage of water. The means of transportation are, Park 
 ersburg Branch of the Baltimore and Ohio jailroad, Penns 
 boro and Harris ville railroad, and county roads. Public 
 Schools, 78 ; Postoffices, 21 ; Churches, 35. Population, 9,055. 
 Value o; taxable property, SI, 981, 650.00. Newspaper, Ritchie 
 Gazette, weekly, published at Harris ville, the county seat. 
 
 KOANE COUBITY. 
 
 The surface of this county is hilly and roiling. The hills are 
 lower than those on the Kanawha river, and have broad tops, 
 with gentle slopes and valleys of considerable width between 
 them. The soil is clay, and clay loam, usually with calcare, 
 ous matter, and very fertile, The depth on the hills and 
 
414 RESOURCES OF WEST VIRGINIA. 
 
 levels is nearly the same, vi/.: 8 to 12 inches. Crops are, 
 Corn, Wheat, Oats, Tobacco and Grass. The bottoms yield, of 
 Corn, 40 to 50 bushels ; Wheat, 15 to 20 bushels ; Oats, 30 to 
 40. On the hills. Corn produces 25 to 30 ; Wheat 10 to 15 ; 
 Oats, 20 to 25. Value of agricultural land, S10 to $20; of 
 timber land 15. The timber of Roane is very fine. European 
 ship builders have agents getting out material for exportation. 
 Timber is worth 75 cents to $1 per tree, stumpage, and at the 
 mills, $10 to $14 per 1,000. Principal industries, farming 
 stock raising, and lumbering. Principal exports, cattle, 
 tobacco, forest and orchard products. Market for farm pro 
 duce, Charleston and home ; for stock, Baltimore ; for tobacco, 
 Parkersburg ; for timber, Parkersburg and points on the 
 Ohio. Minerals, coal, in a good seam above water level ; good 
 sandstone for building. The county has flouring and other 
 mills, and woolen factories, but as they have not been reported 
 we cannot say anything definitely about them. Pocatalico is 
 the principal stream, and is navigable in high water for flat- 
 boats and rafts. Present means of transportation, county 
 roads. Contemplated improvements, Washington and Ohio 
 railroad, and W. C. & St. L. Narrow Gauge railroad. Public 
 Schools, 72; Churches, 6 ; Postoffices, 16. Population, 7,232. 
 Value of taxable property, $1,022,767.00. County seat. 
 Spencer. 
 
 SUMMERS COUNTY. 
 
 This county has some high mountains and a large proportion 
 of rolling, or gently undulating plateau land. The soil is sandy 
 or loam, and clay loam, with calcareous matter in some parts. 
 On the hills it is 3 to 6 inches deep ; on the bottoms, 6 to 12. 
 The crops are Corn, Wheat, Oats, Rye, Tobacco and Grass. 
 Corn yields, on the levels, 30 to 35 bushels ; Wheat, 15 to 18; 
 Rye, 15 ; Oats, 35. On the hills, Wheat and Rye, 10 bushels ; 
 Corn and Oats, 25 ; Tobacco, 600 pounds. Value of agricul 
 tural land, from $10 to $40 per acre ; of timber land, $1 to *">. 
 Timber, stumpage, is worth 50 cents to SI per tree ; at the 
 mills, pine and poplar, are worth $15 per 1,000. Principal 
 industries, farming, lumbering and stock raising. Principal 
 exports: Stock, tobacco, and timber. Market for stock, Bal 
 timore; for tobacco, etc., Richmond and Cincinnati ; for titu- 
 bei, eastern cities. Minerals. Coal, in probably workable 
 
RESOURCES OF WEST VIRGINIA. 415 
 
 seams; sandstone, for building purposes; good limestone, for 
 building and agricultural purposes. Alum, Chalybeate and 
 Sulphur Springs. Manufactures : Hiuton lumber mills, Burk s 
 and Clark s lumber mills, 3 or more flouring mills, 1 tobacco 
 factory, producing 1,250 pounds, etc. Principal streams : New 
 and Blue Stone rivers, navigable for canoes. Present means of 
 transportation : Chesapeake and Ohio railroad. Contempla 
 ted improvements : Improvement of New river, Blue Stone 
 Mining railroad, and New River railroad. Public schools, 28. 
 Postoffices, 17. Value of taxable property, $752,711. County 
 seat, Hinton. Newspaper, Mountain Herald, weekly. 
 
 TAYLOR COUNTY 
 
 The surface of this county is very hilly, many o( the hills 
 being quite high. Laurel Hill range passes through this 
 county, but flattens out so as to be nothing more than a high 
 range of hills. The land is mostly quite fertile, and most of it 
 is arable. The soils are sandy loam, calcareous, and clay loams. 
 On the hills they are 4 to 12 inches ; on the bottoms, 6 to 15 
 inches deep. The hills are about as productive as the levels. 
 The crops are Corn, Wheat, Oats, and Grass. Corn pro 
 duces 25 to 50 bushels ; Wheat, 8 to 15 bushels ; Oats, 15 to 25 
 bushels. The Taylor County Agricultural and Mechanical 
 Society holds an annual Fair at Grafton, and distributes about 
 $3,000 in premiums. The value of the agricultural land, when 
 improved, is $20 to $60 ; of timber land, $12 to $25. For the 
 privilege of mining the 7 foot gas coal seam, without the sur 
 face land, average price $100 per acre; for the same privilege 
 for the 5 foot seam, $20; for the 4 foot seam, $10, etc. Price ol 
 timber, stumpage, good Oak and Poplar, S4 per tree ; Walnut, 
 $5; other trees, $2; at the mills, $7 per 1,000. Principal in 
 dustries : farming, stock raising, and lumbering. Principal 
 exports : horses, cattle, timber, lumber, cooperage stuff, and 
 coal. Markets : for timber, the mills in the county, where it 
 is manufactured into plank, shook s, etc., and sent east. Some 
 logs sent down the Monongahela to Pittsburgh. For stock, 
 the markets are eastern cities ; for grain and general produce, 
 the villages of the county. Minerals : abundance of good coal 
 in large seams ; iron, in workable quantities; good limestone, 
 for agricultural and building purposes ; excellent sandstones, 
 for building ; good fire clay. Mines : Coal Tyrconnell mines. 
 
RESOURCES OF WEST VIRGINIA. 
 
 Flemirigton mines, Clays ville mine-?, Pruntytown. mines ; the 
 latter two for local use. Manufactures : Webster woolen fac 
 tory, 2 steam furniture mills at Grafton, 2 steam furniture 
 mills at Fetterman, 1 steam excelsior mattress factory at Graf- 
 ton, where there are also 1 foundry and machine shop, the 
 Baltimore and Ohio repair shop?, 1 wood pump factory, 3 shook 
 factories 2 steam planing, sash and door factories, 1 cigar fac 
 tor} -, making 596,400 cigars annually. Besides these there are 
 in the county 12 steam saw mills, 6 steam flouring mills, 11 
 water grist mills, on Tygart s Valley river, and its tributaries; 
 6 tanneries. There are 6 water mills in Taylor county, on the 
 river, within a distance of 15 miles. 
 
