The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1850-09-21
Fox River valley Raj, Road.

templated rail road from Peru, via Ottawa, Day
ton Newark and Oswego, to Aurora, having com
pleted the task assigned him, arrived at this place
On Thursday, prepared to submit report. A
meeting of our citizens was Immediately called
at the court house in the evening, but the no.
tice given was very limited, there was small at,
tendance, and although Mr.. Morgan read his re-
port to those present, it was concluded to adjourn
over to last evening, for the purpose of giving
more extended notice, and securing large ,nset-
ing. The proceedings Of this meeting will be found
in another column.
The report Of Col. Morgan gives a description
OF the route surveyed from Peru to Aurora, with
full estimates Of the cost Of construction Of the
railroad, together with estimates of its probable
yield to share holders, DC, &c. The importance
Of the route is dwelt upon in the report at length
and the importance is demonstrated to the citizens
Of Ottawa and Peru Of taking hold of the enter
prise at once, and ways are pointed out in which
aid may be obtained from abroad, if we are only
faithful to ourselves at home.
The report was too long to admit of our pub
fishing it entire this week, but shall endeayor,
if we can obtain a copy, 10 print it hereafter
Meantime, We have politely been permitted to
copy the first part Of the report which gives the
result Of the survey just completed from Peru TO
Aurora, and which We hasten to lay before orr
readers.
The survey from Peru to Ottawa and Aurora,
made in pursuance vi your wishes was commenc.
cd at the eastern terminus OF the Rock Island and
La Sale Rail Road and passing through the
street in La Sale which runs between the ware
houses and the bluff, continues on the north side
of the canal as far as Camp or Split Rock The
canal Is everywhere Of sufficient width TO allow
of solid foundation for the rail road. without in
the least obsructing or encroachlng upon it, and
the survey was made accordingly near the edge
of the water.
At the Little Vermillion, the rail road bridge
could be placed on the site Of the present county
road bridge, which could be made little to the
north, without detriment Just below the Split
Rock the bluff recedes, and the rail road could be
thrown back by curve, and its direction changed
so As 10 cross the canal dagonaily through the
opening already made in the rock The excava.
ton Of a few hundred yards will suffice, and al
though the bridge will be 200 feet in length TO
reach entirely across the tow, path it car be srls
tanned by iron stays from the rock on each side
From this point the line proceeds on the south
side OF the canal nearly as far as tie Cement mill
where II DIVORCES from the canal passes along the
bottom little north of tlIe Sulphur Spring House
and thence near the road BY Buffalo Rock, and
thence in direct course through the street. ter.
mnating for the present near the side cut bridge,
in Ottawa.
IN continuing the survey up Fox River, il seem.
ed desirable to rise on TO the prairie MS soon rs
possible. For this purpose, our first line crossed
Fox River near the present bridge at Ottawa aud
crossing the hollow little east of Mr. Cushmans,
as well rs the canal near the present road bridge,
was continued under the bluff on the east shore
OF the river, gradually rising 10 the high ground
for some distance above Dayton. After much
labor, however, II was ascerianed that there wer,,
too many obstacles, creating great cxpcusc. 10
admit OF the adoption Of that route. r 4 second
line WAS therefore commenccdh G,tle west of tho
side cut, md running Cornlel To il crossed ,he
.o'''i ne'" ,he mouth oik ie Feeder, and was con
'su,u on 'he west side it, and on the west side
Of the mound around wi cb the feeder nasses
~ "ouin require hcayk embankment to raise
tne ran ROAD suiiclently 10 bridge the canal and
rs 'e material Tor thus purpose lies at considera.
oe Instance al wo1l.e"ur' alvisable first to resort
russ work or.'impris'
,auaeufvcy w th,ucnded through DAYTON on
Mace Of the blSs, where considerable excava.
lion woud he necessary for nearly half a mile
Above Dayton the ground is excellent, and the
route intersccts Buck and Indian creeks at good
points for bridges. Three fourths of mile above
Indian Creek the river bends 10 the east and ad.
mlts Of bridge, nearly ut right angles TO its
course IL becomes also necessary to cross n, this
point in consequence of high. perpendicular, rocky
lluIs on the west side aud it happens fortunate
" that it is in all respects good site for bridge
About mile beyond, after crossing the fiat, our
line encounters another rocky bluff. but of much
less dimensions than the one opposite. The prn
cipal part Of the rock lies below the level of the
rail road which will be here elevated 60 feet a.
boyc tho water, Tie materials to be excavatcd
can b. easily thrown into the river, which will
render the expense comparatively light, think
the quantity Of rock will ENTHUSIASTICALLY below
the amount ! have allowed " my estimate. 1t
r . sHS s, Ta easily Is,s This bluff
I At2Ja dcep cutting beycad H. Ia sound from
\; )tt2 crock 10 Newark Is high 3Syorablc.-
Men Newark and Yorkvic dssyace of the
co6Stfy1s generally fayorsfae; theiaiiroad, how.
ever Aust pass several ravines. involving consid.
cradle Nexpense, and particularly that at Hollcn.
backs Mn, where part Of the hollow lies IS feet
below grade Beyond this the prairie is undula.
ting ill tpnd Long Grove.
When the road is located, the line can be much
improved, byrarrying II near the river on lower
ground. The survey passed considerably cast Of
Yorkville, whichs necessary TO avoid several deep
ravnes, and to reacl good ground in passing on
to Oswego.
From oswego TO Aurora the line is nearly lev