Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1891-04-12
THE BIG TUNNEL.
A REPORTORlAL TRIP INTO ITS GLOOMY IN
TERROR.
About Two Weeks Work Still to be Dons-TLs
Timbsring All in Placs-HOw Work is
Progressing Elsewhere.

a trip through the Chapline hill tun-
mel, in these days when workmen are put
ting the finishing touches upon the big
hole, is journey full of interest, and is
one so easily made that it is strange more
people do not go upon the tour The tun-
mel is not remarkable for its length
= 466 feet-but it is remarkable for
its cross-section, being about 29x3l. feet,
and these dimensions make an enormous
hole IN the ground. One thoroughly appre-
ciates the size Of the Orifice while standing
at what remains of the "bench, about 500
feet from the northern end, and looking
north through the big hole toward daylight,
and one is inclined at such a time
10 wonder how many strokes of the
hammer it took to drive the tunnel
or how many shovels-ful of pulverlzed rock
were taken out, until rudely startled out of
a years growth by the discharge OF sundry
dynamite cartridges, but a few yards away,
and then have insult added TO injury in the
shape of loud outlaws from dozen or so
gentlemen Of color, who take keen delight
in pretending TO be hard at work. while in
reality they seek TO startle the life out OF
some unsuspecting looker-on by letting off
blast.
Friday the workmen concluded the labor
Of putting in the roof timbering, and the
roof is now supported from end 70 end by
solid timbers, in some places extraordinary
lily thick, while At the south end, tens OF
thousands OF brick are being built into an
arch, 10 support the not very substantial
earth above. In course o time this arch
will be carried through the entire tunnel,
but that will not be until the timbers
show some signs of weakening. IL will take
about two weeks more work TO remove the
"bench. which means the mass of rock
filing the lower half of the tunnel, after
the top gallery is driven, and as soon as
this work is completed. the railroad track
will be put down. Workmen com
menced yesterday to funnel out the
mouth of the tunnel on the east
side. at the north end. the effect being TO
widen the portal toward the Whitaker mill
side. the materials taken out being placed
on the west side. This Will leave slight
curve in the extreme north end Of the tun-
mel. made necessary by the track swinging
around TO the east in running along the
creek bank. This work will require about
two weeks, and VIII thus be concluded
about the time the 'bench'' is all out.
The biz wall along in front of the Whit
aker mill is complete, save the coping
stones, and they win be put on in the near
future This wall is a tremendous piece
of masonry, containing about l3,OOO cuDlc
yards.
Workmen have resumed excavating for
the north abutment of the creek bridge,
back of the gas works, but are much
troubled by the very treacherous nature
of the ground, which shows a decided
/ tendency TO slip into the hole.
The railroad trestle is up across the old
brick yards, from Wood street west TO
Jacob and piles have been driven from
Jacob street clear around to the rear of the
gas works, and much of the trestling for
| the outside track is in place and other tim
/ bers are ready. The bents have been also
placed from the Market street bridge east
/ TO the end of Eoff street.
All along the line work is booming with
/ the advent of warm, if not good weather,
and much will be accomplished in the next
| two months. 1t only needs the vacating OF
| Tack Factory property and the settlement
Iofthe Warren litigation to see avery active
prosecution Of the work Oh the north side of
| the creek.