Western Reserve chronicle. [volume] (Warren, Ohio) 1855-1921, 1860-06-20

the north shore of the river presented pre-
scented precisely the appearance of landscape
views seen through a stercoscope, with the
same weird, sOmbrc. gray shading.
Like Wellsvillc, the towns of East Liv-
crpool, o., Wellsburg Va, and Bridgeport,
Opposite Wheeling) do not present a very
attractive appearance to the passing tray
eler.
The Ohio River at Wheeling is divi!ed
by an island about a mile in length and a
fourth of a mile in width; the north chan
mel is narrow and is spanned by 4 wooden
bridge. The wire suspension bridge over
the southern and main channel, though
crossed 10y foot passengers, is not passable
for horses and carriages at present. This
bridge was partially blown down about 4
year since, and is now being repaired. 1t
is one thousand and ten feet in length, ola
single span, and the longest span OF this
continent. 1t is a noble structure, and the
Wheeling people may well be, (as they are)
proud of it. The view Of the valley from
the middle Of the bridge is beautiful.
The town is compactly built en- a narrow
st ip of land between the rivcr and the high
hills which rise up stecply behind, and
stretches along the river for about mile
and a half. The business buildings are
not equal to those of Cleveland, and the
dwellings arc far behind. The town is
nearly as smoky and dirty as Pittsburg,
and greatly resembles it in many respects.
1t has the same appearance, though ina less
degree, of being an active manufacturing
town, but it lacks that look of fourishing
thrift which is characteristic of Pittsburg.
The hotels are large, larger it seemed to US
than the amount of travelling custom at
present, could we'll sustain.
At ten \. N. We were again on our way.
The B. & o. L. r. follows the Ohio River
come twelve miles to Moundsville, opposite
the mouth of Grave Greek, the site of the
great Indian Mound. Here the road leaves
the river and commences its winding way
up to the mountains. Itisa constant sue
ccssion of curves, following the course of
streams, ascending and descending until it
the Monongahela River, when it
commences ascending, which it continues to
do until it reaches the summit. At Fair
mount, eighty miles from Wheeling. the
Monongahcla, is crossed by an iron bridge,
$50 feet in length, the longest iron bridge
in America. \ short distance below this,
is a wire suspension bridge 1000 feet in
which is an airy, beautiful strue-
tnre. Leaving the MOnOngahela, the rail
road follows the Tygartes Valley River up
wards towards its source, the scenery be-
more and more picturesque with
each succeeding mile. AtYalley Falls the
tumbles down j succession of rapids
for 4 mile or more in length, afording a &C.
ries of beautiful views. At Grafton, 100
miles from Wheeling, is the junction Of the
North Western Virginia Cor Paikersburg)
r. r. Here commences the mountain d.
vision of the road, and here are seen the
tremendous obstacles which nature had in
terPoscd only to be overcome by, and txhib-
the daring and industry of man. Up.
hill and down, over ravincs and rivers,
through deep cuts and ~burrowing under
narrow hills, the rail road had cleft its way
far. but here it seems to have been
fairly entrappcd between the mountains and
meets a barrier nearly 500 feet in heighth,
and can only escape by bursting the wall
For nearly four years hosts of men were
employed in piercing through this king
wood tunnel, Of almost 4 mile in length,
blasting the solid rock, then archingi it with
iron and brick to prevent accidents, as if
mans work was needed to make the chan
mel he had made, more enduring than the
everlasting hills Before entering the tun-
mel the lamps were lighted, and they fur
nish the only light, for not a glimpse Of day
ight reaches one tenth of the distance
the tunnel. Beside this BLASTED
las y. I. Willis calls it, blasted with
he meant,) there are thirteen 9TH
tunnels on this road, in all about four
of tunneling.
Emerging once more intot the outer world,
banks Of Cheat River are soon reached,
and here commences the series of noun
tain views which for wild grandeur, has
equals. For miles the road clings to
the side of the mountain; above towers the
below are the tops of the tallest pines,
and lower still are the dark waters of Cheat
River tumbling and foaming over their
rocky bed. At enc moment We seemed
hcmmed in on every SIDE, at the next a
curve of the road opened out a long vista
Of valley and hills. The sides Of the val
are richly clothed with the dark green
Of th- hemlock, maple, EaEut aal laurel.
the last of which is now covered with its
rich pink and white flowers.
The viaducts over Trays Run, Buckeye
and kycr's Run are massi=e struc-
varying from 200 to Geo feet in
all Of stone and iron. Onward,
md still climbing upward. winds the train.
ill Cranberry Summit, $500 feet above
ide, is reached. then descending to the
.caI waters ofthe foughioghcny. catching
glimpse ct the falls Of Snowy Greek, re
along to Oakland, Gust getting to
&C fashionable as u watering place. a nice
II l.. g. - ,o.,l, .. Ill. -