Year: 1873

it's last bore and the blasted thing is last blast,
and the result is hole five miles long through
the mountain, from side to side; and within a
reasonable length OF time the iron horse will be
careering through the opening.


This reminds us OF circumstance somewhat
connected with the Hoosac Railroad and tun-
mel. man named Brdgeman, now Of Char
louisville, in Berren county, was the superln-
tendent OF the lIoosac Railroad at the time the
great tunnel was decided upon. He had long
been in the employment OF that road, and by
economy had added somewhat to bis worldly
goods. About the time the great bore in the
mountain side mad made some progress, an old
friend turned up from Michigan, and Dy glow
ing representations induced BriGgeman 20 assC-
ciate lmselg With hum for the purpose Of
erecting large sav-rnill and lumber establish
ment on tho lake Shore at Charlottesville, in
Borrien county. Bridgeman was to furnish =
certain amount Of capital against that of his
friend and the friend was to superntend the
new enterprise. The new firm started out with
ample capital and good location and huDgout
their sign on which Was blazoned in letters Of
gold tho words 4" Howe & Brldgeman." Opera
tons we're commenced, and great was the bastie
and activity IN the new town OF Charlottesville.
Everything went we'll for several months and
until Bndgeman had honored the drafts OK the
firm to the amount OF fifty-fve thousand dol
lars in gold. Yet no lumber had been sent TO
market. nor any manufactured so far a. Bridge
man could learn. He began 10 grow little
nervous, ard obtaining leave OF absence came
out to reconojter the premises and gam that
information by visit which he had been una
bic TO gam while in Massachusetts.


Having arrived at the sceno Of operations,
Howe gave him q detailed history o. thom down
70 the present time, and assured him that il
was bound TO be 4 magnificent success when
completed. The next morning Brijgeman
proceeded TO q personal examination cf the
works. The mill was situated about two and
half miles from The lake, and railroad was
being constructed from the mill TO the pier and
in an unfinished state. In following the rail-
way ne came upon 4 small locomotive. tho use
OF which he had no distinct idea; and further
on ne came upon the spur OF sand hill that
had obtruded itself in the direct line from the





ery that Howe was trying 10 run his road
through the sand ml. THIS was evidenced by
an immense quantity OF sawed timber and
plank on tho SPOT. part Of which had been used
10 wall out the sand from the track. He also
saw that by turning to one side about twenty
rods the ground was level and the tfacis could
have been easily and cheaply built around the
hill


.\bout tins time Howe canlo up and Bridge
man inquired OF him the Use designed for the
locomotive. and what it had cost. lie WAS
informed that it was to be used on the railroad
track when completed, IN moving lumber from
the mil to the pier, and that 1t had cost only
eleven thousand dollars at Chicago. Bridge
man said, Very well; and now can you tell
me how many feet OF timber and lumber you
have here 10 wall out the sand and tunnel
through tho hill Z" After .little consultation
OF his books Howe stated that it would require
. two million four hundred and ninety-six
thousand feet, ali OF which was on the ground
or ready TO be delivered" Bridgeman then
said, Howe, don't you know that any damned
fool would know better than to use that guam
tlty OF timber and plank IN trying to tunnel
through bill OF drifting sand when by gong
twenty rods further he could have a perfectly
level route?"


Howe dropped ais chm and rubbed bis pate
little and then answered, Brldgeman,
would like to know what the devil railroad il
good for without a tunnel"


Bridgeman had nothing further to Say.