Historic Meeting In Roanoke To Secure Pledges of Ten Thousand Dollars Toward Securing New Railroad
From the 1938 centennial edition of The Times-Register
The second great step forward in the development and progress of Roanoke County – after the completion of the Virginia & Tennessee line – was the building of the Shenandoah Valley Railroad from Hagerstown, Md., to Roanoke.
In the spring of 58 years ago the ring of steel against steel and the bustle of great activity echoed through the beautiful Shenandoah Velley. A year later April 18 1881 through schedule steamed down the tracks of the new Shenandoah Valley Railroad from Hagerstown, Md., to Waynesboro, Va.
The owners of the Shenandoah Valley Railroad determined to make a connection with the Norfolk and Western. Agents and engineers were sent out with the view of selecting a junction point.
Raise $10,000 Word reached Big Lick that the Valley line was seeking a connection with the Norfolk and Western in this section. Big Lick went into action. On a sunny morning in June 1881 they gathered in front of a little building on the southeast corner of Commerce Street. “We must have this new railroad,” the townsmen declared. John C. Moomaw suggested that if Big Lick citizens raised $10,000 as a cash bonus, there was no reason why the town could not get the railroad.
That night a large group of civic-minded citizens of the community met at the Neal House to make plans for raising the money. Among those who attended the historic gathering were Peyton L. Terry, T.T. Fishburn, Henry S. Trout, S.W. Jamison, Elijah G. McClanahan, John Trout, Dr. Joseph A. Gayle, Lucian H. Cocke, Major Andrew Lewis, C. M. Turner, and F. B. Thomas. If Big Lick was to get the railroad, prompt action was necessary. Who would pledge the first subscription toward the $10,000? Up jumped T.T. Fishburn, who pledged the first money. That started the ball rolling. In a few hours the $10,000 was subscribed.
Mid-night Ride Now to present Big Lick’s proposition to representatives of the Shenandoah Valley Railroad. They were meeting in Lexington to consider the location of the terminal. Again Big Lick went into action. Charles W. Thomas was chosen as a special courier to carry the papers of subscription to Lexington. Mounting a fast horse, he galloped into the darkness. After riding all night, he reached Arch Mills, where he delivered the papers to John C. Moomaw. Mr. Moomaw sped on to Lexington. The railway committee was in session when he arrived. To the committee he presented the subscription papers pledging $10,000. This progressive spirit of the citizens of the little village made a profound impression upon the railroad men. Col. U. L. Boyce, one of the railroaders and a leader in the government to build the line, rose to his feel and exclaimed: “Gentlemen, this brings the road to Big Lick.”
On June 18, 1882, the first train on the Shenandoah Valley Railroad pulled into Roanoke (several months before, February 3, Big Lick had changed its name to Roanoke.) And Roanoke County could not boast a second railroad, the coming of which marked the real turning point in the county’s and city’s progressive development.
- Prepared by Lingjie Gu