 The principal stream is Tygart s Valley, which has, at Graf- 
 ton, a large boom. It is capable of floating rafts, and is navi 
 gable for batteaux and canoes all the year. Present means of 
 transportation ; Baltimore and Ohio railroad (main stern) and 
 Parkersburg Branch, Tygart s Valley river, and two principal 
 turnpike roads. In contemplation : Slack water of Tygart s 
 Valley river, and Buckhannon Minernl railroad. Schools: West 
 Virginia College at Flemingtori, High School at Grafton, and 46 
 public schools. Churches, 3. Postofrices, 11. Population, 9,367. 
 Value of taxable property, $4,058,763.27. County seat, Prunty- 
 town, with a population ot about 800. Newspaper, Grafton 
 Sentinel, weekly. 
 
 TTJCKEK COUNTY. 
 
 Tucker is a mountainous county, mostly in wild land. 
 There is, however, a good deal of rolling plateau country, and 
 the soil is very fertile in many places. The timber is very 
 fine in amount, size, and kinds. The soil is sandy loam, and 
 clayey loam : on the levels 3 to 12 inches deep ; on the hills 2 to 
 6 inches. Corn, Oats, Rye, and Buckwheat are the crops. Corn 
 produces 20 to 30 bushels; Oats, 20 to 25 bushels; Rye, 8 
 bushels, on the hills or plateau. On the levels or bottoms, 
 Corn produces 40 bushels : Rye 12 bushels ; Oats 25 to 30 
 bushels; Buckwheat, on levels, 30 bushels; on the hills 35 
 bushels. Value of land : Agricultural, 5 to 810 ; Wild Tim 
 ber lands in large tracts. SI to $5. Value of Timber, stump- 
 age, 81 per tree: at the mills, 6,25 to $10 per 1,000. Prin 
 cipal industry: Farming. Principal exports: but little is 
 exported from the county. A few Cattle and some Forest Pro- 
 
RESOURCES OF WEST VIRGINIA. 
 
 41? 
 
 ducts, Ginseng, &c., are sent out, and some little Lumber. The 
 markets are along the Bait. & Ohio R. R. and in eastern cities. 
 Minerals . Good Limestone for building and agricultural pur 
 poses, and sandstone for building. There are some Saw and 
 Grist Mills in the county. Principal stream, Cheat river. 
 Public Schools, 18; Churches, 9; Postoffices. 9. Population, 
 1,917. Value of taxable property, 8377,111 24. County seat, 
 Saint George. 
 
 TYLER COUNTY. 
 
 The surface of the county, back from the river and creeks 
 is hilly ; however the hills are not rough, but are arable and 
 fertile. There is a large amount of fine bottom land along the 
 Ohio river, and Middle Island and other creeks. The soil is 
 sandy loam, loam, and clayey loam, or clay, usually deep and 
 mellow. On the levels it is from one to many feet deep ; on 
 the hills 8 to 12 inches. Crops are, Corn, Wheat, Oats, Tobacco, 
 and Grass. On the bottoms, Corn yields 50 to 65 bushels; 
 Wheat, 10 to 12 bushels ; Oats, 30 to 40 bushels ; on the hills, 
 Corn brings 35 to 40 bushels ; Wheat, 8 to 10 bushels ; Oats, 25 
 to 30 bushels ; Tobacco, 800 to 1,000 pounds. Value of land : 
 Agricultural bottom lands, 840 to 6100; Upland, 820 to $30 ; 
 Timber land, 810 to 820. Value of timber, sturnpage, 3 to 4 
 cents per cubic foot ; at the mills. 5 to 10 cents per cubic foot. 
 Principal industries : Farming, Stock raising, and Lumbering. 
 Principal exports : Tobacco, Grain, Stock, Sawed Lumber, and 
 Cooperage Stuff. Markets for timber, points on the Ohio 
 river; for Tobacco, Cincinnati ; for Stock, Baltimore and Phil 
 adelphia. Minerals: Small Coal seams above water level; 
 some Iron and Limestone, and good Sandstone for building. 
 Manufactures : Two Woolen Mills, and several Saw and Grist 
 Mills, not definitely reported. The principal streams are the 
 Ohio river and Midclle Island creek ; the latter is navigable for 
 rafts and flat boats on full water. Present means of transpor 
 tation : The Ohio river and Bait. & Ohio R. R. Improvements 
 contemplated : The improvement of the navigation of Middle 
 Island creek, The Pittsburgh, Wheeling <fc Kentucky R. R. 
 Public schools, 67; Churches, 22; Postoffices, 15. Population, 
 7,832. Value of taxable property, 81,838,126. County seat, 
 Middlebourne, with a, population of about 500 inhabitants. 
 
 53 
 
RESOURCES OF WEST VIRGINIA. 
 TJPSHUR COUNTY. 
 
 This county has a very diversified surface ; a portion is rough ; 
 most of it hilly, with a good deal of undulating and table 
 land. The soil is sandy, clay, and loam ; depth on the levels, 
 8 to 10 inches ; on the hills, 4 to 6 inches. Crops, Corn, 
 Wheat, Oats, and Grass. The hills produce nearly as well as 
 the levels. Corn yields from 25 to 40 bushels ; Wheat, 5 to 15 ; 
 Oats, 20 to 30. Value of land: agricultural, 5 to 830; timber 
 land, SI to $5. Value of timber: stumpage, $1 per tree ; at the 
 river, delivered in the stream, $1 to $2 per log ; sawed at the 
 mills, $5 to 37.50 per 1,000. Principal industries: farming, 
 stock raising, and lumbering. Principal exports: stock, 
 tobacco, lumber, timber, and forest products. Cattle go to 
 eastern cities, timber to Grafton. Coal in workable seams, 
 some iron, good sandstone for building. Manufactures, mills, 
 ifcc., not reported. Principal stream, Buckhannon river, nav 
 igable for canoes. Present means of transportation, turnpike 
 and county roads. Improvements contemplated: Buckhannon 
 Mineral railroad, Shenandoah and Ohio railroad, and Washing 
 ton and Ohio railroad. Schools, &c., Buckhannon Normal Acad 
 emy, Frenchton Academy, Public Schools, 58; Churches, 31; 
 Postoffices, 15. Population, 8,023. Value of taxable property, 
 $2,353,008.54. County seat, Buckhannon. Newspaper, Buck 
 hannon Delta, weekly. 
 
 WAYNE COUNTY. 
 
