USA > West Virginia > Harrison County > Clarksburg > The Shawnee trail : program : an historical pageant presented at Clarksburg, West Virginia, June 13 and 15, 1923 > Part 6
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The Randolph Academy was chartered by an act of the General Assembly of Virginia, passed December 31, 1787, and provided that the first meeting of the trustees should be held on the second Monday in May, 1788, at Morgantown, and "Fix upon some healthy and con- venient place within one of the counties of Ohio, Marion, Harrison and Randolph for the purpose of erecting therein the necessary build- ings for the said academy."
In the year 1793, these trustees selected a site for this instiution in Clarksburg, Virginia, near where the Junior High School building now stands, and just east of the Towers school building. The building was erected and the school started in this same year. The trustees employed Rev. George Towers, who was graduated at Oxford, Eng- land, as its first principal, at a salary of $250.00 per annum. On November 12, 1789, the trustees of this institution were authorized by the legislature of the state of Virginia to raise a sum of money by lottery for use of the academy, not to exceed $1,000.00.
The North Western Virginia Academy was incorporated March 26, 1842, as successor of Randolph Academy, with the following trus- tees : Edwin S. Duncan, John J. Allen, Samuel L. Hayes, William A. Harrison, Waldo P. Goff, Charles Lewis, George Pritchard, John W. Coffman, Augustine J. Smith, Richard W. Moore, Walter Ebert, Na- than Goff, Dr. David Davisson, Gideon D. Camden, John Stealey, John Talbott, Solomon Parsons, Joshua Smith, Adam Carper and John J. Swayze. The academy building was erected a short distance west of the Randolph building, or on the present location of what is known as the Towers building, and was completed and opened for the admission of pupils October, 1843, with Rev. Gordon Battelle as principal. In 1866, the building was occupied by the graded schools, which have since continued.
The Broaddus Female College, of Winchester, Virginia, a Baptist institution, was removed to Clarksburg, West Virginia, in 1876, and for a short time occupied what was then known as the Bartlett Hotel building, the site of which now belongs to the court house park, hav- ing been purchased by the county court from Lloyd Lowndes. The trustees of this institution caused to be erected a large brick building in what was known as Haymond's grove, and the school moved into it.
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That location now is known as Broaddus addition. This institution was moved to Philippi in the year 1909.
The Salem Academy was incorporated under the laws of West Virginia, December 28, 1888, to be located in the town of Salem. The charter provided that the institution is to be subject to the regula- tions of the Seventh Day Baptist Educational Society, for the purpose of teaching all the various branches of learning comprising a thorough academic and collegiate course. This institution was opened April 1, 1889, in the public school building, with J. L. Huffman acting principal. Shortly after the opening of the school the trustees caused to be erected adequate and convenient buildings in the western part of the town of Salem, at which place this institution has continued to the present time.
In the year 1876, a small parish school was established in Clarks- burg, by the Catholic Church Society, under the direction of Miss Mary White. In 1881, a colony of the Sisters of St. Joseph was sent from Wheeling and a first-class academy for young ladies was opened. Centennial Hall was erected and in it the preparatory and parish schools were taught until recent years.
Harrison county made little, if any, progress with the free school system while it remained a part of the state of Virginia, although Virginia had provided for the free school system about the year 1857. At the time West Virginia was formed, its first constitution provided for the establishment of the free schools, and the first legislature en- acted a free school system, and Dr. Emory Strickler, of Shinnston, was elected the first county superintendent of schools.
The Clarksburg graded schools were opened in the academy build- ing in 1866, with John Conner as principal and four assistants. The free school system grew rapidly in public favor and became a great factor in advancing civilization and good citizenship in Harrison county, as well as the state.
Industrial Development
About the year 1812, John G. Jackson, of Clarksburg, began the manufacture of salt about three miles south of Clarksburg, on the West Fork river. This was quite an industry for Harrison county at that time, owing to the scarcity of that product in this section of the county.
