COMPILATION OF C. & O. CANAL ARTICLES FROM THE SHEPHERDSTOWN REGISTER A SHEPHERDSTOWN NEWSPAPER Dec. 4, 1849 - Dec. 3, 1850 Nov. 23. 1853 - Oct. 20, 1860 JEFFERSON COUNTY, VA & July 15, 1865 - Dec. 29, 1866 Jan. 1, 1870 - Dec. 21, 1878 Jan. 9, 1891 - Dec. 28, 1899 JEFFERSON COUNTY, WV Compiled by William Bauman C & O Canal Association Volunteer [email protected] FEBRUARY 2013 1 A. PREFACE This compilation of newspaper articles about the C. & O. Canal is one of a series. During 1849-50, The Register was published weekly, on Tuesdays. The microfilm box indicated that the contents went from Dec. 4, 1849 - Dec. 3, 1850, which is true as regards the first and last edition. However, every edition between those two dates did not include stories about the Canal. During 1853-78, the newspaper was published weekly, on Saturday. A gap in the microfilm coverage exists. During 1891-93, the newspaper was still published weekly, but on Friday, until Oct. 12, 1893 when it began publishing on Thursday. Again, not every edition included stories about the Canal. Editorials and opinion pieces, when found, were skipped in favor of factual reports. All microfilm was from: West Virginia and Regional History Collection, West Virginia University Libraries, P. O. Box 6069, Morgantown, WV 26506-6069. Readers are encouraged to search the enclosed report for information on their ancestor as their time and interest permits. Feel free to send additional observations for the benefit of others. William Bauman Transcribed February 2013 [email protected] 2 Tuesday, 12/11/49, p. 2. The Day of Trial example of the Camden and Amboy, similar of the Steam Canal-boat Thomas G. Harris, experiments are in progress on the Reading is Saturday next, the 15th inst. Persons Road. It has been ascertained that wishing to witness the experiment had better Cumberland coal will create more steam present themselves at Mercersville by 11 than any other species of coal, and when o'clock A. M. compared to wood, the difference in point of economy is not less satisfactory. The 12/14/49, p. 3. official reports of the Baltimore and Ohio and Camden companies have proved that a ton of Cumberland coal is equal to two and a half cords of wood; consequently coal at six dollars would result in a savings of fifty percent, wood being at four dollars the cord. It is not, however, very probable that the Erie company will use Blossburg coal for several years, as wood will be abundantly supplied at a price not to exceed one dollar and twenty five cents. To the above we may also add, that E. K. Collins, Esq., has made several valuable experiments with and without blowers, which have resulted in the conviction that Cumberland coal is the best fuel for steam purposes. Tuesday, 1/8/50, p. 3. The above advertisement was placed on a Friday, and ran every following Tuesday through December 3, 1850. Always the same copy, although placed on page 3 or 4, as space permitted. Of note is the willingness to ship products by canal. Tuesday, 12/18/49, p. 2. Cumberland Coal for Steaming. - The New York Herald of Wednesday says: - It appears, from recent experiments made on the Camden and Amboy road, that Cumberland coal had fully sustained its character as a superior fuel for the use of railroads; and following the 3 Suddenly, the uprising ceased, and away in the distance, floated off the smoke. On inquiry we learned that the people at the gas-house had emptied their refuse oil upon the water in the canal, and that the workmen, in deepening this work, had set fire to the oil to rid themselves of the stench. The flames were suppressed by throwing mud upon them. It is a truth, the canal was on fire, or rather there was fire in the canal. - Wash. Corr. Thursday, 3/26/50, p. 2. The Canal. The people of Allegany seem to be very unfortunate. From the earliest recollection to the present moment, they Transcriber's note: The C. & O. Canal had have been constantly meeting with severe opened to Harpers Ferry in October 1833 losses. Firstly, they were swindled upon a and thus it is possible that John A. Gibson large scale, in the matter of Canal Scrip. had been engaged in the forwarding and Secondly, they were robbed to the extent of commission business for ten or twelve years, thousands, by the Kreb's failure. Thirdly between Harpers Ferry and Georgetown. they were plunged into difficulty by the Both of these advertisements ran every bankruptcy of the original Mount Savage Tuesday until June 25, 1850, when they both Company, and also by the sudden explosion stopped. Apparently some repairs were of the Forbes' speculation. We