Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1841-1853, 1848-01-20
REPORT
" GH Experimental Surrey for the contemplated Pc
RI and indianapolis Railroad, 6y T. A. Norris.
To the Board Of Directors Of the

GENTLEMEN The undersigned, having been ap-
pointed by your Bosrd to make an experimental sur
vey and estimate for railroad from Peru, in Miami
county, through kokOmo. the county seat of Howard
county; Upton, the county seat of Upton county !;
Nooiesvle, the county seat of Hamilton county, to
Indianapolis, begs leave to submit the following
port.
In the latter part of August last, organized par
and proceeded 10 Peru and commenced operations by
hrSt making the necessary examination for the best
crossing OF the Wabash river, and the most eligible
point at which 10 pass the summit of the table land
adjacent As direct line from Peru to Kokomo
would cross the Wabash valley where the hills ada
Gems rise almost PerPendicularly l2O feet it
cessary to occupy sOne depression leading into the
Wabash, by which the high lands could be attained
by more gentle inclination.
The three most practicable the Treaty creek,
Limestone branch, and Pipe creek valleys.
In order to reach the mouth of the Treaty creek val
ley, the line ascends the valley about IL miles above
Peru, making angle of about 80 degrees with the
course to kOkOmO. From this point the general d.
rectlon Of the valley is south, but many abrupt
changes OF direction occur, to require curvature,
highly objectionable, the valley is to adj
init of proper curves, without expensive cutting into
the high banks either side. The rate of ascent
also too great. The mouth of the valley is only %
feet above low in the Wabash at Peru, and the
head, In distance of Ia miles, raises to elevation
of l25 feet
u
distance Off 100 feet from the south end of Cass street
IN Peru, on a making angle of 40 de-
grees, with direct line to KOkomo. Although line
up tins valley would be direct to Kokomo. than
tie Treaty creek line, yet the objections occur
as to the curvature and rapidy of ascent The rate
OF ascent Is about the yet the valley is not
wide, and the difficulty of following it corresponding
ly increased.
Little Pipe creek empties into the Wabash about IL
miles below Peru Its valley is much wider than Ell
tier Ut the Others its varying but little from
the course 10 kokomo, sufficiently direct to admit
line OF easy curvature, aud its ascent being
with grade Of 40 feet to the mile, at a moderate
cost, makes it by far the best route for road from
Peru to KOkomO.
This line has another important advantage the
other two, in the rock bottom that here in the
Wabash where it crosses allowing bridge to be
built more securely at less expense than at any 9TH
point.
Deenlng this valley the only practicable for a
road from Peru to kokomo, commenced the present
survey IN the town of Peru, the crossing of Cass
and Main streets, and ran down the valley of the
Wabash on the north side of the river about Ii miles,
to point opposite the proper entrance of the Pipe
creek valley. As the town of Peru is situated in the
valley Of the Wabash, plain gradually soping
towards the river, 1t is accessible, with little varia
ton IN expense, by railroad at any point It's
southwestern boundary. The question, therefore, of
the proper termination of the road here not in
IL VIII ultimately De settled Dy clrcum-
stances independent of tie character of the ground
which will be better developed and more perfectly un-
derstood when the road Is finally located, than at
this time. The line, however, now surveyed, &C.
cupIes for the greater portion of the distance from
the crossing of the river to the town. very nearly the
ground that should be occupied in final location, be-
ing situated above the highest rise of the river
direct course from the crossing of the town.
Before crossing the rlver the line defects to the
south by open curve, the Wabash and Erie
cana! and the Wabash river on a tangent, and then
continues wih the curvature up the valley of
Little Pipe creek for nearly mile further. From
this point the valley is followed by an open curve of
contrary feXure for about mile further, where the
ascent gained is sufficient to command the summit
between this stream and Big Pipe creek. That ior-
ton OF the line, from the canal to the head of Little
Pipe creek valley, embracing distance of near three
miles, Is by tar the most expensive OF any other pOr
ton OF equal extent on the whole llne-embracIng
the emIbankment across the valley of the Wabash,
the crossing of the canal and river and the crossing
OF Little Pipe, Sarpees mll-race, and the west fork
OF Little Pipe, together with the deep excavation
the summit. The Wabash is crossed where the bot
tom Is composed of solid limestone rock situated
the north side about twelve feet below low water aud
on the south rising IN the bank several feet above the
level OF the water, being very favorable for the
ry aud cheapness of permanent structure acruss the
stream. The estimates include the cost of bridge
OF stone abuImenls aud piers, and arched wooden
supersucture the Wabash of three spans each
l4O feet long, and substantial platform bridges Of re-
quslte spans the other streams.
From the point at which the line leaves the Little
Pipe creek valley, It's varies but slightly from
direct line to Kokomo, for distance Of near three
miles, to the crossing of Big Pipe creek, which is
about three quarters of mile above Squirrel village.
This stream, for distance above and below our
crossing, has bold aud precpitous hills bordering it,
rising generally TO height of 10 feet above the
surface of the stream. We however selected the best
crossing that could be found in the vicinity, having
the advantages of depressions on both Sides formed
by the drainage of two small streams. The valley
here Is less than It's average width, and the stream
runs upon bed Of solid limestone. The structure
estimated for crossing this stream similar to that
at the Wabash, being bridge of 100 feet span, sup
ported by stone abutments. Although the quarres at
this point have yet been opened, the durab
ity Of the stone tested, yet from the inspection made,
have doubt of their durability being sufficient for
the structure contemplated
From the crossing at Big Pipe creek the line is
straight to the town of KokOmo, distance of twelve
miles, passing with very easy grades the sum-
mits between Big Pipe and the north fork of Deer
creek that between the north and south forks of Deer
creek and that between the south fork of Deer creek
and Wild Cat. The surface of the country on this
part OF the route, between the streams very even,
and unbroken by any drainage of consequence,
being formed of regular inclined plains from each
stream to the adjoining summit offering every facli-
~ for the formation of good road bed with but very
lIttle expense. The embankment at the crossing OF
the valleys of these streams is light being only su-
cIent to protect the track and bridges from the high
est floods. North and south Deer creeks crossed
by substantial trese bridges Of sufficient size to pass
the streams at their greatest height, and protected
ho tho 6 tlo,-