West Virginians [Jefferson Co.] Report a Year of Much Prosperity

FARMERS FARED WELL.
West Virginians Report A Year of Much Prosperity.
MOST ABUNDANT APPLE CROP.
Lands Held Their Own In Price And Farmers Had Little Difficulty In Getting Loans At 6 Per Cent.

[Special Dispatch to the Baltimore Sun.]
CHARLESTOWN, W. VA., Dec. 31.– The closing year of 1899 brought a fair share of prosperity to the people of Jefferson county. A healthy condition prevailed in almost all industries; the farmers, though not having a bountiful crop of wheat, fared well as to all other cereal crops. The wheat crop was injured by the cold winter and by the fly in the spring. The price of wheat was not as high as in previous year, but many of the farmers were reimbursed by the abundant apple crop. This crop alone brought over $200,000 to the county, of which the farmers received at least one half. The crop was the most remunerative ever produced in the county, and has had the effect of inducing many farmers to enlarge their orchards, and in some instances to plant several acres of ground in young trees. Other farm products, such as berries and small fruits, were plentiful, and the only crop that could be called a failure was potatoes. The price of farm lands held its own, as compared with the year before, and, although not as many farms changed owners as in that year, yet there was a demand for nearly every farm offered in the market, the prices ranging from $40 to $70 an acre. Such farmers as desired loans found little difficulty in obtaining the money at 6 per cent, the legal rate, and in some instances large loans on long time were secured at 5 per cent, but this was the exception rather than the prevailing rate. A number of business men from other States invested money during the year in mortgages on Jefferson county farms. A number of farmers have made substantial improvements by erecting new buildings upon their lands.

A telephone line has been erected by the Winchester Telephone Company through the county, connecting the town with Berryville, Va., Winchester, Va., Martinsburg and Romney, W. Va., which is to be connected with the Maryland Telephone Company at Shepherdstown, which place now enjoys a connection with Hagerstown and other points in Maryland.

As showing that the mercantile business has been prosperous and on a substantial basis, there was not a failure or an assignment during the year. The merchants report large sales and activity in their line, and in many instances they report heavier sales than in any previous year. They state there is a disposition among customers to buy only necessaries and goods of excellent quality, while the demand for ornaments and said articles of luxury has diminished. Some of the merchants state their sales almost doubled during the year, as compared with other years. In all trades there has been a healthy activity, with a demand for mechanics and laborers, and any man who went without work did so from choice.

The manufacturing establishments report a steady trade during the year, and in a number of instances they have increased their hands. Such large establishments as the Standard Lime and Stone Company, with works in Kearneysville and Bakerton, the pulp mills, at Harper’s Ferry, the ore bank, near that place; the Jefferson Milling Company, the A. D. Goets harness factory, Powhatan Brass Works, Jefferson Cooperage Company and William Phillips Sons r[?] of lumber, all of this place, have been in active operation throughout the year with a full force of operators and laborers. The Jefferson Cooperage Company manufactured about 30,000 barrels for the apple trade, bringing the company for this one item nearly $[?]0,000, although the time occupied in manufactering them was not over two months.

The statements here are made conservative, and show that in the return to normal conditions of business from panic stages the people of Jefferson county have enjoyed a reasonable increase of prosperity and have been greatly benefited by the return of confidence in every line of business.