The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1889-04-11
The Black Diamond Road.

We see it stated in the papers and learn
from other sources that negotiations have
been consummated by which the necessary
means TO construct this important rail-
road have been obtained. The Black Dla-
mond starts at Palkersburg, on the Ohio
River. aud runs east across the centre OF
West Virginia to Webster county Ill that
State, and thence through Pocahontas,
B 18th and a lleghanv. 10 Clifton Forge, TO
a connection with the Chesapeake and
Ohio and Richmond and ALE ghany hoatis
at that point The proposed ronte viii
plow right through the heart OF the coal
and timbe lands of West Virginia. ard
omen up Il narvelously rich virgin eoun-
try which is now isolated. 1t will accom-
modate an extensive grazing section,
Astounding in sheep ard cattle. and adapted
as well. to corn, oats, tobacco, and all
kinds of grasses.
Should arrangements be completed for
the construction of the Staunton and
| West Augusta Railroad tothe anthracite
coal fields of North River Gap in this
county, it would not be over forty or fifty
milt to connect it with the Black Dia
mond at the nearest point in Pocah0ntas
county 1t would have to pass through
Highland and Pocahontas counties, and
in addition to affording an avenue TO mar
ket for the timber. cattle. and other nat
ural products of those counties, it would
place the bituminous coal of Webs er from
65 to 75 miles nearer to Stanton than
New River, the source of our present
supply. Such a connection would give
the country trayersed western outlet al
Palkersburg and an eastern outlet al
Staunton, by way of the Chesapeake and
the Valley roads, and invite an improve
ment in and development OF the most
naturally affluent region of the Union.
The Stannton and West Augusta Rail-
road once under contract. would not only
invite attention from the Black Diamond
interest, buo would hold out inducements
to the West Virginia Central. making
its way from Piedmont on the b. and u
road across West Virginia to the Chesa
peake and Ohio, and now running to Tuck
er county. North River Gap would be {
natural outlet for this road, and if it coult
be met there by the StauntOn and West
Augusta, it would be direct and fayora
BILE route for it to take.
We can conceive of no enterprise which
has in it greater possibilities than the roao
from Staunt6n to North River Gap. Ii
, addition TO commanding the traffic OF The
anthracite coal aud the iron ore of the Gap
it would cover the entire production OF
Highland, Pendleton, PocahontaS and Of
Northwest Augusta and Southwest Rock
etrated by the two West Virginia roads IL
, which reference is here made.
There is 10 where in the whole country
a scheme which promises SO much for ;
comparatively small outlay. The anthra
cite coal of North River Gap wonld of it
. self be mine of wealth 1t is sugges
tive of furnaces and other industries con
nected with iron manufactures. both al
, the mines and at Stanton, and woult
, command volume of trade beyond com
puldIlOH ana uIalH ocopo VI couhli
, without an equal for natural wealth.
q We cannot believe that this project
with such comprehensive promise ant
q wonderful advantages, will fail OF conSld
Grafton. 1t is The most Important enter
prise that is now being agitated in TIL
whole country, and will sooner or late
command the capital and the energy t
a make it q success.