Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1909-10-28
The Railroad and the Hanger Farm.

Editor Register: InaSmuch as there has
been a good deal of discussion concern
| ing the condemnation proceedings OF the
Cherry Run and Potomac Valley Railroad
Company as TO the farm belonging to the
Hanger heirs, near ShepherdStown, and
the owners ofthe farm have, understand,
been criticized for "stubbornneSs" and
an alleged spirit OF unfalrneSS toward the
railroad, have concluded to place tne
facts before the public. and LET the people
Judge for themselves as to who mas oeen
stubborn" or unfair.
The proposed railroad literally cuts our
farm in two, with an embankment across
the entire place from IA to "a feet IN
height. I'm front of the clearinghouse
the embankment is about "a feet hlgh,
| and the railroad takes the land to within
20 feet CT the house. This means, OF
course, the practical abandonment OF the
home, which is substantial stone struc-
ture, for dwelling purposes One section
of the farm is entirely cut of from the
water. unless a culvert should be made OF
sufficient size to permit the passage OF
live stock and vehicles, and even IT this
should be made il would probably be at
the public road, entailing perpetual IN
convenience.
No one knows a farm better than the
man who lives upon il and who has
plowed and worked il most of his life.
Realizing the serious damage that the
building of the railroad, with high fill
from one end to the other, would cause
10 the owners, we demanded from the
first what we considered fair compen-
sation - but no more. We asked for
damages to the amount OF $1,000. The
most that the railroads. agents ever Of
Tered us was $500 II may thus be seen
that we were hopeleSsly apart. we STOOD
for our rights, as we saw them, ana II
this be "StubbornneSS, then we are
open to criticism. The railroad people
said they would put jury OF condemna-
ton upon us, and to this we raised no OBJ
lection. The commissioners, after null
consideration of the matter, awarded us
damages in the sum of s., $50. This was
but $3.50 less than we had commended Tor,
and 81. $50 more than the railroad had Oh
fered. Who was nearest right-We or
the railroad people i.
We were willing to accept the award OF
the commissioners. The railroad was
unwilling, and though it deposited the
amount named by the commissioners IN
court on March "a, 1903, it at the same
time appealed from the award and carried
il to the Circuit Court. In September,
1904, the railroad company asked and,
we suppose, was granted leave to with
draw the money it had deposited, stating
that it would not take the land. We nade
no objection to this proceeding, as we
much preferred to have our farm as II is
than to have the money and the farm as
il will be if the railroad is built.
Recently the railroad agents have again
approached us, stating that they must
have the land. We again agreed to &C
cept that the commissioners awarded, and
even less sum. A form Of deed was
presented to us that we declined to &C
cept, as If gave the railroad what we con.
slider an unfair advantage, demanding OF
us that we shall forever abSolve It from
liability for any damage that we may sus-
tain from its construction and operation.
There was also small difference in re-
gard to what we thought was our right IN
regard to interest money, but this was IN
significant. =,
Now, Mr.. Editor, this is statement OF
the facts as see them. And may add
that we are ready to sign today a fair
and reasonable deed for the amount OF
damages named by the commissioners.
We contend that we are neither Stub
born" nor unreasonable, and we leave
the matter to any intelligent person as to
who is right. j. L. Hauger.