Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1872-05-03

Company.
Through the kindness Of Col. Bardwell,
one of the Directors of the S. V. r. R., we
have received copy Of the Second Annual
Report, which, as it interests many of our
readers in the Eastern portion Of Augusta
and Rockingham, we copy below:
PHILADELPHIA, April 9th, 1872.
The Directors in presenting their Second
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.
It will be remembered that contract for
construction was made with the Central I'm
provement Company on satisfactory terms;
but under that contract the Railroad Com
pany were required to secure the right Of
way. This the Company were unable to do
in consequence of the excessive prices de-
manded by land owners, and the contractors
for the work were thus seriously embarrass-
ed and delayed. To have complied with
these demands would have absorbed large
part of the funds provided and required for
construction, and the contractors were un-
der no obligations to make advances for said
purposes.
The present Board, after their organiza-
ton, became satisfied that it would be much
more to the advantage Of tie Company to
proceed with the construction Of the Road
continuously from its northen terminus i'm
stead of at an intermediate point. They
could discover no advantage in first building
the expensive portion of the line to Luray,
when smaller expenditure would construct
the whole division from the Potomac to
Front Royal, and bring it into connection
with roads leading to Philadelphia and New
York.
Influenced by these considerations the
Board ordered the disrentinuance of work
in Warren and Page Counties, where about
fifteen miles had been graded, and trans
fer of the forces to J ff4rson and Clark
Counties
1t was expected that this transfer would
be made promptly, but no sooner was it
known that work was to be commenced in
these counties, than similar disposition to
exact excessive land damages was shown
The Railroad Company having failed to Sc
cure the right Of way, the contractors could
do nothing. At last compromise was
effected the Company agreed to pay GER
tain sum, and citizens of Shepherdstown,
with public spirit and liberaity that can
not be too highly commended, generously
volunteered to contribute the residue neces-
sary to clear the right Of way through
great portion of the County of Jefferson
In Clark County but little difficulty was
experienced. The agents who took the work
in hand proved active aud 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 lestions may be con-
sidered as settled and the chief obstacle to
the rapid construction of the Road removed.
The whole of the Road between the Po-
tomao River at Shepherdstown and the in-
tersection with the Manassas Gap Railroad,
near Front Royal, a now in progress of con
struction and will no d oubt be completed at
an early period.
It is believed that the resources of the
Company will suffice to grade the entire
Road, from the Potion to Luray, provi-
ded, that no portion Of it's means shall be
absorbed in payment for land damages in
Warren and Page Counties; your Board
recommend, therefore. that the line between
Front Royal and Luray be put under con-
tract as soon as right Of way shall have
been secured, but tina: GO work be done
thereupon until that ia accomplished
In view Of the 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 pri-
vate subscriptions, as at Shepherdstown, or
by general tax, sufficient sum will be
raised in each county to provide the right
of way without cost to the Company.
When the line shall have been graded be-
tween Sbepherdstown and Luray, no diff
Guilty is apprehended in providing means,
by an issue of bonds, to lay the track and
extend the grading to the Chesapeake &
Ohio Railroad, at Staunton.
The line between Luray and Staunton
has been surveyed, but not finally located !;
a considerable portion of it can be graded at
very moderate expense. but section. OF
about twelve miles, pear the Shenandoah
Iron Works requires further and careful ex-
animation to determine the best route. The
location should be made as soon as practica.
BILE, and construction commenced.
It is believed that the entire line tn Staun-
ton can be completed in two years. Before
the end of the present year, 1872. the Ches-
apeake & Ohio Railroad will be completed
to the Ohio River, and your Road by this
connection expects to secure large through
business passing to and from New York,
Philadelphia and other Northern Cities. It
is expected that the Cum berland Valley
Railroad Company will make the necessary
connections south of the Potomac without
expense to this Company
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 products These adj
vantages, with the comparatively low price
of lands, must sti nulate immigration to
great extent. and develop ia few years
large business for the Road in live stock and
the products of the soil A still heavier
tonnage, however. VII be thrown upon the
Road by tho development of the mineral re-
sources Of the country Beds Of the richest
hematite ores extend over many miles. An:
thracite coal can be brought down over the
Cumberland Valley Railroad, and ore,
blooms and pig metal returned, thus fur
nishing loading for cars in both directions,
and yielding large profit to the Company
even at very low rates Of transportation