Delaware tribune. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1867-1877, 1869-07-01
OUR WESTERN RAILROAD-7HE FIRST
STEP IN A GREAT work.

OUR WESTERN RAILROA D-7HE FIRST |
STEP IN A GREAT work.
The notice for Il meeting of the stock |
holders of the Wilmington and Western |
Railroad Company, to elect nine directors,
and formally organize the corporation, was
published in the COMMERCIAL some days
ago, and so important u step in the COM
mencement OF this great enterprise deserves
the fullest public attention.
The prospects which open to us, in build
Ing road Westward, by Oxford, Peach
bottom, Hanover Junction, and Gettysburg,
through the Southern counties of Pennsyl-
vauia, arc of the most extensive character.
They have, though not very recently, re-
ceivcd careful consideration in our columns,
and we reserve for the future still more
elaborate presentation Of facts and statistics.
But so great an enterprise as trunk road
to the Allegheny mountains, or the Ohio
river, can only be realized by patient, though
rcsolute, exertions. Its immense possibil
ties serve to stimulate each successive move
in the work, and the first ten miles or one
mile, is SO many steps In the right direction.
as the first section, some twelve or fourteen
miles, from Wilmington to Chandlerville,
in Chester county. AT that point it will
intersect the proposed road from Parkcsburg
to Delaware City, which is now in position
that almost positively assures its early
construction. This will give TO Wilmington
a very direct route from Parkesburg, with
all the advantages of o connection with the
Pennsylvania Railroad, at that point; and
will open to us a magnificent, uudeveloped
farming country, in the valley of Doc Run.
Passing by the kaolin at Avondalc, and the
great limestone and marble deposits al
Hockessin, the road can come into the city
by the Red Clay or Mill Creek valleys, as
shal. be found most advantageous to The
general enterprise. Either one will develop
busy manufacturing section, with splendid
water power, and excellent facilities fol
more extended operations.
Whether the new road is considered
merely as a local feeder to this city, or a
the first section of great through route Il
the West, ii is vitality important, and shoul'
inspire in the people of Wilmington, aa'
those along its line, the highest degree o
practical enthusiasm. 1t will be most valu
able, and, VIC have no doubt, entirely sue
cessful, if it should never extend beyon
the Chandervllle connection, but havin
arrived at that point it will stimulate til
work already begun of organizing a roat
through Lancaster county, TO Pcachbotton
and again, thence to Hanover Junction, an
Gettysburg. The great Southern tier
Pennsylvania counties, with their magnii
cent farming lands, uncut timber, their slat'
iron, lime, marble, and bitumiuor
coal, must wait for such raj
road to open TO them the markets of Il
great seaboad cities, and the wharves of ti'
water. If Wilm ington shall show them th
she is cn,erprising and earnest, they W
strike hands with us in the work
1t may properly be added, in conclusi'
of this article, that the charter granted
the Legislature of Delaware is liberal, Al
confers the fullest necessary powers on 4
new corporation, while a special act Of I
Pennsylvania Legislature authorizes the CT
struction of that portion between the St,
line and the poipt. where connection will
made with the Parkersburg road, and q
penses with the onerous condition impos
by the general Railroad law of Pennsylvan
that where road crosses the line OF 4
State, a majority of the directors must
side therein.