Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1849-02-16
The Yaller Of MlIIer,s River.

Thi, valley is filed with an industrious and
enterprisng population, devoted principally TO
Agriculture and various branches OF manufacture.
Tho valley Is narrow and bounded by steep and
rugged hills, rising in many places, directly up
from the banks Of the river d,
The forests, which few years since clothed
the submits, and sides Of these hills, have 70
very considerable extent been removed, ana me
lumber they yielded has been wrought IN the
numerous shops and factories with winch TINS
valley every where abounds.
The river is narrow and rapid, aiiordng ut
short intervals most excellent water power,
which the enterprise and industry Of the inbab-
itants have not allowed to remain unemployed.
The Vermont and Massachusetts, Railroad which
has recently been constructed through this val
ley, aud is now in operation, has given new
impulse TO the enterprise, and new element TO
the prosperity Of is inhabitants. The Railroad
follows the general course OF The river, which
seems to have been employed for centuries in
following out among these rugged hills feasible
route for the railway which now winds graceful
y along it, banks or on sprinping arches stretch
es across It's RAPID aud foaming current
The construction Of this road must have boen
very expensive, consisting as il docs, for very
considerable part of the entire distance through
the valley, Of high embankments. or deep exca-
yations and numerous bridges, the excavations,
many of them, are through solid granite.
The road appears to have been constructed
with great fidelity, notwithstanding the very 70.
rious obstacles which had TO be surmountcd in
its completion and il nov 10 successful opera.
I ton from Fitchburg to South Vernon ia Yer.
mont, with the prospect Of being opened &c
Braiileboro by the middle Of this month.
That portion Of this road, between Soutl
Gardner and Irving, over and along which VIC
travelled few days since, is at once the mos
beautiful, and in connection with the common
road. the most dangerous we ever passed.
The whole distance is crowded with curyci
and arches which give perpetual delight TO tn,
eye, and present ever varying scenes to tn,
traveller as the laundering train bears him on
ward through the ccboing hills, along whos'
rugged and winding bases he wonders that tb'
construction Of any other than bride road wal
ever attempted.
Between Orange and Irving distance Of on
" five miles, the Railroad crosses the river iy,
times, aud in two places the river has bccn en-
of from It's native channel and now flows thru
new channels cut out for il through the adjoln
ing hills.
In the sane distance, tho Railroad crosses th'
common travelled way eight times, and on thi
same grade, 50 that the traveller along the publ,
highway has constantly 10 keep "looking out 70
the cars while the bell iings." and then he Is il
constant apprehension oil being run into by 81
unexpected train rushing through some deep tx
cavaion, or doubling some sudden curve, tn
curves and excavations being such in some place
as 10 render il impossible TO see al nppruag bin,
train for only few rods, either to the right o
lcfl Of the crossing.
We see an order has been introduced into th'
Legislature recently with view to institute al
inquiry us to whether further legislation is nee
essary to prevent accidents al the crossings 0
public WAYS and railways. If The members Q
the Legislature would make trip over thi
road We think the order would pas without dc
bate, the inquiry be made, and further saie
guards provided. Unnecessary expense shoui,
not be imposed upon railway corporations no.
| yet should they be allowed 10 run over an,
break the neeks Of half the people who find ]
convenient or necessary to pass along The publi'
highways Of the country. We have heard of n,
accident having recently occurred on this road
which is probably owing TO the great care used
by the very geutlemanly conductors under Whose
superintendent the trains move. The passen.
ger cars are large and commodious, furnishing
as comfortable accommodations 10 the traveller
as are TO be found on any Of the older roads
But this rambling notice of the valley of Miller,
river bids fair TO become longer than the vale,
itself, and therefore, without taxing the feaderi
patience further, VIC will stop the train here.
| Barre Patriot