National Republican., 1883-04-21
THEY WILL BUILD A CITY.
The Chesapeake and Ohio Railway Making a
Great Mart at Newport News
An Immense Grain Elevator and New
Hotel Already Built.
Fifteen Hundred LabOrers Are Employed on Depots,
wharves and Other Buildings
The Railways InfusinE New Life into ths
Oldest Parts OF the south.
special Lshlr.

cient but until recently rather obscure spot Is
just now attracting great share Of public
attention. Its Importance as q natural port
of entry was known over century ago, but
various reasons conspired to prevent the full
filling of the predictions then made. In 1893
Com. Maury, formerly Of tho United States
navy, demonstrated that Newport News was
the best port for the entire country, with the
exception of the most northerly states and
territories.
Two years ago the site on which Newport
News now stands was wilderness. IL was
at this timo that the Chesapeake and Ohio
railway completed their tide water terminus.
Since that times its progress has been phe-
nomenal.
In place of the former desert now will be
found immense docks, lengthy wharves, large
warehouses, and hugo coal bins.
The grain elevator now being constructed
will be 175 feet high, 400 long, and 128 wide.
Its holding capacity will be 1900, 900 bushels
of grain. IL is being erected by the Chesapeake
and Ohio Elevator company. Tho founda-
tion is Of solid masonry and the wood work OF
tho best Georgia and North Carolina yellow
pine
The wharves will soon be lighted with cleo
trio light. Tho coal wharves are 500 feet
long and the bins have full capacity for
millions Of bushels of " the black diamonds"
The depth Of water is 40 feet at the foot of
the wharves, with an average depth of 20 feet
at low tide. There will soon be constructed
an iron ship yard for the construction of iron
vessels.
After May the Old Dominion Steamship
company will run daily line of steamers from
New Yorkto Boston, connecting with trains
ON the Chesapeake and Ohio railway. There
is at present in operation from this port
semi-monthly line to Brazil, the outgoing
vessels carrying flour and those returning
bringing coffee and other South American
products.
Newport News is the principal shipping
port to and from the great west. The larger
portion Of the trade from tho west, which
formerly went down the bay via Baltimore,
now seeks an outlet at this place. The guam
tity Of through freight for St. Louis and other
western cities received here is immense.
Newport News is destined to be an important
Atlantic coaling station, The New York and
Galveston steamers coal here because there is
large saving in cost Of coal. The supply is
inexhaustible, and It is easy of access. II is
becoming popular for foreign steamers to coal
here-English, French, and Spanish.
The Old Dominion Land company have
built number of frame and brick dwellings
with all modern improvements, which rent
for from $40 to $50 per month. Lots have
been selling from $500 to 81 500, and on easy
terms. The price is not high when the in-
ducoments to actual settlers is considered.
The outsidSland not controlled by the COM
pany Is hold at o very high figure. Tho land
company want no squattors. Every appear
ance indicates that this is to be o 1.-Two and
permanent seaport city--not built for q day,
but for all time. Mr.. Theodore Levesay Is the
enterprising local agent of tho company, and
Mr.. G. b. orcutt, OF New York, the general
manager.
Some 1900 laborers arc now employed on
the present improvements and largely in
creased force will bo necessary for those pro-
jected.
Tho city of Newport News is 157 miles
nearer the ocean than Baltimore. There is a
saving Of one day in tho handling Of freight
and the movements OF passengers between
this point and Liverpool. Newport Nows is
easy TO reach from any part Of the continent,
You can get there from New York, Boston,
Philadelphia, Washington, Baltimore, or
Richmond either by rail or steamer, and from
the west direct by rail- 1t bids fair to be not
only chief commercial city, but the most
fashionable watering place and summer re-
sort on the South Atlantic coast. For these
purposes it has every requisite
From Boston, New York, Philadelphia,
Baltimore, Washington, and Richmond by
rail tho best and most frequented route is
over tho Virginia Midland road to Char.
lottesville, and via the Chesapeake and Ohio
direct. Over these roads the trip is delight
full, the road beds are in good condition and the
coaches first class. BY the way of the Mid
land road you pass over the old camping
grounds Of the armies of the Potomac and of
Northern Virginia, and by the Chesapeake
and Ohio through the famous peninsula
famous alike in colonial history during the
revolution and during the war between the
states.
The completion of the Chesapeake and
Ohio railway opens up the Oldest part of the
new world. Every inch of thc ground is
historic. Every step is full of great events
and of famous deeds. 1t was here that the
first English colony was planted. Here was
ended the great struggle between the infant
colonies and the mother country. Here was
fought at Big Bethel tho first battle of the
late war, and here began tho series Of great
events that eliminated in the surrender of
Gen. Leo. The whole story of American
history is concentrated on this narrow penn-
sula lying between the York and the James.
Now for the first time since the days Of Capt.
John Smith this section, so rich in historical
association, is accessible by rail. Now one
can make q safe, quick, aud pleasant trip
through lands near the busy world, but which
by neglect of development have been isolated
from the commercial and active life Of the
Atlantic cities.
On this trip we pass the Powhatan, the
former home of the Princess Pocahontas
Seven Pines or Fair Oaks, the scenes Of the
seven days battles; Fort Harrison and other
noted LOCALITIES, ana IN ClObo proximity u
Coal Harbor. Fort Denting and Dutch Gap,
Charles city and New Kent arc also noted
counties--tho first named as the birthplace
of two presidents, Harrison and Tyler, and
the last as tho scene Of tho wOoing, winning
and marrying of the father Of his country.
williamsburg, the ancient capital, is the
most important station on the route The
past seems visible 60 brood over its green
thoroughfares and snug homes Its streets
bear royal names. Remnants Of tho vice
regal splendor Of other days can still bo seen
There is the old Raleigh tavern, where in
1915 the sons of liberty first mot Here also
arc William aud Mary college, and the east
ern lunatic asylum.
From Williamsburg to Newport News Is
but short distance, but through a country
full of interest and aboundlng In resource,
which, II properly developed, will make Il
one Of the most prosperous in the country.
The Chesapeake awl Ohio railway Is al
accomplished fact. II Is the realization o
plans that had their origin in the early his
tory of railroading. 1t follows the course o
Gov. Spottswood and his adventurous band
who In 17l4 penetrated from Williamsburg
up the peninsula, through the valley, anC
over tho mountains TO the Ohio. IL Is th
natural highway between the Atlantic an,
the great west. Ii has at Newport News
harbor excolling In accessibility, safety, depth
and position, in reference TO the shipping in
tereSts of the world, that Of all other Atlanti
ports.