Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1872-04-30
President of S. V. r. r. ID
Report Of the Board Of Directors of The
Shenandoah Valley RaiyoaI Company.

Annual Report, deem it expedient to explain
the reasons for the slight progress that has
been made in the construction of the Road
since the last annual meeting.
Il will be remembered that O contract for
construction was made with the Central I'm.
proVement Company on satisfactory terms
but under that contract tho Railroad Company
were required to secure the right>of.way.-
This the Company were unable to do in con-
sequence OF the excessive prices demanded by
lasd owhers, and she contractors for the work
were thus seriously embarrassed and DELAYED.
To have complied with these demands would
have absorbed large part Of thesfunds pro-
vlded and required for construction, and the
contractors were under no obligations to mako
advances for said purposes.
The present Board after their organiza-
ton, became satisfied that it would be much
more to the advantage of the Company to pro-
coed with the construction of the road COM
tinuously from its northern terminus instead
of at an intermediate point They could dis
cover no advantage in first building the ex-.
pensiVe portion of the line to Luray, when a
smaller expenditure would construct the whole
division from the Potomac to Front Royal,
and bring it into connection with roads Lead
ing to Philadelphia and New York
Influenced by these considerations the
Board ordered the discontinuancs of work in
Warren and Page counties, where about fifteen
miles had been graded, and q transfer of the
forces to Jefferson and Clarke counties.
1t was expected that this transfer would be
made promptly, but no sooner was it known
this work was to be commenced in these coun.
ties, than similar disposition to exact Excess
sive land damages was shown. The Railroad
Company having failed to secure the right of
way, the contractors could do nothing. At
last compromise was effected the Company
agreed 10 pay certain sum, and citizens of
ShcpherdstoWn, with public spirit and lib
crafty that cannot be too highly commended,
generously volunteered to contribute the resi-
unnecessary to clear the right of way through
great portion Of the county of Jefferson
In Clarke county but little difficulty was
experienced. The agents who took the work
IN hand proved active and efficient, and the
Commissioners when called upon to decide,
discharged their duties fairly and equitably.
SO that at last after causing almost years.
delay, these vexatious questions muy be cons
sidered as settled and the chief obstacle to the
rapid construction of tie Road removed
The whole Road between the Potomac
River at Shephordstown and the intersection
With tho Manassas Gap Railroad, near Front
Royal, IS now in progress of construction and
will no doubt be completed at an early period.
| 1t Is believed that the resources of the Com
pany will suffice to grade the entire Road, from
| the Potomac to Luray, provided, that no por-
ton OF its means shall be absorbed in paw
ment for land damages iu Warren and Page
counties your Board recommend that the
r-iire between Front Royal and Luray be nut
under contract as soon as right-of-way shall
| have been secured, but that no work be done
thereupon until that is accomplished
In view OF tho great appreciation in the
value of property that must result from the
construction of this Road, it is believed that
the citizens of Warren and Page counties will
meet the question in liberal spirit, and if
few individuals should refuse the right of way.
it is hoped that either by private subscrin
ton, or as at Shepherdstowp, by general
tax, sufficient sum will be raised in each
county to provide the right>of>way without
coat to the Company.
When the !iae shall have boen graded be-
tween ShePhsrdstcwn and Luray, no difficulty
IS aPpreGended in providing means, BY an
issue of bonds, to lay the track aud extend
tho grading to tho Chesapeake and Ohio Rail-
road, at Stauston.
The line between Luray and Stauatoa has
been surveyed, but not finally located con-
siderable portion of it oan be graded ct very
moderate expense, bus o section of about
twelve miles, near the Shenandoah Iron Works
requires further and careful examination to
determine the best route. Tho location
should be made as 5000 as practicable, and
construction commenced.
1t is believed that the entire line to Staun-
ton can be completed in two years Before
tho end of the present year, 1872, the Ches-
NPeake and Ohio Railroad will be completed
to the Ohio River, and your Road by this con-
Deotlon expects to secure large through bust.
ness passing to and from New York, Phila,
delphis and other northern cities. It is ex-
Pected that the Cumberland Valley Railroad
Company will make tho necessary connections
south OF the Potomac without expense to this
Company.
The Shenandoah Valley, as is we'll known,
| possesses soil naturally equal to that of Ian.
| caster and Cumberland Counties in Pennsyl>
vsnia, while the climate is superior for all az
ricultural products These advantages, with
the comparative low price of lands, must
stimulate Immigration to a great extent, and
develop in few years large business for the
Rosd In live stock and the products Of tho
SOIL a still heavier tonnage, however, will
be thrown, upon the Road by the develops
nicnt OF the mineral resources of the county.
Beds OF the richest hcmatite ores extend over
many miles. Anthracite coal can be BROUGHT
down over the Cumberland Valley Railroad
add ore blooms and pig metal returned, thus
furnishing loading for cars in both directions
and yielding large profit to the company
even at very low rates Of transportation
Unanimous coal aud coke can also be bought
from tho line Of the Chesapeake and Ohio
Railroad.
The SUCCESS of railroad enterprise where
circumstances have been far less favorable for
the Development of trade and travel, affords
guarantee that, with the large through and
local resources of the Shenandoah Valley r.
r., the line between the Potomac River and
Staunton, even without further. extension,
will not on ) pay tho interest on, its bonded