The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1874-08-15
Roanoke Valley Railroad.
CONFERENCE OF NECKLENBURG DELEGATES wITH
BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE DANvILLE
RAILROAD COMPANY.
Important Meeting Of Citizcns-The Scheme
Endorsed.

Yesterday morning Colonel George A. End
lev and L. E. Finch, Esq, the delegates from
Mecklenburg county, accompanied by j. A.
II. St. Andrew, of the Souttside Virginidn,
had lengthy interview with Colonel A. S.
Buford, president of the Danyille railroad.
Tue Colonel, representing the directors OF
the DanyilIe Company, assured the delega-
ton that his Board had only one desire with
regard to the Keysyille extension, and that
was to carry it through at the earliest posi-
Bile day. The delegates entered into long
discussion of matters of detail with Presi-
dent Buford, and were gratified to find the
Danville Company SO thoroughly devoted to
the project.
In the course of the afternoon Messrs.
Endy, Finch, and St. Andrew again met
Colonel A. S. Buford, and also number of
prominent citizens at a meeting convened
for the purpose in the Presidents room at
the First National Bank.
On motion Of General Joseph +. Ander-
son Isaac Davenport, Jr., Esq, president OF
the First National Bank, was called to the
chair.
Mr.. Davenport stated that the gentlemen
present were desi,ous Of asccrtaining the eX.
act position OF the Roanoke Valley railroad
scheme, with view to deylslng means fol
appealing to the citizens of Richmond to
render whatever aid might be necessary.
lie should leave other gentlemen to give full
explanations Of the matter, contenting him
self with an expression Of warm interest in
an undertaking which, if successful, would
prove of incalculable advantage to Rich
mond.
Colona A. S. Buford gave lengthy ac.
count of what the DanVille Company had
done. The keysviI1e extension had been
graded to Chase City at an expense Of about
500, 900, and the Danville Board had stopped
the work with great regret, and only when
oyertaken with the great panic of last year.
The Roanoke Valley railroad would, be be-
lieved, be Of great Importance 10 Richmond,
making a rich and increasingly prosperous
community tributary to the commerce of this
city. With unity Of action between Rich
mond, Mecklenburg, and the Danpile Com
pany, he thought the project ought now to
be revived with most encouraging prospects
of success. The Colonel entered into many
particulars as to the relative cost of narrow
and broad.gauge lines, strongly recommend.
| ing the latter. The proposal now was to
carry the road to Boydton, as we'll as to
Clarksville, which would be a great boon to
Mecklenburg; and if that county received
the hearty cooperation Of Richmond, bis
confidence in the undertaking would be
stronger than ever.
| General Joseph r. Anderson said no one
could blame the DauYille Company for hav-
ing had to relinquish their efforts In couse.
ouence of the panic The panic had found
every body unprepared for it, and the Dan.
vile Board had acted wisely under the cir
cumstances. 1t was, however, of vital i'm
portance that this railroad be completed. He
remembered going to Clarksrille before the
| war to advocate the scheme, and he there
| fore felt like meeting an. .old friend to-day.
AT the time he referred to, Richmond and
Petersburg were competing for the line
through Mecklenburg, and 1t was the same
to- day. He had the fullest confidence as
citizen in what Richmond would do, and the
gentlemen from Mecklenburg might rest as
sured of hearty sympathy and all reasonable
aid. He knew how immense were the oene
fits this road would confer, and ne should be
glad 10 render all the assistance in his pow.
er.
Mr. L. E. Finch gave brief history OF
the movement in Mecklenburg, showing
that the people meant 10 have railroad to
Richmond if possible, but at all events to
have railroad: He thought that Richmond
ought to act promptly and literally.
Colonel Endly also expressed the preya.
lent feeling in Mecklenburg that Richmond
had been somewhat slow to move. He hoped
the influential gentlemen present would no"
be able to give strength and energy TO the
scheme.
MIR. st. Andrew gave numerous facts as TO
the progress Of immigration, showing that
Mecklenburg already possessed O large colo
nv of northern and British settlers, whose
numbers would be greatly multiplied II TINS
railroad were completed. In his opinion, il
the State were to build the road, tho increase
in the taxes would in few years recour
the expense. To northern settlers Meek
lenburg had become the most attractive
place in the southern States, and he knew
that railroad would bring In great mum
bers of colonists.
a. l.. Elett, Esq, and John Purcell, ESQ.
made brief addresses, In which they entirely
conceded with the remarks of the previous
speakers.
ultimately it was arranged that on sep.
tember court-day General j. x. Anderson
Colonel A. S. Buford, and Messrs. A. L.
Elicit and John Purcell should hold q con.
ference with the citizens of Mecklenburg 81
Boydton.
s It is anticipated>that after the Boydton
conference joint appeals to the people OF
Richmond aud Mecklenburg Wili be made. % az e..
n HARrEas, MoNTHLY and Pcterso,Ys I; Aagd.