 The surface of this county is hilly, the hills being compara 
 tively low on the Ohio, and rising higher back in the country. 
 There is a good deal of fine bottom land on the Ohio river 
 (the bottoms are about half a mile wide), and on the other 
 streams and creeks. These bottoms, and the sloping hills 
 near the water-courses, form all the cleared land, most of the 
 county being in forest. This county yields .some of the finest 
 timber in the State. The soil is mainly loam, very deep on the 
 levels, and lying 6 to 8 inches thick on the hills. The land 
 is usually very fertile, and produces fine Corn, Wheat, Oats, 
 Tobacco and Grass. Some acres of Ohio bottoms have pro 
 duced 110 bushels of Corn. The yields are, on the bottoms, of 
 Corn, 50 to 70 bushels ; Wheat, 10 to 15; Oats, 25 to 40; on 
 the hills, Corn, 30 to 50 bushels ; Oats, 20 to 30; Wheat, 8 to 
 10. Value of Ohio bottoms, $80 to $100; other bottom land, 
 
RESOURCES OF WEST VIRGINIA. 419 
 
 $10 to $20 ; hill mineral, and timber land, $5 to $10 per acre. 
 Value of timber, stumpage, $1 per tree ; at the mills, 8 to 10 
 cents per cubic foot. Principal industries, farming and lum 
 bering. Principal exports, grain, young cattle, tobacco, tim 
 ber. The markets for all are down the Ohio, except for the 
 young cattle, which are sold to inland counties. Minerals : 
 Wayne has abundant supplies of the finest splint, cannel, and 
 common bituminous coal, in large seams above water level ; 
 iron ore in workable quantities; fine potters clay and good 
 sandstone for building ; yellow ochre; salt water is found at 
 Warfield, Kentucky, just beyond the south corner of the 
 county ; 250 bushels of salt per day are made. Manufactures, 
 At Ceredo, two extensive saw and planing mills; steam 
 saw and grist mills at Cassville, Trout Hill, and other 
 points, along Sandy and Twelve-Pole rivers. The principal 
 streams are the Ohio. Big Sandy and Tug Fork. The two 
 latter are navigable for from 5 to 10 months of the year, by 
 steamers and heavy barges. Rafts are floated down Twelve- 
 Pole, in freshets. Present means of transportation, Ohio 
 river and Big Sandy. Improvements contemplated : Improve 
 ment of the navigation of the Big Sandy, and of Twelve- 
 Pole, the Northern and Southern West Virginia railroad, 
 Ohio River and Wayne County Mineral railroad, Pittsburgh, 
 Wheeling and Kentucky railroad, and Tug River railroad. 
 Public Schools. 66; Churches, 10; Postoffices, 18. Population, 
 7,832. Value of taxable property, $1,965,714.46. County 
 seat, Wayne C. H. Newspaper, Wayne Advocate, weekly. 
 
 WEBSTER COUNTY. 
 
 The southern portion of this county, next to Nicholas, is 
 rolling and hilly plateau land, which is also the character of 
 the northern part. The central and eastern portions, making 
 up a large part of the county, are exceedingly rocky and 
 rough, with very high mountains. Much of this land is too 
 rough for cultivation, the soil being also thin and obstructed 
 with stones. In our remarks, we will deal only with the 
 arable plateau lands. The soil is sandy and loam, from 4 to 
 6 inches deep on the hills, and on the levels 8 to 12 inches. 
 The crops are Corn, Wheat, Oats, Rye and Grass. The yields 
 on the levels and hills are about the same; Corn 25 to 35 bush 
 els; Wheat 8 to 10; Oats 25. Value of farming land, S2 to $5; 
 
420 RESOURCES OP WEST VIRGINIA. 
 
 wild lands in large tracts sell for 25 cents to SI per acre, Value 
 of timber not reported, but tfhere is no sale for it, and it is used 
 only for home consumption. The principal industry is farm 
 ing and stock raising. Principal exports: Cattle and Sheep, 
 which find their way through intermediate points to the east 
 ern cities. Minerals: thin Coal seams in the hills; Limestone 
 for agricultural and building purposes; excellent Sandstone. 
 Most of the county is covered with heavy forests, and is 
 very inaccessible. The only means of transportation is by dirt 
 road-?. The principal stream is Elk river, by which some logs 
 are floated out from the western part of the county. Contem 
 plated improvements: the West Virginia Central railroad, the 
 West Virginia railroad, and the Gauley River railroad. Pub 
 lic Schools 10; Churches, 3; Postoffices, 7; Population, 1,730: 
 value of taxable property, $543,19239; County Seat, Web 
 ster C. H. 
 
 WETZEL COUNTY. 
 
 Wetzel county has a good deal of fine bottom land along the 
 Ohio river and Fishing creek, which resembles the usual bot 
 toms along this river and its affluent creeks, being noted for 
 fertility. Most of the county is occupied by hills with nar 
 row valleys. The hills along the Ohio are quite high, and 
 rise to a very considerable height towards the western side of 
 the county, where they have narrow backs and steep slopes. 
 Though so hilly, the land is not rocky or rough usually, but 
 has a fine depth of fertile soil. However, the slopes of the 
 hillsides are too steep to render frequent ploughing advisable. 
 The soil is a loam, or sandy loam. The depth on the hills is 
 6 to 10 inches, and on the levels from one foot to many. The 
 crops are Corn, Oats, Wheat, and Potatoes. The hills produce 
 as well as the upland levels. The yields are, Corn, 40 to 50 
 bushels ; Oats, 30 to 40 , Wheat, 10 to 12 ; Potatoes, 100 to 
 150. The value of the Ohio bottoms, as usual, is from $75 to 
 $100; other arable lands, $10 to $25; timber land, $10 to $12. 
 The timber has a higher value, according to its proximity to 
 the Ohio river and the railroad. Value, stumpage, is $1 to 
 $2.50 per tree ; at the mills, $10 to $12 per 1,000. Principal 
 industries, farming, stock-raising, and lumbering. Principal 
 exports, stock, timber and lumber. Markets for stock and 
 farm produce. Baltimore and Wheeling ; for timber, <fcc., Bal- 
 
RESOURCES OF WEST VIRGINIA. 421 
 
 tiraore; Wheeling, and other points on the Ohio. Minerals, 
 coal in workable seams above water level ; good sandstone 
 for building; some limestone for agricultural and building 
 purposes. Manufactures, 3 woolen mills, and various saw 
 mills, not reported definitely. The principal streams are the 
 Ohio river and Fishing creek. Fishing creek is navigable for 
 rafts and flat boats in high water. Present means of trans 
 portation: Baltimore and Ohio railroad and Ohio river. In con 
 templation: Narrow Gauge road from New Martinsville to the 
 Forks of Fishing creek, improvement of the navigation of 
 Fishing creek, and the Pittsburgh, Wheeling and Kentucky 
 railroad. Public Schools, 61; Churches, 12 ; Postoffices, 14. 
 Population, 8,595. Value of taxable property, 81,633,764.43. 
 County seat, New Martinsville. Newspaper, Labor Vindicator, 
 weekly. 
 
 WIRT COUNTY. 
 
