Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1869-12-21
For the Spectator.


Mr.. EDIroE The time has come to urge
the speedy completion of the Rail Road from
Harrisonburg to Salem. beg to present in a
few brief articles for your paper, some reasons
why the Road should be constructed on the
North Side of the Staul.ton and Winchester
Turnpike lwish the Rockingham Register
and Baltimore Gazette to copy them:
La speaking of the two sections on either
side of the Turnpike, will designate them as
North and South side.
re-r THE NORTH SIDE.
From point near Rawley Springs, ten miles
Northwest of Harrisonburg, along the North
Mountain to Jennings Gap, in Augusta, a dis
tance of twenty five miles in length and ex-
tending along the McAdamized Road on the
other side, with mean width of fifteen miles,
is a paralleogram of an exceedingly rich coun-
try in Rockingham and Augusta counties, en-
tlrely cut off from market so far as good roads
are concerned. Harrisonburg on the one hand
at which the Valley Rail Road can be reached,
by not only all this interesting section Of coun-
try, but greater part CT Pendleton, all of
Highland, and much Of the county Of Bath ;
should it be extended to Staunton along the
route surveyed by Lit. Randolph.
We set out with the proposition, that this
Road should pass by Dayton, Bridgewater and
either up the Valley of Messy Creek, by Mil
er's old Iron Works, near to Mount Solon,
passing South of Parnassus, down Mofett' s
Branch to Middle River, crossing it, and keep
ing up the South Side, through by John Bum
gardeners or Alex. Anderson 5, entering Staun-
ton at or near to VIM. Donaghes; or if it is
found more practicable to leave Messy Creek
at the mouth Of Pudding Spring branch, and
thence to Parnassus or better STILL if the best
interests of all concerned render it necessary to
carry 1t up the Long Glade, crossing Middle
River near Joseph Wenger' s. thence along the
same route indicated In last paragraph. In
either of the last routes indicated, it will be
understood that the North River will be crossed
near the village of Bridgewater. The Messy
Creek route will involve the crossing it at or
near the Falls just above where the channel is
narrow, and solid stone abntment will be had
on the South Island below the village, where
two short spans will be necessary aud short and
cheap bridges one bridge over Middle River,
will be all that will be required, and If at either
OF the points referred to, narrow span, and
natural abutments, it is believed will be found.
All the other bridging on this route, will be a
few small and cheap ones, over Cook S Or Mos
sy Creeks, or Long Glade,
AS it regards cutting and filing, on the route
just described, it will be very light and cheap
work, as compared with 1t Randolph's route.
Ihe grades are light ana no tunneing neces-
sary. If heavy cutting is necessary at any
point it will be through strata Of superior
limestone or marble, exceedingly valuable for
building culverts, abutments, PIERS founda-
tions Of depots, &C., besides having the small
stone for baasting the Road.
In regard to timber for cross-ties, bridges,
culverts, catte-guards, depots, &c, there will
be found an unlimited supply along and close
to the Road, but in the North Mountain which
is parallel with the Road, and not .far, distant
there is an inexhaustible and unlimited supply,
not only for the Road, but as a source whence
immense freights will be furnished We will
treat that part of the subject separately.
Now, contrast all these advantages of cheap
bridging, cutting and filling, with notunaetiag,
with 1t. Randolphs route. Ii he did not
cross North River twice, about which am not
sure, yet the bridge he proposed at or near
Rockland Mills, will materially be long one
with heavy abutments and high piers, and sew
eral Of them, as many as three bridges, are re-
ouired over Middle River and several over
| Iewis's Creek. A heavy tunnel Is rendered
necessary at one point, length not remembered:
| A part from this immensely heavy cutting and
filing is necessary, and thro' black slate, which
is useless except as ballast. Between North