The Ashland union. [volume] (Ashland, Ashland County, Ohio) 1854-1868, 1860-05-30
AT FAIRNOUNT-

loHoAS Sho1 CaakAio TopAOdlA. IL ID q
cent work of art. In a short time we crossed
the Monongahela, on a magnificent Iron Bridge,
and In a few minutes more we left that stream,
and struck over into
%TYGART's VALLEY.
one of the widest and most romantic spots
along the entire route. Tygart's River is a
gay and glorious little stream, which laughs,
spark1es and dances as it leaps from rock to
rock through that wild and weird valley
The train, stopped for ten minutes at Valley
Falls, to give oh< party an opportunity to view
the grand cascades that are the admiration of
all travellers on the Baltimore and Ohio Rail-
road. These Falls are 913 miles from Wheel
ing, and are well worthy of a visit from all
lovers of the sublime and beautiful in nature.
THE GRET TUNNELS,
Along the Mountain Division of B. & O. r..
r.. are certainly among the wonderful curiosi-
ties of that truly wonderful work. AS we APP
preached these Tunnels the lamps in the cars
were lighted, and as we were rolled through
the dark, drcar, subteranean passages, which
vary from 1900 feet to one mile in length, we
felt a chilliness creeping through our veins, as
though we were descending to the regions of
perpetual night! These Tunnels are superbly
constructed, and were greatly admired by our
entire party. We reached
GRAFTON
At Loo P. NJ, and there partook of a most
NAh-AS 0HSSAahJ
occasion by the Railroad Company. We here
stopped for nearly an hour, affording an oppor-
tunity for all to rest, and take a view of the
place and surrounding country. Grafton is
993 miles from Wheeling, and it is at this
point that the Parkersburg branch unites with
the main trunk of the B.. &. o. r. r. The
Company have erected some excellent repair
shops and car buildings at this place. After
leaving Grafton, in a short time we were whirl-
ed over to d
se. CHEAT RIVER,
which is one of the principle tributaries of the
Monongahela, whose sublime and gorgeous
scenery is the admiration of all travellers
This little river runs through a deep ravine in
the midst of the mountains, and seems to bid
defiance to all inroads of civilization. The
Railroad is carried along the side of the noun
tain, at a high elevation above the river, af-
fording a fine opportunity to view that truly
beautiful and picturesque stream. So
GREAT RIVER vIADUcT,
Is one of the greatest wonders of the New
World, and is regarded by all who have had the
good fortune to have seen it, as the grandest
triumph of Civil Engineering in modern times.
This viaduct crosses a deep ravine at its en-
trance into Cheat river, and is constructed
of solid stone and iron, at an elevation of 200
feet above the river, and at a cost of $3.50 600!
The train stopped upon the viaduct for a few
AHAh0oS5 ohoo hOAoi I'LL OPPOiIohitJ " TAI
to examine this magnificent display of me-
chanical genius.
FROM ALTAMoNT TO PIEDMONT.
At Altamont, 156 miles East of Wheeling,
we stood upon the very backbone of the Allie
ghenies. The elevation at this point is 2640
feet above tide water; and although in the re-
gion where the Eagle holds his eyrie, the lands
were admirably cultivated, and every thing
around showed signs of civilization and i'm
prorornopt Eropo A lfoD,oDf Eoetrord tho 10
scent is rapid for II miles, to Piedmont, the
grade. being 1l6 feet to the mile. The cars
descend this grade without the aid of steam,
the locomotive Only being used to "check up"
in case of danger ahead. We were now in
the valley of Savage river which is one of the
principal tributaries of the Potomac, and at z
o'clock, our train arrived at
CUMBERLAND, ND,
POI miles East of Wheeling, where we stop
ped for the night. Cumberland Is an old and
well built town, and shows evidence of pros
perity on every hand. The b. & 0 r. r..
had been completed to this point for many
years before the attempt was made to continue
it to Ohio River. In the evening the Editors
had a pleasant meeting in the Town Hall, and
after talking over the events of the day, ap-
pointed a committee on resolutions, to report
board of the boat, upon returning f: on Mount
Vernon. After a good nights repose, and
DdTId hluS VI d hIO pIcdhldSO, On OdtuIudy
morning, at 8 o'clock, the excursionists were
SAIL BOARD FOR BALTIMORE"
A beautiful region of country now opens
out to view, and although the mountains rise
high in the distance, the valley through which
the road passes, is dotted over with handsome
improvements, and bears evidence OF great
agricultural and mineral wealth. At a dis
lance of SO miles from Cumberland, the road
is carried along the side of a steep mountain,
about $50 feet above the potomac river. We
here dashed through a deep cut, 100 feet in
depth, cut through solid rock, and then passed
through "Doe Gulley Tunnel" about quarter
of a mile in length. Further on, the train
stopped for a few minutes, to allow the com
side of the Potomac.
Our train arrived at
MARTINsBUG, A -r
at 1l.20, where We stopped half an hour to
partake of another splendid dinner, provided
for the excursionists by the liberal managers
of the Railroad. At this place an immense
concourse of people had assembled from the
neighboring country to see "the Japanese"
flags were flying, the military parading, and
the "deep mouthed cannon" made the welkin
ring. Patriotic speeches were made during
the brief period We stopped at this place by
Col. Switzler, of Mo-, Mr.. Yellott of the Mary
land Senate, Maj. Richardson of the Baltimore
Republican, Capt. Alvurtes on behalf of the
military, and others. As the cars were leay-
ing, a grand salute was fred over our heads,
and a tremendous shout went up from the peo-
pie. In less than an hour we arrived at
HARPER's Jerry, -~ I'll
one of the most beautiful and romantic spots
in the United States, situated at the conhu-
ence of the Potomac and Shenandoah rivers,
right under the brow OF a high MONTANA
This place has recently acquired a worldwide
reputation, in consequence of the Q%uixotie at
tempt of that crazy old fool, John Brown, to
raise a servile insurrection amongst the slaves
of Virginia. Our train stopped for nearly an
hour at this place, affording to all an opportu-
nifty to view the scene of Old John Browns
exploits, and also to examine the extensive
works in operation. At Harper's
Ferry, as at Martinsburg, there was a grand