 This county is hilly, and in some parts rough. It has good 
 bottom lands on the rivers and creeks. The soils are clay, or 
 clay loam, 18 inches deep on the level lands, and averaging 
 8 inches on the hills, being deepest and best on the north 
 sides. The crops adapted to the soils are, Corn, Wheat, Oats, 
 Potatoes, and Tobacco. The yields are, on the bottoms, Corn, 
 80 to 40: Wheat, 15 to 20; Oats, 25 to 30; Potatoes, 100 to 
 150 bushels ; Tobacco, 1,000 to 1,200 pounds ; on the hills, 
 Corn, 30 to 35; Wheat, 10 to 15; Potatoes, 100; Tobacco, 
 1 ,2CO to 1,500 pounds. No manures are used for these crops. 
 Value of improved agricultural land, from 810 to 8100 per 
 acre; of oil land, 8100 to 81,000; of timber laud, $2.50 to 825. 
 Principal industries: farming, grazing, oil-raising, and lum 
 bering. Principal exports: lumber, hoop-poles, tan-bark, 
 petroleum, and stock. The general markets for timber are 
 Parkersburg and points on the Ohio river. Value of the tim 
 ber, stumpage, is 81 per tree, and 8 to 12 cents per cubic foot 
 at the mills. The principal minerals are, limestone for 
 building and agricultural purposes, sandstone for building, 
 whetstone, potters clay, and oil ; coal is above water level in 
 small seams. Manufactures are, one woolen factory at Eliza 
 beth, six steam lumber mills, one flouring mill at Elizabeth, 
 and two on Hughes river, as well as various grist mills. 
 Means of transportation: steamers on the Little Kanawha, 
 
422 RESOURCES OF WEST VIRGINIA. 
 
 and county roads. Contemplated improvements: the further 
 improvement of the Little Kanawha. Public Schools, 43; 
 Postoftiees, 6 ; Churches, 8. Population, 4,804. Value of 
 taxable property, $1,035,708.00. County beat, Elizabeth. News 
 paper, the Wiri County Mentor, weekly, published at Elizabeth. 
 
 WOOD COUNTY. 
 
 The general surface of Wood county is hilly, with some 
 quite high hills and rough land- There are extensive flats on 
 the Ohio and Little Kanawha, and the hills near these streams 
 arc comparatively low and smooth. About one -third of the 
 county is cleared. It has fine timber in the southern part, 
 where the soil is calcareous. The soil is loam, sandy, clayey 
 and calcareous in different portions of the county. The best 
 upland soil is in the south, where limestone is displayed 
 among the strata. The crops are Corn, Wheat, Oats, Tobacco 
 and Grass. On the ordinary uplands Corn produces 20 to 25 
 bushels: Wheat, 6 to 8 bushels: Oats, 15 to 20 bushels; on 
 the bottoms Corn produces 40 to 80 bushels ; Wheat, 12 to 15 
 bushels ; Oats, 20 to 30 bushels. Soil on the hills often thin, 
 from 1 to 4 inches; on the bottoms, one foot to many. An 
 annual Fair is held at Parkersburg, where about $6,000 are 
 distributed in premiums. Value of Ohio bottoms. $60 to $100, 
 other bottoms, $20 to $50 ; hill land from $1 to $15, according 
 to the character of the soil; timber land from $2 to 15. 
 Value of timber, not reported. Principal industries: farm 
 ing, stock raising, manufacturing, oil raising, and lumber 
 ing. Principal exports : Oils of various kinds, manufactured 
 articles, lumber, stock, and grain. Markets for stock and farm 
 produce, eastern cities; for oils, eae-t and west; for timber, 
 Parkersburg, and points on the Ohio. Minerals: small coal 
 scams; petroleum, pumped from over 200 wells; good pipe 
 and potters clay; good sandstone, for building: limestone, in the 
 southern part, good for agricultural and building purposes; 
 mineral water (magnesium). Manufactures, etc.: 2 breweries, 
 producing 2,206 barrels ; 4 tobacco factories, producing 44,918 
 pounds; -- cigar factories, producing 831,000 cigars: 6 oil 
 refineries at Parker.sburg and one at Volcano: one pottery: Balti 
 more and Ohio railroad machine shops at Parkersburg: one large 
 cooper shop and several smaller ones at Parkersburg and Belle 
 ville; brick works at Parkersburg; besides numerous flour, saw 
 
RESOURCES OF WEST VIRGINIA. 423 
 
 and planing mills and tanneries at Parkersburg, Rockport, 
 Wadeville, and other points. This list is not complete, as we 
 have very imperfect reports of the manufactories. The prin 
 cipal streams are the Ohio river and Little Kanawha, both 
 navigable the year round for steamers and barges. Present 
 means of transportation : these streams and the Baltimore 
 and Ohio railroad. Contemplated : Pittsburgh, Wheeling and 
 Kentucky railroad. Puhlic institutions, United States Cus 
 tom House. Public schools, 99, Churches, 49. Postomces, 
 23. Population, 19,000. Value of taxable property, $6,959,- 
 263. County seat, Parkersburg, a thriving town of about 
 8,000 inhabitants. Newspapers: Daily and Weekly Times, State 
 Journal, Sentinel, Inquirer, (last three weekly), and the \\ r e*t 
 Virginia Educational Monthly. 
 
 WYOMING COUNTY. 
 
 This county has a good deal of rough, broken land, Its 
 surface is hilly, the hills rising into high mountains. Nearly 
 all of the land is in the original forest. The climate is quite 
 mild. The soil is a loam, or sandy loam, very deep and rich 
 on the bottoms. There is a good deal of wide bottoms near 
 the Court House, where the land is very productive. The soil 
 on the hills, is from 4 to 6 inches deep, and very fertile. There 
 is very little cultivation carried on in the county generally. 
 The crops are Corn, Wheat, Rye, Oats, Buckwheat, Tobacco, 
 and Grass. The hills and bottoms yield about alike. Corn 
 produces 30 to 50 bushels ; Wheat, 10 to 15 ; Buckwheat, 25 to 
 30; Oats, 25 to 30. Principal industries: stock raising and 
 lumbering. Principal exports : stock, timber, ginseng, and 
 skins of wild animals. Mai kets : animals are driven eastward, 
 timber is rafted down to points on the Ohio, other produce is 
 transported to the Chesapeake and Ohio railroad. Corn is im 
 ported into this county from Ohio at SI per bushel (January, 
 1876). Minerals : Coal is in fine workable seams ; fine build 
 ing stone (sandstone). Principal stream, Guyandotte river; it 
 will float logs in high water. Present means of transporta 
 tion : rough county roads. Public schools, 29. Churches, 2. 
 Postofhces, 10. Population, 2,861. Taxable property, $955,- 
 377.63. County seat, Oceana. 
 
 FINIS. 
 
INDEX. 
 
