Western Reserve chronicle. [volume] (Warren, Ohio) 1855-1921, 1868-12-23
RaiIrOsd 70 Vienna.

The fact that one OF the largest and most
valuable coal basins, in extent and quality
yet discovered in Northern Ohio, has been
developed in Vienna township, Is q matter
boz much Importance not only 10 the proprle-
tors Of the land and OF the coal interests, but
to this entire region of country. Tit dis
covery is ofmuch consequence because OF
vastness in Quan1itJ and peculiarly fqual
ity, it being block coal, and OF that kind best
adapted TO the manufacture OF iron, requtr-
ing no coking or any preparation whatever
for use in blast furnaces. The san1s may be
said of the large coal deposits, now yielding
/ hundreds Of tons daily, in Liberty, Brook
field and Hubbard, south and east Of the
Vienna fields.
The people OF Warren and vicinity have
important interests at stake in connection
with these coal developments. \ large por-
ton Of the coal to be mined in this region
mEst and will seek and ind a western mar
ket. and be carried to the lake shore at CleVe-
land, via the c. & N. r. r.
The Vienna coal fields are about eight
miles due east from Warren, and an air line
railroad constructed between tho two points
would strike the c. & II. r. Z. at Warren,
and would be by several miles the shortest
line that could he built as a western outlet.
II a road is built east or south, the line nee
essarily DIVORCES into = "circumbendilus" or
roundabout way, and is considerably length
ened. But obeying that law Of trade and
commerce which draws and forces the coal
and iron products OF the Mahoning Valley
westward, the shortest and most direct line
Of practicable outlet would prudently be
sought. The building Of an almost direct
lire to Vienna IS no doubt practicable, and
the only thing required to carry the project
through is the Necessary capital, estimated
not to exceed two hundred Thousand dollars.
This is not so large an amount as to present
an insupersble obstacle, If U people viii
awake to the great value the o would be
TO Warren and vicinity. It would bring
cheap coal for manufacturing purposes, and
there can be no doubt it would seUre the
erection Of blast furnaces, rolling mills, and
other important manufacturing establish
ments, the effect OF which upon the business
interests OF the place would be advantageous
beyond all our probable conceptions or esti-
mates.
Here the Lake Superior iron ore would
meet FIRST the coal necessary 10 its manu-
facture, and would be fourteen miles nearer
Inc MhLhtl NAau 1OuuBstUhn AZ mAlcS
nearer than Niles and the Ridge; eighteen
nearer than Hubbard, andabout thirty near
er than Sharon. Estimating the cost Of
transportation at two cents per ton per mile,
q correct estimate we believe, it is not diff
cult to figure ont the superior advantages Of
Warren over the places east Of Us as 3 a
ufacturing point, provided only that coal can
be brought here as cheaply as at the other
points designated. The building Of the rail
road we advocate would certainly secure an
ample and cheap supply ofcoal.
The questions then are, shall the o be
built? How, and by whom? These are mat-
tiers to be canvassed and discussed earnestly
and energeticany. The road VIII pay. OF
this there can be no doubt. The Hubbard
Branch r. r. has annually paid thirty-three
per cent. on its cost Of construction, since
built, three or four years since. III is believed
this line would be equally as remunsrative
as the Hubbard road. The subject is certain
" worth the investigation Of capitalists.
We would suggest that q meeting Of eiti-
zens be called at IN early day, and the mat
ter be made to assume some substantial
form and shape, at the earliest practicable
time.