The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1906-03-11
RAILROAD ACTIVITY
IN BEDFORD COUNTY.
Norfolk and Western Double
Tracking and Tidewater
Building.
Special to The Tlmss.; IpI,ispa.ell.l

especial to me 5Iimes-Dlspatch.)
BEDFORD CITY. VA. March 10-Just
west of the passenger station on the
western suburbs of the town, an UNI
wonted and very busy scene Of activity
is presented. where operations for the
double-tracking for the Norfolk and
Western Railway within the town have
begun. Two dinky engines and twenty
dumping cars have already been TON
veyed to the scene; a good deal Of new
track to be used in transporting the
earth that will be excayated to fill in the
deep ravines has been laid, cabins for
the use OF the employees and commisary
has been established. A huge steam
shovel is ready for operations. and the
work will be pushed forward with all
possible speed. Just at the point where
work will be begun is the sharp curve
that has been the location OF SO many
disastrous, and sometimes death-dealing,
wrecks in the history of the road. This
Will be removed and the line made as
near straight as possible, and the road
bed Is to be raised considerably to re-
lieve the present heavy grade. The val
ley that now lies beside this curve will
be filled In to a height of sixty feet or
more to the elevation OF the high hill
Just beyond. The exact course OF the
new route is not definitely known. but il
VIII encroacf upon the premises OF a
number of homes along Bedford Avenue
The largo building known In recent
years as the "Camnbell House, large
boarding house originally built and op-
Grated for a female school. has been
purchased by the railroad for the sum
of 5000 This will be removed. and the
ground dug down below the level of the
present deep cut for the purpose OF lay
Ing a. number of new tracks. The home
of Mr.. !. n. Clark, upon the opposite
bank has (bcen purchased by the road
for $500, tho largest price for any prop
erty of similar value realized here In
many years.
a great deal of other property along
Bedford Avenue has been purchased In
whole or In part by the company. About
two miles below the town, at Fuqua's
Cut, the work for double tracking Is
progressing on very extensive scale
the two forces to meet here.
On the south side of the county square
activity may be seen along the line for
the Tidewater road. This section. the
nearest point OF contact of which 10
any railroad Is sixteen miles or more,
Will for the first time have railroad
transportation. Here arc located the as
bestos and mica mines. and other valu-
able minerals abound. AS far as posi-
BILE. colored laborers are being secured
for the railroad works This presents
very serious problem to the operators
of factories and ngriculturists. as 1t will
be almost impossible to secure laborers
for any other work Colored men who
have been employed in tobacco factories
from boyhood are leaving to work on the
road.
The amount OF freight received here
since the railroad contracts have been
let Is astonishing, and the entire force
of clerks are kept busy until late at
night every day.
Never before has there been as much
money In this impecunious old countya as
will result from these extensive railroad
operations, and 1t is hoped the burden of
hard times will be somewhat lifted.
The roads of Bedford, which for years
have been worked by convict labor, are
for the most part in excellent condition,
having stood the test OF winter. which,
however. this year has not been severe
one, very we'll The benefit OF this sya-
tenn OF labor is recognized and apprecl-
ated In Bedford, and the good work
will still continue. Ahe convicts have
houses that are carried from
point to point, and are well-fed and
kindly treated, and the life In the open
air is beneficial for their health