The democrat. [volume] (Weston, W. Va.) 1868-1874, 1870-05-23
Internal improvements in West Va

lhterBai Improvements IN west va
One of the best evidences we have that
the people Of West Virginia are waking
up to the importance Of developing the
latent resources of the State, in order
that they may receive the benefits of the
vast wealth that nature has lavished upon
her. is given in an almest universal de-
sire to build railroads and establish lines
Of communication between ourselves aud
our neighbors, whereby tho productions
of the State may be made valuable, not
only to ourselves, but to those with whom
we may have dealings.
There are number Of lines of roads
proposed through tho Stato--somo of
.hom practicable aud others impractical
bic. As a matter Of interest to some Of
our readers. VIC will briefly allude to some
ofthcm. aa
The Chesapeake Il Ohio Railroad, tho
Eastern terminus Of which, by is connec-
lions, is to be at Norfolk, and the West.
ern end rest, for tue present, on the Ohio
river, near the mouth Of the Big Sandy,
will probably be the first one finished.
This road is already constructed, and
running to White Sulphur Springs. we
believe, and is being pushed forward to
rapid completion through our statc-en-
crgotic contractors being at work on all
parts of the line. 1t expected to finish
this line in about % months. 1t will
pass through Greonbrier, Monroe, Ner-
Ger, Raleigh, Fayette, Kanawha, Put
nam and Cabell counties, and will open
up a very 6uc mineral, agricultural and
grazing country. .
Another important road, from the tide
water Of the Atlantic to the great West,
which is being pushed forward with re-
newed zeal, is the old Alexandria, oppo-
site Washington city, to tho Ohio river,
which they expect to strike about Poiut
Pleasant. This company expect to make
their road the great line Of freight md
travel between the National Capitol and
the Valley Of the Ohio; and urc author.
lied to change the nunie Of the company
as soon as they get through to the Ohio
river, to "Tho Capitol and Ohio Rail.
road" This road has been located and
partly constructed from Alexandria as for
west as Mooredeld. in Hardy county.
A corps Of engineers are now engaged on. .
the western end Of the road, making the
location towards the East, to connect
with those operating west from Moore.
field. This road will pass through the
counties Of Hardy, Grant, Tucker, Bar.
bour, Randolph, Upshor, Lewis, Gil
mer. Calhoun, Roano, jackson and Ma.
son. The company is backed by large
amount Of capital, and it. work is under
the charge Of intelligent and practical
men, wl'ocxpcct to complete the road
through to Tic Ohio river. The route
Of this road is through an undeveloped
country. rich in several minerals, inclu-
ding iron, and containing fine coal at
several points, and passes through the
most valuable ti,ntered lands in the
country. .t.
A road which is intended to, iutcrsect
the above roads, passing up the MOnon.
gahcla aud Valley rivers, through Mon
onsalia, Marion. Taylor, Barbour. Ran
dolph, (crossing tile A. L & II. road in
Barbour and Raudolph) Pocuhontas and
GrcenLricr counties, to intersect the
Chesapeake & Ohio Railroad at White
Sulphur Springs, and thence proceeding,
by connecting with other roads, to
Charleston, South Carolina, is being ar.
dently advocated BY the citizens Of Pitts.
burg, Pennsylvania, and the people Of
the counties along the line Of its route.
This limo is a natural route, and has long
been contemplated. Just before the war
George Hoffman, Esq, fine engineer
Of Clarksburg, who assisted to locate the
Parkersburg Branch road, was ordered
by the State Of Virginia to max recon-
noisance Of this route. lilo had only par.
TALLY completed il when the war broke
ont and interrupted bis work. We have
bean informed by intelligent gentlemen
that railroad can be made on this route
from Uniontown, Pennsylvania, to the
Chesapeake 4 Ohio road at White Sal.
phur Springs, with one small tunnel.
It will open up finely timbered country,
excellent grazing lands, and good agr-
cultural soil, and develope rich mines of
iron, with some very profitable leads of