The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1907-08-05
ASHLAND PEOPLE
AFTER RAILROAD
Demand That Western Union
Wires BE Put Under
Ground.
.M0RDECAl UNDER ARREST
Fined for Carrying Oh Work, but
Case Is Appealed to Circuit
Court.
Especial to The rImes-Dlspa,oh.

Especial to The rlmes-Dispatoh,1
ASHLAND VA, August i,--'rle town
Of Ashland has suddenly been worked
up to point OF intense excitement
such as IT has never known before.
1t is particularly concerned over the
presence Of telegraph poles in It's prin-
cipal boulevard known as Railroad
Street, and does not propose to have
them. These poles have stood for
years in the street, u menace to travel
ana most unsightly object TO thiss
.pride-lovihg community. i4
on learning positively that these
telegraph poles had been removed tenn
porarily TO admit Of the widening OF
the tracks OF the Richmond. Fred |
crcksburg and Potomac Railroad,
when they would again be reset In
permanent concrete beds between the
two tracks, the town became alarmed |
and spontaneously threw off It's state
of lethargy, which has existed forI
many years An alarm was sonnded
which resulted in a ass-meetngflastI
night in the Town Hall. This meeting
was in pursuance to call OF the
Mayor and was to secure for the first
time and finally the attitude of the
community in regard to this public
obstruction of the highway of the town,
which has so long existed under SUI
ferance.
Meeting of Citizens.
This meeting was attended by most
or the leading citizens Of the town,
and the Town Hall was crowded to-
and the town, hall was crowded to-
81, In, 4 baE 81 IL,
1t was soon announced that the citi-
zcns were about to deal with ques.
ton which has been smolderng for
tifteen years, and was about to burst
forth into live flame at any moment,
and not easily qucnched. The Western
Union Telegraph Company has for
many years been tenant or lessee of
the right of way of the Richmond.
Fredericksburg and Potomac Railroad.
i'll which Il has maintained very ex-
tcnsive system. The attitude of the
telegraph company under Its contract
has been that OF entire subservicnce
TO it's lessor, the railroad company, so
long as it's system is satisfactorily
maintained. The town has complained
bitterly at times to the railroad COM
Dany of the existence OF these poles
in Railroad Street, and as conse-
quence the Richmond, Fredericksburg
and Potomac Railroad Company, in its
paramount desire at all times to deal
In a most conciliatory way with the
town, called conference few months
ago in Ashland. in which the Street
Committee of the Council practically
acceded to the changing of position
of these poles.
Is 1t Breach of Faith:
al ~ a.
was ever made, and no positive action
on the part Of the Council was ever
taken. This has been considered by
many Of the citizens mistake, as it
now looms up as breach of faith In
dealing with the present issue.
The telegraph poles are now re-
moved, and the wires are being carried
temporarily IN cables under ground
until such tlnN, as the poles may be
reset in the same street between the
two tracks. The citizens have deter
mined positively that the telegraph
poles shall not go back in Railroad
Street The Town Council, composed
OF Messrs. c. w. Crew, Charles Steb-
bins. Gus Delarue, d. B. Cox, Herbert
Bumpass and Nat Lancaster, was
quickly called in session Saturday
night about midnight to take consid
Grafton OF the matter and act upon thf
sentiment of the community regard
ing the distractions OF the public
highway, Some, of the members hat
to be called up from their slnmbers
and attended in their shirt sleeves
A resolution Of drastic features wa
quickly passed
While the Town Council had beer
Industrious, the railroad company ha'
l. ron n
been burning the wires, and yester
day mornings early trains from Nortl
and South brought carloads of section
bosses and hands here. Two hundred
stalwart worlflnen We're landed, and II
u short time under the vigorous an
systematic direction of Roadmaste
Samuel r. Rice, assisted by Mr.. An
gustine Mordecai, his assistant, ever,
man was at his post to protect tn
rights of the Richmond, I'redericks
burg and Potomac Railroad Company
1T was their purpose to shift the south
bound main track in order to accom-
nodate the Western Union Telegram
Company for the placing poles, an
they would have succeeded in a fe,
hours but for the interference O
Mayor Crew under the advise of Co
L. Il. ". Marye, as attorney
Arrest Railroad Man.
The Mayor, acting under the direc
Instructions of the Council issued
warrant under the State law for til
arrest of Mr.. Augustine Mordecai. {
.he railroad company, WHO was
charge of tho work. Town Sergear
rrevillinn served the warrant, and Nj
Nlordecai was taken before Mayo
Grew, where he was charged with OF
structing the public highway. On h
own recognlzance he was baled ft
appearance for trial at 5 o'clock in IL
sum of $500. All work for the time b.
ing was stopped, The trial took plat
in the Town Hall, and Mr.. Hill Cart
appeared as attorney for Mr. Mordeca
Colonel r.. II, w, Marye acted as a
torney for the town, Mr.. Mordecal WI
flnI.d Soh and Mr. ELL Cartcr imnll