South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1876-12-08


Waahlngton & Ohio Railroad.
LExsRrRe, VA. Nov. IL, 1876.
Hon. CHARLES j. Faulkner:
Dcas SOL was much Rratilied to
hear 81 the letters OF inquiry received
ffom you some months ago on tho sub.
ject Of the Washington and Ohio Rail.
roafl and delighted 70 learn the very
active Interest which you take in the
success OF that Improvement. AZ one
OF the directors. and after consultation
with Henry II. Harrison, also director.
\ have concluded to writo you on tho
subject. Tho present location and de.
sign OF our road is very different from
the scheme and plan or the old Alexan.
dria, Loudoun & Hampshire Railroad.
You may remember that some year.
ngo, the name and location were chang.
cd, and survey made to the Ohio river,
showing its practicability. and convert.
ing 1t Into great national tlioroughfarc
from the capital or the United States by
the nearest route TO the Great West
The parties then undertaking it, formed
one Of the most powerful combinations
In the country. and had penetration
enough to see the vast importance Of the
work; but unfortunately for the enter.
prise. there was disagreement among
them, and 1t was not pushed on as then
anticipated.
The prospect or alarm which now ex.
lists in England upon the prospect of the
exhaustion OF the supply Of coal in that
Kingdom nay. it is believed, soon lead
to an investment by English capitalists
in our road. Coal can be had abundant.
ly in West Virginia one hundred and
seventy-three miles from Alexandria,
hfty-threc miles Of which have been
TO Snickersville Mt the foot
OF the Blue Ridge. and fifty miles arc in
operation to Round Hill. the gross earn.
ings of which last year were SlO2, 900.
1t connects with Washington over the
Washington and Alexandria Railroad.
With constantly increasing passenger
and freight traffic, it is comforting large
benefits upon the counties through which
it passes, and as a striking illustration
OF its effects, the county Of Fairfax, once
regarded rs among tho poorest in our
State, has now become the fifth tax
paying county Of Virginia.
The advantages which have alrea ly
been realized. are utterly insignificant
compared with those which will be deriv.
ed from the extension of this great i'm
provement TO the coal mines Of West
Virginia, or even its extension to Win.
chester, from whence ut no distant day,
it is to be hoped, we can get anthracite
coal by an extension OF your road from
Martinsburg to Winchester. With the
changed condition OF things, and for the
purpose Of facilitating connection with
the west, and OF retaining the national
capital at Washington, it may be expe.
dent to get such aid as we can from
Congress. The improvement is one
which addresses itself with great force
To the members Of that body from Vir.
Sinia, and especially West Virginia. 1t
IS useless, however, to present facts and
arguments to you upon that subject, as
you are already familiar with all the
merits OF that enterprise, and have al.
ready manifested the deep interest
which you take in its success. My only
object in addressing you this letter is to
express our high appreciation Of the in
tcrcst which you have exhibited in our
improvement and IL we shall be so for.
tunate as to secure the investment OF
English capital in our enterprise. to sc.
cure your continued cooperation in the
OF the work.
Mo hopo ,,uIorot@oI III
not know how true it may be. that large
amount OF English capital has been in.
vested in coal lands along the route OF
the proposed road, perhaps in some or
tho counties composing your district.-
The Virginia Legislature passed al aat
IN 1872, 5rd Chapter. page 1872 of The
Acts, giving very extensive powers -
buy lands, 10 mine. 20 manufacture, ast
20 build railroads IN connection thcre.
with. which presume was also passed
by the Legislature of West Virginia.
aud II not. ought u not be done as soon
as practicable after the Legislature
mcetsy
IL has been thought that perhaps sub.
scriptions OF land might DO made In the
counties through which the road Is de.
signed 10 pass, which will enable the
owners Of coal lands to contribute 10.
wards the construction Of the railroad.
lou are doubtless frequently thrown
into Connection with parties from those
counties. and you might secure us eff.
Gent All by cordial union OF all hav.
ing a common interest ia view.
A Congress viii meet in very short
time, J hope - be able 70 have a person.
al Interview with you on the subject in
Washington. when we can talk over 10,
whole matter, aud determine more fu1 .
on our future course.
Yours. Respectfully.
IIExRY 1i1f"N'