Railroad News Articles

Researched by Sharon M. Kouns

1872*

_IR Jan. 11, 1872 - John Sherman was re-elected United States Senator, last Tuesday. Gen. Noyes was inaugurated Governor of Ohio, last Monday.

_IR Jan. 11, 1872 - There seems to be a little lull in the railroad excitement on all side.

_IR Jan. 11, 1872 - do not have heading -  These thoughts suggest another, that when, if ever, the C. & O. R. R. completes its northwest extension up Symmes Creek, we shall, under the most favorable conditions of atmosphere, hear the trains in the vicinity of Mud Bridge, about 20 miles southeast of us, and at Shelton’s, on Guyan, 3 miles south; at Huntington, 5 miles south southwest; on Big Branch, 10 miles west southwest; at Getaway, 12 miles west; at Marion, 20 miles northwest; and at Arabia, 50 miles northeast, during which the train will have described three-fourths of a circle round us, and lost 15 miles in distance, and on-half hour in running time; all of which could have been saved by crossing Mud at Turley’s, above the old Dundass Mill, and across the Ohio eight miles above Guyan; thence by Scott Town, Trace Fork, and Long Creek to Arabia; or a saving of 10 miles in distance could have been had with equal good grades and curves, by crossing the Ohio at Guyan, thence up Indian Guyan, up Trace and down Long Creek. But then what could have been done for a level plat of land large enough for Huntington to spread itself over? Quaker Bottom was the only chance, and it is on the wrong side of the river, and would have cost the company three times as much as they pay in Virginia, because the land is richer, more productive and better improvements. What is lost in distance on the northern extension is at least partially saved on the southwest extension. So we are forced to adopt the very unnatural conclusion that the C. & O. R. R. Co., know as much about locating railroads as we do, so we conclude to let them have their own way. They have pitched their tent in the very center of this great mineral region; and near the center of more mouths of large creeks and small rivers entering the Ohio, than can be found at any other point so near together from Pittsburg to Cairo. There is 18 Mile Creek, Little Guyan, 9 Mile, Mud River, Big Guyan, Four Pole, Twelve Pole, and Big Sandy, on the Virginia side, and Swan Creek, Big Creek, Federal Creek, 2 Mile, Big Paddy, Indian Guyan, Symmes and Buffalo, on the Ohio side. All with rich productive valleys and an abundance of timber, stone coal and iron ore; and fifty miles of the broadest and most productive river bottoms on the Ohio; the products of which will fall into the lap of any town that will spread her apron broad enough to contain them. Ironton has the start - why not keep it? Old Folks at Home, Quaker Bottom, Jan. 5, 1872.

_IJ Jan. 15, 1872 - The surveying party of the O. V. R. R. under Mr. Titus are now engaged in running a continuation of the Tenth-st. line around by the base of the hills and striking the river at Petersburg. When completed, which will be in a day or two, they will go down the river to meet the party below, surveying from Cincinnati, which is now about opposite Augusta.

_IR Feb. 12, 1872 - Railroad to Boone Furnace - It is rumored that a company has been organized in Cincinnati for the purpose of building a railroad from Boone Furnace, Ky., to the landing on the Ohio river . Valuable stone quarries in the vicinity of the furnace, as well as superior ore and timber would be reached by such a road and it would doubtless intersect the Lexington and Big Sandy railroad now being built.

_IR Feb. 22, 1872 - The Pike Co. Republican speaking of the Southern Ohio R. R. says: We see by the Ironton Register that the editor is urging the people to be equal to the occasion, and come up to the work required of them.

•IR Mar. 14, 1872 - The John Means is about ready to be launched. [this may be the steamboat rather than the engine]

•IR Mar. 14, 1872 - Again the talk of prolonging the C. & [do not have end]

•IR July 25, 1872 - The Committee have arrived at an understanding. The three roads - extension of Iron Railroad, Symmes route and the Ohio Valley road are incorporated in the petition, and they will be united in one project. We think the scheme will meet the approbation of every part of the county. Let all wait for further facts and figures.

•IR July 25, 1872 - Ironton’s chances for a railroad are better than ever before. Nothing but the most consummate bungling or criminal in activity can prevent it. Let the people prepare. Let them stand ready to take the matter in their own hands.

•IR Aug. 22, 1872 - The Iron Railroad Directors passed a resolution, last Friday, giving assurance that their railroad would be completed as contemplated in the proclamation for an election now before the people.

