Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1826-08-23
From The Ohio State Journal.
OHIO CANALS

Cs
We have the pleasure Of presenting our read
ers with asuccinet, but satisfactory statement
OF the present situation Of these public works.
We are indebted to the politeness of the chief
engineer, Judge BATES, who has obligingly fur
nished us at our request, with memoranda con-
tanning the following gratifying information
upon this subject. That part of the canal from
the lowest rapids of the Cuyahoga river to the
Portage lake, (Which was put under contract in
June, 1925, and by the terms Of the contracts,
TO be finished by the first of October, 1885, is
under an energetic course Of operation. Not
withstanding the work on this part of the ca
nal, consists in the construction of about forty
locks, and numerous bridges, culverts and &C.
queducts, of damming, altering the course of
streams, side waling, pile driving, excavation,
embanking, &c. it will be all finished or nearly
SO, by the time prescribed in the contracts:
and the price originally estimated, is believed
10 be sufficient Tor its completion. Indeed it is
supposed that considerable sum will be saw
ed to meet contingencies elsewhere, or be laid
out in more extended Improvements, or ulti-
mately saved to the canal fund.
Another portion of the line, was put under
contract in February, 1926, extending from the
lower rapids of Cuvahogo, about four miles to
lake Erie. This is in such state Of forward
ness as to warrant the belief Of its completion
early in 1927, to which time the contracts ex-
tend. Still another portion Of the main line
was put under contract by Mr.. Kelly, one Of
the acting commissioners in the latter part Of
Jan. 1926, beginning at the Portage lake, on the
Portage summit, and extending southwardly
down the Tuscarawas river 10 Bendal in Stark
county, or more properly to new town called
Massillon, west Of Kendall This division IN
cudes distance of about 25 miles, and is in SO
forward state that it bids fair to go into &C.
tual use in the fore part Of 1927. These diff
ferent subdivisions will open towards the heart
of the state an internal navigation Of somewhat
more than sixty miles in extent, all OF which il
may reasonably be calculated, will be useful be-
fore midsummer, 1927. From that time, the
enterprisng farmers of Starke Wayne, Portage
and Coshocton counties, and the proprietois of
the extensive coal mines of that region, may be-
gin TO participate in the benefits Of an open in.
tercourse, which can extend from the southern
| (presen,l termination of the work at Massion
TO the south end of lake Michigan, TO the Saul
ST. Marie, 10 Montreal and Quebec, and TO
! Albany, New-York, and the Atlantic towns.
| The next operation i'll order, is the Licking
Summit, which was put under contract In
June, 1925, and included reservoir 10 aid the
different branches of the Licking, in sup
plying this summit, and about thirty miles Of
canal, south oft with water. This part of the
work, under operation, extends from a point
near Newark, in Licking county, to the foot OF
the deep cut in Fairfield county, to which must
be added about one mile south ofthe deep ridge,
which carries the line into the valley of WAL
nut creek, its proper direction towards the
Scioto valley. The contracts for this part of
the line, will probably be finished by the lst of
October next
The line of canal from Mad river, at or near
Dayton, to Cincinnati, down the va!lies Of
Miami river, and Mill creek, was put under
contract by M. T. WILLIAMS, Esq. one of the
acting commissioners, from MiddleIown south
ward, in July and September, 1925. The dis
lance is upwards of forty miles, on which there
is much arduous and peculiar work, consisting
of locks, (ofwhich there are twelve) the filing
of deep ravines, constructing large culverts,
side walks, and heavy entertainments.
The contracts for this part of the canal, ter
inmate in part this fall and the others in June
1927. All will probably be done within the
limits prescribed, or so nearly, as to avoid in
Jury to the interests Of the state or the future
progress Of the canal
The numerous contractors on the several
parts of these canals appear TO be doing well, and
there is hardly room to doubt bat that they
will perform their engagements as much to
their emolument as they anticipated when they
became interested. Judge Bates thinks there
is between FIVE and six thousand persons en-
ployed on the canals.
Fern,ont CODA beautiful piece Of native
gold, weighing nearly ten ounces was lately
found in the town of Newane, Vermont. 1t
was picked up by boy near small brook,
and was studded with chrystals of quartz. 1t
is considered worth eighty-pine cents the penny
weight. the inhabitants of the village are a.
bout turning out on grand search for more
of the precious metal and every witch-hazle
whereabouts has been subsidized for mine
raj rod. They had much better turn out and
till the earth, which would be sure TO produce
golden harvest.