Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1880-02-07
THE q. v. II. II. EXTENDING
NORTElVVAkD.

preSSlve sentiments WHICH ocCOusi" tue
celebrated lecture OF Col. A. Il. Bote-
Ter. on "Ramsey," is that uttered by
one of the spectators, who witnessed the
trial of "Rumsey's" boat on the Poto-
mao at this place, during the last centu-
nv, when he said, "She movesI indica-
ting by the exclamation, that the result
OF the experiment was a success so tar
as the mevment Of the boat by steam
was concerned.
So can we say Of the course Of the
s. V. Il. r., it ''moves' onward to the
nearness of its completion, and IN con-
nection with which, we can also say,
that there was no little excitement as
well as rejoicing, when the announce
ment was made late on Saturday night
last, the contractors for grading the
road from Shepherdstown to Hagers-
town, had received orders from head
quarters, to proceed to work at once on
Monday morn;ng,on the Maryland side.
And il WAS not the beating of the
reseilFe, nor the blowing ot the whistle
of the "MilneS," (which by the way,
made its inst trip by the new schedule
from here early that mornimg,) that
caused the assembling together Of quite
number al the Eutler Hotel, early
Monday morning, bat the eager desire
OF many of our citizens to be present
and witness the breaking OF ground on
the northern or Maryland extension of
the S. V. X. r., the completion OF
which will be of such vast Importance
TO the interest and industries of not ONLY
our town, but of the community around
US.
So, by the early morning light, the
crowd led by Col. a. X. Boteler, with
Maj. Potts and his engineer corps, and
also including those staunch friends anu
old stand by's of the road, Messrs. l.
w. Chapline, d. 5. Rentch, J. II. hit
tie, and Maj. Henry Hagan, started tor
the scene of action across the river, on
the Douglas farm opposite this town,
where they found Mcssrs. Best and Hop
peck, contractors, together with their
foreman, Mr.. Mutchler, and their man
ayers, Messrs. Shean and Angel, with
Mr.. Jacob Best, clerk, and about fifty
hands, with horses AID carts, and also
maHy others as spectators from the vi
entity around, awaiting the coming OF
our delegation, before beginning oper-
utions. The ground upon which work
was 10 be commenced, there is cut OF
upwards of thirty-four feet,and upon the
hill this way, a Gil Of seventeen feetand
between the two an extensive CGlYert,
which will require much labor before
completion. After our arrival and some
preliminaries. Nlr. Best Informed Col.
Botclcr aud Major Potts that he was
ready to proceed.
Col Botcler, Ito whom was accorded
the compliment Of breaking ground for
the extension Of the s. '. K. H., into
Maryland,) before turning the first sod,
made briet and appropriate speech, OF
which we took some notes, but not
enough, we are sorr! to say, to enable
us to give a full and fair report OF his
remarks.
He began by congratula'ing the
crowd upon the occasion that had caus-
cd it TO aSscmble-'an occasion said !
he. (which We have lonoed looked for,
lonped for, and labored for, and which
now, that it has COMETS practical dem
ons,ra,ion of the gratifying :act, that the |
S. V. Il. X. is to be completed accord |
inc 10 the original plan for which l
have been so long contendlng-that 1t .
will cross the Potomac here at Shep-
berdstown, that It's connection with /
the Cumberland Valley and Western /
Mar, land roads at lIagerstown, will be
made before the 4th of July next--in
time 10 accommodate the summer tour
list who desire 20 see the wonderful cav
ems of Luray, and Tor the farmers along
the line 10 Maryland and the two Viz
pinia's, TO have competing outlet for
their now growing grain crop to the
sea board cities of the East.
lie said "that they were there to be-
gin the Maryland extension, which
would be direct avenue TO the central
gateway Of the great valley OF Virginia
through which ''tradc, the calm health
of nations would flow in Strengthening
tides" for unborn generations. That 1t
would be not only an outlet for produce,
but likewise an inlet for capitalists to
develop and utilize the material resources
of the fields, forests and magnificent
mines along It's line, and thus diversity
the industries and promote the prosper
ity of the people within the range Of its
influence"
lie paid passing compliment 10 the
officers of the S. V. r. Il. Company