Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1889-05-04
R,chmond Consider.


A few weeks ago we wrote an article in re-
gard TO a scheme for building railroad
from Parkersbufg, w. Va, through the
counties OF Wood. Vert, dbs oil region,
Pleasanis, Richie. Gimer, Braxton. and so
on 10 the Virginia line aud until connection
was made at Clifton Forge. Va. This-article
was copied into Wheeling paper, aud has
called forth the following letter:
RTcBIE c. H., W. VA, May ], 1889.
To the Editor Of the Dispatch:
As one OF the stockholders Of the Ohm,
West Virginia, Gnd Southern Railway Com
pauy | desire 10 inform you OF an error
which recently occurred in an issue OF your
invaluable paper concerning the road IN
question. You speak OF the Black Dia-
mOnd road as being the road which
and it should have been the ohio.
West VIRGINIA and Southern railroad.
as this route is a much moro practicable
route than the Black Diamond, being seventy.
FIVE mites nearer or shorter. running from
Marietta, OalO, to Clifton Forge, Va. The
Ohio. West Virginia and Southern railroad
will be built 10 the near future, and arrange
meuls are speedily making now. Beginning
nj Marietta. ONO, where the Ohio river will
be bridged thence through the counties oil
Wood, Peasants, Richie. Gilmer, Braxton,
and so or, al the time pursuing the most ac-
cessibe and feasible route clear through.
when completed the Ohio, West virginia
and southern railway will he direct line
florn Chicago TO the SeabOard; and on be-
hall OF the stockholders, and being one OF
them. extend 10 YOU our sincerest thanks
md hearty appreciation OF the editorial
which you so grsciously bestowed upon US.
Hoping the time is not far distant when
our new railroad enterprise Will connect the
two Nirginias, thus afording grand and
ample mesus Of travel, and opening up new
markets for our products and yours. and
giving us a southern and western outlet, we
are iubilant at the brilliant and fstterIng
prospects.
Now, we solicit the hearty cooperation oil
you, your paper. and your people, feeling
satisfied that Is much interest will be taken
in your section as at any other point.
The surveying party will start from Mari
eta IN about two or three weeks, aud as
soo1 az the work OF surveying is completed
II will not be long I'LL we shall ERolo what
iciH be done.
II you are not prepared TO answer this Ill
composed letter, will you confer afayOr upon
the company by handing it TO some live rail-
rosd-man who viii correspond with NE upon
the subject!
Do you think your people will be able or
willing 10 assist us financially in this matter,
which Is Of so much Importance to them IS
well as to ourselves!
Please let me hear from you or some one
who is likely 10 take an interest in this en-
teTprise to whom you will hand this letter.
/ am truly respectfully,
CHARLES s. MARTIN.
Examine the map and you will see that
this projected railroad would be on line
leading almost straight from Chicago to
Richmond. II would be to this city what
the Cincinnati Southern is to Cincinnati. 1t
would bring Us in direct communication
with one Of the finest undeveloped regions
in the United states. Richmond would be
nearer by railroad 10 the vast region en-
braced within the West Virginia counties
we have named than would be Baltimore or
any other city. In fact, with railroad lead
ing hlther along that line Richmond would
have back country" worth Boosting OF.
The Marietta (Ohio) Register says "there
IS good ground for believing that the road
WILDE undertaken soon, and every reason
why it should be-" That paper was re-
ferring, however, only to so much OF the
road US would be between Marietta and the
West Virginia coal-helds aud oil region.
What our correspondent desire, and what
no doubt the corporators of the Ohio, West
Virginia and Southern railroad desire, is
that The road shall be extended TO Clifton
Forge and so on TO the capital Of their old
mother state. They have good backing in
Ohio for the West Virginia end OF the pro-
posed road, and they ask for some aid from
Richmond IN building the road to Clifton
Forge. We turn the matter over TO our bu-
sneSs-men.