Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1891-03-25
A BUILDER OF TOWNS.
The Great Norfolk and Western
Railroad System.
ITS INDUSTRIAL POLICY.
What 1t Has Accomplished for
Virginia.
ARUN OVER THEL LINE.
It's Main Stem, Its Spurs and Con-
SlIuCiiHS DlflSiUlS,
COAL MEASURES AND 0RE-BEDS
The Ncw-River and Cripple-Creek
Extensions.
FINE HOTELS AND DEp0TS.
Manufacturing Plants Completed, Erect
mg, and Secured.
Manufacturing Plants Completed, Erect
ing, and Secured.
FARMING AND GRAZING INTEREST.
New Towns Founded and Old
Ones Rejuvenated.
Fresh Capital Invested-LoeaI Tonnage
Increase-Scencry--C
Splendid Outlook for
the Future.

The Norfolk and Western railroad has
frequently been termed the great town.
builder of Virginia.
And it is justly entitled to that distinc-
hon.
Proof Of the fact Is found of nearly every
station on its main line and branches. from
where salt water la.es its immense piers
&; Lambert's Point and its wharves ut
Norfolk proper TO the Tennessee border.
and from that city of magical growth,
Roanoke, to Shepherdstown.
In this era of fast trains and improved
equipment generally of railroads, 1t Is o
matter of but day OF two TO travel over
the Norfolk and Western system. IT, how
ever, one desires tomake complete study
of Its development through the object les
sons presented by the towns along the
road. tho industries that have sprung up
IN those towns, and the new fields or
material wealth that have been probed by
Its iron arms, the work of months is before
him.
The organization of the Norfolk and
Western system dates back only about o
decade, but the history of the system is
record of almost unparalleled enterprise.
This enterprise has not only redounded TO
the advantage of the corporation, but has
proved the genesis of awakening Of all the
territory penetrated by the main stem OF
the road and it's spurs, and Is the pro-
phesy of development IN the Common
wealth TO which present results, as great
as they are. bear tho relation OF that OF the
shadow to the substance.
THE BEGINNING OF THE EPocH.
The observation is not uncommon that
the Inauguration Of the Norfolk and West
ern system was cOeyal with the begin
ming of the epoch of development IN Vir-
Ciuia. The converse of the proposition is
equally true. Nav, ii is true IN vast mea-
cure that the Inauguration OF tho Norfolk
and Western started the epoch Of Virginia
development.
When the present company became the
owners Of the Atlantic, Mississippi and
OHIO railroad and solidly linked together
the old Norfolk and Petersburg, Southslde,
and Virginia, and Tennessee roads, the cor
uoratiou instituted a policy which 1t has
constantly adhered to and which Is the
secret of ITS success ana the conconllahb
benefits 10 Virginia.
The Norfolk and Western Is Virginia
railroad its policy is the encouragement
and stimulation Of local traffic, both
freight and passenger.
When the future historian comes to
write the history of the State since the war
be will refer to the ten years Just drawing
10 a close as the period of Virginia's trans
transformation accuracy will compel MN
& admit that one of the great agencies In 1t
was the policy Of the Norfolk and Western
road referred to.
LoCAL-TRAFTIC FIGURES.
In 1888 the number of local passengers
carried was I,O74,Sl5; in 1880 the number
was !. .457, ,248: increase. 3S2,439. In 1889 the
number Of tons of local freight transport
ell was $50, ,14S in 1890 the number OF tons
was 4,973,0s5; increase, I90SS SSil: .,,o c.
When il is remembered that these hg-
ures. all things considered, are fair index
of the roads progress for several years
they constitute O chapter pregnant with
suggestions.
And how has this local traffic been en-
couraged and stimulated BY developing
material resources that would reJuvenate
old towns and lay the foundations OF new
ones: by reaching out into every terrltory
naturally tributary TO the line, and making
the field. the forest, and the bowels OF the
earth contribute whatever wealth tney
possessed 70 the work of building up IN
dustrial enterprises.
The Norfolk and Western has not ne
elected through connections. On the con-
trary what with ,ts traffic arrangements
with other roads il is o part of one or the
great systems of the Continent. Even now
II Is building extensions that Will faclltete
its through traffic in several directions.
But every foot of rail IL has laid has been
with a view Of developing new and rlch
territory that had not been approacheo
by any other line. The main track OF the
Norfolk and Western railroad, IRON Nor
folk 70 Bristol, measures 40S miles, ana IN
the territory II cuts through or whlch -
tributary 70 IL there is a variety OF agrlcul-
tural, forest, and mine product uneA-
Celledin any similar area on this continent.
Nor less varied is the scenery. Before
Ssn=tfpfs frCf, EgvfC1b IN fba morning one
drinks IN the tonic sea-breeze, ana ere
niRhttall is Quaiing the invigoratlng ar OF
ZONE OF the most majestic mountains cast
q the Rockies. In the interim ne passes
thro ugh portion of that mysterious region
the Dismal Swamp. makes short pauses III
teiiyng villages and towns, winds along
GAnung rivers, speeds through smilipe
fields and dense forests, and ever ana anon
Pldes under capopies of smoke telling OF
tie existence of throbbing industries
where eTstwhile all was inaction aud SOM
nolence. At nearly every siding ne passes
long freight trains loaded with coal, iuni.
Der, or crude minerals, the contents OF
sOme of which trains are destined for the
eompany's connecting water-lines az Nor,
folk. while those of others are 70 be USED
IN meeting the demands Of the manuIacto-
res on the road.
AN HIsToRcAL FICTION.
The Shenandoah-yalley division OF the
Norfolk and Western extends from Ha-
Rerstown, Nd, TO Roanoke. following the
western slope Of the Blue Ridge. ~
runs through not only one OF the most
lesutiful and one OF the richest agricultu-
fal aud mineral sections OF Virginia, but
section full OF historic interest. From the
start at quaint old Hagerstown to the
finish at the thriving Virginia terminus
the travellers eye is greeted with success
tion Of magnificent panorama. en- trancing-
ly picturesque towns aud villages. towering
mountains, and charming sketches OF val
10y. At Radford, 3oi miles west of Nor;
folk, begins the New-Riyer and
Clinch-Yaiiey division OF the system.
which with their main tracks. present and
projected. penetrate some OF the greatest
and most valuable coal measures in the
world. AT Blueheld, Mercer county, West
Virginia. the road forks, the Hew-River
division proper keeping on 70 Elkhorn and
arms 10 Pocahontsa. Bsamwell. and
Duhring, and The olinch-ysiiey disL