The Daily state journal. [volume] (Alexandria, Va.) 1868-1874, 1872-05-27


The New Railroad-Cheap Landslide Place
to Locate for Washington Employees.
WOODBRIDGE, May %.
10 the Editor Of the State journal:
On Wednesday morning last, a party of
Pennsylvania railroad magnates, consisting
of Geo. E. Roberts, president of the Wash
ington and Richmond railroad; E. L. Du-
bany, Daniel j. White, j.. Little and
others, left Washington in the luxurious
saloon car Pennsylvania, to examine the
new road. This car was fitted up express
ly for Col. Scott and the directors of the
Pennsylvania Central railroad, and con-
tains every essential appointment to
convenience and comfort in travel. The
sides are open to admit of unobstructed
observation. .-- .-
The company's new engine, No. 3, was
attached to this car, and bore them rapidly
over the fine region of country which the
road traverses through Fairfax county to
Occoquan. Here they crossed the new and
stately bridge, seventy-six feet above the
water. The view from the top of the
bridge was exceedingly grand and beauti-
full. On the right the Occoquan comes
rushing down through mighty gorge to
meet the tide. Dark cliffs of granite rise
800 feet above the water, hanksd by slate
rocks, inclined against their sides, which
have been lifted by some grand CONFUSION
of nature. The river below dashes down
from step to step of the rocky barrier inn
patient of delay, as it seeks the sea. Here
is one of the finest water-powers in this
portion of Virginia, running to waste for
want of capital to improve it.
On the left of the bridge are seen some
of the best cultivated and productive farms
of the State, occupying the first level above
the Potomac. Here are located several
Northern families, mostly from New York.
The train stopped at Woodbridge, and the
party examined the new depot building
now being erected there. The village site
of Woodbridge has been laid out upon
tasteful plan, especially as surburb to
Washington. Its location is beautiful and
every way adapted to make it point of
Importance. 1t has navigabe water and
railroad. The site is high and healthy,
commanding splendid prospect. 1t is
only twenty miles from Washington, and
local trains will run SO as to accommodate
residents who wish to do business in town.
Lands can be bought very cheap, and must
appreciate in value rapidly in that vicinity.
No finer location is Offered to Northern
farmers and manufacturers than this in
Virginia. Persons doing business in Wash
ington aud desiring to reside in the country
can have here enjoyments, the advantages
of cheap fuel, access to water, and excel
lent land for gardens. No person coming
from the North with view to locate in
Virginia should fail to look at this fine
location and the farms in its vicinity.
From Woodbridge the party moved south
to Neapsico. Here Edward j. Willis, ESQ.,,
an enterprising gentleman, recently from
Michigan, and Hillman Troth, well known
as one of the pioneers of the Accotink
settlement, are engaged in numbering.
They have furnished large portion of the
timber for the heavy work along the line,
and are Just such men as Virginia needs
to make her rich and prosperous State.
After full examination of the line the
party expressed their great satisfaction
with the construction of the road, and the
character of the country through which it
runs.
Great credit is due to Mr.. White,
chief engineer, and Captain Crawford, as
sistant engineer, for the persevering eff
cheney in overcoming the obstacles which
this route presented.
The connection with the Richmond and
Fredericksburg railroad will be made
about the 10th of June, and as early as
the LIST of August passenger trains will
run regularly between Washington and
Richmond twice daily. Richmond will
then be only fourteen hours from New
York. Along the line of this new road are
good lands offered at five to twenty dollars
per acre, and presenting extraordinary in
from E1rona