The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1870-11-04

SBLINsGRovE, Nov. 3, 1870.
Philadelphia capital and Philadelphia enter
prise have for the last four years been pushing
forward new railroad in the interior of the
State, which is destined to become one of the
most successful of its kind of any which have
been started for long time. The new enter
prise was formerly known as the Middle Creek
Railway, but by a late act of the Legislature its
name has been changed to that of Sunbury and
Lewistown Railroad, its powers and advantages
having been enlarged, 80 that now team go over a
larger amount of territory aud make connections
with several important roads. 1t is so situated
that when completed IL will be the only direct
outlet for anthracite coal to the West aud South
west, il making connection in the East direct
with the Reading Railroad. Besides this when
another road-the Dauville Hazleton, and
Wilkesbarre-is completed, which is now nearly
the case, the two together will form
the shortest route by actual measurement
from New York to Pittsburg. This
will make it of great Importance, and beside
this, the country through which the road is laid
out itself abounds in the greatest wealth of
minerals and agriculture. Large wheat farms
are stretched around on every side, and the
mountains surrounding the valley through
which the road runs are rich in iron ore, and IN
some places nearly the entire hill is one mass of
the rich product.
and since that time the works have been pushed
forward rapidly. The road has bqen located
and ia now all graded with the exception of five
and quarter miles, and is ready for the recep-
tion of the sleepers, ballast and rails. The
bridges including two very large ones over the
Susquehanna and Juniata rivers, are nearly
finished, and only about six months time at the
furthest will be required for its completion in
every particular.
With everything in this prosperous condition,
the officers of the road lately planned an ex-
cursion of the stockholders and others interested
in the matter, for the purpose of giving them a
chance to inspect the works and see for them
selves what has been done.
With this end in view, select party started
in a special car attached to the Eric express
which left the West Philadelphia depot of the
Pennsylvania Railroad at II A. NJ. on Tuesday
last. The point of destination Selinsgrove,
the point at which the new railroad proposes to
cross the Susquehanna river. 1t is in the neigh
borhood of Sunbury, and directly across the
river from the Northern Central Railroad. The
distance is 145 miles from Philadelphia, but
such good arrangements had the projectors of
the excursion made for the comfort of their
guests that no symptom of heayiness was vis-
BILE anywhere.
The town of Selinsgrove, though within easy
view of the Northern Central Railroad is con-
nected, or rather disconnected, from it only by
line of fiat-bottom primitive boats which are
propelled across the river by means of poles.
This point was reached by the eKcursionists
about sundown, and after crossing the river
walk of about mile was necessary before the
hotel of the town could be reached.
But once gained, warm welcome and
hearty supper, or, Uice Uersa, hearty welcome
and q warm supper, awaited them. Here, also,
the President of the road, Mr. A. G. Simpson, q
strong worker to whose efforts are due the
progress of the road after it had been almost
abandoned as dead undertaking, met the party
and greeted them one and all. After the supper
had been properly disposed of, brass band,
the result of the musical genius of the town,
appeared in front of the hotel and much to the
surprise of the guests rendered them sere
made.
On Wednesday large number of carriages
furnished through the liberality of the towns
men, were in readiness to convey the party over
the line of the road, so far as time would permit
The ride was some thirteen miles through the
Middle Creek valley, which on the approach of
winter was most beautiful to behold. The valley
is twelve miles wide, and the road follows
mostly the bottom lands. The creek is itself
quite a large stream and runs with good head
of water in the driest of weather.
The population is mostly Pennsylvania Ger
man, and the farming consequently is OF the
best description. The great mineral wealth of
the region has already been mentioned, and the
most valuable chestnut and oak lumber covers
every hillside.
The line of the road has but few cuttings,
none in fact save one near the lower end. The
bridges and trestle-work are of the best con-
struction, the timbers substantial solid,
and enduring, and the iron work heavy. The
entire work reflects great credit upon the Chief
Engineer Mr.. George II. Arms, and the con-
tractor, John R. McGoyern.
The party proceeded as far as Beverstown
Furnace, where the various specimens of ores
were inspected.
The location of the road is as follows:-It
commences on the eastern bank of the Susque-
hanna river, and crosses it at Selinsgroye, 4S
miles from Lewistown, with bridge $500 feet
in length. Tie road will have a connection
with the Northern Central road from Selins
1 grove to Sunbury, and will also connect with
the Danville, Hazleton and Wilkesbarre, anC
the Philadelphia and Erie, and the Shamokir
railroads. 1t crosses Penn creek north of Selins
grove with bridge of 175 feet span; from Sc
the valley of Middle creek, c-ossing
Middle creek with a bridge of 163 fee
span, at a point eleven miles from Sunbury
passing up the valley of Middle Creek to Mid
! dlebury, the county-seat of Snyder, sixteeI
miles; following the valley two miles beyond, i
reaches the furnace of the "Shade Mountain
Iron Company" the point designated in tn
oha Furnace - Here lin