The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1879-07-17
Gen. John Echols.

The Clark County Democrat, published at
Winchester, Ky. has the following refer
ence to the services rendered by Gen. Ech-
OILS to the people of Kentucky, West yir-
GINA and Virginia, in the matter OF the
Chesapeake and Ohio railroad connections !:
The completion of the Big Sandy Rails
road is no longer one OF the probabilities. 1t
is now only question of time. Engineers
began last week to make the final location,
and the coming winter will find much of the
work done. That trains will be running
from Lexington to Huntington before
Christmas of next year, we do not for a
moment doubt. The accomplishment Of
this dream OF generations will most Won
derfully influence the future of Eastern
Kentucky,to say nothing Of Virginia and the
rest of the country that will be more or less
tributary tie the great line Of which our road
will be a part.
completion of the Big Sandy as the gentle
man whose name is at the head OF this ed
torial. He was chiefly instrumental in first
drawing the attention of Mr.. Huntington
and the other capitalists associated with him
to the Importance of the Chesapeake and
Ohio road. 1t was in great part through his
efforts that the same gentlemen turned
their attention to the Big Sandy in ISL
During all the days that have passed since
the panic OF 1878, compelling cessation of
work on our road, as we'll as on all others
throughout the country, he has kept his eye
steadily fixed on its final completion. Oher
schemes have been urged before the Chesa-
peake and Ohio board and those interested
in a>western connection, but Gen. Echols has
never seen but one route, and has neglected
~ Nat,
whereof we speak when we say that Mr..
lucky this past spring if it had not have
been for the earnest, persistent eff
forts of General Echols. He is a
true Virginian, and loves Kentucky be-
cause she is the daughter Of his mother State,
and because her people are so nearly related
to and 30 much like those amongst whom he
lives. We have seen much of him since he
first came here in 1871, and if he is not
great hearted and noble minded patriot and
gentleman, we have never seen one. Broad
and comprehensive in his views, straightfor-
ward and manly in his dealings, and sincere
inf whatever he says, he has the confidence Old
all who know him. and in our humble opinion
has no superior as a statesman in Virginia or
Kentucky. lie has done greater work for
these States than all the mere politicians
that they contain will achieve during their
whole lives, and yet it has been accomplish |
ed so quietly and with such modesty, that |
the great majority of those benefited do not
know anything about the man to whom they |
owe so vast debt of gratitude.
The Winchester (Va.) Times OF The 10th, |
refers to the same subject in the following |
complimentary terms
sit gives us pleasure to note these richly |
deserved tributes to our distinguished friend. |
They show that the public begins to recog-
nize what Gen. Echols' friends have known
all along, that his rare capacity for business,
robust common sense, versatile talents, high |
and dignifed, yet conciliatory bearing, con-
joined with persuasive eloquence and Won
derful aptitude for public affairs. entitle him
to rank with the foremost men of the day,
and to adorn any exalted station to which a
grateful Commonwealth may in future call
him.