The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1903-08-02

Point and established splendid terminal
facilities there for the delivery OF COIL
He acquired the Roanoke and southern
Road from Lynchburg to durham WIN
q view to getting Southern outlet anu
tapping tho tobacco fields end tobacco
towns along the line of that roao anu
finally extended the Cripple Creek ROAD
to Norton. where he made connection
with the Louisville and Nashville.
These we're we'll laid plans, and II Is
not necessary to speak of the results, loi
they are known to all men. From peihs
a purely agricultural section Southwest
virginia became one of the greatest MIN
ing and manufacturing sections OF inc
South towns and cities sprang UP IN
few years, and the coal fields OF virginia
and West Virginia are now among tho
largest producers In the world OF steam
coal and COKE
AS an example OF what Mr.. kimbalrs
plans accomplished, our Roanoke contem-
porary says that whereas that section
of the country now known as the coal
fields was practically wilderness, with
sparse population, when Mr.. Kimball be-
gan his work, to-day from 100 COO to 10000
people are at work." This. to say moth
Ing of the wonderful development and
growth all along the road and Its
branches from the Southwest to the sea-
board. Tho News does not claim that
MIR. KimbaIl did all this unaided and
alone, but 1t does claim for him, and
rlghtfully claims for him. that che was
the principal cause of these conditions,
and that his Initiative. energy and per-
severance have been tho largest factors
in this unprecedented growth throughout
Virginia"
We 10 farther. and say that Mr.. KIM
ball was the pioneer in collateral develop
ment on the part Of tho railroads OF the
South. When he came upon the scene
Southern railroad companies did not at
tempt to do more than to operate their
roads and haul freight and passengers.
Their managers seemed to think that
there was so much business and no more
for the road, and that nothing which the
company might do would increase 1t.
Mr. Klmbnll took broader view. He
saw that road could largely Increase
It's traffic by aiding In the development
of the country through which It passed.
He saw that every mine opened, every
furnace and factory erected. every town
enlarged and every new enterprise OF
whatever character which he could bring
into existence would be a contributor
to the traffic Of the Norfolk and Western
Road, and his highest hopes were more
than realized. He saw that general
and progressive policy on the part OF q
railroad company was as bread cast upon
tho waters. So we'll did he demonstrate
this that 1t has now become the settled
policy of all tho Southern roads to do
everything In their power to promote tho
Industrial and commercial growth and
welfare Of the country tapped by their
lines, and most of these companies have
agents whose only business Is to promote.
But Mr.. Kimball was so modest and re-
firing that few people, except those who
were closely associated with him. knew
what wondrous work he did for the
State. So many OF us look at results
rather than at causes and In all this
development we. arc apt to forget the
man who inaugurated the movement and
largely conducted It to successful con-
clusion-not conclusion, either. for the
work will go on and tho development
will continue for all time to come.
We think proper to pay this deserved
tribute to modest gentleman. who has
done so much for the State. and who has
now gone to his reward. But our main
purpose is to draw some useful lessons
from Mr., Kimball's career. He set a
fine example In good citizenship. He did
not live to himself. He had certain
talent and he employed 1t for the good
of others. He did far more for the State
of Virginia than II he had paid off the
public debt He showed her the hidden
wealth she possessed, and showed her
how to develop It, He showed the rail-
roads that In helping the State they
helped themselves. He put new life and
energy into the people OF the Southwest,
and his influence was felt throughout the
Commonwealth. He taught the great
est of all lessons, that 1t Is more blessed
to give than to receive. The railroads
the Industries and the cities which he
built are monuments to his memory, more
durable and moro honorable than brass