The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1882-04-06
Virginia Iron Trunk Railroad.


We publish elsewhere in the VIRsINIAN the
charter granted by the Legislature OF Virginia
to the Virginia Iron Trunk Railroad compa-
ny. The purpose of this charter is to con.
struct railroad from Lexington through
Rockbridge, Botetourt, Craig, Giles, Bland,
Tazewell, Russell and Scott counties to the
Tennessee line, to develop and accommodate
the rich pastoral, agricultural and mineral
section through which it will pass and which
has been heretofore cut off from the outside
world, because of the absence of such i'm
provement. 1t will penetrate one of the most
prolific mineral regions on the continent. In
Craig county it is estimated that there is as
much hematite iron ore as in any other similar
extent of territory in the State. In Giles and
Bland the magnetic and specular ores are en-
countered as well as the finest and most ex-
tensive deposits of coal ever yet discovered IN
either of the Virginias-the seams ranging
from to 10 feet and apparently inexhausti-
BILE in quantity and unsurpassed for coking
purposes and fuel anywhere. In Russell, cop
per, gypsum and plaster are exposed. In
Tazewell and Scott the finest blue grass pas.
ture fields are found and indeed from one
end of the proposed line to the other, there is
a continuous succession of the most attractive
natural wealth that ever invited the enterprise
Of man. This charter was asked for in 1874
but refused, but in 1879 second application
met with more favorable consideration. and
during the recent session of the present Leg
IL oh do fo b
the provisions complete. The length of the
road from the mouth of Craig's Creek to the
Tennessee line will be about 146 miles. and if
extended to Lexington, as is now proposed,
will increase the distance about 20 miles. The
provisions of the charter are very liberal,
looking as they do to the development of a
very rich country heretofore isolated, and such
connections as will give the road when COM
pleted advantages of reaching the centres of
trade and securing direct market facilities for
the productions which will be accommodated
by its construction.
Some of the gentlemen who constitute the
incorporators are we'll known In Virginia for
their enterprise, business grasp and practical
knowledge of railroad building, and it is their
purpose to address themselves to the work of
placing the company on business footing as
soor as practicable. There is no section of
Virginia which offers greater inducements for
such an improvement than that through which
the Iron Trunk Railroad will pass. The mar
velous natural wealth which exists all along
the line; the noted pastoral resources OF that
section and the diversified ores and Goals. with
copper, lead, gypsum and plaster, which in
vite the capitalists and court the enterprise OF
the country, make up combination of attrac-
lions no where else to be found in equal ex
tent.
1t is really strange that this rich and album
dant country has not long ago had drawn to
it the attention of capitalists, and induced
concerted action for the development and the
utilization of its many resources of wealth. 1t
is possible that its absolute isolation, with no
main stem reaching to the outer business
world to connect with, has operated to pre-
vent the necessary examination to make
known its wonderful riches. We now, how
ever, have entered upon railroad era. The
surplus capital of the country is seeking en-
ployment in developing natural wealth and
utilizing the bounties of nature to contribute
to national growth and enlarge the power and
commerce and aff1uence of the nation. Iron
and coal are the important factors in the
moving forces which are revolutionizing old
methods and traditional customs, engaging
the intellect and skill of the country in the
march of civilization. These influences viii,
within decade, manifest themselves, in won
derful magnitude in Virginia, disturbing the
solitude and awakening the energies of her
people, and building up industries, which will
place the old Commonwealth on the highway
to political and material power. No portion
of the continent presents more d diversified at
fractions in this respect than Sou Invest Vir-
ginia, and we look forward to wonderful
Transformation in few years, in the section
through which the Iron Trunk Road will pen
citrate.
We shall recur to this prolific subject again
when we have become more familiar with the'
plans of the company and more accurately
informed of the resources of the country to
be accommodated by this enterprise. In the
meantime we furnish the charter, that those
who may feel interested in the project may
examine its liberal provisions, and study the
benefits to be derived to the State at large
r. A.