Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1881-04-29
W., p. & G. II. II.
The ROane vs.. the jackson
County Route.


County Route.
Correspondence Of the Register.
Roane county is much interested in
the route of this road from Parkersburg
t, Charleston. There is but little dif-
ference, il any, in the length OF the
Roane and Jackson routes, but there is
great difference in the amount OF busi-
ness that these routes will afford the
road, and the difference is in favor oil
the Roane route. This route will be re-
moved from the river competition, 1t
passes through finely timbered territory
that will afford large paying business
for the road; then the stock of Roane,
Calhoun and Braxton counties would be
shipped over this road, and the freight
of goods for these counties would be
brought over this road, while travel
would be no inconsiderable item. But
little OF this business would reach the
Jackson route. The attention OF the
company is invited to these matters.
The through business from Charleston
10 Parkersburg and Wheeling would, OF
purse, be as large over the Roane
route, and the local business would
necessarily be much larger, as little
attention to these routes will clearly
demonstrate. These are matters that
surely ought to receive the attention OF
the proper authorities in determining
the route for this road.
Roane is known TO be one OF the fore
most interior counties OF the State. She
has no debt and is in prosperous con-
dition. She needs and must have an
outlet by a public highway, and she has
the ability and the pluck to do all that
can reasonably be asked OF her to aid
such work. Roane will promptly Sc
cure the right OF way through the coun-
", and will pay the expense OF the sur
vey through the countyif she has rea-
sonable assurance that the road will be
located on this route. Let the company
specify the terms on which they will To-
cate the road on the Roane route, and
they will find that Roane will promptly
comply Herewith.
As the matter now stands, it cannot
be expected that Roane will do much,
for the impression is abroad that the
Jackson route is the one likely to be
adopted, and therefore there is little en-
couragement to expend labor and money
to secure the right OF way, or to pay for
surveys
The interests of Wheeling and Par
kersburg require them TO secure the
business OF Roane, Calhoun and Brax-
ton counties. These are growing, pros
porous counties, and would afford con-
siderable business for Wheeling and
Parkersburg, which would be secured
for them by this road being located on
the Roane route. But il this route is
not adopted, these counties will not be
satisfied till they have an outlet, and
the time will come, and that
not in the distant future, when
the demands OF business will
cause an extension OF the Weston road
through Gilmer, Calhoun and Roane
counties, and the business OF these and
adjoining counties will be taken to Bal
timore and the East, large business
that may be kept in the borders OF our
own State and help to build up our own
metropolitan cities.
The interests of our State will be pro-
NOTED by developing the interior coun-
ties, and while the financial prosperity
Of the road is the first coDsi deration,
when this is best secured, and at the
same time and consistent herewith,
the improvement OF the interior coun-
ties aud the enlargement OF the business
OF our cities are thereby secured, it
wonh seem that these are i'm
II
be taken into account in locating this
road.
The proceedings OF the railroad meet
ing held at Wheeling on the 18th inst,
were READ with great interest in Roane,
and while our people will ever remem.
ber Colonel Byrne, Of Kanawha, they
felt disappointed that the business men
OF Wheeling and Parkersburg did not
manifest a disposition TO consider at
least whether or not the Rosne route
would be the best for the country, the
cities, and especially the road.
1t may be asked why Roane was not
represented in the Wheeling meeting if
she feels so deeply interested in the loca-
ton OF the road. The answer is that
she did not receive information OF the
time OF the meeting in time to send
delegate, or even letter. Only this al
ternOon a subscription list for the snr.
yey was proposed and in few mo-
ments over four hundred dollars were
subscribed. and a thousand dollars will
in short time be made up by private
subscription, as we are not willing to
wait for the meeting OF our County
Court, which would doubtless help lib
orally il it should be necessary to do so.
RoANE.