Hannibal journal. (Hannibal, Mo.) 1852-1853, 1853-06-30
I'VE pnooREsu OF THE RAILROAD.

By the KIND invitation OF MI EDWARD "a
Fsx, the Engineer having in charge the con-
stYuction Of the first twenty-five miles of the
Hannbal and St. Joseph Railroad, we enjoyed
few days since an opportunity OF observing
the progress and nature Of the work ON tw enty
miles, commencing just outside the city
limits.
Mr. Sizer, who took the contract from The
river TO Palmyra, has sub-let the whole line,
rcserying to himself general superinten-
dence.
There are eight culverts and two bridges
completed between Hannibal and South River
"a distance of IL miles) and there will be in all
over forty, although by ditching, one culvert
is sometimes made 10 drain three or four ra
vines.
Messrs Dyke s. Sooner have the contract
for the Masonry from Hannibal to South River,
and have about 20 men employed Abutments
for bridge have been built by them over Min
now Branch, and they are now building Que
over Hopkins Branch. The masonry Of these
structures is constructed Of very superior stone,
and presents a remarkably solid and handsome
appearance.
Bear Creek is crossed three times. Culverts
on two of the crossings, however will be avoid
ed by changing the channel of the Creek.
The greatest exactness is observed in the
construction Of the embankment. The width
on top is fourteen feet, the usual width for first
class railroads in the East. 1t is the same
adopted by the Illinois Central Railroad. This
width allows three feet at each end of the ties
which will be eight feet long. This will b.
wide enough to prevent any damage from wash
ing or the falling away of the dirt. The cut
sre twenty feet at the bottom, which allows
ample space for bitches in portion of the rOa
where drainage is most required. Where EN-
banlments have been completed, ready COR bal
last, the work has neat and symmetrical ap
pearaDce.
III Messrs. GilrOy & Gerry have the contrac
for the grading of the first three sections, whic
they are carrying forward with energy. The
have thirty men employed, and want more
This is one difficulty against which the contrac
ors on all the sections nave to contend. The
cannot get hands enough.
A party of about &c. under Mr.. Meehal
contractor, are erecting shantieS on section Fcu
where work has been staked off.
~ Mr.. Graves, who has the contract on the 81
section, has built shanty, and has about 20 me
engaged in clearing
MsssYs. Mahar & Ssndford; contractors, al
pushing forward with energy, the work on Il
Sixth section. This passes through Capt. Ba
slsys fine farm. The Captain praises warm
ths psssesbls, industrious disposition Of II
men. .,f
South River is the seventh section. Here
sgiesntie piece Of cork, the heaviest on q
whSlo line from Hannibal TO st. Joseph. II
width Of the valley at the point of crossing
1900 fact, and the embankment must be IF
feat high, and l64 feet wide al tho base.
this space there would be 100000 yardS OF Ell
6ankmsnt, which alone would cost over S4(
600, allowing no part to be occupied by Bird
ing. TAs width Of che clearing in the bottc
10 200 feet. Mr.. Trsdwsy, who has the co
tSsct On this section, has fifty men at work, a
Wsnts hundred. The men with their car
wagons harroWs, spades, saws and axes, pr
sent in their hurried movements, busy a
ennating scene, while the huge, irregular phi
q dirt give this rugged valley still more ri
ged appearance. The channel Of South Riv
will hs changed at this point Messrs. Pa
more & Newman are quarrying and hauling no
FOR bridge, the plan of which s not yet 81
tled.s It is due 20 Mr.. Newman 10 say that
has spared neither labor nor expense in scare
ing for suitable stone for bridge, having ops
ed some half dozen quarries.
On section Eight a party under Mess
Redden & Thornbrpy is at WORK erecting
1hAnty.
West Of Palmyra, Messrs. KEN s Brewin
ton have the contract for the grading of 5
sl., Of The Road. They have two grading q