are now necessary along the line of the canal and called upon to lament another no less serious navigation was closed. The presence of two pecuniary disaster. We understand, that competing companies (there was no mention Hunter, Harris & Co., who contracted and of carrying passengers) over the same route undertook at a recent date, to complete the supports the idea that there was an active unfinished portion of the Canal to this place, produce, plaster, salt, fish, tar, shingles, have thrown up the work and appointed a flour, laths, lumber, &c. moving business Trustee. We also understand that this result prior to the Canal opening to Cumberland. was brought about by imposing upon these gentlemen the necessity of doing a vast Tuesday, 3/19/50, p. 1. Canal on Fire. - quantity of extra work - work not embraced Yesterday, March the 8th, about half-past by their contract - and that, therefore, they five o'clock, a wide-spread dense mass of are not to be blamed for the step which they black smoke suddenly loomed up in the have taken. We apprehend evil neighborhood of the Center of Market. consequences to many, from this course of Sheets of fire were occasionally seen action, no matter how it may have been through the sombrous body, affording a produced, for we know the fact that spectacle of grandeur and beauty. The acceptances to the amount of $90,000 at promenaders of the Avenue stopped to least, are held by our citizens, and cannot wonder, and people run from every direction now be paid. We are therefore, extremely to the scene. The bells of the First ward sorry that the Legislature refused to make began to ring, and cry of "fire" was some provision to relieve these gentlemen vociferated. 4 from the unpleasant dilemma in which they were unjustly placed, and thus enable them to reap the fruits and to realize the benefits which their vast undertaking and grand and noble enterprise entitled them to expect, and we hope that their exertions to finish this great work will not forever go unrewarded. - Cumb. Mountaineer. Tuesday, 3/26/50, p. 3. The Work on the Canal is rapidly progressing to completion, under the direction of Messrs. Hale, Allen Transcriber's Note: Since the Alexandria and Davis, who are the trustees of the bond- Canal was closed, freight for Alexandria had holders and assignees of Messrs. Hunter & to be brought across the Potomac with the Harris. Under the new management, the assistance of steam-powered tug boats. This laborers are paid every Saturday evening. advertisement continued through Nov. 12, Cumb. Alleghanian. 1850, at least. Tuesday 4/23/50, p. 3. Tuesday, 5/21/50, p. 3. Cumberland Coal. A correspondent of the New York Journal of Commerce says: "All the papers notice the trip of the Washington steamer, as being a clever performance for her; but omit to state the true reason. While they give credit to the engine builders, they give none to the fuel, which was Cumberland coal. "The Canarders always take this coal. Hence the regularity of their Transcriber's Note: The above advertisement movements. When the machinery of our answers, in part, how the farmers of steamers is adapted to the use of this fuel, Montgomery County were able to obtain the same results will, in my opinion, fertilizer for their fields. Whether the guano follow." was shipped in bulk or in bags was not From Boston they write: "a seller mentioned. This advertisement continued who sells half of all retailed in Boston says through Nov. 19, 1850, at least. that 2240 lbs. of Cumberland Coal is worth as much as a chaldron of Pietou, which will weigh 2800 lbs." Tuesday, 6/18/50, p. 1. The Canal. A new Era in the history of the Canal. On Monday next or sooner it is understood the water will be let into the Canal for the distance of some seven or eight miles - the length of the first level, commencing at this place - with the view of 5 trying the banks. In a short time the Tuesday, 7/16/50, p. 1. Transcriber's Note: experiment will be continued further down President Zachary Taylor died and President the line until the water communication Millard Fillmore was inaugurated. becomes continuous to dam No. 6. This is, indeed, an earnest of speedy completion. Tuesday, 7/23/50. On the Use of Mules. We have also been informed, since 1. Mules, on a general average, live more the above was written, that on tomorrow, than twice as long as horses. They are fit for Saturday, the water will be let in on the service from three years old to thirty. At levels near Locks 69, 70, 71 in the twelve a horse has seen his best days and is neighborhood of Oldtown.