Virginian in 1912--Three items: Slides, Officials, Slides

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For historic accuracy, in the second article "Virginian Officials Here", the second gentleman's name should have been E.H. Birchfield. I see that newspapers were not immune to typos back then, same as now!
 
From "Sam R. Pennington's Feature Stories Magazine" Vol. 2, No. 1, of June 1933, in the article "Virginian Railway Feature", we learn that Mr. Birchfield was born at Blue Ridge Springs, VA and educated in Pulaski County and UVA. Prior to joining the Virginian, he worked 17 years for the N&W as agent at various stations. He came to the Virginian February 7, 1908 as General Agent at Roanoke, VA. He was a member of the Shenandoah Club and the Roanoke Country Club (both still in business in 2012). Apparently, Mr. Birchfield died after the magazine article was published. In an article in the May 27, 1938 Times-Register of Salem, VA  (One Hundredth Anniversary of Roanoke County issue), it mentions the current (1938) Geneal Agent at Roanoke, W. P. Ayers, "who succeeded the late E.H. Birchfield .... in 1933". 
 
Gordon, thanks for finding all these great bits of history, many which stimulate us to deeper research!
 
Jeff Sanders

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Sent: Saturday, March 10, 2012 10:32 PM
Subject: Virginian in 1912--Three items: Slides, Officials, Slides


Bluefield Daily Telegraph
Sat., April 6, 1912

IN CITY AND COALFIELD
------
Bad Slides on Virginian
    The Virginian Railway has some very bad slides in the Allegheny section and it has become necessary to again detour trains over the Norfolk and Western, from Roanoke to Big Stony Junction. It is expected that it will take nearly two weeks to remove the slides, even with the assistance of steam shovels. Passenger movement on the road has been considerably delayed by the slides, the largest of which came in yesterday morning. The road has had considerable trouble with slides since it opened, as is usual with new roads, and several occasions has had to use the Norfolk and Western tracks, the most notable occurrence being when the Hale Gap tunnel caved in.
------

Virginian Officials Here
    S. M. Adsit, general.passenger agent of the Virginian Railway, E. H. Dirchfield, general agent, with headquarters at Roanoke, and Mr. Baker, of New York, were in the city last night, coming here on the late train. The Virginian official car, Dixie, arrived here on train No. 10 for their use.
[No. 10 was a Welch to Bluefield train.]
------

PRINCETON DAY BY DAY
    A tremendous slide occurred on the Virginian near Ingleside Thursday
    A tremendous slide occurred on the [sic, obviously something was omitted in the article] able distance washed out from beneath the tracks, leaving the rails suspended in the air. Passengers from both east and west were transferred, train 13 returning to Roanoke and No.14 turning back at this point for Deepwater.
------
Gordon Hamilton


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