The Clarksburg Telegram

GEN. HUFF HERE

President of The West Virginia and Pennsylvania Railroad

Gen. Geo. F. Huff made a flying visit to Clarksburg Tuesday and left Wednesday morning. He came to consult with Mr. Lowndes, the retiring president of the road, on important business matters. While here he visited the county court, the commissioners being then in session, and made some explanations concerning the affairs of the West Va. & Pennsylvania Railroad and took up the subject of the county bonds, which were issued several years ago, and which some members of the court seemed anxious to cancel. He thought that if the Company should now within a reasonable time construct the road as originally laid out they would be legally entitled to the bonds. If they were he would appreciate the benefit of them. On the other hand, if the Company was not lawfully entitled to them he did not desire to use a dollar's worth of them.

It was held by Gen. Huff that after the time fixed for their forfeiture had expired, the court had upon one and probably three occasions settled the question by deciding that the bonds should not be forfeited. Relying on this decision he and other gentlemen had in good faith taken stock in this company and paid cash for it. The time limit of the road's charter had been extended six years by the State Legislature, and he was advised that this court now could not set aside the former order. The Company expected to proceed to raise funds to complete and put the road in operation.

Gen. Huff is a man of prominence and large financial influence—is an energetic, active worker, with much railroad experience, and he will push the scheme he now has in hand to the uttermost. To what extent, if at all, the existing war may retard his operations, is not now foreseen.

Gen. Huff is a practical, experienced banker and a large property holder. He represented his home district, Greensburg, Pa., in Congress and was next elected Congressman from the State at large, receiving the magnificent majority of 240,000. Those of our citizens who came in contact with the distinguished financier and statesman, were charmed with his personality. We hope he will find West Virginia an agreeable field in which to employ his marked ability as a promoter and organizer of large public improvements.