About the year 1800 a man named Conrad, who lived at Bull Town on the Little Kanawha river, now Braxton county, formerly Harrison county, owned a large herd of cows, and these cows discovered a salt deposit on Conrad's farm. This salt deposit became known as a lick, which was frequented by cattle from the neighborhood. In the year 1809, John Haymond and Benjamin Wilson began the manufacture of salt at Bull Town, and continued until 1823, at which time the salt works were abandoned. The manufacture of salt at this place was then widely known in the United States and Great Britain during the War of 1812.
A corporation was organized in Clarksburg in the year 1841, for the propagation of the silk worm for the manufacture of silk. The
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building erected and used for this purpose was located near what was known as the Barnes Crossing and was called Co-coonery.
In 1810 John G. Jackson began the manufacture of iron near what was then the town of Clarksburg. The location of this plant was on the Elk river, just beyond what is now known as Norwood addition to the city of Clarksburg.
Clarksburg foundry and machine works, (J. F. Osborn Brothers and Company), located at the Northwestern Turnpike and Main street, manufactured boilers, engines, mill machinery, steam pumps, etc. This iron foundry was originally established in 1838, and rebuilt and remodeled by the Osborn Brothers in 1863, which is still in operation.
Chronology tells us that the first mill built in Harrison county was about the year 1776, and located on the east bank of Elk creek about the present site of what is known as the Lowndes Mill. Re- mains of the dam of this mill may still be seen at low water mark.
A man by the name of George Jackson was permitted by the county court of Harrison county to erect a mill on the site of the pres- ent location of what is known as the Lowndes Mill.
The "Point Mills" were later erected by John G. Jackson, on the bank of the West Fork river below the mouth of Elk creek, and about one mile from the court house, or just south of what is now known as Point Comfort.
Coal is found in Harrison county in large quantities and some iron ore, also limestone for both agricultural and mineral purposes; pot- ter's clay exists and has been worked to some extent; sandstone of good quality for building purposes ; several mines of coal were worked on a comparatively large scale for gas manufacture prior to the year 1900. There are three veins of coal in Harrison county, namely: Pittsburg, Red Stone and Sewickly.
The coal of Harrison county goes to the eastern and western markets, but particularly to the former, with an exceedingly high reputation for gas; it is also a good steam generator. Compared with the Pennsylvania and West Moreland coals of West Moreland county, Pennsylvania, (which have no superior in that state), the gas from Harrison county coal is superior in illuminating power, but not quite equal to them in purity, requiring more lime in purification.
The development of oil and gas was practically in its infancy up to the year 1900. About ten or fifteen years prior to that date there were a few test wells drilled for oil and gas and these wells, or the larger portion of them, produced oil and gas in large quantities, thereby promising a great future for the development of oil and gas in this county.
The Clarksburg Gas Company was organized in 1871, with the following officers: Lloyd Lowndes, president; Burton Despard, vice president; Richard T. Lowndes, treasurer; Evan A. G. Smith, secre- tary ; Lloyd Lowndes, B. Despard, R. T. Lowndes, A. G. Smith, B. F. Shuttleworth, N. Goff, Jr., N. A. Shuttleworth, Edwin Maxwell and J. F. Osborn, directors. The first gas was made and used January 19, 1872.
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Agriculture
The Indians were the first to engage in agriculture in Harrison county. They cleared the forest in spots to make corn fields, and they pastured their herds in places where natural grass grew along river bottoms.
When the white men came to this county, they took up agricul- ture or farming where the Indians had left it, but they soon enlarged and improved this business over that of the Indians. The Indians made farming an avocation, while the white men made it their prin- cipal business or vocation. However, agriculture was not carried on in this county by improved and scientific methods until after the year 1900.
