The weekly Minnesotian. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1852-1858, 1853-11-19

4uofseiS W cry out MohoPoy "e
great railroad enterprises of the day, such as
the Illinois Central but if we could get up
monopoly here in Minnesota that would be OF
% vast and immediate benefit in developing her
resources as will be the work alluded to In bring
ing forth the hidden wealth Of Illinois, we I'M
agine our people would not stop long in bid
ding it God speed.
The entire length of the Illinois Central Rail-
road and its present branches is 7O4 miles, eve
~ foot of which will be completed, stocked and
In running order by the first Of January, 1855.
The main trunk extends from Cairo. at the
mouth of the Ohio, to point On the Mississippi
opposite Dubuque ; but at no distant day it is
hoped St. Paul will be known and honored as
the terminus Of this vast work. As the road is
constructed in the most substantial manner
throughout, its foundations being laid as solid
the everlasting hills it is natural to conclude
that the cost Of construction, even through the
Prairie State, involves an expenditure far
greater than usual in such undertakings. Such
is the fact. Commencing at the mouth of the
Ohio, it extends over lands subject to annu-
al inundation Of from thirty to sixty feet, for
many miles. Until the highlands are reached.
the company is compelled to construct all en-
bankment above high water mark. For conve-
nence and to accommodate the business of the
road, this ievee is thrown up forty feet in width
ut the summit. This is the first great and ex-
pensive work on the line, and will cost at least
. million Of dollars.
The next work Of any great magnitude is the
bridge across the Illinois river at LaSalle. This
10 constructed from bluff TO bluff, spanning the
stream and the bottom lands skirting tin ALL
If we recollect rightly, two miles in extent
This work is of solid masonry, and must cost
an immense sum. Then they have the heavy
grading from Scales Mound, through Galena to
Dubuque, which is not to be done by any great
amount Of winding and twisting but cut straight
through those immense hills, which all of us who
have had occasion to travel over them by stage
coach will remember to the end of our days.
The main track completed. we will take a
look at the Chicago branch. Piles have been
driven in Lake Michigan from the mouth of
Chicago river, near the foot of Water street.
parallel with the lake Shore two miles south.
where the line strikes terra frma, outside, we
believe, the corporate limits of the city Upon
these the track is or will be laid A break-wa-
ter, costing an immense sum, is also being con-
sfructed by the company, which will secure an
excellent harbor in front of the depot The in
tervenlng space between the old lake shore.
and the railroad track is, we should Judge
BY hasty view Of the premises, some three
hundred yards in width This will be filed in
or planked over, and upon it will be erected the
company's depot and warehouses. This vast
work which will add millions OF dollars 10 the
commercial wealth Of Chicago, and incalcula-
oly to the safety of her harbor, costs the city
not cent. But the railroad Company expect
mere also to lay down one million of the hard
dollars, or nearly that amount The Chicago
branch runs parallel, and unites with the main
trunk far south toward Cairo
We are not positive as to the number of miles
OF the different sectons of this road already
finished but at last accounts, track was being
lad at IRE different points, and the grading of
the entire line was going forward with the great
est rapdity. Labor is scarce and high. but the
ample means of the Central company enables
It's agents to employ hands where other compa-
MES would fail to procure them. The portion
OF the road between Freeport and Dubuque is
now, perhaps. being pushed forward the most
rapidly; and 1t was confidently expected by the
proper officers of the company when we We're
In chicago three weeks ago. that the iron horse
would be heard in Galena in April next and
rest upon the shores of the Mississippi. oppo-
Jutuuua fha Grut Df
doubtful but the track will certainly he in
running order to Scales Mound within twelve
miles Of GaieDa, by the opening of navigation.
Inc cars now doubtless run to Lena. twelve
mics west OF freepOrt, and when we PASSED oy-
er the line returning from the East, We Noticed
simbers laid down within twenty-five miles of
Galena
Inc company have at command sufficient mo-
ney 10 nhish every mile Of road and stock it. and
enough iron after completing all their works in
Aii'holsto make very good beginning west and
north OF Dubuque. They are still Possessed of
thousands upon thousands of acres of the hos,
iands In Illinois, which are rapidly apprecia,inp
In value; and this day with but a few miles of it,
Immense work completed, the stock of the Ill.,
nols central Railroad Company is the most val
aaoie OF any in the West. In fact, few stocks
III Tue entire country are SO desirable.
we have gained most of the information here
pa. 'oftn from gentlemen directly connected
"''h the company. The concern, SO far has been
m0s. admirably managed by Col Mason. Chief
Lngneer, and his able corps of assistants. It.
luis time, keeps more men employed than
required six years ago to overrun and con.
4uel Mexico. and may we'll be regarded as the
moS' gigantic enterprise of Improvement now
gong forward in the universe.
we nave thus set forth, briefly and imperfect.
~, the state of progress of great wort d;.es.
~ connected with the future prosperity and do
veiopment of Minnesota. We are pleased 70
md that some of our editorial neighbors. the
fioneer, especially, take the same view of this
matter that we do Without WISHING for -. mo