_IR Aug. 22, 1872 - [do not have beginning of article]  was a fine attendance, comprising most of the solid men of that region. Lewis A. Griffith presided, upon motion of N. Vermillion. We then talked to the people for a short time, in explanation of the railroad project in general and the taxes in particular. Afterward Judge Johnson spoke. He talked about two hours in the most convincing manner. He gave a history of the Ohio Valley project, an account of the contest for the extension of the C. & O. R. R., the effect of the development of the Lawrence county project, the construction of the Boesel law, and the principle on which it is based, its constitutionality, the action of Col. Trimble in rejecting the bonds in lieu of the subscriptions, the entirety of the Lawrence county proposition, the province of the County Commissioners in controlling that unity, the tax problem and in fact, every feature of the proposition that required defence or explanation. The argument was powerful, and the information profitable and interesting. The meeting continued three hours, during which time the best spirit prevailed.

We believe the people of Symmes Valley are willing and desirous of supporting the tax project, but that they feel themselves somewhat impelled to be governed by the position, which the Southern Ohio Railroad Directors appear to have taken, nor are they inclined to inquire into the reasonableness of this attitude of Col. Trimble. What they look at is: They have subscribed to the Southern Ohio Railroad; that it will be built; that the tax is proposed in lieu of the subscriptions; that this substitution is rejected by the S. Ohio R. R., and so the case stands. At the meeting, the speakers discussed this in full. They held that an adjustment would be made, because the bonds were more valuable than the subscriptions, but if, these anticipations should fall to the ground, the County Commissioners were in a position and it would be their duty, to make no contracts or leases, and consequently, levy no taxes. This position was explained in all its aspects, and the suggestion was made, that if necessary to put these matters beyond the pale of theory, a manifesto might be procured from the Commissioners, expressing their construction of this matter, as an indivisible proposition, and their intention to carry out the project, if voted, in that spirit. This would relieve the people there of any risk whatever.

After the railroad services at Arabia, we drove back to Marion, and held a meeting there, at night. It wasn’t much of a meeting, as the attendance was quite small. Again, Judge Johnson made a long and exhaustive speech, which was full of good points, and crowded with information. The sentiment here, was pretty much the same, as at Arabia. In fact, all along Symmes Valley the feeling is the same, and unless a vital change occurs in the question, that region of country will go strongly against the tax; though we found several strong and influential men in favor of the proposition. We have some hope, however, that time will allay all vigorous opposition to the project.

We stayed at Marion all night, and came into town, the next morning - a burning ride.

•IR Sept. 26, 1872 - Railroad. - Last Monday, E. Bixby left for Zanesville, to attend a meeting of the Directors of a railroad running through McConnellsville, and projected into this direction. We understand the [do not have end]

•IR Oct. 10, 1872 - Railroad Convention. - A Convention has been called to meet in Gallipolis, for the counties of Lawrence, Gallia and Meigs, in the interest of the Ohio Valley Railroad. - The Convention will meet in Gallipolis, Friday, Oct. 18th, at 2 P.M. - It is important that all the towns and townships of the several counties be fully represented. - We request the citizens of each of the townships in Lawrence county to send at least two delegates. [signed] John Campbell, E. V. Dean, H. S. Neal, W. W. John, Lewis, Anderson.

•IR Oct. 17, 1872 - Land near the sight of the new railroad workshops, near Campbell’s farm, has taken a rise - a lot costing as much as in the city.

•IR Oct. 31, 1872 - The foundation for the new railroad shops are being laid. The track is now laid to the site.

•IR Dec. 5, 1872 - The stakes are driven along Fifth-st. for the railroad. We understand it is hard to avoid that street. All right - anywhere, so it is a railroad.

•IJ Dec. 11, 1872 - Mr. McClintock, the Vice President of the M. & C. R. R., has expressed a readiness to learn on what basis negotiations can be opened with our Iron Railroad looking towards the extension of that line to a connection with the M. & C. R. R.

•IJ Dec. 11, 1872 - Scioto county will build at least seventy-five miles of turnpike in 4873 [sick 1873]. Hope Lawrence may not be behind her.

•IJ Dec. 11, 1872 - The Chesapeake and Ohio Company are attaching the Westinghouse Air Brakes to their trains.

•IJ Dec. 11, 1872 - Sutton township, Meigs county, votes January 4, 1873, upon the proposition of $57,500 aid to the Ohio Valley Railroad.

•IJ Dec. 11, 1872 - A man named Note Taylor, a resident of Rutland, Meigs county, while at work on the railroad in Monkey Run at Pomeroy, was killed by a rock falling on him.

