The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1873-04-10
THE MARROW GAUGE, AND ITS
IMPORTANCE

IMPORTANCE.
We ere so thoroughly convinced of the
Importance of the early construction Of the
Washington, Cincinnati and St. Louis Mar
row Gauge,,Raig6ad, and especially that por-
ton of it Notwithstanding west, that We
feel Ike calling attention to it on all proper
occasions. Foy 3, distance of oboat 100 miles
west Of uarrisonburg, which embraces the
Immense Iron and Coal deposits of Highland,
Pocahontas and Webster counties, there is
more absolute pndisputed mineral wealth OF
tho line Of this road than probably exists
through almost any other region of the coun-
try between the Valley of Virginia and the
Ohio river. At a distanne OF 40 miles from
Harrisoaburg, iron ore makes its appearance
in ENTHUSIASTICALLY and the very best
quality: It is-here that the Pistsbarg Iron
and Manufacturing company have leased
about 14,0cO acres Of land, embracing as
large an area Of iron ore beds as can be
found in the Same scope of country, on this
continent. Passing Monterey, in Highland
county, othet deposits Of almost equal mag
nitudc ndrishpess are penetrated. Cross
ing The Allegheny at easy grades, tie waters
OF Maps creek, in Poeahontas county, are
reached, along which are continuous ousc'op-
pings of the most prolific iron ore deposits
Uu the western limits CT Pocahontas county
On Williams river, and its tributaries,
coal beds are found, which, although not de.
velopcd-to any great eztent,are known, by the
evidences furnished, to supply inezi1austible
quantities Of the very best quality. The line
of the proposed road then enters The coal
fields proper Of Webster county, and here the
richness and extent Of tho veins are unsur-
passed on this continent This is about 125
Or 1870 miles from Acknowledgements
bending, through its distance, one of the fin
est timber and grazing and farming countries
to be found within the Uaited States.
We do not pretend to partiouiarize. In
deed we are not sufficiently acquainted with
the county, to give more than these general
outlines. Butwe assume as incontrovertibe,
fro:n the natural Advantages presented, that
there IS not projected road South Of the Po-
tomac in which the people Of the Valley are
mere directly and dseply Interested, or which
promises such vast results associated with
their prosperity. As feeder for the Valley
and Q. & n. R. Rs, at EIarrisonburg, where
at will interssct then',it impoftancc cannot be
ever estimated. From the time it would
reach the iron beds of Jack and Bull Pasture
mountains, distance Of some 40 miles, cos
ting, By estimate, not over $1,000 for con-
s:ructioD, per mile, it would begin to pay
Including the subscriptions Of the town of
Harrisorsurg and the couaty Of Highland,
there has Been subscribed to the capitol!stoc
of the company about 100000. The entire
cost of constructing and equipping is estima-
ted at $4,000 per mile. The aggregate
smount necessary to reach the iron mountains
would therefore be something less than $780,
0O0.. 1t is hardly possible, il this age Of
progressive enterprise that this amount will
fai! Of being raised. 1t would pay the two
Railroad companies above Indicated, to up-
aertake themselves the completion Of the road
thus far, at least, as a mere feeder. For
when we consider the minerals that would be
icveioped-the magnificent timber it would
L., ,,Lo ,j for., rrnruoIo vuoulN
furnish transportation for, it seem to us, there
esnnot be reasonable doubt of lis rcmuner-
asive capacity
We do not propose, at ills time, to agitate
the project OF Harrow Gauge road from
Stauntoo to Mcdowell in Highland county,
but we venture the prediction, that when
the Narrow Gauge is completed from Har-
risenburg, to the Iron Beds in Highland. the
bessssitY. osa road frorn.this point to iutersect
the main stem, will bescnse appasent, and be
seiaed upon as one OF the important agencies
that il 10 contribute to the growth and pros
perity ofour city. Stanton is destined to be
a great Railroad and Iron Centre. We have,
IN previous numbers Of the V1RGINIAN, CIV
en our reasons Tor SO believing. The more
We reflect about it, the more apparent it be-
comes to our mind And when the develop
rnent of the iron Of Highland commences in
earnest, as i. must do at no distant day, then
ii will become part CT the economy Of the
general idea, to reach out to that section by
rail, to draw to this pointa fair share Of he
wonderful wealth that is there to be cnearthed.
The commercial. as well as manufacturing in
tsrests Of the city,will demand it. But Of this
hereafter.
Judge NJ. Il. Culea, las been reelected
Police Judge Of St. Louis, By 5000 MAORI
tt, running ahead Of his ticket 1000 votes
Judge Cullen studied law in this city under
Col. BALDWIN before the late war. He re-
moved to St. Louis shortly after be received
license. He, was an ardent friend Of the
South during hostilities and after the close
Of the war, wsnt into the book selling bust
ness. Not succeeding as we'll as he deserved,
-. 1r.a md haoa mo nrOm-