Lewisburg chronicle. [volume] (Lewisburg, Pa.) 1850-1859, 1850-06-12
Sunbury & Harrisburg Rail Road.

ounDuIy ha1DDufg hau Road.
At the last session Of the Legislature, a
bill was passed Incorporating company to
make railroad from Harrisburg to Sunbu.
ry. The importance and necessity for a
railway communication between Philadel
pbia and The junction Of the North and West
Branches Of the Susquehanna. has long
been felt and conceded. 1t has long been a
cherished objec. OF enterprising individuals
along this route 10 construct this road, and
now the first link is about to be commenced.
Next week the Mahonoy and Wisconisco
company will organize. They will make a
road from the mouth Of the Mahonoy creek
I miles south Of this place, TO the head Of
the Wisconsco canal, and probably to the
Central road a. Clark's Ferry. This will
leave but l miles to make the connection
complete. The route, throughout its whole
extent. lies along the banks Of the Susque.
hanna. The distance from this place to
Harrisburg is So miles. and the fall only
i4O Thy actual survey; SO tina, the grade
will be Of no account This road will tap
the three extensive ccal basins Of Shamokin,
Mahonoy and Lyken's Valley. besides
opening a market to the grea, trade of the
West Brach. The resources of this valley
are no, generally known. In addition to
the rich agricultural products which are not
surpassed by any valley in the State, il
abounds in mineral wealth. Rich veins of
iron ore are found in almost every hill. and
vast beds Of bituminous coal lie almost
worthless in the mountains for want Of a
CONVEYANCE 70 market. Immense quantities
of lumber are tied up along her bank every
season, its progress arrested by low water.
Scarcely a season passes but millions Of
feet are detained iu our dam, by high winds
or want Of water. which would speedily
find, their way TO Philadelphia and Baltimore
on rail road. The lumber trade alone OF
,ha, region would afford ample tonnage TO
rail read for years. Much Of the country
on the upper part Of the West Branch is as
ye, unimproved. Though the land is rich
and fertile, the distance from market and
The want Of facilities for transportation de-
ter the owners from improving it.
[, i, intended TO extend this road up the
Wes, Branch to Wi'Iiamsport. where it
will intersect the railway from that place
to Elmira. The latter road taps the great
New York and Erie rail road and draw up
On ii a position Of the immense Lake trade
which is so anxiously sought for by PhiIa.
dephia and Baltimore. When this con.
nec!ion is complete, as We have reason 10
know it will be in fe~ years.this rail road
will be one Of the most useful and profila-
be Improvements not only TO the company,
but to the whole State. II is through a
county like the valley OF the Wes, Branch
that railway ough, TO be made. Here are
vas, quantities Of land unimproved, rich
mineral resources to be developed, and ev-
cry mile of road will open new sources OF
wealth. The hourishlng towns Of Lewis
burg, WiIliansport. and Lock Haven, are
but an earnest Of the prosperity which will
follow this great work. When such places
can grow up in a section ofcountry whose
commerce is dependent upon the Difficult,
and dangerous river navigation or the slow
and uncertain transportation Of canal.
what may we not look for when railway
opens to i, swift, easy. and certain COM
mnnica,ion with the ocean !-[Sunbury
American.