Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1883-03-22
RIVAL ROADS
To Parallel the Ohio to Parkers-
burg.
Our Side Booming Along and the Other
Hanging Fire-General Warmers
views-The Hemp6eld.

Col. Robert White returned to the city,
last evening, from down the river, where
he has been in the interest OF the Ohio
river road. He reports the outlook as
particularly rosy, and We may look for
through trains by this time next year. The
work will be commenced at this end and
carried South. This is regarded As good
move for the reason that the road bed can
be used from this end as far rs completed.
The p, w. & K. extension will soon De
compile ted and trains running to BenWood,
and in this way can continue GOWN the
river road as rapidly as the track IS LAID.
Messrs. Mills and Fairfax, the contractors,
are now in Benwood, and six car loads OF
horses will arrive there to-day. An i'm
mense construction force will be put on
Immediately and the work pushed rapidly.
The rival road on the Ohio side OF the
river does not present such an encourag.
ing outlook. General Warner, the famous
"silyer Bill" was in Bellaire recently and
was interviewed by an Independent reporter.
In expressing regret at Bellaire's action, he
said:
THE Ohio Valley railroad will be in OPP
Grafton from Cincinnati to Portsmouth
within year. 1t is now under contract to
be completed by July, 1884, and in proba-
bly SIX months after that time the road
will DE running to Gallipolis; there the
company can connect with Camden's road
that will run down on the other side of the
river. That will answer all the practical
purposes of the Pennsylvania Company,
and am of the opinion that it the people
along the proposed line Of the Bellaire
and Marietta road do not do something
near what is required OF them the road will
be lost, and the connection made with the
road on the other side OF the river"
This is rather discouraging," chimed in
the reporter. Can you see no way out Of
the difficulty"
"Well, am somewhat discouraged, yet
bopeful. There will be no more money
spent in the work of securing subscriptions
and rights Of way, and this month Will
close up all labors below. Then | will
make up my report to the company"
Can YOU give some idea Of what that re-
mort will be%' inquired the pencil.shover.
Yes: it will be that the rights-of-way
have generally been secured, and there will
be by that time something over 100000 OF
the stock subscribed. Marietta alone will
have subscribed by the first of April about
$4,000, and if Bellaire was to give US that
much would feel quite sure that the road
would be built, but in the present shape |
have no assurances from the company, and
no reason to believe that it will be COM
pleted."
"Why, General, the company with $780,.
600 and the rights-of.way secured would
hardly abandon a route that was already
partly prepared, would they" peItinently
asked the scribe.
81 would be glad if they would not" he
replied, "but the cost of the culverts and
grades along the line that will be ut for
use is very small, very small, indeed, and
do not believe will have much to do with
influencing the company in proceeding
with the work. 1t will cost $500, 900 or
5000, 900 to put the road in shape from here
to Marietta 30 that the slight improve.
ment along the line would have very little
weight"
"Do l understand that Bellaire has been
abandoned, and that you will make up
your report of what has been done below,
and that settle the matter" queried the re-
porter.
well, not exactly abandoned. 1t is
useless for outside parties to come to Bellaire
to induce our people to subscribe; they
must take hold of the matter themselves.
will not spend any more money. | will
make up my report OF just what has been
done, and tell the company what can be
depended on from the work so far. Then
it is for them 10 say. When We first started
the matter told them it would be impossi-
BILE TO raise the 100000 asked, but i
thought two-thirds OF it might be gath
cred up. Now, when they see and know
what has been done, as they will as soon
after the first OF April as / can get matters
in shape, they will say whether the road
will be built or not l am sure would be
glad if it would go on without Bellaire's
quota, but the company will hardly go
ahead with only half the amount asked
and the largest town on the branch nothing
to report, except; probably the Central
Ohio stock; and do you think they even
have interest enough in the matter to turn
that over"
"Oh, yes; the Central Ohio stock wi be
given, but will that do any good?' anxious
" inquired the knight OF the quill.
IL am not prepared to say anything pos
itively yet. | am not sangulne, but am
hopeful, and will continue TO work until
there is no hope. / am to meet some par
ties in Moundsville to-day concerning the
right of way below here, and then | con-
tinue on East. In the meantime it would
be very encouraging if your people would
take hold and do what they can for the
road"
They'll hardly do it, General, because
the impression here is that the road will
be built at any rate, and our folks have no
money to give railroad companies unless
they are compelled to-" gently murmured
the scribe.
Perhaps they have inform alton that ]
have not, but never was even led to be-
ieve anything OF that kind in my consul
tations with the company, and l would be
glad if it was true, but fear it is not" and
so saying he boarded the train for Mounds.
vile, where he met David Okey, Esq, and
other gentlemen interested in the building
of the road, continuing work he does not
believe is in vain. else Gen. Warner never
would continue it.