Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1890-07-30
The Cumberland valley Ranroaa
EXTENSION OF THIS LINEUP THE WEST fSID1
OF THE VALLEY CoUNTIEs.-ALARGE NEEp
INC on TILE PEapIR

I : :
EXTENSION OF THIS LINEUP THE WEST iSIDR
OF THE VALLEY CoUNTIEs.-ALARGE NEEp-
ING OF THE PEOPLE.
As provided for in the proceedings of the
Middlebrook meeting held on the 18th instant,
the meeting held In the Courthouse Monday,
the 2Sth instant, was largely attended, and the
| transactions OF much interest. This meeting
was called for the purpose OF arranging for
places and dates at which public and co.opera-
tive meetings with that at Middlebrook
should take place. On motion of Col. 8. A.
Hast, Hon. A. B. Lightner was called to the
chair, and Mr.. Thomas g. Hogshead named Mr..
E. o. Peae as Secretary. By request Of the
Chairman, ]. G. Shields explained the obj ects
| of the meeting, which was to secure the extern
sion Of the Cumberland Valley Railroad now
| completed to Winchester. up the West Side of
| the Valley counties: He briefly adverted to
the location and connections OF that road in
the growing commerce of the country. local
and distant, on the longitudinal lines. and
that during the session of the meeting the
recommendations made at Middlebrook would
| be carried out.
Captain James Bumgardner was called for
and took the stand. He recited the history of
| railroad construction as the three railroads
|
built. and the part he had..taken In some OF
| that progress. He referred to the great and
| innumerabie advantages resulting for the pub
, lie benefit in which the reduction OF freight
| charges was the leading. The locations of
these roads practically left about hree.hiths
OF the county still without such facilities and
now there was q chance and a very hopeful
| indeed almost an assured One-Of the other
portions of Augusta county securing what was
desired. His references to the agricultural and
other resources of the West Side OF Augusta
county glowed with beauty of description as
| the solid wealth was sketched to the gratifica-
| ton OF his bearers. This valley route was the
shortest between the north and the south as
| the Chesapeake and Ohio line was be-
tween the east and the west, and here in
Augusta county the crossings of all these lines
take place. He urged and admonished the
people so deeply interested in the extension Of
the Cumberland Valley to be up and doing.
Liberality was essential; much could be done
by some contribution, If not in money. in the
| right of way, and there werei many methods
| open to the people to manifest their desire for
| 1t. The sooner such course was pursued the
| sooner the railroad would be obtained.
| A full report Of Capt. Bumgardner's address
would be the most pleasant reading which
could be furnished for large portion of his
countymen, and the people Of the other coun-
| ties interested in this matter. 1t is to be re-
GREETED that limited space can only be appro-
priated to it.
| Mr.. John 8. McCorkle proposed that T. NJ.
Smiley. John Christian. 81. II. Hanger, Thos
8 Hogshead DR. ] T Clarke. and John W Crist
be appointed a committee to report places and
dates for holding meetings similar to the
Middlebrook meeting for the purpose of inter-
esting all the communities In Augusta county
along the proposed route for the extension OF
the Cumberland Valley Railroad.
Capt. E A Fulcher proposed that Mr.. R s
Turke. who was present. should address the
| meeting Mr. Turke took the stand, and gave
many practical reasons why communities not
possession of railroad facilities should en-
deavor to obtain them. He.had lived thirteen
years forty miles distant from such advantages
and knew by experience the hardships that
are realized. He stated that he had often paid
sl.00 for freight by wagon on barrel of flour
from Staunton and Waynesboro, and $500 for
a like amount OF freight sent out to the rail.
road. He was not informed of this movement.
Ii it was real one for securing line of rail.
road, as set forth, he would support it most
| earnestly, and be not the least among its
friends. He hoped it was q project which
would succeed .for the section of country inter-
ested was worthy of the best means of trans
portation, and the people must do. something
to secure 1t. They must not ask high damages,
and should be helpful to the design which
would be promotive of their prosperity.
Mr.. Charles Curry was next called to the
stand. He referred directly to the interests of
the people OF Augusta as the proposed line of
railway would benefit them. and then passed
on to general review of the progress in all our
section of country and In other parts OF the
State. where railroads were doing SO much for
industrial development.
Mr.. Smiley, from the committee, then subs
mitted a report recommending that meetings
he held at the following places and days and |
all at the hour of three o'clock in the afternoon.
Parnassus. Thursday. the 9TH August; Moi |
fett's Creek, Swoope. Churchville, Mt. Scion |
and Sangersville, Saturday, the 9th August. |
The report was adopted,
On motion of Captain Fulcher, the persons
int ested at all of the places named for meet
ings should confer at once and by notices post
ed call out full attendance of the people and
procure speakers to address them.
The meeting then adjourned.
The Committee of the Middlebrook meeting,
of which Mr.. John 8. McCorkle is Chairman,
appointed for the purpose of enlisting public
interest in this movement builded wiser than
they at first supposed. When that committee
started out 1t was with the suggestion that per-
sons along the proposed route should simply
confer Court-day and arrange for meetings as
they were appointed. Early in the forenoon 1t
was observed that rapidly growing interest
was manifestIng itself Then it was agreed
that a meeting should be held In the Supreme
Court room, but it was soon evident that that
room would not accommodate all who desired
to attend. In this situation. the facts were
made known to Judge Stout. and a request
made for the Courtroom, VIII ich he kindly
granted, adjourning the Court to accommodate
| so large number of the people. that they
might take counsel together concerning the
| large interests involved.