The weekly sentinel. [volume] (Winston-Salem, N.C.) 1886-1887, 1886-06-03
Mr.. Thomas w. Miller chosen Sec

! rotary.
Mr.. Moomaw, in taking the Chair,
gave brief, but comprehensive mar
rative of the inception and conduct
Of this railroad scheme, and the work
which had been done toward estab-
fishing trunk line to Atlanta, Ca,
free from any embarrassments of
rival corporations, and he felt proud
of the results of his labors, as evil
denced by the splendid delegations
here present interested in this pro-
posed road, and predicted the early
construction of the road. He then
invited those present representing To-
calities in North and South Carolina
to present their views and wishes to
the meeting.
HENRY COUNTY
being called, Capt. J. S. Redd, re-
sponded, welcoming the gentlemen
from the two Carolinas, and paying
handsome tributes to those States.
He desired to hear f,om them, ard
consult and compare upon this great
subject. The people of Henry knew
what it was to be without railway ia
cilities, or railway competition. Mar
tinsville, scarcely known a few years
ago, had learned how to act for them
selves, and had gotten narrow guage
railroad, but that was not sufficient
for her growing needs and business
progress. She had grown from about
200 to nearly $500 population in
about three years, and low wanted
further facilities, and they looked to
the Roanoke and Southern to give
them just what they needed. They
were tired of the monopoly of the
Richmond and Danvi.le system.
They had tobacco, timber, &C., which
they wished to exchange for coal,
iron, hay, flour, &C., and they wanted
an outlet North and sSouth. They
meant to put their shoulders to the
wheel, and if Roanoke would help
them, would build the road. They
would build the road themselves
through Henry county, and then the
others would be compelled to join on
at either end, both the county and
city were ready to vote their pro rata
amount for the construction of this
line. He humorously referred to him.
self and Mr.. Lester, as being able, fl
nancially, to build the road through
Henry, but explained that he expect
ed to borrow his part from Mr.. Lester.
DIR. Jas. M. Smith, of Martinsville,
said they were. here to learn what was
wanted, and they would do it. Mar
tinsville would vote $4,000, and
Henry county 100000. and he had
the assurance of Mr.. Lester, that the
bonds would be taken at a par, a SUBJ
scription to the narrow gauge might
also be utilized. Mr.. III. G.. Lester, of
MARTINsyILLE,
said they were going to try and build
the Roanoke & Southern, but had
nothing to do with other roads, Mr..
F. j. Stone, of
STONEYILLE, N. c.,
said he represented q people hungry
for railway facilities, and they took
great interest in this enterprise, and
were more in favor of it than any ev-
er offered them. Stoneville was six
miles south of the Virginia line, and
they stood with open hands and
hearts to receive the r. & S. 1t was the
grandest enterprise yet put in mo-
ton, and, in ten years it would be
a double track.
They had to buy hay, -four &c.,
which came off the Shenandoah Val
ley line, and hay sold with them at
$1,75 per 100 lbs. They had tobac-
co to ship. They could and would
vote $4,000 to the road. Private
subscription had been pledged in a
recent..meeting,to So, 900 and when the
road reached the North Carolina line,
they could raise $500 or $4,000.
Mr.. Galloway, his colleage, had been
delayed in Qanville and had author
lied him to say that Madison town
ship would raise as much, and Maj.
Galloway would contribute literally
himself. Mr.. Stone gave accurate
description of the topography of the
route and showed it's advantages.
Hon. j. G.. Buxton, of
WINSTON, N. c.,
next spoke; he compiimented Roam.
oke, and said his people desired
connection with so progressive city,
and so fertile a country. Winston
is the most progressive city in North
Carolina. 1t is not over ninety miles
to Winston by the proposed Roanoke
& Southern, but to reach here they
had to travel 21O miles, by circuit.
Gus routes. Winston and Salem con
stitute practically one town, the same
main street answering for both. Win
ston has between 5000 and 1000
population, ana Salem has about
5000, and they have only one rail-
road, the Richmond & Danville. but
in spite of high freights and railroad
discrimination, they had grown tx
present proportions. His people were'
determined to have another railroad
the Roanoke & Southern was tn,
line nature had designed.
Their Chamber of Commerce hat
sent this delegation here, not empt,
handed but ready to show their faitl
by putting their shoulders to thu
wheel and their hands in their peck
cts and pull out the money. Wins
, ton and Salem are out of debt. The,
would give the road bed, grade,
through the county, Sc miles. AM
} the public subscription would reac
: $4,000, with private subscription
to be added, which would build til
road through the county. They ha
thirty two tobacco factories employ
ing 5000 hands, one of the larges
, cotton mills in the State. woolle
!, mills, planning mills. iron works, etc
9 and shipped last year 3O,0Oe, 900 lbl
:, of freight, 100000 pounds of t.
!, bacco shipped annually to Danvill'
g Richmond, and elsewhere, these WEI