The Register of Pennsylvania : devoted to the preservation of facts and documents and every other kind of useful information respecting the state of Pennsylvania, Vol. III, Part 26

Author: Hazard, Samuel, 1784-1870
Publication date: 1828
Publisher: Philadelphia : Printed by W.F. Geddes ;
Number of Pages: 440


USA > Pennsylvania > The Register of Pennsylvania : devoted to the preservation of facts and documents and every other kind of useful information respecting the state of Pennsylvania, Vol. III > Part 26


Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).


Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89 | Part 90 | Part 91 | Part 92 | Part 93 | Part 94 | Part 95 | Part 96 | Part 97 | Part 98 | Part 99 | Part 100 | Part 101 | Part 102 | Part 103 | Part 104 | Part 105 | Part 106 | Part 107 | Part 108 | Part 109 | Part 110 | Part 111 | Part 112 | Part 113 | Part 114 | Part 115 | Part 116


Excavation and embankment on 2,893 chs. 910 cubic yards at 7 cents - 63 70


Excavation at Baldwin's summit on 30.20 chains, average depth 14.3 feet, 41,770 cubic yards at 13 cents 5,430 10


Embankment on 10.07 chains, average depth 3.2 feet, 2,018 cubic yds. at 10 cents 201 80


Excavation on 8.93 chains, aver. depth 6.3 feet, 4,370 cubic yards at 10 cents 437 00


Culvert 3 feet 60 00


6,192 60


Mile 52d. This section crosses Boot road, with a small truss bridge, then passes Valley creek with a considerable excavation on west side, afterward's the ground is more favoura- ble, but in general rough; soil, slate and gra- vel. (Bridge over Valley creek 567 feet, $13,719 41-Two bridges of 64 and 32 feet at $888 and 456, $1,344)


17,062 42


Mile 53d. Is located along the sloping side hill of South Valley ridge, passing in its course several considerable ravines .- [Bridge over ravine, 620 feet, 3,802 00 clo. over ravine, 290 feet, 1.941 60 do. over Boot road, 33 feet, 749 22] 8,106 02 Mile 54th passes over a gentle sloping side hill, crosses one small ravine


1,647 78


Mile 55th pierces at commencement a ridge 18 feet at apex; then is traced on gen- tle side hill, and terminates at eastern abut- ment of bridge over ravine. (Bridge 590 ft. 3,685 27)


6,801 47


Mile 56th. This section passes over in general very undulating ground, piercing at end a ridge 18 feet in depth, 33 feet clear of rock


Mile 57 th crosses the dividing ridge of the waters of Schuylkill and Brandywine, south of steam boat tavern; ground in general rough. Passes main branch of East Valley creek.


3,230 11


Mile 45th. Located on gentle sloping ground, crossing Philadelphia and Lancaster pike. Soil, same as above -


Mile 46th. Is traced along south side of Philadelphia and Lancaster pike, on good


Mile 43d. Crosses Little Brandywine with a truss bridge 69 feet in height, and is then located on easy sloping ground, passing north of Coatsville; soil, loam. (Little Brandywine bridge 847 feet, 29,508 74)


Mile 44th. Is traced on very favourable ground, crossing the Great Valley, and ends on east side of Gardiner's Ridge; soil, loam


2,761 90


1829.]


PENNSYLVANIA RAIL-WAY


87


Embankment on 22.29 chains, average depth 8.1 ft. 13,328 cubic yards at 12 cents


1,599 36


Excavation on 8.5 chains, aver. deptli 6 feet, 8939 cubic yds. at 8 cts. 315 12


Embankment at east and west end of bridge, on 10.19 chains 4,256 cubic yards at 11 cents Excavation on 8 chain sec- tion, 1.7 yards square, 167 cu- bic yards at 6 cents 11 22


464 75


Do. on 19.77 chains, av .. depth 4 ft. 5728 cubic yards at 8 cents


458 24


Bridge 32 feet


725 60


Do. over run 413 feet


2,691 54


6,265 83


MILE 58th is traced along a gentle side hill, crosses two ravines with culverts; the line generally passes over good ground- soil, micaceous slate


2,273 81


MILE 71st is located on undulating ground, crossing county line road. Soil, loam, &c.


