The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1891-11-11
r. 6 S. NEARING COMPLETION.
All the Track to Be Laid BY De-
cember IS.
a Times Reporter Takes Trip Over tho
Road and Describes the Progress of tho
Work-Boone's Mill on a Boom-Inter-
.esting Incidents Along the Way.

The Roanoke and Southern is being
pushed forward to completion more
rapidly than is generally known. Two
months ago it was estimated that the
road would be completed by the 1st OF
February. Now it is officially stated
that the entire line of track, from
Roanoke to Winston, will be laid in
thirty days or about December Is.
The track is now laid sixteen miles
south of Roanoke, or about ono mile
south of Boone's Mill, in Franklin
county. Eleven miles of the road from
this end has been surfaced up and is
now In an excellent condition, but the
remaining five miles remain just as it
was spiked down to the cross-ties.
trip over this road as far as compile
ted, and stop at tho old Virginia
town called Boone's Mill, is ono of ex-
ceeding enjoyment. Yesterday morn
ing such a trip was made by several of
the officials of the new road and two
newspaper men. The party lott Roam
oke shortly after : o'clock, and was
composed of Hon. Ill. S. Trout, of the
Virginia and North Carolina Construc-
ton Company; r. A. I5uckner and Jo-
seph L. Engleby, of tho Roanoke and
Southern, and w. f. Thomas, Of TIE
TIMEs,an1 Dr. j. w. Davis of the Even
ing World.
An old Mason engine, No II, of tho
Norfolk and Western, manned by En-.
gineer Maccabes and colored fireman,
pulled the train which started from
the station with two car loads of rails
another car loaded With various mater
ials, and three empty flats, which were
txttt
crowded about seventy-five colored la
borers.
The track was smooth and even, and
the train soon left Roanoke behind.
After clearing the bridge across the
Roanoke river, passing switch where
the Roanoke Gas and Water Company
has their coal delivered, the train soon
entered the almshouse property.
Mr.. Engleby pointed out the boun-
daries of the property and explained
how he and his committee of tho City
Council purchased it over two years ago
for the city for $4,000. The property is
now worth 100000 and consists of 1926
acres in good state of cultivation
The first trestlc on tho road is on the
poor house farm and is not more than
thirty feet high. The cattle and horses
have not yet become accustomed to the
shrill whistle and rushing engine and
flee from tho tracks in terror when it
passes.
Near this point the road strikes an
upgrade and continues for two miles or
more until the summit of the hill is
reached. This is the dividing line be-
tween Roanoke river and Back creek,
and is six miles from the city The
down grade extends to Back creek val
Icy and is only about sixty feet to the
mile. The road then follows Back
creek in due southern direction, and
passes through considerable fertile
country.
At Starkey's, where the proposed
depot is to be located, Seven miles from
Roanoke, the party were Joined BY
Major Newly and Mr. .tCrocker, engi-
neers; who made the survey and arc
now experimenting the construction
The road soon enters L. Il. Fish.
burne's farm and traverses it for two
miles. About the central part of this
plantation switch is being put in for
the convenience of the communitv
Major Newly pointed out place where
the road makes sweeping bend, and
explained how one mile and half
could have been saved by tunnelling a
short distance, but found that it was
cheaper to go around.
The next point is the Rock creek
bridge, and just beyond graded plat
where water tank is to be erected.
Pipes have been put in to supply water
for the engine, but the dam having
burst, it was resolved to cross tho noun
tain without taking on fresh supply.
Peters store was soon reached. Here
is where groceries, whiskey and brandy
are kept Some of the party RECALLED
themselves with "smile of the noun.
tain dew" 1t costs only 25 cents pint
and only lacks age to mako it first rate
article. Mr.. Croker said the dealers
endeavored to raise tho price to 80 cents
a pint short time age, but the railroad
men refused to pay that price, and it
was now back to the old standard
The "high trestle" is the next point
of interest This structure is about rs
feet high, but is very short After pass
ing it the top of the mountain is soon
passed, Magodee Gap cleared and the
train hogins the descent. At the top of
the mountain is the Roanoke and Frank
lin line. and is IL Is miles from Roanoke
city. The grade down the mountain on
the Franklin side is not over 70 feet to
the mile on an average.
The water tank on the Franklin side
has not been put up yet, but gravity
pipe has been put in. and here the
engine took water, bu, it was very