The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1879-05-22
Western Connections.

The western connections of the Chesa'
peake and Ohio Railroad are, at this time,
attracting considerable attention. The line
of extension contemplated by the company
itself, is now being carefully examined by
representatives of the organization, and the
most recent intelligence on the subject in.
forms us that Gen. Echols, one of the Di
rectors, and Gen. St. John, Consulting En-
gineer, who are now in Kentucky, are
pleased with the prospect of an early re.
sumption on the Mt. Sterling or Big Sandy
route. We have heretofore alluded to this
connection, and also to the competing route
down the Ohio River. 1t will be the policy
Of the company to adopt the Big Sandy
route, that originally designed for the ex.
tension, if suitable and satisfactory arrange
ments can be made..to that end, and from
the indications we have, we entertain the
liveliest hope of encouraging news from
that source.
AS bearing upon this important subject OF
the western connections of the Chesapeake
and Ohio, we notice another and indepen-
dent scheme, recently brought to light in
Cincinnati. 1t is that of new organiza-
ton, represented by Mr.. J. D. Watson.
which is published as proposing to con-
struct standard guage railroad from Gin
cinnati to Huntington, W. Va, on the Ohio
side of the river, and branch to connect
Georgetown, Ripley and Maysyille with the
main road, and two other branches from
Huntington to penetrate and develop large
tracts of land owned by the road.
The statement we have seen goes on to
say, according to the Cincinnati Gazette,
that, the company preparing to build this
roads composed of Eastern capitalists, who
have been quietly working for seven months
past, accumulating these rich mineral
lands, acquiring the right of way, ETC., and
they are ready to begin active operations OIL
the line itself. They propose to put their
men at work before the end of the month
and within thirty days to have the shovels
actively at work along the lines
''The financial condition of the company
is said to be beyond question. They have
nearly 100, 900 acres of land in the western
portion of West Virginia, filled with the
finest coal and capable of producing, ac
cording to the best estimates, 1,176, DOC
tons of coal. This they propose to haul of
and send down the road to Cincinnati anc
the country beyond. Their representa-
tive, Mr.. J. D. Watson, has been in the city
for several weeks, quietly arranging the
work, and has opened an office in Masonic
Temple, the rooms formerly occupied by
Hermon Lewis Bank. He has spent most
of the past two years in the country which
the company proposes to develop, and
along the proposed line between Hunting
ton and this city, and says the road will be
completed by the end of 1880. Two mil
lions of the bonds of the company have
been negotiated in New York;
''This enterprise will be welcome one tt
Cincinnati and Southern Ohio. This pro
ject Of connection with the Chesapeake
and Ohio, and the rich mineral and timber
country adjoining, has been a favorite one
with the people of this section, and they
will be rejoieed to hear that their hopes arr
about to be realized.'
There may be and may not be something
in this publication, and we only give it be-
cause it has received the countenance Of
leading Cincinnati papers. We must con
fess that we have our doubts as to the con
tidence that should be placed in it, as we
have been so frequently mislead by similar
highly colored schemes of this kind. But
of one thing we may be certain, and that is
the Chesapeake and Ohio Railway Compa
ny are seriously contemplating western
outlet for their road, and the gentlemen
who are now examining into the competing
routes, are doing SO for practical bust
ness purpose, in their official capacity. This
fact we regard as important, and in harmo
ny with the general feeling of confidence
that is pervading the country. This great
thoroughfare cannot remain Indifferent to
the pressing necessity for western connec
tions. The increasing developments, now
in their infancy, all along its line, demand
enlarged facilities for their accommodation
and it would be the perfection of folly fol
this great corporation to longer rest under
the restrictions which now hamper its OWL
and the public interests.