Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1892-01-25
THE RAILROAD EAST
THE TEN-MILE ROUTE URGED As THE BEST
LINE TO CONNELLSVILLE
The Resources of the Country Through Which the
Road Would PaS-Other Nearby Rail-
road OpsrstiOns-Gsnsral Notes.

A writer the Washington Observer
says of the projected Wheeling & Con-
nellsville railroad:
"a we'll known writer on the con-
struction of railroads says, that to
shorten the distance one mile will often
Justify the expenditure Of $780, and If
it be desired to connect an intermediate
point not on the shortest liue between
the termini of said road it is better to
build a branch to that point. Now it is
well known that the survey OF what is
generally known as the Ten Mile route
has been carefully made and q topo-
graphical map made of the entire route
and from good authority IL Is said to be
the shortest route with easy grade and
graceful curves, and it is question Of
mathematics as to the cost OF construc-
tion. The line as surveyed commenced
at Connellsville, thence down Redstone
creek to Brownsville, where the
Monongahela was bridged; thence
through West Brownsville, up the
bank of the Monongahela to
Vandergrif's dlstillery; thence up
Fishpot to its head waters, crossing the
dividing ridge at Deemston by light
cut; thence up Ten Mile, passing through
Zollarsville, Prosperity and other towns,
and down Wheeling creek to Wheeling.
This is the route that was first surveyed
by Jonathan Kunzt, chief Engineer Of
the Baltimore and Ohio railroad, when
il was seeking short line from Cum
berland to Wheeling, and 1t passes
through a region OF country that is un-
surpassed in fertility of soil, in minerals
and in diversity of agricultural pro-
ducts, from where the line enters Wash
ington county TO its point OF exit. It's
course is over and through one contin-
uous and undeveloped field OF coal, that
Is already being taken up by Eastern
capitalists; limestone Of the best quality
crops out along the hillside; after pass
ing the dividing ridge at Deemston, it
passes through valley to Zollarsville
that is the fortunate possessor OF
two veins of coal, the river or
eight-fost vein, and above this the six
foot vein. Near Zollarsvllle Is an en-
tensive quarry Of clay stone, the finest
in the State. Stone can be taken from
this quarry twelve feet square, from
three TO eight inches thick, and as truo
as they are sawed out at the Cleveland
quarries. Some may doubt this asser-
ton, but visit to this quarry will at
once reveal its great value and prove
that what say is true, But this is not
all. Owing to the great fertility Of the
soil, great quantities of wheat,
corn, rye, oats, barley and other
cereals are produced, large herds
of cattle and sheep Craze
on the hillsides and large droves OF
hogs are fattened. A region of this de-
scription naturally brings within its
borders numerous mills and distilleries.
The people living along the line are in
telligent, industrious and prosperous,
and are ready at any time whenever the
Wheeling and Connsllsville. Railroad
Company are ready to go to work, to do
their part in the matter of right of way
and taking Of stock, for through such
country as this they feel certain rail-
road cannot be otherwise than sue
cess.