The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1867-05-29

also provided thai the Central Railway a California
Nevada the sauna tsrmA Thus the great work from
20 provided for In such way that all
the railways on both sides should become 10 fesders
TIE ORIGINAL eURvEyR
During the year 1858 the surveys necessary for the To-
cation Of the first hundred miles Of road west OF
and equppng this portion Of the road was placed under
contract early In the OF 1854 Two engineering
parties were also employed in 1868 TO examine what
considered TO be the most dicut portions Of the
route west Of the Great Platte Valley. The results Of
these surveys are embraced in the published "Repo OF
Rsrosd Companv" n Inc sp1ine - Of isS4 three sId
parties organized for purpose OF continuing the
explorations and experimental surveys the mountains
west Of the head Of Great Platte Valley and one party TO
complete the location Of the division Of one hum
dred miles west OF the initial point fixed by the President
river, In township Is east, range Is wost section TO-
near Omaha City, Nebraska.
The surveys continued westerly nom the termin
alton OF the first one hundred miles during the summer
and fall OF 1864 TO the hundredh meridian Of longi
tudc distance from Omaha Of about two hundred ADD
nfty miles beyond which point y was not considered re-
dams From the termination Of this survey no line has
yet been to the head Of the Great Platte Valley Tor
about three hundred and twenty-five miles 1t has been
ascertained however from observation, that there arc
no natural obstacles IN the way Of road
that may be established by the President Of the United
States to the best point Of crossing the most saser
range Of the Rocky Mountains
PRoGRzss or TIE WORE.
In April 1885, about forty-six miles OF the road was
constructed from Omaha. west, ana carry IN 1900 the
work recommended and such progress made that At
the conclusion Of that year 249 miles were
pleted that the snort or the locomotive was heard
305 miles from Omaha, up the Platte river. The
work suspended for while, but has now been re-
sumed with the prospect Of being continued without
interruption end Of tho year, when IL estimated
$50 miles more will be finished making total length OF
$50 miles, or nearly the base OF the Black HR By
the end or 1870 al goes well, according To the ex
pectations Of the company, railway across the CONT
mani VI bo n
OF traffic from China aud Japan to Europe will be thrown
opcn Such q railway will carry population with it. and
towns will spring Ia the valleys cpd on the mountain
SIDES and lands now worthless viii become valuable
In speaking OF the growth OF population along the ROAD
as tar as il already extends Colonel Seymour writes
II astonishing wha. life. energy, activity and enter
prise the Union Pacific Railroad has Infused into the
cities towns villages and settlements through which IL
passes Stores habitaon schools and churches spring
up as II by magic. Fremont. forty.sx miles west OF
Omaha has grown up from quiet settlement to brisk
little town Of some $40 to 900 inhabitants. Columbus
miles further west the road, has manifested
similar improvements There have been 1000 lots
added TO the city. The population is about 100
and rapidly on the increase. Kearny City and Fort
Kearny, heretofore known only Is . military post
have Thy the railroad) been inspired by progressive
spirit that is creditable both TO the city and road
THE ROUTE
The initial point Of the road-Omaha-wa selected BY
President Lincoln because Of its advantages as the
junction OF the Great Platte river with the Missouri
Thence after careful survey the route selected
Lodge Pole creek and over the Black Hills by the Como
Pass; thence over the Laramie Plains and through
Bridgers Pass Green river branch OF tho Colorado
and on by Salt Lake City, the Humboldt Mountains and
The following table shows the distances between and
the elevation above level the Of the principal
points the Uniop Pacific Railroad, from Omaha to
San Francsco:-