Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1880-02-03
THEsHaNANDoAH Valley RAIL
ROAD.
tFroul the Ha.er.to~n MALL


can, from Philadelphia, who, from his iui.
tials, is probably Mr.. j. p. Matthews, of the
Philadelphia Press, gives the fullest insight
we have, yet had into the identity of the per-
sons who are now pushing forward the ex.
tension OF the Shenandoah Valley Railroad
towards a southern connection as well as from
Shepherdstown to Hagerstown. This iufor.
INDEPENDENTLY as regards the motives
aud moneyed power which impel the road
between the Potomac river and Hsgerstown
is, however, still Incomplete; although,
from another source we have intimations
which satisfy us that the statements of the
correspondent are remarkably accurate.
Indeed, we are able to say to our readers
upon authority other than that of the Amer.
cans correspondent, that the coptrae, for
building the bridge at Sharpsburg has been
positively made. as we'll as for the grading of
the road from Shcpherdstown to HssersteNn
aud that it is the purpose of the COMPANY to
have the work finished by the lst Of Jnlv
next This road, as indeed the entire road
is to be graded for double track. although
for the present a single track will be laid
The building of double track Indicates
more clearly than words could, that the new
road is net designed to be feeder to apv
other road, but a trunk line, sooner or later
The contractors for the bridge at Shep
herdstown have arrived with their steam en-
g'nes ana all necessary apparatus; have
engaged quarry and will at once go rapidly
to work on the bridge. The cross sections
necessary to ascertain the cuts and 6lIs nm
the Douglas farm have been finished. and
work will be begun by Mr.. Best, the con.
tractor, on Monday morning next. Mr. Best
was In hagerstown yesterday, looking at this
end OF the line, aud as soon as the right of
way ls secured will also put force to work
at this end.
The Americans correspondent, writing
from Philadelphia, January &c, saws that the
Doom, which Is carrying this road forward
at present, is the development of the i'm
mensely rich mineral lands-coal and iron
along the line of it in Virginia. He sets
forth the value of these deposits with minute.
ness and precision, ADD shows that the rich
ness OF these ores was so pronounced that the
virginia furnaces. during the depression of
trade, could be run at a profit, while most of
those in Pennsylvania had been compelled to
suspend. He says:
"This road and the new cnterprises which
are fastening its construction are attracting
moro attention in Philadelphia than in Bal
tlmore, although Baltimore is the natural
market for the products of the country
through which 1t passes. II crosses the Bal,
timore and Ohio railroad at Dufield's Station
about ninety miles west of Baltimore. while
1t is more than twice that distance from the
same point to Philadelphia. The Pennsyl,
vauia Railroad Company and tho Cunber
land Valley Railroad Company are both
quietly assisting the Shenandoah CompaDv.
not so much by actual contributions of capi,
tai as by substantial promises. The road is
peing built by corporation outside of the
railroad company, called the Shenandoah
which has its headquarters at the So Souih
Third street, Philadelphia. The money is
raised here, and all the operations of the
company arc directed from this point. al.
though the President, Hon. VIM. Mines.
Jr., resides at the Shenandoah Iron Works
Page county, Va"
The writer then gives in detail the route.
already published. "Hagcrstown is the
northern terminus of the road" aud VIC NAV
here state that from Hagerstown to Shep.
herdstown the distance is l44 miles, and not
10 miles as before reported. The correspon-
dent adds:
"From Shepherdstowp, on the Potomac to
R'verton, on the Shenandoah two miles
from Front Royal the road is completed,
and in active operation. The completed
division is ~ miles in length At Rivcr,on
bridge is being built across the Shenaudo>
road takes the south fork, following its
course to the Shenandoah Iron Works. in
Page county. The northern division (from
Shopherdstowu to Hagerstown) is under
contracf, and will be completed during the
coming summer
1.-The company has purchased l 900 tons
of iron and steel rails in Europo-S 900
tons from English manufactures aud 900
from hrupps celebrated works at Hessen,
Prussia. OF the English rails, about g, 900
tons have already been delivered at Bslti.
more. and used in laying the track between
Shepherdstown and tho forks Of the Shepap>
doah. Each mile of track requires So tons
of rails. Some of the English rails have also
been delivered ct New York. 1t is probable
that the remainder of the English and all the
German rails will be delivered at Baltimore,
aud, in fact, the construction company would
rather receive them there than at any other
port. because it is tho most convenient, aud
requires less transportation by land"
In the House, on the 9th ult., bill was
passed to carry into c feet resolution adopt
ed by Congress, 1871, in regard to monu.
mental column at Yorktown, Va. 1t appro-
PIRATES 100000 for the erection of mopu-
ment at Yorktown. and $50, 900 in order to
enable the committee on Yorktown celebra-
ton to make all necessary arrangements for
such a celebration of the centennial anniver>
sary of the battle of Yorktown as shall beft
the historical significance of the occasion.
The House committee on public buildings
and grounds has agreed to recommend the
passage OF a bill appropriating 100000 for a
public building at Charleston, in this State.