The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1874-11-25


Deiivered-NOble Response Of the
Settlers. s .s.l -. --e
A citizens railroad meeting was held in
the Tobacco Exchange, Chase City, on Sat.
urday last, November Dist.
The preliminary exercises" which con.
sisted of a capital dinner, having been got
through, President Finch called the meeting
to order, and the Rev. J. Y. Ashenhurst was
elected chairman.
Captain S. =. Thrower, Of Boydton, de-
livered powerful address, in which he con-
trasted Chase City as it was FIVE years ago
with what it is now. The bare prospect OF
railroad had built up this beautiful village,
and the certainty OF railroad would make
it prosperous and numerous community.
He need not tell the people what colonial
ton had done for Mecklenburg county, but
he would say that the best and most enter
prising men among both citizens and set
tiers would be disposed to "make tracks u
unless this railroad was completed.
In eloquent and burning language Captain
Thrower appealed to the citizens for the
sake of their own interests to build the rail.
road.
Colonel w. ?. Burwell, as the representa-.
tive of the city of Richmond, assured the
meeting that the metropolis was all alive to
the importance of the Roanoke Valley rail-
road. He referred in touching words to the
fact that the homes of his ancestors were in
Meckenburg, and said that he could never
cease to feel the Warmest interest in the pro.
gress Of the county. Having paid glow.
ing tribute to Chase City, which as prac-
tical proof OF the benefits of judicious immi-
grafton was the brightest spot in the broad
domain Of the Old Dominion. Colonel Bur.
we'll presented powerful summary of facts
and figures showing that mario w-gauge rail.
roads were the great hope OF the southern
States.
Mr.. L. z. Finch, president Of the Neck
lenburg County General Railroad Commit
tee, fully explained the plans proposed. He
established beyond all doubt that the people
were able to deliver themselves from isola.
ton, and said that hereafter the cold finger OF
scorn would be pointed atany man who held
aloof if able to help.
Mr.. J. A. Fl. st. Andrew said he was pre-.
pared to prove that during the past eighteen
months the assessed value of property in
Mecklenburg would have been increased by
one-fourth if the railroad had been opened.
A friend who had left the county because
the railroad had stopped had list sho wing
that quarter of a million Of British money
had been diverted to other sections, and he
himself knew of as much more lost to the
county through lack of the railroad. How
much northern money had been kept away
it was impossible to say, but certainly hum
dreds of thousands. His friend Mr.. Ashen.
hurst alone knew of 100000 thus held back,
and Mr.. EndIy and others could tell OF
larger sums. This great work of colonial
ton had now reached crisis when it must
either advance or recede in this section, and
the people would indeed be unworthy OF
their past history If they did not push for
ward the railroad to completion, and thus
permanently secure the position Mecklen'
burg had gained as the pioneer OF immlgra-
ton.
The Rev. J. Y. Ashenhurst wished to cor
rect his friend Mr.. St. Andrew. He begged
to say that be knew not only of 100000, but
of three investors who would each have
brought $4,000, making $4,000 which
would have been invested if the railroad had
been finished.
At this stage of the proceedings subscrip-
ton papers were handed around, and lead
ing settlers, led off by Colonel George a.
Endly, Mayor of Chase City, for $500,
john E. Boyd, Esq $500, and the Rev. j.
Y. Ashenhurst $500, made up goodly sum.
Seeing that the citizens, with the excep.
ton of T. G. Finch, Esq, who subscribed
81, 800, did not respond as literally as was
desirable, President l.. E. Finch again took
the platform, and in scathing terms rebuked
" his own people" for not doing their duty:
The Virginians around Chase City had all
made money by the prospect Of a railroad,
and they ought to subscribe promptly. Ii
in few DAYS they didn't do this, he should
drop the railroad, for if they could do with.
ont it he could. The settlers were coming
forward to subscribe Notwithstanding thai
thew had bought their lands at high prices,
exnectinp that the railroad was certainty
and now where were the citizens whose pro-
perty had increased so much in yaluey
Messrs. George A. Endly and T. G. Finch
gould canvass the district, and if in ten
DAYS he didn't receive good report ne
should give up bis labors. He had no time
to spend in fooling around.
On motion of Mr.. Cunningham, 1t was
Resolued, 1. That the thanks OF this meet
ing be presented to Colonel w. T. burWell
The deputation from Richmond, and to Cap
tain S, P. ThroWer, of BoydtoD, for thelE
able and eloquent addresses.
3 That in the opinion Of this meeting
Mecklenburg must have railroad, ana thal
the best way to get it is to cordially support
the efforts of the Mecklenburg County ten
eral Railroad Committee.
subsequently, after several native citizen:
had promised their aid, The meeting au
journed.
Rrv THOMAS u. DUDLEY.-On Sunday las
Rev. Thomas u. Dudley, rector Oh Cnrls