The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1871-01-26
sugy,spoAH VALLEY RAILROAD.

receipt of the report of Geu. Herman Haupt,
Chief Engineer, and of Prof. J. p. Lesley,
Geologist, of the Shenandoah Valley Rail
road This report is based upon a general
reconnaissance Of the country between the
Potomac river, at Shepherdstown, and the
city of Knoxville. with view to ascertain
the most eligible routes for the extension OF
the road, tho resources of the country tribu-
tary to tho proposed line, and the expcdlency
of the contemplated extension. The exami-
nation was ordered and made with reference
to the determination of the line which would
afford the most direct route between the
Northern cities and New Orleans, and Of
courseh aving in view the most practicable and
economical one, as we'll as the route that
would contribute most to the sustenance of
the proposed extension. From the report
and the accompanying introduction o: Presi-
dent Borst, it would appear that the recon-
noissauco was satisfactory, and that the por-
ton Of the road between the Potomac aud
Fishersville, 10 this county, will be pushed
forward at once.
The report of Gen. Haupt says that the
Company has been peculiarly fortunate in
having been favored with wise and liberal
legislation untrammeled by local interest
The charter confines the company to neither
terminal or intermediate points, but allows
them to be determined by consideration of
expediency and prospective remuneration.
The examination, as is evidenced by the
Engineering and Geological reports, has
been thorough, and results arrived at, that
must make the construction Of this great
work one Of tho most important enterprises
ever undertaken in this State. 1t will ira
verse near the base of the Blue Ridge thro'
the entire length of tho State. The mex
haustible deposits of the hematite ores 10
that range of mountains, even with partial
development, must contribute vastly to the
wealth of the State, and the prosperity of the
road. "Pennsylvania, rich as she is" says
the report, sis poor in iron ores as compared
with Virginia, and capitalists are not slow to
invest where large returns can be consider.
ed certain. It requires now more than a mil
lion of tons of railway iron per annum tc
supply the wants of the United States, and
the demand constantly and rapidly increases
1t has been stated that our consumption in
1869 was 938, $50 tons, while our production
was only 583,586. Three fifths Of the rails
produced in 1869 were made in Pennsylva
MIA. The consumption of iron for Other
purposes is also increasing rapidly, and there
is room for all the furnaces that can be erect
ed' With the stimulus that will be giver
to enterprises of this kind, by the construc
ton of the Shenandoah Valley Road, w
may reasonably expect large influx of cap
ital, and the development of contihuou
and daily charging source of wealth. Will
line to the Potomac, thousands of our labor
ing citizens will find remunerative employ
ment, our timber become utilized, and facto
ries, every description spring into existence
on our water courses. The great source o
the wealth of Pennsylvania is her furnaces
and foundries The farmer finds a read,
: and profitable market at his door. Encour
agement is given him to bring his lands VI
to the highest attaiDable state Of productive
ness. Their price is greatly enhanced, ant
the prosperity of the farmer, having are fec
tive influence, stimulates and enriches ever.
other branch of enterprise and Industry
The iron interest is not the only one tina
will find development by the construction o
this road. That will be the greatest source
of wealth to the counties Immediately alons
the immense deposits of tina ore. But th
. report enumerates, in addition to iron-coal
lumber, salt, marble, gypsum and marble.
They are now comparatively valueless, fo
the want Of transportation. The opening W
of channel Of speedy communication will
the great marts of trade, will invite capital
and these prolific sources of prosperity vii
be rapidly developed; and live stock and ag
, ricultural products generally, will contribute
/ in greater abundance than now to the afauenc.
Of the county.
Pennsylvania, with not one fourth Of tn
natural wealth of Virginia; with land nj
better, if as good as that Of the Valley o
Virginia, in its original state, with less sa
luxurious and inviting climate, rates her farm
at 5000 per acre, while the farms of better
quality, in the Valley will not bring more, il
market, than $50. Why is this? Because
railroads have developed her coal fields, bui
up colieries, opened out iron beds, and erected
furnaces, furnishing paying market fol-
everything the farm produces, and thus ena
bli-g the owners of lands to apply the best
fertilizers, as auxilirants to the soil.
As one of the controlling means of dcvel
oping these abundant natural sources Of
wealth, Gen. Haupt offers some very practi
cal aud forcible views, and illustrates why a
liberal system of charges should be adopted
by the company on the completion of any
mart of their road ii e assumes as an incon.