MILE 72d. The line near its com- mencement crosses a break in the dividing ridge 20 feet in depth. then passes P. and L, turnpike, and intersects the old Lancaster road at the Union Tavern. It ends on north side of Haverford road -


4,107 55


MILE .73d. This section is traced over undulating ground, south of the Buck ta- vern, and terminates on the west side of Price's ravine


2,991 53


MILE 74th At the beginning the line cros- ses a ravine with a ballustrade bridge, after which it passes over favourable ground. (Bridge of 462 ft. 3,122 35) $4,775 90


MILE 75th. After crossing the old Lancas- ter road it is traced on favourable ground north of widow Jones'. Soil clay and grav- el. -


$1,549 12


708 73


MILE 76th. Commences at old Lan. Road, and passing South of Libertyville on even ground, it terminates a few chains south of Merion Meeting House, soil as above.


1,196 43


1,868 84


MILE 77th. Crosses a small ravine in front of the General Wayne tavern, and then fol- lows the course of the old Lancaster road, which it leaves at the seven mile stone, thence diverging north eastwardly, it pierces a ridge 14 feet deep at the apex.


3169 10


1,039 43


MILE 78th, Is traced over. undulating ground and crosses the Falls Bridge road. Soil loam and clay.


2255 45


MILE 79, This section near its commence- ment crosses Georges' ravine, then is traced on favourable ground to the head of the in- clined plane. (Bridge over Georges' ra- vine 300 ft. 2219 24)


3798 39


MILE 80th, Includes the inclined plane -a bridge across Schuylkill river and en- ters the bed of the old Union canal. Excavation on 7.35 chains- av-


erage depth 8.9 feet, 5507 cubic yards at 8 cents 440 56


8,492 09


Embankment on 11 ch av depth 5.9 feet, 4411 c yards at 11cts. 485 21


1098 90


Excavation on 83 ch, av depth 14.7 ft, 12.210 c yds at 9 cts. Embankment at west end of Schuylkill bridge, on 10} ch, depth 23.3 ft, 19,257 c yds at 14 cts. 2695 98


Excavation on 12 ch, 1308 c yds at 10 cts 130 80


Embankment on 5} ch, dept 7.3 ft, 1318 c yds at 10 cts. 131 80


1,218 55


MILE 68th is located on the dividing ridge over very favourable ground, and pass- ing Mrs. Abrams' house, it crosses Moul's ra- vine with a balustrade bridge-ends near R. Kimber's, a few chains north of the turn- pike. Soil, loam. (Moul's bridge, 558 feet, 3,697 27) .


4,721 44


MILE 69th is traced on a favourable side hill, crossing the intersection of King of Prussia and Gulf mill roads -


1,114 69


MILE 70th. The first part of this line passes over an uneven side hill, then cross- ing a branch of Darby creek, enters Ru- dolph ridge, which it pierces 19.8 feet. Soil easy excavation


6,137 78 1,958 37


MILE 59th. This section is traced on a very rough side hill, passing four ravines, with two truss and two balustrade bridges- ends near centre of the fourth-soil same as above. (Four bridges of 400, 131, 224, and 360 feet at $10,990 50-2,235 78-5,816 23 -and 12,687 68, $30,730 19


32,411 44


MILE 60th commences in a ravine, where the line leaves the valley and passes over very rough ground, piercing in its course two ridges, twenty-four and twenty feet in depth-soil, micaceous slate, affording good materials for the horse path. (Bridge of 203 feet, 1,796 00) 1


MILE 61st. This section is traced along summit of Valley Ridge on favourable ground, crosses one small ravine near Demp- sey's. The line passes between Green Tree tavern and barn-ends on north edge of Philadelphia and Lancaster pike 1


MILE 62d is located on ground slightly un- . dulating, of easy excavation, passes between l'aoli tavern and barn; ends on the west side of Darby road, south of turnpike


