Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1883-12-12


CINCINNATI SOUTHERN RAILROAD.
December lO.-l can now write you
more fully in reference to the proieo-
ted new trunk line railroad from Nor,
folk, Va, via Bristol, Tenn, to Nash
vile. | will say that few persons arc
aware Of the worth OF the region
through which this railroad will run,
or the practicability Of the route, OF
the numerous and important connec,
tons with other railroads to be made,
and Of the wonderful richness of the
mineral, timber and agricultA
ural sections that will be de.
veloped thereby.
Commencing at Norfolk, Va, the
railroad will run near and along the
southern line Of Virginia to Bristol,
Tenn, thence westward to the valley
Of PowelPs river, and turn southwark
down the valley Of Powell's river,
running at the foot Of the Cumberland
mountain coal field, Lnd the adjacent
iron orc mines from near Cumberland
Gap, passing Big Greek Gap and Coal
Creek mines to Winters Gap (Polar
Creek. From this point Knoxville
connection will be only rs miles,
From Winters Gap to Wartburg,
Morgan county, the route will run up
the valley Of the Indian Fork Of Poplar
Greek, thence along the State road
passing through a natural gorge
between a spur Of the Great Smoky
mountains on the north and the
Brushy mountains on the south and
into the valley Of Crooked creek to
Wartburg, eighteen miles. Thence
northwardly up the valley of Emory
river TO southeast foot Of Pilot noun.
tain. Thence along the south side of
the same, making short tunnel under
the southwest prong OF Pilot Knob,
and striking the O. s. railroad at Pilot
Mountain Station, l03 miles north Of
Chattanooga and 232 south of Cinciu-
natl, and OF point nearly due east Of
Nashville, l2S miles distant. Few
persons are aware that the Cincin>
natl Southern railroad, one and a half
miles OF this point, is through the d.
Viding ridge, between the Tennessee
and Cumberland rivers.
From Pilot Mountain Station the
route will run due west up a small
branch at the top Of the plateau, three
miles distant, and thence the route
will keep on the remarkably level
water shed between the Cumberland
and Tennessee rivers to the head
waters Of the Calf Killer river. From
this point the railroad, now nearly
completed to Sparta, Tenn, can run
up the Calf Killer river. aud make
connection in the short distance of
only twenty-five miles, and that TWEEN.
ty-fve miles will pass through as fine
timber and coal as exist in the State,
From the head Of Calf Killer the
road will pass down the mountain, and
nearly four miles south Of Cookville
on the dividing ridge between Obeds
and Uany Fork rivers TO Carthage.
Tenn, on the Cumberland river, and
then to a connection With the railroad
now built TO Lebanon, thirty miles
east oil Nashville " D NH
Mr.. Crawford, who has for the past
year been investigating the coal fields
Of Fentress county, fully satisfied
himself on that point, has about com.
pleted the surveys for his railroad
from his coal lands around Buffalo
Cove in Fentress county to connect
with this new system and the Oincin-
DAti Southern railroad. By reference
to map Of North Carolina, Virginia,
Kentucky and Tennessee your readers
will be able at glance to understand
the magnitude and scope of the new
highway from the sea to Nashville,
Memphis, st, Louis and the great
Southwest, aud they will also be sur
prised at the large amount Of territory
opened by this route that is not reach.
cd by any other railroad.
When Tennessee is favored with the
completion of the above system new
era will dawn upon her now rapid
growth.