Vermont daily transcript. [volume] (St. Albans, Vt.) 1868-1870, 1869-01-26

wal dcd 10y see ing and knowing that it
had accomplished what London had
failed to do. That is, construct tunnel
under the river, and which is known
as the Washington Street Tunnel"
Chicago, as you are aware, was for
merly known throughout tie world as
the "Garden city" But no longer
does it regard this appellation, for on the
da IN of 1869, which was ushcred in by
severe snow storm, this beautiful city
was christened the "Tunntl City"
For the dawn of the new year recogniz-
ed the completion and formal opening
of the already famous bore" under
the Chicago River" known as the
with the far famed Lake Tunnel"
under the turbulent waters Of Lake
Michigan, fairly entities Chicago to
this hard-earned title. An Eastern
journalist, speaking of Chicago, became
very enthusiastic, and he eulogized thus /:
" Chicago, the Rome of new dispen-
sation, the Venice of America Proud
City. With lake OH thy borders, and
river coursing through thy middle"
Well might he thus exclaim, for thus it
is and something more. The city is di-
vided into three divisions, slugged
and turbid sue cam, nowhere exceeding
400 feet in width. This stream necessi-
tates 90 or more bridges which connect
tn e
Washington Street Tunnel" was pro-
jected with the view to obviate the use
of bridges, which are ut times deemed a
nui ance. They ale continually open
ply on the river an opportunity to pass,
and persons are compelled to wait the
pleasure of boatmen before they are al
lowed to cross.
This tunnel, now completed, and its
feasibility and success are clearly DEM
onstrated, will be followed by similar
ones in other sections of the city. The
ground for the Washington Street Tun-
mel was broken in Sept. 1865, and it has
progressed rapidly since then until Jan.
LIST, 1869, at which date there had been
expended over 100000. The amount
of brick used in its construction is about
1000, 900. There has also been laid TO-
600 cubic yards of stone masonry, re-
quiring $4,000 barrels of cement. The
entire length of the Tunnel is SOS
feet. There are three separate passage
| ways, two for vehicles and one for pc
destrians. The approach to the entrance
for carriage is gradual slope, and com
| mences 800 feet from each end of the
Tunnel. There is a passenger house OF
cut stone at either end, by which pc
destrians gain access to the Tunnel, by
means of spiral stairs, 16 in number.
The passage ways are lighted by 80 gas
jets, and are constantly kept burning,
and present grand appearance. The
walls Of the Tunnel are of solid stone
masonry. The upper arches consist of
5 courses of masonry, above which are
layers of cement, Mastic Roofing, AS
phaltum, Slabs of Stone-fagging, and
two feet of clay. The estimated pres
sure of the river upon the Tunnel is
about $500 tons.
The citizens may well look with pride
on the success of this gigantic enter
prise, which was the occasion On New
Years day, for an appropriate dedica-
ton and public celebration. Throug-
out the day there were manifestations
of joy, and at 2 p. M. Mayor Rice, the
Common Council, The Board of Public
Works, and other City Officials, in car
riages, preceded by band of music,
emerged from Court House Square, fol-
lowed by the Fire Department. and
Steam Fire Engines and citizens gen
orally, and proceeded to the Tunnel,
where, with appropriate ceremonies the
Tunnel was formally opened.
Velocipedes have just been introduced
here and they take like wildfire, fl
Chicago has always claimed to be q
fast city" and any investment that
will aid her in going faster" will be
gladly welcomed. In fact anything
to help them there faster than the
"mule cars" which are notorious fol
going very careful and slow, will be
thankfully received by her citizens.
c. $. +.