Lynchburg daily Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1852-1861, 1853-06-03

10 We Tf-ssoe"s oHU DHtetWs ~ Mc va
Tenn. Rail Road Co.
Geatiemea
In compliance with the wishes of the Board
I left Abingdon on the 10Th Of April Last, to
explore the country, with view to ascertain
the praciicabiity of a rout for rail road be.
tween that point and Cumberland Gap. In a
rapid reconnaissance Of this sort 1t was not
expected that any particular line could be de-
fined as the best route. All that was consid.
cred necessary, for the advancement Of the
object in view, was to ascertain the practical
bility Of rail road on any line, between the
points above mentioned, and to collect such
information as may lead to a correct decision
on the policy Of carrying out the scheme
The route examined would leave the Va
Il Tenn. Rail Road at Abingdon. or at some
point between there and the Tennessee line
and passing Walkers Mountain; by one Of
several gaps, reach the Valley of tho North
Fork of Holsion as soon as possible: thence
passing down this valley. or a parallel valley
called the Poor Valley. until Big Moccasin
Creek is reached. This Poor valley is very
remarkable valley, which is sometimes blended
with the valley of the Hoston, and is some
times separated from it by low range Of
mountains frequently intersected by streams.
This valley runs from the creek just mentioned
up at least as far as the Salt Works in Smythe
county, distance of about SO miles and pas.
scs within s miles of Abingdon. Our line
will pass through Clinch Mountain, at Big
Moccasin Gap, without difficulty, ascending
first that stream and then Little Moccasn and
going through Estelvillc, the county seat of
Scott. The head of Little Moccasin interlocks
with the head of Troublesome Run, down
which the line would pass, TO Clinch river
BY this ran, the line passes through Copper
Ridge, 1t will then cross the Clinch, running
up its bank for a shor: distance The line
would then pass up Stock Creek and 60
through natural tunnel 500 feet long, which
will require very little work to fit it for the
passage of rail road. This natural tunnel,
which varies but little from straight line, is
formed by the passage of Stock Creek through
a minor range Of mountain. For much off
length it is fully 40 feet wide. by 30 high, and
the lower approach. having q perpendicular
face of some 400 fbst, above the top Of the cav.
ity, presents grand and imposing appear ance.
This great natural curiosity has already attract
ed much attention and together with cave of
great size and beauty nearit will undoubtedly be
much visited by travellers in search OF health
or pleasure, if rail- road be made. The line
then passes subordinate ranges of mountain,
through Buck eye hollow, Flat Lick and up
the North Fork Of Clinch, until 1t rams through
fowei's Mountain. by the Wild Cat Valley.
1t passes around the head of Walden's ridge
and reaches Powelrs Valley at the three
Forks of Powell's river.
From this point Powell's Valley extend,
sixty miles to Cumberland Gap and consdera
BILE choice OF route is offered. The road ma,
go by Jonesslle, the county seat of Lee-o
it may be continued down the bank of Pow
ellis river, or the Poor Valley, formatio
similar to the one described on the Holster
AT Cumberland Gap, a tunnel, probably c
half a mile, will be required.
The route described, may be considered a
highly favorable route for rail road. Tn
Valleys are long and uniform, and althoug
the line passes four great ranges Of mountains
besides subordinate ranges, no tunnel will
necessary--all the mountains being passed b.
water gaps. The soil. with comparatively few
exceptions, is exceedingly fertile. Some of tn
valleys are narrow, but Powell's valley al
fords large body of valuable land. Lee coun
ty now sells 10000 hogs, $500 cattle, and
large number Of horses annually; and even tbi
amount would give most inadequate idea c
the capacity ofthe county for production, whe
railroad shall develope its resources. Nearl
one half the road will be in this county SEQ,
too. is a rich county, though it cannot compa,
with Leo
There is one feature in the soil Of this cou
~ which will prove most important when
becomes fully settled and opened. The mou
tsins are rich to their very SUBMITS. The sc