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Staunton Spectator: November 30, 1869 Go To Page : 1 | 3 | 4 |

Good News!
(Column 01)

Summary: The paper celebrated the ratification by the stockholders of a contract ensuring construction of the Chesapeake and Ohio Railroad to the Ohio River. The editor thanked Col. John B. Baldwin for his efforts in securing the contract.
(Names in announcement: Col. John B. Baldwin)

The Valley Railroad
(Column 02)

Summary: The Baltimore Gazette described how the citizens of Baltimore were likely to vote in favor of a subscription to the Valley Railroad Company. The Spectator also reported that coal and iron deposits have been found along the line of the Railroad; these deposits will further enhance the value of the Road and Virginia as a whole.

Full Text of Article:

Now that a contract has been entered into with Northern capitalists, which secures the speedy completion of the Chesapeake and Ohio Railroad, the interest felt in improvements by our citizens will be concentrated upon the Valley Railroad.

They will be pleased to learn, as stated by the Baltimore Gazette, that, as the time approaches when an act, authorizing the subscription by the city of Baltimore of the sum of one million of dollars to the stock of the Valley Railroad company, is to be obtained from the Maryland Legislature and to be submitted to the voters of Baltimore, the feeling in favor of the completion of the road, and the conviction of the necessity of its construction, are daily becoming stronger among those, at least, who interest themselves in such matters and who have the welfare of Baltimore really at heart. The continued developments of the wealth of Virginia, which will become, by the construction of this road, a tributary to Baltimore city, are simply astounding to those who have given no attention to the subject. We do not allude to the rich agricultural produce of a splendid and fertile region, which, if itself, yearly increasing, demands an iron road, and would soon supply local trade and traffic sufficient to support it; but to the vast mineral resources which have remained so long almost untouched, simply from want of modern facilities of communication. The extension of the Chesapeake and Ohio Railroad from Staunton to the White Sulphur Springs has, however, finally attracted attention to the immense deposits of valuable iron ore which exist between the Blue Ridge and the Alleghany Mountains. new York and Pennsylvania and Maryland capital has been invested near the line of the present road to a large amount. Mineral property in Augusta, Rockbridge, and Allegheny counties, has been purchased to a large extent, and within the past four weeks we hear of additional transfers of real estate to Pennsylvania masters.

From Staunton to the White Sulphur Springs there are, at intervals, splendid deposits of ore, stretching away far to the north and the south of the lines of the Chesapeake and Ohio Road. Indeed, it seems now to be an acknowledged fact that there is a belt of land, lying along the Alleghany range, extending 350 miles through Virginia, which is filled with iron ore deposits of unusually good quality. It is directly through the heart of this region that the proposed Valley Road will pass from Staunton to Salem. This of itself would give an immense value to the road, would make it particularly important to the State of Virginia and render it an unusually valuable connection for the city of Baltimore. But recent developments have demonstrated that this region is not only abundantly supplied with iron ore, but that vast veins of anthracite coal also lie embedded in the earth, beneath its surface. Explanations recently made by a Baltimore company, which has bought largely and is actively at work near Buffalo Gap, have resulted in the discovery of anthracite coal within a few rods of the deposits of iron ore. On the opposite hill is a large quarry of limestone, suitable for flux. So far, no such formation has been discovered in the country, and if the veins of coal turn out as well as it is now confidently anticipated they will, the Valley of Virginia will possess a region destined to become more famous than the famous Gartsherrie district of Scotland, and in which better iron will be produced for less money, and in larger quantities than in any other civilized country in the world.

The development of mineral wealth in Virginia and West Virginia have, we learn, virtually ensured the speedy completion of the Chesapeake and Ohio Railroad through the Kanawha Valley to the Ohio river, and through the most extensive deposits of cannel and bitumous coal that are known to exist. When the Valley Road is opened to Salem, and the Chesapeake and Ohio Road is completed to Ohio, the vast mineral resources of Virginia, the coal and iron, which form by themselves two great and important elements in a State's wealth, will begin to be developed. These two roads will be main stems, to which hundreds of lateral roads will transfer the products of mines and furnaces, for the accommodation of which they will be built. Coal and iron will be the great substratum of Virginia's prosperity, and a great State, which has always prided itself on its agricultural power, will become rich and strong by the development of its mineral and manufacturing interests. The days may yet return when pig metal, or more probably rolled iron, will be shipped from the James river to the markets of Great Britain.

Radical State Convention
(Column 04)

Summary: The Republican Party of Virginia held their state convention in Richmond. A delegation from Augusta attended and denounced the current state legislature as illegal and disloyal. They asked Congress to order a new vote on the constitution and warned the legislature against passing educational and property qualifications that would keep blacks from voting.
(Names in announcement: Maj. John A. Harman, Maj. John Yates, Rev. E. P. Phelps, William W. Thomas, J. F. Maupin, Philip Roselle, Robert W. Hughes, William L. Herr)

[No Title]
(Column 01)

Summary: A Mission (Retreat) will begin at St. Francis Church on December 5th. It will last several days and be conducted by the Redemptorist Fathers.

