The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1872-07-22
A Day on the Western END OF the
Chesapeake and Ohio Railroad.
CgEENBElER WHITE SULPHUR SPRINGS,
I,,lx- 1S,b

CgEESBElER WHITE SULrnUE SPRINGS,
July 18th.
To the Editors Of the Dispatch: To-day
:, pioneer party, consisting OF General Hlck.
ham, vicc-preSident OF the Chesapeake ana
Ohio railroad; II. y. Whitcomb, CHIEF en-
gineer; Major Randolph, resident engineer;
Sir. Eidgcway, Il distinguished geologist OF
PENNSYLVANIA. who is making geological
survey Of the country through which the
railroad passes and your correspondent, TOOK
the construction train and went over the
railroad to the second crossing of the Green
hricr river. sixteen miles west. y thing ol
beauty is a joy forever" but here we had the
beauty of landscape unriyallcd and grandeur
unsurpassed and the triumph OF art all
blended. The highly picturesque situation oil
the White Sulphur. the hotel, cottages, anu
the verdcnt lawn peeping through the groves
of oak and sugar-lnaplc, and all nesting
in the midst of mountains first struck lis
with delight. The train passed rapidly down
the slopes of Hates Mountain, across en-
bankmentS and through cuts, and showed
us the lovely valley of Towards creek.
PASSING through tunnel 40 feet long, we
were on the banks of the Grccnbricr river.
Here the landscape changes. Inc river,
wide and clear rs crystal, reflects as MIR
ror the almost unbrokcn forest that over
HANGS it. We pass the river, and III short
time are ut Ronccvertc, about len miles dis
tant from the White Sulphur. This IS the
first station west, and is laid oil for city III
streets and lots, and occupies beautiful
situation. Several tasteful buildings have
already been erected, and some lots nave
been sold ut good prices.
\ road connects Ronccvcrtc with Lewis
burr. PasSin. from there down the river
| upon grades 50 nearly approaching level as
| to excite surprise, solid ellis OF limestone,
risinm abruptly from the waters edge to an
elevation Of two or three hundred lcel, vary
and bcautify the scenery. The limestone
has faint purplish or pink color, and blends
beautifully with the forest and river view.
These cliffs are on the side Of the river op,
nnsitc TO thc railroad, although the same
geological formation exists on Dolh sldc''
| At1cr following the river for some miles at Il
rrade of from two to three feet to the mic,
| the road reaches Sccond-creck tunnel. This
Tunnel. sixteen hundred feet long, passes
through mountain OF limestone tollownga
slinht curve through lis entire extent
or course it is dark as Ercbus, but rs
YOU approach the western end you see what
appears to be giant profile bust, with Tie
| forehead, nose, mouth, and chin, well define
atcd on the right side Of the limestone cllt
The carving was accidental. but the lc5elll'
| bancr To the human face WIS SO remarkable
that the engineer directed il TO remain rs tho
first workman had left it. Tie tunnel open!
upon the clad waters Of the river over Whlci
tho road Immediately crosses. Gi0d, lol
! lust here there are rapids III the river tll;ll
| give to the waters Il song of "litlnc>s rs they
ripple at the base of the limestone mountain
Our party stopped here and were Hospitality
entertained by the Geographic operator, WHO
| has his parlor, bedroom and Office III al
| elegant ear on Il sdciin@ OF the road. IL i
something 10 be remembered that Dtlullcr
| rising nj tiyLrcak, travelling for sixteen
| miles rs pioneers ;ilun% the slopes ol ahu
| through mountains, upon the banks 81
and over rivers, and with all the excite
mrnt and pleasure of travel fresh upon lis
and surrounded by ~ scene of beauty anu
| of grandeur" which Sheridan Knowles im-
a"inrd when he attempted TO describe the
mountain homes of Switzerland.
The bridge here will be soon completed
and i'm order for travel. The energy of the
engineers, however. had carried over iron
and two miles further OF the road is already
laid. This carries the road to another tun
mel eleven hundred feet long, finished ant
ready for the track-iaycrs. such has beer
the energy of the track-Elycrs that they fol-
| low SO close upon the contractors as to u
LAYING the rails OH one section while TIT
work of construction is being finished on the
adjoining section; and sometimes they have
| followed so close as to be OH the same sec
ton. With so much intelligent enterprise
and activity, aided by the capital OF the com
panv, there can be 10 reasonable doubt tia
| the railroad will be completed by the clos
| OF this wear
Returning to this place, the scene wa
varied by SOME bouts or bltteauN whlcl
were navigating the waters Of GrconDricr
and which the boatmcn seemed to have IL
difficulty in propelling up the river. \
another point this side OF The river Our at
tenion was attracted TO the prccipitouS side
Of the mountain, whose projecting cliff
seemed actually TO hung some two hundred
feet above Us, and yet, with all this. there i
feeling OF perfect security, such is the ap
parent strength of tlc rold-Dcd and the skill
| OF its constructors.
Those who have travelled upon the Lowell.
Rhine and the beautiful Juniat:. will Sc
| much to remind them OF both, and will flint
| that the Grcenbrier river is inferior to ncithc
| in grandeur, boldnesS, and beauty of scenery
Come and see it. and be happy.
a TRAVELLER.
Grant and Greclcy--Hi.eir Associate
G0lltrasIeif.
From the Chicago Tribune.
The personal habits and tastes of the tw'