Gallipolis journal. [volume] (Gallipolis, Ohio) 1837-1919, 1866-03-15
Railroad Matters.
GAIL1poLIs. o., March IS. g

6ALLlPOl.IS, ", mdrcn I'D, o.
Mr.. EDIroR:-As representative o.
the friends of Railroad from the Ohio
river to unite with. the Marietta and
Cincinnati road, recently had an in
terview with the Vice President of that
great line. Meeting me with his char
acteristic frankness, he manifested a
deep interest in the proposed under
taking.
After a careful examination of the
profile of the road, as made by Mr..
Graves in 1854. he expressed himself
both surprised and gratifed at the very
favorable character of the country.
through which it would pass; and the
moderate cost at which roadway, suit
able to the wants of this community
could be constructed. The surveys
were made with the idea of a first class
road, as the connecting link between
the great Central Virginia railroad and
the net work of roads which ramify the
Great West. Consequently the whole
character of the estimated work, was OF
the most costly and permanent kind.
Mr.. Cutler, with his great experience
in practical engineering, acquired in
surmounting the natural obstacles pre-
sented by the "Whortleberry knobs
of Athens and Yinton counties, conclu-
sively show that q railroad could be
constructed from Hamden to the Ohio
river at cost not exceeding three quar-
ters of million dollars, which would
fully answer all the demands. made
upon it, by the business of the county
lying contiguous to the road.
In the location of the line, the great
object to be kept in view is the june
ton, in the future, with the Virginia
roads, seeking through the Kanawha
valley an outlet to the Northwest. Lat
eral branches to Pomeroy and Gallipo-
lis would command the support of the
fifty thousand inhabitants which line
the Ohio river from Letart to Guyan-
dotte In the furtherance Ofthis scheme,
Mr. Cutler pledged the hearty cO-Ope-
ration of the NJ. d c. railroad and a
recommendation to them, upon the com-
pletion of the roadway, to assume
charge Of. and stock it with engines
and cars; operate it with economy,
and after deducting from the receipts
the cost of running and maintaining the
road, to pay over to the builders of the
line all the surplus. He generously
offered his personal services in aiding
the engineers in viewing and locating a
road, and the use of all necessary in
struments.
We cannot too highly estimate the
value of the above proposition to fur
nish the necessary rolling stock, as it
removes all necessity for erection of
costly machine shops and the maintain
ance Of an expensive corps of skillful
mechanics.
Upon a conference with some Of the
liberal minded capitalists of Meigs co.,
| found an earnest desire TO cooperate
in this important enterprise. Laying
aside all mere local prejudices, to unite
the means of the two counties; and with
a hearty will, enter upon the work of
building the road achereUer the careful
surveys of competent engineers shall
locate it.
1t was thought best to organize the
company under the charter obtained
for the Gallipolis, Jackson and Chilli
cothe railroad, and our Senator, Hon.
Jos. Bradbury has, with his accustom-
ed zeal, applied for the necessary
TO the same. AS soon as
these are obtained, an organization will
be perfected, and the good work will be
begun. With your permission Mr..
Editor, purpose at future day to
present the feasibility of this undertak-
ing, and the inestimable advantage it
will be to our counties.
In the meantime let us all be up and
doing, enlisting the interest of our
neighbors in this enterprise, which will
Inbar the door to natures treasury Of
wealth which now lie undeveloped in
,ur hills. G. WI.