Delaware state journal. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1870-1883, 1873-08-16
Editorial Correspondence. IN

Editorial Correspondence. IN
PROM PIEDMONT, WEST VIRGINIA, 70 GIN
cfNNATI-A RIDE ACROSS THE NOUN
TAIss-MAGNiFICENT SCENERY.
CNcINSATI, o., August 4ih.-My first
letter left us at Piedmont, at the foot of
the eastern slope of the Allegheny noun
tains. ournew aud powerful locomotive
seemed equal to the task upon it, and we
swept along with speed apparently little
diminished. Still, our lift upward must
be quite rapid, for in the II miles between
Piedmont and Altamont, the summit Of |
the Allegheuies the grade is III feet.
But our mountains do not end here, for
after rushing down grade again for
awhile, we again commence at the little |
town of Roseblrg, the ascent Of a sleeper
grade than ever, that Of the Cheat noun
talns. Their summit, Cranberry summit,
Is the highest point on the road. and the
grade from Roseburg 10 this summit is
lis feet In q distance of ~ miles.
Before leaving the AlleKhenies we pass,
perched upon their tops, almost, Deer
Park, foe hotel surrounded by large
aud beautiful grounds. It Is owned by
the railroad company and Is n favorlie
summer resort for many Baltlmoreans.
A few miles further west is HnOthrr
mountain resort, Oakland. The latter il
largely patronized by Baltimoreans aud
Cincinnatlans. 1t has hotel accommoda-
lions for from 500 to 600 people, while the
Deer Park has accommodations for 800.
The scenery amongst these mountains
Is grand beyond any power Of description.
Amongst the Aleghenes we found the
streams forming the headwaters Of the
Potomac, and flowing mostly eastward.
Though small, they made large valleys
and deep ravines, In passing which we
had most beautiful views. We would be
passing along above one valley, when
another would suddenly Open Into Ii, up
which we could look until its green sides
apparently came together. The curves
| IN the road also enabled us to gain splen-
did views Of the valleys running parallel
with the track, and the whole company
on the train devoted themselves TO en-
| jOying the scenery.
Crossing Cheat Mountain the scenery
was, If possible, finer still. As soou as
We commenced the descent from Gram
| berry Summit we saw Cheat r yer, then
little stream scarce worth noticing but
Tor the lively way in which its waters
danced along throsgh their lovely valley.
! The little river rapidly increases In
! strength and breadth without losing any
thing in the spirit Of liyelness which
characterizes its birth, until il seems for
I miles to run race with our locomotive
at hreak-ncck speed down the mountain.
Slightly wearied, at last II turus away,
but in a little while it returns TO the
struggle reinforced aud enlarged and keeps
It up until We finally turn away from il
and proceed un our way to Grafton, the
place where the Parkersburg branch di-
yerges from Tho main line. Here at "A
hotel owned hy the b. Il o. Company we
lind a supper worthy to follow the Cum
heriand dinner. And here, too, we take
on Pullman "sleeIer," As the railway
men call sleeping cars and we speedily
transfer ourselves 10 IT,.
We were 30 lucky as to find on the
train while crossing the mountains, "a
conductor OIL duty, Mr.. John W. Conner,
Of Cranberry summit, who gave us Il
great deal Of interesting Information con-
corning the road.
Between Piedmont and Grafton, called
the Third Division of the road, the Con-
pany employs l2U locomotives. In th, So
seventy four miles there are six tunnels,
(tho Longest 2. of mile) two trcstics
aud six bridge, one bridge being jOO feet
long and al other 800
Of cuur-c, soon after leaving Grafton
, 70 became too dark TO see anything, and
after comfortable smoke and chat with
% very agreeable conductor ON the sleep
ing car, We had Or beds made up and
turned Zoo, in a few minutes were fast