The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1888-06-15

also been developed. Ia these lands then. the
coal, iron ores and lime stone lie IN iuxtaposition
The three requisites for making iron are in the
same hiH and above water level. and the induce
ments and fac licies thus presented for the cree
ton OF extensive iron works, and the cheap man.
uiaciure OF iron. considering how cheaply the fuel
ore and hux could be supplied and highly favor
a Bile"
These then are the visible mineral stratas that
pave been explored and exposed many points
along the BlacklicS Valley, and which are known
10 exist in grea- abundance bur IN addition II fs
confidently believed aud asserted by scientific
people that other minerals or mineral substances.
az present lost 10 view in the depths OF the
earth. exist N large supply in the BlscklIck
basin, and that the geological formation or st-uc
tnre OF this region unerringy Indicates the exis-
'enee oi natural gas and petroleum in unlimited
quantities. With reference 10 this subject the
geclosist already quoted in his report says: "Cas
and OIL springs exist on the margins Of the Black
lick and its tributaries. and, geoIo2icalIy this
country presents as favorabie indications for pc
trohum as are found elsewhere where oil Is OBJ
taiHed in large quantities. ] can see no reason
why paying oil wells cannot re had If the prouer
sites we've selected for boring them on the main
stream and It's tributaries. and abundant yields
OF petroleum obtained ~ moderate depths. In
the vicinity Of the Old itter) furnace heretofore
mentioned, about fourty years ago a -,bore hole,
was put down to a moderate depth, and without
The aid OF modern appliances. the object being TO
OBTAIN sAlines for the manufacture Of salt The
wen yielded quite a large supply OF salt water
but the bore also developed n vein or deposit
Of natural gas which 70 this day forces its way to
re Suriace with great power and purity through
large volume OF water"
II may be remarked here that the foregoing
statements barely do justice to the facts in con
neetion with this remarkable mineral district
but Notwithstanding its unriyaied local eondi-
tions and advantages, and its vast display OF
mineral wealth and mineral resources exhibited
on every hand. this region has hitherto remained
IN comparative Isolation and obscur1tv owing =
most wholly, as stated In tse outset 10 the lack
OF railroad DEVELOPMENT and transit facilitieg
such alone as railroads are enabled 70 supply
In fact the construction Of one or more lines Of
railroad into and through this mineral district
may be said 70 have become q paramount necesst-
~ as IL means the perrrs nent development BY
ahcrding avenue for trai sporting its products 70
the markets OF tie country. when this shall be
accomplished It viii assume the Importance il
Justly deserves, and rank with the richest and
most productive and durable mineral sections In
Western Pennsylvania. The local traffic alone
On such road would be Immensely lucrative.
ani ofitseIf wo2Id he q profitable Investment,
Several railroad lines have been from time 70
time surveyed and located through the Blacklick
Territory. The nrst instrumental survey OF this
Kind was made in the years Isa9-sO by authority
OF the state Board OF Canal Commissioners of
Pennsy-Yap!a. 'lor q continuous railroad from
Harrisburg 20 Plttshurg," the work being placed
under the direction Of Charles a. SchIatIer. civil
engin neer. with NIessrs. Rabeiing and Fox as his
principal asststants. The service was thoroughly
and scientifically performed, as might have been
expected from the professional know ledge and
attainments Of the Distinguished engineers
engaged Their routes were surveyed at
that time between the above named cities. name
ly. Northern or BlackIick route the Middle
very nearly the present line Of the PENNSYLVANIA
KaiIrcad. and the Southern, almost identical
with the subsequently located and partially COM
pieted line Of the South Peunsylvania Railroad
or these three lines, Mr.. Sehlatter, in his anal
report 70 the Commissioners, recommended the
adoption OF the Northern and BiacklIck route
westward after passing the SUBMITS II the Ale
ghenies, as being the most direct and practical
as 20 gradients and economical Of construction.
It was supposed tnat the Pennsylvania RaiI-
road Company in projecting its road from Har-
risburg 10 PittsbUrg. some years ago the Schlat-
ter survey would have adopted this northern or
BlacSlck line. but il is presumed that the acgui-
sit1n OF the late Improvements paraIIeIIng its
present line for Il con-lterahlo distance ives T.
ward, after passing the summit OF the Alezhen-
les, coupled perhaps with potent local M licences.
induced that Company finally to adopt the mid
die or present route between those cities. since
then other surveys and locations for a railroad
traversiRg The valley Of BlacEilck have been
made, east and west. by independent companies,
the last by the Pennsylvania Railroad Company
and uniformly with the same favorable re esults
attending the SchIatter survey. and reports, viz
direction, low grades and min imum cost for con-
struction- Therefore, If science and the advan-
tage OF position are 10 be considered OF any
weight, there cannot be a question as 70 the su-
perior availability OF the BackIIck route FOR up
ward Of thirty miles, as a portion Of the proper
line Of location for great short line railroad be-
tween the cast and the west, not 20 mention the
local Inducements (as herein shown that can be
offered Tor its construction. in the shape Of
er falling tonnage ira me rom its abounding min
cral and other productive resources
! Ia view then OF this solid and durable mineral
wealth, and Of its unequailed natural situation
Z and advantages, it is 10 bc hoped that the time
( will not be long def erred when the meriied i'm
porJance and inegtimabIe lue Of this mstchless
/ Blacklick mineral Held shall become fully known
4 and appreciated under the qulckning impulse Of
/ enlightened enterprise and unstIuJed railroad
/ development. CARLO.
June s.