Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1841-1853, 1850-01-10
From the Anerfcan Railroad Journal.
Indiana and her improvements.


and Seldom spoken Of in The eastern journals, that
the inhabitants say. and with great proprety. that
when any person. other than resident of the Stale,
speaks writes Of the improvements and resources
of the west, they make but one stride from Ohio TO
Illinois Missouri and step entirely over the State
Of Indiana.
Why this should be the case is more than can un-
dersiand for Indiana is al least worthy of notice,
did she not possess within herself resources rapidly
developing, that will long place her among the
first of the internal improvement and manufacturing
States.
She is making long and rapid strides in manufac-
lures and agriculture, independent of her railroads
and canals; AMI these advancing with rapidiiy
that will. | think, astonish the "go ahead peo-
pie of the east. In short visit recently made to
Indianapolis, was much surprised at the progress
her railroads making, that was led TO make
some inquiries and forward you the result of them,
which, should you consider worthy of notice, you
| Will please give place In your Journal.
! The Madison and Indianapolis railroad comes first
1t the pioneer. The great of this road
has done much towards bringing about the results
which we now witness This road, running from
Madison, the Ohio river, to Indianapolis the cap
ial of the State, distance of SO miles, has been in
operation for many years. Ii originally laid
/ with strap rail, which is giving place to
heavy H rail of 60 lbs to the yard So miles Of the
entire distance already reaid, and the remainder
is fast being completed, and the road is of the
| ID. The Shelbyville road, running from Edinburg
on the Madison road to Shelbyvie distance of Is
miles, is also completed with n strap rail 12 7S.
and is in successful operation.
Sd. The Rushville road, branching from the Shell
byve road at the latter place and running Rush
vile, distance Of II miles, is entirely graded and
is fast receiving its superstrucure and iron, the lat
ter being strap rail l-2x7-S.
4th The Knightstown rad, also branching from
the Shelbyville road at Shelbyvle. and running to
knightstown, % miles, is far advanced towards COM
Pletion. and is likewise receiving its iron, strap
| rail 2 l.2x7-S.
9th The Columbus and Bloomington road, which
branches from the Madison road at Columbus, and is
designed to Bloomington, 81 miles west where
1t enters the great coal basin of Indiana charter
for this road is obtained and a sufficient amount SUBJ
scribed and guaranteed to insure its completion.
| 9th. The Jacksonville road, commencing at Jeffer-
sonyie, on the Ohio river, opposite Louisville, and
running north 66 miles to Columbus where it inter-
sects the Madison road, is far advanced towards
completion, and the company now receiving their
iron, heavy II rail weighing fifty pounds per yard.
7th. The Franklin and Martinsvie road, running
from the Madison road at the former place. ~ miles
west to the latter, is located, and half is to be
let TO contractors next month.
| 9Th. The Lawrenceburgh and Greensburgh rond,
running from the Ohio river at Lawrenceburgh nor
therly to Greensburgh, distance Of AZ miles, is
present under contraction. The road will ultimately
interseci the Madison and indianapolis road between
i Franklin and Edinburgh
9th. The New Albany road runs from New Alba
ny, on the Ohio river, miles below Jacksonville
and nearly opposite Louisville, to Salem, 35 miles,
thence 10 Bedford, Bloomington, Gosport and Craw-
louisville, 10 miles further, where it will intersect
yhe Lafayette and Charlottesville road. The New
Albany road is located and under construction to Bed
ford 50 miles, and iron delivered present to lay
Is miles. This road will be in operation to Salem
next spring, and to Bedford next fall or winter.
u 10th. The Lafayette and Charlottesville, running
from the terminus of the New Albany road at the
latter place to the Wabash river at the former place
distance Of % miles, is nearly graded and will pro-
baby be finished next season.
11th. The Evansville road, commencing at Evans
vile, on the Ohio river, and running to Princeton
% miles, is now being located From Princeton il
from the latter place it will either to Terre
IL auto, 90 miles, or direct across to Indianapolis
ITO miles. and will in all probability as the country
becomes settled, diverge Vincennes and both
places.
18th. The Terre Haute and Richmond railroad
commencing at Terre Haute the State line Of IL
linos, runs from thence to indianapolis, ~ miles,
and from there 73 miles to Richmond. on the Ohio
State line. The first division of this road from Terre
Hauie to Indianapolis is entirely located and under
construction, and is to be laid with heavy rail OF
90 lbs to the yard. The second division from lnd
annapolis to Richmond. will probably be abandoned
and the road diverted from indianapolis direct Il
Rushville, and thence to Cincinnati via Ham.
; ilton, El0 miles, from indianapolis TO Greens.
burgh. and thence Lawrenceburgh and Cincinnati
the distance in either being about the same.
18th. The Indianapolis and Lafayette road, run.
ming from the former the latter place on the Ohio
and Erie Canal and the Wabash river, a distance Of
63 miles, is now being constructed, and will be in
operation some time next year. II is TO be laid til
heavy rail. Upon its completion to Lafayette, il
will be extended north to Michigan City. distance
of 90 miles. there connect with the New Buffalo
and Chicago road.
14th. The Indianapolis and Peru road, running
from the former city to the Ohio and Erie Canal al
the latter place, distance of rs miles, to be lait
with strap rail l-2x7-S is now building, and some
portion of it will be in operation next year.
18th. The Indianapolis and Belefonaine road
passing through Pendleton, Anderson, Muncie and
Winchester, to the Ohio State line, distance of 30
miles, is now constructing, to be laid with heavy
rail.
At the State line it will connect with the road Of
the Beefontaine and Indiana company, and thence
by their road TO, and crossing the Cincinnati anl
Sundusky city road Bellefoniaine, will extend
Gallon, Ohio, where it will intersect the Cleveland
and Columbus road, and connect with the Pennsylva
MIA and Ohio road at Pittsburgh.
10th. The Michigan and Ohio road to run from
Logansport the Ohio and Erie canal to Anderson
q on the Indianapolis and Beefontaine road ane
thence TO Newcastle and Knightstown, distance O
? about 80 miles, is now being surveyed-a suffieen
amount being subscribed TO justify it's commence
ment At Knightstown it will connect with til,
Q Knightstown and Shelbyyille road; and thence b,
that and the Shelbyville road will connect with thu
Madison road at Edinburgh-,hus giving another con
nection between the Wabash valley and the Ohlt
river This road will also probably be extended from
Knightstown direct 10 Cincinnati.
: l7th A road to run from Fort Wayne on the Ohit
: and Erie canal, to Muncie the indianapolis ant
Beefontaine road, about 20 miles, is also under con