Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1873-02-04
The Valley r. R. no Longer in Doubt!
Cid Virginia Never T5resg!!


IT'S done. Ga the 10th of October, 1886. al
a quarter to clock P. ~, Capt. G. r. Ma
son threw the first shovel of earth upon the U.
& o. r. r.. in Hanover co. Va, and on the
29th day of January 1873, at O'Clock Z. NJ,
he drove the last spike, near Milier's Ferry,
With three blows of the sledge, after assisting
in laying the last 100 feet. 1t adds no little tc
the fitness Of this great contamination OF the
bopes aud labors of thirty-six years, that the
strong hands which threw the first earth, should
be stout enough, at Y, to rivet the last link
that joins the Chesapeake and Ohio, and that he
who has labored, through good and evil report,
for this grand work, should look, with undim-
med eye and becoming pride, cheered by the
presence of Virginia's fair daughters and bis
able co-laborers, upon this opening OF her new
life and hope.
So long have we waited SO often been DOOM
ed to suffer that hope deferred which m9ksth
the heart sick" that we cannot get realize the
grandeur and greatness of this joyous fulflment
of the youthful dreams Of our Washington, as
he ''blazad' his lonely way on foot. across the
then trackless pathway now tra7ersed By the
Iron Horse. Time only and the wealth. the con-
tent. the prosperity and independence, it will
surely bring to reunited Virginia-happier
and more renowned than even in her honored
past-can bring our minds to a proper c0ncep-
ton of all that has been achieved By 30 much
labor, patience and skill.
Nest fifty, as z cap-stone to this joyful news,
comes the assurance, from our commissioners
il Baltimore, that the completion Of the great
Valley r. r. is no longer to be delayed, as ar
engagements have been perfected to place it IN
der contract to Salem at once. Well may the
people rejoice and take heart Of hope, from the
prospect now spread cut before them. Two
great Trans-Continental lines Of railway, from
the Atlantic to the Pacific. crossing at Staunton
and bi-secting cur Valley, point to future for
our city, and section, and State, that staggers
the mind in attempting to forecast it. Courage,
then, people Of Virginia Hope springs ex-
utant at the prospect, and the age, and your
heroio past, demand yet greater deeds Of you
and yours.
Ring forth the glad tidings CT great joy and
curb not The overfowing Of your proud hearts
"Old Virginia never tires" in well doing, and
is but grding her loins anew for yet greater
achievements, in future devoted to the ma
torisI, as we'll as intellectual advancement oft
peopla. Honor. full honor then, to aIlengag-
cd ia this great work. Honor TO the giant
minds that oancieved and the hands that car
RE it cut Honor to the lanented Foutaiue
(oh, that he could have lived to see this day ,
and his co-laborersl Honor to G. r. Mason,
Ed Mcmahon, Kelly and Manafee, the great
contractors! Honor to Whitc,mb, the first
Engineer Of his day-and bis able assistants,
Kupar, Shanahan, AID Jerdanl Honor to
Huntington, Wickhan and Perry, its sagacions
managers to Baldwin, Echols, and its Direc-
tors! Honor to all true workers in the good
cause. even 10 the humbest l4borer who threw
e pick. all honor, for work molly and we'll
done