The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1870-01-22
Letter from Omaha.
OMAHA, Neb., Jan. 18th, 1870.

rean-en account of the great mail thor
oushfare, we think any information regard,
ing the success and general prosperity OF
the Road will be regarded as interesting to
the public generally. And in connection
with this subject, we would say, we think
to being showed in, and the mails being
delayed, in consequence of the snow. The
Company have constructed miles of snow
sheds, protecting the most exposed places
against snow drifts. 1t is not the quantity
of snow falling that causes the difficulty
it is the excessive high winds, drifting the
snow into the cuts where it has no chance
to escape. 1t then has to be hauled out
The company have now many miles of snow
fence, where it is not necessary to have
sheds. These fences are great protection
to parts of the road, where the cuts are
net sufficiently deep to require shedding
they cause the snow to bank on each side
of the road, affording an excellent protcc-
ton against succeeding SNOW storms. Per-
sons who have not witnessed a Rocky
Mountain snow storm, cannot form an idea
of the violence of the wind besides, the
snow is perfectly dry, and as fine as corn
meal, and will drift through the smallest
aperture. The snow sheds are SO con-
structed that the fierce winds drift the dry
snow over them, so that but a very small
quantity Of snow gets on the track, and
scarcely amy remains on the sheds. Being
securely braced and secured to timbers.
running parallel with the track, they are
not disturbed by the high winds.
We think that some of the Eastern roads
would be benefited by an examination and
adoption of this method of protecting their
roads in Winter, more particularly the ex-
IRENE Eastern portion, where they have
very deep SHOWS, and afterward hard freez-
ing.
Nothing seems to deter our Western
railroad men. If a difficulty presents
itself before them, they soon suggest or
invent some plan to so through or under
the obstacle, but never think of stopping.
Their motto is eco ahead" If five loco
motives cannot pull a train through bad
place, they will attach ten, if necessary.
but never think of stopping to wait for
change of weather, &c.-for the sun to
shine or the wind to change but when the
changes do come, they are ready to embrace
the opportunity to prepare for coming
events. We have never seen such indom
Ifl1 Ia = ~, d..
road Superintendent and Railroad men
generally. They don't seem to have been
elected on account of their family relation
ship; but merit has been the incentive,
down to the engineers and fireman.
The Company have suffered some incon-
venience from the destruction of their Car
Factory, some months since, but Phoenix
like, have reared much larger one in it's
stead. Greatly improved in size, as it is,
but more particularly in the amount and
quality of machinery we never saw more
or finer in any building. They are now
building the best and most substantial pas
senger coaches, baggage cars, and postal
mail cars,-wbich are 46 feet long, with all
the modern improvements and convsniences
and comforts. for the accommodation of
the clerks, who have to spend some six sue
cessive days and nights, out of every ten,
in them. They may, with rropriety, be
termed habitation cars
There is not State, county, or town, in
the United States, the Cahadas, England,
Ireland, Scotland, France, Germany. the
Indies. South America, and all the British
Islands, China, Japan, Russia, Prussia,
Africa, and every other hamlet that | ever
heard of, but what receive more or less
mail over this route. Thus far, this Win
ter, there has been less obstruction and de-
lay to mails than any route l have heard of,
and now trains are running strictly on time.
The change of terminus to Ogden, in
stead of Promontory, has met with mingled
satisfaction. The Utah Central, running
frem Ogden to Salt Lake City, is now being
run. They run two trains day, although
a part Of the distance, near the city, has to
be performed by stages, owing to the delay
of furnishing the rails, which will soon be
obviated. AS there is no real Winter
weather there, they proceed with the work
as fast as during the Fall or Spring.
Utah is about undergoing change of
Church government, as well as Territorial,
The boiling elders from Brisham's estab-
lished Church, the mother of Polygamy,
has produced quite stir in the religious
circles of the Territory. 1t is said that
his Highness Brigham, has softened down
very much since Congress convened, and
will probably pursue different course to-
ward his subjects. Utah will no doubt
have to come under U. S. laws, as a sub
stitute for Lynch Law and Vigilance Com
mittees, the decision of one of which will
be executed, on Monday next, TO- murder
at Ogden. Penalty, death, by shooting
the victim, preferring shooting to hanging,
as more respectable. In the absence of
State laws and authority, those Vigilance
Committees exercise rather wholesome
influence they are rather terror to evil
dcers, as their decisions are swift, iudg |
ment Oh their victims seldom allowing but
diate execution. They generally require
positive proof, from which none escape
A large gang of desperadoes from Colorado |
made descent on the Denver stage coach. !
from the present terminus, Evans. |
to Denver, and took possession of the stage |
and mails. Ritling the latter, and driving
the stage into a wilderness place, they made
their escape to their den in the mountains. |
The alarm being given to Fort Russell.
near Cheyenne, posse of L. S. Cavalry
were started in pursuit, and being experts
at ferreting out guerrillas and bushwhack- |
ers, soon struck the trail, through the snow,
and succeeded in capturing the whole gang,
"a set of terrible desperadoes, living in
cave, entered under ground, some distance,
where they found the proceeds of the mail
robbery, and many Saratoga and other
kinds of trunks and satchels and valises,
with any amount Of ladies' clothing, and