West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1897-05-20
CHEAT VALLEY RAILROAD.
WORK BEING PUSHED RAPIDLY
And THREE MILES OF THE
ROAD COMPLETED.
The Argus Sends Reporter to ReuIes-
burg Full Account OF the New
Road-Weaithy Men at Its Back
Mr.. Shocks KindRess to Newspaper
Men-Cheat Valley Invaded by the
Iron Horse.

For years the people Of this
county have been expecting a rail.
road TO be built dOwa Choit river.
Several surveys FOR a proposed
route nave been made at variou
times In the years past, and char
tiers have been granted TO COM
paAies for the building of the
"Cheat River Railroad =" Now the
expectations OF the people are being
realized, aud railroad is surely
aud certainly coming down the
"picturesque Cheat" The ARGUS
sent reporter to Rowlesburg last
week, for the purpose of giving it's
readers something about this new
railroad, and the reporter saw and
believed.
"Oheat Valley" Railroad is a
euphonious name for the road that
has invaded the haunts of the deni-
zens OF the forests along the river,
and 1T seems odd indeed to come
down the old county road and view
the charming scenery along the
river, not from the seat of a rickety
old wagon Of yore. but from a sezt
upon the "iron horse" that IS haul.
ing the supplies for the completion
OF the Cheat Valley Railroad.
Three miles Of the road has been
lald with the steel rails, and several
miles are ready foi the rails. The
contractor, j. 81. Miller, Of Tyrone.
Pa, expects to complete the first
SIX miles of the road, as far as the
ferry, by the first Of Jaly. Mr.
Harthman, the principal stock
holder in the Company, informed
HE ARGUS that they would pro
coed with the survey OH down as
far as Albrightsvi!le, aud would
push the grading as rapidly as pos
slole. 1t is the intention of the
Company to go on down the river
to some point in Pennsylvania.
The first train Of cars over the
road made It's trial trip on last
Wednesday afternoon, and The
ARGUS reporter had the pleasure Of
riding on the trial trip. The Com
pany at present is using a b. g. O.
engine, at a considerable cost per
diem, until their new rolling stock
arrives. The engine, old "62I,"
is deity handled by that well known
engineer, Louis Burk halter, who
holds the undisputed honor of be-
ing the best man with tho "air
brakes" ON the Third Division.
lie has been ia feeble health for
some time, and recently returned
from Texas, where he spent the
winter. Tom Dunn is the fireman,
and while the grades are not stecp.
nor the loads heavy yet, Tom"
Keeps up an awful showing In Of
tOel and keeps old 1921" shining
and bright.
Hall Miller, brother Of the con-
tractor, Lays the steel. and there ID
some very pretty work dong, to
show for his skill and painstaking.
The track is really very smooth,
and well put down. considering
that the weather has been soft, aud
that there is not foot Of ballast
pat In. Farley brothers are fore.
men of the construction. The
ARGUS man became acquainted
with Mr.. A. l.. Farley, who very
kindly answered many questions
and gave us considerable inforaa-
ton: The other partner is Mr.. }.
l.. Farley.
Mr.. l.. III. Hamilton, well known
IN the county, is the Superiaten-
dent for the Company, and has a
general oversight of all departments
Of the building of the road. Need
less to say Mr.. Hamilton under
stands his business, and the sys-
tematic management Of all the
details, shows how well Mr.. Ham.
lltOn carries these matters In his
mad, and he IS man Of untiring
energy His son, A. T.. Hamilton.
is "a very competent engineer. and
has done much of the surveying.
having charge of the corps of engi-
neers. The writer recalls Mr.. l..
I'll. Hamilton as being one Of the
many men who do not "talk for
publication" When in Kingwood
TO secure the right of way for the
road from the County Court, Mr..
Hamilton was approached, but
firmly and positively declined 10 be
interviewed. Nevertheless, all de-
sired Information WAS secured from
another source, and Mr.. Hamilton
probably smiled the next day, when
he road in the daily papers an &C
count Of the plans Of the COMPANY,
and an interview from himself.
though he would not be interviewed.
Nr. ii treated The ARGUS man
very courteously last week, "talks"
more now than formerly.
The rsof thoroad are Nossrs.
Adam n Warthmau aud sens, aud
Mr. Jehn Stoer. all Of Philadel.
phia. Tho firm Of a. IL. Warth.
man q Sons formerly conducted
the largest meat packing business
ia the State Of Pennsylvania, and
this firm and Alr. Sloor arc rated M
the mercial journals at two
million dollars. SO there is plenty
Of capital behind this enterprise 90