Year: 1860

|


commenced the survey at point about three
quarters of a mile south of Nevada said poin
being near the Mile House, on the old Gras
Valley and Nevada road. From the above name,
| point the line runs in s. W. direction n dist
ance OF about two miles, to the summit of th
ridge lying between Door and Wolf creeks. cross
| ing said ridge the " race track of Mr.
Hughes thence the line defects to the SOUTH pas
the Camp Spring House, across "Chappera
HILL" the Alta Shaft Hill through Mr. Wood
ranch to the summit of the ridge that lies ives
of Grass valley, said ridge being the n W. banl
of Wolf Creek thence the line defects to tn,
east, crossing Wolf Creek just above the New
England Quartz Mill, through the town of Gras:
Valley. The line thus far, although by no mean:
the best that might be obtained, nevertheless is
perfectly practicable, and road can be construc
ted on the general course at an expense of about
S50.OOO per mile-providing the grades adopted
are the same as the maximum grade on the first
section of this line as located by Sherman Dav
Esq.


From the south bank of Wolf Creek the line
continues down the southeast bank of Wolf
Creek, past Labar's Saw Mill, across Ratlesnake
Greek to South Wolf Creek.


The last five miles compare favorably, as to
cost of construction, with that portion of the road
between Grass Valley and Nevada.


This brings us to the crossing of South Wolf
creek, which l consider one of the most difficult
crossings on the entire line, as it will have to be
crossed at a hight of about 200 feet above the
bed of the stream. One favorable feature to its
construction is, however, that the timber neces-
sary, is growing on the spot aud immediate vi
cinity. Between this crossing and Bear River
no serious obstacle presents itself to the con-
struction of the road on easy grade. The
distance between Wolf Creek and Bear River is
G Il,
Bear River this can be effected at several points
The first line ran continues down the bank OF
the river 5! miles. to point just below Men
danhall's mill, at which point it leaves the
river and runs though 1Ir. Shepard's field, across
the Illinoistown road near the summit of the
ridge and about a mile above Mr.. Applegates s
ranch From this point | examined two lines,
one by the way of Tunnel Hill and the other to
the east, crossing the ridge opposite Applegate S
ranch. The line continues along the eastern
slope of the ridge to the top of the ridge be-
tween the north fork of the American River and
Rock Creek. 1t crosses the ridge at the head of
Rock Creek and follows down the same to the
California House. From this point I ran two
lines to the town of Auburn, and found no diff
Guilty whatever in obtaining formidable loca-
ton.


On my return trip 1 examined the country
along the Illinoistown road for about two miles
beyond Illinoistewn to Preble's Ridge, at which
point favorable crossing can be obtained, and
I am satisfied from my observations that a
branch line could be extended to the town of
Dutch Flat from or near Preble's Ridge.


1 would recommend the adoption of the max
imum grades on the Baltimore and Ohio Rail
road, which would reduce the actua, cost of the
construction the Road. Undesirable, however,
the grades may be reduced by increasing the
length of the Road.


do not deem it necessary to attempt to point
out or enumerate the advantages that would
arise from the construction of this road. The
line extends through one of the most populous
portions of the State-the land adjacent to it is
rich in agriculture, lumber and mineral wealth
in fact the transportation of quartz rock alone
from Nevada County to a convenient water pow
er. which mig ght be obtained at Folsom, would be
one single branch of the business created by the
road in which thousands Of laborers, now idle,
might be proftably employed, for l am Informed
by a gentleman engaged extensively in the
quartz business, at Grass Valley, that the only
impediment to entire success, is the heavy
expense attending the employment of steam
power in crushing the rock, the lowest figure
being about SIS per ton. If the road was con-
strueted the rock could be transported and
crushed by water power at cost of about s., 90
per ton.


Another branch Of business that would be
created in the event of this road being extended
to the vicinity of the mountain lakes, would be
the ice trade the whole supply of the State
would pass over the road.


As to this line ultimately becoming part of
the main trunk of the Pacific Railroad / can
only say that from the information gathered
from Ditch Surveys that have been made in the
vicinity of the head waters of the Yubas am
of opinion that favorable line can be found to
connect with Lieut. Beckwith's Survey. without
tunnelling the Sierra Nevada, and connect with
the same at a point east of Mud Lake.


In conclusion, gentlemen, | find it impossible
to state accurately the cost of constructing this
road. The probable cost, however, will not ex-
ceed $4,000, 900 of dollars. am induced to be-
lieye that the amount of business on the road.
when completed, will pay from Is to IS per cent.
on the investment.


deem it my duty here to acknowledge the
material aid rendered by John Ostrom Surveyor
and Civil Engineer of Nevada, who assisted me
in the labors of the field To Charles Marsh.
Esq, Civil Engineer; Mr.. Waite, Nevada JouR-
NAL; Messrs. Rolfes, Nevada Democrat: Mr..
Ever, of the Grass Valley National Mr. W. X.
Spencer, of Grass Valley, and the Hon. Judge
Searls, am indebted to for special favors


S. G. ELLIOTT, Girl Engineer