The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1892-03-12
letters will explain

AhiuHs VI 1tOanOke ana H0r Future.
The following letters will explain
themselves.
Tho first letter from Mr.. Kimball to
Mr.. Pechin was in reply TO one from
that gentleman regarding the acquisi-
ton of the Roanoke and Southern. 1t
reads as follows:
PHILADELPHIA, March 3. 1892
MY DEAR SIR: l am in receipt of
your letter of February Goth. L thank
you Tor your congratulations and at the
same time wish to reassure you in regard
to the Roanoke and Southern.
Regardless Of tho time when the
present manager of tho Norfolk and
Western Will have to lay down and quit
work, the control of the Roanoke and
Southern by tho Norfolk and Western
Will, In my opinion, be of very great ad-
vantage not. only to Roanoke, but to
winston and to that territory.
"a small independent line has not
the means with which to develop it's
territory and encourage business, as
has stronger and larger corporation.
we have acquired control of the Roam
oke and Southern for tho purpose of de-
veloping tho territory tributary to it
and benefit Roanoke, and I hope that
you and will both live TO see the re-
suit, and that my prophecy will be YER
fled.
III the city of Roanoke Will 500 that
the streets are properly pared, you will
lind that it will keep you all busy to
Keep up with the growing business
OF the city. Very truly yours,
'F. j. klMBALL, President"
Tho second letter from MIR. Kimball
is in reply to Mr.. Pechin's request to
publish the first one. In it Mr. Kim
ball says:
PHILADELPHIA, March 8, 1892.
"Referring again to the Roanoke and
southern. and the uneasy feeling which
you toll mo exists in certain circles in
Roanoke. beg to suggest that il such
feeling exists it does not show fair
appreciation of the efforts which the
Norfolk and Western railroad has al
ready made to develop business and
build up Roanoke. as evidenced by the
fact that less than ten years since Roa-
noko had population not exceeding
400, and before tho close Of this year it
will have 25,000.
Tho Norfolk and Western may be
counted upon To do as we'll in the future
as 1T has IN the past In this connec.
ton enclose cutting from the Phila-
delphia Record of March 6 which NAV
BIO interesting.
There is great future before Roam
oke, and | am very glad to see your
commercial Association taking up the
subject Of diversified industries, and in
doing this do not overlook the fact that
Roam BIKE, from its situation, should be-
an important point for flour and honiny
mills, and look to see her wholesale
JooDlng business greatly Increase.
There IS every reason why Roanoke
should no an important distributing
center, but there is one important matter
which you should keep constantly be-
fore you, and that is tho absolute neces-
sity for paving the streets. | consider
this q matter of vital Importance. The
streets OF Roanske should be paved in
tho best possible manner so well paved
that the people visiting Roanoke will
go away and talk about il, and thereby
advertise tho ,ity. AT present visitors
take away with them mud and dust
Very truly yours, l.. j. KiMBAI.I.,
"Prestdent"
The clipping to which Mr.. Kimball
refers Is AS follows:
The recent lease by tho Norfolk and
Western railroad Of tho Roanoke and
Southern railroad, q new line running
south from Roanoke, Va. To Winston.
Salem. y. C., marks an important stop
forward in tho development of the New
South, through Philadelphia Ca pital ard
enterprise. No other city in the Union
has put so much good cash into the
South as Philadelphia, not in specula.
tive ventures. but i'll substantial indus.
tries and important transportation
lines, and In this progressive work the
capitalists VINO arc backing the Norfolk
and Western railroad are taking the
lead.
"raken in connection with tho lease
OF the i4ynchburg and Durham railroad,
another road running south from Viz.
ginia into North Carolina, and tho com.
pletion in tue near future Of the com
pany line through West Virginia To
the ONO river, where connection will ba
made with it's Scioto Valley division,
the new deal has placed tho Norfolk
and Western railroad in position OF
commanding influence in what may hs
called the upper South For a long
time the road has been looking south
ward as vel as westward, seeking an
outlet for its coal and new openings for
the large grain trade that is to follow
the completion OF its Ohio river line,
and these it has now obtained. A large
increase in its traffic Is expo ted "a q
result of Its new connections.
Tho Roanoke and Southern railroad
is 1925 miles long and was only finish sd
last September. Those who have tray.
eled over it say that IL is a model of
honest construction, running through 1.
beautiful country OF great u,tn.rat
wealth. /. makes the only nassral
crossing of the Blue Ridge mointatn1
found at any point between Virginia
and North Carolina. The presens south !.
ern terminus OF the road is Winston.
Salon, thriving manufacturing cttyoi