Valley Spirit

A Meeting at Fayetteville.

The friends of this project met in the Union School House at Fayetteville, on Saturday Evening, the 21st, to consider the expediency of making a survey between these points. The meeting was organized, and it was announced by the president, that the speaker, Rev. W. D. C. Rodrock, who had promised to address the meeting, was unavoidably absent on business.

The Secretary then addressed the meeting detailing a few facts connected with the history of Penna. Railroad, beginning with the surveys made by the State in 1838, particularly the Southern Route, the one of most interest to the people of this Valley. When this line was run, railroads had not the recent improvements--iron rails, powerful locomotives, long trains, &c., were then unknown, therefore, the report of this survey, does not now meet the requirements of a good road. There is, however, one thing by it made certain, that there is an easy railroad passage through the Cove Mountain, Via. Cowens Gap, between Loudon and Burnt Cabbins. About ten years ago when the western trade deserted its natural course to be carried by the Central R. R., leaving the Turnpike road to melancholy quietness, the people then, and since, realized the evil consequences of their supineness.--Several attempts have since been made to construct this Line. In 1853 legislative authorities under the name of the Chambersburg and Allegheny Co. was obtaind, commissioners appointed, and meetings held along the line, but from some cause these measures failed. The Pittsburg and Connelsville R. R. Co. have nearly completed their road Eastward from Pittsburg to Bridgeport--some 20 miles west of Bedford. The Shermans Valley & Broad Top and other Co's. were chartered by act of 1854 and supplements since to construct a road from Bridgeport, Via. Burnt Cabins to the Central R. R. The original route from Burnt Cabins to the eastern cities Via. Chambersburg is shorter, has easier grades, and a less number of miles to construct than any other projected route.

After the Secretary concluded his remarks it was resolved that the following committee be appointed to take subscriptions, for the purpose of having a survey made as soon as practicable. Messrs. David Goodyear, A. J. Stevens, Robert A. Renfrew, Robert Black, Jacob B. Cook, George Dull, Phares Duffield, Robert F. McElroy, John Crawford of J., John Brown, H. C. Greenawalt, John Baughman, William Rupert, Sam'l Dysart, John Downey, Matthew McKee, and Jacob Strickler. Messrs. John Baughman and Robert A. Renfrew will act as treasurers and will attend to having the survey made.

The people along the contemplated line of the road are cordially invited to co- operate in the measure. On motion the meeting adjourned to meet at the same place on Friday evening, Feb. 3d.

JOHN DOWNEY, President.
J. B. McELROY, Secretary.
Fayetteville, Jan. 21, 1860.