The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1881-10-13
Important Railroad Scheme.

The Ras1aoGy World Of October LIST, in an
article on the new Southern railroad system,
says:
THE controlling spirits of the Chesapeake
and Ohio are credited by number of our con-
temporaries with the ambitious design of form
ing direct connection with the Southern PA
cifc, and practically insuring continuous
line between the Atlantic and Pacific oceans
with port in Virginia, which is presumably
Newport News as the eastern terminus, and
San Francisco as the western terminus 1t is
said that large expenditures are now being
made at Newport News tor the purpose Of
creating there extensive terminal facilities for
the Chesapeake and Ohio system. In addition
TO the railroad construction now progressing
a wharf 700 feet long and 1879 feet wide is
nearly finished. which is TO be covered with a
warehouse, waiting rooms and ticket offices,
and it is reported that a grain elevator, with
a capacity of 1900 900 bushels, is soon to be
commenced. Other important improvements,
including the establishment of extensive in
dustrial works, are contemplated, and as the
entire available water front and nearly all the
land in and near Newport News ale owned
by the Old Dominion land company, organized
by MIR. Huntington, it is supposed that the
promoters of this scheme have very deep in
terest in the welfare of their eastern terminus
1.-THE Chesapeake and Ohio will very soon
be completed from Richmond to Yorktown,
which it was supposed at one time would be
the permanent eastern terminus, but it now
seems to be definitely understood that New
port News has been selected for that purpose,
partly on account of the excellent water front
in that vicinity, and partly, perhaps, on account
of the ease with which large purchases otland
were effected in that region. Rumors are fire.
quentlv published in regard to the western and
northwestern extensions of the Chesapeake
and Ohio, and recent statements indicate that
important connections in Ohio have been or
will be secured. Extensions are also progress
ing in Kentucky, by which it is reported that an
outlet to Memphis will soon be obtained, and
it is said that, by other lines leading through
Arkansas and Texas, a connection, with the
Southern Pacific will finally be effected. As
Mr.. Huntington, the leading spirit of the Ches-
apeake and Ohio is also very closely identi-
fed with the Southern Pacific and Central
Pacific systems and with the lines which these
companies have projected in Mexico, it is as
serted that this entire system or alliance be-
tween the Chesapeake and Ohio and the
Southern Central Pacific will eventually en-
brace, Independent OF any connections that
may be formed in the western or northwestern
States, lines with an aggregate length of 6,717
miles, subdivided as follows: Newport News
to Memphis, 1850; Memphis to Houston. $50;
Southern Pacific, 1867; Mexican projected
lines. 1000
Whether these expectations are eyer real
lied or not, it is manifest that the Chesapeake
and Ohio, as it is now rapidly being extend.
IN Virginia and Kentucky, will form very
important addition to the railway facilities
heretofore possessed by the Southern States