Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1884-11-23
New Railroad Projects.

New Railroad tro]ects'
In taking with US during his recent visit
10 Ricbmoud. JONATHAN NJ. BENNETT, Esq.
EXPRESSED himself In favor OF Extending the
railroad which passes through his town
fweston) 10 some point on the Chesapeake
and Ohio railway. To look of the map, u
would seem that stanton would be the
point likely to be selected; and there Is
netting that we know OF in the physical
features Of the region through which such
a road would pass 10 prevent the extension
10 that point. However, let the point TO
be selected be where 1t may. the new road
will opcn up fIne section Of country to
che businessmen OF Richmond.
hut the one Above mentioned Il not the
only scheme already projected for bringing
Northwest Virginia into direct communi-
cation with Richmond. The Grafton and
S:rcenbrier road will extend, when com.
pleted. FROM Grafton. in Taylor county.
West Virginia. TO some point on the Ches-
apcakc aud Ohio railroad in Grcenbrcr
county or on the Greenbrier river. Graf
ton Is 273 miles from Baltimore. and almost
ldcntically the same distance from Rich
mond. 1t follows, therefore. that Pbilippi.
the couuty-seat OF Barbour county, when
IL fifteen miles nearer Richmond on
the new line than Grafton. Is thirty
miles nearer TO Richmond than 20
baltimore. Beverly. the county-seat OF
Randolph county, VIII he still nearer
tlmn Philippi to Richmond when the new
road is completed; and so, OF course, will
be all places south OF the line OF the new
railroad. TIE road will attract all the trade
south Of it. and a fair portion OF that north
Of II, in West Virginia. The line has been
thoroughly surveyed. aud has better grades
thar the grade OF the Baltimore and
OHIO railroad over Cheat Mountain.
The Grafton ard Greenbrier road is
already In operation to Pbilippl. IL
is said, too, that money sufficient has
been subscribed TO complete II TO the sum
nit Of the Allegheny mountains In Ran
dolph county, aud once il gets where IL
rsn overlook Virginia, and has only TO run
down bill to establish connection with
this city. we guarantee tina, II win not be
long In making connection with the Ches-
apeske and Ohio road.
Pittsburgh has an eye on that region OF
West Virginia. a II is expected that there
VIII soon be a road finished from Pitts
burgh to Grafton; aud correspondent OF
Pittsburgh paper writes as follows;
:. No man who has not explored the un.
developed interior counties OF West Nir-
giuia has any adequate idea Of their re-
sources. In Randolph county alone the
coal deposits are unsrlrpassedin the United
States. and not bar OF railroad iron has ever
been laid down In the county. One vein OF
coal within fifty miles OF Grafton Is twenty
eight feet In thickness, aud farther in the
interior Of the county still thicker veins are
TO he found. Iron ore is in almost mex
haustible quantities IN Randolph and other
counties along the line OF this road. None
oi thus ore has been shipped. although its
value been passed upon by the best a,l-
thoriiies in the country. There j. also
timber Of all varieties in profusion not
found In any State on this side OF the
Rockies, and in quality the best Ia the
world.
valuable and diversified, and the grades
we shall have the benefit Of along It's course
viii make the moving of freixhts al once
rapid and cheap"
The construction Of the Grafton and
Greenbrier system Is an assured fact, us the
counties through which II IL projected are
voting the subscriptions necessary TO its
budding
As a market for most Of the agricultural
productions Of Northwest Virginia, Pitts
burgh. which Is nearer than Richmond to
Randolph, Taylor, Barbour. and various
other counties in West Virginia, cannot
possibly compete with Richmond. 1t would
lie hauling Goals to New Castle 10 carry
wheat, for example, to Pittsburgh. MOI
can articles imported from other countries
be transported by land from Atlantic port
10 Pittsburgh and back a hundred aud fit,
miles into West Virginia, In successful
competition with such articles in the Rich
moud market which would have to BET trans
ported IN only one direction and a mucl
shorter distance In order TO reach the con
sumcrs.
The people Of the region we are Speakini
Of are warmly attached 10 Virginia. Their
will be no prciudices 10 overcome in ordc
10 secure to this city their trade. Civ
them chance to deal with MS on as GOO
terms a. they can command in Pittsburg
OF Baltimore, and they will naturally AVA
themselves OF II.