Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1890-07-09
IT'S A RIDDLE
WHICH NO ONE SEEMS ABLE TO SATISFAC-
TORILY SOLVE.
The mysterious Purchases Of Land on the Island
Some Of the Rumors Carent-A Chat With
Secretary ElwoOd Hughes.

The persistent negotiations for and pur-
chases of property along the line of Ohio
street, in the Seventh ward, continue to
portion of the city. While the air is full
of rumors, some of them being of a very
extravagant character, no one seems to
know just what is on foot, and it appears TO
be conceded that time alone will develop
the plans of those in the deals.
1t seems TO be the idea of those acquiring
the real estate 10 purchase all the ground
living between the north side of Ohio street
and the alley between Ohio and Virginia
streets, and extending clear across the
Island, excepting, Of course, so much OF
the ground on the north side OF ONO
street. between South Penn and South
Front streets, as shall be necessary Tor the
purposes Of the Wheeling Bridge Company.
This is shown by negotiations and pur-
chases Of property on the square west OF
Huron street, between Huron and South
York, between South York and Broadway,
/ and also on the west side of Front street,
part of the old ferry house property
changing hands yesterday, while negotia-
tons were commenced for the remainder.
None Of the property owners in the square
| between South Penn and South Broad
way seem 10 have been approached, as yet,
/ but Mr. Nichols, who owns on the west
side of South Broadway, has been sounded
as to the value ofhis three houses there, and
the properly in the rear, front
/ ing On Ohio street, has also been
talked over with the owners. II
is also reported, on exceedingly good author
itv. that negotiations have been in progress
for large piece of ground owned by Mr.
Cecil Robinson, at the extreme west end OF
Ohio street. but on the south side OF that
street, and that two other pieces, also on
the south side of the street, have been
bought by parties, supposed TO be acting
for the purchasers on the north side OF the
street These transactions and ncgotia-
tiOns, scattered over so wide an area, have
naturally given rise to all sorts of coniec-
lures. These generally take the form that
the property is being acquired for railroad
purposes. and that the Cleveland, Lorraine
4 Wheeling Company is back Of the enter
prise The theory is, that, nOtwithstand-
ing the emphatic denial Of General Manager
Oscar Townsend, made some two or three
months ago. that his company had in con-
temptation a bridge 10 the Island, the Com
pany mas determined 70 cross Back river,
and run its trains across the Island to
point at or near the western end Of the new
Wheeling COmpany's bridge, where they
would be within reach of the business part
of the city. and would have largely in
creased facilities, especially for passenger
traffic.
Another and more improbable rumor,
which has gained considerable circulation,
is that the c., l.. Il w intends to not only
cross the Island, but in addition to come
over the new Wheeling bridge, erecting a
passenger and freight depot on Main street.
north of Market alley
Still another story is that the Company
will cross TO Main street, erect a!passenger |
station there, and then acquire right Of
way parallel with Market alley, on the
north side, from Main street to and across
Market street, TO Chapline street, where
they would enter the hill by Il tunnel,
emerging on McCulloch street, cross the
creek, and make Il connection, on the PENN
sua, with the terminal system of the
Wheeling Bridge and Terminal Railway
Company. II was even asserted, in sup
port OF this, that c., l.. x w engineers were
AT work around the hill, - running the pre-
liminery lines for this rather startling rail- |
road venture. and il was further alleged |
that the seeming delay in prosecuting work !
on the main bridge of the Wheeling Bridge |
Company, was owing TO the plans for the
structure being changed TO make heavier
bridge calculated TO bear the strain of loco
motives and cars
Yesterday a REGISTER reporter met Mr..
Elwood Hughes, Secretary of the Wheel
ing Bridge Company, and asked him if any
change had been made or was in cOntem |
plation. in the plans for the bridge Overthe /
main channel of the river.
mo. sir" said Mr.. Hughes, ''we have |
made no changes, and none are possible, |
for the reason that the steel superstructure |
is being turned out al the mills as rapidly |
as possible, according To our original
IDEAS
as the bridge heavy enough for the pass
age of railroad trainsE
Eyes, ! suppose il it, but | have no idea |
that such trains will ever run over il. II
was designed for n highway and street |
railway bridge, and the street car compa- |
MES have tho exclusive right To run their |
ears over il. IL does not do to combine a |
highway and railroad bridge i'm one and the /
same structure.
'.You have. of course, heard Of the vari- |
Gus railroad rumors aioatn'
'Yes: but am not in position to throw |
any light on the situation. II IS possible
the c.. l.. Il w. Company intends 10
erect a depot on the Island. Indeed, the
purchase and negotiations for real estate,
over wide area. can hardly be explained
upon any other basis. but have no specific
information on the subject. | think it
probable, however, that a part of the
ground may be intended for an electric
light and power houSe-possibly that on
the south side Of Ohio street. and at its west
end, for which negotiations are said to be
in progress, may be intended for that pur-
pose
Has your Bridge Company completed |
the purchase of the land desired by it, on |
the north side of Ohio street, east Of South |
Penn street,
I'VE have all but one picce-the bod
bridge property. We closed for one house |
and lot to-day. and the Doddridgc property !
will complete ourpurchases. The property !
will not be disturbed at present, however, |
as we do not need the land Immediately