The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1891-12-19

"For thirty years, to my knowledge"
said Mr.. ]. D. Dubois, to an ISrELLl-
GENcER reporter last evening in the dim
light the oil lamps shed in the Leather
wood school house, "this project Of tun-
neling Wheeling hill has been agitatcd,
and l believe that it is now near cor.
summation"
This declaration was made by the
gentleman who presided wei the meet
ing held at tho Leatherwood school
house for the purpose OF promoting the
tunnel project, and after tho gavel had
fallen which declared it adjourned until
the call OF tho committee, which is
named below.
The object of the meeting was to ef-
feet some organized effort to present to
the City Council OF Wheeling and the
Board of Commissioners OF Ohio county
the feasibility and practicability OF tun-
neling Wheeling hill, SO rs to make a
shorter route to the city from tho SUI
burban and outlying districts. There
was q goodly company present at tho
school house, and all seemed to be con-
iident that q good start had been made.
To ELECT an organization Mr.. J. D. Du-
bois, on motion OF Mr.. R. G. Dalzell,
was called to the chair, and Mr.. Walter
Bell was chosen secretary.
Anon. those present were: Messrs.
Frank j. Hearnc, b. w. Peterson, r. C.
Dalzell, George W. Woods, Charles
Hoffman, J. D. Ewing, NJ. Stein, Samuel
Patterson, Sheriff Stcenrod, Andrew
Patterson, John Z. Clator, Plator Zane,
Robert Anderson, Peter Deniger, Daniel
Prayer, NJ. 7. Carr. j. +. Shirk, T. NJ.
Garvin, Pannell Garden, Christian Hoff-
man, Joseph RhinJcker, William Hutch
inson and others.
AT the request OF President Dubois,
Mr.. B. W. Peterson stated that he had
made thorough surveys OF tho ground
some years ago, from which he con-
Guided the shortest and best route to
be q tunnel at Sixth street, making an
open cut from Main to Market and
thence tunnel through to the east side
OF the hill, coming OUT at or about
Jacob Eise's house, whore there is n
ledge, which will not require a tunnel
OF owe about 525 feet, with a grade of
4 per cent, and after emerging, cross
the Wheeling & Elm Grove railroad
overhead at right angles, and make q
boulevard with material from the
tunnel, towards the National road.
The whole undertaking includes a
tunnel with sidewalks, roadway and
approach and would cost not over
$4,000 or 100000. Any other route
would involve q much longer tunnel
and much greater outlay.
Mr.. r. G. Dalzell stated that Mr.. D,
NJ. Carey's estimate on what he would
construct n tunnel was as follows: Four
feet walk on either side, roadway OF
twenty-five feet, and nineteen feet high
to the spring OF the arch, timbcred
throughout, $4,000 Tor 500 feet, the
above figures not to include the open
cut and approaches, and he thought the
p, W. 4 Ky. would transfer the debris
FREQ OF cost.
Mr.. Peterson stated that the above
figures represented 4 much larger outlay
than necessary, thirteen feet being am
pie Roadway, and the estimate could be
safely reduced at least twenty-five per
cent, or S75 per foot for q tunnel OF am
pie dimensions.
a discussion then followed rs to who
should do the work, the county or tine
city, and Mr.. George Woods remarked
in response to inquiry that the Board OF
Commissioners were liberal minded
men and would treat tho matter fairly.
MIR. Stein stated that two surveys and
estimates had been made placing tho
cost at S35, 900, and suggested q subscrip-
ton, and said that about $4,000 had al
ready been subscribed.
Mr.. Bell stated that tho city would be
benefited by finding a new outlet FORTS
oyercrowded population, and nearer
access to tho country and enabling the
upper part OF Wheeling to reach the
Wheeling and Elm Grove; and also
would permit supplies to come in moro
readily, and that the country would be
benefited by IN easier and quicker
route TO town. -5.'
Mr.. Woods suggested that the county
might assist in building the tunnel in
the city limits as being a public i'm.
provement.
Mr.. ]. D. Ewing gave it as his of
hand opinion that the county was in.
hibited merely from taking stock in q
stock company or corporation, and not
from building q public highway, which
is for the interest Of all persons.
Mr.. Bell made n motion that q com
mittee OF five be appointed to meet the
Commissioners OF the county, and Coun,
Gil OF the city with plans and estimates
regarding the tunnel and to report the
action of this meeting; carried.
The chair appointed Messrs. Lewis
%Steenrod, B.W. Peterson, Michael Stein,
D. w. Belland Andrew Patterson.
Mr.. ]. d. Ewing moved thatthis com.
mittee be requested TO inform the city
and county boards that the meetingwas
unanimously nSfavor OF this project and
ask that it be carried out speedily.
Mr.. Peterson suggested a committee
to obtain signatures TO a petition asking
such action; sending blanks 10 the poo,
pie Of the county.
A discussion followed, and it was final.
lySthought bestto+placo tho matter in