Connecticut western news., 1876-02-11
The Connecticut Western Railroad.

A correspondent of the Hartford Post, writing from Poughkeepsie under date ot Feb. 1st, says: Perhaps description of the various points of interest which are witnessed in passing over this comparatively new route to the Hudson is unnecessary, as the vari- ous journals of Hartford and other places are frequently presenting to the public the claims which this route possesses oyer any other, being in fact the only one that prom ises ere long to become grand through route to the coal fields and the West. Yet, notwithstanding the fact that the at- tention of the public is frequently called to I the attractions of this llne of railway, and to the consideration of what it may yet do. not only for Connecticut but for Eastern New England, it IS believed that there still will be an interest in whatever may be written concerning it, especially when it is the result of personal observation along the whole route from Hartford to Millerton, 8 distance of nearly seventy miles; and not only this, but what awaits it in the future, when the Poughkeepsie bridge shall have been built and trains commence running beyond the Hudson to the points already referred to.
 It may be stated in the first place, that the changes that have taken place along the route of the Connecticut Western since its completion, especially in some of the vil- lages, is sufficient proof that the project of building this road and its subsequent com pletion was no visionary scheme, but the result of the enterprise and persevering ef- fort of the energetic capitalists and busi- ness men of Hartford, Winsted, Norfolk, Salisbury and numerous other towns, who perhaps thought that could they see the road built, would regard it as sufficient reward for all their efforts. They have seen the road completed; not only that, but they have seen new impetus given to the various industries along its whole line.
 For who can help but notice, as we did, while recently riding oyer the road on bright mid-winter's day. the new manufac turing establishments that have sprung up and consequent growth of the villages in which they are located. Not only this. but the farming and dairy interests have been greatly benefited by the opening up of this line. Asto the natural scenery which pre- sents itself to one travelling oyer the Con necticut Western, there is variety not of ten met with, ,and which ever affords pleas 2 ure to them who while passing through the Tariffyille gap looks down upon the dark surging waters of the traditionary Tunxis, as they rush through that narrow gorge which seems to have been opened in the mountain that not only they might have a place of egress, but that passage way for the iron horse and the accomplishment of it's great work might be had. And then again, as he reaches that point familiarly known as 'Satan's Kingdom, and from the rear of the train looks back upon those pre- cipitous cliffs rising one hundred and fifty feet on either side, with nothing to break a perpendicular fall save the narrow shelf along which he has just passed in safety, he realizes what may be accomplished by the great agents of power, when applied by man in the consummation of any underta- king.
 And so on as be is borne away still fur ther up among the hills of old Litchfeld county, the scenery is constantly changing, and as he looks off upon those rugged hill sides and gets glimpse into those narrow valleys through which some mountain stream rushes along it's rocky bed, he al most wonders how it could be possible that the pale face could have been SO desirous to possess himself of such portion of cre- ation as to drive the red man from hi: hunting grounds among these mighty hills But the poor Indian long ago passed away and in those very valleys and those hillsides : where once the smoke of his wigwam anc council fires arose, glimpses of church spires, around which cluster the homes o the civilized and prosperous white man, art had
 Perhaps if there IS one place that man. ifest growth is apparent more than somt other, that place is Winsted. A thrivin borough, nestled away among the hills, i has never been wholly cut off from railwa, communication with the outside world, fo the Naugatuck railroad has for twenty-fiv, years had it's terminus here, and although adding greatly to the growth of Winsted, seemed to fade into insignifcance when thu business men of this place became engaged in the project of building the Conn. West ern, which since it's completion, has caused consequent growth of the borough in all of it's mercanti le and manufacturing inter ests far exceeding that of any former De riod.
 While thus giving to the reader in brie and general way, what this line of railway possesses of interest to the tourist in whicl many points have been omitted, in statin something what it has accomplished fo the towns along its route, it remains flo the Judgment of the reader to decide wha IS to be the result upon tbe agricultural an manufacturing interests of this same lin of railway, when the magnificent bridge ( Poughkeepsie shall have been built. A there IS already line from Millerton t the above named city, known as the Pc keepsie, Hartford & Boston railroad, theI remains nothing to prevent this line of raj
 way becoming of as great importance 6
 the Boston 6 Albany road has been to tn
 past.
 The raising of five hundred thousand do
 lars within ninety days ensures the succe,
 of the building of this bridge, and whi
 Poughkeepsie is to be greatly benefited b
 the consummation of thls enterprise, the.
 same energetic men who persevered ar
 accomplished the ends of building tt
 Connecticut Western railroad, cannot
 otherwise than alive to their own interes
 and those of the several towns which tho
 represent, in coming immediately forwa
 and siding in this grand enterprise.
 While the attention of the reader h
 been more particularly called to noti
 points of interest connected with that lii
 of railroad over which we recently passe
 it is presumed that few words with rega
 to the Poughkeepsie bridge will also be
 interest. Situated little north of the bu
 mess part of the city is a high rocky en
 hence which rises abruptly from the ban