The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1873-07-24
SHENANDOAH VALLEY RAILROAD.

would be tram to StannIdu, as the potut W
intersect the Chesapeake and Ohio Railroad,
by the logic of trade. 1t is apparent THAT
where two great through lines cross, there
would be far more to induce a third road to
converge. than at another locality, only a
few miles distant, The advantages incident
TO combined depots, and the repair shops
necessary for running equipments, &c-con-
tnuous in their character--would far out
weigh any temporary favors that might be
rendered at a less, important point Staun-
ton, it is now Acknowledged, must be an I'M
portant railroad centre, and by reason OF
that, point where the different coal fields
Of West Virginia and Maryland must neces-
sariy come in competition with their pro-
ducts. Following upon this. will come blast
furnaces, when the Valley road penetrates
the iron beds south of us, and manufacturing
enterprises and machine shops of various de-
scriptions, The competition in freights, at
this central point, in the various roads. reach,
ing out in every direction, will attract the
attention of capitalists and operators, as the
most advanta geous, to enable them to guard
against possible exorbitant charges. For
| these, and other reasons We might mention,
we have never entertained doubt that the
Shenandoah Valley Railroad would seek
its connection with the Chesapeake l. Ohio
Road, at this place.
Recent information assures us that the
authorities Of this road contemplate an early
visit here . look into the cost of entering
the city They have already the right Of
way to Baskerville, but we are satisfied from
the reason of the case, that Staunton is the
legitimate business point, at which to JOIN
both the Valley and, Chesapeake and Ohio
Roads. The question is.will the land owners
fix their lands at prohibitofy prices IF
this unfortunately should be their policy,
there is very easy way to avoid paying one
cent although it must be confessed that this
would not be as desirable an arrangements eli
Their to the company or the city ,as an indepepd
ent road-that is, to intersect the Valley road
three or four miles north of Staunton, and
use the bed OF that road to come into the
city, From what we learn there would be
no difficulty in cosummating such an under
standing, but it is rot the best that can be
done, aud it certainly. would be far more to
the benefit of Stanton, and consequently tc
the people of the country, were an iudepen-
dent road constructed, expanding severa
hundred thousand dollars ia money, giving
employment to large number Of laborers
land adding importance to the city itself. L
the property owners are reasonable in theii
damages, there will be no difficulty about it
Some of them have already expressed thsi1
willingness to grant the right of way. OH
ers will require merely nominal damages, anc
we hope no one will fix his figures so bigl
as to compel the company to substitute thu
Valley road bed for an independent route.
The gentlemen who will visit and commu
nlcate with our people on the subject of the
right Of way, are we'll acquainted with rail
road construction They will not allo,
themselves to be imposed upon, and we earn
estly hope liberal and enlightened spirit OF
the part of our citizens will meet them O
their arrival and intercourse with thos
whose land may be penetrated by the propos
ed work.
g The Engineers are now in the field, Sxin
the permanent lines between Luray and tn
Chesapeake and Ohio road. Experiments
surveys were made some time ago to Fish
, ersville, and the right of. way secured.
route will be surveyed to Stauntou now an
it depends upon the disposition manfeste'
whether the independent line will be located
i or whether the company will make arrange
E ments with the Valley R. R. Company.
Having once secured permanent route
G there will be no delay in the speedy con
struction of the road, as negotiations hay
already been eonsummated for the none
necessary ror the work.
VALLEY RAILROAD Col James T. Rar
l. dolph, chief engineer on the Valley Railroad
d was in Stanton last week He gave iostrut
y tions for work to be commenced on the 19t
n on the heavy sections of 80 miles let to con
Q tract May last, which was accordingly don.
r Work is now in progress at Lexington an
II Buchanan and within ten days, according t
n the instructions ct the chief engineer, wor
Q Will be vigorously commenced Maj. M
Mahon has ordered 1000 kegs Of powder an
t fuse in proportion from New York, aud 40
10 900 feet of lumber from Lyncnourg. to b
h delivered at Lexington, Buchanan aud Gil
e more's Mill
e Oa Friday last quite crowd gathered {
!. see the veteran contractor, Maj. Ed McMs
Il hou, throw the first shoveIful of dirt
- Rockbridge. The work was started imme
: dlately 10 the rear of Washington and LIE
Q University, and Will be pushed with the cnel
:. sv characteristic of the men who have it i
charge Or Saturday, small force opene
4 10 Betetourt, where Col. A. W. Harma