Fayette County herald. [volume] (Washington [Washington Court House], Fayette County, O. [Ohio]) 1860-1???, 1874-11-19
NARROW GAUGE.
Along the Route of the Proposed
Dayton and s. E. Railway.

Below we give the Reports as tele-
graphed tc the Cincinnati Gazette from
the towns along the route of the D.
and S. E. R. R., visited by the delega-
tions from Springfield, Xenia and
Washington, which left here last
Thursday morning:
CHILLICoTHE, o. Nov. IL.
The Railroad Committee from Xe-
MIA, Springfield, jamestown, Washing
ton G. H. and Frankfort, after de-
Iightful ride in carriages over the
route of the proposed narrow gauge
road, from the Jackson County coal
fields to the above places, arrived in
this place this afternoon and were
taken in charge by the G ity Council,
and furnished with quarters at the
Warner House There had accompa-
MED the Committees from Washington
G. H, Coils. Hurlburt and Yeoman,
Capt. S. W. Stuekey, A. E. Silcott,
Esq, T. F. johnson, Capt J. Foster,
Milton Heagler, George SaxtOn, NJ. S.
Sager, J. r. Snider, w A. Harlow;
from Frankfort, Dr. Latta, S. F. Sc.
crist, and D. G. Anderson. The news
af our coming had preceded us, and
posters were circulated, and the ele-
CANT band was parading the streets,
bearing banner calling the people to
the City Hall, where meeting was to
be held.
By Z o'clock the Hall was filled to
overflowing, every foot of standing
room being occupied. Gen Hir sh
called the meeting to order, Judge
Gray was chosen Chairman, and Gen.
Hirsh, o. W. Marshall, of the Xenia
Torchlight, and R. P. Findley, of the
Xenia Gazette, were chosen Secreta-
ries.
Judge Gray said he hoped the dav
had come when Chillicothe and Ross
county would throw off their letharey
and construct the proposed route at
once. Martin Schilper, president of
the City Council, welcomed the visit
oPs from other places cordially, and
hoped to see an end to the present
stand still in railroad enterprise in this
community. Judge William Mills. Of
Chicago, was the first speaker. He
was received with storm of applause
and was frequently interrupted in his
convincing remarks by enthusiastic
appreciation Col. Hulburt spoke of
the advantages of the narrow gauge
over the average grade. Gen. S. H.
Hirst followed by saying that al
though Chillicothe was regarded as
somewhat old fogy, yet when they did
wake up, they were right lively. Geo.
H. Fry, of Springfield, had been sent
out by the City Council to reconnoiter
had no speech to make. If Chilli.
cothe wanted to do anything, now was
the time to speak. Springfield would
if need he, put her bottom dollar in it
she might be depended on to do its
whole duty. Springfield had five rail
roads, but could forego any one ot
them, rather than this proposed one.
This line, if built, should be owned
and controlled by those subscribers
to it. 1t should not after awhile pass
into the hands Of persons who would
convert it into a monopoly. Hon
John Little, of Xenia, said we haG
come to hear what Chillicothe would
do, and to counsel with them. Fl,
spoke in behalf of narrow gauge owe
broader compromise grades. Not
AuLIOH SduSS GlG OuIG6Q OBaC0E
was not paying. Columbus would not
as was reported, build a road to the
Jackson coal fields. She had Goa
road and would not build another
Xenia, Springfield and Washington
q. H., and all along the line ives
were moving in this matter. He asked
Chillicothe to do It's part to construc
and own the road Chillicothe is pay
ing $12 a car for hauling coal fort
miles. Columbus is paying less thai
half that for hauling a car sevent,
miles. Col. Gilmore, of st. Louis, al
old citizen of this place, moved AM
it was enthusiastically carried that j
M. Vanmeter, s. W. .Kilvert, VIM. Po
land, ThOs. WoodroSv, ir., and w. E
Floyd be appointed and invited to &C
company the excursion party through
the remainder of their route. Captai1
Beach said there was now a corn
of engin eers surveying the route t,
the coal fields. There never was
time when Chillicothe had SO much in
terest in such an enterprise as now
Martin Schilder, member of the Stat
Board of Public Works, wanted a CON
mittee appointed to procure subscrir
tions Col. Hurlburt compliments
Capt. Beach on his speech. 1t wa
the best speech he ever heard mad
on such an occasion. 1t meant bus
ness. 1t showed that Ross county in
tended to do its whole duty In fac
so slow had the Chillicothe men bee
in speaking that it was feared bv tb
visitors present that they did not in
tend to take any interest in the mat
ter.
Col. Yeoman urged earnest, imme
diate action on the part of the cit
zens of Ross county.
Capt. Beach proposed that a com
mittee of five be appointed to examin
the charter of the proposed railroad
and if found satisfactory to appoint
Committee to solicit subscriptions
Martin Schilder, DR.. f. p. SafForc
William Poland, General Hirst, an
John M. Vanmeter were chosen. ia
Pursell of Washington @. H., sal
they were going to build the roa
WHETHER Chillicothe did anything c
not. They could go down bv Wayel
ly, but this was the natural route. an,
if the people wanted it thew sbonl
say so. W. G. Floyd, of Chillicotht
said narrow gauges were not no,
things in this country. The peopl
We're ready to act.
The meeting closed at o'clocl
having been an enthusiastic one, an
one indicating favorable action in IL
future. The excursionists set out O
their route in carriages provided b
the Council here, at 8 o'clock Thur
day morning, for further inspectiO
Of the road line.