MILE 63d, passes between General Jack- son tavern and barn; thence in front of Bear inn, after which it continues along north edge of pike about three-fourths of a mile, ends near Mrs. Robinson's inn; soil, loam and clay -


MILE 64th. Crosses the turnpike near its commencement at the 17th mile stone, then turning a projecting point of ridge is traced over favourable ground, terminating in garden of A. Potter, south of Reesville- soil as above


1,114 05


MILE 65th. This section pierces at begin- ning a ridge of easy excavation near Drove tavern, passing 20. ft under P. & L. turnpike at 16th mile stone, thence is located in the rear of Spring tavern, (sign of Washington) and recrossing turnpike, passes two ravines with culverts; soil, micaceous slate, loam, and gravel.


MILE 66th. The first part of the line is . traced over undulating ground, crossing Lamb tavern ravine with a balustrade bridge, after which the surface of the ground as- sumes a more even character, and after passing behind Mrs. Henderson's house, it crosses the P. and L. pike, and ends on west side of old Lancaster road. (Bridge, 297 feet, 2,219 24)· , · MILE 67th, The beginning of this section crosses the old Lancaster road; it is then


3,435 97


traced along a gentle side hill, intersecting a ravine near Mrs. Grover's, and passing through her garden crosses the dividing ridge of the water's of Gulf run, and a branch of Darby creek, it terminates near Siter's lane; soil, loam and clay .


6,519 91


PENNSYLVANIA RAIL-WAY.


[FEBRUARY


Culvert and cross drain


75 00


Excavation on 7.37 ch av depth 1 ft, 539 c yds at 7 cts.


37 73


. Schuylkill bridge upon the prin- · ciples of Towns patent 46,344.76


51,440 74


MILE 81st, Occupies the bed and tow- ing path of the old Union canal. There is rock which must be removed on this section. Excavation 11,616 c. ydy. at 10 cts. 1161 60 Embankment 345 c. yds. at 12 cts. 41 40


1,203 00


MILE 82d. Old Union Canal.


Excavation 7607 c. yds. at 15 cts. 1141 05


Embankment 587 c. yds. at 10 cts. 58 70


One culvert 3 feet 60 00


1,259 75


MILE 83d. Diverges from old Union Canal, enters Broad, and intersects Vine street.


Excavation 3411 c. yds. at 10 cts. 341 10


Embankment 2398 c. yds. at 12. cts. 281 .76 One culvert 4 feet 80 00


702 86


Mile 30th to 83d-Total cost,


$331,156 21


GRADUATION TABLE. Chains. Ascend- Descend- | Chains. Ascend- Descend- ing east. ing east.


1 30.24 27.5


39 31 level.


2 211.15


27.5


'40 14


18


3


21


27.5


41 61


28


4


12


27.5


42 207.50


29.8


5


92


27.5


43 17


28


6


7


level.


44 85


29


7 89


27.5


45 12 24


8


9


20


46 4 24


9


48


24


47 9 24


10 534.30


27.5


48 18


26


11


12.84


20


49


16


26


12


11


10


50


17


. 24


13


9


24


51 80


27.5


14 8 level.


52 119


28


15 7


24


53 31


24


16


4.


16


54 13


level


17


9


24


55


45


24


18


27


16


56 8


26


19 20


15


level.


58


6


level -


21


10


27.5 .


59


13


26


22 17


27.5


60 17


16


Add for superintendance and other con- tingences 38,812 70


426,939 77


26 121


27.5


64 14-


18


27


12


level.


65-118


30


28 44.60 27.5


66


7


level.


29 666.40 28


8


26


30


12


27.5


24


28


31


21


28


69


14


24


32


6.12 29.8


29.8


33


30


24.6


34


30 24


72


12.12 29


35


7


26


73


13


20


36


12


16


74 240.73


1,4


37 103.60


28


75 9.17


38 19


26


Stone suitable for the construction of the bridges, culverts, &c. is found generally either on the line itself from the cuttings, or its neighborhood. The supply from the former being ascertained from such borings as could be effected, to be inadequate for our purpose, I have therefore in the estimate for excavations charged the same to the full depth as common earth, making up the dificiency, should rock be found, in the estimated price of that material in the other contingent parts of the rail-way.


