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


ingenuity, required a combination Of pro-
iessional skill and comprehensive, prac,i
cal Judgment Ito say nothing Of the mos,
patient temper and christian endurance, \
that makes the engineerin snch rare work
an exceptional character. The design was
stupendous in programme and proportions.
and involved interests, not only the mos,
extensive character, but OF continental
magnitude. But, in every quality requi.
site for the important duty, Col. whitcomb
was not only equal,o, but the consumm at,
master OF, his task. No emergency ex.
ceeied his ability, orsurpassed his thor.
ough understanding of the duty devolving
upon him. lie fsiihislly. energetically
and most cre,liiahly pesierns.ls alh the ls.
Dor assigned to him, and to the entire sat
isfaction Of the Company in whose service
he then was, and still is, engaged. 2
And now, after twenty-one Years Of pa
tient and jealous toll in behalf of what
with him seemed, a, times, to be '1abor
OF love, rs well as duty, daylight is about
to break in upon himl He can see, in the
near tnture, the realization of his hopes
and wearying labors, in the speedy com.
pletion OF his favorite road. The cars are
laundering along the rugged mountains
and river banks where he has so often
bivouaced, in his solitary marches ''look.
ing for the best line, and soon a through
train will attest that his anxious days
and hours have passed
When this shall be witnessed, as il will
be at no very distant day, with all who
shall pass over the Chesapeake & oh 10
railway, and witness the triumphs of his
patient industry and mastery skill the
name OF WHITcoMB will he remembered 81.
worthy OF being inscribed high upon the
pinnacle which assigns to perpetual remem
brance the names of the first and worthiest
of American Engineers.
IL may also be claimed for Col. WHIT.
CONF, As one OF the merits Of his charac.
ter as displayed in his present work, that
no grand trun k1 line Of railway in our
country, OF eqnal or comparative difficulty
otconstruction, has been so economically
bnilt as the Chesapeake & Ohio Railway
In TACT. taking into consideration the SUI
perior'ty ofthe work done, in every re
spect, it may safely be stated that no 9th.
or mountain road, in any State, can show
so favorable a construction account To its
stockholders. ...
Aside from the pride VII ich every Yir.
ginian should feel in the wellearned repu-
tation ola citizen so distinguished in his
profession rs Col. WHrTcosB, therear 9th.
er reasons which should very justly com.
mend him to their grateful esteem. Dur.
ing the negotiations between the authori.
ties of Virginia, and capitalists from other
States, upon the subject OF completing the
Central railway from Richmond to the
Ohio river, when obstaclss. seemed to in.
terPose At every step, aud threaten q de
ieat OF all propositions, the connsels ofCoL
WHfrcoaB, his lucid, exhaustive and con.
vincing, explanations OF the praoticability
OF the route over the mountains, the inn.
mense resources to be developed by the con.
struction Of the road, lis commanding i'm
portance as road destined very soon to
rank among the leading through lines of
tile country, its peculiar value 10 the fu.
iure progress and prosperity Of the State
OF Virginia, we're mo potent in in
fluencing the consummation ofthe neco.
tiations which have made practical re-
ality Of the Chesapeake n Ohio railway.
Col. Whitcomb during his long contin
nation with this important work. has
given it bis whole energies. aud to its gen.
eral affairs he has devoted tie best wear.
Of his life. I, il bat natural. therefore.
that he should feel deep interest in the
success Of an entefprize with which his
name will, forever, be most honorably NJ.
sociatel. And, as the clay " jubilee" il
almost at hand, it is but just and proper
that appropriate mention should lie pub.
licly made, and well deserved credit given.
TO the Chicf Engineer, whose indomitable
energy, never firing laburs. excellent
practical judgment, and Acknowledged
professional kill, have contributed 20
much toward the succes-ful construction
and completion Of one Of the hest. a. well
as one Of the most profitable lines Of rail-
way on the continent, a. tie unque.uon-
ably destined to become. and aided in CIV.
Ing 10 Virginia what will, in The future, be
the greatest. the most reliable and sndu.
ring element Of her prosperity.