 A GRICULTURE, causes prevent 
 
 jL\. ing development of. 62 
 
 Alluviuwi, streams and uplands 50 
 
 ALTITUDES 
 
 On B. & O. R. R 19 
 
 of different belts of country 
 
 parallel to the Ohio 17 
 
 On east border of, Jefferson 
 
 county 21 
 
 On Greenbrier River 17 
 
 On Kanawha River 17 
 
 Miscellaneous, in W. Virginia.. 21 
 
 On New River 17 
 
 On Ohio River .. 17 
 
 On W.& O. R. R 18 
 
 ANALYSES 
 
 Abram s Creek Coal 171 
 
 Austin Coal 224 
 
 Black Band Gauley. 249 
 
 Black Band, in Kanawha 249 
 
 Black Band, in Wayne 249 
 
 Brantzburg coal 170 
 
 Briar Hill coal 233 
 
 Cannel coal , 241 
 
 Clyde splint 233 
 
 Coal frorn Pittsburgh seam in 
 
 West Virginia 221 
 
 Coal Valley coal 22f 
 
 Fire clay 317 
 
 Grant county iron ores 270 
 
 Greenbrier iron ores 265 
 
 Hampshire iron ores 272 
 
 Hardy iron ores 269 
 
 Hawk s Nest coal 226 
 
 Hydraulic limestone 314 
 
 Indiana splint 233 
 
 Kanawha coals, for gas 224 
 
 Kanawha iron ores 249-261 
 
 Limestones 312 
 
 Manganiferous iron ores 262 
 
 Mineral county iron ores 251 
 
 Monongalia county iron ores 25"i 
 
 New river coals 226 
 
 Pendleton county iron ores 267 
 
 Pittsburgh coal.. 233 
 
 Pittsburgh coal in W. Va 221 
 
 Preston iron ores 252 
 
 Raleigh iron ores 263 
 
 Redstone coal 217 
 
 Sewickley coal 217 
 
 Splint coal 233 
 
 Taylor iron ores 258 
 
 Tumielton coal 223 
 
 Wayne county coals 228 
 
 W r aynesburg coal 217 
 
 Wilson iron ore 262 
 
 Winifrede coal 225 
 
 Yorkshire coal 233 
 
 Anticlinal axes, how formed 188 
 
 54 
 
 ! Appalachian coal field, area in 
 
 different States 162 
 
 1 Appalachian coal field, production 
 
 of. coal inl870 162 
 
 ! Apples, cultivation, <frc., of 82 
 
 ; Ash, Black, character and uses 112 
 
 Ash, Blue and Green, character 
 
 ;uid uses 113 
 
 ! Ash, Mountain, character and 
 
 uses lit 
 
 Ash, White, character and uses Ill 
 
 > Aspen, character and uses 1M 
 
 Austen Coal Company 175 
 
 T3 ARBOUR COUNTY, general de- 
 
 O scription of 364 
 
 Barbour county, quality of coal hi.. 22;? 
 
 Barley, yields of 71 
 
 Barytes 320 
 
 Baltimore & Ohio R, R 337 
 
 Beech, character and uses. 114 
 
 Beech, Water, character and uses... 114 
 
 Berkeley county, coal in 213 
 
 Berkeley county, general descrip 
 tion of. 365 
 
 Berkeley county Springs 324 
 
 Bethany College 359 
 
 B g Bewell, coal in 193 
 
 Birch, Red and Black, chaiacter 
 
 and uses 115 
 
 Bituminous coal 216 
 
 Black Band iron ore 248 
 
 Blast furnaces, destruction of for 
 ests for 244 
 
 Bloomery Iron W r orks 271 
 
 Blue Stone Mining: R. R 33S 
 
 Blue Sulphur Springs 333 
 
 Board of Education 348 
 
 Booiie county, general description 
 
 of 36 
 
 Braxtoii county, general descrip 
 tion of 367 
 
 Brines, strength of. 274 
 
 Bromine 296 
 
 Brooke county, general descrip 
 tion of 368 
 
 Buckeye, Sweet and Fetid, char 
 acter and uses of. 115 
 
 Buckhannoii Mineral R. R 333 
 
 Buckwheat, cultivation, yields, &c 71 
 
 Building fund, how raised 349 
 
 Building stones 315 
 
 Butter and cheese production, 
 
 character of ,. 79 
 
 CABELL roi NTY, general de 
 scription of ... :>i;y 
 
426 
 
 INDEX. 
 
 Calhouii couiitv, general descrip 
 tion of. " 370 
 
 Canneltoii cannel, yields ot oil 240 
 
 Cannelton, coal .scams at 198 
 
 CANNEL 
 
 As a gas producer ^11 
 
 Irregularity ot... 238 
 
 Monongalia county - 239 
 
 Cotton wood, cliaracter and uses 117 
 
 County Superintendent of Free 
 
 Schools 350 
 
 (Cranberry river, coal on 193 
 
 Crops, miscellaneous 78 
 
 Crops, rotation of 65 
 
 Cucumber Tree, character and 
 
 uses 117 
 
 on Prickett s creek 240 Cumberland .Moorefield & Broad - 
 
 Randolph county. 
 
 Shale similitude to cannel 
 
 239 
 2412 
 
 way R. R.. 
 
 Shale, yield of oil 241 
 
 In Taylor county.. 240 
 
 Thickest seams in \\Vst V a 239 
 
 On White Day creek 240 
 
 Canon features 3 
 
 Canons, production of. 13 
 
 Capon Springs 326 
 
 Capon Iron works 26S 
 
 Carbonate of Iron, occurrence ol... 250 
 Carboniferous strata, character and 
 
 soil of 60 
 
 CATTLE 
 
 Best improved t 93 
 
 Exports of and markets for 95 
 
 (ieneral remarks on !.> 
 
 Kinds of ! 
 
 Management of 92 
 
 Management of, in South 
 
 Branch District 97 
 
 Cedar, character and uses 
 
 character of timber in genei al 144 
 
 Cheese 79 
 
 Cherry river, coal on 193 
 
 Cherry, Wild, character and uses... 116 ; 
 
 Chesapeake <& Ohio Canal 343 ; 
 
 Chesapeake A: Ohio R. R 337 , 
 
 Chestnut, character and uses 116 | 
 
 Clay county, general description ol 371 | 
 Climate, general causes controll 
 ing 21 
 
 Climate of Oh .o River Valley 23 ; 
 
 Climate, suitableness of for sheep... 104 
 
 Climatic division of State 23 
 
 Climatic records for Marietta 33 | 
 
 Clinton, position, character, und 
 
 soil of 55 
 
 Clover, Red and White 98 
 
 COAL 
 
 Market quotations ol 245 
 
 Ash, plioshorus in 235 
 
 Consumption on A. M. & O. en 
 gines 2:17 
 
 Consumption on B. & O. en 
 gines 2-J2 
 
 Consumption on C. it O. en 
 gines l"- !7 
 
 Consumption on Kv. c. en 
 gines ; 
 
 Increase ol markets for 243 . TTVMR T)\YS, average number.,. 
 
 242 P 
 
 DECKER S CREEK, coal on- 178 
 Depth ot salt wells 287 
 
 i DEVELOPMENTS OF TIMBER 
 
 On B & O. R, R 155 
 
 On Big Sandy 160 
 
 In centre and western portion 
 
 of State 153 
 
 On Great Kanawha 160 
 
 On Qreenbrier river 151 
 
 on Little Kanawha 159 
 
 On Ohio river 159 
 
 ! Difficult creclc, coal on 173 
 
 i Dimmock, coal at 194 
 
 Dip in Kanawha Valley* 202 
 
 Dip between Quinnimont and Sew- 
 
 ell -. 195 
 
 Dip between Sewell and Hawk s 
 
 Nest 196 
 
 115 I Doddridge county, general descrip 
 tion of 372 
 
 Doddridge Music and Art School... 360 
 Dogwood, character, uses, Arc 117 
 
 T7>DUCATION ................................... * 4 ~ 
 
 JLlJ Educational Monthly. .............. 362 
 
 Flder, Box, character and uses ........ 118 
 
 ELEVATIONS 
 
 At Cannelton ............................... 19* 
 
 opposite Coalburg ...................... 200 
 
 At Hawk s Nest.. ......... : .............. l .K> 
 
 On Paint Creek ........................... 19U 
 
 QuinnimoiU seam 
 At Sewell 
 
 Elk river, coal on head ot 
 Elk river, improvement of 
 K!k River Iron and C >al Company 
 Kim, Slippery, character and uses.. 118 
 Kim, Waboo, character and uses... 20 
 Kim, White, character and uses ..... 119 
 
