The Davenport gazette. [volume] (Davenport, Scott Co., Iowa) 1841-185?, 1850-10-03
1, EPORT
ON THE SURVEY OF r. OK ISLAND AND
LASALLE RAILROAD

AN 'IHI OUhs vi II " 'A'itLhAsP 4i*' -
LAsALLE RAILROAD
y, M,ssrs. Marcus Il. Osjoym, .Jsldge Grant, Geo.
L. Dareaport, Nm. BracheH, Judge .iHfn,
HIM. Diron, Z. N. farfei and Justin Stereas:-
Geaiiemea: The charter Of the Rock Island
and LasalIe Railroad desgnates the Il nois river,
., the termination OF the Michigan and Illinois
sanal. as its Eastern terminus This provisions
lad in contemplation probably, the business to be
aariyed from the steam navigation OF the liver as
we'll as the opportunity for transportation 10 and
from Chicago, by way OF the canal. Since the
construction and extension OF the ohicago ana
Galena Railroad to Aurora, different views, how
ever have been entertained oil the enterprise,
AMI continuous railroad, so as TO form an nnn-
,oru,nted communication with Lake Michigan,
i now considered indispensable. The Aurora
Rranch Railroad COMPANY had proposed 70 ex-
tend their line. by direct course across The high
nrairies to I.asale, the top ot the blum, 90
teet above high water mark In the Illinois river,
and consequently to meet the Rock lsland Rail-
road at the same elevation In consequence oil
This po,sbie contingency, the survey with which
Ibaye been entrusted was commenced in the up
per village of Lasalle after crossing several deep
r,,vines above Peru, the line was continued
,hroneh the upper part Of that village, in order TO
vol round heavy swell of land north of Lasale
the southern extremity of this ridge being passed,
the route assumes noltheIly course and crosses
Sofiny creek, near the lead OF the timber, where
tbe large and deep valley through which il inns is
Of Practicable dimensions; thence proceeding
westward over a prairie, rather undalating, the
line crosses in succession, Negro, Bush and East
Bureau creeks, which, although decreasing grdu-
ally 10 the northward, must be crossed IN the di-
rection OF Dover il being as far TO the north" ard
as the route could be we'll extended, without in
creasins the distance beyond reasonable limits
From the south side of Dover, the line passes over
nj. ;,,a favorable for descend
ing into the valley. and without encoaniering too
suddenly the bluffs on the west side. The same
objects were also in some degree effected at West
Bureau, by crossing 1t diagonally. Ascending
again to the prairie. ,he survey was continued 10
point near the summit, between tho Illinois ana
Mississippi rivers. tits one ofthe characteristics
ofihe superior physical advantages tor the con-
s,rncton az Railroad, which exists in this part
of Northern Illinois, that at the point referred 10,
IL the greatest depression which can be found ~
The dividing ridge between Rec. and Fox rlvfrs,
and which in its extension southwark lies oe-
tween The Illinois ard Mississippi. Ihs summit
is only one hundred and seven feet above Lake
Michigan and 907 feet above the Illinois river al
lasaile The Chicsgo and Galena Railroad
crosses the same ridge in Mctienry county. 500
feet above Lake Michigan. From this dividing
,jape westward, the survey follows remarkable
belt Of table land, lying along the southern s'de
OF Green river valley, and reaching by an almost
descent to the mouth o' That stream,
beyond which Rock river bottom connects with
that OF the Mississippi by grade o. Z and 10 feet
10 the mile. The whole descent from tie sum
NIT TO the Mississippi in 80 miles, is only 81 ieef
and the heaviest grade does not exceed ten feet
10 the mile.
The southern route was commenced al the east
ern terminus as designated by the charter. ms
being above Peru, it became necessary TO pass
through that village, which is hui't on narrow
l. tho hlntfou the ltfr the
bindings are crowded in without much order,
bat our line can be located, for the most part, 10
a back street. Keeping the lower edge OF The
bluff lust above high water marx, 1t was con'h-
ued IRON below Peru 10 the junction oil tho Bnfeau
valley, with that Of the Illinois; the ground gener'
aliy Is favorable for construction, requiring how
ever, two substantial bridges aud abundant wa'eI
wsv at the mouths Of Sprng and Negro creeks.
The line from Peru along the bluffs, ls very difec'
aud follows nearly west course till 1t approach
esthe Bureau, where il proceeds in son'h wes'-
erly direction, and then curves round the poin'
the bluff, following the general course OF the
Bureau valley, north ot west. I'LL u reaches 'i'e
yalleS formed by Pond c,eek, when II again con-
tinues wes'. On this route there are no deep fd
riaes to cross, no ridges to cut thIo, but passes
along broad and gently rising valley With sandy
or graveliv fats Till II reaches the summit lht
Burean, however, receives the waters OF se>eia
large tributaries each Of which collects is stream
from great extent OF prairie the Railroad bridges
Therefore, must be calculated lo' me Me- ~
heavy ireshets. Our line crosses 'hs MAN nu'
reaufse times and the West Bureau 'nfee .'hes
The embanSments aud bridges 70 my es,';s.' h;ah
were pred,cafed on Tue neshe, o. ,Hs' M oaasr'
est ever known, andI see no difficulty IN rehder'
ing them perfectly secure. ~ .h.s ,oae ~ ~
grades do not exceed thirteen ieet TO 'he ti'e
and the whole cost OF construction win De 'a' ies'
than on tn Northern route. .
Our first sarvev, alter passing rom 'ne ,, SUNNI
over the level plains son'h o. Green a.Ve,'
ueneseo, was continued oy .ne sahe, ~ INC,
creek, along the south side OF Rock r''er' "n'cl
It crossed, from Camden, near tue present o''nse
From the point Of the bluffs i was 'ua ,arnn co
course nearly north to Rock issno, anu N.n W..
ated on the bank of the Mississippi opposite 'n'
Court House Another Ilne was surveyed oy, ~ !,
seIgsng more 10 tne nor.hwa.a 's0.a Ga SUN a.,