South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1836-03-05

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the distance is 50 miles, and to the
same point going from Winchester by
| Cumberland, the distance is 80 miles !;
making a difference in favor of the d.
rect route Of 20 miles. Moreover there
are no more difficulties to overcome on
the direct route, than there are on the
Cumberland route. In fact, l believe,
they are much fewer as shall hereafter
attempt to show. 10 going from Win
chester by the Bloomery Gap TO Cum
betland, the two greatest obstacles are
what is called the Timber Ridge & the
South Branch Mountain. This FIRST
is formidable one but this latter is
entirely avoided by turning to the left
aEer passing the Bloomery Gap and
Big Capon and treading the ravines
Of North River and Little Capon,
until we come 10 the deep Gap, which
leads through the South Branch Noun
tain TO Romney. From Romney then
TO the mouth Of Savage, or to the
mouth of New Creek, where all the
different routes must coincide, dis
,ance Of rs miles, there are no hills
10 psss except small elevation called
the Middle Ridge, and The knobley
Mountain, which latter can be passed
without difficulty, through . very low
Gap about 2 miles south Of the point
where the North Western Turnpike
now crosses it. The route would
then be down New Creek to its
mouth, then up the North Branch 6or
Z miles to the mouth OF Savage. There
is another route from the mouth Of New
Creek, which nigh. also be viewed.
That is, topass knobley al what is cali
ed Meals Gap below PADDY Town
then down Cabin Run to its mouth
thence down Patterson's Greek mile
or two 10 the mouth Of a ravine lead.
ing TO Springfield. But in this las.
the formidable obstacle Of the South
Branch Mountain again presents itself,
and Neal's Gap is not low one.
There is another route from Romney to
Winchester, which leads by North Ri
yer Mills, on which there is much
good ground for Rail Road, and
which would no doub, be viewed. The
obstacles on this last would be the San.
dy Ridge and North River Hill. Az
10 the route from the mouth Of Savage
westward, know nothing Of il, but
from the information l resolved of the
decision Of the Engineers who examin-
ed il. But there is reason to believe
that the ravine Of Savage Creek is the
very best avenue Tor Rail Road TO
pass the Allegany, because it cuts that
mountain obliquely from the north for
long distance. l do not pretend to
be accurate ia my slatements, as al |
lowances must be made in the distan-
ces for considerable deyiations from
direct line to keep on level ground, or |
to gain low grade. Seeing some en-
quiries made 10 the public papers for
information as. to the topography OF
the country through which it is pro-
posed TO conduct the Baltimore and
Ohio Rail Road, that has induced me
10 contribute this imperfect sketch.
am DESTROYS that this subject should
call the attention of others who may |
be interested, and that it may excite
farther enquiry and investigation +; for
| am more and more persuaded that |
this great undertaking, arduous as il
may be, is perfectly within the com.
pass Of the means which may be found
TO accomplish it. 4.
90 Our mail to Cumberland has been |
again retarded by the rise Of water in
the South Branch.
U George Thompson the abolitionist
is in Liverpool. addressing the people in
relation to his reception and treatmen.
in this country.
% WILLIAM WooD, Esq and Ed
GAR w. ROBINSON, one of The proprie.
tors Of the yirginian establishment, are
announced as candidates to represent
Frederick county in the next general as.
sembly of Virginia. In the Martinsburg |
papers we notice the name of WASHING.
TON EVANS, Esq. formerly proprietor OF
the Gazette Of that place, as candidate
to represent Berkeley.
O. We notice q statement that
POWELL, the chief ofthe Seminoles, was
educated at Colonel Johson's Choctaw
school.