Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1896-07-14

The subject of new Baltimore and
Ohio depot for Wheeling has been a
stock newspaper item for many years.
Time after time it has been written
up with more or less of elaborate de-
tail, business men and the Chamber Of
Commerce have discussed it, and the
management of the Railroad Company
have made promises or declined to COM
init themselves, accordingly as the Sit
uation of the company financially hap
pened to be. or the subordinates had
been instructed by the higher officers.
Meanwhile the old eye-sore at the
mouth of the creek remained, the pub
dc growled at the lack of modern con-
veniences. the dust and dirt, and the
general unpleasantness, officers OF the
company were cramped for room TO
properly transact their business. and
strangers visiting the city obtained a
wrong impression Of the Importance,
wealth and business interest or the
town from glance at the railroad end
OF it.
Now, however, it is settled that we are
to have a new structure, complete as 10
details, and large enough to afford room
for the proper transaction OF business,
while architecturally it will be credit
to the company and the city alike. The
Register makes the statement authori-
tatively, as will be seen by what fol-
lows. and all our people will rejoice.
Generally and therefore indefinitely
speaking, there is no doubt of the fact
that the management of the B. & O. has
intended" for some years, to build a
new depot here. That means that the
subject has been considered from time
to time by the engineering department,
some plans had been sketched off, es-
Inmates made, ETC., but the whole mat
ter was not regarded as being OF press
ing importance, and therefore there was
no rush about it. The destruction OF
the depot and bridges, last week, pre-
cipitated matters, the chief of the en-
gineeltng and construction departments
were assembled here; including Chlef
Engineer w. T. Manning and it was
determined TO go ahead with the work
which had been so long delayed. The
old plans were accordingly looked up
End conned over, and pending a decision
orders were given TO Clear the ground,
which orders are now being carried out
with great energy.
Yesterday afternoon a reporter Tor
the Register saw Engineer Manning ana
asked him about the prospects FOR a
new building. In reply he said:
I'VE are going to erect a new ana
magnificent depot. You can say that
definitely" .,
"Have the plans been settled upon?"
mo. sir. the rumor that plan, agreed
upon, arrived here this morning, is un-
true. We have several plans before us,
under consideration, but one has not yet
been adopted. You can say, however,
that | leave for the East tonight, and
when | return the last of the week,
selection will have been made, ana then
| will take pleasure in giving you all
necessary information as TO details.
"Will the new structure probably IN
clude a new freight depot, as well as
passenger
THAT is uncertain. There may be
freight house on the present site of the
passenger offices, etc, but 1t is uncer-
tain. | can tell more about that on my
return"
THE ground is to be cleared up, how
ever?"
Yes, sir; and at once. We will get
everything out of the way. The present
ticket office. waiting rooms, express and
baggage offices, etc, will be abandoned
permanently on Wednesday, and will
he removed to the new frame building
at Twentdeth and Water streets. All
the local passenger business OF the Com
many will temporarily be transacted at
the point have named, and the old
buildings will come down"
1t will be seem that the above state
mens is definite and authentic. 1t
has the distinct authority lacking in all
previous publications extending over
series of years past, and may be ac-
cepted by the business and traveIng
public as authoritative.
But there is more good news. The
Company has agreed upon plans for
big depot at Benwood Junction, and
work will soon be commenced The
building will be thoroughly modern, as
well as large, and outside there will be
a covered train shed four hundred feet
long. In the building proper will be a
fine restaurant, well appointed waiting
rooms, and all the requirements neces-
sary and proper at the junction OF the
Eastern and Trans-Ohio systems. The
erection OF these two station buildings
means the employment of large force
OF men and much money spent in this
vicinity.
The work Of clearing up the wreck OF
the old bridges and depot and removing
the debris from the bed and banks OF
the creek is progressing very rapidly.
4 new temporary track has been built
across the creek, giving communication
with the freight house, and freight is
being loaded at the latter building, as
usual, although the accommodations