Virginian in 1908 -- Rumor?

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Bluefield Daily Telegraph
October 30, 1908

WILL BE TROLLEY LINE AND NOT STEAM ROAD
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Coles Terry, of Bent Mountain, Has Project For Connecting Floyd Court House With Roanoke

    A story has appeared in several newspapers throughout the country stating that a railroad line is being surveyed between Roanoke and Floyd Court House, Va., which will be used as a feeder for the Virginian railway.  The story says that men in the confidence of H. H. Rogers, of New York, president of the Virginian Railway, have verified the report.  The Daily Telegraph has been informed by a man who is always reliable that the Virginian is not planning a feeder from Floyd Court House to Roanoke.  This gentleman says the road that is being surveyed is not for a steam road, but for a trolley line and is the project of Coles Terry, who lives on Bent mountain and is largely interested in orchards and is a large property owner.  True, the man who is in charge of the surveying for the new road was formerly employed by H. H. Rogers as a surveyor for the Virginian and was located near Matoaka for some time.  This gentleman, Mr. Thornberry, has severed his connection with the Virginian, however, and is now in the employ of Coles Terry and several other gentlemen who are interested in the trolley line.
    As far as can be learned the new line is to be used to draw Floyd county closer to the city and to give it an outlet for its products.  The new line will probably develop a freight and express trade which will be similar to that in use in such trolley cities as Indianapolis, Fort Wayne and Ohio cities.  It will be without a doubt a good project for the city of Roanoke and should bring in a lot of new trade and bring Roanoke nearer to some of her supply markets.
    No date has been set for the completion of the new line and it may not be built for a year or more.
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[So, there would be no PA's or MB helpers with a US pusher.  Still a small electric train climbing Bent Mountain would be like one of Switzerland's amazing railroads plunked down in Virginia.]

Gordon Hamilton
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