The Evansville daily journal. [volume] (Evansville, Ia. [i.e. Ind.]) 1848-1862, 1850-08-27
Wabash and Eric Canal.

Wabash and Eric Canal.
We learn from Mr.. Stewart, a large con-
tractor on this Canal, that arrangements have
been made with the Ohio bondhoIders, for the
immediate prosecution OF the remainder Of
tins great work. They have agreed to COM
pletc the Canal entire in two years from next
November. This will require an extension
OF the time allowed the bondholders origin
ally, but we think there will be no difficulty
in securing this extension, as the cholera.
floods, failure Of crops and other unforeseen
things, have much interfered with operations.
We also understand commissioner will be
at Evansville the approaching October, TO
make arrangements for the immediate CON-
ple.ion Of the first twenty miles Of canal from
this city, and lew months will see it in boat
ing order. This stretch will be OF some use
to US while the remaining contracts are being
completed.
We view the completion of this canal as
the CREATES: era in the history Of Evansville.
The growth of the city during the last three
years would have been considered any where
and at any period, remarkable. But rapid us
has been this growth, and healthy Us our adj
vancement has been, the improvements being
made III no speculative fever, all that thus
far has been done. will be uut q triflc by the
side Of those improvements which will spring
up on the completion of the Wabash and
Erie canal. The N. York and Michigan ca
nal did more for the building up of N. York
city than any other single Improvement of
the American Metropolis, and yet the man
who first proposed il was laughed at as Wis
ionary. The Miami Canal gave Cincinnati
her first impetus, starting her in that growth
which rapidly made her the Queen City OF
the West. Whenever an extensive canal
has been built, its termni have been improved
beyond all expectation. Then, what may
we, not expect from canal of the great
length of this. connecting Us with Lake Erie,
and traversing The ricl est agricultural coun-
try in the West Evansville is the Ohio
river terminus of this great work.
We arc informed by the above contractor
that every town by which it runs, almost
without exception, has commenced a rapid
growth, rs the direct result of this improve
mcnt. Point Commerce may be particularly
noticed for its numerous and important i'm
provements. 1t has now larger hotel than
Evansville possesses, with other improve
ments in comparison. And so it is, and thus
it will be with other places. But this place
being the southern terminus will receive
greater advantages than any other point
Notwithstanding the canal is but partially
completed, and the business on that portion
but small in comparison to what it will be
when the whole is finished. yet we have some
great evidences Of the future business of the
Wabash and Erie Canal, by what has beer
done on the completed prrt. BY an examin
alton of the Report Of the Board ofTrustee;
of the Wabash and Erie Canal made las
December, we find that while the Canal wa:
navigable that year, there were conveyed
over IT 1,29i,7Ol miles of passengers, ant
155,S3O tons freight. This freight comprised
every thing in the way of produce and mer
chandize-conveying the ono to market anC
supplying the interior with the other. Blu
on the completion of the Canal, this will b'
greatly augmented.
The work is now going on rapidly consid
ering the circumstances, and we hail will
JOY its course towards full completion. Th,
twenty mile stretch from Evansville may b.
made of much benefit while the remainder i
being finished. There will be no difficult.
in feeding it, or indeed the whole Canal be
tween this and Terre Haute. 1t is being du!
through hard clay, and will hold the waite
tight as a cask.