PUBLISHED INFORMATION ABOUT WAYNE COUNTY, 1850-1876 WAYNE COUNTY, from GAZETTEER OF THE UNITED STATES Wayne County, Virginia, formed from Cabell in 1842. Situate W., and contains 412 sq. m. Drained by Twelvepole cr. and branches of Sandy r. Surface broken and in parts mountainous; soil in general is indifferent, but there are some tracts of land which are fertile, and adapted to the culture of grain. Chief products, wheat and Indian corn. Some tobacco is raised. Farms 478; manuf. 9; dwell, 749; and pop.--wh. 4,564, fr. col. 7, sl. 159--total 4, 769. Capital: Wayne C. H. Public Works: Covington and Ohio R. R. MOA Fisher, Richard Swainson Fisher. Gazetteer of the United States. New York. J. H. Colton. 1853. p. 916 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- WAYNE COUNTY, from GAZETTEER OF VIRGINIA Wayne, a county in the West part of Virginia has an area estimated at 500 square miles. The Ohio forms its boundary on the North, separating it from Ohio, and the Sandy river separates it from Kentucky on the West; it is also drained by Twelvepole creek. The surface is broken by numerous hills or ridges, and mostly covered in forests. The soil is productive. Indian corn, oats, and grass are the staples. The highlands abound in stone coal. Ginseng is one of the articles of export. In 1850 the county produced 226,800 bushels of corn, 27,785 of oats, and 36, 555 pounds of butter. There were six saw mills, one wool-carding mill and two tanneries. It contained nine churches and 203 pupils attending public schools. Formed in 1842, out of part of Cabell county. Capitol, Wayne Court house. Population 4,760, of whom 4,571 were free and 189 slaves. MOA Edwards, Richard. Gazetteer of Virginia, 456 pgs., Illus. Richmond. For the proprietor. 1855. pgs. 405-406. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- WAYNE COUNTY, from OUR WHOLE COUNTRY Ceredo is a new town planted by Eli Thayer, of Massachusetts, and settled by New England emigrants. It is on the Ohio River in Wayne county, 5 miles above the mouth of the Big Sandy, the dividing line between Virginia and Kentucky. A late traveler says: Wayne county contains much excellent land that is level or nearly so, and easy of cultivation, but by far the larger portion is quite hilly. The hills are more abrupt and cone-like than in many other counties in western Virginia, but even on the highest of these hills the soil is excessively rich and productive. On the very top of one of the highest hills in Wayne county was raised this season as fine corn as I saw in Virginia. The best use, however, to which these rich hills can be put is the growing of fruit. I saw wild grape vines three inches in diameter at the base, with branches running to the very top of the highest trees. Frost never troubles the most delicate fruits on the hills, while the bottom lands are occasionally visited with frosts which interfere with the successful cultivation of various kinds of fruits so admirably adapted to this soil and climate. A few nurseries have already been planted which are doing exceedingly well. But little has been done of late in the way of peach growing, though every effort in this line has proved a great success. The peach crop from one orchard was sold last year on the trees for $5,000. This region is better adapted to stock raising and the dairy business than anything else, and for these purposes it has no superior, if, indeed, its equal can be found. MOA Barber, John Warner, 1798-1885. Our Whole Country, 2v. Illus. Cincinnati. H. Howe. 1861. p. 661. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- WAYNE COUNTY, from Resources of West Virginia, pgs. 418-419 The Surface of this county is hilly, the hills being comparatively 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 produced 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, $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 lumbering. Principal exports, grain, young cattle, tobacco, timber. 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 (Cassville); fine potters' clay (Cassville), 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 transportstion, Ohio river and Big Sandy. Improvements contemplated: Improvement 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. WAYNE. Coal Analyses and Seam Thickness, pg. 228 MOUTH of CAMP CREEK of 12 Pole; Chemist, Wormley 56.35 Fixed Carbon 37.60 Volatile Matter 6 .05 Ash 1.60 Water 0.57 Sulphur in Coal 0.14 Sulphur in Coke STEPHEN'S BRANCH of Laurel of 12 Pole; Chemist, Wormley 60.10 Fixed Carbon 36.40 Volatile Matter 3.50 Ash 1.70 Water 0.72 Sulphur in Coal 0.48 Sulphur in Coke TUG FORK (2 Samples); Chemist, Taylor 61.18 and 60.54 Fixed Carbon 38.74 and 36.66Volatile Matter 1.88 and 2.80 Ash 0.02 and 0.03 