The Ouachita telegraph. [volume] (Monroe, La.) 1865-1889, 1881-09-30
vICKsBUR9, SHREVEPORT ANDPACI.
FIC RAILROAD.

We called at the Office OF the Vicks-
hurp. Shreveport and Pacific railroad
Tuesday to ascertain what arc the
present plans and purposes of the COM
many in prosecuting the completion of
the road. Our readers are already adj
yised of the fact that the elevation of
the road-bed through the low alluvial
lands hence to Delta has been deter
mined on, and that the contract, invol-
wing no inconsiderabie amount of
work, has been awarded to Techter
& Co., who have already commenced
work. BY their contract, they must
have 200 men at work by October 1,
and 400 mep by November 1, further
stipulation being that not less than
$4,000 cubic yards Of earth shall be
moved per month.
Capt. Dabney, chief engineer and
general manager of the road, was at
his desk examining the map of the
survey to Arcadia, and with Col. Rein
bold and Mr.. Coe as assistants, was
making estimates of the earth-work
necessary along that portion Of the
line about the North Choudrant in
Lincoln parish, preliminary to advcr-
Using for contracts for grading the
road. Capt. Dabney is thoroughly
familiar with this survey, having
superintended it in person, and was at
no loss to indicate to the writer points
along the line with which he is fami
liar, and as known by their local des-
ignations. The map clearly exhibits
the location of the road,-the dark
line going through hills. above boil
lows, across creeks, and on through a
section of country much Of which is
now a wilderness of oak and pine trees
and dense underground.
The contracts, Capt. Dabney thinks,
or three weeks, for thirty days, per.
haps. when, Il ter inspection, the work
will be given out. You may rest AS
sured, we were told, that the work
will be commenced this Fall, and will
be vigorously prosecuted.
The line, we observed, conforms to
the topography of the country, but
gives at no point n higher grade than
AZ feet to the mile. 1T was at first
deemed advisable by tho present own
ers of the road to increase the grade
to SO feet, but on n calculation furnish
ed by Capt. Dabney as to tho relative
cost, it has been decided not TO make
the change. 1t has, however, been de-
termined on to increase the width of
tho road-bed on banks to Is feet and to
require width of q feet of all cuts at
their base.
The standard guage of 1 feet, 81
inches will be adopted on the extension,
that Of the road to Delta now in opera
ton being feet, 6 inches.
Nothing has been done definitely in
locating depots. Major Green, general
manager under the late owners,
selected Calhoun's place in this paris II
and point ut the crossing of tho YER
non and Vienna road by the survey,
about miles south of Vienna, for de-
pots, but this selection is yet to be
made final. There will be q depot, no
doubt, between these two points which
are about 80 miles apart.
OF the prospects of an carly compile
ton of the road to Shreveport, our
readers must be tho judges from this
statement of what is TRANSMITTING here.
information from tile company as to
its plans not being accessible, as will
be readily understood and accounted
for. The fact must be equally as an.
parent that an undertaking such as
this is, cannot be pushed any faster
than wise regard for all tho details
necessary in summing up tho cost Of
construction will justify.