The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1890-09-30


Naiirosa From the Beginning--How
It's Finances Cot Out of Shapc-Col.
Popc's Opinion.
In pursuance of an order made by
Judge Blair in the circuit court of Roa-
noke city on the Goth Of last April, and
entered in Charleston, w. Va, and Ha-
gerstown, Md, the Shenandoah Valley
railroad, with all it's franchises and
equipments, will be sold at public auc-
ton, at II O'Clock to-day, from the front
steps of the city courthouse, to satisfy
Judgment in favor of the Fidelity, Trust.
Insurance, and Safe Deposit Company. of
Philadelphia, and other creditors
Mr.. Sidney f. Tyler, the receiver of
the road. arrived yesterday, and the
other officials have returned, to be pres
ent at the sale. President j. T.. Kim
ball, of the Norfolk IL Western, is here
and General Manager Sands has re-
turned to look after the interests of
their road. There is little doubt that
the n. Il, W. will be the highest and
only bidder and will get the road at it's
first bid
The history of the Shenandoah Val
ley railroad, the forerunner Of Roam
olse's growth, has been evcntful. and is
interesting, The road was designed at
first to open up to the commerce of the
world the resources of the fertile VA llcy
of the Shenandoah. to extend from
Waynesboro, Va, to IIagerstown, Md.
1t was chartered February %, 1867,
and the work of construction was begun
in 1870. With the financial crash of
1873 that paralyzcd the business inter
est of the whole country the work was
suspended, considerable amount OF
grading having been done. Work was
resumed under the present management
in 1878, the Clarks and Kimballs of
Philadelphia backing the enterprise,
and the construction of the line from
Shcpherdstown to Waynesboro was
commenced
On December -, 1879, construction
trains were run from Shephcrdstown to
the Shenandoah river, distance of
forty-two miles, when track LAYING was
suspended to await the completion of
the bridge at Rivcrton. In February.
1880, work was begun On the MARYLAND
division, under the act of the MARYLAND
Legislature of April 4, 1870, from
llagerstown to Shepherdstown, includ-
ing the Potomac river bridge, and fin
ished in august of Fiiu same year In
May, 1850, work was begun at Wayncs-
horo, and track laying was pushed from
that point north until II june ion was
made with the road coming south, at
l-uray. in to- spring of 1881. The road
was accepted from the contractors ut tho
close OF March, 1881. and ON April Is.
1881. the first through schedule from
ilagcrstown TO Wayncsboro. l4i miles.
was put into effect.
In January of 1881. Mr.. c. H. Clark.
of Philadelphia. a principal stakeholder
in the Shenandoah Valley road, was in
New York one day, and saw the old At
lantic, Mississippi and Ohio road advcr-
tiscd for sale, and the idea occurred to
him that the Eoad would make good
co lncction Il so,tthcrn outlet for the
Shenandoah AlsX. The road was pur-
chased s;s$y 10 1881. to be made
brand aaBaa,snandoah Valley,
Il the !rb tai s M1;s dog. and o,;o
railroad having been reorganized in
to the Norfolk and Western and
the Virginia Tennessee and Georgia
Air Line they found it was ncces-
sary TO extend the Shenandoah
Valley railroad from WNncsboro to a
connection with the NMsolll and West
ern. This work, ninee .2six miles, was
put under contract and work commenced
in June, 1881, and pushed with such
vigor under the supervision of Mr.. w.
w. Coo. chief engineer, that a through
schedule between lagcrstown and Roa-
nolle was put in effect on Juno 10. 1882.
On December 20. 1882. Il close contract
was entered into between the Shenan-
doah Valley and Norfolk and Western
railroad for the exchange OF business,
and lasted until the road went into the
hands of a receiver on April 1. 1888.
During the years following the Norfolk
and Western acquired a majority of the
stool: of the Shenandoah Valley railroad
and really controlled its affairs until
the appointment of Il receiver. The OIL
GERS of one road such as president, gen
eral superintendent, chief engineer be-
ing the officers of the other. DIR. Henry
Fink was general manager until June
30, 1888. On July l, 1888, the follow
ing officers took charge. Tho Office OF
general superintendent was created and
Joseph ii. Sands appointed to fill it, and
ID. w. Flickwir was made supcrintcnd-
cnt. The accounting department was