 Erosion, effects of in central and 
 and southern portions of the 
 State .......................................... 11 
 
 Krosion, e fleets of in mountain re- 
 
 ~ ............................ 9 
 
 192 
 195 
 193 
 345 
 
 5S 
 
 Markets for 
 
 Relation of Virginia iron ores 
 
 to : 214 
 
 Measures, geographical division 
 
 of 168 
 
 Measures, geological division 
 
 of 167 
 
 Coal River R. R MS 
 
 Coffee Tree, character and uses 117 
 
 Colored Schools of the State :*5S 
 
 Colored Schoojsof Wheeling 361 
 
 Commercial Schools 360 
 
 Concord Normal School 357 
 
 Consumption of salt in I niled 
 
 States 296 
 
 Copper 
 
 Corn, cultivation and yield ot 
 
 Cotton 
 
 321 
 
 60 
 
 Fair days, yearly number 47 
 
 Fairmont Normal School 356 
 
 Farm produce, statistics of 88 
 
 Farm products, general remarks 
 
 on 62 
 
 Farming, calendar 31 
 
 Fayette county, general descrip 
 tion of. 373 
 
 Fir, Ulack and Balsam, character 
 
 and uses : 120 
 
 Fireclay 316 
 
 Fishing creek, improvement of 346 
 
 Fleeces, weight of 104 
 
 Fleming College. 359 
 
 Formations mainly influencing 
 
 topography 4 
 
 Free schools 347 
 
 Frost, latest and earliest 46 
 
INDEX. 427 
 
 Fruit culture 81 j IROX ORE 
 
 Fruit, inuill 83 | In Monongalia ,254 
 
 In Monroe 264 
 
 111 Morgan V 
 
 GARDEN PRODUCTS S4 In Peiidlet*ri " : >tr> 
 
 Gas wells in Kan awn a 2S^ InPocahontas" " "" ";5 
 
 Gauley river, coal on head of 193; In Preston " >."> 
 
 Gauley river, improvement of. 345 ; in Raleigh " Vis* 
 
 Gauley River R. R 339 ; In Taylor " "" ">57 
 
 Geography of West Va 362 1 j n Vallev of "Virginia: r >43 
 
 Gilmer county, general descrip- m Wayne 4fi 9tf] 
 
 tion of..- :;7! In West Virginia.:: ~M7 
 
 M Iron Valley^- Pa. R. R . " . 339 
 
 Glass sand 31 H Iron-wood, character and uses 123 
 
 Glenville Normal School 35<> : 
 
 Gold S22 
 
 Grant county, general description TACKS* )N COUNTY, ^eiieral de- 
 of - 374 ,] serintion of 
 
 scription of 381 
 
 Jefferson count v, general descrip- 
 
 382 
 
 Grapes, cultivation, &c.. 
 
 Grasses 91) 
 
 Grassy r in. coal on 184 
 
 Grazing counties 95 
 
 Grazing farms-formation of moun- i T7-ANAW1TA COUNTY, -eneral 
 
 f*JP ,- 94 JV description of 383 
 
 Great Conglomerate, charac-teris- r oa ] lield.... ." W7 
 
 t ( s ; l ( ii Amount of coal in ?01 
 
 Greenbrier county, general de- Pal t, chronological "tabie:/.: I 304 
 
 scnption of 875 S ; iM, discoverv of 278 
 
 Greenbrier county, coal m 213 Salt Furnaces "" 303 
 
 SlunnXrin - im v< "-nt* of 343 ; ^,,, f>Pn ^, H , p^^rtiw oCr m 
 
 gSiS^tfnTSweSiV^-rS^ 813 SlVt. SS.^^i ?S 
 
 <**S?6:&~ ::::::. m KPttlp ibrn< ..-~-^r:rr: 
 
 Guyandotte * Ohio River R. R 389 
 
 Guyandotte river improvement 345 -p AX , ,, ,; in , )r0 ve,l acreage of.. 88 
 
 LJ Lead... .",21 
 
 TTAC KBERHY, character and t of^^.^^^t^^sgft 
 Haniilf(m; prsViioiV; chaV-ai.t;-; : and \ L]mVstone,"cV>Vn mon::: 310 
 
 ian ^^^l^j^ --- : is^ ^r^^^S 58 
 
 on 01 3T3 tion of I ^^R 
 
 Hin.-or.k county, genera] deserip- g Linden, character and: us^::V.:.:::;: S 
 Hardv coukty^n^ral deVcription ^ | J^ ffiSSMi^ Jg 
 
 Hardy White Sulphur SpriVu^: ^ LO ^"" on of^ fff>n ml (1eSCri P tion ,o- 
 
 Hr.rrison county, general descrip- | Lowe, Barrens on tne Kanawha ^02 
 
 1^^^,^ | j -^HS~I^^: ;; 
 
 uses 121 
 
 Hickory, character and uses.. 121 
 
 Hillary Coal Bank 1x5 
 
 Holly, character and uses . .. " 122 
 
 Hominy river, coal on 193 
 
 Honey, causes favoring production 80 
 Hydraulic limestone 313 
 
 TRONOREin Barbonr 258 
 
 J In Berkeley 272 
 
 In Braxton and Clay . . 258 
 
 In Grant . 251, 2 !9 
 
 In Greenbrier 265 
 
 In Hampshire . .". . . 271 
 
 In Hardy 
 
 fn Jackson " 203 
 
 ln ; Jefferson ........:.. 273 
 
 In Kanawha 9.4Q 9n 
 
 In Lower Barren. 
 
 er county and Rich Mountain"182 
 Lower Helderherg, position, char-" 
 
 acter and soils 55 
 
 McCQRKLE S.C., Topographical 
 Report of 20 
 
 ! McDowell county, general descrip 
 tion of 392 
 
 McDowell county, c.oalin, 193 
 
 Magnesia Springs 334 
 
 Magnetic declinations 22 
 
 Mahonina sandstone in Monongalia 181 
 
 Manganese 320 
 
 Maple, Red. character and uses 128 
 
 Maple, Silver, character and uses... 127 
 Maple, Sugar, character- and uses... 125 
 
 Maries 314 
 
 Marion county, description at."" . ". 388 
 
 In Mercer % Marion county, quality coal in 218 
 
 In Mineril "" 4ci i -^ ars hall county, general descrip- 
 
 "" ff o* I tion of ... 390 
 
428 
 
 INDEX. 
 
