Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1879-08-23

the scene was particularly exciting,
everyone bristling with the interest that
attends uncertainty. 1t gradually be-
came known, however, that a protocol
had been signed, and many persons lett
the vicinity, but the majority still I'm
gered, imbued with the idea that some
thing would turn up. The Mayors or
naments, twelve special police, were on
duty, six at once, but had no occasion
TO test their valor. Scattered about IN
groups and knots, the crowd discussed
the situation. To say that public senti-
ment was against the b. x .. company,
would be to only feebly express the sit
uation. Every group was loud IN Its de-
nunciation of the course 1t had pur-
sued, and il was remarked within
the hearing of the writer that III
somebody would lead the way, the
crowd was ready to tear up every rail
they had" While this was beyond the
average sentiment it seems to illustrate
the intensity OF feeling exhibited.
Toward nine o'clock it had dawned
upon the multitude that every thing
was quiet on the Potomac and likely to
be, and gradually the assemblage dis
persed. At eleven o'clock reporter
Tor this paper made tour OF observa-
along the line and found the usual still
ness prevailing. The special police and
several extra Waterman were on
duty, but all work had ceased
and every thing was at rest
Occasionally the stiffness would be
broken by the changing OF 4 bell and an
immense eye would glare through the
darkness as mOgul snorted by, but
there was a total absence OF any sight or
sound belligerent.
THE TRESTLE LAND.
The question has been and is so often
raised in regard to the ownership OF the
land upon which the b. d q. Company
has erected its trestle, that we give q
brief statement of the case. When the
right of way was granted the company,
il bought, from various persons, the
depot land on the north side OF the creek.
The city granted the right OF way on the
south bank, and sold to the company,
for 81 900, the ground upon which the
trestle now stands. So that the com
panv owns from the mouth OF the creek
south TO a line projected westwardly
from the north line OF Twentieth street,
and to this its title is beyond dispute.
When the trestle was begun 1t started
from the westernmost track ut APPOINT on
Twentieth street, or on city property.
When work was stopped here the
curve was shortened, and at present the
switch commences on the company's
property.
ANOTHER QUESTION.
Last evening REGISTER representa-
tive met prominent b. Il o. official and
put to him question which has several
times been agitated.
Suppose your trestle completed and
i'm use; cannot the p. e.. d 81. i. Com
pany demand right of way over it and
condemn it through court"
The official was not quite clear on the
subject and replied 81 don't know
what the law is in this State, but the
Supreme Court of Ohio has decided that
when land is Once'cOndemned for rail-
road purposes it cannot again be con-
demned'
This, we understand, is partly true.
But this land has never been con-
demned and the company must prove
that 1t is absolutely necessary for their
business, to prevent condemnation for
similar purposes.
During the evening the REGISTER was
present during conversation between
a Councilman and b. Il O. official each
prominent in his respective position.
"The mass of the people deprecate
this war" said the former, "and it is
only enjoyed by the lower classes after
the manner of dOg-fght. 1t has pro-
duced bitter feeling among those out
of employment, as something likely
TO interfere with the iron trade. Take
away our iron mills and you rob the
city OF her commercial value and a
large class Of people jealousy watch
anything that threatens blow at this
industry. This fight is piece of dashed
foolishness anyhow, now amt it?'
eyes, it is, +" replied the railroad man.
"You can Just put the whole thing in a
nutshell. BY means OF lot OF foolish
iShness each company is simply striving
to place itself on the best footing for the
lawsuit which will follow"
The conversation then turned upon
matters foreign to the subject, winding
up with the observation from the rail-
roader that "the policy toward the Il.
4 O. road would yet compel IL to COM
plete through Pennsylvania, and let the
grass grow over its West Virginia road. ="
TwENTY-THIRD STREET OBSTRUCTION.
Calling at the city building later in
the evening, the Mayor was called upon
for his quota of news. He was inclined
TO grumble over the terms of the "agree-
ment." Said he:
There at the Twenty-third street
crossing is a pretty place. When the
switch was made, the short ties were
taken out and long ones put in. The
short ones were dumped over the bank
and left there, and form dangerous
place. Dan. Lamb admitted to me that
It was a dangerous place. The drive to
Eoh's Landing is completely OBJ
structed. notified the company
that it would have to take those
long ties out and put in the
short ones again and that every day
thew laid there would constitute Il
separate offence. Under this agreement
it is doubtful whether We can do any
thing and the City Solicitor is not clear
aboutit, and then this Nightingale case
will have TO rest.
lie said further, that his position in
the matter was simply TO enforce the
ordinances, to prevent digging into the
streets, and to see that the peace was
preserved"
LETTER or VICE PRESIDENT KEYsER.
Editor OF the Register.
On my arrival here this morning |
learned that disturbance had occurred
during the night and that the tracks of
the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad Com
pany on its own property, north Of
Wheeling Greek, had been forcibly dis
placed and one of its cars thrown over,
and that force in the employ OF the
p, W. * NY. railroad were actively en-
gagged in laying their tracks upon the
land owned, and for nearly a quarter OF
a century occupied by this company,
with a view to the extension of their
road 10 BenwoOd. | learned also to my
regret that these lawless proceedings
were openly countenanced by the
municipal authorities and sympathized
in bv a large class of the citizens. Be
l;o,.;n,, 90 do that tho fair miDdal IN