Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1872-04-27
EEPORT OF The Bonrd Of Directors
crime Shenandoah Iaiiey Railroad
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The Directors in presenting their
Second Annual Report, deem it eXpcdi-
ent to explain the reasons tol the slight
progress that has been made in the
construction of the Road since the last
annual meeting.
1t will be remembered that = con
tract for construction was made with
the Central Improvement company on
satisfactory terms; but under that con-
tract the Railroad Company were re
quired to secure the right OF way This
the Company were unable TO ito IN con
sequence ofthe excessive prices demand
ed bv land owners. and the contractors
for the work were thus seriously en-
barrassed and delayed. To have com
piled with these demands would have
absorbed large part OF the funds pro
yided and required for construction, and
the contractors were under no obhga-
tions to make advances for sad pur-
poses
The present Board attcrtheir organi-
cation. became satisfied that 1t would hc
much more to the advantage OF the
Company to proceed with the con>truc-
ton of the road continuously from Its
northern terminus instead OF at an IN
termediatc point They could discover
40 advantage in first building the cN-
peusiye portion OF the line To Luray,
when a smaller expenditure would con
s,ruct the whole division from thcPoto-
mac to Front Royal, and bring 1t into
connection with roads leading to ImIa-
delphia and New York.
Influenced 10y these considerations the
Board ordered the discontinuaEce OF
work in Warren and Page counties,
where about fifteen miles had been
praded. and a transfer Of the forces to
Jefferson and Clarke Counties.
1t was expected that this transfer
would he made promptly. but no sooner
was it known this work was to be com.
menrcd in these counties, than 4 similar
DISPOSITION to exact excessive land dam
noes was shown. The Railroad Com
panv having failed to secure the right
Of way. the contractors could do moth
inc. At last a compromise was effected;
the Company agreed to pay a certain
SIM. and citizens OF Shcpherdstown, with
uubIic spiritand libcrality that cannot be
too highly commended. generously rolun
1,crcd To- contribute the residue nccesSa-
~ to clear the right Of way through
Great portion of the county OF Jefferson.
In Clarke County bat little difficulty
was experienced The agents whotook
the worl, in hand proved active and
efficient and the Commissioners when
called upon to decide, discharged their
duties fairly and eqaitably. So that at
last after causing almost years delay,
these yeXatiouS questions may he con
sidercd as settled and the chief obstacle
10 the rapid construction of the Road
removed.
The whole Road between the Poto-
mae River at Shephcrdstown and the
intersection with the Manassas Gap
Railroad, near front Royal, is now in
progress Of construction and Will no
doubt he completed at an early period
1t is believed that the resources OF
the Company will suffice to grade the
cntirs Road. from the Potomac to Lu-
rav. provided, that no portion OF Its
means shall be absorbed in payment for
land damages in Warren and Page
Counties: Your Board recommend that
the line between Front Royal and Luray
he put under contract is soon as nght
al way shall have been secured, but
TINT no work be done thcreupon until
Irat is accomplished.
In view Of the great appreciation III
the value of property that must result
from the construction OF this Road, II Is
believed that thccjtizons OF Warren and
Page Counties viii meet the question
in liberal spirit, and if a few imdiNidu
ais should refuse the right OF way, it is
Hoped that that either by private sub
scription, or as at Shcphcrd,town, hy
General LAX, sufficient sum viii be
raised in each county to provide the
right o! way without cos; to the Com
pany
When the line shall have been graded
between Shephe:dstown and Lway, no
difficulty is unprecedented in providing
means, bv an issue Of bonds, TO lay the
track and extend the grading to the
Chesapeake and Ohio Railroad, at Staun-
ton.
The line between Luray and Staunton
has been surveyed, but not finally 10
Gated a considerable portion OF 1t can
he graded at very moderate expense,
but section of about twelve miles, near
the Senandoah Iron Works requires
further and careful examination to de
tennine the best route. The location
should DC made as soon as practicable,
anu construction commenced.
II Is believed that the entire line to
stanton can be completed in two
years Before the end Of the present
year, 1872, the Chesapeake and Ohio
Railroad will be completed to the Ohio
River, and your Road by this connec-
ton expects to secure large through
business passing to andfiom New York.
Philadelphia aud other northern cities
1t is expected that the Cumbo,land
Valley Railroad Company will make
the necessary connections south Of the
Potomac without expense to this Com
pany.
The Shenandoah Valley, as is well
known, possesses soil naturally equal
to that of Lancaster and Cumberland
Counties in Pennsylvania, while the
climate is superior for all agricultural