The Huntington argus. [volume] (Huntington, W. Va.) 1872-1905, 1872-06-29

"Chesdpeike e okio Rairay Company"
shall reserve these, and kindred pafticu.
lars for future correspondence.
There is one conspicuous instance, how.
ever Of long and uninterrupted connection
with this railway that deserves special
mention, because of the rarity of similar
cases in this fast, and. too often, unappre.
atire age an age, as we daily see, when
glitter ouishines goli and blowing goes up
the ladder faster than merit; when the an.
dacity OF the novice attracts infinitely
more than those quiet and unobtrusive
qualities that ever denote genuine worth;
an instance WHERE the merit OF stern iidel.
ity to duty, and talents equal to his office,
have msde the gentleman in question n
part and parcel, as it were, of the very
work itself allude to Col II. d. Wnrr.
conn, the present Chief Engineer OF the
Chesapeake & Ohio Railway Company.
Col. whitcombs connection with the
railway interests of Virginia ante-iates,
probably, that Of any other official now in
service in either the old or new State. II
there be an exception to this statement,
am not apprised OF the fact When quite
young, he entered the service OF the Vir.
ginia Central Railway Company, lin 1851.
| believe,) RS Resident Engineer with
head quarters at Richmond Soon after.
ward he became Division Engineer, and as
the construction and extension of the road
progressed, the Company, in casting about
for the right man in the right place"
assume what, it was then evident. would
necessarily become n very ariuous and re
sponsble post, the rank and duties of Chic T
Engineer, unanimously rendered that posi-
ton to Col. Whitcomb At the very ont.
set of his connection with the .Virrini,
Central road, his intelligence, activity. and
untiring energy, at once attracted the at
tention Of the officials of the Company.
some OF whom-those with whom he came
most Immediately and constantly in con-
tact. and were the better enabled 20 Judge
soon detected in him many evidences
that he possessed those qualities which n
the professional character, always den ote
promising aud successful career; that his
aitainments would keep pace with his am
ambition and they predicted that, sooner
or later, he would take his place, in the
general estimation, among the most emi.
nent railway engineers in our country.
When it was determined To extend the
Virginia Central Railroad west from
Staunton 20 Covington, Col. WHIrcoxB.
who had the work in charge, gave it hi.
constant personal supervision. He lived
upon the line, rs it were, and no task, how.
ever unusual and onerous, failed to re.
ceive his prompt attention. lie made no
e1actons upon the time and labor ofoth.
ers that he did not make upon himself
lie prosecuted that portion of the work
with remarkable energy, and finished it to
the perfect satisfaction OF the Company
The work Of continun, the rosd from
Covlngton to White sulphur Springs was.
also, committed to his immediate personal
charge Between these latter points four
tunnels, OF various dimensions. were nee.
essary. They were completed, under his
direction, aud are regarded, by competent
Judges, as admirable specimens of engineer.
ing ard superb workmanship.
After the completion OF the road to
White Sui lphur, the Company found thew
had ju't stepped upon the Threshold Of
their undertaking. They were now about
10 confront the most dilicul, aud Tor
Hidable barriers on the loe. To
complete the road from White SULPHUR
to kanawha Falls would be something
like making grand conquest Of nature
itself 10 Col whitcomb was entrusted
th'- important and responsible task. and
how he acquitted himself the history or
the road will tell lie rcconnoitered the
whole country, ani made most Thorough
personal exploration Of the mountain
ranges; re examined all previous surveys.
shortened distances; improved grades and
curves, until he finally located the very
best and shortest practicable line that
could lie found by which to cross the
monntaius, and such m one a. will. tor nll
time TO come plac the Chesapeake and
Ohio Company beyond al possible danger
Of a competing line, on the soil of either
Of the Virginas, either in shor, distances.
low grades or safe curves Besides ae
eomPlIshing these desirable end,. Tor the
easy and successful operation Of the road
a"d, at the same time, very valuable Oh
iects for tho Fou,va,v l., . c,....:.t