The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1891-10-01
The G. & Q. Railway.

o. Railway Company belonging to c. P.
Huntington, formerly the president of
the company, means more than the sim |
pie business transaction would indicate. |
1t is followed by the statement, that a
direct line of steamers is to be establish |
ed between Newport News and Liver
pool, and by further intimation of ex
tensive improvements all along the line
of the road We do not know whether
or noti Mr.. Huntington is in accord
with the policy of the present manage
ment of this great corporation. We
would infer, from the policy which pre-
vailed when he was in control, that he
is not. Mr.. Huntington possesses a
very comprehensive and graspfui mind,
as was illustrated in his plans while
president of the C. & 0. railway. His
aim seemed to be to identify his name
with grand continental system to link
the oceans together by iron bands, uE-
der his direction. With one foot on the
Atlantic and the other on the Pacific,
the vastness of the reach obscured the
intermediate regions, and caused him,
apparently to lose sight of the important
fact that the future of his road was de-
pendent upon local development and
the utilization of the marvellous natural
wealth which crowded upon his line at
every step, from the Blue Ridge to the
Ohio river. While the coal and iron and
timber of this district or stretch of coun
try did not escape his attention, it did
not appear to be of paramount import
ance, or impress him in a way to direct
attention to the revenues that would be
derived from their development-didn not
: realize that the success of this great en-
terprise was dependent, in large extent.
on providing local freight and convert
ing the resources which nature had pro-
vided, into active agencies for the COM
merce of the world. In this Mr.. Hunt
ington was greatly ut fault, and it is in
this that the practical sagacity of Gen.
ingalls, consists. He is directing his en-
ergies and the means of the corporation
which he controls, to developing the
country contiguous to his road, and is
building up d local business that will
prove an important and essential factor
in the future growth and prosperity of
the C. & o. railway. The extensive i'm
proyaments which have been made
along the line west of the Blue Ridge,
he comprehensive plans mapped out for
further traffic and passenger facilities;
the lateral roads that are being con-
fucted; the encouragement given to
s.ivate enterprises dedicated to mineral
evelopment and the general policy OF
tie company, all conspire to the advan-
sge of the road and the rapid increase
al, its business. Where there was one
ain of cars passing over the track of
lie C. & o. railway when Gen. ingalls,
,ok charge, there are twenty today.
The enormous traffic in coal, timber and
i'oil ore which is represented in the con-
tluuous movement Of ears loaded with
ZEN, bear testimony to the wise policy
nd persistent energy which are being
=; .,pied to advance the interests of the
road and build up the waste places of
this part of the Commonwealth. The
thriving towns that are springing up;
he industries that are being established,
she business. in all branches of en-
.eavor, that is being conducted, all fore
shadow future of immense growth and
iucalculable prosperity.
These improvements and developments
iiaye been accomplished under many
adverse circumstances and surroundings.
Zen years ago the G. & O. Company was
l11y l,o, IL OF
vas limited and indifferent; the track was
in bad acondition; its credit was nil; it's
stock without a quotation. Now there
is no road in the Union that furnishes
more luxurious coaches; that provides
more popular and fastmoving trains;
whose stock has more steadily advanced
in value, or whose condition gives better
promise of wealth and progress. 1t will
not be five years before the Chesapeake
and Ohio railway will be a dividend
paying enterprise, and those who hold
its securities, purchased, in many in
stances, at nominal prices, will reap
princely return. 1t will not only be a
dividend-paying road, but it will be the
most popular and attractive thorough
fare of the country. There is moth
ing SO successful as success, and when it
is known that the brain and money
power behind this great enterprise is
ample to make it just what the natural
resources tributary to it intend that it
should be, thousands and thousands who
have never had knowledge of the grand
and attractive scenery which opens up
to view to inspire and charm, will find
recreation and pleasure in awaiting of
the accommodations this road Offers
And thousands of others will seek relief
from ills and diseases. when the Hot, Heal
ing and Warm Springs, are converted
into grand sanitarium, and splendid
buildings are erected to contribute to
physical comfort and mental ease and
qualification.
Central in all these improvements and
developments lies Clifton Forge, the To-
cality where the great traffic and man
ufacturing plant of the railroad is being
located and where the means and en-
ergies of the management will be direct>
ed to build up great industrial center
sating with the constant whir of maehin-
cry, and the ring and chatter of almost
every instrument related to the machan-
ic art 1t is here, too, where great cons
mercial center will be located. 1t will
be the starting and stopping point for
all trains; the depot for all supplies, and
the center of the wonderful mineral de-
.velopment that is now in its infancy,
but in a few years will require millions
of capital and give employment to thou
sands of strong men, engaged in disem-
bowling the mountains of their riches,
and converting the raw material into
the finished product. Ten years from
now the man of today will not know
Clifton Forge. Instead of struggling
through the crysalis state, and feeling
its way along, it will assume the proper
tions and strength of a populous city,
oil xuifl MT