Nebraska advertiser., 1868-02-13
ENGINEERS REPORT

ENGINEERS OFFICE, N. q NJ. r. A. u, II. Il 4
Canton, No., January, 1868. ).
H. DAVIS, ESQ.,, PRESIDENT Dear SIR : I re-
spectfuly submit, in the following report, the re-
suit of preliminary survey and examination Of
the proposed route for railroad from West Qain-
ey, tho N Mississippi river, to BrOwnvile, Nsb on
the Missouri river, passing through the northern
tier Of counties in Missouri
Having organized party, I commenced the sur
vsy at West Quincy, on the 18th of Nay 1867,
and reached Scott City, opposite Brown1ills, on
the 18th of September, 1854.
Total distance by preliminary survey, 279 2-1OO
miles. ai =
cHARAorER, OF TaE coUETR4
Isf. fsts5sss,,ssses .sue7as s.ssssssssr -0s
the country through which the first fteen miles Of
the proposed route rams, is level, being bottom
land, contiguous to the Mississippi river This
bottom land is, however, subject TO no overflow in
time Of extreme high water, Tho bluffs, several
miles distant at Quincy, approach the river at La
Grange nearly to the waters edge.
Proceeding westward from the Mississippi, the
country is somewhat broken, until the divide is
reached, and continues rising in elevation until
the watershed between the two rivers is reached
and as we recede into the Valley Of the Missouri
We find the surface of the country still at height
above our starting point, which will e greater in
proportion the line approaches the northern por-
tion Of the State. Each successive crossing Of the
streams as we proceed westward is higher than the
preceding one. .-es- .-
In the counties of Lewis, Clark and Scotland it
is high, rolling prairie table land, intersperssd
with numerous streams emptYing into the Misss-
sppi river, in sOutheasterly direction. In S5huy-
Ter county, the divides or table lands become con-
traoted and winding, caused by the numerous
streams succeeding each other at short distances.
In the counties Of Putnam, Mercer, Harrison, Gen
try, NodaTay and Atchison, the table lands almost
entirely disappear, Becoming narrow ridges Of
great eevation running parallel with the courses Of
the rivers and streams. In q short distance be-
tween many of the streams, and the great eleva-
tion Of the ridges, render necessary summit cut
tings of great depth, with heavy but short ascend
ing and descending grades. Four Of the streams
have q rock bottom, but generally they consist Of
quieksand gravel, with steep, and in most eases
high banks.
3D. Agricultural. "a good soil is a great source
Of natural power, Individual wealth and happi-
ness; :" and the northern counties of Missouri may
well boast Of their immense riches and hidden
wealth. The almost numberless acres comprised
in the bottom lands Of its uFiveFs very produc-
tive, and inexhaustbe, averaging in depth from
ten to thirty feet Of rich, light, silicious. soil
yielding, when cultivated, unparalleled crops Of
corn and other grains. The soil Of the prairie is
rich and Of great Depth we'll adapted to agricultu
raj pursuits, and is capable of supporting very
large population. The greater portion Of the nor
thern counties are already well settled, and the
lands mostly taken up by ine farms, nearly all Of
which are under fence. For agricultural statistics
and population Of these and adjoining counties, /
refer to the annexed tables.
The immense crops Of corn and other grains, be-
sides hemp aud bacco, testify amply its qualities
and capabilities. The crop Of wheat raised this
year viii more than d0Gble that Of any preceding
year
The country is particularly well adapted to stock
raising, being we'll watered and affording vast ran
pes Of rich prairie and bottom lands for grazing
purposes. This business alone viii furnish large
source of revenue to the road.
I Sd Timber All TIE counties, with tae excep-
tion Of portion Of Nodaway and Atehiso1, are
well timbered. The principal part Of the timber
| IS found on the banks Of the rivers and streams.
It is Of god quality, and contains every variety
4 suitable for building and manufacturing PURPOSES
/ Among the principal kinds may mention tho diff
/ ferent varieties of the oak-Whise burr, Spanish
I ete.; black and white walnut, ash, red and white
elms, maple, hickory, etc. All the timber reqairsd
for bridge purposes, and also AL ties esa be pro-
i cured at much cheaper rates and to better advan-
/ tage than on most western railroads.
ara. Coal. Coal IS found in large quantities in
Schuyler and Putnam counties, On the Caariton
river, and its many tributaries; also on Trail
I creek, in Harrison county end IN the Gounties Of
/ Nodawag and tohis0n. These minsscan be easi b
worked, and their Development viii afford employ
/ ucnt to a large population. The demand for tbs
coal is already large, but few Of toe mines, how
ever, are worked to any extent, aec0unt Of the
cost Of transportation. We're the means Of trans
portation once opened up, there is hardly limit 4
the demand that would be created not only 70 sup
plv tie local demand Cor fuel and manufacturing
i purposes. bat more especially for transportation
and as f5ts-n freight trains is sn olensui
which viii enter largely into the business Of th'
road.
5ru. Stone. Good stone FOR building purposes
Ia nor found IN many Of the convenient %
ths line of the rad. I may, however, mention
tha counties on Rock ard Muddy creeks, IL Msfcsr
county, aad On Trail and Panther creeks, ia HaT ri
son county; also, on Big Greek, near Bethany
For the present timber must supply orr wants fO
most Of the bridge abutments and water WAYS, T.
be replaced with stone and permanent structure
at future day.