The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1883-12-12


President Sayer. Of the South Pennsylvania
Railroad, accompanied by Engineer Skunk
arrived in Somerset. on his way over tn
line of the proposed road. While here tn
committee appointed at the Citizens Meet
ing some time ago called on them to se'
what prospect there was of getting the raj
road through Somerset The COMMITTEES
was Judge Baer, and Hon. A. II. Coffrotf
and Ed. Scuil. The committee were award
ed careful hearing by President Sayer, bu
he told them very frankly that the roa'
could not be brought to Somerset ON tn
present grade. and unless they could show
some new route that had not already beer
surveyed, by which the road could reach
the town, il would be built on the present
line. In order to give the citizens any
chance there might be to point out new
| line Mr.. J. l. Miller, Division Engineer,
was requested to make survey of any
route suggested by the citizens. Friday
morning on Mr.. Miiler's invitation the COM
mittee accompanied by a number of busi-
ness men, visited his office and were shown
not only the maps and protiles of the present
, line but those of number of experimental
! lines that had been run. Mr.. Miller told the
! Committee that he had tried every practical
bic route to reach the town, but with the
grade fixed by the company this was impos-
sible. After the interview with Mr.. Miller
an informal meeting was held in the office
- - ~,
hold a town meeting in the evening, and
Messrs. Hay, Uhl, Frease, ]. NJ. Holder
baum, and Beerits were appointed commit
tee to draft resolution.
At the evening meeting, which was largely
attended, Burgess Colborn presided. A state
ment of the result ofthe interview with Mr..
Miller was made by Mr.. Scull on behalf Of
the committee, and discussed by Messrs.
Coffroth, Baer, Kooser Edie and Others. The
following resolutions, after discussion, were
unanimously adopted:
WHEREAS, Upon consultation with Divis-
ion Engineer J. Imbrie Miller, Esq, and an
examination ofthe maps and profiles OF the
ditierentfines run by the Company through
and near the toTn of Somerset, II seems lm-
possible TO get TO the town, or within two
miles of it, on a half-per-cent grade, the
grade adopted by the Company, but that on
a one per cent. grade, or possibly fraction
less it can be reached, and thereby save one
ana a half miles IN distance over the adopt
ed line. and when We consider that 1t would
be 10 the mutual advantage of the railroad
company ond the citizens of the town ana
vicinity that Somerset be in direct connec-
ton with said road, therefore
Resolred. That the committee appointed at
a previous meeting of citizens, consisting OF
Judge W j. Baer A. II. Cotfroth and Edward
Scull, Esqrs be continued, and they are
hereby requested to confer with the proper
authorities of said company and urge them
to locate and build their road rid the town
of Somerset.
Resolred, That in the event that the said
railroad company should not see proper to
locate their main line ria Somerset, that said
committee request the company TO build
single track road diverging from the main
road in the vicinity of the Weller church,
thence ria Somerset, connecting again with
the main line east of the county poorhouse.
Resolued, That in the event the said CO.
should not consent to either of the above
propositions, they be requested to build a
branch road 10 Somerset, connecting with
the main line at point east OF the County
Almshouse.
Resolred. That this meeting return vote
ofthanks to J. Imbrie Miller, Esq, Division
Engineer for the courteous manner in which
he received the committee and citizens at his
office.
VAL. HAY,
j. II. UHL,
J. NJ HoLDERBAUM,
II. c. BEEKITs,
W. B. FREAsE,
Committee.
Mr.. Miller has furnished the following in
formation in regard to elevations and dis
tances for the information OF the public:
After careful survey of Negro Mountain,
it was not faund practicable to place the
level of rails in the tunnel lower than 2-43o
feet elevation. The elevation of water in
Cox's Creek, at Somerset, is 2,lOO; fall 3'}5
feet. The company have adopted a descend
ing grade of not exceeding half of one foot
per 100 feet, equal to 264-l0 feet per mile.
The -air line distance from the tunnel to
the creek crossing at Somerset, Is % miles,
and in that distance the railroad grade will
descend 145 feet below the tuunel-equal 10
an elevation of2 800 feet. $50 feet above the
creek) Hence the railroad level at Somerset
will be as follows: 80 feet above highest
point in grave yard hill, or 90 feet higher
than diamond at Glade House, and l5O ieet
higher than Coxs Creek, West and South
of the County Poor House, there is no ground
in the direction of Somerset high enough for
the railroad grade, so that there must be one
immense embankment from the County
Poor House until reaching the high ground
northwest of town-a distance of two miles.
Such bank will be 100 feet deep in the bot
tom. and half mile of it will be l5) feet
deep. So much for a short, straight line.
By following the slopes and ground elevation
best suited to the grade adopted by the Com
pany. the railway is forced to make a consid-
cradle detour rorthward at the Poor House,
in order to follow the high crest OF the ridge
around the heads of the several branches Of
Cox's Creek, passing q miles north of SOM
erset.'
II Is needless to state that after Mr.. MiHers
exhibit the committee were thoroughly sat
isfi ed that the Somerset route is not feasible
on 4 one half per cent grade.