Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1879-12-04
THE Il. & s. w. r R.-ITS STATUS
AND PROSPECTS.


AND PROSPECTS.
IL seems, ID one who has been over
the route of the Bclllirc and Southwest
crn narrow gauge railroad, strange that
the section of country which it traycrscs
has been 50 long without a railroad.
Monroe, populous and fertile coun-
ty, the greatest tobacco-growing section
in Ohio, richly timhcrcd, and intcrlaced
with accessible veins of valuable lime
and free stone, was without 4 mile OF
railroad track until the construction OF
this little road.
\ representative Of the REGISTER who
accompanied the excursion to Woods
field on the opening of the road took
some pains to examine into the pros
poets for freight and passenger traffic
over the new route, with reference TO Its
probable value rs an Investment and
success rs an enterprise. The results
are very favorable to the company. The
line of the road now completed is forty
two and hall miles in length, and the
right of way. grading, ties and iron, and
the LAYING Of these, have cost only in
the neighborhood of ten thousand dol
lars per mile. The roai is not fully
equipped with rolling stock, but when 1t
is it is estimated that this item OF cX-
penSe will not have reached over SD
600.
The capital stock OF the company is
100000, and this is held in BcIlairc and
WOodsfcld and along the line Of the
road in both Belmont and Monroe couu-
ties, more than half, however being in
the latter county. Bonds are now out
standing tothc amount OF $3.50, 900, sales
of these having been effected at good
figures. The company has a small
frame depot building and engine house
at Bcllairc, bit it is now using the state
Tobacco Warehouse for depot and office
purposes at that station. At BeallsyiIlc,
in Monroe county, is also a well-arrang-
ed and commodious depot, and at
Woodsfeld large frame building is
now being completed Tor the same pur-
pose. The foundation is also in place
for a round house there, and another
building for freight storage is well un-
der way. At several Of the small sta
tons along the route, in both counties,
private individuals have constructed de
pot buildings generally together with
store rooms. Such buildings we noticed
At Caldwell, Kclsey's, Irwin, Nallonia
and other stations.
1t was anticipated, and the anticipa-
ton is realized, that there would bca
LARGE demand for river coal along the
road. While there is coal at several
points, none Of it is of rs good quality as
that mined at Bellairc. The cars in
which this is carried South, may be
utilized i'm the return trip for transport
ing limestone, which is more than
abundant along the route, and which is
always i'm active demand at the blast
furnaces along the river. Magnificent
sand stone Tor building is also easily ac-
rcssible at numerous portions OF the
road. The timber with which most Of
the hills OF Monroe county and the
Southern part Of Belmont are still COW
cred, finds access to makCt for the first
time. Among it is much walnut and
other desirable wool. Dressed timber
will also be in demand along the line,
and transporting this from the factories
at Bcllairc and elsewhere will form
portion ot the traffic OF the road. As al-
ready said, Monroe county Is the to-
bacco growing region OF Ohio, and
a large portion Of the crop of the pres
cnt year has already been conveyed over
this road, even in its unfinished cordi-
ton. Heretofore all this product has
been hauled in wagons to GAINESVILLE,
or to points on the river, for shipment,
and of course the completion of the Il. x
5. W. road will revOlutionize the trans
portation, not only OF this, but of the
numerous other agricultural staples