The mountain sentinel. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1844-1853, 1851-07-24
The Progress OF the Central.

On Friday last we visited a portion of the
Central Railroad now in progress of construc-
ton between Greensburg and Turtle Creek near
Pittsburg. The company consisted of Mr..
Richard McGrann, Jr., one of the most enter
prising contractors in the country, Dr. McKim,
OF Blairsyille, Messrs. w. Henry Barnes and
J. Dubarry, Esq, of the Engineer Corps, seve-
raj ladies and ourself. Our route brought US
firstly to sections so and 81 about one mile west
of Greensburg, on which there are several hea-
w embankments and deep cuts, ranging from
30 to 40 feet. On section 80 there is tunnel
constructing about 430 feet in length, which,
through the indefatgable exertions of the con-
tractor, and the skill displayed by the hands
employed, has in q short time been tunnelled
half the distance, and is still progressing to
completion. Near the western mouth of the
tunnel, thirty feet under ground, imbedded in
the solid rock was found fossil tree, which
fact certainly bids US believe that the surface
of the earth in these parts is at present much
higher than it was some centuries ago, and
leaves the impression on our minds that at some
former date, through the effects of an earth
quake the ground has been thrown up consid-
erably. Through this tunnel runs vein of
coal about eight feet thick from which more
than sufficient is taken to supply the various
wants OF the machinists and laborers. After q
refreshing cup Of buttermiIk for which we were
indebted to the kind and considerate Mrs. Sher-
idan, the party returned to the town, and in
the evening Mr.. McGrann and ourself proceeded
to section 81 about four miles west of Greens
hTvrr rEln i -.
heavy, and to persons uninitiated it would at
first sight appear impossible to construct a
railroad through such impenetrable barriers as
! the hills seemed to be. The road here runs
| across ravine over which there is now build
ing substantial one arch culyert, and when
/ completed the embankment will be in heighth
about 90 feet Running west the line of road
/ takes thorough cut of about 80 feet through
a hill, three-fourths of which is solid rock Of
the hardest kind 1t was at section p tha'
while We were imbibing the real Irish malt, we
were so warmly received by the usual salutaton
Of ''Cead, Militia, Faltha,'' signifying "a hun
/ dred thousand welcomes" a toast in every way
appropriate to the feelings of every man who
understands the Irish character. Mr.. McGrann
!
kind of person into whose hands such heavy
sections should be committed, and is in fact
one of the cleverest, most sociable and gentle
manly men we have ever met with. His hands
are of the right MATERIAL orderly and quiet, and
in the course of day do justice to their work.
They esteem him highly, and it was pleasing to
witness the good feeling existing between the
employer and employees. Section % has been
completed by its contractor, Mr.. Pryce, and
section 80 is in the hands of an able contractor,
Mr.. Madigan, who is determined not to be out
done both in the promptness and finish of his
work by any of his contemporaries. There are
several sections this road that will not be
completed until next spring,-but by the 4th OF
August the cars $50 Messrs. Barnes and Dubar-
ry informed us) will run from Johnstown to
Lockport, and by 1st October to Latrobe from
where there will be 30 miles staging to Turtle
Creek and railroad from thence to Pittburg