Sulphur in Coke CASSVILLE; Chemist, Dwight 44.80 Fixed Carbon 43.22 Volatile Matter 10.33 Ash 1.56 Water 0.824 Sulphur in Coal As showing the thickness of the seams in this portion of the State, the following measurements of outcrops were obtained from a report on the coals of Twelve Pole river, by Prof. E. B. Andrews, of the Ohio Geological Survey: MOUTH of CAMP CREEK Bituminous 6 Ft. 4 In. Thick 2 partings 5 Ft. 5 In. Clear Coal Dry burning and very pure SULPHUR SPRING CREEK Splint 6 Ft. 0 In. Thick 1 parting 5 Ft. 8 In. Clear Coal Excellent quality STEPHEN'S BRANCH Splint 4 Ft. 9 In. Thick 3 partings 4 Ft. 5 In. Clear Coal WILEYS COVE CREEK Spl't and Cannel 6 Ft. 6 In. Thick 6 Ft. 6 In. Clear Coal Contains 4 Ft. 6 In. Cannel HEZEKIAH'S CREEK Spl't and Cannel 8 Ft. 2 In. Thick 2 partings 7 Ft. 3 In. Clear Coal Contains 5 Ft. 6 In. Cannel WAYNE, Education, 1874-75, p. 352 Money Apportioned for school year $4, 701.97 Enumeration of Youth 3, 938 Teachers' Certificates Granted 62 WAYNE, Iron The iron to be found in West Virginia may be divided into two classes: 1. Those ores which. . . are found in the Appalachian Coal Measures (includes Wayne). . .Brown Oxides, Carbonates, and Black Bands, and in some places, nodular red Hematite. 2. Those which belong to the [eastern] region [of West Virginia]. Black Band Iron Ore. . .a class of material that makes an excellent iron, and from which much of the celebrated Scotch pig is smelted. . .So new is this ore. . .that it has been discovered in workable strata in only two counties. The first is in Wayne, near the Big Sandy river. . .The second is on Davis and Briar creeks, in Kanawha county (pgs. 248-249). 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 [Chemist] Dwight (pgs. 261-262): LEVEL OF SANDY RIVER 1. INTERVAL, 155 Feet Clay and Fossiliferous Iron in kidneys 5 feet 2. INTERVAL, 8 to 10 Feet Shale containing lumps of Blue Carbonate of Iron, containing 34 per cent of the metal 5 feet 3. INTERVAL, 104 Feet Carbonate of Iron 2 feet 4. INTERVAL, 12 Feet Black Manganiferous Iron Ore, containing 25 per cent of Binoxide of Manganese and 27 per cent of Iron 2 1/2 feet 5. INTERVAL, 52 Feet Mixed stratum of Limestone and Iron Ore, containing 42 per cent of Iron 2 1/2 feet 6. Clay with kidneys of Red Hematite, containing 55 per cent of Iron 7. INTERVAL, 37 Feet Carbonate of Iron and Limestone, 2 feet 8. Clay and kidneys of Iron Ore, 3 feet 9. INTERVAL, 14 Feet, Limestone Ore, 1 foot 10. INTERVAL, 138 Feet, Clay with kidneys of Red Hematite, containing 58 per cent of Iron 3 feet 11. INTERVAL 60 Feet Top of Hill Nos. 5 and 6 are locally known as he "Wilson Seam" . . . In December, 1875, 58 tons of this ore was tried at the Belmont Furnace, Wheeling, and so much liked that an order for 1,000 tons was at once given (pg. 262). Red Hematite.---These nodulars often contain from 50 to 60 percent of metal, but in no place yet, with, perhaps, the exception of Wayne county, have these been found in sufficient quantity in the shale to constitute a workable deposit (p. 263). WAYNE, Navigation, Ohio River, p. 342 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 the river landings in West Virginia, and the great markets in the adjoining 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 rare exceptions from ice and low water, all year around. WAYNE, Potter's Clay, p. 318 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 crackling. . .[It is worked into] tile. . . crocks, jugs, jars, vases, drain pipes. . . In Wayne county, near Cassville, [a quite extensive] bed apparently of the best quality, is found. WAYNE, Railroads, p. 341 West Virginia Railway Company.---Beginning at or near the mouth of Big Sandy river, in Wayne county, their railroad runs thence in an easterly direction to the Kanawha river, near St. Albans, in Kanawha county, thence to Charleston, at the mouth of Elk river, thence up that stream for 150 miles, thence northeasterly to the South Branch of the Potomac, and thence down the same to its mouth, passing through the counties of Wayne, Cabell, Putnam, Kanawha, Clay, Braxton, Webster, Randolph, Pendleton, Grant, Hardy, Hampshire and Morgan. WAYNE, Timber The Big Sandy, the Guyandotte, and Twelve Pole are the present means of developing the timber of the southern counties, 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 tan bark is sent out. Besides the hard woods, some Hemlock and Yellow Pine is sent West. It would not be an overestimate perhaps to put the trade done in these three streams at $300,000 (p. 160). The Big Sandy and Guyandotte, with their tributaries, . . . are heavily timbered, and almost untouched. Along with the hard- woods, and Hemlocks of this district, some Yellow Pine occurs. Yellow Pine is valuable for many purposes, especially domestic ones. . . It is found in the largest amounts in the sandy and rocky ridges of the plateau districts, considerable quantities growing in Raleigh and the adjoining counties, as well as in Wayne, Logan, and Lincoln (pgs. 145, 132). 