The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1893-01-15
THE STANTON RIVER VALLEY.
A Region of Virginia That It Will Pay to
Develop.
For The Times.l

Thirty-fve years ago, and after the
roads were undertaken pointing south
west and west of Richmond, the city COM
menced to take a leading part In tribu-
tary connections TO them, which OF course
were to advance her own growth and
prosperity. The internal improvement
party In the State, largely In the ma
lority in the Legislature aud approved by
the people, granted charters to these
lateral lines upon the same principles
adopted In the construction OF the trunk
routes. namely, the Two and thTee-hfths
interest, the Sta-e taking three-ffths and
private subscription by individuals n
counties and towns making up the two
ffths.
At the junction Of the Stanton river
with the Dan the united streams form the
lower Roanoke river. There I'm Mecklen-
burg county is the town of Clarksville,
then as now a central seat OF Inland
commerce, based upon the staple OF to-
bacco. In the times that existed before
strife asserted It's sway in the land no
country rewarded the efforts OF the
tf!lers OF the soil and with more abund-
ance in comforts, even to luxury, than
was vouchsafed 10 all who abided along
those fruitful valleys and on the plateaEs
OF the wide extent Of country Of the di-
vid.ng line between Virginia and North
Carolina. The vastness Of the domain
for culture and the rich returns for labor
expended was a theme with Colonel Byrd,
OF Colonial fame, who established the
line between the two States, as well as
by all observers since who have bestowed
such attention TO the Valley OF the Roa-
noke and the upper country, as the
branching streams away toward the
80 ,rrvpntr Tho EfnFN Of Tho extent
and valuable resources above.
Commencing in 1859, Richmond and CO.
operative efforts at GAINESVILLE had about
completed in 1861 a branch line COM
mencing at Keysville, in Charlotte coun-
ty. TO ClarksViile. The rails were, how
ever. soon thereafter taken up and placed
on the connecting link between Danville
and Greensboro. n military necessity re-
curing it. OF late years this branch line,
with enlarged and superior facilities, has
been restored, with a full realization by
Richmond of her early sagacity and time
Iy action.
Another branch, commencing higher up
in the Valley of the StauntOn river and
farther TO the south, on the line OF the
Richmond and Danville railroad. had, at
the first date mentioned. also engaged the
attention OF Richmond. Had peace con-
tinued TO reign in the land a ranch from
the main line Of the Richmond and Dam
Vile where it crosses the Stanton river,
up the valley of that stream, was to have
been the next enterprise in hand for Rich
mond in connection with the wide extent
of country interested. circumstance
which could not be controlled, and the
partial benefits impaired through the eX-
tension south OF the Virginia Midland
and the building of the Lynchburg and
Durham lines since have delayed the
building of a direct branch up the Valley
of the Stanton river according to the
plans first projected. Those plans contem-
plated the construction Of the branch road
up the entire length Of the valley which
enters the great Southwestern region at
what was then the town OF Big Lick, but
now the site Of the marvellous city OF
Roanoke.
The question, If agitated now in its
full scope. would probably be dismissed
as not practicable. The time will soon ar
rive. however. when the scheme will not
be Of any doubtful eXpediency. as Rich
mond may exhibit an anxiety TO par
ticipate in a fuller share Of the soil pro-
ducts and other valuable elements of com
merce which that section OF country is
known TO possess.
The Valley, as drained by the streams
tributary 10 the main channel. will aver
age more than forty miles wide. Inc
surface presents as many acres Of low
grounds and creek plats as are TO be
found anywhere along the Piedmont
range and Immediately below It. Gently
undulating. there are neither tall hills nor
deep valleys TO oEstruct culture OF the
fields or TO hinder the enterprises Incl
dent to forest and other developments.
Fountains Of cool water abound on every
hand. and the whole scene encouragingly
invites increased labor and capital.
On the north a good portion OF Char
lotte and all OF Campbell and Bedford
counties. including much more than half
OF their territory, form hat border below
the mountains. On he southern side,
Halifax. ~Pittsylvania and Franklin coun.
ties, In their aggregates. are drained by
more than half, 10 the main valley of their
wide, cultivated plains and their expan-
sive forests. The inhabitants are loyal
and true. and Virginian 10 the heart. and
would like to be In nearer and more
Intimate commerci Il and social relations
with the metropolis OF the State.
Like causes produce like effects, and
the soils of the stanton River
Valley, like those of the James
river i'm their mute p~leadings. ask for
the means of restoration to fertility. In a
former article directly devoted to the
ways and means available for that pur-
pose. the way was pointed out for the
common good.
In the Richmond Chamber Of Commerce