Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1868-11-07
MEMPHIS AND SELMA r.. n.
Report Of Maj. Minor Merri-
wetheF. 1he Engineer.
Preliminary surveys

MEMPHIS. October 20, 1865.
Gen. N. B. Forrest, President Memphis, Holly
Springs, OkoIona and Selma Railroad:
General: I respectfully submit the fol-
lowing report upon the recent survey OF
that portion Of the Memphis, Holly
Springs, OkOlona aud Selma Railroad,
from Memphis to Holly Springs:
To avoid future embarrassment In en-
tering the city, and the selection Of q
depot, tine initial point OF the survey was
made on the old LaGrauge railroad, 1910
feet west OF the northern gate Of Elm
wood Cemetery. This enables you TO
enter by the Memphis and Charleston
road, the Mississippi aud Tennessee road
or upon IN independent line, passing
north or south of the Cemetery, az circum-
st4noes msy dictate.
From the initial point we pursue the
line of the old LAGRANGE railroad to its
intersection of the Memphis and Charles
ton road thence with that road to Geo,
GiIp5; and thence on an sir line 5. So
(. (magnetic %eourse) TO Holly Springs.
The sir line passes 8 few feet south Of
O~uiniehette's in front of Mrs. Thorn
toms crosses the Holiyford road between
Gilbert Il Pointer passes $50 feet back
OF Betheiis; crosses the Pigeon R0ost
road at the bsse Of the hill, where 1t
enters Noneonnsh bottom, and crosses
Nonconnah creek about 1000 feet above
the turnpike bridge passes about 400
feet north OF Persons, and thence up
the valley Of a small tributary Of Nom
cRnnsb, known as HolmaD's creek, pass
ing 1000 feet south Of Tom Holman, 400
feet south of James, about one half
mile north OF Travis. One mile beyond
this the line crosses South Noneonnsh
and gradually diveFging from the course
of that stream, passes through the
plantations of Howell and Ellis
between FestherstOn and Hart (;
about 800 feet south of Mrs. Hsr-
risou; and crosses the Mississippi line in
Bradley's field, 15.47 miles from the be-
ginning. Here it taps the head waters Of
Camp creek, 3 tributary OF Cold Water.
Ascending this and passing neaT the resi-
dences OF Ben Bowers and DR.. MeGsrgo.
It crosses the Olive Branch aud Mt.
Pleasant road 81 miles east OF Olive
Branch. One mIie further Commences
the descent to Cold Water, which is easily
made down a small branch, directly in
line. The line crosses Cold Water st
Dotey's old mill (22.6S miles from begin
ning), passes three miles north of Byha-
liza, and after passing over two miles OF
somewhat broken country, falls into the
valley Of the north fork ofByhslia creek.
Ascending this it passes about 500 feet
north OF Phil RaiflFG'5, and attails the
summit az Alfred CannOn's. Thence it
passes about one-hGlf mile north Of Red
Bank, over an elevated country, cutting
numerous small tributaries Of Gold Wa
ter, near their heads. The line crosses
the Holly Springs aad Byhslis road che
half mile east OF Red Bank, and on
tinues south Of it st q distance of to I
Of q mile, thence to Holly Springs.
From Alfred CaunOE's to Mrs. Martins
the line pursues very nearly the crest Of
the ridge dividing the waters Of Red
Bank creek and Pigeon R1Jst creek,
which it deseends to the western suburbs
Of the town, which it enters at the inter-
section Of Hernzaao road With the west
lice Of the corporation, ALI miles rom
the initial point, Thence the line passes
nearly due east through the town 10 the
Mississippi Central railroad depot, II. SO
miles from the beginning. For the in
formation Of those residing in the inter-
mediate region, and who cannot eo1snit
the accompanying map, ] hsye given 2
more minute description Of the route of
the air line than Otherwise would nave
been necessary.
The profile OF the first twenty-three
miles from Memphis, extending across
Cold Water, is remarkably easy, and no
very heavy grading is encountered on
any part Of it excepting the eight miles
next to Holly Springs, on portions of
which ome very heavy cuts and en-
bSnkments occur From Mrs. Martins
to Holly Springs, 81 miles, the air line
is impracticaOie, but by q slight depart
ure north, commencing tbTss-fourths of
q mile back OF MIS-. Martins and run
ming on the ridge around the head Of
Pigeon ROOst creek, and entering the
on the north, the coat may be very
greatly reduced without any material in
crease OF distance. The bridging of Non
connsh sud Cold Water, the only streams
worthy OF note, will cost but little 400
feet Of ordinary pile trestle will be sufi-
cient for either.
The route as described shows in
Add to reach depot in Mem
l.53
Total in Tennessee-..... .-. T7.OO miles,
In DeSoto county, Miss 5.64
In Marshall county, Mtss..---.Zl.+5
Total in Mizsissippi2.O8-z.G9 "
Total from Memphis TO Holly
Springs---....-.- -..------..-..... 4409 nilsa |
COST. |
Graduation, including bridging-.--..S 300 100 |
I5S5 miles (tnCiuding main line and
sidiugs) of 60-pOund ail-43A tons, at
So deliyered---"----.------.'.. sI5,92O
400 continuous lip Trsdegar chairs,
SKA inches, and 2l0,0 900 pounds ofgxI6
spikes, 81 inches long, .56 pounds
81 1910
Cross ties and laying trace ............ z5tOO /
II Ogs AMI switches complete. ineIud-
ing stands, talget-rOds, Ce-rods and
suOe-.......-...---. 1000 I
iron turntables, 50 feel, CON plete..... 1900 |
Machine shop. smith shop, car ATOP
and engine 10000
for shop, viz engine and
boiler-2O-hCrSs power 50 feeU shaft
ing, pulleys ana hangers; betting,
engine lathe, enc drill press. one iron
piauer, one ooit-cutter, 4 vises, 2 sets
Of blacksmith tools, one fau-blOWer,
one large grindstone----.........-... 1880
Wood and water S.atiODS........ ..---. 45O0
section houses 4,6C0
Depot buildings, D a forms and Offices. l4OO0 |
;qlipment-ssy locomotives, 3 pass
enser curs, 2baggaRs and mail cars, 10
box cars, 70 platform cars, 4 hand
Engineering, officers salaries aud cum
tngencies ,..-..,. I5,17O
|
Ia the above estimate l have included
-ALs.- -. - -