Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1871-05-16
1TTV1 NDD71 * A7FTvTF AND VIRGINIA ADVERTISER

RAILROADS. the portion of the Message
of Gov. Cooke to the Legislature OF the Dis
trict of Columbia he thus refers to tic subject
of Railroads.
"Thc importance to the District of addition
al railroad communications with the Northern,
Southern and Western sections OF the country,
is fully realized by its citizens 1t IS Gratliy-
ing fact that there is now Il prospect Tor the
early completion Of two new railway lines
through the District, each connecting with IN
6ependent lines of railway extending South
and North. There is also prospect OF the
completion, during the coming fall oil the Me
tronnlitan Railroad connecting with the Balti,
more and Ohio Railroad at the Point Of Rocks,
thus giving to Washington line of railroad
communication with the valleys Of the Ohio
and the Mississippi and the great lakes, consid-
erably shorter than any other existing line.
Other lines of road arc projected, having their
terminal and connecting points in the District;
among them the extension Of the Orange and
Alexandria Railroad to Lynchburg, Virginia.
where it connects with the interior system OF
Southern railway: and the Al exandrla and
Fredericksburg Railroad: connecting at treder
icksburg with the Richmond and Frcdcrlcks
burg Road. thus securing Il connection with the
coast system of Southern railways. All OF
these roads are being rapidly pushed toward:
completion by strong and competent parties
and when completed they will make the Dis
trict of Columbia one of the most Important
railway centres upon the Atlantic seaboard. 1t
will furnish the two connecting links between
the Northern and Southern systems OF railway
communication, and will thus become the cen
tire of both.
Another project of great merit, though YET
in it's inception is that Of the Piedmont and
Potomac Railroad, which, when completed
will furnish further direct communication VIII
the South and West through the Virginia and
Tennessee, and the Chesapeake and Ohio Kali
road. 1t is believed that the legislation OF the
District will, so far AS practicable. extend every
aid and encouragement to all these enterprises
whose success will contribute so largely to tho
DEVELOPMENT of its local interests.
ENORMOUS FLIGHT OF PIGEONS. Nil
bourn City wis Mirror Of the 9Th says:
For the past three weeks pigeons; have
been flying in hocks which no man could num-
bcr On Saturday. April -, for above twC
hours before nighttall, they flew in one contln
nous flock from south to north, darkening the
air and astonishing the people by the sound Of
lncr WHY'S, ullti CDliei bC S'Nh ~ " va '' va
tent And they have still contil ""d to comc
although not in so great numbers. Hardly q
train arrives that does not bring hunters and
trappcrS. Hotels are full, cooperS are busy
making barrels. and men. women and children
are active in packing the birds or filling the
barrels. They are shipped TO all places on tho
railroad, and to Milwaukee. Chicago. IT. Lou:
is. Cincinnati. Philadelphia. New York and
Boston, being picked and packed i'll Ice Tor thl
more distant points On no express trains !,
it possible to take the large amount offered
and arrangements are made To forward them
on the midnight train going cast. From ten
to thirty thousand birds are forwarded daily
most Of which have to be picked after the arrl'
val of the trains at night. in many instances
the work of picking and packing hein" contln
ucd all night.
TIE JUNCTION ROAp.-On Saturday last
the final agreement WAS signed for the CON.
struction of the junction road over the Aquc.
duct at Georgetown. The Washington June
ton interest, the Georgetown interest, the
Auueduct interest and the Virginia interest.
have all combined and the road will really be
worked under one management 1t will hc
put Immediately under contract. and Is t" hc
Completed by the first Of April ISL. BY the
ARRANGEMENTS now completcd the Baltimore
and Ohio Railroad will have 4 second depot III
Washington. probably not far from the Airing
ton Hotel, and 4 large depot in Gcorgetown.
which will serve rs we'll for L depot Tor the Me-
tropolitan Railroad, which is now being rapidly
pushed forward and is to be completed by the