The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1900-01-24

LICK StdtlOH, near DldtTSNllle, 10 IlltS-
burg, entering the city by way of the
Pittsbug & Western, Junction railroad
and Baltimore & Ohio. The possibilities
of such system are apparent and enor
nous. Now that 1t is suggested, it is
considered strange that moneyed men
never thought of it before.
OPENS NEW ROUTE.
1t is new short line between the great
lakes and tidewater. 1t will be 2l0 miles
in length. 1t opens up another route for
transportation of ore, grain and coal. So
quietly have the preiminaries been
transacted that nearly all the coal land in
Indiana county and considerable coal
property in Cambria county have been
purchased outright or leased. The COM
pany has secured control of about l20, 900
acres. In anticipation of the construc-
ton of the road, the Cambria Iron COM
pany this summer will spend from six to
eight millions in Improvements and ex-
tension. 1t is said that the rival of the
Carnagie Steel company has already
made contract with the new railroad
for the delivery of two million tons Of
ore annually for 20 years. 1t will put the
Cambria Company in better position to
meet the competition of the Pittsburg
steel king, who owns his ore road to the
lakes. If the branch to Pittsburg is
built, it will give Pittsburg another out
let to the Chesapeake and the road is
bound to contribute to the export trade
of Baltimore.
OF BENEFIT TO ERIE.
Included in the plans is the construc-
ton of a steel plant at Erie to cost 5,000,-
900. Looking to the future the road will
be built as nearly straight as possible to
avoid, the promoters say, the expendi-
tnre of millions for Strengthening track
later on. Where it is possible the roed
will cross other lines overhead, and the
aim will be in the larger towns to have
the tracks elevated.
In general this is the program roughly
outlined. Now for the route and further
details. Just who is back of the project
is difficult to learn, but the name of w.
B. Mcdonald, the wealthy New York
contractor, who is supposed TO be the
man who few days ago received the
s95, 900, 200 contract from the Rapid Tran
sit commission to cut the subway, is
mentioned among the promoters. The
land agents and right-of-way men are
very reticent and have been at work un-
der pretense of leasing ground for oil
and gas purposes. Enough has leaked
out to convince some men who have
been suspicious for long time that big
operation is contemplated and that the
railroad is correct.
HAS GOOD BACKING.
J. L. Mitchell. formerly of Tyrone, but
now of Philadelphia, has $4,000 acres of
coal land in Cambria county. Agents
have been after him since last April to
buy his coal property, but he has sur
missed that some paying scheme was in
prospect and is holding the land for bet
ter rates. He says the name of McDon
aid has appeared in the negotiations ana
it is believed that j. Pierpont Morgan is
backing him. Mr.. Mitchell thinks tha
hat is known as the Canadian crowd,
Canuck capitalists who have recently
located in New York, are also interested.
He is not sure, but he believes that the
Shawmut Il Northern road, which was
built by Congressman J. X. P. Hall and
his partner, Mr.. Kaul, running from st.
Marys into Clarion county, and which
was sold within year, is to be part OF
the system. The prices paid for the pur-
chase aud lease of coal lands in Indiana
county are rediculously small, ranging
from $40 to $40 an acre, and in some in
stances the land has been leased on roy
alties of 10 to 20 cents an acre annually
forever. There is no coal to be had in
Jefferson county. 1t is the intention OF
this railroad to open up the Indiana field,
which has lain dormant for lack of rail-
road facilities and to coke the product ior
the iron and steel business. The coal is
an extension of the Pittsburg coal vein.
THE ROUTE NEAR HERE.
The company has purchased the char.
ter Of the Erie, Cambri1geboro & Titus.
vile railroad, which was issued about q
years ago, but was never built. This
corporation has few miles of terminals
in Titusville, which are leased by the
Western New York IL Pennsylvania
railroad. About 40 miles of the roadbeC
was graded, but the rails were never laid
The bed is still in good repair and in I
short time and at little expense can b'
made ready for the track. The route, al
nearly as can be ascertained now, will
run from Erie through Cambridgebort
and Titusville, then to Tionesta by
bridge acroes the Allegheny river, ther
10 Cooksburg, in Clarion county, wher,
the Clarion river will be bridged. From
that point to Brookville, and from ther
to Punxsutawney, thence through Indi
ana county, running about five mile
east of the town Of Indiana, througI
Blairsyille to Johnstown, where il will
connect with the Somerset branch OF th
Baltimore & Ohio, completing throug
line to the Chesapeake. Reference to
map of the State will show the route t
be nearly a straight line.
The company, it is stated, has pur
chasea the Reed docks at Erie and tn