The Big Stone post. (Big Stone Gap, Va.) 1890-1892, 1891-04-03
NO. 49,.
INDUSTRIAL NOTES.

Ilh. VI. IL. cuIttH pTeSlueNt Ol tue IL. d. y.
railroad, Messrs. O'Brien and Montford, en-
gineers; DR.. David w. Yandell and Major II.
c. Mcdowell, arrived here Friday evening
over the l.. & N. railroad and visited the
coal openings Of the Virginia Coal and Iron
Company Saturday, with Mr. j. X. Taggart,
the company's manager, and Gen r. A. Ayers.
Mr.. Smith examined the mines carefully and
was delighted with the quality, abundance and
situation of the coal. "It is an ideal vein,''
nc said. He asked Mr.. Taggart great many
questions and seemed pleased with the out
look. He promptly determined to commence
operating the road at the earliest possible mo-
ment. A turn table will be constructed at the
depot at once, and regular trains run within ten
days from to-day. The road has been very
costly one; but the outlay was deemed nee
essary in order to meet the demands of the
heavy traffic from this point. The freigh.
yards are very extensive, and large number
of hands are now at work arranging switches
and otherwise preparing the line for business.
The track laying has been completed beyond
the city and nearly to the double tunnel. The
engineers are pleased with the easy grade
through the Gap. At no point does it exceed
10 feet to the mile; and up Callahan and
Preacher creeks, where the bulk of the coal
deposits are found, it does not exceed 80
feet to the mile. But the masonry for
bridges over the creeks was expensive. Ev-
crything is stone and iron except the ties.
The abutmcnts have been carefully constructed
Of hard stone, neatly trimmed, and soidly
laid. The floods Of ages will beat against
them in vain.
The valleys that lead to the coal openings
seem to have been prepared by nature to
side rise the mountains containing the valu-
able deposit. The openings thus far made
are only some fifty or sixty feet above the
valleys, and the road will be constructed
almost Immediately under them on one side,
and along the side of the coke ovens on the
thoroughly drain the mines, without artificial
aid, but will greatly facilitate the loading Of
cars.
Friday evening the party were entertained
at the Appalachian Club by General Ayers
and other members, and Saturday night they
returned over the road to Middesborough,
and thence to Louisville.
w. II. Nickels & Co. agree to subscribe
$50 towards building a temporary wagon
bridge over Powell's river at E. Sixth street,
and say that one can be built for 5000. Now
that the L. 4 N. is here it is necessary to have
means Of crossing the river, and the council
should take some active steps in the matter.
Capt. j.. J. Wolf has purchased all the tim
South of Guests river, from Tacoma to Nor
ton and on Looney Greek. He will commence
at once to cut and shipit.
Fortunately Big Stone Gap is benefited by tho
building of other cities East, West and South of it.
Every furnace that is constructed in any direction
named will be less dependent upon Big Stone
Gap for its coke.
| Mr.. Marston, resident engineer Of the L. K N. says
,rucklaying will not be delayed more thar day and
half at the bridges and that the work Will be CON-
pleted to the double tunnel next week.
Tie Big Stone Gap Commercial Club Inns under con-
sidcration the forming OF Citizens Development Co.
with capital stock OF 5000 900 The necessary funds
are to be raised by receiving subscriptions fromthe
citizens and land companies which may be paid In
lots, lands, bonds, stocks or money. The lands and
securities OF this company to be marketed, and
the proceeds applied to the purchase OF stocks In
feasible manufacturing enterprises Ito be located and
operated at Biz Stone Gap This scheme seems 10
meet with the approval OF the club, and the matter
OF preparing prospectus, charter and subscription
| list II now in the hands Vi q committee \ commit
tee has also been appointed to determine the proper
valuation Of the different real estate holdings Of in
| dividuals and land companies operating here. II
seems to be expected that each company or individual
will subscribe to the capital stock OF the Citizens
Development Co. an amount equal to five per cent Of
their present holdings.
The Crate and Mantle Company will soon commence
the erection OF six dwelling houses In the Sulphur
Spring addition.
Chas Tracy & Sons have taken contracts Tor resi-
dence for j. e. Bum. The house will have six rooms
Also two houses each Of six rooms, in Plat No g.
They have commenced work on Rev. McManaway's
house.
Last Nights German.
The German at the Appalachian Club last
night was a brilliant affair. The Paramount
Orchestra came over from Bristol and furnished
III I'D