Arkansas true Democrat., 1858-02-02
Trip on the Memphis and Little Rock
 Railroad

h compliance with an invitation from the President of the above road, John Robertson, esq, party of twenty gentlemen took a trip on the road, as far as it is completed, yesterday morning. Among the party were Governor Jones, J. A. Woodruff, esq. president of the city council, Samuel Tate, esq, president oi the Charleston railroad, J. T. Trezevent, treasurer of the Memphis and Ohio rail 'oad, and Dr. Boynton. The first thing respecting the road that appeared striking to those who had not previousl y travelled upon it, was the levee upon which It Is built rendering the grading Httle more than a nominal work; the directors of the line, cutting through the woods straight as an arrows flight; the smoothness of the travel almost urparalled in a new road This last particular Was very striking and very grati- flying; for few things are more fatiguing to the body and worrying to the mind than the nee esSlty of having to endure the iolting and harsh vibration almost inseparablc from new and un- ballasted railroads. The smoothneSs of the Little Rock road is owing to the breadth of track, , fee inches, inches wider than the roads on this side the river; to the heavy crcss- ties; to accuracy of workmanshipin laying them and affiXng the iron; and to the solid, adhesive nature of the soil upon which the road is con- sTucted. We dwell upon this point because il Is sign that the work Is done in a substantial and permanent manner.
 he amount of road now completed is nearly II miles; al the completion of another mile a depot will be built, with tank, turning table. etc. The company have iron enough on hand to complete 22 miles of road, which distance will soon be tLlshcd. The road is ready graded for the iron for twenty-eight miles; ten miles more grading will bring the road clear to Ma f4I ' ia C. ,., c this grading is LOW in hand, and will be speedily completed. Soquietly has the work progressed, yet 50 efficiently, that the snort of the iron horse IS mlngllng its hoarse notes with the cry of the wolf and the growl of the bear in the deer forests of Arkansas, without the world beyond being at all aware of the fact Great credit is due to MT Robertson and to the directors of the road, for the energy and perseverance with which they are carrying on the work, at time when financial difficulties are bringing many pretentous concerns to a dead stand
 The road will be of vast advantaoe to the rich tract of country through which it runs, not only as q means of transporting its produce to a market, but in another way. It is intended to make the excavations on each side of the track continuous, so as to afford to the surface water an outlet to the various bayous that cross the road. ! hls will contribute to the salubrity of the neighborhood, and render tillable, lands that are unsurpassed tor fertility by the rich banks of old Nile. There is not in the United States better place at this moment for the invest ment of money than the lands which skirt this road. They are still held at very moderate rates, but in a few years will command high prices, as the neighborhood of Memphis will ensure market at highly remuneratng profits for every ounce and bushel of produce that can be raised.
 The party returned to the city at noon, de- lighted with their trip, which the beauty of the weather made very enjoyable, and confident that the prospects of the road were such as to inspire confidence, and that it will prove per feet mine of wealth to Memphis, making this city the centre of an important and ever-in- creasing commerce of no ordinary value.- Memphis Appeal.