Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1877-04-18
Narrow Gauge Railrond TO the Coal
EieiMS Of West Xirgimil.

r.,
YIN. G. Douglas, and published in the Ga
z4ttc Of March 9th, he urged the importance
Of . aa'gOlO gauge railroad, to connect Alex
audria with the coal fields Of Mineral county,
West Virginia. His communication has at
traccd the attention Of citizens Of Hampshire
county, and they arc becoming interested in
this proposed narrow gauge railway, and in par
ticuar 10 the proposed line from Strasburg via
Capon Springs to The coal fields of Mineral
couaIy. have received during the past week
Two pOstals referring TO the proposed enter
prise from prominent and Influential CHI.
zen Of Hampshire couuty. The postals
were addressed to my brother, at Pittsburg,
Pa, where he Is now actively engaged 10 work
ing up in company with Influential and cner-
gc!ic men connected with the iron, coal and
mineral interests, aud having the cooperation
Of practical men. the organization Of Go.
operutire Mineral Company, to dcvelope the
mineral Interests of Kentucky, West Virginia,
and the deposits oil LojcstOnc Ridge, and other
important mineral interests Of Virginia, and as
the Importance OF the information, AID the in.
! tcrest expressed Is such that the Ohjec, in view
should receive Immediate attention, ! have
CJhEiuIicii ~ 'tuAi SDu IL SllOlL !liiClc III lHC
| sui Get Of the proposed extension OF railways
connecting Alexandria with the Mineral de-
posts OF West Virginia. Mr.. Sale, the pro-
prictor Of iii. Capon Springs and Baths, 4
| gentleman we'll known to many oil your citizens,
writes as follows:
| MOUNTAIN lloUsE, 10Th April, 1877.
! Dear Sir :-llaVc noticed your article in the
Alexandria paper. Doe of the largest tanneries
is at this place, aud one or two iron furnaces
are in . line from Strasburg to the coal fields,
some ID or to miles west Of me. The distance
from here to Strasburg is II miles. Nothing
would delight this section of country so much
as i narrow gauge railroad. One or two encr-
getio men can easily put it on its legs. Any
quantity Of timber and iron orc on this route
TO The coal fields. Yours truly,
WIN. II. SALE, Proprietor.
| | also received last Saturday the following
postal from the same gentleman, and also ad
dressed to my brother:
CAPoN SPRINGS AND BATHS 18th April.
have seen Col. Harkness since wrote you,
and he Informs Inc that there is plenty Of coal
within fifty miles Of this place and seventeen
to StyusJury. making sxty.seveu miles from
Strasburg to the coal fields; plenty of iuc ore
and timber; one furnace and the largest tannery
in this county on the route. Hope you may
Jc aG!e to start the much needed road. hear
five or six furnaces will be built as soon as the
railroad is 4 fixed fact. Yours truly.
WIN. II. SALE.
Comment is unnecessary. for the above pos
tails spoaI, out strong for the importance of i'm
mediate action. No time should be lost, -Ale.c
aHo}Jia should be moving. Are there DOT one
or two energetic, public spirited men who will
join with the writer to press on this enterprise.
| will 60 to Hampshire and Mineral counties
alone, without any remuneration for my time or
services, but the force 81 only one man is very
weak however strong and determined may be his
will Bit with the aid and countenance Of your
prominent citizens we might be able to re-
spond to this call from Hampshire, put the
ball in motion, and Alexandria may yet control
the coal trade OF the southern portion Of the
valuable Frosbure, or Cumberland coal fields.
| The iron and Goals Of Hampshire and Mineral
counties can be developed the communication
with Underwater Oh the Potomac can be opened
up, with reasonable expenditure, by the con.
strucIon Of narrow gauge railway. With the
development oil the iron interests of Fau1uIer
and the Shenandoah Valley the growth and
prosperity Of Alexandria will be secured. The
distance from Alexandria TO Strasburg is by
the Manassas Branch road IS miles say from
Strashurg to the ccal fields Of Mineral county,
W. Va, CT; total distance Of ouly l5j miles
will place Alexandria iu direct railroad cOmnu,
nlcati6n with the nearest and most important
deposit OF bltumlnOus coal to tldeWater. a
narrow gauge railroad can be- constructed as an
extension 10 the Manassas Branch, up Ccduy
| CrecI; Valley, across the North Mountain, and
to the coal fields, at comparatively moderate
cost, whilst the construction OF railway, on
the broad gauge plan, or 4 feet s. inch road,
would be impossible, from the greater difficulty
OF location and grading, the greater cost OF
construction, and the moro expensive machinery
aud running stool: required to work the road
IlEGn THos. DOUGLAS.
CATLETT's, VA April II, 1877.
CHARLES FRANCIS ADAMS.-Th following
letter has been made public. Il was written
on the day Of the inauguration Of President
Hayes:
"BosToN. March ), 1877.
"Hon. S. j. IMicn, Nc1o York.:
My DEAR SIR On this day, when you
ought 10 have been President Of the UGitcd
States, | seize opportunity to brar my testimony
to the calm and digni6cd manner in which you
have passed through this great trial.
ut is many years since / ceased to be party
man. Hence have cndeavo;ed to judge pub
lie affairs and mcn rather by their merit then
by the name they take. It Is source Of graft
Gcainn to me 10 .hink that made the right
choice in the late election. | could never have
been rcc1nclled 10 the elevation by the smallest
cid Of mine Of person. however respectable 10
private life, who must forever carry upon his
brow the stamp OF fraud the first triumphant
10 American history. No subsequent action,
however mcllorl0us. can wash away letters OF
| that record
"Ecry respectfully yours,
"CHARLEs FRANCIS ADAMS"
Tho Richmond State says "A few day ago Il
| L /,