Lewisburg chronicle. [volume] (Lewisburg, Pa.) 1850-1859, 1851-09-03
Brush Valley Plank Road.


had never before visited; and became sat-
isiied, also, from personal observation, Of
the importance and entire practicability Of
the proposed plank road. The day was
bright and balmy, and as we rolled out into
the rich Buffalo Valley, behind pair Of
spirited nags under the control of an ac-
complished Jehu, and felt the life blood
dance with renewed energy through our
veins, we could freely unite in the excla-
nation that this fertile valley was indeed
goodly heritage, and our lines cast in
pleasant places.
A mile or two beyond Rengler's MIL We
passed q fountain of sulphur water flowing
from an Artesian well five hundred feet
deep, bored some years since in fruitless
search for salt springs. Some eight or ten
miles from town we stopped few minutes
at the dry tavern to rest and refresh
our horses; and then plunged into
the Brush Valley Narrows-a narrow pass
between two parallel mountain ridges, wa
tered by Rapid Run, and extending west
wardly fourteen miles, when it opens out
near Stover's saw mill, into the rich farms
and beautiful scenery of Brush Valley, IL
Centre county. The road which is some
times badly cut up by the heavy rains, We
found remarkably smooth and in good or
der. At every step in our progress the air
became more cool and inyigorating, and
the forests of pine, hemlock, maple, &c,
&c, which clothe the mountains to their
very SUBMITS, more dense and impenetra-
ble-in many places the trees rearing their
lofty and symmetrical shafts up towards
mid-heayen more like the thick clusters of
a cane brake, than the growth Of an ordi-
nary forest. This is especially the case in
the middle of the narrows, near Wilson's
saw mill, and in a recess of the mountains
a mile or two around towards the north
cast. Better timber lands than these can
not be found in the State-and the supply
of lumber they can furnish is we'll nigh
incxhaustible.
A drive Of seven miles without a civil
ize. Luilding-except an idle saw mill
away down in the bottom of the ravine,
800 feet below the road, but which vii!
be accessible and profitable when the plank
road is madc-brought us to the place
of meeting, an incipicnt village located in
a pleasant opening in the mountains, and
containing a saw mill. dwelling house and
stable, but capable of much creator things
when properly brought out into connection
with the crest of mankind" While
waiting for the Centre county delegation,
our party tried their hand at trout fishing,
and certainly with marvellous success, The
water on the dam had been partly drawn
off to repair the mill, and the trout had
gathered in shoals in a favorite spot, to
sun themselves, and for half an hour, with
the aid of a pair of hooks and lines, they
were invited out of their native element
with celebrity and certainty that was per-
fectly enchanting-one voracious chap hav
inc the hooks of both lines in his mouth,
when brought to shore. We certainly
never saw trout SO docilc and accommoda-
ting before. This is the region also for
the manly sport of deer hunting, though
We had no time for it, that day. Indeed
we know of no spot more likely to become
a fayoritc place of resort in the summer
time than this, when provided with suita-
bic accommodations, and means of easy
access.
AS for the Plank Road, all that is
wanted for its early and complete success,
is the " will to do and the heart to dare"
The natural grade of the route is remark
ably level and uniform; and the facilities
for its cheap and durable construction, are
equal, and in many essential particulars
superior, to those of any route in the Union.
And wncn donv, :he amount of business
that must and will be done upon it, is such
as will, beyond all reradventure make it
safe and profitable investment. The town.
ships through which it is to run would
find it greatly to their advantage to aid it
with liberal subscriptions of stock. In
this county West Buffalo has two miles,
and Hartley five miles and three quarters,
and Miles township, Centre, six miles Of
the route to keep up, as a township road,
at a very heavy annual expense. Hartley
being obliged every year, We are told, to
send out parties of forty or fifty men at
time, to repair this road, who are obliged
to camp out and carry their provisions with
them. BY subscribing literally to com-
plete the plank road, this heavy draft upon
the township treasures would be avoided,
and the remaining taxes lesseued by the
revenues received from the investment.
Al