The comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1884-1916, 1905-02-16
IN vIRGINIA'S COAL FIELDS.
Railroad Moves are Still the Centers Of
Interest.

Important Developments are being
reported almost daily from the Virginia
coal fields, since several railway syndi-
Gates are making efforts to enter that
district. From Norton, Wise county,
Va, comes story, on good authority,
that deal is pending through which
the Cincinnati, Hamilton and Dayton
Railway will acquire $4,000 acres of
rich coal lands, owned by Patrich Ho-
gan, in:Wise and Dickensoh counties.
Mr. Hogan formerly owned 10000
acres of valable, but years ago George
l.. Carter purchased $500 acres from
the main tract.
Details concerning the deal, in which
the @. H. & D. company is said to be
interested, have not been given out,
and the price paid is not known.
Mr.. Garter, who purchased the first
land, is now interested in building the
South and Western road from the coal
fields to the sea. 1t is also stated that
the @. Il. and d. people are interested
with Mr.. Carter. who is termed, in the
Big Stone Gap district, as "the noun
taineer capitalist"
II the two parties are equally inter
ested and their properties are consoli-
dated, 1t will make $4,000 acres of the
richest coal lands in Virginia, at the
disposal of the great railway system
Many conflicting rumors are going
the rounds concerning the railway
moves, and we'll informed people are
guessing as to the real status Of affairs,
At any rate, there is railway IN evil
dence in the Wise county section.
From the best information obtsinable,
George L. Carter's shrewd financial
moves seem to be holding good, and
every indication seems to point to the
completion of the old Three C's, or s.
& W. line from Virginia via Johnson
City to the sea.
The South & Western railroad COM
pany was recently chartered, with M.
M. Martin, Richmond lawyer, as
president. 1t is believed that the s. &
W. railroad charter has been procured
for the s. & W. railway, should the
court of appeals sustain the decision of
Judge Price. The only difference in
the corporations is the use of the word
railroad instead Of railway. Concerng
this the Bristol Herald, which seems
to be getting authentic informa ton
about the transactions of the s. & W.
railway, says:
"it was learned here yesterday, on
good authority, that Mr.. NJ. NJ. Mar
tin, whose name appears as the presi-
dent Of the recently chartered South &
Western Railroad company, is Rich
mond lawyer, identified with the inter
ests Of Mr.. George Gould in that city.
Mr.. Martin has represented Mr.. Gould
ever since he invested in the street
railways of Richmond, and is generally
known as Gould's counsel.
"This information further compli-
Gates the railroad fight, and is regard
ed by many as indicating an entrance
into the contest Of the Gould interests
"Though no one in authority has
said as much, it is generally under
stood that the charter Of the South 4
Western Railroad company is new
charter for the South & Western Rail-
way company, under which it will be
operated, should the court Of appeals
sustain the recent decision of Judge
: John W. Price, Of the Hastings court
of Bristol, in declaring its charter for
feited."
Mr.. Carter favors building over the
route Of the Three @. 3 from Gate City
! Va, to Johnson City, Tenn. The ole
road was almost finished when it failed
fifteen years ago, and it is estimated
that IS per cent. Of the roadbed is fin
ished and the cost Of reconstruction
will be small.
The road has fine grade, and whel
finished, bids fair to be one Of til
southeast trunk lines.
The v. & s. W, via Bristol, is con
s structed over Walkers mountain an
has an unsatisfactory grade, so eng
neers state.
1t seems to be the great scheme o
railroad financiers to push the s. & v
from Virginia to the Carolina coast.