Gallipolis journal. [volume] (Gallipolis, Ohio) 1837-1919, 1869-03-04
The Newark Gonvention-Re
marks ofH. II. 0nderdonk. Esq.

olF. ONDESDOHh ndNing Dten Calictt
upon, addressed the Convention as
follows. We copy from the State
journal, to wit:
After the able arguments that have
been presented there IS but very lit
tie that can add, but have some
knowledge in reference to the Chesa-
peake and Ohio Railroad and its for.
mer contemplated connections with
the Marietta and Cincinnati road
/ am very firmly impressed with the
very great value OF the enterprise for
which the invention has convened,
the connection between the lakes
and the Ohio river, with the object
of uniting with the Chesapeake and
Ohio Railroad, and that the advan-
tages of the Chesapeake and Ohio
road as trunk connection to the AT
iantic coast are greater thar those OF
either the Baltimore and Ohio, or
Pennsylvania Central, or any other
trunk line, from the fact that it is
road of lighter grades and greater
curvature than those roads. Upon
the Chesapeake and Ohio Railroad
there is no grade greater than forty
feet to the mile and no curvature
with less radius than one thousand
feet Being further south it is also
free from distractions, which occur
in winter on other roads.
A little more than year ago an
effort was made to form a connection
between. the Chesapeake and Ohio
railroad and the Cincinnati and Ma
rietta road at Hamden. This con
nection was to be made by means OF
road commencing opposite the
mouth of the Kanawha and running
up Campaign and through Raccoen
valley to Hamden. Money was sub
scribei in Gallia county to the
amount of S350,000, and all the ar
rangements were made to construct
the connection contemplated. An
engineer was placed upon the road
on the first of January, 1868, and
there was every reason to believe
that the plan would be successfully
carried out.
In the month of February, al q
meeting of stockholders, in Chilli
cothe, the whole direction of the
Marietta & Cincinnati Railroad Com
pany was changed At an election
of its officers, the Vice President of
the Baltimore Il Ohio Railroad was
made President of the Marietta &
Cincinnati Railroad, and none of the
old directors were retained, with the
exception Of two, of whom the for
mer President of the road, W. P.
Cutler, was one.
Immediately after that election
was held, notification was given that
the proposed connection arranged
under the former management
would not be carried out.
The mouey paid by the people of
Gailia county, amounting to $l5, 200,
on account of this arrangement, was
refunded and the whole project de-
feated.
But Notwithstanding this the peo-
pie of Gallia, Meigs, Vinton and
Jackson counties are alive to the i'm
portance Of the road now proposed,
leading from the Ohio river to the
lakes.
The plan marked out by the rese-
lutions of this convention is one
that must receive their support on
account of its important relations to
their future welfare and prosperity.
The Chesapeake and Ohio Rail
road Companies have pledged them
selves to the construction Of road
down the Kanawha river FROM the
mouth of Sgary Creek, where the
road runs on to Catletts5urg. This
lateral road down the Kanawha
would give the connection now7con-
templated. All the counties OF tue
Kanawha through which the Chesa.
peake and Ohio road is to pass, have,
with the exception of Mason county,
subscribed by vote Of the people ol
the counties the amounts assessed
upon them, ranging from 100000
to S500,000 in each county.
AS far as the Chesapeake and Ohio
railroad is concerned its construc
ton is certainty 1t is now compile
ted and in running order TO White
Sulphur Springs, and west of thai
the road is under contract, and re
Gently as I have understood from
good authority, men and their I'M
plements have been landed at Cat
lettsburg for the purpose of working
at that end or the road.
What we are TO consider now is
the connection of this Chesapeake
and Ohio railroad and the most prac
tical route for that purpose. From
this point-Newark-to Hamden the
road has been graded for severa
years and l understand can be made
ready for the superstructure at a cost
not exceeding 100000 per mile.
From Hamden by way OF Berlin tc
the mouth of the Kanawha, the dis
tance IS twenty eight miles, running
through rich mineral district. From
the mouth of the Kanawha to Scary
creek in West Virginia it IS forty
miles. The road between Bcrlia ant
the mouth of the Kanawha has beer
surveyed, located and estimated up
on, both by way OF Campaign creeI
and Chicamsuga, the estimates o
which are preserved, and may b'
made of value in carrying out th'
objects contemplated by this Con
vention. The cost of this branct
from the mouth of the Kanawha t.
Berlin, including equipments, wa'
estimated at about SS00,000
The important objects contempla
ted by this Convention can scarcely
be overrated 1t will inure to the de
velopment and prosperity not only o
the State at large, but to all th'
counties through which the contem
plated lines may pass; and especial,
will it develope the southern tiers o
counties lying upon the Ohio river