1873*

_Portsmouth Times - January 4, 1873 - The railroad letting which has been advertised by the Commissioners for the 6th has been postponed. This action is taken to enable them to co-operate with the other counties interested.

_IR Jan. 9, 1873 - It is very selfish for men to say they won’t vote a railroad tax because other townships have voted enough to build the road. It is not only very selfish but ruinous. Such a principle will kill the enterprise.

_IR Jan. 9, 1873 - Special Railroad Notice. - The friends of the Ohio Valley Railroad, as also the public generally, must bear in mind that to secure the building of said road, it is absolutely necessary the local aid should be furnished which is required under the most favorable proposition that has been obtained, viz. five thousand dollars per mile. This requires of

Hamilton township $26,000
Upper 130,000
Perry 14,000
Fayette 13,500
Union 18,000
Rome 17,000

Should Hamilton, Perry and Fayette refuse to vote the specified amounts respectively required of them, the project, so far as in this county is concerned, falls to the ground; and should they vote favorably, and Union and Rome favorably, then the road will not, probably, be extended above the mouth of Symmes creek.

We, therefore, appeal to all who are interested in the success of this great work and who wish to see a rapid development of the immense resources of this section of the country, to be active, vigilant and untiring in their efforts on its behalf, until every township has voted the required aid.

Some persons are industriously at work, endeavoring to create the impression that, because Cincinnati has voted $1,250,000 in aid of the road, therefore, it will be constructed without aid from us. This is altogether a mistaken idea for all well-informed persons know that the entire sum voted by Cincinnati will not be more than sufficient to construct the road within Hamilton county, owing to the difficult and expensive nature of the approaches to the city.

W. W. Johnson, Henry S. Neal, E. V. Dean, E. Bixby, C. Ellison, J. Campbell, Elias Nigh - Executive Com.
_IR Feb. 20, 1873 - Railroad and Shipping Items. - An Engineer Corps connected with the Chesapeake and Ohio R. R. have been making a survey from the lower end of the county line for some days past. - They are now in Ironton, running various lines to ascertain the best way of getting through town.

_IR Feb. 20, 1873 - Hamilton and Rome townships have an opportunity to show a little of the spirit of the 19th Century next Saturday. The question is plain: Railroad or no Railroad!

_IR Feb. 20, 1873 - The Iron Railroad Co. have purchased [do not have end]

_IJ Mar. 26, 1873 - From Pine Grove. - Means, Kyle & Co., have built a railroad from New Castle to the Furnace, regardless of “railroad No.” There are about eight hundred and twenty-five yards of tunnel between the Furnace and New Castle; the track extends into the Pot House, where the iron can be loaded from the pig-bed on the cars, and then drawn by horse power to New Castle.

_IJ Apr. 9, 1873 - The Highland News of Hillsborough, states that Mr. Barney of Dayton, one of the Directors of the Southern Ohio Railroad Company, was in New York a few days since interviewing Mr. Huntington in regard to the prospects of that road, and was met with the assurance that the Chesapeake & Ohio Co. would built it as promised, though stating that the tightness of money matters and the pendency of the decision of the Ohio Supreme Court in the Boesel law, had delayed matters somewhat, but that as soon as the Boesel law was pronounced constitutional and money became easier, Mr. H. said that the C. & O. R. R. would take hold of the matter and astonish people by the [do not have end]

_IR May 14, 1873 - Columbus, O., May 12. - The Supreme Court this morning by a unanimous decision ahs declared the Boesel Railroad law to be unconstitutional. This decision however odes not affect the validity of the decision affirming the legality of the Cincinnati Southern Railroad bill.

•IJ May 21, 1873 - The Lexington and Big Sandy Railroad have a new locomotive engine at the wharf ready to be put upon the track. It is a very solid and serviceable affair.

•IJ May 21, 1873 - Messrs. Richards & Martin of the Iron Railroad have gone to Dayton to superintend the transportation of their new passenger coach which will be put on the track to gladden the heart of Conductor Lawrence and his traveling friends.

•IR Aug. 6, 1873 - The Etna branch of the Iron Railroad progresses quite rapidly. The road is now about half completed. In about a month trains will be running and the branch in full operation. We understand there will be five or six bridges in all to construct.

•IR Sept. 4, 1873 - The floods have damaged the new branch of the Iron Railroad so that ore and limestone come in slimly.

_IR Oct. 9, 1873 - The Iron R. R. is to have mile posts, and our young friend, Ben Thomas, is squinting for good locations, along the line.

_IR Nov. 6, 1873 - The Railroad Co. is building twelve new cars.