South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1875-06-25

ter of the work done-ehanres which
looked to a better alignment OF the
road, and towards its ultimately being
made of the same guage as that of the
II. & .. X. r., and increasing the expen-
ditures over what would have been re-
CURED Tor the same proportion of work
for narrow guage road.
All these contracts and the important
changes were from time to time reported
d made known to and approved by you.
We now find ourselves, with the work
OF construction practically completed
the bridge masonry ready for it's super
structure-the cross ties purchased and
| distributed along. the road, but without
sufficient means to purchase iron for the
track and lay it down.
Before the return of Mr.. Garrett from
Europe we confidently believed and trus-
ted, that the Is. & O. II. r. Co. would fur
nish us the means, i'm early spring, to
complete the work and that by midsum-
mer. ut farthest, we would be enjoying
the fruits of our labor and toll. Mr..
Garrett returned some three months since
and the expected means have not been
furnished-the great railroad war of the
country commcnced-worl1 on our road
III
now lies idle, producing no results.
This Company has, practically. met
its promises made in said last named
contract. and paid its stock subscription.
The b K .. Il. II. Co. has furnished and
paid in money for work done about
$4,000, so that including the bonds
taken by the contractor at 90 cts, there
is now expended, in actual money in the
work. about the sum of $lSO,000.
have, since Mr.. CARROTS return, ear
nestly endeavuored to advance the work
q procure the necessary means therefor.
Finding, as he did, that more money had
been put into the work than was original.
ly intended, when | went to Baltimore. in
April, to see what could be done, / as.
certained that he would not agree to
make further advances of money until
it could be definitely ascertained how
much it would cost to finish the work.
and ordere the Chief Engineer to 90
over the work and give him full esti-
mate thereof. This was accordingly done
subsequently our contractor authoriz-
cd me TO say, that he would untertake to
| complete it, as good substantial 1874 in.
guage road, for 100000, which would
make first class wide road bed at a cost
| ofabout $17, 900 per mile. 1t is estimated
that the work could be completed, rs n 3
foot narrow guage road at from $4,000
to 100000.
again. In company with j. G. Heis-
kell, Esq, visited Baltimore, some DAYS
since, determined if possible to know
what, If anything, could he accomplish
eel towards the completion of the work
this summer. | remained several DAYS.
wrote long and urgent letter TO Mr..
Garrett using every argument, and may
say, every entreaty and appeal | could,
and subsequently obtained n long per
sonal interview with him at his residence.
In this interview, we had full and free
talk, and the substanceof what he said it
may be proper for me to give He in
formed me that he had read my commu-
nlcation with care and interest. that he
felt deeply for our people. and most
friendly towards them, and that, he hail
manifested his interest and friendship
by agreeing to aid them in this work as
he had done, that it was, doubtless, best
Tor the interests of our people, that the
road should be of the same guage rs the
Il. &c .. II. r., and that. in yielding to
the Judgment and experience of the Off |
GERS of that Company, in that regard, we
had manifested wisdom-that such n |
road would greatly increase our trade, |
our population and the value Of our pro. |
perry, as we'll as the Importance of our
county towns, and would add greatly |
to the improvement, and wealth of the |
county Mt large, and would, in short. be |
OF untold advantage and convenience to |
our people; that he was ready and will |
ling to aid us in accomplishing so i'm. |
portant Il result, ever holding himselrl
ready to meet the contract Of his Com |
pany, but that TO secure the advantages |
Of ride rOdd it would require more |
means than he originally contemplated |
eXpending on this work. and that. he |
thought it was due to him and his com |
pany, that If he, besides paying the bal |
ance yet unpaid under said contract |
would furnish one-half ofthe necessary |
residue, our people ought to furnish the |
other half for such n road-that estima- |
ting the entire cost of such q road ut !
100000. it seemed TO him right. that the |
people here should furnish in cash more |
than about one tenth Of the money par |
ticularly, when, it might be. that the |
earnings Of the road would not. for |
some time. at any rate. pay the interest
upon the investments, and urged me to |
lay the matter before our people and ask |
them 20 endeavOur TO secure. by acccp, |
ing the before named offer, the vast al. |
vantagc5 of such n road to themselves |
promising, that it cash could not be fur.
nished, he would advance it upon fair
terms, upon any county, district or town
bonds which might bc issued for the
purpose and urging that IL our people
would do this they would be getting
first class road for FIR less expenditures
upon their part, than other communities
had made to obtain such results. Such
is the substance Of what ne said.
Gentlemen we have worked weeks. ave
months Of actual time spent. for the &C.