Concert at Mt. Vernon Iron Works
(Column 01)

Summary: Some ladies in the vicinity of Weyer's Cave inaugurated a series of entertainments for the eastern portion of the county. These entertainments include Tableaux, readings, and a concert to be held on December 8th in the hall at Mt. Vernon Iron Works. The Staunton Musical Association will perform.

Committee of Virginians
(Column 01)

Summary: A number of conservative members of the Virginia State Legislature have been appointed to petition Congress to re-admit the state. A. B. Cochran of Augusta was part of the delegation.
(Names in announcement: A. B. Cochran)

Married
(Column 03)

Summary: William M. McAllister of Warm Springs and Miss Maggie A. Ervin, daughter of James R. Ervin, were married in Bath County on October 27th by the Rev. James M. Rice.
(Names in announcement: William M. McAllister, Maggie A. Ervin, James R. Ervin, Rev. James M. Rice)

Married
(Column 03)

Summary: J. W. Warren of Hot Springs and Miss Jennie A. Hopkins were married in Bath County on October 27th by the Rev. James M. Rice.
(Names in announcement: J. W. Warren, Jennie A. Hopkins, Rev. James M. Rice)

Married
(Column 03)

Summary: Mitchell Gordan of Bath and Miss Ellen Hultz of Augusta were married near Deerfield on November 11th by the Rev. J. W. Ryland.
(Names in announcement: Mitchell Gordan, Ellen Hultz, Rev. J. W. Ryland)

Married
(Column 03)

Summary: John W. Merritt of Staunton and Miss Sue E. Green of St. Louis, daughter of James S. Green, were married at the residence of the bride's father on November 4th by the Rev. Bishop E. M. Marvin.
(Names in announcement: John W. Merritt, Sue E. Green, James S. Green, Rev. E. M. Marvin)

Married
(Column 03)

Summary: Wingfield S. Graham and Miss Dorothy Stoutamoyer, daughter of John Stoutamoyer, were married at the residence of the bride's father near Mt. Solon on November 18th by the Rev. John Pinkerton.
(Names in announcement: Wingfield S. Graham, Dorothy Stoutamoyer, John Stoutamoyer, Rev. John Pinkerton)

Married
(Column 03)

Summary: Obediah Thornton and Miss Hannah M. Tridley, both of Augusta, were married at Buffalo Gap on November 25th.
(Names in announcement: Obediah Thornton, Hannah M. Tridley)

Married
(Column 03)

Summary: Cornelius Koiner and Miss Mary Susan Koiner, both of Augusta, were married near Waynesboro on November 25th.
(Names in announcement: Cornelius Koiner, Mary Susan Koiner)

Married
(Column 03)

Summary: Samuel N. Willson of Rockbridge and Miss Phebe Jane Thompson, daughter of Charles S. Thompson, were married at the residence of the bride's father in Glennevis, Augusta County, on November 23rd by the Rev. E. D. Junkin.
(Names in announcement: Samuel N. Willson, Phebe Jane Thompson, Charles S. Thompson, Rev. E. D. Junkin)

Married
(Column 03)

Summary: Franklin Harlow of Staunton and Miss Mary C. Cross of Augusta were married at Lebanon, White Sulphur Springs, on November 25th by the Rev. J. R. Van Horn.
(Names in announcement: Franklin Harlow, Mary C. Cross, Rev. J. R. Van Horn)

Married
(Column 03)

Summary: E. G. Peyton and Miss Kate N. Woodward, daughter of J. N. and A. J. Woodward, were married at Willow Spout on November 24th by the Rev. J. C. Wheat.
(Names in announcement: E. G. Peyton, Kate N. Woodward, J. N. Woodward, A. J. Woodward, Rev. J. C. Wheat)

Married
(Column 03)

Summary: James M. Crawford and Miss Mary M. Miller, both of Augusta, were married near Mt. Sidney on November 24th.
(Names in announcement: James M. Crawford, Mary M. Miller)

Colored
(Column 03)

Summary: George L. Alex Cabbell and Rosalie Adams, both of Staunton, were married at the residence of Miss Sallie Fuller by the Rev. Mr. Lewis.
(Names in announcement: George L. Alex Cabbell, Rosalie Adams, Sallie Fuller, Rev. Lewis)

Deaths
(Column 03)

Summary: Jesse B. Hamner died near Horeb Church, Augusta County, on November 21st. He was 71 years old.
(Names in announcement: Jesse B. Hamner)