Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1892-01-02
TAKING A NEW TURN.
a Joint Stock Company Talked of 70 Bore
Tunnel

N
The citizens Of Leatherwood, Pleas
ant Valley, and vicinity are not going to
allow the tunnel idea to die, il they can
prevent il. The project has a large
number Of enthusiastic friends, and
while they are not all agreed as to the
best point at which to locate tunnel,
they are a unit in this, that the proposed
big hole ought to be bored, and that as
soon as possible.
Fearful that the city ard county au-
thorities may not give that aid and en-
couragement to the idea which IT
deserves, a number OF capitalists are
very seriously thinking OF forming a
Joint stock company, having series OF
surveys made at once, covering several
OF the locations suggested, and then
settle upon a site and get to work.
Their idea is to bore tunnel
wide enough for two electric railway
tracks, and foot-walkS, lighted with
electricity, and made ia all ways safe
and commodious, and at the same time
making such short cut Tor all
sorts of travel in and out OF the
city In that direction, as to commend
itself to all. These gentlemen are at
present looking with especial favor
upon a suggestion to run the proposed
tunnel from some point in Manchester,
about opposite the east end Of Sixteenth
street, through the hill, coming out
near Mt. De Chantal station. 1t Is
claimed that this would cut of mile
aud half OF the distance TO Pleasant
Valley and Elm Grove, and would open
up for residence purposes about 800 acres
of land on the south side Of the creek,
near Mt. De Chantal, to say nothing OF
making land more desirable all along the
National road in that vicinity. There
are several coal mines running clear
through the hill at this point, and II is
surmised that by following one OF them,
the cost Of the tunnel would be greatly
lessened. The distance is probably about
>, 500 feet.
Another idea is torun tunnel through
Wheeling hill, at the head of Eighth
street, cross the upper end OF McCul-
lech street and the creek on viaduct,
taking travel across the Terminal Com
pauy tracks on the Peninsula by over
head crossings, and crossing the creek
again east of the present Fulton bridge,
on to the bottom lands OF the Judge
Thompson place, and thence striking
the pike near Stackyard hollow. An
other modification Of this idea IS tunnel
starting at Tenth street between Market
and Chapline and running through the
hill at an angle, coming out almost
where the Eighth street tunnel would
emere. Either would cut off long
slice OF the present road, and the Tenth
street idea would be the best Of the two
last named.
There is a prospect that the matter
will shortly be brought up in Council,
the idea being to have it referred to the
Committee on Streets, Alleys and
Grades, before whom interested gentle
men could appear.
The residents Of Fulton, Scatterwood
and Pleasant Valley are circulating the
following petition to the Board of Com
missioners, through Mr.. Stein and
others;
''To The President and Board Of Commits
sioners for the County Of o To-:
The undersigned petitioners, citi-
zens and taxpayers in said county,
Here SHOW ludl lubClNOuAo 30 OVN"NSh
the City OF Wheeling and the county is
greatly hindered aud impeded for want
of a direct highway Of easy grade to al
low ingresS TO and egress from the city.
1--WE are convinced that highway
entering the city by way OF a proper
tunnel under Wheeling hill would
greatly advance the interests OF both
city and county, and that the benefits
to be derived would be much greater
than the expense incurred. Such a
tunnel could be made an easy grade
that would be Of immense value to the
public. We will prefer to leave the
location to you to determine on such
survey and route as your engineer may
find most practical and convenient.
"Your petitioners respectfully ask
that YOU make due inquiry into this
proposition, making such surveys as
NAV be necessary and il it shall be
found, as we doubt not it will, to be to
the interest of the public, that the
work be undertaken and completed"