Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [W. Va.]) 1852-1859, 1853-01-20
Erom M. Ballimore American.

We have before, through the Telegraph, noticed
the departure ofthe excursion trains from Wheeling
The cars, twenty in number, left the Wheeling
depot about nine o'clock on Friday morning, and
reached the most interesting point on the route
about one o'clock-the passage over the Broad
tree Mountain. They were conveyed over the
great barrier blythe most powerful locomotives,
each engine taking overtwo cars. The ordinary
locomotives also require their aid, not being of
themselves able to overcome the grades. The
great care exercised by the conductors caused a
considerable delay, and owing to the slipping off
the track of one two cars, the time consumed in
crossing the mountain was over three hours The
ieat however, was safely and Satisfactorily
pished. On the outward trip this point was
passed IN the night, and the. passage oyer was at
once wonderful in its performance, and the scenes
slngularly picturesque and beautiful. When the
cans arrived, all the laborers at this point turned
out with torch and lanterns to assist in the opera
ton. The whole of the mountain glared, as the
cars mounted upwards, with the bursting flames of
the engines, while the sparkling lights carried up
ana Down the decivities looked if the stars had
fallen from the skies, and were sporting upon the
Verges OF the precipices. Nothing could exceed
The beauty of the sublime spectacle; and the ex-
curhonlsts, perched like eagles upon the sides of
Inc mountain, gave vent to their admiration and
delight by repeated cheers, which were echoed and
from the depths of the gorge to the lofty
summit. = ','Nr - r..
The passage over the mountain is effected by
series OF slopes cut out of the Sides terminating in
what are technically known as Y's. The slopes
have an inclination generally of about four hun
dted feet to the mile. Each engine pulls its load
oil two cars up slope, and when it reaches the
switch at the end, pushes them up the second and
again pulls them up the third, and so on until it
reaches the summit from which the descent is eff
fected IN the same manner. There are FIVE slopes
on the Western side, and two on the Eastern, the
latter being of course much longer. Whatever
danger there may be in traversng the precipitous
passage is entirely forgotten in the novel position
ot the spectator and the extraordinary beauty and
sublimty Of the whole scene. On the return trip
the cars crossed in the day time, and the pasSen-
gers were gratifed with most beautiful panoramic
view OF mountain scenery.
The delay at the tunnel caused the train to pass
over the high tressel-work East and West of the
klngwood tunnel during the night, so that this in
genlous effort of science and skill could not be ex-
amhned. The train reached Cumberland at s, A.
NJ, on Saturday morning, and again left for Balt-
more at O'Clock. The snow and rain which had
fallen through the night upon the trees alorg the
route and covered the mountain sides far and near,
gave the scene c Irious and singularly beautiful
appearance.
Notwithstanding the unaccustomed exposure 10
which the excurSonSts were subjected, the bracing
cir of the mountain region seemed 10 imparl fresh
Vlgor to every one-eren the oldest gentlemen
present appeared each morning, after riding all
night, as fresh and as lively as though they had
enjoyed their regular rest. The provision made by
the Company for the entertainment on The road of
the large number of the eNcurSiuniStS was on the
most liberal and ample scale, and we are happy TO
say the greatest satisfaction evinced, and The
utmost good humor prevailed from the beginning to
the end Of the trip. The Committees OF Directors
who Severally had the matter in charge, performed
their duties i'll the most efficient manner very fire.
quently in utter disregard CT their own personal
convenience and comfort, while the gentlenanly
department of the accomplished and truly aHfable
PRESIDENT oil the Company, as well as that of the
whole Board OF Directors, impaired TO The excur-
sion degree of pleasure which will long be re-
membered by every one who had the happiness of
participating i'll it. Nor should we omit TO men
ton the praiseworthy conduct of the conductors
and other officers of the train. They used every
possible effort 10 prevent accident and neither
loss OF rest nor the unusual degree Fl exposure and
fatigue the expedition imposed upon them caused
them 10 relax Tor one moment their aSSidouS atten-
lions to every member of the party. So long the
Company contide their interests 10 such gentle
manly officers, the public will never have cause
to complain, nor will the Company find its inter-
ests to Suffe:.
By the good people of Wheeling the opening of
the Railroad was regarded as event ofunsurpaSsed
interest, and they manifested their Joy and salts
faction i'll extending TO their numerous visiters
true hearted hospitality in every way becoming
the people OF the Old Dominion.
Thetrp, oil the whole, was in the highest de-
gree satisfactory. 1t showed the magnitude and
extent OF the work, the difficulties that had been
encountered and overcome in carrying the road
over the mountains an! under them, and gave abun-
dant evidence that the work had been confde,i TO
SKILL, ingenuity, iniomitable perseverance, and
long experience. The high appreciation in which
the efforts of the chief engineer, r. B. H. La
trobe, ale held by the public at large, was suf1-
GENTLY manifested i'll the repeated plauds bestow-
ed upon him by the Railroad Company and the au-
thorties of Wheeling, and enthusiastically respon-
ded TO by the large body5.of exculslonist May the
prosperity of the Company equal the benefits that
the construction of the road will inevitably ensure
to the cities of Wheeling and Baltimore and the
States of Maryland and Virginia.
Excursion to wheeling-Return Passage.
You have already been informed by telegraph
and letter of the proceedings connected with the
splendid banquet given us by the citizens of Vince
ling on Wednesday night, and purpose i'll this
hurried letter, which l write in the cars 10 Civ
you some notes OF the homeward journey.
We had purpoSed leaving on Thursday morn
ing, but information having arrived at Wheeling
that IN consequence OF the heavy rains and melting
SHOWS, land slide had interrupted passage over
the road, some distance from Wheeling, the Off
ces OF the road deemed il best to defer our depart
ure till Friday morning. Thursday was therefore
spent IN examining the many objects of interest
in and about the city, such as the great suspension
bridge, the splendid boats ofthe Union line, COM
merclal and forwarding houses, manufactures, &c,
Of which you will receive, in due time. full ac-
count: AT night there was splendid ball at
W ashngton Hail, at which many of our company
ere present; and they i'll extacieS-if not at
iected by still tenterer passion-whie they speak
Of the "beauty and fashion, OF the city of Vice.
ling.
The day was wet! cold and unpleasant, but the
kindness and hospitality of the citizens dspelled
its cheerlessness Never were people received
more cordially, or treated more kindly. The 1e-
OF them will be to the mind as pleas
ant perfume TO the outward sense, in the years of
our future lives.
But bitter experience has often taught us that
earth's enjoymen,s are doomed TO Interruption
opwth ours. Friday morning came, and all was
were thronged by the citizens huriying 10 the rail-
road station to bid us last good bye.
AT half past eight O'Clock we were comfortably
seated in the cars, which were, as on. tie outward
passage, divided into two trains of six cars each;
the first train, in Charge of the attentive veteran
conductor. Capt. Owens, contained Gov. johnson,
Of Virginia, Gov. Lowe, of Maryland, and suite,
The members of the Legislatures of both States,
resident Swami, and the Directors of tie road,