Fayette County herald. [volume] (Washington [Washington Court House], Fayette County, O. [Ohio]) 1860-1???, 1872-02-08
From the Cincinnati Commercial.
Dayton and Its Coal Road.

OaH GOL4 anu HIS OO6A AeOGOs
The Dayton Journal, in its leader |
of January %, utters a most dolorous
vail over the decreasing prosperity |
and declining fortunes of that beauti
full city, consequent upon the marrow
minded, cold blooded, selfish' policy
which prevails there. The editor ven
tilates his intense agony of mind, and
paints horrid pictures of Dayton's
coming desolauon, and all because its
stupid citizens do not rush forward
and subscribe to the stock of the
Southern Ohio Railroad. 1t may be
that its citizens are not assured that
the stock in the proposed road will
| not turn Out-as did the stock of all
| their railroads, with one single excep-
| tion-worthless Some of Davton's
most Influential citizens are so infatu
ated with the Southern Ohio Railroad
that they refuse even to examine or
consider the advantages of any other
route to the coal field December /,
1871, a number of gentlemen from
| Greene and Favette Counties visited
Dayton to present 20 its people the
advantages that would secure to that
city by the building of the Dayton and
Southeastern Railroad, from Dayton to
Gallipolis. A conference was held at
the Beckel House, and the claims of
this line were presented for their con-
sideration. The gentlemen representing
Dayton declined to consider, and the
proceedings of that meeting we're
squelched, at their request. The
chearuess of construction, shortness
of line, easy grades, advantages Of
business and income of the Dayton
and Southeastern Railroad were pre-
sented, but made no impression on
these infatuated gentlemen. They did
not want the Dayton people to know
that they could have better and short
er line to the coal fields: 1T night
divert their attention from these gen
tlemen's darling project" Now, the
facts are these: While their princi
pal paper is mourning over the deca
dent fortunes of Dayton, project that
F would meet the exigency does exist
was presened, and declined. The Day
ton and Southeastern Railroad passing
: through Greene, Fayctte, Ross and
r Gallia Counties, reaching all the prin.
cipal coal fields of Ohio, is a shorter
line, of easier grades, through a more
e thick settled county, and can be bull
for two million dollars less cost thar
The line the Dayton people are com
mitted to. Thirty-fve miles of roat
f is now finished, which would also feacl
f the jackson County coal mines-th,
S idolized Eldorado of the Dayton peo
: pie. This route would give them ev
S cry possible advantage they conlC
: have by the other, and would cost owe
: two million dollars less money t.
D build, and the general business Of tn
0 line would largely exceed that of the
s other, as at Gallipolis it would NEE
{ the great current of travel coming
e down the Kanawha River, going t.
y the Northwest. The necessary amour
t to build the link between Gallipo Iii
S and Hamden Station is already sub
|, scribed and awaiting the action at thi
: end of the line. The Dayton ant
v Southeastern Rrailroad offers to tn
e people of Dayton the shortest line t,
d coal fields, and runs through the Bes
, agricultural region of the State, and a
S two million dollars less cost to build
e and many other decided advantages
: But it is claimed by the Dayton gentle
: men that connection with the Chesa
peake and Ohio Railroad would be
: ''big thing" Such connection can al
!, so be made By the Dayton and South
S eastern Railroad II is our opinion
that the advantages of such con
t neotion are over estimated by the Day
e ton committee. It may prove ssbl,
e thing" to them, as did the Atlanti
t & Great Western.
e What are the advantages of th
e Chesapeake and Ohio Railroad? It i
S claimed that it is the shortest line t.
!, the seaboard, and that Norfolk is on
: of the best harbors in the world. Gran
e it. Norfolk has neither capital no
# commerce, and without either or botl
g how can she do the great busines
S which it is predicted will go there P
: Even the city of Boston could no
: maintain line of steamships, which
e though they came ladened with goods
b could procure no return cargo henc
t the line has suspended Norfolk
S even if she had lines of vessels am
|, steamships to load with grain for ex
:, port, could not furnish the return car
n go of goods, as it has no commercial
e importance. If Dayton is almost ru
ined, as MI. Bickham says, her saliva
e ton is in the shortest line to the Goa
l fields and the cheapest coal. The Day
a ton and Southeastern Railroad offer
: both. x.