The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1881-10-16

TO the Alleghanies, echoes and
resounds with the whistle OF the locomo-
tive. The Richmond and Allegheny rail-
road has been completed, and the cars pass
and repaSs to and fro from the sea to the
bringing and carrying the
rich freights and plenteous ores OF q
valley and section Of country whose
wealth and influence to Virginia and
the nation has hitherto been unknown,
but which now rises in importance to a de-
gree the magnitude OF which It's most
sanguine friends have never before
realized. The long-eherished hopes Of the
Of our people whose eyes have
been turned to the possibility Of this line
are to-day realized. A road two hundred
and fifty miles long, beginning and ending
with James river, has been built on solid
road bed, with steel rails and iron
bridges, and with little or no grade.
AS csrly as 1917, in a report Of the
Board of Public Works, il was declared
that "the connection between the eastern
and western waters early attracted atten-
ton. Washington was scarcely freed from
the arduous service OF the Revolutionary
war before he called the attention OF his
native State to this important undcItak-
ing" In 1856 the James River Company
was in organization; in 1882 the James
River and Kanawha Company commenced
It's work: in 1876 the Buchanan and Clifton
Forge railroad was chartered; in 1878 the
Richmond and Allegheny railroad was
chartered, and in 1880 the lines OF the
Richmond and Allegheny, the Ohio Cen
trail. and the Atlantic snd Northwestern
roads were consolidated.
The bill authorizing the sale OF the James
River and Kanawha Company's works to
the Richmond and Allegheny became law
in 1878. and on the 9th Of March, 1880, the
final contract between the two companies
was executed. Track-laying was COM
menced on the Sth Of July, 1880, at Mai
den,s Adventure, and on Friday afternoon
the 14th OF October, 1881, the last rail was
laid on the Lexington division, the main
line having been completed nearly month
ago.
Yesterday trains started almost simulta-
neously from Natural Bridge, Lexington,
and Richmond, meeting at Howardsyille,
where the road was formally declared
omen. We give to-day the main points OF
the ceremonies Of yesterday, and such sta
tistical and historical information in con-
pection with the event as will be OF inter-
est at this time:
HISTORICAL AND STATISTICAL.
The Richmond and Allegheny, which Il
now declared open, occupies from the head
Of James river to the tide the most ieIllle
valley in Virginia, and one OF the rlches.
in the South. 1t has been built with great
rapidity. and yet in the most suDstahtlSl
manner-is entirely OF steel rais, WIN
iron bridges and stone viaducts, and has
tbe lowest grades Of any railroad OF equal
length on the continent. 1t passer
through country that has been ae-
yelOped by the canal, ana occuples
On immensely rich mineral district. upon
the 25O miles OF railroad there is nrs'
mortgage OF $4,000 per mile, and foI
eouinment a few OF the second mortgage
bonds have been placed. 1t has entrance
into the heart of Richmond, and the pro,
nerty the company has i'll this city coulo
hardly be duplicated for one hah the mort,
gage debt. The property and franchises o.
this road are immensely valuable, ana rs
local road its future was assured.
Recently, however, the alleged Necessity
of controlling coal in order to develop iI'
iron and OF having q through line to marke
forced thorough survey for new route 'C
tbe West. and resulted in consoldaIloI
with the Ohio Central Railroad Company
The Ohio Central railroad is built IRON
Toledo into and through the Hooking
valley coal-felds to u point near the ono
river If has a branch TO Columbus, ant
the New York, Chicago and 81. Loui
railroad NOW building under the sall
management will give 1t entrance lht'
Chicago. The line is new one. lts MS
MORTGAGE debt is four millions, ant
its revenues are more than sum
cient TO meet its interest-account. In
receipts last month exceeded seyent.
Thousand dollars, and q business OF on
hundred thousand dollars a month Is aI
ready In sight. The project OF unitln;
these two self-sustaining roads requires Tn
construction Of two hundred and seventy
five miles OF new road, including Drldg
across the Ohio. Contracts have aTead.
been let and the money has been proNiue'
with which TO build about one hundred
and forty miles OF this road, leaving aDou
one hundred and thirty-tiye miles 10 d.
provided for.
The surveys are complete and final ioca
tions are made for all except about thirt.
miles az the lighter work. The route leave
the Richmond and Allegheny at Esgi
Roek 215 miles from Richmond, ana ioi
Iovvs the valleys Of Craig's ana Sinkln'
crooks 10 New river, so miles; thence th
valley OF New river past Hinton TO Gauiey
sG miles: thence the valley OF Great Mana
,vha m Point Pleasant, 106 miles making
!, distance from Richmond to the Ohl'
river OF lG9 miles. The distance rom .n
Ohio Central to Ohio river Is 4S mi,eS
The line will have summit leVeI my lee lee
lower than the Chesapeake ana ONO, sn'
lower than any line south OF the hrle, an'
from the Ohio river TO Richmond the niliii
mum grade east or west VIII be thirty ieel
The line crosses the Pittsburgh coal sean
Al Reaymond City; passes through Charles
ton and Maiden and all the salt-iurhaces
Kanawha. 1t passes the great operated
coaI-mines at Campbelps Greek, Cannelton
and Hawks Nest, and west OF Hawks Mes
there is business enough already developed
TO sustain the road. o IND,
we have taken occasion to inquire I'M.
mans and probable fixed charges on thl
line. There Is proposed to be iarg
jss,le OF stock and incomes, wmch oo ~
i,oneriI i,or the project; but the mortgage WI
he rcomnaratiyely light. The mortgag
LIN nyobably be of thirty thousand mile
ahort m two thirds OF which will be required
I'm - meet the outstanding bonds, and tn
balance will form reserve ior equlphien.