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Valley Virginian: December 3, 1868 Go To Page : 1 | 3 | 3 |

The Valley Railroad--A County Investment
(Column 01)

Summary: The Author takes great care in promoting the subscription of a Valley Railroad. His argument primarily centers on the financial rewards expected from any investments. Also, a railroad would make Augusta County a "hub" of economic traffic, would encourage further investment from outside the county, and naturally increase the population of the area. All of these things would not only boost Augusta's economy but also secure the national prominence of the county.

Full Text of Article:

It is in the pecuniary interest of Augusta, as a [unclear] county bargain, to vote the subscription to the Valley Railroad--for--

1st. The Engineers estimate for the cost of construction of the road through the county is about $1,200,000. The most of this large sum of money will be expended in, and will remain in the county, for it will be paid out for the cost of materials bridging, cross ties, &c, and for subsistence to the many laborers engaged in the work; thus furnishing a home market (that best of all markets because costing less to the producer,) for many productions of the county that cost little to produce, and would otherwise perish on hand for want of any market--such as fruits, vegetables and poultry. One million dollars added to our circulation would vastly stimulate industry, pay off many debts, and awaken universal enterprise.

2. The building of this road to cross in our county, the great Chesapeake and Ohio road, would establish Augusta as the centre--"the hub"--around which would revolve all the great industrial, commercial, and social movement and excitement of the State. Such a crossing within this county, as it must be, would be, necessarily, the only point anywhere at once on both of these two greatest national thoroughfares from East to West, and from North to South, and would give to the county the advantage of either for its uses, and the competition between both. Thus we would command, always, the very best market, and at the same time, the cheapest transportation to reach it.

3rd. The foregoing facts would induce immigration at once, to purchase our surplus lands, and thus furnish that prompt relief we now so much need, in our present impoverishment, to work to advantage the rich lands of our county. There are thousands at the South--of its best people, longing to take refuge in just such a land as this, and only awaiting this certain omen of our future prosperity; there are thousands in the North already attracted by the wonderful natural advantages of this Valley, and only awaiting this artificial improvement to be added in thus furnishing access to the best markets, at competition rates of transportation. Our unrivaled climate, healthful homes, orderly population, fertile fields, exhaustless iron ore, and unlimited water power, will make our Valley the garden of the world.

4th. With these foregoing advantages the county investments in the stock of the Valley Railroad, would be a good money operation, and help to lighten our county taxation. The history of similar roads shows that the stock would, in the first place pay all the interest of its cost by dividends, and soon also command a premium on its original cost; thus the Baltimore and Ohio road stock now sells for TWENTY PER CENT ADVANCE ON ITS COST to the city--besides the incidental good it did in building up a great city. It is thus a speculation for the tax payers. Augusta, then, by voting this tax would gain all the advantages of this great road, and besides that would in a few years repay its cost in dividends on the stock, and sell the stock itself at a large advance on its original cost. In other words--long before the principle of the County bonds paid for the stock becomes due--the dividends will pay all the interest on the bonds without necessity for taxation, and a sale of the stock will pay all the cost of the subscription for it, and a large surplus besides.

The Engineer's report shows that this route of the Valley Railroad will be absolutely so much better as a route to the West than the present route of the Baltimore and Ohio road--considering its better grades, shorter distance, and better climate--that it "must become the MAIN ITEM" of that great road--and if that route pays a premium of 20 per cent. on its original stock, still more may we presume that this Valley route will surely and speedily do the same. Let every true citizen of this grand old County see to it, that this great and golden opportunity in her history is not neglected, and possibly lost forever.

The Freedmen's Bureau
(Column 01)

Summary: The paper announces that General Howard has ordered the discontinuance of the Freedmen's Bureau. Only the educational department and agents for the collection and payment of money due those in US military service will remain in operation. The state of Virginia will retain one assistant commissioner and chief superintendent of schools, one disbursing officer for the educational department and payment of bounties, one to four assistant superintendents of schools, one to five agents for the payment of bounties, and one to three clerks.

Associated Capital and Energy
(Column 03)

Summary: The paper argues that southerners must overcome their individualism bred by the plantation system and combine their energy and capital in unified industrial pursuits.

Full Text of Article:

Individualism in our Southern people is a great bar to their progress in material things. This feature was stamped upon our character by and under the old plantation system, when every plantation was a small principality within itself, with its lord and its hereditary serfs or slaves. But a change of circumstances has been wrought by the results of the war, and new ideas must supervene upon the old, else we shall stand still, or rather (as under the laws of nature to stand still is impossible) go backward.

We must learn the old lesson that there is strength in unity; and not only learn it but practice it, if we would get the full benefit of what we are doing. By dividing up our capital and energy, instead of combining them, we become a prey to larger capital, and to combinations which may be formed against us. Take a bundle of rods, separate them, and a child may break them, but put them together, and they may defy the strength of a giant.

