Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1857-07-22
.TyRos1, & cLEARF1ELD RAILROAD

Railroad, have expressed themselves hlShiy
pleased with the progress OF the work upon the
Division now under contract, and, further
more. that ssocular demonstration has con
yinced them that this short link in our great
enterprise is destined shortly to become the
first OF a grand unbroken chain through the
North Western portion of State TO the
Lakes. No one can doubt that the principal
effect of the successful completion of this ar-.
parently short section Of our road, will be Its
immediate continuance on its unbroken course,
and its permanent establishment as PennSyl-
vania'S great diagonal route to our inland seas
1t is impossible for US to overlook the fact
that this first link, now so far advanced IN con
struction, embraces the entire work upon the
Allegheny mountain, from its eastern to It's
western base, and that'wi the completion OF
this division, this great barrier is safely and
successfully passed, and orr road awaits only
the energy and enterprise of our people to ex-
tend it onward in its course towards its natu-
raj terminus.
A due consideration of the vast importance
of this subject to the growth and prosperity OF
our country, has induced me to call your seTi-
OUs attention TO the many interests involved, as
well as to the necessity OF adopting the proper
measures to consummate the ends we have in
view. l am very anxious upon this subject at
present on account of the progress of certain
movements in the East, bearing directly to-
wards the prosecution of our enterprise, and
sincerely trust that all those who desire to wit
ness the rapid rise of this section of our State
to the position TO which its great natural wealth
entities it, will embrace the present opportune
moment of securing the completion of our
great artery TO the Lakes. My reasons for ur-
ging this upon your attention, are given In the
following remarks:
few DAYS since, the Committee of the
Board of Trade of Philadelphia, TO whom was
referred the memorial of the Sunbury y Erie
E. r. Co. asking for additional capital, ETC.,
made a lengthy report in reference to the con-
dition and affairs of that company, and conclu-
ded by recommending most strongly that suf-
fiGient means be obtained at once to complete
the Eastern Division to Farrandsville, and the
Western Division from Erie to Ridgway leav-
ing the middle or mountain Division, embra-
cling LOG miles and the most erpensiUe part of
the road to be finished whenever the necessary
amount could be raised for that purpose. You
will observe by the above data, that there
could not possibly have been more favorable
resolution passed i'll behalf of our road, or one
that could accommodate itself better to our
wants and interests. The Western Division OF
the 5. & E. r. r., from Erie to Ridg'vay, may
be considered the Western Division OF our own
road as both routes are identical, and cOnse-
| quently this link becomes an extension of our
| own route to Lake Erie. In considering the
| above action on the part of the Board of Trade,
| therefore, we may justly congratulate ourselves
upon the prospects OF speedy completion Oi
| our lrestern link. The completion of the above
| division, with that of first link to Philips
| burg would leave but a Cup of about 20 miles
or so TO be completed by our own company tc
| furnish a route with an unbroken guage from
! Philadelphia to Lake Erie.
! On the other hand, the distance to be closed
| by the s. & f. Il. R., to enable them to open
a connected line, amounts to hundred ana
| sir miles, ercLusire of the distance yet to be
completed to Farrandsyille, attended with al
| eSt lima pf 00l lftD II iS moi
! possible to predict where sufficient capital car
be raised to authorize the completion of such
| an expensive piece of work. | do not wish tC
be understood as opposing that road; on the
| contrary, my best wishes have always been in
| its behalf for | regard it as necessary 10 de.
veiope section of our State, abounding in
| mineral and forest wealth. and as a favorable
| line of communication between the East and
| West. Its favorable grades and alignment
! must always recommend it as a first class i'm
provement. But my principal object in thi:
letter is to prove, that by adopting certain er
pedieEt measures, communication with the
| Lakes can be permanently established in les
time, and with one third the expense, by uniting
| in the immediate prosecution OF the Tyrone (
Clearfeld Railroad to Ridgway. There is am
pie room in our wealthy old Commonwealth
for all these roads, and time alone will prove
that their construction has been delayed toe
long already. In scanning the map of on
State, | am always brought TO the conclusion
that the Tyrone & Cleariield Railroad is one 0
the grandest enterprises of the day, and tha
If the proper interest manifested in it
construction, very little time would suffice T.
enable us all in this country to realize its ben
efts. If the S. * T.. K. X. is au importan
work--demandcd to developc the wealth o
the country traversed by it-our own road j
none the less Its course lies through th
very heart of the bitumnous coal basin, ant
for 20 miles traverses through forests of th'
most magnificent timber.
There Is not a point on the middle division
of the S. * F.. X. r. that cannot be made tri
butary to our own road. Every one who is &C
quainted with the Typographical formation o
the country along our proposed route, know
that its centre lies along, or parallel with tn
ridge that forms the watershed of the union
and that consequently, lateral lines could b
easily made TO branch out from the main sten
to afford outlets to the wealth Of every town
ship. Now, my dear sir, you will agree wit
me that with knowledge of the above fact
and figures, some steps should be immediatel.
: taken to bring the subject clearly before tn
capitalists of our State. Our citizens do no
vet appreciate the many advantages we pos
sess, or knowing them, are indifferent to thei
realization. We have now every inducemcn
TO encourage us in making one more effort t
consummate this truly great undertaking. W
should not overlook the fact that the Pennsyl
vana X. r. Co. are now the owners of tn
Main Line of the Public Works-that the 20
nmbia Railroad is hereafter to form the Eas
tern division of their own road-that upon tn
completion of our road TO the Lakes. all tn
freight and produce shipped at Lake Erie 70
the Eastern markets, must necessarily pas
over 217 miles of the great Central route, AM
that consequently the revenue of that cempan
will be greatly increased and the stock en-
hanccd in value in proportion. Philadelphi
is a large -stockhoider in that company. HOY
To- Il Onr
sooner or later become the favorite, the &C
kuowledgcd route TO Lake Erie, or that "