The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1852-06-12
From thu Prunfytoson { Va.) STANDARD.
The Baltimore and Ohio Railroad.

There 10 now living in our village (Pruntytown,
Taylor county, Va.) native Western Virginian,
who happened to be in ths city OF Baltimore on
the 4th day of July, 1929, and witnessed the pa
rade and ceremony accompanying the raising of
the frat shovel Of ground in the construction Of
this grand enterprise Though possessed of u
vigorous and shrewd capacity for discerning the
probability Of success in any contemplated enter
prise, yet he more than staggered in view of what
the company then proposed to do. He had crossed
the towering and wide extended Appalachian chain
OF mountain9 which separate the lowlands of the
seaboard from the great valley Of the Mississippi;
he had seen the great unevenness aud rugged as
pect Of the whole surface OF the country, Tor mes
east and west OF the main line of this chain Of
mountains; he had forded ferried the various
rivers and creeks running at the base OF noun
tains which they only divided, from the summit OF
which to the bottom he could scarcely venture to
remain in the saddle of his trusty horse; he had
wound his way through narrow passea, up deep
ravines, over fearful and projecting precipices,
along confined tracks on narrow and lofty ridges,
from the heights Of which his head would some
times grow dizzy; and while the faintest imagery
of these things would present themselves to his
mind he would mentally exclaim, swell, it may
be 50; but would rather the road than hear
the practicabity OF its construction so strongly
asserted"
Well, that gentleman has lived not only to sec
the fulfiment of these promises to the letter, and
the completion of this grand enterprise to the VAL
ley river, but has also had the pleasure of being
one of the first native Western Virginians who
crossed these fearful heights, with lightning speed
breakfasting one morning with his family in
Pruntytown, and the next morning at Barthoow's
Hotel in Baltimore
Yes, the thing which was deemed impracticablc
by many intelligent minds, is now monument Of
the greatness and boldness Of mans conception
For the very idea OF crossing the Alleganies at
this point, with a train Of from $50 to 300
yards long, drawn by an "iron horse,' whose
strength is derived entirely from fire and water,
OF itself grand and supendous. We entered Fet-
ternan with a train of this length. The grade for
n cnf1u yprln - f0at ,ta
without variation, ascending and descending;
and this grade We passed with number of
burden cars attached to the train, at about fifteen
miles per hour. Though used from infancy to
rough and mountainous scenery, yet, when in the
midst OF these lofty submits, mind was raised
to high degree of admiration.
Ever and anon travelling friend would ex-
claim, "ls not the scenery sublime? See yon tow
ering range of mountains rising above the Clouds
and giving striking idea of the grandeur of
ture's works." But every thing around US ia
citing while passing through these mountains
Ihe distant view, the pure gurgling streams, as
their limpd waters tumble in rapid motion down
the sleeps to the rivers; the rivers in their
dering courses through narrow passes; the chirp
ing OF the birds; the sporting OF water iowlsI the
odor OF the wild flowers and the terrible snortings
Of the "iron horse" all combine to give enchant-
ment to the place. We would be at q loss to Judge
of the composition Of the traveller who, after
once passing over this road, would not express the
greatest satisfaction at hs trip. Persons unacCus
toned to the richest and sublimest mountain
merry, and TO its pure air, will never regret ride
in the cars from Cumberland to Fctterman.
But although the track Of this railroad, from
Westernport to Fetterman, is mostly over rough
and mountainous country, yet it is only necessary
to travel over it, and examine its construction in
every respect TO vanish all fears Of danger. The
tunnels are now being arched in most substantial
manner wherever arching is at all essential; and
the trestles though constructed only for temporary
purposes, seem as firm As the mountains around
A number of very large pieces of round timber
(large trees, indeed) are firmly bedded on solid
stone foundation, and placed on their enda in a
perfectly perpendicular position. These timbers
so fastened to render their position entirely
secure. train of care Of any imaginable length
and OF any conceivable amount OF burden can,
With the utmost safety, pass these trestles. In
conversation with Thomas Swami. esq, the Presi-
dent Of the Company, while in Baltimore, we learn
ed, among other things, that the Board had deter
mined TO substitute iron in place of stone, in the
completion of the bridges where these trestles
stand.
Ina few months the entire road will be completed
from Baltimore to Wheeling, distance of about
three buntrcd and eighty-tw miles, and will be
travelled in about sixteen hours, when regulated
according TO the energetic plans Of the company.