The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1870-09-30
shown by a letter which we are permitted to
WEST LEYDEN, Lewis County, N. Y,


shown by letter Whlch we are permitted to
copy:
WEST LEYDEN, Lewis County, N. vi
Sept. 81, 1870.
With Mr.. Tanner of our COMMITTEE. with
men and instruments, have been over the en-
tire route to where Mr.. McEchron left his line
at flseco Lake, employing men from place to
place, who are best acquainted with the cOun-
try. We lind the route very much better than
we expected; the average is not more tnan ~
ieet per mile, and there is no grade oetweeu
these points either way of more than 4o ieet
per mile, no short curves, no rock cuts. we
have been over the line four times, and are sat
lstied that it is not only feasible but very Ia
vOrable.
This information establishes the long dlsput-
ed question, of favorable route through the
Adirondack woods from Oswego due east, TO
the Hudson river, and places beyond DOUBT
the early construction of the Transcontinental
railway.
All previous attempts to reach Lake Ontario,
and which have failed were aimed further
North, for Sackett's Harbor, Cape Vincent or
Ogdensburg, seeking to pass the highest range
of the Adirondack mountains. There has been
no difficulty heretofore in going to Piseco Lake,
but from thence Northwest and North towards
SacketL's Harbor and the st. Lawrence, Law
the great forest and mountain district of
Northern New York, difficult of access if not
impossible. From Piseco, West, striking the
waters CT West Cauada Greek, there is an ele-
walton of 76 feet, which is easily passed. from
the waters of which creek there is favorable
line to the waters of Black River, aud 70
Bonneville, 1889 feet above tide water, from
which point to Richand station, there is an
average descent of about Is feet to the mile by
favorable route. Richland station is 500 feet
above tide water, or 286 feet above Lake Onta-
| rio, which is 234 feet above tide water.
The different companies and parties interest
| ed, between Oswego and Portland, have agreed
to form single company, under the charter
for this purpose granted by the Legislature Of
| Maine at its last session. There are abundant
resources in the way Of business to support
such line Of railway when built, and the loca
support in each State is equal to the cost O
| grading the road, every section Of which viii
be of value as soon as opened for business. The
| plan has been to commence work at Portland
| or at the Saco River, and at Meredith, working
each way; at Bristol, Woodstock, Rutland
Glen's Falls, Luzerne, Boonville and Rich
land, each point named being reached by rail
"
approach. The details of the plan have beer
arranged, and it only requires the organization
of the company, and necessary obligations ant
mortgages to hold each section in place, to en-
sure the commencement of the work. From
Oswego West, the Lake Ontario Shore Rail
road, by way OF Rochester to Niagara River,
distance Of 145 miles, is going forward, sub
| scriptionS ia the amount of Al Gf2 ono havint
been already obtained, which with the sum tt
be voted by Rochester and other places on tn,
route, will carry the subscriptions as high a.
$4,000 per mile. Hon. Gerritt Smith is Presi
deut, and other Directors, regard the line a
secured. From Niagara River to st. Cla
River, the Canada Southern Railway, known
as Mr.. Thomson's line, is in progress, forming
with connecting lines beyond, an unbroker
line through to Chicago, distance of 100'
miles from Portland.
An attempt was made to form Trunk line
under one management from Chicago to PoIt
land, but SO many complications arose between
Cswego and Chicago, that the several partie.
interested, acting in concert and in friendly
spirit, agreed to act separately, as above indi
Gated. The Portland and Oswego line, form
ing simple section under one management
will soon be organized into single company
now that the route is ascertained.
We expect in few days to be able to give
more full details of the arrangements BY ret
| erence to the Post Office map, or other good
map, or a Railroad Guide map, one will be able
| to understand the route in question.
Judge Fowler, President of the New Hamp.
| shire Railroad Company, was in town last
| week, IN reference to this Railroad.