The mountain sentinel. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1844-1853, 1851-03-20
Plank Roads.

The project of constructing a plank
road from Ebensburg to the Cherry-tree,
was agitated year since 10 such an extent
that many persons were induced to believe
that the work would have been COM
menced ere this; but from some cause
unknown to us, the matter has lain over
and all the anxiety that was manifested
for It's early completion, seems TO have
died away. Now, we are of The opinion
that, this very needluI affair has been
talked of long enough, and it is full time
some certain efforts were made to insure
It's erection. To attempt TO show the
benefits that would result 10 our town
when The road is made, would be only to
relterate the favorable opinions that are
entertained on the subject by all our citi-
zens. The trade with that section of the
county, IN lumber, grain, &C., is at present
quite large, but no safe calculation can be
made of the large increase of business
that would necessarily follow It's compile
ton. A good connexion with the north
Is manifest, from the very fact that, upon
such connexion depends the prosperity
and future improvement of our village.
This winter, so far, we have not had suf
hcIeEt snow 10 enable the products of that
region TO reach Us, and as the winter and
spring OF the year is the time that our
farmers have the least 10 do at home, arc
we not warranted in stating that, if this
road was now in operation, il would be
'TaVersed daily, by from fifty 10 hundred
wagons, loadened with lumber, &c. which
would find a market here. That il is the
Only plan, by which VIC can secure the
trade OF that section permanently, is evil
dent Tor IN the event of turnpike being
constructed from the same point, through
LorelIo, to the Summit, (which is not i'm
probable,) how much of this business
could We expect to obtain, by our present
county road. There would be business
enough for both of these roads, and we
hope our Loretto friends may push theirs
70 complexion. II would be good thing
Tor their town aud su rounding country.
and II Is much needed. A charter has
been obtained from the State for this plank
road, and can be lifted at any time. A
snmcienl amount should at once be sub
SeHbed to employ competent engineer,
TO make a survey of the route, and ascer
tain The Practicabhiiy of the same. If
found practicable, 4 company should be
formed, d President and Directors an
pointed, and persons should be appointed
TO solicit subscriptions. We place the
distance at 20 miles, and the cost per
mile at $500, which is i high figure,
and we have for the whole expense of the
road $4,000. This would no doubt bu;ld
II IN substantial manner. If one half
Ihta amount was subscribed in cash. il
would grade the road, and the balance of
the stock would be taken by the lumber
men IN the north. That the stock would
pay, Is certain, for we know of no plank
road that does not pay enormous dividends,
ana as 1t Is new affair here, we presume
II would pay at least 20 per cent. per an
num- which in five years would amount
to the original cost. Plank roads are be-
ing constructed III all parts of the State,
ana we know of no county that needs one
more than onr own. Let something be
done IN this matter, and that speedilv
Let us ascertain lis praclicabili,v. how
much can be subscribed, how mpcb ;s
needed which VIC can borrow, and ,bon
We snail know upon what ground we
stand. In speaking of this road, il would
De an oversight no, To notice the claims
mat the proposed plank road TO Jefferson
mas on our citizens for support. Some
persons imagined that this road, when
made would be injurious to the business
oi our town, but for tue life of lis we
cannol see the plausihility of their reason