The new dominion. [volume] (Morgantown, W. Va.) 1876-1904, 1882-06-10
OFFICIAL REPORT OF THE
Engineer Of the w. Va. APR.
DISTANCES ANp GmArEs.
The ProhnbEc Cc.s per Mile.

syicaRid Rdiiroad Company;
DEAR SR;-Pursuaat to instruc-
tons l have made q reconnaissance
of the country lying North of Clarks-
burg and extending to Morgantown,
on the Monongahela River, and beg
leave to submit the following:
Having the year previous run pre-
iiminary lines from Morgantown To
the State line, and thence making
connections with the Southwest road,
| did not deem it necessary to con-
time my examinations farther than
Morgantown. | find Mt least two
practicable routes--one on each side
of the West Fork aud Mouongahela
Rivers. My last line leaves Clarks-
burg East of the West Fork River,
and following the eastern hank of
the same, passes over undulating
ground ground until the river bottoms
are reached, whence we follow closely
the course of the river, passing
through the town of Shinnston: still
following the eastern bank until Pala-
tine is reached, on the Monongahela
River, a distance of % miles; thence
following the easy slopes Of the Mo-
nongahela we reach Morgantown in
a distance Of 81 miles; thence with
the eastern bank OF the Monongahcla
ten miles to the State line, making a
total distance of 81 miles from
Clarksburg.
The other line follows the western
side Of the West Fork River, passing
through Worthingten, and keeping
the course of the river to Fairmont,
on the Monongahela, opposite Pala-
tine. Thence we follow the western
bank of the Monongahela to point
opposite Morgantown, and thence on
down tho river to the State line, pass
ing Granville at the mouth of Dents
Run, two miles below Morgantown,
and Jimtown, a mile below, at the
mouth of SCOTS Run. / am inform
ed that distance can be saved on the
West line by taking either Dents or
SCOTS Run; and from an examna-
ton Of our best maps, such would
seem to be the case. As / did not
have time TO examine either, cannot
speak OF their practicability; yet q
careful examination may prove them
feasible and show saving of distance.
OF the two routes mentioned, viz. :
One lying on the East and the other
on the West side of the West Fork
and Monongahela Rivers. ! find both
to be practicable aud both offering
inducements to cheap railroad con-
struetion.
Both rivers have very little fall,
securing to us an average low grade
line, with the grade fayoring the
traffic. The fail of the West Fork
River from Clartsburg to Fairmont
is about sixty feet, the distance %
miles.
From surveys made last year, l
found | would not have to exceed Ia
feet to the mile on the Monongahela.
So you perceive our average grade
would be very light. We would use
heavier grades than those mentioned
to save distance, by passing over
higher ground, saving the meandcrs
Of the stream.
The distance on the two lines would
be about the same, both following
closely the contours of the river
slopes, making generally light work.
The difference in the two routes,
SO far AS economy Of construction is
concerned, would have to be deter
mined by instrumental survey, both
Offering advantages SO similar, de-
cision could not be arrived at except
by estimates determined by prelimi-
nary surveys.
The section is rich, agriculturally;
the fine river bottoms Of the West
Fork and Monongahela yield large
acreage of all the agricultural pro-
ducts of the State. The tributaries
contain fine lands along their courses
those contiguous to the river being
more cultivated; the heads OF the
streams generally having fine
growth Of timber. LAUNDERING and
agricultural pursuits are the princi,
pal industries a'ong the line, except
at the towns, of which VIC pass sew
eral Of Importance.
Both lines pass through an I'M
broken stratum Of the finest bitumi-
nous coal, the pittsburgh seam"
being worked at Clarksbnrg and
Falrmont, having high selling price
in the eastern and western markets,
where it is much priced for it's gas
producing qualities. This coal lies
on both sides of the West Fork and
Monongalia rivers, above water level,
and in some localities show three
distinct seams-all workable and of
good quality.
The location Of your road would
be such as to favor the economical
operation Of mines, aud since the
same quality Of coal is now finding
a market as coke coal, you might |
reasonably expect considerable
trade both in coal and coke along
the entire line of the road.
There are several small towns loca-
ted along the river, and others would
spring up at the mouths of the prin-
cipal tributaries.
The important towns Of Palatine
and Fairmoht. together with those at