Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1844-05-10

the route from Springfield TO the Vermont
line, is as miles and to Bratileboro So 3-4
miles. BY passing through gorge III mount
Holyoke, two miles further west, as might |
be done, the distance would be shortened
one mile and quarter.
The chief advantage Of this route is, that
the country passed over is a very good one
for Railroad. Excepting at Holyoke and
in one or two spots in Montague, very little
grading would be requisite. Its disadvanta-
ges are, in the FIRST place, that it is two or
three miles longer than any other. But the
principal objection to il is, that il will ac-
commodaie only the east side OF the river,
because il lies so far from the river.
The third route to which wish TO call
particular attention, comedies with the first,
or Northampton route, as far as ilockanuni,
thence instead Of crossing Connecticut riy-
er, il spreads along its eastern side, through
the east part Of Hadley so as TO approach
within two miles Of Amherst; thence thro'
the west part Of Sunderland and Montague,
to Turner's Falls, in Connecticut river
which il crosses a little below the Falls, in
TO manufacturing village in the north part
of Greenfield, on Fall river. This is a small
stream that runs southerly from Demands
ton, cutting passage for mile at its
mouth through hills several hundred feet
! high; yet leaving bank on one side or the
other, wide enough for Railroad without
much grading, at least not much in the rock.
A mile from its mouth rich meadow opens,
and continues TO Bernardsion. The pro-
posed route might, therefore, go directly to
that place, and pass TO BratiIeboro by the
| c. a.. A. L. r.
But Ear better route both as TO accommo-
daton and expense, is to leave the valley Of
| Fall river two miles south Of Bernardston
village aud turning northeasterly, TO APP
proach Connecticut river ia the west part of
Mortified, and then to proceed to Dratiie-
boro, through Vernon, as already described.
The length OF this route, TO the Vermont
line, is about as "a miles, and TO Brattle-
boro 81 "a miles.
Instead of keeping along the river, thro'
Sunderland, this route might pass TO the west
part Of Leyereit, aud there coincide with the
second route above described as passing
through Montague aud Mortified. In this
case the distance to the Vermont line would
be As miles, and TO Bratieboro "a l-2 miles.
But in this case some important objects TO
be shortly named cannot be secured. The
route under consideration might, also, go as
far north, along the east side Of Connccti-
cut river, as the mouth Of Deerheld river,
and turning southwesierly, pass through the
gorge of Deerheld mountain, and thence
turning northerly go through Greenfield to
Bratileboro, without increasing the distance
more than one or two miles But this would
accommodate Greenfield at the expense of
Mortified; aud the Fitchburg road would
not in that case unite with it, shall there
fore, speak Of the route as crossing Connect
icut river at Turner's Falls, and going thro
Vernon TO Brattleboro Let ms now look at
its advantages aud disadvantages.
The difficulties Of construction on this
route are chiefly confined 10 the region be-
tween Cabotville and Hockannm, where il
comedies with the Northampton route
The country there is good deal uneven,
aud some heavy excavations must be made,
though all OF them are in loose soil, except
a, the end Of Holyoke. But from Hook am
um to Turner'S Falls, over twenty miles, the
surface is very nearly dead level, and no
grading will be necessary in rock, and but
very liIile in soil, although three or four
small streams must be crossed. For mile
beyond Turner'S Falls, the road must be-
come expensive through the narrow and
somewhat winding gorge Of Fall river; and
so between that river and Mortified, say
: for three or four mies,-ihe surface is sonle-
what uneven, with gravel hills. Bat upon
the whole, the route north Of Hockanum,
the whole distance to Brauleboro, is more
favorable than any other, unless it be from
the mouth oil Miller's river through the vii
lage of Mortified; and it must be far less
expensive than the route west side of the
river When one stands at Turner'S Falls
and looks norihward, il does, indeed, seem
: hopeless effort to find passage for Rail-
: road through the rocky barrier that lines the
north shore of the Connecticut But let
him proceed on foot along the Fall river,
and he will find that road can easily pass.
This route crosses Connecticut river a
: few rods below Turner'S Falls, and am
convinced that a bridge can be built there
more easily than at any other point between
Springfield and Bratileboro, and at much
less expense. For, first, there is an island OF
considerable extent in the stream, composed
OF lodges ofrock. Secondly, the entire bed
of the river is rock. Thirdly, the strata dip
40 degrees up the stream, SO as TO furnish
the best possible foundation for the piers
Fourthly. excellent stone can be obtained in
any quantity upon the hank near by Fifth
ly, the water is so shallow in the summer as
to be forded. And finally, the descent 81
the ice over Turner's Falls, which are 80
feet high, breaks il into small fragments
e so that although the current is very rapid
q where the bridge must be built, the danger
b from ice floods is probably less than in 4
more level spot, where the sluggish current
causes the ice to accumulate and press with