The Big Stone Gap post. [volume] (Big Stone Gap, Wise County, Va.) 1892-1928, 1904-11-24
RAILROAD WAR.
Two Great Corporations Seek
the Same Advantages.

circles 20 to bear out the publication
Of last Friday OF coming clash be-
tween the two great railroad corpo-
rations operating In Scott aud Wise
Counties. Va.
President George t. Carter. Of the
South and Western and the new
Clinchheld Corporation, is busily en-
gagged in the work Of grading the
roadbed for his road through from ST.
Paul to connect with the south aud
Western al johnson City lie has
numerous corps # engineers and
grading companies in Scott County.
and Is opening up the work At John
son City. His ultimate purpose is to
gain an outlet TO the Seaboard, aud
he might not have opened up the
work so soon had the new Virginia
aud Southeastern Company not have
been organized.
The coal and coke transportation
from the bituminous coal fields in
Southwest Virginia is becoming OF
enormous proportions rivaling that
from the anthracite fields Of pennsyi-
vania, and is becoming by far the
most Important product in the South.
/ To market this coal il must have an
outlet 90 the sea coast. Ii was for
this purpose that the Virginia and
Southeastern Company was organ
ized, backed by Oliver paync's mil
lions aud the great Wabash system.
/ Their intention is 90 build lines
through the coal fields aud n through
line 60 connect with the Tidewster.
so the product OF the great coal fields
OF Southwest Virginia can be deliv-
st the Norfolk wharf. This company
has begun work at a lively rate and
arc working through Scott County to
Wise. Mr. ID. ID. Hull. chief counsel
for this company, stated To- Courier
reporter that they would Immediately
build line from Chnchport. connect
ing with the Virginia aud South
, western, 90 the Toms Greek opera
tions in Wise County lie stated
3 that several corps Of engineers were
, 40 work surveying the line and secur-
, ing grants Tor the tight OF way. This
work, he stated, would be pushed
, steadily along 20 completion. A. o.
their further plans, he stated chat he
b. did not care 90 speak az present
Mr.. Jacob Bewley. Que of the cor
|porA,ors OF the new Virginia and
81 Southeastern Co, and assistant gen.
, eral manager of the Virginia and
-.uf D. ,....t,r, as.t.f tl.s iii 49,.
e rstions would be pushed rapidly along
- until the proposed line from Cat,
{ City 90 Toms Creek was completed
g. SO FAR, lac stated, there had been "a,
q obstacle thrown an the way TO delay
operations. He stated that he coul,
not speak Of their Intentions further
than tins.
Z Both companies, IL seems, are en-
y deavoriug 10 secure the same territor,
~ for night Of way. In the effort o
each company to secure possession Of
4 this. is where the conflict will come
e and a battle royal is expected. In
b. Junction proceedings have been talk
ii ed OF Tor some days. ard yesterda,
G evening to the effect that Mr.. Car
ter's forces had been eujoined by SON,
e laad company in Scott County.
e - 70 their operations in Tenues
- see the following dispatch was sen
ont from johnson City yesterday
IL johnson City, Nov l5-Work II
r. being rushed as rapidly as possible OF
r. the old G. c. y G. railroad between
q johnson City and Gate City. Va
r. Three sQuans Of men have been sen
e out from here, while others have beei
4 obtained along the line Of the road
il More men are wanted. George /,
il Garter Is looking after the lines be
C tween here and Gate City. The dis
= lance between here aud Gate City /
u only 80 miles. With the link con
= s,raeted and about % miles extende,
b. east from Spruce Pine, n. c., con
O Meeting with the Seaboard Air Line
: a through line wall be secured. /
c has been estimated that the shops @
II the road will be located here"
e The Tidewater.
g Roanoke. Va, Nov. l5.-A repor
o Gained credenee todsy that the Tide
g water Railway WAS giving out con
e tracts for construction work. A gen
J. tlemaa who is in position to kno,
o when asked by reporter just wha
a the Tidewater people were doing. h
fepiied; ''osr motto has bcca on
y Of silence. However. did not min
Z telling you that tho location OF al
= ROAD vest Of this city has been prac
: tieally decided upon; but there ar
g certain PFoblems 20 be considered IL
. the tidewater section Of Nirginia
; which vii! determine the route "
= will take" The gentleman turtle
; added tina; the policy Of the Tide