Gallipolis journal. [volume] (Gallipolis, Ohio) 1837-1919, 1867-07-25

tai Importance to their future prosperity, but
necessary to their actual existence, even in
the light they now stand. If Ohioans
or West Virginians wish to obtain like idea
of its necessity, in personal way, just let
them undertake the trip from OHIO to jacks
sons river, as it stands at present, they VIII
then get a practical illustration of the bene-
fits to be derived from the prosecution of the
enterprise Miles of unbroken wilderness,
deserted homes, desolate and untenanted
farms, in country that, despite its rugged
ness, can be made to support a teeming popu-
lation, in comfort and prosperity. True, as
it is, it has been made, in large part, by
the destroying power of contending armies
but two years have passed since 1t was the
theatre of war, and yet the recuperating pro-
cess has hardly began. The incentive to
struggle against the adversities of their situ-
alton, is wanted by the people. and men say
here. can only be furnished by the market and
opening of ansportation, that this Rail-ro d
can offer. In evidence of the fact, the nearer
we approach the Rail road and avenues of
trade this way. the greater becomes the I'M
provement of the country.
The numbe. and character of our western
delegation, made the trip across the noun
tains very pleasant, barring some little acci-
dents, such as stopping all night without
| supper and riding nine miles for breakfast;
but the wonderful and indescribable grandeur
and beauty of the scenery along the route,
amply repaid all suffering in the flesh, at
least, that experienced, while to such lions in
the work as Maj. John Hall and Gen. Lewis
Ruffner, their interest in the enterprise seemed
to take away all feeling of personal discom-
fort.
We arrived at Lewisburg on the 9th. and
there awaited the concentrating of the western
party. In the evening a consultation was
held, and an understanding arrived at as to
what was the genaral wish of the western
counties, and the course they wished to take
in the Convention.
On Wednesday morning we all came for
ward to the White Sulphur Springs, where
we found the delegates focking in from all
quarters. A preparatory meeting was at
once held, and a committee appointed to re
port on permanent organization At three
o'clock the Convention re-assembled, and on
recommendation of the Committee it was
regularly organized by appointing Gov Pier
pont President; Maj Hall, Gen. Rufner and
several others Vice Presidents, Secretaries,
DC. Gov Pierpoint made short, but quite
an energetic and effective address. A Com
mittee was then appointed to determine what
should be the action of the convention. and
report resolutions to that effect. Said Com
mittee being composed of delegate or dele
gates from each county or town represented
IN the Convention. From an oversight, Ohio
was not at first represented on the Commit
tee, but your correspondent was invited (by
the Committee) TO be present at their delibe
rations, and DR.. LIvEsAY afterward attached
permanently to its body. After an afternoon,
evening and morning sitting, during which,
many animated discussions ensued, the Com
mittee reported series of resolutions. Reso-
lutions will be found elsewhere
The Convention was evidently O working
one, being composed Of about two hundred
members, among whom were many of East
and West Virginias best men. MaHy short,
but powerful addresses were made. The
whole thing passed off in harmony and good
feeling, only one man cbjeetiDg to the reso-
lutions as passed, and he, from the effects of
a superabundance of sulphur water or some
other liquid-obtainable with equal ease at
the springs. The gentleman was quietly and
effeetually snubbed, and did not dare to vote
against the measures, so they were passed
unanim 1usly: on which, the Convention ad-
iourned sine die. Many of the members left
at once, for their homes; and some to go to
work raising the people to vote the subscrip-
tions right away, as the five millions must be
raised in six months, in order to bind the con-
tract with the Central Va. Railroad Com |
pany.
The White Sulphur is grand old place;
one could hardly conceive of a pleasanter
spot to spend the hot months. The glound
is a natural amphitheater looking Southwark,
beautifully laid out and shaded; rows of hand
some cottages stand around the four sides of
the square with one of the largest hrtels in |
America, IN the center. Think Of a dining |
room seating twelve hundred persons com
r LII A--u
on the floor and a parlor of corresponding
size. run fourteen foot verandah around the |
whole and you haye the plan of the second |
story, it being four stories, with a huge dome
over the center. The fare and accommodations
are good, though hardly in range with the
buildings and charges, the latter being fully |
up to the standard.
The Spring water suggests solution of
bad eggs and rain water. However, il must
be effective, Judging from the immense
amount drank. As yet, there are not over |
one hundred visitors. but there seems to be |
very many on their way out.
Not anticipating much pleasure in return |
ing over the road we had come, / sold my |
horse and came down here with the party |
from the city, the courteous President of the |
Central Va, Col. Fountane, kindly chalking |
my hat for the trip. The Central road is going |
ahead at the rate of half mile per day, and |
will reach Covington by the end of this |
week. it is now over Jacks,n's river and |
in less than three miles from c. Col. |
F. says if the million subscription is raised, |
they will try to reach the Springs yet before
winter. The estiIsate of the cost to that |
point being little under $500,000, the dis |
tance 2216 miles. Three years is the limit of |
time in which it is expected to build the road |
to the Falls. or Loop creek, and that it will
then be pushed on down the Valley to the |
Ohio, as fast as men and money can do the |
work, is confidently believed by every oue |
here. The great western connection through |
Ohio seems the favorite one, though tits con- |
templated to make the Sandy road to Ken
tucky at the same time; but much depends
for both routes on the connections offered |
them at their termini.
The people seem much pleased that Ohio
should send her representatives to q Conven-
tion held so much in the sole interests of the |
Virginias, and / think the delegates were
warmly and kindly welcomed everywhere, |
never faring worse than their cotemporaries |
| have heard no violent expression of rebel |
lious sentiments in East Va, and though. no |
warm love for the Union is demonstrated, they |
seem quietly to acquiesce in the existing |
state of things, and have gone to work with |
commendable energy, to reconstruct their al |
most desolated country. Only one prominent |
citizen expressed perhaps, his real feeling, in
regretting that he could not vote to tax him.
self for the Railroad, but his coachman
could. But even this demonstration was
checked and disapproved by his friends.
The country between here and the Kama
wha, bears still, strong marks of the war,
and probably, no more interesting period than
the present to make tour through it, while
the change from war to peace Is just be-
coming apparent.
The crops in field look very promising, and
Augusta county alone. is estimated to have |
100000 bushels of wheat, while the corn
never looked better.
Many strange scenes meet the eye along the
line between here and Staunton Men now
ing and reaping around and over the earth
works and along the trenches, where three
years ago the harvest of death alone, was
gathered, and where there were but piles of
shot and shell, stacks of bayonets and anon the
mutilated bodies ofmen strewn over the ground,
now may be seen the scattered sheaves and |
gathered shocks of bright, yellow, golden
grain. One 10 destroy what the other is to
preserve, the life of man.