Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1867-12-04


/ Routes, from 2O6 to 2l0
These connections will give to all the Atlantic
cities North Of Boston a nearer route 10 the West
than any they now have, and give all the roads IN
Maine and New Hampshire North of Concord a
shorter and easier road for them to the West than
/ they now have, and it will bring the West nearer
to them.
| This road from Montpelier to Wells River is
very easy to build and keep in repair With no
up grade going East as high j3 feet to the mile
aud no down grade going East of over 60 feet to
the mile with a summit about 800 feet lower than
any other notch North of Williamstown where the
Central road should have been built.
am not informed from any authentic source
the distance from Georgia by the Lamole Valley
TO Portland by St. Johnsbury and the notch in
/ the White Mountains But, from the best infor-
nation | can get, you must run at least 100 miles
in Vermont ! am told it is 90 miles from Geor-
ga to West Danyille aud about 20 from there to
st. ,Iobnsbury and about 20 from st. Johnsbury
to Dalton. Now, if you will take any map, you
will find it further from where you strike the Saco
River. to the line of Vermont, in straight line,
than it is across Vermont, and then 20 miles to
Portland. SO the road when built on that route,
would be as long as by Wells River; you would
therefore save nothing in distance
Then you have on this route about 200 miles Of
road to build, which with the equipments must
cost at least $1,000 900, and 1t rams only to the
city of Portland. 1t can derive no aid from any
other city or any other railroad. You can get
hclp from the towns in Vermont but scarce dol
lar in New Hampshire.
The Summit between the Lamoille Valley and
Danvlle is about 800 eethgher than on the Wells
River route then the rise from the Passumpsic
River al ST Johnshury to reach the Connecticut
is 800 10 GOO feet as | am informed, and the fall
about the same TO theC Connecticut at Dalton, Fam
also informed the summit in the White Mountains
is about 1000 feet higher than the summit where
the b. c. d NJ. Road crosses, The summit in the
White Mountains is 1920 above the ocean, and |
am informed the engineers recommend grade Of
100 feet to the mile Tor 10 miles going down the
mountains.
The advantages Of the Wells River route over
the ST. Johnsbury route, as a through road, IS the
saving of building about 100 miles Of road, as all
but the road from Alontpelierto Wells River would
be built whether the Wells River road is built or
not-and a saving Of rise and fall of about 1900
feet. The one can be completed next season and
the other will require years to build.
But, suppose YOU want to 20 to Por land thro'
the Notch the distance from Montpe err to the
Notch, by the way Of Wells River + about 10
miles shorter than by st. Johnsbury, and will save
about 800 feet of rise and fall, and twenty miles Of
the road is now built and doing business. This
would be worth saving.
But, you may saw the people Of the Lamoile
Valley need a road to reach their market. That
is true but the Wells River road will be best for
them. II you follow up the lanOile ' alley IRON
Georgia TO South ilardwick and then strike thro
Cabot to Marshheld to connect with the Wells
River Road at that place, it will be about 55 miles
from Georgia 20 this point by the LamoilleValley,
and il is 62 miles from Georgia by Montpelier TO
the same point, being saving in distance of
miles.
This route would be more beneficial TO the peo-
pie Of the Lamoille Valley than the other, it
will give thegl choice ofall the Atlantic markets.
II the people of the Lamoille Valley wish TO go
to st. Johnsbury, they can 90 to Marshleld aud
then to St. Johnsbury on the Montpelier and st,
Johnsbury route, and the distance will be but lit
tie further than the surveyed route for the Valley
Road
All can, therefore, see the benefits of this, as
through route, over all others, aad all, both East
and West, should take an interest in it.
A point omitted by our correspondent is that
the Wells River, Montpelier and Central roads
strike Lake Champlain ia a direct line at Burlng-
ton, which is now the best lumber market in New
England, and is ultimately destined, through ship
canals, TO be one of the most important inland
ports in the country Watch.1