Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1868-12-10
LANTz's MILL, Dec. 1st, 1868.

the attention of the citizens Of the county gen
rally was called to the importance Of opening
new road across North and Paddy Mountains
| to Hardy County, W. Va. In these days, the
spirit of improvement, especially as far as
| roads and newspapers are concerned, seems to
be confined to particular localities We have
no objection to the construction of good roads.
| and we are, and always have been, in favor of
good roads all over the county. Wherever the
| interests of a majority of the citizens of any
community concentrate, there public roads
should be located, and particularly so. if the
| majority of the citizens interested are willing
| to be taxed for such improvements. The ma
| terial wealth of every community is enhanced
| by good roads, and it ought to be the object of
every community to improve the condition of
| its roads. We do not intend to interpose any
objections to the opening of the particular
| road to which you refer, nor to the improve
| of all our county roads, but we do most. une
quivocally object to combining this spirit of
improvement to roads in particular localities
While it is true our county seat is entitled to
| roads from all sections of our and adjoining
counties to the depot it is equally true that
other points are also entitled to similar i'm
provements.
1t is the purpose of your correspond emit, in
this communication, to awaken, if possible
the citizens of a portion of this county to the
Importance of improving the condition of the
| 1aad ph,1rn 70 Cali
Liberty Furnaces, and to unprejudice the minds
of others, if any such there be, against said
improvement, nor oughtit to require any argu-
ment, or even communication to your paper
to arouse the people living along this public
road The evidence Of its necessity, doubtless
strikes every one moro forcibly by passing
over the road than by anything can say, and
the stranger will ask whether the road is trav-
eiled. The question may be answered more
forcibly by the facts than otherwise Let us
ascertain, approximately, the amount of ton.
mage that must seek its way over this road or
be transported by more circuitous routes to
other points along our Railroad, and draw from
| it the conclusion as to the Importance of the
road in question.
That there may be sort Of doubt upon
this question. and that all may be placed in
he possession of facts. from which they can
draw their own conclusions, we will give a
summary of the number of improvements To-
Gated Immediately on Stony Greek, above Edin
burg. There are 2 blasting furnaces, 2 FORCES,
seven merchant mills, ten saw mills. two card
ing and two fulllng mills. three tan yards and
three stores, all in active operation, all on Sto-
ny Greek. Now. think the assertion can
safely be made, that more tonnage passes over
this road, o: would pass over it, if in good
condition, than any other road in the county
of the same length The Importance of it
must be seen at a glance without any argu
ment whatever, and the improvements, mills,
saw mills, furnaces and FORCES, must transport
over this road all their supplies, or seek other
routes more circuitous.
Edinburg is the nearest point on the railroad
to these furnaces and FORCES, mills and saw
mills on Stony Creek. and is justly entitled to
the tonnage, and it is quite plausible to sup
pose that it will receive it, if the road leading
down the creek is located where it can be kept
in good order. In this season of the year, the
| road in its present location, is almost impass
able by reason Of its proximity to the Creek.
1t crosses the stream four times in less than
two miles, and for nearly one-f fourth of this
distance the bed of the stream is the road or
so near tc 1t that the slightest swelling of the
stream overfows the road entirely.
In justice to the citizens of Edinburg, it is
due them to state that they have exhibited
| their willingness 10 cooperate with all inter-
estcd in opening and improving the road, but
it seems to me that they ought to urge the
| question stronger than they have done, and no,
| only show willingness to co operate with
Others but work whether others do or not in
as much as their own town must, in the end
| if the improvement is made, receive proper
tionately the greater share of its benefits.
| am 1t loss, however, to know what plea
can offer for the Indifference which is mani
Tested by the citizens living along Stony Creek
in regard to their own road, unless it be that
they are fearful of giving offence to their
neighbors by urging the question. can con-
ceive of no other plausible reason, for ali alike
express desire to see new road opened all
alike say it will enhance the value of their
property; all alike are willing to labor in it's
construction. Then, why not have the road !?
The route has been surveyed. The commits
missioners have reported the route and the
damages assessed to the land holders at least
eighteen months ago. IF there are insupera-
BILE objections to the route proposed by the
Commissioners, let us ask the Court to appoint
| other Commissioners and see whether more
| practical route can be found-one which will
give general satisfaction to all parties interest
! ed 1t seems to me that now is the proper
not at work, would it not be proper to inquire
| what has become of the charter granting road
| from Luray to Moorefeld? 1t strikes me that
l heard of such thing once in my life and
| also heard that considerable amount of mo-
ney had been subscribed for the construction
of that road. What has become of that char
ter? A good road from Luray to Edinburg.
| thence to Moor efeld, would enhance the value
Inburg; it is not at ali improbable that the
trade of the fertile county of Page would be
diverted into this channel, inasmuch as it is
one mile nearer than any other depot on the
railroad, and who can for moment deny that
some day the productions of the rich lands of