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

/ aoillty worthy to be thus COMMUNICATED. And
apropos TO this point, l may give characteristic
speech, made by him, at the banquet, in response
to toast: "Mr. President, am no speaker. Let
the long link OF road have laid in short time,
and underl so many difficulties, speak for me-
But let me say, thee cheers for Benjamin II. Lat
robe, Esq" The cheers were given with will.
Twenty miles from Wheeling, we pass Shep-
herds Tunnel, which is $50 feet long, and hewn
Out oil solid rock at depth of 100 feet below the
apex OF the hill. Ten miles brings us to Well
ington's Tunnel, about quarter of mile through,
which ushers us into Fish Creek Valley, which we
pursue to the western terminus of Pettybone Tun-
| mel, yet unfinished. The passage CT the noun
tain above was briefly noticed in our outward pas
sage.
| The country through which the road passes from
the Ohio to this point beggars description. UNI
derstand that artists are skeching the NEST impor
tant points along the whole line of the road from
Baltimore and Wheeling, and while their work will
give an idea of the stupendous grandeur of them,
no pen, no pencil can give their actually. The
road Is hemmed in by towering, precptous noun
talns-otten nearly perpendicular TO the base of
the gorge below-and it passes through almost con-
tinuous deep cuttings, or over heavy embankments.
We commenced the ascent of Pettybone noun
tains about IL o'clock, and, OWING to some unim-
Potant Interruption at one or two points, and the
extreme caution on the part of the conductors, en-
gineers and other officers, it was almost four clock
before we were on our way from the base of the
eastern side.
In connection with this mountain passage NAV
MENTION so far as know, the only unpea SAINT per
sonal incident connected with the excursion In
our outward journey, Mr.. W. H. Freeman, of Bait.
IN order more fully TO enjoy the beauty of the pros
pect' undertook, with others, to walk over the
mountain. He hired guide. who led him from
Inc track across the widest part of the mountain
ana when IN Its midst their light went out and left
tleni in ut5er darkness Here the guide became
oewlldered, and shortly left Mr.. Freeman alone
ne ram was pouring down, and after wandering
ior four hours, drenched to the skim he fell in with
E S; ol me wofkmen at the tunnel who kindly took
a,n ~ us nut on the mountain SIDE put him n his
own ped, and like good Samaritan cared for him
TN morning. Mr. F., in addition, had the misfor-
tlne 10 mss the mail train to Wheeling the next
uay' ana SO returned to Fetterman, where he join
Gu US On our return, much TO regret, for hiSms-
fortune IN his exposure and loss of the endowment
OF visiting Wheeling. 4s-a.r - ~
we made Warrington, in the neighborhood of
our mission, going out at seven o. clock, where the
| man ualh from Baltimore was waiting for u.s. and
oy t.e kndneSs OF the agent we were supplied with
baltimore papers.
we reached Fairmcnt about eight o. clock, and
stopped a lew minutes. crowd of citizens were
| leghanieS. " $50 40
AT Fetterman, two miles from the junction of the
I aIKelsDurg Road, Governor Johnson, of Virginia.
| .e't US ms residence being as learn, about
| t"ehty iniles distant, in Harrison county. He was
parted from with evident marks of regret his intel
iscnce and urbanity having made him general ia
Vofite. In parting with him, our company turned
out upon the platform, and with the hand of
| lu,
three cheers were gwen for Governor John
son. ana then the same for both the Governors the
niues oand playing the while parting strain
nus we separated from the distinguished Execu-
i've Oh virginia with warmer feelings of attach
ieht 10 MN Tor his personal worth, as well as for
The chivarous goou old commonwealth over which
| he presiGeS.
1t was nght-deep black nights we thunder.
ed on amidst the sublimity of the Alleghanies-
| The world OF wondrous grandeur around us was
shut out. We could not gaze upon the works az
me Almighty, as, like Alp on Alp the upleaved
mountain n. mass oomed up TO Heaven. We could
ho' see Tue work of man, in cleayng or boring the
mountain, Milling up and bridging the chasm-and
making a highway where, erewhile, the bird ofJove
sal on the storm beat rock, the forest beast had
| his unmoeSted lair. Blu we had good fellowship
| anu good cheer within our moving world. Hearing
The stains of music us Morpheus was beginning TO
steep my senses in forgetfulness'' repaired into
one Oh the other cars, and the fleet hours of night
went by amidst "mirth, and song and glee - There
were many prominent men of both the Legislatures
OF virginia and Maryland. Speeches expressive of
maternal union between the two States were made
anu amusing anecdotes related, sentimental songs
| sung I'LL beyond ''the witchimg hour OF night
Morning, about seven o. clock found ms Mt Cnm
| oeflau. we paused an hour for breakfast and
lhen oiled down the banks of the beautiful Poto-
uec. All weie cheerful and delighted toasts
were drank and speeches made but in the midst of
ourexpreSSionS of pleasure, which passed from lin
10 up IN regard to our excursion, it was not for
gotten that We were under obligations to our wake
| iui PilolS VINO had watched while we had slept as
was lltImated by some COMPLIMENTARY remarks of
Dr. VERIFY, OF Virginia. addressed TO Cantain Ov
ems expressive fthe appreciation of himself and
inenuS OF the care and attention had manifested
during the Journey. Captain Owens replied, "that
!, among so many really distinguished guests rs were
now present, it can hardly be expected that an
humble individual like myself should attempt to
make speech, but under the circun stances, |
can no less than return my THANKS for the COM
phment SO unexpectedly paid me-"
| ''Be assured, gentlemen. M ono bara rr alsa
"hete' mas taken deeper interest in the progress
oil the great work over which we have wendell our
way than myself; and, let me further say that no
one VIII strive harder than | will in nv humble
sphere, IN forwarding the great objects Cor which !;
mas oeen ouIlt-the safe, npid, anil comfortable
TRANSMISSION OF passengers over it." Captain
Gus, believe, the oil, est conductor on the
road, and deServedy popular.
onward we sPed-passed Martinsburg, Harper's
fery and other places, where gathered throngs had
met TO see us pass, and without an incident 10 mar
!he JOY or an act or word TO leave spec of canker
IN the heart, the city, where monuments are reared
I-lhe foundation of this last, greatest, noblest-
bai'lmore-was gained, to embrace warm hands
| and press the lips of dear ones at home
Inc Journey was full of exciting and pleasure.
Die incident But 1t is pass I'd, and we separate tn
meet no more in the festive hail. or amid scenes 81
cheerful intercourse along the way. But ties of
itehaship have been knit, and chords of sympa-
tny auuned 10 chime responsively in future life
Ev< 1ything was done on the part of the President
Directors and other officers, 10 make us hppny
and the journey safe and agreeable, and am sure
there was not man regretted having undertaken
II. Mr. Swami was eve"ywhere dispensing infor-
nation relative to the road and by his easy, agree
able manners, and intelligent conversation won
| the esteem OF all. MesSrS. Parker and Cole wer.
%atchul as the lynx, to guard us safely OIL, while
the engineers Messrs. Berry and Beckett, skilled
and careful men, discharged their duties well, and
deserve place in this report.
but among the number of gentlemen connected
with the excursion, it was the universal sentiment
that none contributed more largely to our stock of
enjoyment, than Mr.. Joshua Vensant, who by his
unrentting supervision of the refreshment depart
eEt, seemed only DESTROYS that all should be cared
for.
But l must close this hasty sketch, written amid
the excitement of The last hours of the excursion-