The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1876-06-27
LETTER FROM NESrVlRGINIA "
[Writtan for The Spirit Of Dcmeoracy.l

GWritton for The Spirit of Dcmecracy]
WEST UNION, w VA. June II, &c
FRIEND JERE: have watched the pro-
cecriings in regard to the projected rail
roa.l through Monroe County, as pub.
lished in the SPIRIT from time to time,
With good deal Of interest, and hope
you may succee'l in the accomplishment
of the enterprise.
We have narrow-gauge railroad in
this county, built by Messrs. Hart &
L!owiides, of Clarksburg The road
taps the B & Q r r at place known
rs Steel's : witch, about 4 miles east OF
West Union, extending up the Meat
house Fork of Middle Island Creek, and
is demonstration of the feasibility and
practical use Of wooden rails, the use of
which has been condemned on the
ground that an engine wou d not operate
on wood, but Mr.. Hart, who is fine
practical machinlst, built the engine in
such'a manner as to peculiarly adapt il
to that use, and with train of cars will
climb up a very stiff grade. The track
is not more than four feet broad, the ties
put down at about two feet apart, with
wooden rails let into the ties and keyed
down with wedges. These rails are
about three or four inches thick with .
width of from four TO six inches, and
upon these rails strips tho width Of the
thickness of the rails and one inch thick,
are nailed. And while the southern end
of the road is in the woods, there being
no town near it, yet in carrying lumber
and other products Of the country, lit is
paying quite a satisfactory interest upon
the investment, and should the owners Of
the road extent it to Glenville in .GAmer
County, or to Weston in Lewis County,
they need have no fear Of result sur
passing their vaincst imaginings in re
gard to it. In fact, ], should not wonder
/ If the entire Kanawha Valley wouid-in a
very short time find an outlet over the
Meathouse Fork Railroad, which could
easily be accomplished by the way Of
Glenville.
! | have also had the pleasure OF wit
messing the working of the Pennsboro 4
Harrisville Railroad, a narrow gauge
road in Richie, our adjoining county on
. the west This road extends from Pens
boro, in Rjtchie C,uuty, to Harrisville
the county seat of the same county, O
!, distance Of about eight miles. Penns
boro is on the B & o. r r. The track
on the 2. & II. road is put down the
same as the Meathouse Fork road, ex
cept that on the P. & H. road they use q
small T head rail in place of the strip
The rail weighs about IL or II pounds
to the yard. The road has but recently
got into operation, but has proved sue
cess, and is already paying a handsome
Interest on the investment. If / an
rightly informed, including rolling stock
station houses, and everything for tht
building, completion and operation o
these two roads, they did not cost more
than $4,000 per mile, but my impression
is that the cost is very much less.
| The country through which thes'
roads run is improving more rapidly thar
in any other part of either county, ant
land that could have been bought shor
time back in this county for 50 per acr'
upward along the line of the Meathous
Fork Railroad, cannot now be bought TO
: less than IS lin the woods This road
am infnrincis goes to 4 900 acre trac
of land that belongs to- Thos. Genin'
heirs, which was taxed at 81 per acre
but upon which some junior patents hav
!, fbeen. laid, and under these junior AM
worthless titles they are selling tha
!, woodland at SS per acre.
The people of Monroe County, if the
once get the B. Il S. W. R R, will /
: : less than year wonder how they eve
sotgot along without it. or at least so It
. On these two little roads over here.
), Mr.. Ira Hart, Of the Meathouse For
" Railroad, or Mr.. Kimble, of the P. & f
;, Railroad are clever gentlemen and woul
: take great pleasure in showing any or
= over their respective roads and explain
= ing the workings of the same.
. Mr.. Hart's Postolfice address is Clark
. burg, Harrison County, West Va, an
. Mr. Kimbell, Pennsboro R chic Count
and l have no doubt they would
pleased to give any information 10y ma
! that might be sought from them.
-" am anxious to see your road cor
pletcd, and if the people Of my natl
,e county will appreciate their own inte
ne ests they will never rest satisfied un
W the road is completed.
81 Very. respectfully, P. GANo