The New era. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1865-1871, 1865-11-23

Nlsloii IMAM uescrlbedS by the pen OF the
traveller.
The Hempheld railway is completed
and running from Wheeling, east, to
Washington, Pennsylvania, thirty five
miles. 1t is to be continued TO West
Newton, tifty-six miles from Wheeling,
on the Pittsburg and Connellsville road
and thence to Greensburg, on the Penn
sylvania Central road, seventy-siX miles
In the route to Philadelphia, this will
save the distance from Greensburg and
twenty miles additional-in fact. nearly
half the present distance between Wheel
ing and Greensburg. twill also shorten
the route from OHIO, especially eastern
Ohio, to Philadelphia.
These are the only railways at present
in operation. Others are in contempla-
ton, and will undoubtedly be built at
an early day after the return of peace.
One has been organized and partially
constructed.
The Covington and Ohio railroad, de-
signed to connect Richmond with the
Ohio river, was completed in 1860 from
Govington to the White ulphur springs.
The work upon the road was continued,
and a large sum of money expended in
grading, tunnelling, and piers for brid-
ges. The tunnels between the springs
and the Gauley We're approaching colil-
pletion, and from Charleston to the Ohio
the road was in an early state of ior-
Wardness. 1t was designed to connect
at Cattlesburg, on the Kentucky line,
with the road thence 10 Lexington,
which was graded and intended to be
promptly finished as Il section of Il
through line to the west and southwest
\ road through the KanaWha valley,
without reference to through business,
WAS recognized as a necessity in wealth,
and credited as a paying investment
In Il normal condition of affairs the road
would, at the present time, have been
completed and in receipt of a heavy
trade. 1t must eventually be built;
when, it would scarcely be safe, just
now, to predict.
Another, and under present circum-
stances, more important line, may first
be built-a line intended to interseet the
State centrally and longitudinally, to
connect the Ohio river and kanawha
valley with the Baltimore and Ohio
railroad, and eventually with the Penn
sylvania Central, west of Harrisburg,
ria Charleston, Buckhannon, Philippa,
Independence, Kingwood, and Bran
donville, or by some parallel line con-
Meeting Preston county with Charleston.
1t is intended to strike the Pittsburg and
Connellsburg road at the mouth Of Cas-
selman's river; thence, by Somerset or
Bedford. to Huntingdon on the Penn
sylvania Central. It would develop a
region rich in all the minerals of the
State, passing over coal and iron mines
almost every step of the route, infusing
life into all the veins of industry, and
rendering plethorie with wealth this
youthful and vigorous Commonwealth.
POLITICAL ORGANIZATION.
On the 18th of May, 1861, twenty-four
days after the adoption Of the ordinance
of secession by the Convention at Rich
mond, delegates from twenty-five coun-
ties met at Wheeling, and passed reso-
lutions in condemnation of the proceed
ings at Richmond, and providing for a
Convention of all the counties adhering
to the Union.
On the 1lth Of June following, repre-
sembled at Wheeling, and declared their
independence Of the action of the State
Convention at Richmond, and took
measures for the establishment OF a
Provisional Government.
On the Goth of August OF the same
year. the Convention thus assembled at
Wheeling, passed an ordinance for the
formation OF 4 0e,r state out of a portion
of the territory of Virginia, which was
to be called the State OF Kanawha, and
to include the following named thirty
nine counties:
Logan, Wyoming, Raleigh, Fayetta,
Nicholas, Webster, Randolph, Tucker,
Preston, Monongalia, Marion, Taylor,
Barhoar, Upshur, Harrison, Braxton,
Lewis, Clay, Kanawha, Boone, Wayne,
Cabe!l, Putnam, Mason, Jackson, Cal
laoun, Roane, Wirt, Gilmer, Ritehie,
Wood, Peasants, Tyler, bodarisI&e,
Wctzel, Marshall, Ohio, Brooke, and
Hancock.
On the 25tll of November, Il Convcn-
ton met at Wheeling and framed a
state constitutions, and on the Sd of
May, 1862, that constitution was appro-
we'd and adopted By the qualified voters
CT the proposed State.