The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1879-06-26
The C. & O. Terminus.

For the Virginian.l
The great Importance to our people of an
outlet to deep water, for the increasing min
eral products OF our mountain country, makes
it subject of interest to know what's going
on at the end OF our present line of commu-
nication. 1t is necessity which forces itself
upon the consid ration of every thoughtful
person, that a cheaper aud more direct line
OF transportation is essential to the develop
ment and growth OF the vast interests of our
section, now so largely claiming the atten-
ton of capitalists. Your valuable paper, al
ways foremost in promoting whatever is of
interest to the people has lately called atten-
ton to the inadequate and uncertain means
of transportation now afforded by the James
River route. 1t is almost impossible for our
people to realize the great advantage of the
York over the James River route, unless they
travel over the route as have lately done.
Leaving Richmond at 3 O'Clock P. NJ,
was at O'Clock at West Point on board the
Havana steamer of the Y. r. line making
tri-weekly trips to Baltimore. The steamer
is large, and has commodious arrangements
for freight storage. Yet at the hour of our
arrival every place was full, leaving only
passage-w way for passengers between the piles
surprised to learn that at West Point there
is 20 feet of water, and channel 200 feet
wide, the depth of waterand width Of chan
mel increases rapidly, and it is at a glance
evident that the beautiful broad deep waters
of the York can at once, without preparation
or expense, furnish the outlet we so much
need. I was not little surprised to find
that our more enterprising friends at the
North have already shown their great appre-
citation of the York River route by seeking
its freights, through and local, by four lines
of steamers to New York, one to Providence,
one to Boston, one to Norfolk, and then the
regular tri-weekly line of Baltimore stea mers.
We passed three of these steamers on OR
way down the river, and at every landing
found quantities of fret ght awaiting us. From
the county of York alone there has been
shipped within the last Is days 1000 barrels
OF Irish potatoes. This is only one item from
a small county with only 5000 population,
and in section regarded by our people as
anything but productive. Then the fish,
oysters, crabs and clans, the products OF
these beautiful streams, requiring no labor
except the catching, bring to these peo
pie immense gains, and furnish additional
items in the bills Of shipments. As l write
| look out upon the beautiful blue waters of
the Poquosin River, every foot OF which Isl
oyster bed. The lovers of these bivalves will
no doubt remember how Mr.. Mason furnish
es his most delicious supplies from the waters
of this River. have in the last day or so
eaten them fresh from the river bed, and
found them fine in quality and delicious in
flavor.
Now Mr.. Editor when businers men from
remote Northern sections recognize the
great advantages afforded by the York River
route, is it not worth an effort on the part of
Of our people to take steps toward carrying
out the plans lately stated in your paper, viz:
the building of the short line from Hanover
JUNCTION to West Point. where our products
and agricultural are at once, and
without breaking bulk, placed at deep water,
where sea going steamers from all the prin-
,ipal northern cities are ready to receive
hem.
The Importance of this question can not
De magnified. have never felt it so much
before. Snd no little encouragement is at
orded us in the fact that the means of
ransp ortation for all the wealth of our love-
y valley are ready and at hand if we will
'nly meet them halfway. AS look at it, it
S subject of such vast Importance that |
AN earnestly wish that your powerful and
'ungent pen may be brought into use in
alling attention to the great necessity Of
prompt action ia the development and estab-
Ishment of the necessary connections in
What must certainly, in the near future, be
he great through route for trade and travel
rom our section to the outer world. This
change must take place, our necessities de-
nand it; let us then help it along.
AUGUSTA.