The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1873-01-30
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DRIVEN.
\ BRIEF HISTORY OF THE ROAD
HAWKS NEST. January q, 1877

HAWKS NEST, January q, 1878.
The special train which left Richmond at
| o'clock 2. NJ. arrived ut the White Sui
! phur at 4:45 on the following morning, the
| passengers having III the mean while enjoyed
| Il good nights rest. The average time be-
tween Richmond and the White Sulphur
WAS twenty-five miles per hour, and the trip
| was Is pleasant Us could lie desired.
Passing the White, we were surprisedto
ind
THE TRAIN RUNNING so SMOOTHLY,
and asccltlncd that besides building the
roal-JcG in the most substantial and solid
nanacr they have laid the track with the
new " Gng'e fish piate' iron; and we may
say here, without repeating what is contained
iii tie detailed description Of the engineer
ing Of this part OF the route, that it reflects
the highest Credit upon the Chief Engineer
(Alajol Ii. D. Wliitcomt)a and his subordinates
not only for their admirable location of The
road, but for the manner in which it is coli
struc;cd
Our first halt was at
THE LITTLE TOWN OF ALDEEsox,
in Greenbricr county, twenty-four miles
west of the White Sulphur, which has
sprung I'D within the past few months, and
We saw here parties busiy baline hay for
the Washington market, and indications of
what is to he Il most important industry in
this Greenbritr country.
We took breath again at
THE TOWN OF HINTON,
| which is the western terminus Of the middle
division, and at which they are now con.
| structing q roEnd-house capable Of holding
| forty engines.
We next called halt at Masou's saw
mill, where we were joined for a short dis
lance by the Napoleon Of railroad contlac-
tors Captain c. r. Mason, looking as indie
PENDENT us when he answered IN iinpetlous
courier who brought him an imperative
summons rom Stonewall Jichson, who
wanted him to build n bridge by which to
pursue Mcclellan on his retreat to Hnrri-
sons landing Z" 90 and tell General Jack
son that I ,ciH Ge there just as soon as my
cya,!lnS ore cooked and I cGn e1t my dtn-
uero
No history of this great railroad would be
complete without some
SKETCH OF CAPTAIN MASON,
who has been in some way connected with
it ever since the ok! Louisa railroad was be-
gun; who his been contractor on some of its
heaviest work; whose indomitable energy
and business tact are oaly cqua!ed by bis
unimpeaclabie integrity and high standing,
aud whose qualification at the completion Of
the work is not excelIed by that of any other
old friend of the enterprise. But want of
space and material compel us TO defer this
sketch TO come more convenient season.
The road fellows the Greenhrier to the
New, and then runs for sixty miles down the
"NEw RIVER CANYON"
rs 1t has been most appropriately called.
Haw the road was ut first located seems
almost
+ A MIRACLE OF EHGINEERIEG,
boldness, and perseverance. The country
was so wild and unbroken that not even n
bridle-path could be found when the engi-
neers first begun their survey, aud batteaux
on the rapid aud very dangerous river was
the oply means of transportation, there being
In many places not even q foet-iath. AT
many points the engineers were compelled
to take tier measurements by tying men to
strong ropes and 1 Il, III .s. 15
LIFTING TaEA DOWN TnE PREoIrlCgs.
Fyet with sndon.ssbls snsFgy and psfse.