South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1874-01-30
Communication.

MR. HARPER Having observed in one
OF your late issues the action Of the County
Court IN ordering the magistrates to be
summoned for March term TO consider the
tropriety of, and to provide for the re-.
building of the bridge across the South
Branch, near Romuey, where the a5u,ments
OF the former bridge are already prepared.
we look upon this as right move 10 the
right direction, one that ought TO have been
taken long before lhis. The people of Mill
Greek District are perhaps more deeply in.
terested than any other particular locality.
having been in the la. few years handed
back and forth from county to county, lik o
so much mercha ndise, now fiod ourselves, az
We hope, permanently fixed in home in
old Hampshire and being cut off great
portion OF the year, from our county seat,
by the river, and very unsafe and imper>
feet ferry,we feel that the county of Hamp-
shire is IN all honor bound TO rebuild thi.
bridge, and thereby secure 20 US, and the
pubic, convenient and safe acces to our
county seat, and the other portions Of our
county. 1t this thing had been done im.
medla,ely after the war, valuable lives would
have been saved, grea, it C nveniencc to Il
public travel and iranspr rtation of the pro-
ducts Ut the soil, and of the mails. would
have been avoided. The tolls would la We
paid the interest on the capital invested
aud largo portion OF The principal Whit
We and the public have been greatly in
convenienccd In the past for want Of this
bridge, tho time has now come when this
want will be greatly Increased The South
Branch Railroad will DO completed during
the next summer to RJmney, and cur rail-
road connection with the eastern markets
thereby brought So near US, that cur mar
ket place will necessarily be changed from
New Creek and Patterson's Creek TO Rom
ney, aud the same will be the condition Of
large portion Of Hardy and Mineral coun-
ties; thus making this bridge necessity,
and we believe a profitable Investment TO
the county, from the fact of largely in
creased travel, aud, consequently, largely
increased tolls. Ills thought by those best
Informed, that the Investment Of few
thousands IN county bonds, sufficient to put
durable structure on these old substan-
tlaI abu'ments, will, by no meaus, be
doubtful ono for tho county, but a perma-
nent paying institution. Wc hope to see
spirit If liberaliry manifested by the
whole county, In promptly taking steps to
put this necessary improvement und,r con.
tract In the early spring, so that it may be
completed by tho tino the railroad is put
IN working order. 1t is now understood
that the 50, 900 subscription of the county
to the rebuilding of the Wire Suspension
Bridge will not likely be used, as the Ra l.
road Company desires to adopt another
route, upon which commissioners have be
appointed to view md report. If tho re-
p2rt OF these commissioners is satisfactory
tho new route win be adopted, in which
case the IS 900 suSEcription can be trans
ferred and applied p the bs;dge we ask for.
When the kailroa Gs.ooppleted to Rom.
ney the North We4ern Turnpike travel
will be increased four-fold, by the transfer
OF great many articles for shipment, to
Romney, now shipped at other points. as
well as by the creating market for numer-
Gus articles of great value, now unmarked.
able, for want of cheap and convenient
transportation. Lumber of all kinds, tan
bark, road ties, hoops, &c will find con.
Venlent aud ready marker, with advanced
prices, as transportation is cheopened, con-
s'quentIy advanced prices of timber lands,
and all the products Of the farmer, and ali
combining to increase the tolls on our turn.
pixies, and, consequently, increased income
to the county treasury.
1t seems TO US the County Court cannot
but see the great advantage to the produc.
ers east and west of this point, in having
easy and convenient access TO this Road,
which is thus brought, comparatively, to
their doors, it the saving Of the heavy costs
OF transportation by wagons of their pro-
ducts as well as The cheapened value of
tho many articles which they bug and
consume.
We trust the day is at hand when old
Hampshire will arise from her former loth-
orgy, and contend for the front ranks in
the way Of improvement and prosperity.
CITIZEN.