Virginian in 1909--New River bridge status

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Bluefield Daily Telegraph
January 26, 1909, p. 2

REPORTS OF THROUGH TRAINS PREMATURE
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Virginian's New River Bridge Will Not be Ready for Heavy Trains for Some Time

    The reports that the first trains have already been run over the Virginian are just a little in advance of what has really happened.  Up to the present time the New River bridge is hardly ready for trains.  It has been finished as far as the superstructure is concerned but that only has been put together with bolts until such a time as the rivetters [sic] can get to work and make the bridge solid.  It is possible that light trains and engines may be run over the bridge in about two weeks but even at the expiration of that time it is doubtful if the bridge will be in a condition to handle heavy traffic.
    Pending the time when the road will be completed the company is preparing its telegraph and telephone system as well as opening up the new territories from which it expects to haul coal.  The company, it is said, has a number of engineers working down in Mingo county making surveys and investigating into the coal supply of that section.  A gentleman who is in the coal business said to the Daily Telegraph man recently that the company has a plan on foot by which they will be able to secure right-of-way into Mingo county and also secure coal lands for future development.
    Considerable trouble with washouts during the rainy periods keeps a force of construction men at work continually.  The company expects to have a great deal of difficulty along this line until the tracks settle and the newly made fills and cuts develop a hardness which will prevent them from washing out and sliding every time it rains.  But little is known of the company's plans as even the local representatives are only in possession of such plans as the company is ready to have made public.  Most of the business of the concern is done in New York.
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[Now you know the "rest of the story."  According to this newspaper, the previously published reports about the first train over the New River bridge were premature.  Who to believe?  The Bluefield newspaper office was located only 23 miles from the bridge, but on the other hand no Virginian personnel were based in Bluefield.  Also, it is interesting that "it is said" that the Virginian had engineers working in Mingo county, which is where Williamson is located.]

Gordon Hamilton
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