Lynchburg daily Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1852-1861, 1854-10-26
REPORT:
OFFICE OF Va. & T. X. ROAD Co.
Lynohburg, Oct. 25th, 1854.

To the Stockholders ofthe pirginia and TtnHes
see Rail Road Co
The close of another year has Oh, you a
gain together. to examine into the condition,
progress, operations and prospects of your road:
in reporting which. the Board Of Directors would
take occasion to say that whilst their Efforts
have not met their own desires. and have per
haps fallen far short of your expectations, yet
they hope the circumstances attending their OPP
erations may justify your sanction if not meet
with your appreciation.
Truly may it be said. that the past year has
been with Rail Roads day Of trial and the close
seems to bring no period of repose yet IT is
time TO review the past tn correct its errors, pro-
fit by experience and 10 husband all resources
TO brave If not To overcome the future.
Ii is said nothing good i, obtained without toll
and difficulty, and that an object always appears
valuable in proportion 10 the difficulties
which oppose the possession # it then indeed
the completion of a Rail Road must be most
glorious event.
BRANCHES.
Under your instructions, the salt Works
Branch has been let tn contractors and upon
most advantageous terms, aud without using any
means necessary for the completion Of the main
stem, or To pay the liabilities of the Company
consequent upon the progress Of said line.
The graduation masonry and superstructure.
(other than the iron,) were let to Messrs Scott
and Adams and Messrs. Kyle and Radford pay
able III three, four. five and Xix wears, rom and
after 1st January. ls55, interest payable semi
annually. Mr.. I. l.. Preston bas obligated him
self 10 furnish the funds neces gary Ia pay the in
terest. and guarantees the purchase and dehye-
~ OF the iron upon the same terms and, "a Sc
curity To In aud the contractors. n mortgage on
the branch ha- been executed. copy of which
is appended BY it you will be- informed of the
particular provisions which confne the security
and Inability af tIi. 81
branch. not only guarding against any interior
ence with ihe faan ~ Of the min line, but nctu-
ally increa ing the assets and adding TO the
means for the redemption of the general securi-
ties OF the Company.
The contractors have been at work since May
last and are progressing with considerable
pdty. Tie Iron has been purchased and at II
reduced rate. portion Of it is now at City
Point, the whole to be delivered by July, loj5
and can be delivered sooner if required.
Their i but little doubt that this Branch will
be read + receive the ralt a. soon a. the main
hne re- e>ae the point Of divergence, tBeyars' in
Smythe countY,) and thus admit Of laying the
tracks simultaneously so TINT before the Western
terminus # your roud be reached the vast tonnage
made tributary by this branch will be- thrown on
the main llpe, apd whilst our finances will be
greatly improved by enlarged receipts, consc-
quent npon his improvement the community
viii be receiving a, justly termed. direct return
from an abundant supply Of superior articles of
both, Gypsum and Salt. at n very reduced price.
justifyng the most liberal and extravagan, use.
In the construction of this branch. additional
deposites of Gypsum have been exposed. In enc
cut alone, of 1900 feet in extent, it is thought
that 900 to 5000 tons will be raised by the ex-
cayatian necessary merely for the road bed at
that point. II is estimated that $1,000 tons of
Gypsum and Salt will pass over this branch an
nually to supply the immediate demand upon the
opening of the road, and by many well informed
this estimate has been regarded below the reality.
When the various connecting goads shall be com
pleted, this tonnage will be largely increased.
The Board of Directors have had line for the
branch from near Christian sburg to the coal
fields on Thom's Greek. in Montgomery county,
surveyed. and ayaled themselves of the services
of Mr.. J. I. Lesly, q well known scientific Geol-
ogst, to examine the deposits at this aud other
points on the line. From these reports, well
as from personal inspection, your Board are de-
cidedly of the opinion that this branch will be of
great Importance to the interest Of the company.
This coal has been used for some time to
considerable extent, and therefore its superiority
has become a matter OF fact; The evidences
presented. justify the belief Of it's existance in
almost inexhaustible quantities aud laying rs it
does, very accessible il can be worked with
the greatest facility, and therefore with the
means of proper transportation, will insure to the
community, a fuel, equal III quality and ChoapucSs
TO any produced, and must create "A large demand
yielding TO the road a heavy tonnage.
The opinion has been expressed, in which your
Board fully concur, that this branch of ten miles,
penetrating. il will, Basin or VI alley between
Prices and the Brush mountain rich in AL the
Agricultural products, is capable of furnishing of
that tonnage alone. exclusive of coal. n sudioiqn-
cy 10 make this branch, to say the least,
not All Improbable one to the company. Under
the influence of these views the Board of Direc-
tors have decided to construct this branch az
early practicable To do consistently with
the resources OF the company, which determine
ton they hope will receive your sanction.
The Legislature, ut its last session, chartered
branch of this road from near the summit of
the Blue Ridge to Coyington,a copy of which act OF
incorporation is appended for your Consideration
and action.
OPERATIONS ON FINISHED PORTION op TIE ROAD
The full aud detailed report of the Genera
Superintendent renders it necessary for YOU
Board to do but little more than to call your at
tention thereto, yet it may be of interest tina
some additional facts should be adverted to.
During the past year the operations of tn
road were subjected TO the usual difficulties at
tending all roads only partly in operation, which
of course, increase the cost OF repairs as well a
other expenses. In addition to these difiicultie
common to aii new roads. the track has sustaine
some extraordinary Injuries on the mountain por
tons from heavy ruins, thereby occasioning ex
traordnary repairs, of which distinction wa
made in the entries, and of course all appear u
ordinary expenses ; yet we find the expenses q
running IL maintaining the road fall below thos
of the previous year. which were 81 200 per mil
of average track in use. The expenses, eompar
ed with the business Of the road. are 6s3 cent
per mile run. and 621 per cent Of receipts. Thi
Is by no means extraordinary expenditure; o
Il G. aarftn laY 81