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CONDITIONS BY COUNTIES. 



the names of their operators are not now easy to obtain. One 

 of the last sash saw mills to survive was Ly dick's mill at Glen 

 Easton. This was supplied with steam power and continued 

 to run until about 1876. At least 1 circular saw mill was run 

 by water power. This was McCardle's mill on Upper Bowman 

 run. After the more primitive mills came the portable steam 

 saw mills. A few very small mills of this kind were running 

 before 1876 but active operation did not begin until about that 

 date. Portable mills became numerous at one time and most of 

 the good timber that was standing at the time of their appear- 

 ance has been sawed by them. No band mills have operated at 

 any time in the county. 



Barrels were furnished by local coopers to some of the 

 grist mills several years ago. One of the last of these supplied 

 Loudenslager's mill at Loudensville. 



The tanneries of the county have all been small, and most 

 of them operated at an early date. McConnell Brothers oper- 

 ated in Moundsville up to about the year 1900. 



The lumber industry at present consists of the operations 

 of about one dozen small saw mills scattered in different parts 

 of the county. The various wood-working miUs at Mounds- 

 ville employ over 50 men in the manufacture of handles, grain 

 cradles, boxes, barrels, excelsior and numerous planing mill 

 products. 



Present Timber Conditions. 



There is no woodland in the county except small bound- 

 aries owned by the farmers. In the best parts the woodlots 

 will not average more than 20 acres. According to those 

 who are most familiar with conditions, about 60 per cent of the 

 land is cleared and well cultivated ; 20 per cent is in fairly well 

 timbered woodlots; and 20 per cent is growing worthless trees 

 and brush. Probably the best timbered tract now remaining 

 contains about 60 acres and lies on Upper Bowman run in 

 Meade district. The tract contains a fine stand of excellent 

 white oaks. The timber on the last large virgin area was cut 

 by Peerless Lumber Company between 1900 and 1904. This 

 tract — known as the Goshom tract — was situated on Maggoty 

 run in Liberty district and contained about 1,250 acres. 



