Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, W.T. [i.e. Wis.]) 1843-1844, 1844-02-10

CHSS VI NuiCH hlueidl UlN1, WHICH VIII uIlUH
the route TO spur OF the main dividing ridge
before alluded 10, thence following that spur
in northerly direction passing near the village
| ofDodgeville, and intersec,ing the route by the
ridge before alluded TO abou. a mile from
Dodgeville, ard about twenty-five miles east
Of the Feunimore Grove before spoken OF
thence cotnu;ng easterly on the main dividing
ridge as described in the first route about
twenty-five miles 10 the head waters of Sugar
river in range seven east.
"The first Of these two routes would un-
doubIedly be much the cheapest, as it would
pass over an unbroken ridge for the whole dis.
,ance and not cross a single ravine or rill Of
water; the second however, although it would
require very greatly Increased expense in
grading, yet wonld possess advantage over the
first, passing through the most business part
of the mining country, and for that reason wo'd
no doubt bring TO the road greatly increased
revenue; but as TO the enquiry on the point Of
practicibllity, there is no reason 10 apprehend,
whichever might be selected, any obstacle 10
the construction of road on either.
From The head waters Of Sugar river the
line of the rail roed could continue in ali east
erly direction, crossing the Catfish, or Four
Lake river, CT if it was highly desirable TO
continue a more level route, keeping north of
the Fourth Lake and its tributaries, and after
getting upon the eastern side OF The Catfish on
ly two impediments exist to the continuation
Of the route to Lake Michigan without expen-
sive grading, TO wit: the Fox and Rock rivers;
and the features Of the country are such that
each of those streams can be approached from
either direction through the valley OF their re-
spectlve tributaries without such an ascent or
descent as will be 10 any extent objectionable,
so that on the whole there is no part OF the
route that is more impracicable than the first
four miles miles from Poiosi. tho elevation Of
no part Of which, as has been already remark
ed, exceeds seventy feet per mile, and the
committee are Of the opinion that the entire
route is not only practicable, but that no route
can be found in the United States Of the same
extent, giving the same promise oiprohl upon
which road can be built cheaper than upon
this route.
"Secondly. Would such rail road be
profitable! would it 10 other words, pay fair
rate Of interest on the amount invested in its
construction ? This inquiry necessarily in
wolves two others, TO wit: what would be its
incomel The cost would depend very much
upon the kind of structure. The perfection to
which the construction Of similar works has
been brought within few years, and the econ
omy which experience has laugh. can be OBJ
served in them has effected 10 most Won
derful extent, the cost Of this species Of inter-
nal improvement, and reduced the cost from
100000 per mile and often more, to Ten or
twelve thousand dollars per mile; works how
ever, that are constructed for $4,000 per mile,
are designed principally for the conveyance OF
passengers, and are not substantial enough TO
bear the burden Of heavily freighted cars. The
committee however, are Of the opinion that
500, 900 per mile would be very liberal es-
innate for the construction Of a road in com.
pIete order for the reception Of cars, made in
such manner as TO DO capable Of conveying
all the freight that the business Of the country
would require. The distance from Poosi 10
Lake Michigan, in direct line, is not far from
$50 miles, there would ofcourse be great de-
Walton from direct line, 10 obtain the route
best adapted 10 the enterprise, butthis IL is con-
ceiyed would not exceed IS miles, which is
an allowance for deviation Of one mile in six
for the whole distance, and would make the
whole length Of the route I78 miles, this at
e2O, 900 per mile would amount to the sum
of e3,50O.O0O
Obstinate for cars, engines &c, $500,0O0.
"Wo'd make the capital invested S4,0O0,000.
at is supposed that if this investment can
be shown 10 be capable Of yielding an annual
increase Of five per cent, that II will be consld-
cred profitable stock, and such as capitalists
would concider good investment. Five per
cent on $4,000, 900 is 100000. In determin-
ing whether this stock would be profitable or
moi. the committee will inquire in the eccoGd
place, VIVA, would be the income n such
road If constructed, and their inquiries upon
This subject have 50 much astonlshed them,
that they feel t,incumbent upon themselves 10
ask in advance that the statements submitted
by them be not thrown aside in advance as ex.
aggeraied; but astonishing Hs they may appear
to those who have not carefully investigated
the subject, that they may be examined, and il
possible shown to be erroneous.
"The amount of lead manufactured in the
Upper Mississippi Lead Mines IN 1870. as
shown by the United States census returns,
was 2i,35l,35O lbs, in addition 10 the fact
that much Of the Lead manufactured during
that year did not find place in the census re-
turns, it is well known that The year 1910 was
by no means fair test, and that much great
er quantity has been manufactured every year
since, and that the present annual product oil
the Lead Mines exceeds 100000 600 lbs. and
that il is constantly increasing: How much
Of the products Of the Mines would pass over
a rail read, would depend entirely upon how
cheap il was carried, and 10 secure the bust
ness. rsil road would have 10 carry 1t fol
such price 50 added to the freights from the
Lake shore to New J ofk or Boston, would bt
not greater than the cost Of transportation from
the banks Of the Mississippi 10 those cities via
New Orleans. The cost Of freight from The
Mines to New York and Boston by the rivel