The Highland weekly news. [volume] (Hillsborough [Hillsboro], Highland County, Ohio) 1853-1886, 1871-12-07

The largest and most influential
railroad meeting which has assem-
bled in Dayton, was seen at the
court house, on Saturday night. On
motion of Robt. W. Steele, Peter P.
Lowe, Esq, was called to the chair,
John A. McMahon, Esq, was ap-
pointed Secretary. The Chairman
stated briefly the object for which
the meeting had been convened. A
committee of experienced citizens
had been appointed at a previous
meeting to visit the coal fields of
GaIlia, Jackson and Lawrence coun-
ties, for the purpose of making
personal examination of coal and
iron deposits there, in connection
with the proposed construction of
the Southern Ohio Railroad, which
would penetrate and bring to our
doors the rich products of this, to US
almost unknown portion of the State,
unknown, at least, so far as the rich
ness of its mineral resources were
concerned. This committee, in COM
pany with Prof. Orton, State geolo,
gist, had made a careful examination
OF the country referred to, and re-
ports had been prepared by the COM
mittee and Prof. Orton, which would
be presented to the meeting.
The Chairman then called on E.
E. Barney, Chairman of the Citizens
Committee, for his report.
Mr.. Barney then came forward,
and, in connection with his report,
made some statements which every
one who knew the cool, deliberate,
and accurate character of his obser-
vations and mode of reasoning, lis
tened to with surprise as well as
qualification.
Mr.. Barney said that when he
read the report of Col. Trimble to
the Dayton Board of Trade, in rela-
ton to the coal and iron region of
southeastern Ohio, and to the railway
route from Dayton to that region, he
did not take any special interest in
the statements Of Col. Trimble, be-
cause they seemed to be the words
: of an enthusiast. He could not re-
aIize that the project for reaching the
fields Of coal and iron was one in
which Dayton could be interested.
In fact he looked upon it with indif-
ference. He believed fully in the
honesty of Col. Trimble's intentions,
but thought that he was carried
away by his anxiety to secure the
construction of the railroad proposed.
When the committee to examine
the coal and iron region was ap-
pointed, Mr.. B. felt quite sure that
his report would be unfavorable.
But now, after the examination had
been made by the committee, after
they had visited the region of coal
and iron, and had seen with their
own eyes the vastness of the supply,
and the superior quality of iron ore
and the coal, it was his pleasure, no
! less than his duty, to vindicate Col.
Trimble, by saying that, even in the
enthusiastic deliverances of that gen
tleman, the half had not been told.
Instead of an extravagant statement,
the Colonel had underrated the value
and importance of the mineral re-
gion of Southeastern Ohio.
But there was something more
than this to be said of the action of
Col. Trimble, which it was proper
to be declared here, in further vim
dication and commendation of his
statements and his Iabors to secure
the construction of this important
railroad from Dayton to the regions
of iron and coal in the southeast.
This was in relation to the location
of the road itself, which, in the brOr
ken and mountainous region through
which it must pass, was most inn
pOrtant consideration. Col. Trimble,
as the committee learned, during the
course of their examinations on the
spot, where the difficulties of the lo..
cation were apparent, had travelled
all through the mountainous region
in a buggy, on horseback, or in any
way which would enable him to
make a thorough examination of the
country, and discover the most prac-
ticable route for the great work.
Col. Trimble did all this before he
called to his aid the practical skill
and scientific exactne53 of the engl.
neering party. He had, in fact, dis
covered the best route without the
use of an instrument, before the par
ty of engineers set their levels and