Evidence Category: The Shepherdstown Register

Improvements at Bakerton. That busy part of Jefferson county the center of which is Bakerton is to enjoy a still further boom in business. The improvements at the Virginia ore bank, which have been in the process of construction for several months past, are now about completed, and the first of next week the shipment of iron ore from the historic mines will be resumed with more energy than ever. This property now belongs to Congress Joseph E. Thropp, of Pennsylvania, who has extensive iron works at Everett, where most of the ore is used. The recent improvements represent an expenditure of about $8,000. New machinery throughout for the handling of the ore has been set up — new engine and boiler, washer, elevators, etc. — and much time and labor will be saved. New switches have also been run into various parts of the ore bank. The old mines will still be worked, but the surface of the great hill will also be washed for the ore that is in it and will be worked from the south. A new building in which the company will have its own store has also been built, and a postoffice will be applied for. An independent telephone line to Engle’s will likewise be constructed. The property is now more valuable than it has ever been and its output will be greater than at any time in its history. J. W. Leech is the superintendent and G. W. Hughes assistant manager. At Bakerton there is to be a considerable enlargement of the plant. Four new lime-kilns are being constructed and the outlook is for better business than ever before. The village itself is building up rapidly and new houses are going up in every direction. D. R. Houser has just built himself a comfortable new dwelling.