Gallipolis journal. [volume] (Gallipolis, Ohio) 1837-1919, 1852-02-19

The Virginia papers publish the
Report Of Mr.. Shaw, chief Engineer
of the surveyors for a Railroad from
Covington in that State to the Ohio
river. We make room for the follow
ing extracts. 1t will be seen that the
report, predicated upon the ac'uai
surveys, expresses decided prefer
ence for the New River and IT.
Pleasant route:
aThe comparison was gradually
restricted 10 three routes: the main
New river route, the Big Sandy route
,nd the Meadow river route. The
Tnost decided advantages exist in ia
yor of the first named. The reasons
for rejecting the last two may here
he expressed in a few words:
The Big Sandy route is more than
DO miles the longest. even in measur-
ed distance. II crosses two addition
al SUBMITS, each higher than the
main Allegheny. Ii would require
frequent and expensive crossings OF
Big Sandy. 1t approaches too near
ly the Virginia and Tennessee road,
invading its province as it were, al
fordinp unnecessary accommodation
In one quarter, and creating dearth
OF it in the entire central region Of
the state, in which are located and
distributed those health giving foun-
tains, "tbe Virginia Springs" The
easy and speedy approach TO them is
a matter OF soIicitude and concern to
the people not only Of the Southern
and Western, but also of the Northern
and Eastern &ates-a consideration
that will attract and secure the at
tention of capitalists to its stock, both
North and South, as The incalculable
travel over this line in pursuit OF
health and pleasure, will tend TO
cheaper the rates OF tonnage below
the average rates Of railroad charges.
The Meadow river route was re-
iected because OF The necessity, first,
OF crossing Meadow mountain. thus
rising unnecessarily 900 feet alter
reaching the GreenbrIer river,
whence an uninterrupted descent is
practIc bic. And lastly, from the
utter impracticability of adjusting
curves OF suitable radius to the
ground between Meadow and Gauley
rivers. This route had been conh-
IDENTIFY claimed as being 30 miles
shorter than the line down New riv-
er. So far from this being the ease,
il is, at the most lavo able estimate,
longer even in measured distance
Both of the rejected routes have ad-
vantases, certainly. which shall be
duly stated hereafter, but they are
greatly overbalanced by inferiority ol
grade.
Unusual efforts were made TO
avoid the supposed great difficulties
of New river, but had the facts now
in possession been lully known, no
anxiety would have been entertained
10 find a substitute for what do moi
fear TO proclaim line Of unequalled
excellence in grade, and but mode
ratelv difficult OF execution.
The valley OF New river being
much OF il without even continuous
horsepath below TIE mouth Of Lick
creek, is somewhat difficult Of access
and must b. visited at particular
points, or reconnoiIered on loot
Having only visited particular points
myself, requested Mr.. Mexican tC
commit his own remarks to paper
and here insert them. As they art
the notes of one who has trodder
every loot Of this much misrepresen
ted way. and of one moreover, fee
called upon 10 say, who has evincet
the highest professional skill ant
judgment in his operations, the!
ought TO be considered as the mos
reliable authority for the true char
acter of the ground.