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 (p. 144). [Near 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. . . Oak, Poplar, and Chestnut seem to increase in size south of the Great Kanawha (p. 145). MOA Fontaine, William M. and Maury, M. F. Resources of West Virginia, West Virginia State Board of Centennial Managers, Wheeling, The Register Company, printers, 1876. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- from The West Virginia Hand-book and Immigrant's Guide WAYNE, CROPS in 1860, p. 94 Wheat 35, 319 bushels Corn 224, 044 bushels Oats 13, 077 bushels Tobacco 55,628 pounds Irish Potatoes 8, 808 bushels Value of Slaughtered Animals $40, 141 WAYNE, LIVESTOCK in 1860, p. 94 Horses 1240 Milk Cows 1524 Work Oxen or Other Cattle 1939 Sheep 7405 Swine 8898 Total Value $175,008 THE WEST VIRGINIAN'S CHARACTER The original settlers of Western Virginia emigrated principally from the eastern and valley sections of the State, and from Maryland and New Jersey. Their ancestry was generally traced to Great Britain and Northern Ireland, and though in several of the mountain counties a strong admixture of Pennsylvania German blood is still perceptible, yet the blending of races through several generations has resulted in a well defined anglo-saxon type, slightly modified by that Celtic ease of manner peculiar to the dwellers of a mild and fruitful climate. The genuine rural West Virginian is not much addicted to precipitous motion, rarely loses his temper or self-possession, and beyond the acquisition of the necessities of life, limited by almost Spartan frugality, is disposed to leave the improvement of things around him to time and chance. This unprogressive disposition is the more striking, as his native intellect and sagacity are extraordinary and susceptible of high development under proper direction or the stimulus of personal ambition. Perhaps nowhere on the continent are there such treasures of natural power buried under the rust of indolence and prejudice, and at the same time such a display of urbanity and hospitality prompted by native tact and geniality. The political differences, private feuds and various changes consequent upon the late civil strife, may have left their mark upon the traditional virtue of West Virginians, yet enough survives of these to suggest a favorable contrast with popular manners in States North and West of us. Very unlike the proverbial Jonathan, the West Virginian seldom inquires into his neighbor's business with indelicate curiosity, and no matter how strong or antagonistic his convictions, never intrudes them upon strangers in aggressive or controversial discourse. Yet to presume from these amiable traits upon an unlimited dose of meekness in the West Virginia mountaineer would be a serious mistake. His self-esteem is not by far the least prominent of his characteristics, and insults, even more than injuries, are quickly resented. The history of the late war teems with feats of West Virginia valor; both armies counted her sons by thousands, and among them not a few distinguished leaders, and heroes of the rank and file. On many a memorable field, schoolmates, friends, relatives, nay, brothers, met face to face under the deadly fire, always true to their cause and worthy of each other's steel. Nor is the geniality of the West Virginian permitted to temper his acuteness in matters of business, when business there is. While he seldom steps out of a leisurely walk in the pursuit of worldly lucre, he watches over his personal interests with an eye that kindles up never more brightly behind its drowsy lashes, than whan a chance for a trade or a speculation comes within reach. Then quickly his dormant faculties are aroused and concentrated upon the point--vital to his fame no less than his purse--how to get the best of the bargain; and whether the object of the barter be a horse or a saddle, an ox or a gun, a house or a farm, the principle "your eyes is your market" is strictly kept in view and a bargain once struck is seldom rued, except for a consideration. Many a cunning speculator whose laurels were conquered in Wall Street or in more northern latitudes, after plying his arts among our homespun population, recrossed the Alleghanies a wiser and a lighter man (pgs. 33-34). MOA Debar, J. H. Diss. The West Virginia Hand-book and Immigrant's Guide, Parkersburg, Gibbens Bros., printers. 1870. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------