The southern press. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1852-06-26

ioa with IL losd - tons. at speed Of 10 miles
per hour and upwards. When the track was
rendered slippery, however, by moisture, the en-
CINE and its load occasionally slid backwards,
and more than once ran in this way, with locked
wheels, nearly half mile down to the bottom
of the grade-without damage, however This
we believe is the most extraordinary feat OF To-
connective steam power on record.
When our party arrived at this tunnel II was
found that portion of the loose earth and rocks
in part of it, had fallen for distance OF 90
or 81 yards, and over three feet deep. 1t WAS
one of those occurrences which could not be
foreseen but will very speedily be avoided by
the timbers being placed in it preparatory to arch
ing No one WIS injured Mt the time OF the fall,
although some dozen men have been killed in it
during the progress of its completion.
1t was half past 2 o'clock when we reached
the eastern mouth, and it was therefore necessary
to take the cars over the mountain--the excur-
sionists walking over, enjoying an opportunity
of stretching their limbs. The delay here OF
some four hours afforded fine chance for
amusement, and many were the rich scenes that
came off.
In the village of Greggsvile, where there
are quite number of persons residing princi-
pally from the Emerald Isle, one portion of our
party could have been seen witnessing the pro-
gress of the only school in the place-another
party, with venerable city father at their head,
enjoying dance with a bevy Of bright-eyed
kathleens, to the music of tute--another
party exploring the end Of the tunnel-another
exploring the recesses of a dismal coal pit, in
the side of the mountaia--another clambering
the mountain sides-anOther walking along the
road en- route for Farmount--another pitching
quoits-another chasing a pig-and Others,
here and there, straggling along the road. The
feat of taking over the cars, at grade of $40
feet to The mile, was witnessed with astonsh
ment by every one. The engine would 90 up
with two cars behind, as steady as on level
road, and never slipped or faultered for the in
slant. 1t was feat that many would hardly
have believed had they not seen it.
Leaving Kingwood tunnel, we found the lire
for five miles defending along a steep hill side
to the flats of Raccoon creek, at Simpsons. In
this distance, il lies high above the valley, and
crosses a branch OF it with an embankment 100
feet in elevation. There are two other heavy
fills further on. Two miles west of the King.
wood tunnel is Murrays tunnel Of 200 feet long,
regular and beautiful semcrcuiar arch cut
out of fine solid sandstone rock, OVERLAPPING n
vein OF coal 6 feet thick, which is seen on the
mining this coal at the west end of the King
wood tunnel, and using it successfully in their
engines.
From Simpsons, westward. the route pursues
the valleys of Raccoon and Three Forks creeks,
which presents no features of difficulty, to the
mouth of the latter creek, lOl miles from Cum
berland, at the Tygarts valley river, where the
railroad to Parkersburg will diverge from that
to Wheeling. The distance to these two places
(Which arc 80 miles apart on the Ohio rver)
will be nearly equal, being lO4 miles to the
former, and SO to the latter
Fetterman, promising looking village. 2
miles west of the last point, and 1884 miles
from Cumberland. Here the turnpike to Park.
ersburg and Marietta crosses the river, and over
that the company are about to forward the great
Western mail by coaches until the road is fin.
i he'd to Wheeling.
The route from Fetterman to Fairmont has
but one striking feature. The Tygarts valley
river, whose margin it follows is a beautiful and
winding stream, of gentle current, except at the
falls, where the river descends, principally BY
three or four perpendicular pitches, some 10
feet in about mile.
A mile and half above Fairmont the Ty.
CARTS Valley river and the West Fork river
unite to form the Monongahela- first being
the larger of the two continents.
A quarter Of mile below their junction the
railroad crosses the Monongahela upon via
duet $50 feet long and SO feet above low water
surface. The lofty and massive abutments of
this bridge are completed, and the piers are
partly founded, but not yet raised above water
the difficulties met in the bed of the river
having delayed this part of masonry the stone
for which, however, lies ready along the banks
at the bridge, which will be finished this season.
The track at present crosses the river upor,
substantial trestle work, by means of which the
iron superstructure of arches of 200 feet span
each, is to be erected.
ARRIVAL AT FAIRMONT
We did not reach Farmont till about 10
o'clock at night, four hours later than was an.
ticipated, not only to our own, but to the sad
disappointment of some five or six thousand
persons who had assembled at that city to greet
our arrival. Finding the detention 40 great, an
extra engine was started from Kngwood hav.
ing the provision cars, under Messrs. Guy, at
tached, and they went into Fairmont consider
able time ahead of our train The greatest ex.
element had prevailed in Fairmont. Palatine
on the opposite side of the Monongahela river,
and throughout the whole of Marion county,
and the neighborng country, in anticipation Of
the new era in their lives by Witnessing the ar
rival of the first steam engine that ever entered
that city.
From all sections of country the people had
come--young and old, male and female--and
tho houses and hill-tops were covered with the
expectant multitude. When the engine, started
in advance with the provisions, came putting
down the valley, the air was rent with the loud
hurrahs supposing it to be the train containing
the excursiOnists Finding their mistake, they
waited till darkness shut out the view, and even
then thousands were placed at various points
who greeted US as we came in at 10, with the
greatest enthusiasm The train proceeded
through the town to a point down the river
where a building had been erected in which we
were to dine. The company were soon col
lected at the table, the appetites Of all being
sharpened to an unusual degree, notwithstand
ing fine collation. was served up on the road
in the cars.
NEUrcHATEL.--The Swiss journal Bund, de-
MES that protocols have been signed by the great
powers to deliver up Neufchatel to Prussia On