The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1878-10-17
VOL. XIV---NO. IA

of which is almost an air line, it touches
the corporate limits of Easley, and crosses
the Atlanta and Charlotte Air Line Rail
road one-half mile beyond. This point
of crossing is distant 25l miles from Bel
ton, and is the end of the first Division.
The general character Of the ridgein
this Division is such that it presents even
to the casual observer its peculiar adap-
liability for Railroad construction. 1t is
almost perfectly level, and is not broken
by single water course, or by a depres-
sion or hill of any magnitude. Only one
small culvert is necessary on its entire
length. The maximum grade on this
Division is 35 feet to the mile, and the
deepest cut and heaviest fill will not ex-
ceed 6 feet; miles of its length is heav-
lily timbered, balance cleared and under
cultivation. This feature renders the
expense Of clearing and grubbing almost
nominal.
Two miles beyond the Air Line, cross
ing Rice's Greek, one of the tributaries
of Seneca River, is passed on trestling Is
feet high and 400 feet in length. Three
miles beyond this Greek CLASSY Mountain,
an isolated cove, presents itself and ne
cessitates slight DETECTION to the left.
On this DETECTION, Wolf Creek is passed
on trestle II feet in height and 200 feet
in length. Town Greek on trestling 27
feet in height and 60 feet in span, and
Twelve Mile Creek on trestling 81 feetin
height and AGO feet in length. These
creeks, all tributaries of the Seneca River,
and its branches are shallow streams of
10 to II feet span, but are bordered by
low bottom lands sometimes oyerhowed,
which fact necessitates the use of trest-
ling to q certain extent. From the point
of crossing Town Greek, Pickens G. Fl. is
distant l mile. Ascending one of the
branches of Twelve Mile Creek, with
easy grades for q distance of 81 miles,
the Line reaches a point on the ridge
overlooking the Valley of the Oolenoe,
one of the branches of Saluda River,
and 200 feet above its waters. This point
is Ii miles from the foot of one Of the
large spurs of the Blue Ridge Mountains,
and miles from the Sassafras Gap in an
air line. Testing by leveling the height
of Sassafras Gap, ] found it 1540 feet
above my position. Taking advantage of
every deviation in order to increase dis
tauce, only 12 miles could be obtained.
This fact rendered the passage of Sassa-
fras Gap impracticable for broad gauge
railroad. 1t became necessary to seek
another and lower outlet. Securing the
services of experienced guides, l made
thorough examination of the Blue Ridge
range for many miles west of my posi-
ton, and chose as the most eligible point
of crossing, huge gorge which literally
divided the Mountain chain, formed by
Estatoe Greek on one side, and the mid
die fork of the French Broad on the
other. The heads of these streams are
but 800 feet apart, and cut of II feet
will bring their waters together. Testing
again by leveling, 1 found this Gap $50
feet lower than Sassafras Gap, and $50
feet above my position. This gorge lies
4 miles west of Sassafras Gap. Starting
again from the halting point, the Line
follows the ridge which turns slightly to
the left, and four miles from halting
point, passes with slight cut, the Rich
Mountain Saddle, which ends the second
Division, 20 miles from the crossing of
the Air Line Railroad. This Saddle is
short and sharp spur which connects the
main ridge with Rich Mountain, and
marks the head of the Oolcnoe. Rich
Mountain is the Southern point of four
large Mountains, which together make
one of the largest spurs of the Blue Ridge
and constitute the Eastern boundary of
Estatoe Valley.
The general character of the country
in this Division is rolling and broken by
occasional streams. The passage of the
streams necessitate the use of sleeper
grades, but for distances not exceeding
one mile. Fifty-two feet to the mile is
the maximum grade in this Division.
Nine miles of this Division is we'll tim
bered. About 1900 running feet of trest-
ling is necessary. Earthwork on the last
milasis heavy. The ridge being higher,
the Line is laid upon its Northern slope,
which is scanned by numerous gorges.
A considerable depression, 1900 feet in
width and II miles from terminal point
of this Division necessitates Il run of %
miles level. At the Rich Mountain Sad
die therefore, the Line is 9 miles in an
air line from the Gap, and S20 feet below
it. 1t becomes necessary to increase dis
tance, and this is done by one or more
horse shoe curves made in heading the
branches of the Estatoe.
Leaving the main ridge at the end of
the second Division and following the
slope of Rich Mountain the Line turns
gradually north and q miles from start
ing point, turns to the west and crosses
Cove Creek on bridge 65 feet in height
and 27O feet span. Thenceit follows the
southern slope of high ridge until it
strikes the valley Of Rocky Creek, an
other branch of the Estatoe. At this
point the first horse shoe curve COM
mences. The Line turns to the north
and east and following mountain slopes
which overlook the valley of Rocky
Creek for 2 miles, crosses the head
branches of the Creek, and turning west
again heads for the Estatoe. 1t comes
out on the valley of the Estatoe far up
on the slopes of Chimney Top Mountain,
at point 81 miles from the Gap and 3lO
feet below it. Following the general
course of the Estatoe on the sides of this
Mountain for u miles, the Line touches
the Valley of Folly Creek, the third
Eastern branch of the Estatoe. At this
point the second horse shoe curve COM
mences. Running up the Valley of Fol
ly Creek and crossing near its head, the
Line turns west again and strikes the
Estatoe l. miles from the Gap and 12O
feet below it. Turning once more Moth:
ward, it heads straight for the Gap and
passes the Blue Ridge Mountains with
cut 80 feet in depth, -! miles from Rich
Mountain Saddle.
The earth work on this Division is
heavy. The Valley Of fthe Estatoe through
which the Line is laid, is rugged and
s.o..a,, ~orro, oro