The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1904-03-06
The. T ARE: TO
ASHLAND.
"A Test to be Made on Question
Involved in an Old
Contract.
MUST REMOVE ] THE POLES
a Suit Will Probably Insti-
tuted TO Enforce soar Removal nova Of
Telegraph Poles From Street.
Especial to The Times-D ispatch.)

81 .
ASHLAND, VA, March 5.----A vital fact
has recently been developed here pertain
ing to the relations between the Rich
mond Fredericksburg and Potomac Rail :
road and the people of Ashland, which
the lapse Of time and the sudden death
of one OF its leading citizens a few years
ago has effected from present recollec-
tons The subject is up again now for
test.
The railroad company, In the early
days, owned most Of the land on which
Ashland Is now located. and many Of
the deeds We're made from the railroad
company 10 It's present older citizens. At
that time many Of the officers of the
company made their homes hero ana
evidently considered 1t Il very desirable.
location for town Strong inducements
were offered at that time by the extern
sion OF free pass between Ashland and
Richmond to tho heads OF white families
The deeds executed by the railroad COM
pany now on record, show that this was
to continue up to 1870, and IT. did,.
OLD DEEDS.
Tho following Is O. correct abstract OF
such deeds as are now on record, VIZ.
THE Richmond. Fredericksburg and Po-
tomac Ralroad Company covenants that
tho head Of white fanlllyof at least
three members occupying such ~ house
over said railroad to and from Richmond
until July in the year 1870 and Itlere-
after shall be ontitledjto a monthly tick
ct Mt not over oneaeiEhtll OF the regular
fares between Richmond aud Ashland.
or to a yearly ticket for nifty dollars In
the present currency or TOR such sum
In whatever currency as may hereafter
exist as will be equivalent IN value . to
nifty dollars in the present currency,
The question on which a test Is TO De
made Is on tho rate OF fare. Tho regular
fare is go cents each way or 70 cents Tor
a round trip and on the yearly rate which
was provided for In the valuation or
whatever currency thereafter VIII DO
equivalent in value to $50 IN tho currency
Of that day. Tho value OF tho currency
of the date OF the deed would be eqni-
yalont 10 yearly rate to-day OF s35
figured on fact that the currency OF 1871
was a deprecated one, gold being worth
$3.50.
1t is held that tho railroad company
have evidently considered thai 3theyi Wcl's
bound by the covenant as they nave !lved
up to two or the stipulatlons. put nave
not yet extended n lower yearly rate
than $50. The matter has Ito" come w
on this line for discussion.
REMOVE POLES.
The town authorities also have under
consideration at this time tho use OF
Railroad Street Tho town Is anxious
to test and know It's rights and where
ii stands in regard TO the main bouie.
ward known as "Railroad Street" OF
which It has beer. n continuous occupler
BY dedication ana acceptance, THIS main q y,
street la being gradually encroacllea upon
~ tho company's tracks
The city attorney has notified me
Western Union Telegraph company y
remove the telegraph poles which nave
always been an obstruction and are now
particularly so. These poles are now IN
tho middle Of tho street, being there ~
contract with tho railroad company; ~
far back as 1899 and lS4s tho rallroad
company appear to have. sold lots adult ",
.tlng'an Railroad Street, thereby aeknowl-
cdging the right Of the town to y as
street, and In 1860 made contracts WIN
the Western Union TELEGRAPH company
allowing these poles to be put In the
street. The matter will soon be brought en-
to suit. .,5
LOCAL. OFTIoN.
IN the opinion OF many OF the leading
citizens of Ashland. the passage OF the
recent act of the Legislature amending
see,lon 5s5 Of the Code OF Virginia has an
Interesting and significant bearing upon
lhe town This hill az passed gives " tSoWns
Of 1000 or mare Inhabitants INC prlyl-