The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1850-03-20
From the Guernsey Times.
The Central Ohio Rail Road.

Ihe Central Uhl0 Kdll k0ad.
Mr.. Editor:-I had the pleasure. of be-
ing present at the late Railroad convention
which convened at your place on the 26th
ult., in which talent and enterprise. were
combined. Although the number of dele
gates was not large, yet energy and the
right persevering spirit filed the vacuum.
All went off as It ought, in harmony and
good feeling. Nothing was said, or done
to mar the intended objects of the meeting,
or wound the feelings even of those Of diff
ferent interests, or sectional location, who
were lookers-on.
Yet we heard some outdoor remarks
made that the contemplated route for q
railroad (denominated the 'Short Link,'9
from GAINESVILLE to the Ohio river, by way
of Salt Creek, Buffalo and Seneca forks OF
Wills Creek and Sunfsh, was through a
poor and barren section Of country, par
ticularly Monroe county, and considered
doubtful whether practicable route could
be found. Such remarks we could not
receive in any other light than disrespect.
full in terms, detrimental in their tendency,
and untrue in their application. However
we might have been mistaken-the words
may have been spoken inadvertently.
1t has been my province, during some
part of the past winter, to travel some, and
attend several Railroad Meetings and
Conventions; and have had birds eye
view Of the different routes which so much
agtate the community at the present time.
In particular, | have visited the different
towns and villages contiguous to the
| GAINESVILLE and Sunfsh route, and have
been somewhat disappointed in finding the
soil in Monroe county, the mineral pro-
ductions on Sunfsh creek, the lofty and
lasting timber on The upands, which COM
bined advantages were superior to whatI
had anticipated.
Sunfsh creek, like others contiguous to
the Ohio river in eastern Ohio and west
ern Virginia, has its high banks, but is
more favored, in general, than the streams
in its vicinity. High bluffs and spurs of
ridges are not so numerous and lofty az
those of Captina, McMahon's and Wheel.
ing creeks, and its course meets with few
er distractions, by the interlocking, or
projecting points of spurs, and is more
free Of rapids, or falls than any Of the
creeks just mentioned. The elevation Of
the water, for several miles above its
mouth, is about l2 feet per mile, and it is
considered that the elevation, from the
mouth to its fountain head, does not ex-
ceed an average of % feet per mile. Suf.
flee it to say that the Creek and dividing
ridge were reconnoitred some two or three
years since. by an engineer Of the B. g. o.
Railroad Company. and considered by
him to be quite practicable route.
The banks of the Sunfish abound in
coal and free stone of the best quality
Along its course there are many valuable
farms, which yield plentiful harvest of
the neccessaries and comforts of life. of
which there is large surplus to spare
Monroe county. as a whole, is famous for
the growing of that luxuriant weed, Tobac-
CO, and it is supposed that in the produc.
ton of this crop it excels any county in
Ohio.
Along Sunfsh there are many valuable
saw and gristmills. affording fine advant-
ages TO the industrious and enterprising
citizens of that country. Among these
are those owned by VIM. Cochran. Judge
Jones, J. Sinclair, VIM. & Levi Richner,
Judge Ilollister, Gen. Ford, and Smith.
The names Of the proprietors Of the others
do not recollect. Yours &C..
THOMAS N. MUZZY.
Cumberland, March 5, 1850.