Year: 1868




factures are concerned, the whole north
west would be opened up to us by new


and more convenient competing route. We


should make all our shipments to Michigan.


Northern Indiana, Northern Illinois, Wis


consin, Minnesota and Iowa, by this road.


All our travel to these regions would be via
Toledo. And. vice versa, all the travel


from those sections TO Baltimore and


Washington would be through our midst,
thus affording opportunities not now afford>
ed to Eastern bound merchants to stop off
and examine such articles in their line as
are made or sold here on terms as favorable
as they can be purchased in the Fast
There can be no question that had we en-
juyed such direct line in the past our city
would be the richer for it to day by many
thousands of dollars. 1t would be hard to
form correct estimate of what has been
lost for want of such line. Thousands of
persons have passed and repassed at Belair
who only know of such place as Wheeling
by hearsay. Had the Central Ohio termir
mated here, as was once anticipated il would,
our resources and products would be bettar
known to capitalists from the East and deal
ers from the West than they now are.


And speaking Of the Central Ohio, there
is consideration involved as regards that
road in connection with this new route,
that is worthy OF attention. Once TIE lar
ter is put under contract the HempIiold
will he carried forward to point on the
ConnelIsvilIe road not more than twenty-five
or thirty miles east OF its present terminus
at Washington, Pa, thus atfnrding in c0n>
nection with the Wheeling and Toledo road,
a very direct and short line between Balti~
more and the Northwest. The Central
Ohio, in that event, would be compelled to
connect with the Hempfell here in order
to avail herself of the short line. Her
travel and tonnage would naturally and in
evitably seek such short line Fist, aud
we should thus reap the double advantage
instead of one detached and inconvenient
connection four miles below us. 10 addi.
ton, we should secure the advantages of an
extension of the Hempiicld to the Connells
vile and Cumberland road, which extension
would give us not only additional taciities
for travelling and shipping to and from the
East, bit would tend even more than ever
TO reduce rates as between the Baltimore
and Ohio and Central Pennsylvania to this
point All these advantages are possible TO
us from the building Of the Wheeling and
Toledo road 1t would become our great
line, both East and West. 1t would make
Wheeling a railroad centre. Her natural
advantages as manufacturing point would
thus be stimulated to anlncreased develone>
ment and prosperity. We should then be
placed on the high road to all the greatness
which our location is capable of attaining


We have thus briefly glanced at the in
terests involved in the building of the pro-
posed road from here to Toledo We hope
we have said enough to turn public atten.
ton to the matter. We trust our people
will cxami1e thsir maps and study the route
indicated between here and the northwest
corner of Lake Erie. ana learn for them
selves the bearings of such an enterprise as
this road on all our 'erestS as city, not
only with reference to u trade with the
counties Of Ohio, but with the
whole Northwest. We do not propose to
ask any rash action on the part OF cur peo-
pie il this matter, Let hem examine for
themselves, and examine well, before acting
The experience Of Wheeling in railroad en-
ternrizes has been of a character to suggest
and induce delibcration in view Of any new
project Our people will naturally remem
ber their subscriptions to the Marietta l.
Cincinnati road, and how badly they We're
taken in with that enterprise. They will
also remind themselves Of their experience
with the Hempfld, and especially how its
funds were wasted. And most likely they
will not have a happy memory Of their
with tte Baltimore and Ohio road.
But all those experiences are now matters
OF the past, and they lave taught us pro
1ub
to teach W. to discern between that which is
real and that which is speculative in its
character All Of US know the great advanN
tages that Wheeling has derived from her
costly as has been ber experience
in one OF two wild and prolitless invest
ments, such particularly as the Marietta and
Cincinnati affair. But take her invest.
ments ia all and she has cen amply repaid,
Her stock in the Baltimore and Ohio road
is now worth a premium OF % per cent,
and nays regular dividends ofeight per cent.
Then look what great road it is for W heel
ing interests in the way of trade with West
Virginia and Maryland, saying nothing,
whatever, about dividen Is. What would
Wheeling have been without the Baltimore
and Ohio road? Certainly not so rich and
popuIous as now. And the FempGeld road,
only thirty >two miles in length, who will say
that it has not repaid us in the way Of trade
far more than those thirty>two miles actual
ly cost. The proposed Wheeling and Toledo
road is not to be haphazard venture, at>
ter the manner of one or two Of our ventures.
We propose that our people shall know in
every particular just what they are doing.
in case they take stock in it. 1t will be
written in the bond that the road shall ter
inmate in the corporate limits of the city,
and once the bridge is built across the river,
there need be but little fear of it terminal
ing elsewhere. IF we subcribe to its stock
it will no doubt be upon very plain and ex-
press conditions. And now the question for
our people to first consider is, do we think
enough Of the project, aa far as explained,
70 lend it an encouraging hand? The city
is Financially in better condition than she
has been for years to lend her assistance.
1t seems to us the project contemplated in
The building of this line to the northwest
is an important step for the future of Wheel
ing. We trust that our people will give it
their earnest and favorable consideration.
Let us think over and discuss the matter,
and prepare ourselves for public expires
sion at some early day.


------zznp-<z-.- .-.SaER1--------


a severe Winter.


The frost has been unusually severe at st.