The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1881-02-25
FRIDAY MORNING, FEBRUARY %,
Reylyal Of the River Railroad Project.


number Of our citizens met Senator ]. N.
Camden at Veteran Hall, in the Mcclure
House, yesterday afternoon at 2 o'clock,
to hear his report from New York in re-
gard to a revival Of interest in the river
railroad project. Capt, John Mcclure &C.
cupled the chair and W. F. Peterson acted
asseCretary.
Mr.. Camden proceeded in a converse
tional way to state what he had learned
10 New York as to the possibility OF en-
listing the aid OF capital there in the en-
terprise. He had met number Of gentle
men OF large means to whom he had sub
mitted map Of the route, and they had
examined 1t with interest, The project
struck them iavoRbly, They were in
clined to believe that they would unite
with syndicate to build the road, pro-
vlded there was manifestation Of proper
local interest in the enterprise. Upon this
point they had INTERCEPTED him, and he
had posted them as well as he could as to
the agitation OF the subject two years ago.
and as to how the movement had died out
for want Of the necessary support along
the route. They did not like the idea Of
undertaking 10 build q railroad through
territory in which the people themselves
did not feel very decided interest IN Inc
project. Mr.. Camden had explained 10
them that there was, In his opinion, the
basis in existence for a good deal Of local
interest, which would show itself Just "a
soon as the fact should become apparent
10 the people that the enterprise had as.
sumed an Enthusiastically live shape, He
believed that the people at the terminal
points and along the route would show
their interest by at least taking enough
stock to assure the survey and the right Of
way. How much this would be he could
not say, but OF course II would only be
1.-THE Of the amount required to build the
road,
A good deal OF conversation ensued
between Mr., Camden and parties present
at the meeting as to acting under the char
ter taken out two years ago, known as the
Wheeling and Pafkersburg railroad char.
Ter. He called attention to the fact that
the present project looked to building a
road clear through from Wheeling to
Charleston, not stopping at Parkersburg
as In the former movement. This was the
project presented by him to the New York
parties, and the one on which they looked
with favor. The proposed route Is very
direct across from ParkersbuTg to Charles
ton, going via Ripley In Jackson county,
and leaves the river entirely ct ParkeTs'
burg.
The project 10 TO mako the proposed
road q narrow gauge, the estimated cost Of
which Is $4,000 per mile, and the distance
about 200 miles, making the road cost two
millions ofdollars. Thecost Of survey and
right oil way might amount to 100000
Mr.. Camden thought that Wheeling, Par.
kersburg and Charleston, and intermediate
points, would certainly take 500, 900 in the
project. He had no doubt but they would
1nasmuCh as he was now In Wheeling on
his way to New York again, and inasmuch
as he felt deep interest in the building Of
this proposed road, he had asked for this
conference with view OF eliCiting some
expression OF opinion as 10 the feeling In
our midst, so that he might confer more
intelllgently and definitely with the East.
ern parties who were thinking Of embark.
ing In the enterprise.
There was some talk among those pres.
ent as to the relative advantages Of a
narrow gauge and standard gauge, each
having It's friends, but upon the whole
the sentiment Of the meeting was favor.
able TO the narrow gauge idea. Assurances
were given 10 Mr.. Camden by those'pres.
ent that he could safely say to our Eastern
friends that Wheeling would take her
share OF the stock that might be necessary
to secure a survey and right Of way. Mr..
Camden said that he telt at liberty 10
pledge Parkersburg for her share, and he
had no doubt that Charleston and other
points would respond In the proper spirit,
The result Of the meeting was that Capt
John Mcclure was deputed to act In the
matter In behalf those present and all
other citizens who would take an interest
in the initiation Of the enterprise. II was
understood that Mr.. Camden would cor.
respond with him from New York In case
II might be necessary 10 telegraph to this
point, and that all future meetings would
be at the call Of the Chairman.