Clearfield Republican. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1851-1937, 1870-08-10
RAIL ROAD IMPROVEMENTS.
THE
Tyrone s. CIoGrGCId BrdHeheS.

We take the following statement
from a late number of the Tyrone
Herald. written by W. Ii. ii. Brainerd
Esq, one ofthe editors Of that journal,
who accompanied the Bellefonte ex.
cursion party to this place several
weeks ago;
The Tyrone and Clearfield enterprise
was an undertaking which required
pluck, enterprise and capital. 1t was
road projected over mountains seem.
ingly impossible, and through a sec.
tion OF country little less than q
"howling Wilderness" offering TO the
novice eye, but promisingly beggard.
" returns. But there Dere shrewd,
discerning men who, as early as 1916,
were thoroughly convinced that a
railroad through the identical section
now traversed by this road, would
open up, as it assuredly has. one OF
the wcalthicst mineral territories in
the State, and liberal remuneration
to its owners. 1t is remarkable fact
that in a speech delivered in the State
Senate by Gov. VIM. Bigler, "a years
ago, and which is still extant, he stated
that road over this line would form
greater feeder TO the main line than
that secured from any other branch
between Pittsburg and Harrisburg. -
And time has proudly demonstrated
the truthfulness OF the prediction.
In July 1858, Mr. ID. Prunor, oI
Bellefonto, bought the property now
occupied by the busy numbering mart
of Osceola, of Mr.. Thomas Mays At
that date, that entire section was, as
stated, little less than n wilderness
with none other than bridle paths
leading TO Oscoola, The following
spring, Mr. Pruner secured the pas
sage through the Legislature of Bill
authorizing the building Of Rail
road from tho mouth of Trout Run Ia
Tyrone, and Incorporating the Tyrone
and Trout Ran Railroad Company
The Bill passed on the last day Of the
Session, and as consequence went
over until the next meeting Of The
Legislature. when VIM Biglor, then
Governor, returned IL to the House
together with his veto, and reasons
therefore. Meanwhile, Mr.. Pruner
has associated with him, Messrs A. g.
Curtin, J. NJ Hale and ] J Linglc
undcr the firm style Of d. | Pruncr q
Co. About this time, Mr. Geo. d
Morgan & Co, bought the Phillips
estate JAS T. Hale was a member
Of the Morgan Company. In the
winter of 1865, a second bill was pass
cd for the building Of the present
road, under the title of tho "Tyrone
Clcarfcld & Eric Railroad" The first
corporators in this road were Jane,
T. Hale, ID. |. Pruner, Jno. 7 Matthias
Jacob Burloy, Chas. II. Foster, Jas
b Graham, Jonathan Boynton, Jas
T. Leonard, Judge Wrightaud others
These gentlemen, after untiring ef
forts, succeeded in raising siocl
amounting to 100000, or thercabeuts
for the work from Tyrone to Philips
burg OF this amount, Geo D. Nor
gan & Co, subscribed $4,000, an,
ID. J. Pruncr appears as the next high
ost-sl0,000 The balance of tn,
stock was mainly subscribed in Ty
rome and Clearfeld. The amount o
stock subscribed, a meeting was hcl,
and the following named officers wor
elected President, Jas. T. Hale
Treasurer Jas r. Leonard; Secreta
| ~, William Bogshan Directors, Chas
ii. Foster, ID. / Pruner, Jno. 7. Ma
thias, Jacob Burley, Jas. B. Graham
Judge Wright, A. G. Curtin, Ct al
! The Company then employed ]. Il
Montgomery, Of Philadclp phia, as prin
cipal engineer, and the road was sur
veyed and located in the summer O
1886, and in the following Dcoembe
the road was let to Brady, Mowry
Linglc who Immediately set abou
work. Matters progressed vigorous
ly until the summer of 1857, wbel
the great financial crash partially sus
pended operations, and but few work
men were employed until 1865 wheI
the work was sub.lct 90 +. N. Buck, q
Philadelphia, who again sub contract