West Virginia freeman. (Parkersburg, W. Va.) 1881-1886, 1881-11-09
THE RIVER RAIL ROADS.
On This Side and That.

DOdTu VI D1TcCCOIS VI Vic w. "
G. R. R., in this city last week, was
almost important one, and full of
promise, flour people are not too
dull and sleepy to make it SO.
Senator Camden laid before the
Board General Sickles' report. At
ter approving the survey and route
from Wheeling to Bull Greek as
uncontested, and leaving the
Worthington and River routes from
Bull Creek to Parkersburg for flu
ture decision, Mr.. Sickles consid-
ers the surveys from Parkersburg
to Charleston, and closes his report
as follows:
Between Parkersburg and
Charleston three routes have been
surveyed. The line from Parkers-
burg to Charleston, via Roane
county, passes through fertile ag
ricultural and grazing region well
wooded with valuable varieties of
timber, admitting of the construc-
ton of a Railway at moderate ex
pense, except at the crossing of
three principal SUBMITS. where
very costly tunnels would be re-
quired. The grades on this line
at several places would be from 60
to 105 feet per mile. The line from
Parkersburg to Ripley, and thence
to Charleston, passes thro' a region
of similar character to the line
through Roane county, requiring
heavy grades and costly tunnels.
A line following the Ohio river to
Ravenswood, and thence to Ripley,
would require heavy grades or a
tunnel between Ravenswood and
Ripley. The third line of survey
extends along the east bank Of the
Ohio river from arkersburg to
Point Pleasant. This route can be
graded at very moderate cost, and
there will be upon it neither tunnel
nor any work Of an expensive char
acter. The minimum grade will
not exceed fifteen feet per mile. In
connection with the Richmond &
Allegheny Railroad, which is now
being graded from Charleston to
Point Pleasant, a through line to
Charleston will be established.
After due consideration of the
advantages and disadvantages of
the several lines surveyed, it is my
opinion that the route from Wheel
ing to Parkersburg and to Point
Pleasant, following substantially
the east bank of the Ohio river, is
decidedly preferable"
II. E. SICKLEs,
Consulting Engineer.
With the Engineers report, the
following communication was for
mally presented, received and
filed:
WASHINGTON, d. c., Oct. 81, 81.
President and Directors Of the ". P. & c. r.
R. Co.
Gents am authorized to state
to your company that responsible
persons are ready to enter into ne
gotiations with the company to fur
nish the means to build the road
from Wheeling via Parkersburg
and Point Pleasant to Charleston as
soon as the company is prepared to
furnish the right Of way, and to en-
ter into such negotiations.
1t was the understanding at the
organization of the company, that
if the company or the people along
the line Of the road would furnish
the surveys and the right of way,
that | had the promise from respon-
sible capitalists, if the road was re-
ported upon favorably by Engineer
Sickles, they would furnish the
means to build the road upon it's Sc
curities.
More time has been consumed in
getting ready than was then antic-
ipated, but the report Of Engineer
Sickles has been made and submit
ted, and the parties now express
their willingness to undertake the
construction of the road if the right
of way is obtained within a reason
able time. | have entire confidence
in being able to carry out that part
Of the understanding; but as unfa-
vorable changes in the financial