Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1872-07-05

,afe curves. Besides accomplishing these
desirable ends, for, the easy and successful
operation of the road and, at the same time,
very valuable objects, for the Company. in
4 financial point of view-he reduced, by
adop ting his improved line, the amount OF
excavation necessary by previous surveys,
about / 900, 900 yards. and, also, reduced
the masonry about $4,000 cubic yards!
To overcome the natural obsta ,les in the
path Of railway across the lofty mountains
IF Virginia ;-to master the deep, almost
bottomless passes, and wild and rushing
torrents which seem to madden at human
approach, and defy human ingenuity, re-
quired combination Of professional skill
and comprehensive, practical judgment, (to
say nothing of the most patient temper and
christian endurance that makes the engi-
neer in such rare work an exceptional char
acter. The design was st,lpendous in pro-
gramme and proportions, and involved in
terests, not only the most extensive charac-
ter, but of continental magnitude. But, in
every quality requisite for the important du-
ty, Col. Whitcomb was not only equal to,
but the consumete master Of, his task. No
emergency exceeded his ability, or surpassed
his thorough understanding Of the duty de-
volving upon him. He faithfully, energet-
ically and most creditably performed all the
labor assigned to him, and to the entire sat.
isfaction Of the Company in whose service
he then was, and still is engaged.
And now, after twenty one years of pa
tient and jealous toll in behalf Of what with
him, seemed, at times, to be ''labor of
love- as we'll as duty, daylight is about to
break in upon him He can see, in the
near future, the realization Of his hopes and
wearying labors, in the speedy completion
of his favorite road. The cars are thunder
ing along the rugged mountains and river
banks where he has so often bivouaced, 10
his solitary marches looking for the best
line," and Don through train will attest
that his anxious days and hour have
passed. as aesa 5aq
When this shall be witnessed, as it will
be at no very distant day, with all who shall
pass over the Chesapeake & Ohio railway,
and witness the triumphs Of his patient in
dustry and mastery skill, the name of
WnIrooMB will be remembered as worthy of
being inscribed high upon the pinnacle
which assigns to perpetual remembrance the
names of the first and worthiest of American
Engineers. ..s,.
It may also be claimed for Col. Whit
comb, as one of the merits of his character,
as displayed in his present work, that no
grand trunk line of railway in our country,
Of equal or comparative difficulty of construc-
ton, has been SO economically built as the
Chesapeake & Ohio Railway. In fact, ia
king into consideration the superiority Of the
work done, in every respect, it may safely
be stated that no other mountain road, in
any State, can show so favorable construc-
ton account to its stockholders 'f
Aside from the pride which every Virgin.
ian should feel in the wel-earned reputation
Of a citizen so distinguished in his profess
sion as Col. Whitcomb, there are other rea-
SOFAS which should very justly commend him
to their grateful esteem. During the nego-
tiations between the authorities of Virginia,
and capitalists from other States, upon the
subject of completing the Central railway
from Richmond to the Ohio river, when OBJ
stacles seemed to interpose at every step.
and threaten defeat of all propositions, the
counsels Of Col. Whitcomb, his lucid, ex-
haustiVe and convincing explanations Of the
practicability Of the route over the noun
tains, the immense resources to be developed
by the construction Of the road, its command
in ,orton rooA IacAina1
to rank among the leading through lines of
the country, its peculiar value to the future
progress and prosperity of the State of Vir-
ginia, we're most potent in influencing the
contamination Of the negotiations which
have made practical reality of the Chesa-
peake i Ohio railway. Pc aas...
COX Whitoomb during his long continue
ton with this important work, has given it
his only whole energies, and to its general
affairs he has devoted the best years Of his
life. 1t is but natural, therefore, that he
should feel a deep interest ip the SUCCESS Of
an enterprise with which his name will, for.
ever, be most honorably associated. And,
as the "day Of jubilee is almost at hand, it
is but just and proper that appropriate men
ton should be publicly made. and well.de-
served credit given, to the Chief Engineer,
whose ludomitable energy, never firing la
bors, excellent practical Judgment, and ac.
knowledged professional skill, have contrib
uted so much toward the successful con.
struction and completion Of one of the best,
as we'll as one of the most profitable lines Of
railway on the continent, as it ia unaues.
tionably destined TO BECOME, and aided in
giving to Virginia what will, in the future,
be the greatest, the most reliable and endu-
ring element Of her prosperity. 'e,4
81" -t' s1 KENASAW.
A DoUBLE-BARRELED CALF.-An Eatra-