The Somerset press. [volume] (Somerset, Ohio) 1873-1977, 1874-01-30
somerset a M'ConneIsviIle R. n.

Somerset & M'COnneIsviIIe R. n.
EDITOR PRESS: You have manifest
ed interest enough to inquire the second
time, through your columns, as to the
status of the Somerset & M'Connelsville
Railroad, and it would be treating you
with seeming disrespect were | TO make
no response whatever. have the honor
to submit the following desultory report,
gathered on the spur of the moment,
from memory alone:
Nearly two years ago an informal
meeting was held at Ream's Bank, com
posed principally of such persons as were
acquainted with the proposed route. Its
practicability, mineral inducements, etc,
were there discussed. In the course of
time a company was incorporated, and
officers duly elected. One of the objects
of the road was to make it an entension
of the Columbus and Somerset Railroad,
which, at that time, there was good
prospect of building. This part of the
enterprise failing, we concluded to make
the attempt to place the route in some
tangible and practicable shape, and await
future events and efforts. In order to
place it in such shape it it was deter
mined to raise fund on the line of the
road to defray the expenses for engin-
eer corps Mr. p H. Buckley was en-
ployed, and as soon as the season
would permit, commenced his prelimi-
nary survey, making point on the rail-
road at Roseville his starting place. The
amount to be raised for necessary engin-
eering expenses would probably be about
one hundred and seventy-fve dollars
Somerset assessment would be one hun
dred, Ssltillo twenty-five, and Roseville
| fifty dollars. Roseville raised the prin-
cipal part of their share; Saltillo did
the same; but Somerset, l am sorry to
report, failed to contribute one dollar,
with the exception of ten dollars, which
were generously subscribed by Thomas
johnson, Esq, and DR.. c. J. Skinner.
The balance was made up by the incor-
porators. This, of course, was discour-
aging to us, as we regarded it as an in
difference on the part of our citizens,
not easily accounted for.
Mr.. Buckley, in reasonable time,
finished his survey,-which in the main
was highly encouraging-meeting with
no obstacles until he approached Rain
er's Ridge, which must be crossed with
a cut or small tunnel. This brought
him into the valley of Buckeye, which
was followed without trouble or expense
to one of its sources on the Cookson
farm, near David Wilson's in Clayton
township. Here is encountered the most
serious part of the route, but this was
overcome without great expense or labor.
The question now very naturally oc-
ours: suppose it is practicable route
which our engineer has demonstrated
how is it to be built? The Boesal law
was declared unconstitutional, and no
one is sanguine enough to suppose that
anything can be done by subscription.
How, then, can it be built? The incor-
porators believe and know that if the
proprietors of. the land along the line of
the road within mile ,ciU contract to sell
their mineral at fair prices that capital
lists will be found eager to build rail-
way through their beautiful valleys, en-
hancing the value of their surface, and
what is now to them useless-their coal;
and what is now an incumbrance to them,
their iron ore will be source of revenue
and income far beyond what they have
ever realized from the surface. This
will be daily income, not subject to
the vicissitudes and chances of weather,
but certain and lifelong.
To use slang phrase-"do they see
it?'' Some do, and are strong advocates
of the plan, while others are hating
But on the whole it is becoming under
stood, and believe that in short time
the great advantages of this system will
be fully appreciated and entered into by
, all.
What are the inducements of this
road? will say, from my own knowl
J edge and observation, that from the
; Cookson farm, about four miles east o
this place, the finest coal can be seen
/ several veins, varying from three to five
J feet, accessible and cheaply mined; ant
) iron ore of wonderful thickness, and
believe of the best quality. The presen
road we have, all will agree, is conve
, nience to us, but a second road woulc
f be an absolute advantage to the town
t and of the utmost importance to on
growth.
/ cannot close this report without re
ferring, with many thanks, to Mr.. P. II
g Buckley, who has rendered us invalua
bic service by making repeated recon
: noisances. before and since the survey
e for which he made no charge. Hi
:, charges for survey were merely nominal
p his desire to set the project on foot wa
n the only inducement he had in view.
: Hoping, Mr.. Editor, our citizens wi
h manifest more interest in future tina
1t heretofore in this really feasible and in
d portant enterprise, remain,
lr Yours, &C., HI. G. GREINER,
d President S. & NC. r.