 Marshall College , 356 
 
 Marshes of Coal river, formation of 14 
 
 Martinsburg & Potomac R. R 338 
 
 Mason county, general description 
 
 of . 391 
 
 Mason county, quality coal in 219 
 
 .Meadows of Meadow river, forma 
 tion of. 14 
 
 Medical Student. 3(W 
 
 Medicinal plants 138 
 
 Medina sandstone, position, char 
 acter and soils ol 54 
 
 Mercer county, general description 
 
 of 393 
 
 Mercer county, coal in 189 
 
 Merino origin of 100 
 
 Middle Island creek, improvement 
 
 of 34G 
 
 Mineral county, general descrip 
 tion of 394 
 
 Mineral county, quality coal in 217 
 
 Mineral Springs production of 57 
 
 Mineral Waters 323 
 
 Mining advantages in W. Va 215 
 
 Monorigalia county, general de 
 scription of 395 
 
 Monongalia county, quality coal in 218 
 Monorigahela river, improvement 
 
 01 343 
 
 Monroe couiitv, general description 
 
 of 396 
 
 Morgan county, general descrip 
 tion of 396 
 
 Morgautown Female Seminary 360 
 
 Morgantown, climatic records of.... 29 
 
 Mount de Chantal 3(ii) 
 
 Mud River R. R 339 
 
 Mulberry, Red, character and uses 129 
 
 NAVIGATION Big Coal river 343 
 Big Handy 343 
 
 Great Kanawha 312 
 
 Little Kanawha 342 
 
 Monongahela ; 343 
 
 Ohio 34 1 
 
 Newburg Coal Company 176 
 
 New oil territory .*. 300 
 
 New river coals 189 
 
 New river coal basin, how formed., is? 
 New river coal basin, regularity Ol 
 
 strata in 189 
 
 New river coal basin, thickness of 
 
 coal measures in 188 
 
 New river, improvement of 344 
 
 New River Mining and Manufac 
 turing Company.... 339 
 
 Nicholas county, general descrip- 
 . lion of..- - 597 
 
 NOKMAL, SC J 1001,8 353 
 
 Discipline 3o5 
 
 How controlled 353 
 
 Rates of tuition 355 
 
 Regulations of -~>i 
 
 Subjects taught 355 
 
 North Branch Potomac, improve 
 ment ol 
 
 North Branch R. R 
 
 Northern A- Southern \V . Ya. R. R.. 
 
 O 
 
 A K Character and uses of. 
 
 black 132 
 
 Black Jack 131 
 
 Bur KM) 
 
 Chestnut 130 
 
 Laurel 131 
 
 !>in 132 
 
 Post,... ... 130 
 
 OAK 
 
 Red 131 
 
 Scarlet 131 
 
 Spanish 13L 
 
 Swamp White 131 
 
 White . . 129 
 
 Willow " . . . 131 
 
 Oats, yields, &c 70 
 
 Ochre 320 
 
 Ohio -county, general description of 398 
 
 Ohio county, quality coal in 219 
 
 Ohio River & Wayne Mineral R. R. 340 
 
 Oil break 305 
 
 Oil in salt wells 288 
 
 Oil tanks 308 
 
 Old Greasy 2S8 
 
 Orchard grass 98 
 
 Orich s Sulphur Springs 325 
 
 Oriskany, position, character, and 
 
 soils of ., 56 
 
 PAINT CREEK R. R 340 
 Parkersburg Mineral Wells 334 
 
 Parkersburg oil refineries 308 
 
 Peaches 83 
 
 Pears 83 
 
 Pend eton county, general descrip 
 tion of 407 
 
 Pennsboro & Harrisville R. R 337 
 
 PETROLEUM 305 
 
 In Kanawha 288 
 
 Near Morgantown 306 
 
 Tseful productions from 309 
 
 Peytona cannel, oil from 240 
 
 PINE -Character and uses of. 
 
 Black 133 
 
 Yellow 132 
 
 White 132 
 
 Pittsburgh, Cincinnati it St. Louis 
 
 R. R 338 
 
 Pittsburgh, Wheeling & Bait. R. R. 338 
 Pittsburgh, Wheeling & Kentucky 
 
 U.K. 340 
 
 Pittsburgh seam, character of in 
 
 different counties 206 to 211 
 
 Pittsburgh seam eastern limit of... 205 
 Plateaux, production of by ero 
 sion 15 
 
 Pleasants county, general descrip 
 tion of 408 
 
 Poeohontas county, general des 
 cription ot 408 
 
 Poeahontas county, coal in 213 
 
 Poplar, character and uses 133 
 
 Potatoes, Irish, cultivation, <fce 72 
 
 Potatoes, Sweet, cultivation, &c 72 
 
 Potomac & Ohio R. R 310 
 
 Potomac coal basin 169 
 
 Potters clay 318 
 
 Preston countv, general descrip 
 tion of . 409 
 
 Preston county coal besin, seams 
 
 in ." 174 
 
 Privat" Schools 359 
 
 Production salt Kanawha county,.. 303 
 
 Production sail Mason county 276 
 
 Public schools of Wheeling 3(il 
 
 Putnam county, general descrip 
 tion ol 110 
 
 Putnam county, quality coal in 219 
 
 Q 
 
 I ALITIKS of good furnace coal 233 
 Quinces 83 
 
INDEX. 
 
 429 
 
 RAIN and snow at Marietta 44 
 Rainfall, etc., season average 
 
 at Wheeling 30 
 
 RAINFALL, ETC. 
 
 Mean annual at Wheeling 30 
 
 JVt ean for year and seasons at 
 
 Kanawha Salines 31 
 
 Mean for year and seasons at 
 
 Lewisburg 31 
 
 Mean for year at White Sul 
 phur Springs 31 
 
 Mean, monthly at Marietta 42 
 
 Rainy, &c., days, No. of, at Wheel 
 ing 30 
 
 Raleigh county, general descrip 
 tion of. 411 
 
 Raleigh county, coal in 192 
 
 Randolph county, general descrip 
 tion of. 412 
 
 Randolph county, elevated water 
 shed of 1 
 
 Randolph county, quantity coal in 223 
 
 Red Bud, character and uses 135 
 
 Red haematites of the coal meas 
 ures 203 
 
 Redstone seam in different coun 
 ties 20(5-7-9-10-11 
 
 Red Sulphur Springs 332 
 
 Ripley & Ohio Narrow Guage R. .R 340 
 Ritchie county, general descrip 
 tion of 412 
 
 River traiisportion., 342 
 
 Roane county, general description. 413 
 
 Roaring run, coal on 185 
 
 Ruflher s first salt Avell 2X1 
 
 Rush creek, coal on.... 194 
 
 Rye, cultivation, &c 71 
 
 SALT PACKING 294 
 Salt transporiion 294 
 
 Salt wells in Mason 277 
 
 Saltpetre 321 
 
 Salt Sulphur Springs 332 
 
 Sand run, coal on 184 
 
 Sandstones, character of soils of 52 
 
 Sassafras, character and uses 135 
 
 School lund, how raised 347 
 
 School work, tabulated 352 
 
 Scon s run, coal on 178 
 
 SECTION 
 
 Opposite Coalburg 200 
 
 At Hawk s Nest 195 
 
 On Paint creek 199 
 
 Near Piedmont 169 
 
 At Quinnimont.... 190 
 
 At Sewell 195 
 
 At Wheeling 210 
 
 Lower coal measures in Monon- 
 
 galia 178 
 
 Lower coal measures in Upshur 184 
 Scwicklev seam in different coun 
 ties 206-7-9-10-11 
 
