The Belmont chronicle, and farmers, mechanics and manufacturers advocate. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1848-1855, 1854-01-13
THE WESTERN RAILROAD AND TIE
CLEVELAND, MEDINA AND TUS-
CARAVANS R. II.

| These two roads--the latter in rapid con-
struction--must unitedly become the most
important western connections which Vince
ling will probably bo able to effect; and the
only one which the citizens along the line
recently surveyed, for those roads, can ever
expect.
Few, of those most deeply interested, that
have not given the subject their special at
tention, can form any adequate idea of the
immense amount of trade and travel which
these, or this great Western line, W ill COM
mand. The Western road, from point op.
poste the city os Wheeling, traversing the
most wealthy and populous portion of Ohio,
uniting at Freeport with the Cleveland, Me-
dina g. Tuscnrawas r. R., a large portion of
which is now under contract, and being push
ed ahead with the greatest energy, thus for
ming direct and continuous line to the lakes,
and the Northwest.
These roads are being built under n char
ter granted by the State OF Ohio, March I'd,
1851, previous to the adoption of the present
Constitution, and hence are untrammeled by
the individual liability clause; one of the fea-
lures of that instrument 30 Objectionable to
many Of our citizens. The survey and loca-
ton of the Western and the INDICATED por-
ton of the G. NJ. & II. r. r.. has just been
completed, and tho report Of the Engineer
will soon be laid before the public, the fol-
lowing synopsis is given for the information
of your numerous readers. .
This important Railway commencing op-
posite the city of Wheeling, ascending the
valley of Indian Wheeling Creek to the sum-
nit between that stream and Saltwater,
thence down the last named creek to Free
port, in Harrison county. At this point the
Western passes on nearly westerly line to
Coshocton, there intersecting the Steuben-
vile and Indiana Railroad, forming an unin-
terrupted running connection with that road
from Wheeling to Columbus and Cincinnati,
shorten by IN equation Of grade and curves,
and more desirable route than any other be-
tween those points.
Its connections north aud northwest, will
also be very impor tant. A road has recently
been located, and is now under contract from
the western of this (the western road, to Mt.
Vernon in Knox county, which is designed
to connect with a road to now In progress of
construction, from the latter point to Della
ware, Belleiontaine, Indianapolis g. st. Louis.
Its connections northwest, will be with a
road through Mt. Gilead, Marion and Fort
Wayne TO Chicago. With these come ctions
once permanently formed, the Western Rail-
road must become one Of the most important
leading through this region. 1t cannot fail
to become the leading, direct line from the
great west--Central Ohio, Indiana, Illinois
and Mssouri--to the Atlantic cities.
This line must be particularly advantage
ous to Baltimore aud Philadelphia, as its d.
rect connections with their great lines of i'm
provements, from Wheeling, will enable them
to derive millions Of dollars in trade and trav-
el, which, but for the Western road, would
find other channels to the east. The travel
on tho Central Western route. when all the
connections shall be completed, will be in
calculable. That which is now driven north
and south, or confined to the river, will seek
the more direct, speedy, aud economic route
presented by the Western Railroad, with its
connections west and northwest, and with
Baltimore and Philadelphia. As for the trade
which would seek this channel, independent
OF local character, no estimate can be for
med. The country traversed by the entire
line 10 one OF the most productive and thick
lily populated Of the whole State, II abounds