Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1841-1853, 1848-05-18
For the State Sentinel.
Lafayette md indianapolis Railroad.

L.
PUBLIC BEARINGS AND RELATIONS OF THE ROAD.
take the pen to discuss. in brief section-the
one specified above-of the great channel of inter-
communication which is to put new face upon the
agriculture the trade, and the civil and social condi-
ton of all central Indiana. 1t will be readily appre-
hended that refer to it as link in the long conten
plated route from Madison to Lake Michigan. That
which the wonderful enterprise of Clinton performed
for western New Y0rk-all that the Erie Rriroad is
destined realise for the southern tier of counties in
that State,--what the gigantic Western Railroad of
Massachusetts has begun to effect for that remarkable
commonwealth,-nay, what the Madison and Indian
apolis Railroad is steadily advancing TO consummate
the southern section of this very route through La
fayete to the lakes will all be realized in the heart
and bosom of this rich and spacious State of Indiana
1t might almost be called the bosom route of the State
from its position its relations its necessity and the
degree of expectation and confidence with which it
has long been regarded.
The eye that is turned upon the region southwark
from Indianapolis 10 the extreme of the State in that
direction, may take In that is rich with real
lied benefits, and richer still with Such Justly
anticipated. There, where the cumbrous wagon and
the deep mud road have given place to the facie
thods OF modern art, where minutes perform the
work of hours and dimes of dollars, every farmer
feels the advantage of market, every branch
of trade and industry participates in the benefits to
agriculture, and the soil itself experiences stimulus
and growing value. Next turn northward and OBJ
serve how large opportunity is spread out between
this and the Wabash,-and yet more between the
Wabash and the for the widest dissemination
of like prosperity. This great trunk, whose roots
are watered by the Ohio but whose top is to be looked
for far up the south shore of the Michigan will
bear after all, perhaps, It's most abundant benefits
upon its branches On both sides, moderate inter-
walls and through all its length branches will shoot
out to every county seat, making each place of bar
ter, exchange and transfer, for all the region to
which it lies CENTRAL far wagon roads plank
ways can radiate around it, Between the Ohio and
the Wabash alone, ten twelve such branches may
be expected of which number part have commenced
their growth already.
products and of influx for needful foreign commodi-
ties, will pervade belt lying north and SOUTH and of
sixty seventy miles BREADTH through the very heart
of this State. Every man, whether residing within
or without it, who has, in the compass of that belt,
land, connections in business, or agencies, is in
reach of the beneficial operations of this work.
But, while these circumstances and relations create
the strongest public motives for the execution of the
work, they supply also the pecuniary means. They
insure the great protabeness of the stock and open
an induccment to capitalists for prompt investment.
Three great channels of communication, east and
west between the Mississippi and the seabOard, exist
or are In a course of being opened. First may be
mentioned the Ohio river, with the artificial works
parallel to, or leading eastward from it, Next, is
from St. Louis, or Alton, to Lake Erie. The third
lies far in the north, having for its links the Buffalo
and Mississippi Railroad and that from Chicago to
Gaena. Crossing, from south to north, these three
great routes, nature points out, with equal distinct
ness, three others,-one in Ohio one in Indiana, and
in Illinois. The intermediate of these last three
is other than the identical route of whose merits
l am attempting brief and partial analysis
The high appreciation obtaining in behalf OF this
ONO RIVER AND MICHIGAN ROUTE, it might be
termed is evident by the communications occasionally
and spontaneously made from intelligent observers at
distance. For instance, the President of the Union
Railroad from Chicago to Galena, w. B. Ogden, Esq.,
writes follows, and take liberty to quote his Ian
guage: ''Since my journey over the intermediate
country between this (Chicago) and Indianapolis, my
interest in a connection with your road has increased.
If you succeed in building your road from Lafayette
to Indianapolis at once, and we succeed, under the
provision just granted by the Legislature in building
a road from Chicago to N. Buffalo, via Michigan
Clty-as | trust we shall-with branch to Laporte,
the distance will then be short between the two
roads, and the interests of Chicago and of the Mich
gan central road will be great in completing the
connection, that l think it might almost be counted
upon as thing certain TO follow, and without delay.
ave have no way in winter, or in very low water
in summer, of reaching ST. Louis, Kentucky, New
Orleans, or any part of the Mississppivaley half SO
conveniently or expeditiousy as could do via
Michigan City, Lafayette, Indianapolis, Madison and
the Ohio river, provided we had continuous line of
railroad from this to Madison. And it would be our
route in winter, if not at all times to Cincinnati and
Washington City, unless some more direct line be
built, and some years must eapse before there is"
How speedily then, let me resume, shall this impor-
fant this essential route be occupied? particularly that
link now in active progress from Indianapolis 10 La
fayette Every mind replies speedily possible.
And how speedily may that be! What, moreover,
are the measures requisite to, and the means ayaia-
BILE for, such immediate occupation! These in
quiries will form the subject of my next number.
A. c. T.
Great Fire and Loss OF Life ut Detroit