Union County star and Lewisburg chronicle. [volume] (Lewisburg, Pa.) 1859-1864, 1864-10-18
A GREAT WORK Done
IL IL -. e -z;. 60
The SunbuIy & Erie R.R. finished

Turn We aside a moment from all the
turmoil aud excitement Of the Election, to
contemplate an importan, civil triumph.
The shortest route between the Ocean
and the Lakes, mus. ultimately command
the mos: travel and transportation. So
thought Pennsy ylvania when, 20 gears ago,
she purchased the laTbor Of Erie, which
naturally belonged to the State Of New
York Tia, State had other harbors. In
securing Erie, our State no, only obtained
a safe, cOmmo odious, splendid harbOr. bu,
also one free from ice some weeks earlier
and some weeks later, than DuuEirk or
Buffalo. 1t may therefore be claimed as
the best harbor On the Lakes.
Piaus were first made to gain water
connection. The grea, mind of Nicholas
Biddle was active in the arrangement Of a
railway connection, Of which Caitawisss
Railway is a fruit. The North -imcrican
gives the following subsequent history:
Another great enterprise is completed
"A product aud producer Of wealth in
Pennsylvania, equally beneficial 10 the
east and the west full Of value now, and
sure 10 make great returns to the section
which it trsverses, to the State and all
paris of the States, aud to foreign States
a, DO remote day. Lake E,ie is jliued to
the tides that pulse IN the Susquehanua
and Delaware. The whole system of Lake
commerce, stretching from far down the
ST. Lawrence TO the head Of Lake Super
ior, Is an attl lent as we'll as market for
the business that enters the port of Phil
adslphis, and for all that grosiug business
Of the interior which adds TO the size and
commercial importance Of the true capital
beyond the IDEAS of the greater part.
More than thirty years ago railway
was planned TO unite the port Of
Erie with Sunbury. The same pr jectors
proposed continuing the road 10 Philadei-
yhis, and, in 1887, obtained charter,
which was sigued By Governor Ritner.
The route vas partially surveyed 10 1888,
and continued and completed in 1899.
The estimated cost was uiue millions Of
dollars. Thirty thousand shares Of the
stock, or about one third Of the required
sum were subscribed when the financial
crash of lS4l blasted all the prospects
upon which The original promoters relied,
and the scheme fell asleep. Some saga
cioas men, however, saw the inevitable
future of the State, and preserved the
charter By repeated renewals from the
Legislature. 10 1852 active work was
commeuced under the ADM ois;rstion Of
President Fsllon- Messrs- w g. and J.
B. Morehead bull; tbirty-niue miles of
the road, between Sudbury and William
sport, twice crossing the SusquehaDns by
long bridg dges, for the sum Of 81 ,9ol ,26O II,
and completed their contract With the
close of 1855. 10 that year the line from
Erie to Warren was let. 10 le5S the
corporation purchased the State canals,
and iu December Of the ensuing year the
road was opened from Erie to Warren,
fifty FIVE miles In ls6l the road was re-
named the Philadelphia and Erie, instead
of the Erie and Sudbury, and permanent
ly leased to the Pennsylvania Central
Company for thirty per ceht. Of the reve- /
nue., after the completion Of the road.
The last rail was laid 10 August of this .
year, snd the great project, after. SO many
auj psrpIeIlties, is an accom-
plished fact to adorn the annals OF the
great civil war That it has been CON-
pleted at all, considering the natural diff
iculties to be overcome, increased by the
troubles Of Al aud ga, is one evidence Ct
The steady growth in power and wealth of
the State, and a durable tribute to the
power of those who have had its manage
nent. Now that it is completed and added
10 the long list Of iron bands with which
be good old commonwealth is being gir-
led, We may all indulge in feeling of JUS
ifsble State pride, aud look forward to
brighter days in every department Of
business.
The contest Of Atlantic cities is for the
commerce of the great though undevel-
ped vest. For more than fifty years 1t
las been seen that the sceptre would fall
o whatever port controlled it. With
oresigbt and energy which does Infinite
redit to her citizens, New York has {
truggled to appropriate the bulk of this /,
usiness BY canals, railways and telegraph
ines. Blu, no cunning can shorten de-
rees Of longitude, nor no skill overcome
atural advantages ftly improved. BOs- ,
% is boring endless mountains to attain :.
3me share. New York is turning every Il
orner for the whole. Baltimore has done
obly. Bat the shortest route from New r
ork to Erie, via Bethlehem and Mauch s
hunk, is four hundred ant eighty five C
lies, while PHILADELPHIA is nearer ty
rty-one miles Each city communicates >,
ith Erie BY five several roads, and Bal. =
more connects by two. Many of these o
e common 10 some parts, but they are "
,cesssry rivals. Philad. having the most &
.tural advantages, now improved to the
most, must epj ~ an increasing share OF n
c business which comes BY water and >
il to Erie.
THE FORMAL OPENING.
Tuesday, Oct. 4, A. D. 1864, special is
"a, ,f sora, oa,- lsf, phila at an sarly n