N&W in 1907 -- Catawba Branch

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Bluefield Daily Telegraph
September 11, 1907

The Norfolk and Western Takes Over Short Line
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    It is said that the Norfolk and Western Railway Company has taken over the Catawba Valley road leading from Salem to the rich silica deposits of Craig county, Va.  The road has for some time been in course of construction, but recently the work of building has been much delayed, owing no doubt to the negotiations between the builders and the Norfolk and Western.
    A year or eighteen months ago a company was organized for the purpose of mining the silica and founding at Salem a large glass pant.  The right of way was purchased for a railroad to run the distance of 12 or 18 miles between the deposits and Salem, where it was proposed to build and operate the glass foundry.  That company has graded the road and all now to be done is to lay the track.  The Norfolk and Western will complete and operate the line only.  The original company has retained and will operate the mines and glass plant.
    Until the little road can be completed, wagons will convey the silica from the mines to the factory, which is now starting in operation.  The Norfolk and Western is said to have begun the laying of track yesterday.

[The line never crossed Catawba Mountain into Craig county.  It is my understanding that the silica mine was near the foot of Catawba Mountain on its Roanoke County side and  a short distance beyond the station there.  In Prince's book on the N&W he gives the name of the mine as Sandburg, Va.  Prince gives the owner of the mine as Cooper Silica & Glass Company.  It would be interesting to know if the "Cooper" would be Thomas H. Cooper who built the 18-room mansion in Salem, Va., known as "Longwood" and who was a coal operator for whom the town of Coopers, WV is named, I believe.]

Gordon Hamilton
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