Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1893-01-11

What the Prospects Are for Its Being
Ruiit


Built.
What the prospects are for the con-
struction of the much-talked-of Con-
nelisvile and Wheeling railroad us
matter o. much speculation, not only
among the residents OF the country
through which it will pass, but among
railroad men and capitalists generally,
says the Pittsburg Press. The project
Is being discussed particularly In
Washington, FaYette and Greene coun-
ties at the present time, and in these
sections the people are almost conf
dent that the enterprise will assume
I definite shape within the ensuing year,
The matter has been so much agitated
that Eastern capitalists are now secur-
ing options on all the coal land both in
Washington and Greene counties lying
near where the road is expected to cross
the Monongahela river. They are pay
ing good prices, and everything seems
to indate that some action is to be taken
during the year or perhaps within
few months.
There are three ways by which road
could reach Wheeling, and all have been
pretty feeely discussed. The first OF
these is by way of Washington; another
by way of Waynesburg, and the third,
which is the most direct, is by way OF
Hackney station, on the Washington
aud Waynesburg branch OF the Pan
handle and down Ten Mile creek to the
Monongahela river. Each OF these
routes would open up territory rich
In coal and as fertile as any In Western
Pennsylvania. The preference, how
ever, is to the direct route, and the
probability is that the road will go that
way.
Supt. HoIbrook, of the Baltimore and
Ohio road, was asked yesterday, by
Press reporter, what the prospects were
for the completion of the road.
"There is but little doubt about the
road being built soma time" said he,
because the line is necessary to de-
velop one of the best coal fields in
Western Pennsylvania. 1t is common
ly conceded that the line will be put
through, but when this will occur
would be hard for me to say, although
l would not be surprised II it should be
begun in q short time. There has been
nothing done in regard to the matter
so far as l am informed, especially by
those interested in the scheme. 1t is
true that the excitement among coal
men looks indicative of stir, but do
not know what grounds they have fer
their actions. The territory which
they are leasing is very valuable, and
when the way is opened up for its de-
velopment there will be none more
valuable even in the ConnellSyille
region.
Another thing which indicates that
the line will be built soon is that the
sections which have been supplying the
coal and coke market for years past
must in time be exhausted, and many
persons believe that time is not very
far distant. Another source of supply
must then be found, and the one most
available is the section OF country
through which the Connellsville and
Wheeling road would pass. The road
would also be of great advantage, while
the Connelsvile region is being used,
as an outlet to Wheeling and to the
railways passing through that city,"
(Which OF the three ways do you
think preferable?" asked the reporter.
1.-The route by the way of Washing
ton has been discussed perhaps more
than any other, but in my opinion 1t
will never go that way. In the first
place the section of country from
Wheeling to Washington renders 1t al
most impossible for freight road. The
grade just this side of Wheeling is very
steep, and to haul heavy coal and coke
trains over it would be nearly impoSsi-
Bile. At Washington, too, it would take
some good engineering to get out OF
the CHARTERS valley toward the Monon-
gahela without great deal Of tunnel
ing and grading. These things make
this route mpracticable, or at least
very expensive, and the only induce
ment is the town of Washington, which
would not amount TO much.
THE most direct route from Wheel
ing is up the valley OF creek bearing
the same name which extends to the
head-waters of the branches Of Ten
Mile creek in Greene county"