There is economy, too, in unity, as well as in strength. Separate concerns are each often run at nearly as great an expense as the whole would be if combined. We can hardly better illustrate our idea than by the usual combinations to be seen in it. There we see a variety of machinery and but one engine and one engineer. Give an engine and engineer to each machine, and we see at once the waste of power and extravagant cost of running. Just so of many pursuits requiring capital as a motive power, and skill to apply and control it. We must learn the value of association and combination in our enterprises and pursuits, both small and great, or we shall "waste our strength for that which is nought."

The Times
(Column 01)

Summary: The paper reports that "times are hard and money tight--something unusual for Staunton."

V. R. R. Mass Meeting
(Column 01)

Summary: A. H. H. Stuart and others will speak in favor of the Valley Railroad subscriptions at a mass meeting in Staunton tomorrow night. A meeting in Waynesboro will be held at the same time.
(Names in announcement: A. H. H. Stuart)

Valley Railroad
(Column 01)

Summary: The citizens of Staunton have invited A. H. H. Stuart, Col. J. B. Baldwin, and M. G. Harman to address them on the Valley Railroad.
(Names in announcement: A. H. H. Stuart, Col. J. B. Baldwin, M. G. Harman)

Matrimonial
(Column 01)

Summary: The paper reports that the "matrimonial market" is "dull" in Martinsburg and Staunton, but going at a "rush" in Rockingham and Shenandoah.

Christmas Toys
(Column 02)

Summary: Mag Cease is carrying a large number of Christmas toys, including wagons, dolls, cakes, and candies.
(Names in announcement: Mag Cease)

Niggardly Theft
(Column 02)

Summary: This notice reporting a break-in and theft assumes the guilt of a black man and a white man. Although they were supposedly "caught in the act," they were set free due to lack of proof. The author emphasizes that these men were not local.

Full Text of Article:

On Saturday night last two "niggers,"--one of them with a white skin--broke a glass in the window of the little shebang above our office on New street, extracted therefrom a couple of jars containing candy, were caught in the act, could not prove they broke the window, and were set at liberty. It came very near being a bitter-sweet to them. They hailed from the rural districts, in the mountains.

Christian Generosity
(Column 02)

Summary: A number of gentlemen of Staunton established a fund to benefit those who suffered losses in the recent fire. P. B. Hoge, although he lost heavily, donated money in favor of Robert Johnson, who lost everything. "Mr. Hoge can but receive the highest commendations of his fellow men, and the liberal donors the consciousness of having done a humane act, in thus contributing their tithe to the wants of the sufferer--an old and worthy citizen, who has seen the frosts of seventy off winters."
(Names in announcement: P. B. Hoge, Robert Johnson)

Destructive Fire--Loss of About $10,000
(Column 02)

Summary: The cabinet maker shop of E. F. Johnson on Gospel Hill caught fire from an old sheet iron stove. The flames quickly spread, burning down another building and the residence of P. Byron Hoge. The fire company was able to stop the spread of the conflagration to the home of D. A. Kayser. Mr. Hoge's loss is estimated at $6,000 and Mr. Johnson's $4,000. Neither had insurance.
(Names in announcement: E. F. Johnson, P. Byron Hoge, Charles Hoge, D. A. Kayser)

Marriages
(Column 03)

Summary: Jacob F. Webb and Miss Susan M. McComb, both of Augusta, were married near Barterbrook on November 26th by the Rev. C. S. M. See.
(Names in announcement: Jacob F. Webb, Susan M. McComb, Rev. C. S. M. See)

Marriages
(Column 03)

Summary: John S. Lipscomb and Miss Cornelia C. Hunter, both of Augusta, were married at the residence of John N. Hunter on November 24th by the Rev. C. S. M. See.
(Names in announcement: John S. Lipscomb, Cornelia C. Hunter, John N. Hunter, Rev. C. S. M. See)

Marriages
(Column 03)

Summary: Abraham Miller and Miss Emma V. Beard, both of Augusta, were married at New Hope on November 22nd by the Rev. J. J. Engle.
(Names in announcement: Abraham Miller, Emma V. Beard, Rev. J. J. Engle)

Marriages
(Column 03)

Summary: James W. Weade and Miss Ella F. Davis, both of Augusta, were married at the residence of the bride's mother on November 19th by the Rev. J. J. Engle.
(Names in announcement: James W. Weade, Ella F. Davis, Rev. J. J. Engle)

Marriages
(Column 03)

Summary: John W. Arey and Miss Lou C. Wheeler, both of Augusta, were married at the residence of the bride's father on November 18th by the Rev. Thomas E. Carson.
(Names in announcement: John W. Arey, Lou C. Wheeler, Rev. Thomas E. Carson)

Deaths
(Column 03)

Summary: Mrs. Abbie Shields died of paralysis at the residence of George Grobarger, near Greenville, on November 7th. She was 83 years old.
(Names in announcement: Abbie Shields, George Grobarger)

Deaths
(Column 03)

Summary: Mary Caperton Echols, infant daughter of Gen. John Echols, died in Staunton on November 30th.
(Names in announcement: Mary Caperton Echols, Gen. John Echols)