The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1878-09-18
Ohio and West Virginia Railroad

| A gentleman who recently visited Rlch-
r,ond, and who resides in Pomcroy, Ohio,
writes us the following communication
from the White Sulphur, where he paused
for time on his homeward journey. He
understands the subject about which he
writes. He is much interested in the pro-
posed connection between Gallipolis aud
the Chesapeake and Ohio railroad ola the
Kanawha river. What he says is worthy o.
the attention OF the businessmen OF Rich
mond:
Editors of The Richmond Dispatch:
In two OF your papers within the last few
DAYS noticed your remarks about the ONO
and West Virginia railway. | was glad to
see YOU calling attention to matter OF so
much Importance, but as there is so much
more necessary to be said on the subject l
would be pleased to ada something to what
has been said, with your permission.
The Ohio and West Virginia railway was
first chartered by the State OF Ohio, under
the name of the Gallipolis and Columbus
railroad, and to extend from Gallipolls 10
Logan, Ohio, at point on the Hooking
Valley railroad, below Columbus. After
cXpending large amount OF money on il,
and getting about forty miles graded and
nearly ready for the iron, they failed, and
The road was sold under the order OF court,
and purchased by new parties, who have
obtuined q new charter under the name OF
the Ohio and West Virginia railway, who
now propose to finish the road from a point
OH the Miami and Cincinnati railroad, near
Hamdeu. to Gallipolis and Pomeroy. within
short period, the ROAD sorking few miles
a,,l Y,,ty nd
branch going to Pomeroy and the other TO
Gailipolis.
The Pomeroy branch being nearest to the
Ohio river, where the best and cheapest
place can be found to bridge said river
! from its source 10 its mouth, as rock-bar
extends long distance into the river, and
comes out OF water at moderate stage Of
the river, which is narrow at this place,
and stone ledge extends for miles along
the river, the face OF which is nearly per.
pendicular and about fifty feet above the
surface OF the ground and uncovered, and
apparently waiting for the maSons to come
and quarry it and build the piers for 4
bridge, only few rods distant, OF Use 1t
for any purpose.
The city OF Pomeroy has built all its
foundations out OF it, and built miles OF
protection wall to preserve Front street
| from washing by the river, and it can
scarcely be missed.
The people OF Columbus want the route
changed north Of the Nj. and {. road, and
run more directly to their city, without
| touching the Hooking Valley at Logan or
any point on that road, but have ali indie
pendent and nearer route, although the Ii.
| ", it is sad, offered lair terms.
A few years ago railway was chartered
| to run from PomeroY, on the Ohio river, to
Toledo, on Lake Erie, aud called the s. At
tantic and Lake Erie railroad" Work was
done on it in many places.
The people OF Pomeroy took large
amount of stock, and built tunnel through
the hill within half a mile of the site Of
this bridge, and graded the road about ten
miles west, or about hall way to the end OF
the Pomeroy branch OF the 0. and w. rail-
road, and intend to utilize the work put on
the A. and L. f., as that corporation has
failed.
The people OF Mason and Putnam coun-
ties, W. Va, the past year have been advo.
eating The construction Of railroad from
| Mason City, w. Va, opposite POmeroy,
Ohio, down the Ohio river to Point Pleasant
| the county-scat), and then up the kanawha
river to Buffalo, the county-seat OF Put
nam; thence along up the river to iDtersect
the Chesapeake and Ohio railroad at Scarry
station. twelve miles below Charleston.
where the Chesapeake and Ohio leaves said
river and takes the hills to Huntington.
The distance from, Scarry to Mason City is
but few miles further than to Hunting
ton, and the route along the kanaWha
and Ohio bottoms can be easily built,
as very little grading or bridging will be
necessary. 1t has been proposed 10 issue
county bonds in Mason and Putnam counties
to build the road, but bridge over the
Ohio between Mason city and Pomeroy
will be a necessity to avoid delay, and must
be provided for abroad, either by the Cresa-
peake and Ohio railroad or the city OF mer-
chants OF Richmond, as the new railroad cam
not raise means fora bridge. Ii the Chesa-
peake and Ohio railroad would build the
branch from Scarry to Mason City ana the
bridge, and take the county bonds, u iooks
to be the best way, as 1t Woulc add largely
10 their business, and no doubt be prontaoie.
This route runs through the best part OF
Mason and Putnam counties. is rich bot
tom lands, that are very productive, and
worth from S50to 800 per acre.
Within FIVE miles OF Mason City each way
! there are about twenty salt aud coal-works
| in operation, and one large IRON and nail
mill on the Virginia side Of the river, which
| would furnish large amounts Of freights for
a railroad, including the villages Of Cam
| den, West Columbia. Clifton, Sterling. Ma.
son City, Germany, Hartford City, and New
1 Haven. On the Ohio side, within the same
distance on the river, there is probably
double the amount OF salt and coal produced
as on the Virginia side, and the city Of
| Pomeroy, the town Of Middeport, the VII
lagos Of Coalport, Minersyille, Carleton
vile. Syracuse, and Racine-all of which
] wonld furnish a large amount OF business
| for railroads. Just see the amount OF slaves
and other timber that would come over this
branch OF road to supply those salt and
coai- Works-say tWerty-eight salt-furnaces,
producing an average: OF one hundred and
fifty barrels each per day, which would
make over million barrels per annnm, or
Erequire twenty millions, OF slaves for the
barrels, which now come nostly, over This
route By boats and teams. .rhe people uiong
this route would get their coal, salt, and
other business done by it. II. 800
he rolling and nail.miil and foundffes
at FomeroY have been getting much pig
imetal Of Quinnimont, on the Chesapeake