 Shales, character of soils of 51 
 
 Shannondale Springs 325 
 
 SHEEP 
 
 Excellency of water for 101 
 
 Feeding period in different 
 
 States 104 
 
 Improvement in breeding 109 
 
 Kinds and variety ot food for... 102 
 
 Markets for 106 
 
 suitableness of climate for 104 
 
 Sui face of country favorable for 105 
 
 Shenandoah and.Ohio railroad ^310 
 
 Shenandoah river, improvement)*** 
 of .... .... 346 
 
 Shepherd s College and Normal 
 
 School 356 
 
 Shrubs, and small trees 137 
 
 Silver 322 
 
 Slips or jars 286 
 
 Snow, earliest, latest and heaviest 
 
 falls of 45 
 
 Sod, grass used for 97 
 
 Soda ash 297 
 
 Soda ash, advantages for making 
 
 in Kanawha 3UO 
 
 Soda ash, importance of 297 
 
 SOILS 
 
 Alluvial, character of 50 
 
 Calcareous, character of. 50 
 
 Clay, character of 48 
 
 Loams, character of ... 49 
 
 Sandy, character of 19 
 
 Suitableness for sheep 101 
 
 Sorghum, cultivation, ttc 74 
 
 Sourwood, character mid uses 13<> 
 
 South Branch railroad 341 
 
 SPLINT COAL 
 
 Area of 229 
 
 For blast furnace use 230 
 
 Hardness of. l 3(> 
 
 In heating furnace 23H 
 
 For steam 23(i 
 
 Supeiiority of 230 
 
 St. Albaus Seminary 340 
 
 Sf. Alphonsus 360 
 
 St. .Toseoh s Academy 360 
 
 State Superintendent of Schools 350 
 
 Steer creek, improvement of !!(> 
 
 Steer Creek Valley and Elk River 
 
 R. R .".10 
 
 Stock, cost of wintering in differ 
 ent States 103 
 
 Stoney river, coal on 172 
 
 Stover Lollege :<59 
 
 Streams, direction of 1 
 
 Structure of southern and central 
 
 portion of State 10 
 
 Summers county, general descrip 
 tion 414 
 
 Summers county, coal in 190 
 
 Sw.-e: Siirings 327 
 
 Sycamore, character and uses 136 
 
 TAYLOR-COUNTY, general des 
 cription of 415 
 
 Taylor county, quality of coal in 218 
 
 Teachers fund, how raised 348 
 
 Teachers normal schools, 361 
 
 TEMPERATURE Causes influencing 25 
 
 At Marietta 3t 
 
 Mean monthly, Lewisburg 27 
 
 Mean monthly, Kanawha Sa 
 lines .; 2(i 
 
 Mean monthly, Wheeling 2H 
 
 Mean for seasons at Wheeling.. 26 
 
 Tests of coal in Chicago 219 
 
 Thickness coal seams in Wayne 
 
 county 228 
 
 TIMBER 
 
 Distributioii"of 144 
 
 On Cheat river 149 
 
 In Greenbrier 150 
 
 Of mountain region 147 
 
 Of plateau region 145 
 
 Of yew pine district 148 
 
 Timothy , 98 
 
 Tobacco, cultivation, ttc * f 75 
 
 TOPOGRAPHICAL character ofCon-jj 
 
 F.omerate 5 
 lower barrens 5 
 
430 
 
 INDEX. 
 
 TOPOGRAPHICAL 
 
 Of Upper Barrens.. 5 
 
 Of Unibral and Vespertine.. 6 
 
 Division of the State 6 
 
 TOPOGRAPHY 
 
 On Green brier river 4 
 
 Of hilly region 7 
 
 Of J effe rson , Ac 21 
 
 On the Kanuwha river 2 
 
 Of the mountain region- 8 
 
 On New river :{ 
 
 In North of State 4 
 
 Traiisportatation 33.~> 
 
 Tubing lines 308 
 
 Tu.-ker county, general description 
 
 of -]l(i 
 
 Tucker county, COM! in 213 
 
 Tufa . . 312 
 
 Tug River R. K 31! 
 
 Turnips, cultivation, &c 73 
 
 Twelve Pole, improvement of 3-H5 
 
 Tygart s Valley river, coal on ISo 
 
 Tyler county, general description 
 
 of ... 417 
 
 TTMBRAL, character O f soils of... f>9 
 U University of W.Va 357 
 
 Upper Coal Measures, principal 
 
 coals of 204 
 
 Upper Coal Measures, thickness of 203 
 
 Upshnr county, general descrip 
 tion of . . 418 
 
 Upshur county, quality coal in }3 
 
 \TALTjEYJl. R ... 338 
 
 > Value State school property... 3f>l 
 
 \ esp.-rtine, character of soils of. f>8 
 
 Vineyards Si 
 
 WALNUT, black, character and 
 uses 13(1 
 
 Walnut, white 137 
 
 Washington & Ohio K. R 341 
 
 Washington seam in different 
 
 counties 212 
 
 Water shed nor I h and sout h, of 1 he 
 
 rotate I 
 
 Wayne count \ general description 
 
 of 418 
 
 Wayne county, thickness of coal 
 
 seams 22* 
 
 Waynesbnrg seam in different 
 
 count irs 207-9-10-11 
 
 Webster county, general descrip 
 tion of.. 119 
 
 West Fork cv \VesIoii R. R 342 
 
 West Liberty Normal School ;>">7 
 
 \V KST VlWil N-JA- 
 
 Railroad 341 
 
 < entral R. R 341 
 
 Division of People s Freight R.R 312 
 ( oaltield, advantages of locat 
 ing in 24H 
 
 Coaitield, counties without coal lt>3 
 
 Kustern boundary of 164 
 
 General sketch of Itii 
 
 i Relation of Ohio riv r tw Jtif) 
 
 \\ etxei county, general description 
 
 of 420 
 
 Wheat, cultivation, <fcc B8 
 
 Wheeling Female College 35!) 
 
 Wheeling. manufactures and gen 
 eral descript ion of. 397 to 407 
 
 White Sulphur Springs 328 
 
 Williams river, coal on, 193 
 
 Willow, white, character and uses.. 137 
 WINDS 
 
 Direction at Marietta 37 
 
 Effect 011 weather 2S 
 
 . u-neral direction and charac 
 ter of 24 
 
 Prevailing at Wheeling 30 
 
 Relative frequency at Marietta 3s 
 Relation of direction to fair 
 
 weath( v r 41 
 
 Relation oi direction to rain 40 
 
 Relation of direction to temper 
 ature 38 
 
 Wirt county general description of 421 
 
 Wool, facilities for exporting 105 
 
 Wool, facilities for manufactories... ion 
 
 Wool, rank of West Virginia 110 
 
 Wood county, general Description 
 
 of 422 
 
 Woodland, acreage in West Va 88 
 
 Wyoming county, general dexcrip- 
 
 lion of 423 
 
 Wyoming county, coal in 193 
 
 821 
 
V 
 
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