Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1893-11-24
A southern Connection.

A Southern Connection
"FOr some time certain business men o'
this city, Buchanan, Salem and stanton
have been quietly preparing the way iUl
+ha organization of a strong company 10
bnild a railroad from this city to con-
nectiop with the Chesapeaks and Ol'' OF
Bltimore and Olio Railroad. Last n'So'
the Roanoke Railway Construction Com
panv was organized with the ioi'o"ins
officers and directors: Robert H. " Goa
rum Of Roanoke, President; J. Fred
Fmnoer Of Stanton, v.ce-presiden'; j.
w Coon. of Roanoke secretary and treas
r.s,.J lanes $. Simmons, Lucian II. Cooke,
MA Rife. Robert Il. Woodrum and NJ
H. CLAYTON, Of Roanoke, Mosby Il. Payne
and Co.. Edmund Dillon, Of Bachanap'
and J. Fred. EHlnger, Of staunton, diree-
tors.
Every officer and director possesses
wealth and business tack, aud the COM
papy is Acknowledged to be the strongest
ever organized here for any purpo- e.
President Wooarum today Issued a pub
lie address, stating that the company
would be- chartered teday. He outlined
the nlap in the following paragraph:
ALLOW me TO safe that it only remsinS
ror the citizens Of the city Of Roanoke 10
assist IN building the road to the extent
of their ability aud what they themselves
will come TO the conclusion that they can
stf,rd TO de. l, is rot proposed 10 ask
the citizens of the city Of Roanoke to pay
any more or an experiment or to cOntr-
bute to the want Of experlouce of the
construction company OF its officers, but
for each individual to make up his mind
what the construction and operation OF
competing railroad would be worth here
and to come forward without delay aud
agree in writing 70 give that much to Il e
construction company when the railroad
snail have been built and in operation.
Inacosversatien with The Sun repre-
sentative today he SAID. "Onr plan en-
braces the bringing of both the Chesa-
peake and Ohio and Baltimore and Ohio
roads to Roanoke. We aie confident OF
making each a proposition that will be
acceptable.
Behind the company there are men OF
large means, whose uawes have not been
given to the public. The prospect is en-
couraging. many of our citizens having
already come forward with offers toI
surbscribe some money and others % deed
houses and lots in lieu of money Inc
people are greatly elated over the pros
poets of securing one or both these great
trunk lines for Roanoke. "-C5r. y ia"
Sun.
The above f.om the Roanoke eoTrespon-
dent of the Baltimore san refers to an IND
movement which is of great interest not
only to the people of Roanoke but 10
those of this entire Valley. The Valley
needs a direct Southern connection. The
Baltimore and Ohio extended to Roanoke
would give this section direct Southern
connections. It would be Of great value
to our farmers. Tie opportunity OF ship
ming hay directly South would enhance
the revenues Of this entire Valley Our
farmers now devote the most OF theiI
lands TO the cultivation Ct wheat and
corn. crops which require much labor ana
afford very small profits. With a goou
market for hay, more money, with less
labor. would be realized, and the value OF
our farming lands would be materially
advanced. What is true Of this oae com
modify is true Of many others. Direct
councillors Sozth open to rs market
for our productions. The euti'e valley Is
deenly interested in this connection
Three railroads runuiog into Roanoke
would naturally make it center toT
manufacturing and in short time the
incubation would rapidly increase, max
ing IL a good market no; only for the
n-oducts of the Roanoke valley, but io1
those of the Shenandoah Valley. The
distance from Woodstock 10 Roanoke If
about the same as the distance to Balti-
more, while Baltimore appears to he aneaI
neigbbor and Roanoke, distant city.
Direct railroad communication 20 the ore
makes this seeming difference. Direct
railroad communication to tie other
wonld give US choice Of markets, North
and South. Tee distance from Lexing-
ton to Roanoke is about 60 miles. The
road is now pretty well graded, the heavy
work has been done and nearly all the
stonework for culgerts, &c, has been
made. In a short time the bed could be
made ready for tie ties, and all parties
would bs greatly benefited by i's speedy
completion.