The surface of the county is rolling and hilly, and the hills being comparatively low and the valleys wide. There is much improved land and the soil is well cultivated and fertile, being mainly a clay and cal- carious loam, six to eight inches deep on the hills and twelve to eigh- teen inches in the valleys and on the level lands. The principal crops were corn, oats, wheat, rye and grass. The blue grass sods over the land spontaneously, making it rank among the best grazing counties of the state. There are none better, and the hills and valleys yield about alike.
Harrison stood far at the head of the stock raising counties of the state, preceding the year 1900. About the year 1883, the annual amount of animals sold for slaughter reached one-half million dollars, and the total value of all live stock reached one and one-half millions. Along in that period she also took the lead in the production of hay and stood among the first in the production of butter. In the total value of all farm productions, she stood at the head, approximating about one and one-half millions of dollars annually.
Stock cattle, of all grades and ages, were grazed until ready for market. Some dealers would cut large crops of hay and winter exten- sive herds of mixed ages; others confined themselves to grazing.
Harrison county was also one of the leading counties in the state in the production of horses.
-RAY L. STROTHER
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Civic and Patriotic Ideals
1900-1923
HE ideals of the citizens of Clarksburg and Harrison county for a greater and more prosperous community were considerably inspired because of the possibilities of the natural resources de- veloped early in this period. The immensity of the production of coal, oil and gas was such as to justify the belief that Clarksburg would eventually become a city worthy of the metropolis of Harrison county.
The ideals of its citizens were realized to the fullest extent, so far as patriotism and love for home, state and country is concerned, at the inception of the World War, 1914.
Historians will record the fact that 4,600 young men, the very best of its citizenship, responded to the call of country and were mustered in for service in the great struggle. Nineteen hundred of these boys were listed from Clarksburg proper, the balance from the mines and farms of Harrison county.
Space will not permit reviewing the activities of all of the local civic and patriotic organizations during the war period. Suffice to say that they responded nobly and citizens generally subscribed to the various loans and other war drives to such an extent as to fill Clarksburg and Harrison county's quotas without any difficulty.
Some of the civic bodies that were organized during the period, 1900-1923, part of them as the result of the war and others through the desire of being of service to the community, are the Clarksburg and Harrison County Branch of the Red Cross, formed in 1917; Woman's Civic Club, in 1916; the Boy Scouts of America, in 1917; Rotary Club, in 1916; Business and Professional Women's Club, in 1916; Marcato Club, in 1905; Roy E. Parrish Post, American Legion, 1919; Meuse-Argonne Post No. 573, Veterans of Foreign Wars, 1920; Kiwanis Club, 1920; Quota Club, 1922; and Community Service of Clarksburg, in 1922.
The Clarksburg Chamber of Commerce, the parent civic and com- mercial organization of the city, is the outgrowth of the Board of Trade, organized in 1906. This organization has constantly endeav- ored to uphold and perpetuate the ideals of its members and citizens generally for a greater and more wholesome community in which to live and work. Its war record alone justified its continued existence.
The municipal government of Clarksburg, operating under the City Manager plan since 1921, is keeping step with other modern municipalities in taking care of the needs of its inhabitants. Great progress is being made in municipal works and will continue unabated so long as the wishes of its citizens are recognized.
Fourteen religious denominations are recognized in Clarksburg and its adjacent territory and with two undenominationals. This list includes the Methodist Episcopal with fifteen church buildings; the Baptist with seven structures; the United Brethren with four; the Catholic with four; the Christian church with four; the Presbyterian with three; the Methodist Protestant with three; the Congregational;
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the Christ Episcopal; St. Mark's Lutheran; Hebrew Congregation ; the Latter Day Saints; the Christian Science; the Pentecostal Church of the Living God, and several missions.
There are over fifty fraternal and affiliated organizations in Clarksburg. The Clarksburg Order of Elks, Masonic organizations and several others have their own substantial buildings. Nearly every fraternal body or lodge of standing in the country is represented in this community, all prospering and in a flourishing condition.
Clarksburg's ideals are still high: a vision for a city greater, the building of a prosperous and ideal city.
-G. D. THELEEN
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