The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1889-04-23
ANOTHER NEEDED ROAD.
CAREFULLY WRITTEN OPINION OF
AN ABLE ENGINEER
On the Value OF a Railroad From Somer-
vile to Henderson. Through Bolivar
Money in Sight For tho Enterprise
The Charter Prepared.
orricr OF MICHAEL I. LYNCH.
Vice. President Southern Soc. Civil Eng'rs.
- Eour WoRru Nov ~ 1854

NJ. c. Hurley, ESQ, President Texas Construction
Company, Fort Worth, Texas;
Dear Sir-In accordance with instruc-
tons have examined the country be-
tween Somerville and Henderson, Tenn,
on the projected line Of the old Memphis
q Knoxville Railroad, and beg to submit
the following report on the line examined
and the project in general.
Somerville, the county seat OF Fayette
County, is a we'll built town OF about 1000
people in good agricultural country,
distant 43 miles from Memphis by the Ten
nessee Midland Railway, and is terminus
of branch Of the Memphis & Charleston
Railway. leaving the main line at Moscow
and is distant from Memphis by that route
81 miles.
A line from Somerville to Bolivar (about
% miles, would follow the south side OF
the Loosahatchie River to Its head, dis
lance of about ~ miles over smooth
country and with light work, thence TO
Bolivar, about 10 miles, when the country
becomes moro rolling and would call for
heavier work.
Bolivar, the county seat OF IIardeman
County, is on the line OF the Illinois Cen
trail Railway, near the crossing OF the
Ha,chie River. II is a we'll built town
with n population OF about 1000, II is
situated on high ground, which will make
the descent TO the river somewhat difficult,
but which descent can be made by strik-
ing Spring Creek on the south OF town and
following il down TO where junction can
be made with the old grade thrown up in
lS72-73, between Bolivar and Henderson,
The grading referred to was for narrow
gauge road, about seventy-ilve per cent. OF
II being done Mt the time, which Is still in
place and now grown up in weeds and
brush. The greater part OF II can, how
ever, be utilized, but on account OF the
sieepness OF tho original gradients 70.
location would be necessary, and some parts
OF the old grading would have 10 be ADAM
doned.
The line leaving Bolivar extends across
the Spring Creek and Hatchie bottoms
about two and half miles, 10 rear Of the
mouth Of Pincy Creek, which IL follows up
through a well cultivated aud settled
valley TO its head, distance Of thirteen
miles, thence over a high divide and down
n small tributary OF the Forkcd Deer River
over n tolcnbly smooth country, passing
through tho village OF Monlezuma TO the
town OF Henderson, the county seat Of
Chester County, ON the Mobile & Ohio
Railway.
did not examine for a line beyond
Henderson, but have been informed that
the original survey for the road encount-
cred no material difficulty except In cross.
ing the divide between the waters OF the
Forked Deer and the Tennessee Rivers
The country generally between Bolivar
and Henderson about tweniy-six niles
Is good agricultural country, well settled
and cultivated. There Is ample timber on
the route, white and post oak for ties and
ping, and hard wood of various kinds for
iucl, with sufficient pine aud cypress 10
be had on the llaichie and Piney for
bridging. There Is nj present considcra-
bic pine and cypress rated down the
llalchie 10 a steam saw mill opposite Bol-
iyar. Tho pine in the country is OF the
short straw variety. but Is of very supo
rior quality, showing n small amount ol
fap In the logs, and with a fine close grain
In the heart, and makes an excellent
building and furnishing lumber, several
hundred thousand feet being used
In the Asylum now being built
near Bolivar. In addition 10 pine there
isa large amount Of cypress, white oak,
hickory and poplar along the route, which
Il lust now being sought by the manulac.
turcrs. large quantities Of stivc and spoke
timber being at present shipped from the
country. A siave mill put up nj Monte
yuma within the present year has shipped
lO5 car loads 10 date, and had about ten
acres Of ground covered with slaves when
] rode by there.
There have been several siave and apok
factories lately established In the country
One at jackson and one ut falchio Sta
ton, II il my belief that the hard wood .
this country will be largely worked up Int
manufactured articles, keys, barrels an,
buggy wheels In the near future, whiel
would be n source OF considerable rcvcnu
10 the proposed road. There IN ampl
water power available at various points q
the country-iof such manufactures, u ilOuI
ing mill and wooden factory being at pres
cnt In operation near Bolivar, beside
other parties being At that place 10 put u
Others upon completion OF the road.
In addition TO the prospective revenue
from the development Of the industric
above referred TO. may be cited the lnsan
Asylum for Western Tennessee about tw
miles from Bolivar now being completed
this building having accommodation II
300 patients should be source Of considc
able revenue, o. would also the Dunla
Springs, near Bolivar, which are chalyt
cate water Of superior quality, who
from their natural hcalthiul location az
proximity 10 Memphis, about two and
hall hours run, would, In my opinion,
extensively paironiEcd as a health resoI
Tho owners Of thcsprng property propo
20 develop THE same and put up amp
accommodations upon completion OF q
road. Appended will be found statisii
OF the shipments from Henderson Static
which may be considered n fair estima
also Tor Bolivar aud upon which Is bas'
the accompanying table Of approxima
earnings and expenditures Tor the porii'
between Henderson and someryillc. Sai
pies Of iron ore, tic clay aud wheat fro
Hardcman County accompany this rcpo
largc quantities oi the clay aro ayailal
for the manufacture Of fire brick, yitriii
tiling. etc, and with proper transpoftali
facilities would no doubt be utilized.
regard the project In general believe I
line between Memphis and Knoxville
be ono OF considerable strategic imporiar
iot several rcasona
1. IL would be through an unoccupl
territory, truycring the State generally
diagonal direction from southwest
northeast. passing through a rich agricl
ural county m Western aud Middle n
ncsscc, through one Of the richest min,
countries In the United States, 20 the a.
ward Of the Tennessee River, at pres
only waiting transportation facilities