Bristol news. [volume] (Bristol, Va. & Tenn.) 1867-189?, 1879-12-16
Dirt Broken at Mendoza.
The People Coming to the Sup.
port of the Road.
Much Enthusiasm Ov"r the Be
ginning OF Work at the
River.

Last Thursday was appointed for the
removal Of the new convict force TO
Mendoza, the halfway point between
Bristol and Scott c. H., but owing to
the heavy and continuous rain in the
forenoon, Vice President James and the
Purchasing Agent, Mr.. Fowler, con-
cluded to avoid exposure of the cOnvicts,
which a march that day would necessi-
tate, and they accordingly went forward
alone and left them to follow on Friday.
AT p. NJ. the rain ceased, and despite
an occasional stretch of muddy road, the
trip was pleasant enough, and afforded
quite good opportunity for eXamina-
the Wolf Run Canyon, so blessed by
heaven with easy grades, gravelled foot
hills and splendid timber, MS 10 seem
fitted for our purpose beyond previous
expectation. The approach to it is by
very short and moderate cut in the sad
die of the ridge that makes the northern
boundary of Rich Valley. The cut need
not be over Is feet deep and 100 feet
long. Indeed the larger portion of this
100 feet, the depth of the cut will be
less than ID feet. This point, where the
unbroken, but easy descent to North
Fork, begins, is distant by the chain
from Bristol 39S50 feet, Make your cal
cuation and you will find it to be about
~ miles. There is some little difficulty
getting into Rich Valley, but none in
getting out of il. Once on the Wolf
Run descent and the route is easy
There will be some troublesome points
near the river, but they will and must
yield to the skill of our engineer. On
our way down we were thrilled by n
splendid spectacle fortuitously furnished
by the heavy rain of the past twenty
four hours. A large wet weather spring
from n mich in the northern hill came
pouring down PERCEPTIONS stone stair
way, a distanceo of some $50 feet, afford
ing us the spectacle Of snowy cascade
some six feet in width and Of surprising
beauty. Next day il had ceased TO run,
and like n vision, the attraction had
wholly disappeared. Only mile dis
tant, but invisible from the road there Is
a permanent one flowing some POO feet
over perpendicular prccipice. The
sight of is so splendid that Esq. Kaylor
intends to make road by which tourists
can visit il. At late hour we drew
rein in front of the hospitable mansion
of Esqr. Joel Kaylor, with whom we
spent most pleasant night, he and his
excellent lady contributing in every pos
sible way to our comfort. He has an
immense area Of valuable land TO be
pierced by the y. q. II. r., and he fully
realizes the immense advantage il must
receive from the improvement. Tie is
probably the largest individual stock
holder of the company, and presents to
II beside the right Of way, ample ground
for Depot purposes at Mendoza, some
three miles further on. The town Of
Mendoza Is built on his land. On Fri
day we found ourselves water bound At
North Fork, and stopped for some hours
at the residence of Mr., Francis Filing
ton, who though 80 years Of age, Is real
~ aglow with enthusiasm over the pros.
poets Of the railroad. His doors were
opened to us and everything we needed
placed Mt once ut our disposal. He Is Il
real old Virginia gentleman, Of the
broad gauge kind.
In u few hours friends had n boat nj
our disposal, and as the convicts had
then arrived they were soon fcricd across
the llolston by by MessIs. James r.
Flcenor and Emmett Kindrlck. At moon
these architects of Mcndota's fortune
u In number were In their comfortabl,
quarters In one end of the town. Fires
were kindled food furnished by the
stockholders, cracks were daubed, bunk,
arranged, grounds graded, stoves put II
position, fences erected, and at dark tho
conyicts were singing songs and holding
prayer meeting.
On Saturday ut noon, quite II number
Of the good people Of the vicinity, h.
dies included, assembled TO witness In,
pREAKiNG or plRr on the road bed
Vice President James formally inaugu
rated the ceremony In neat and fOrcibl,
speech which was applauded by nj
present. lie congratulated them on x
suspicious aud event, and pictured III,
magnificent prospect before the people
Of that portion Of the county, provided
they would come up to the support o
he company. lie insured them tia
their town would br point on the linc
aud explained that In establishing n cam
there NJ this time, there was chiefly II
view their convenience In furnishn,
supplies on stock account. lie then In
troducpd Mr.. Fowler, who spoke SOM
20 minutes, and was followed by Prof
Hale Hamilton, In very efficient forci
bic aud excellent address, that brlstlc,
with good sense.
Mr.. james then took one Of the new
picks, and In the very base of Cllncl
Mountain broke the first railroad cart
nj Mcnd)ta, which Esqr. joel kaylo
threw with once of the new shovels.
The audience received these slgnl0
cant inaugimtng ceremonies with dem
onslntlons Of delight and enthusiasm. =
Capt Payne was ut The same time active
H.. ~. l..l4l.t .......... r. "A.