Bradford reporter. [volume] (Towanda, Pa.) 1844-1884, 1856-11-20
THE FIRST BOAT FROM fITTsFoN.

1t is now nearly thirty years since the great
project of uniting the great States of Penn
sylvania and New York by means Of canal,
was first broached The history Of the North
Branch Extension, commencing at Pittston
and ending at the State line, is fresh in the
memory of every citizen Of the county Put
under contract in 1885, the financial difficulties
of the Commonwealth compelled its Suspension
in 1910, and for ten years the work lay neg
lected suffering dilapidation and decay. In
ls49, an act was passed which resumed the
labor on the line, and for five or six years,
scanty appropriations were doled out for its
completion For the last two years the work
has been considered as faished, but il was
found on trial to be mperfectly constructed in
some places, and has experienced the usual fate
of new canals by succession Of accidents and
drawbacks which have rendered it impossible
to fill the portion between Towan6Ea and Pitts
ton with water. BY extraordinary eXertions
this has finally been accomplished and on
Saturday last the first boat load Of coal by
canal from Pittston arrived at this place, on
the boat IoAamGpdo, Captain ABRAM May,
with ffty-twO tons Of coal from the mines of
the Pittston Coal Company" This coal is
destined for Elmra, and We understand that
each OF the companies in the valley has dcs
patched boat for that place, to give the peo-
pie of New York an earnest of what they
may expect in future.
We are assured by Mr.. RICHARDS who had
charge Of this coal, that the Canal below is in
fine order and water plenty. The only diff
Guilty experienced was from the strong current,
which is occasioned by the leakage, and will
not exist when the Canal shall have been used
There were many persons in our midst, who
had become sceptical as to the probability Of
the North Branch ever being in navigabIe or
der We do not wonder at it considering the
many years we have waited in hope for this
outlet, and the length Of time it has taken af
ter the Canal was declared to be faiShed to
put it in navigabIe order But with no ex-
traordinary occurrences, the Canal will be in
fine condition for business in the Spring This
result is due to the skill and perseverance of
Mr. MAFFsr the indomitable superintendent
of the line Under the most adverse circum-
stances, he undertook the task of putting the
Caual i'll shape, and despite opposition and
misrepresentation and despite the elements and
the most unfarorabIe occurrences he has finally
lriumphed, and now from those who were not
even disposed to do him justice he receives
mcrited econiums for the zeal and industry and
skill with which he has pursued his herculean
hbour The friends Of the North Branch owe
him a deep debt Of gratitude
We are pleased to see in the Pcnnsplramiam
the following deserved tribute to Mr. MAEFEr's
energy aud skill -
TdE north BRANCH EXTENSION CAxAI-We arc graf
flied to learn, from Wikesarre that the wafer has been
let into this line o our State improvements. and that
il is open navigation liz entire length Already
boats loaded with anthracite cl have been up
State of New Ior TO be exchanged for cash OF tor the
agricultural productions OF the fertile region bordering
the Lakes. At the New York State Line the North Branch
Canal i connected by he Junction Canal with the Che
mung Canal at Elni.a, thus opening for the rich coal
fields of WilkeSnrrc and PittSton wide and extensive
market from which they have been entirely shut out
This cannot fail tn adj greatly to the wealth and enter
prise of that section of Commonwea;h and gives
the fullest that TN. North Branch Extension will
bc most rflducfife lines of Improvement and
from which the State will eventually reap large revenue
Too much credit cannot ne given to Mr. MAFFEr ei-
cent Superintendent for the vigor with which he has
pushed the Ork to its completion.
XIVTH CONGRESSIONAL. DISTRICT