The Jackson standard. [volume] (Jackson C.H., Ohio) 1847-1888, 1853-09-15
From the Guyandotte Herald,
New RaiIroad Project.

New Railroad PrOjects
On our first page will be found a history
of the beginning Of new project for
railroad, which has been surveyed from
point in the CINCINNATI and Belpre Rail-
road, at the town Of Charleston down the
Symmes Creek Valley TO Morrison's mill,
thence up Leatherwood Creek, and thro'
a tunnel of about 1900 feet 10 Buffalo
creek, thence through deep cut to the
head of Soliday creek, thence down said
creek to South Point, opposite the mouth
Of Sandy.
1t will be remembered that early in the
spring we called attention TO the fact that
the above route was probobly the best
that could be found anywhere in Southern
Ohio, by which the roads of Northern
and Norlh-W estern Ohio, Michigan,
Northern Indiana, and Illinois, can have
connection with the Virginia Roads, and
an outlet TO the best harbour in the world
at Norfolk, Virginia.
By glance at the map it will be seen
that Symmes creek is long stream, and
pursuing the right course for this road,
and those acquainted with the country
will bear us out in the assertion that there
is no valley in Southern Ohio better adap-
ted for a railroad track--the bottoms be-.
ing wide and nearly le,el--many places
the track may be straight as an arrow for
miles.
The Symmes creek valley is also rich
agricultural country; and heretofore they
have enjoyed no means of transporting
their products to market, except by haul.
ing or driving it over the hills, or far up
towards the head of the stream to the
Furnaces.
Several Furnace sites have also been
purchased up this stream that have not
been improved for years in consequence
of there being no suitable way Of getting
their Iron 10 market. There are already
three Furnaces in operation in the vicinity
Of this proposed route to whose interest
it would be 10 ship their iron on this road;
besides this the immense fine level lands
through which it would pass to reach
Chillicothe, Circleville, and Columbus,
would supply an incalculable amount Of
trade that would be seeking our high
markets in Eastern Virginia. This cou.
pied with the immense trade that would
most surely seek passage on this road
to the fine harbour OF Norfolk from North,
ern Ohio, from whence they could come
when all other routes TO the seaboard are
impassabie--proves almost to demon
stration, that should this road be built, it
will be one of the most profitable roads 10
The stock holders that is now to be made.
Morrison's mill is an important point
on this road. There is no obstruction
from the level plains Of Ohio until you
reach there--near that place it diverges
from Symmes creek to 60 down 10 the
mouth Of Sunday, and TO reach there, a
distance OF l3 miles, and back TO Guy.
andotte l2mles, making 25 miles 10 Guy.
andotte, it has some heavy grades, one
tunnel and one deep cut 10 encounter
But this need not be fatal objection 10
the enterprise,--so long a road that has
only one difficult place in it.of so short
distance is not very common--but even
this difficulty can be entirely obviated.
Morrison's mill is distant form Guy
andotte seven miles, only; and Nature
has already nearly completed the level
ing and cutting, without the aid of the
engineer, or the railroad contractor, on
that part of the route. This route which
would commence directly opposite here
making a slight bend 10 the north,
around the point of the hill al Mr.. Suffers,
thence up the Indian Guyan to the mouth
of Bents creek, and the same direct line
up to the head of that stream, where
there is an unusual depression in the hill,
and where but slight cut would have to
be made to get over to Symmse creek,
with light grade, and but small amount
of curvature.
Thus gaeat expense would be saved in
the construction Of this road, and Is miles
of travel saved, in reaching Guyandotte
for all freight and passengers going 10
Eastern Virginia, and TO Kentucky it
would be only 6 miles further, and far
less expensive route to make--and it is
easy to see that far the greatest amount
of trade and travel on this road will be
for Virginia, as the part of Ohio tapped
by this road is already using other roads
in their commercial transactions with
Kentucky, and this will not be likely 10
draw that trade as we cannot see any ad
vantage that would result.