The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1867-08-19

+e Progress of the Pacific Railroad.
Dispatches from San Francisco give en-
couraging accounts of the progress and pros
poets OF the western end of the Great Pacific
Railroad. 1t WILDE remembered that Congress
granted to the two principal companies--the
Union Pacific and the Central Paciic--the
right to build their respective lines from oppo-
site ends until they connect. The former
having nearly crossed the plains of Nebraska
is rapidly approaching the outlying hills of the
Rocky Mountain range; while the latter, it ap
pears, is making equally gratifying headway,
During this month it is expected the last and
greatest of the tunnels on the western link
will be opened, and the crossing of the dread
ed Sierra Nevada Mountains be regularly
made by the locomotive, into the Great Salt
Lake Basin. This achievement of hewing and
blasting pathway through primeval granite
barriers, although all included within $50
miles, is equivalent to more than 800 miles of
ordinary railroad, in cost and resistance over
come. Upwards of 500 100000 have been ex-
pended in the enterprise, which includes, how
ever, the equipment andmaterial for $50 miles
additional Eastward of the graded portion
the line has been surveyed and located ior
900 miles, developing an easy and favorable
route, and it is believed that fully half OF the
distance between the Pacific Coast and the
Missouri River will be built by the Central
Pacific Company, as they are favored by hav-
ing their hardest work done, and by the pres
ence Of large numbers of cheap and servicea-
BILE Chinese laborefs. 1t is assuring to be in
formed, also, that the business of the road is
very large, the earnings for July being s175,-
600 in gold; while the operating expenses
were less than $4,000. f-In9aa vT,ll173
y The Company receives a large subsidy from
the Government, and in order to push on the
work with even greater energy, are offering
their First Mortgage Bonds for sale, through
Fisk g Hatch, their Financial Agents in New
York, and our leading Bankers, at rates very
tempting to capitalists. The merits and adj
vantages ofthe Central Pacific Railroad Bonds
are fully set forth In our advertising columns.
The PsrslanA and Rochester Railroad.
To the Editor Of the Press: T5,5 .n.ra1 :,
We had occasion few days since, to ride
along the line Of the Portland and Rochester
Railroad, from Bar Mills to the interior of
WATERFORD, and were pleased to see laborers
engaged all along, grading, ditching and pre-
pairing to lay the track for the extension of
this road that it Is now in the hands
OF go-ahead men, and that something is
" Uc uouc wrsrvuU urray. r.>A-a.su
many Of the readers of the Press, in
and around Portland are not aware what a
beautiful country this road is to pass through.
First it crosses the Saco river, which for seem
cry, from its source to Its mouth, cannot be
surpassed in this State. That part most adj
mired by all is Salmon Falls, situated only one
mile below where the road crosses the river,
and easily reached on foot by well trodden
paths running along its wooded banks. Here
the river passes through deep gorge, forming
precipices of great height on either side. Two
miles beyond the river, at Hollis Center, there
is cascade or natural dam, which is quite
wonder. 1t is almost perpendicular fall ov
er ledge of seventy or eighty feet. Another
place OF great interest is Ossipee Mountain =
The view from this hill is grand indeed. AT
its very base there is pretty little lake of
clear, limpid water, three miles long and one
mile wide, abounding with fish OF various
kinds. Looking eastward you see the broad
ocean to Portland, Saco, Biddelord and other
places. Turn to the northwest and Mount
Washington looms up before you, seemingly
not more than ten miles distant You see
many other hills in this direction with glimpses
of water nestled in among them. The forest
of trees all around, is made up mostly of oaks
and maple, and in October the various colors
OF their foiiage add splendor to the landscape.
Two miles further on you see Alfred and the
Shakers village, both pleasantly located on
high ground.
1t would be well for capitalists to direct
their attention to the excellent opportunities
opened for business, by the extension Of this
road, as after its completion, 1t will be direct
route to market whether east or west. At Bar
Mills on the Saco river, where the road cross
es, there Is one of the best water privileges in
the country. Plenty of water the year round,
and good location for cotton, woele1 o. any
other kind Of factories. Abundance of land in
the immediate vicinity for drying purposes,
and for the building OF dwelling houses; while
the supply of lumber Of all kinds cannot fail
for many years. Mr.. Chas. McKenny has a
number of vacant privileges here, which we
think his enterprising character would lead
him 10 sell at figure satisfactory to those
wishing to purchase. And besides an enter
prising company deciding to build here would
receive the ready help of the people, none, Of
course being any more enthusiastic on this
subject than themselves. After looking at this
water power, we cannot see why this is not a
good chance for second Sprague company to
invest their money to advantage. All these
things would go to help our city, and If these,
with many other great facilities within few
miles of us, are made of use, we shall in few
years see great change in the business tran
actions of Portland. atl o j. w. A.
SANFORD CeNovER, THE PERJURER-