I would respectfully suggest to the consideration of the board, the propriety of separating the contracts for road forming and laying the rails; so that the latter may embrace within the contract the broken stone and blocks on which the rails are to be placed.


"The cost for grading and bridging upon the eastern division of the rail-way, has been considerably increased by the expense incurred on the new line from Coatsville to the summit in Thomasfield, which is an extent of nearly 18 miles.


The impracticability of finding last year any passage by which we could leave Chester valley from the white horse summit, to that on Mrs. Grove's land, rendered it then necessary that this section should be left open for future examinations; under such circumstances I could therefore only give, in order to close the estimate, its probable cost.


In the present location it has been a consideration of some importance to diminish distance; and when the amount of cost upon the whole linc to gain this advan- tage did not extend to an unreasonable sum, I never hesitated to incur the expense.


The extent of the located line from Columbia to the seven mile stone, which as before observed, was fhe point at which the explorations of last year terminated, is about nine miles shorter than. the explored line .- The value of this saving in distance, so far as regards its effect upon the diminution in time of transportation, more than compensates for the additional cost incurr ed for road forming.


The whole estimated expense last year for the railway, from Columbia to the seven mile stone, is stated in the report then made at $1,013,019,13-100 and the esti -. mate for one mile of double way of $8079,53-100 (ex- clusive of road forming) according to the present re- duced price of iron (the materials made use of being wood, iron and stone, ) is amply sufficient for that con- struction.


I will now give for the information of the board, first, a comparative statement of the expense of the present location, with the explored line of last year as far as the seven mile stone where it terminated; and then the ex- tension of the estimate to Vine street in Philadelphia, the materials for the rail way being of wood, iron and stone-secondly, the probable estimate where the con- struction of rail-way is of iron and stone, similar to the plan adopted in Great Britain.


1st. Comparative estimate to the 7 mile stone. Common road forming from Colum- bia to the 7 mile stone. $388,127 07


23 245 27.5


61 11


24


24


13


27,5


62 4 level


25 160.10


27.5


63


13


26


To 73.55 miles of rail-way, the materials being iron, wood and stone at $8079 53 per mile 594,249 43


To laying the rails upon bridges, materials of wood and iron 8,906 56


To 1 stationary steam engine at Columbia 6,000 00


To amount of estimate of the explored line to same point 1,013,019 13


28 Balance against present location 23,076 63


Estimate of the whole line from Columbia 450,506 71 to Vine street in Philadelphia. Road forming from Columbia to Vine st. Add for contingencies 45,050 67


495,557 38 To 79.42 miles of rail-way, the materials being iron, wood and stone at $8079 53 per mile


641'676 27


To rails for the bridges, materials of wood and iron


10,066 16


14


27.5


57


80


28


67 68


70 174 71 39.02 in.pla. 4.5p.ch


$1,036,095 76


ing east. ing east.


S9


Two steam engines, on Susquehanna and Schuylkill 14,000 00


Total amount of cost of the rail-way $1,161,299 81 Probable cost of ruil-way, where iron and stone only are used.


*Iron rails (malleable) weight of rail per yard, 28 lb. for double tracks, 88 tons per mile delivered at 65 dollars per ton


5,720 00


For sidelings 143 00


Cast iron chairs 18,267 tons at $45 50 per ton 831 14


Iron pins to fix rails to chairs


36 00


$6,730 14


Add duty to U. S. at 25 per. cent ad val. 1,682 53


8,412 67


Broken stone for paving horse path and em- bedding the block on which rails are placed 969 92


Blocks of stone and placing them, fixing rails, &c. 1,834 73


Add for contingencies


2,804 65 280 46


3,085 11


Total cost for a mile of rail-way 11,497 78


To 79.42 miles of rail way at $11,497 78 per mile 913,143 68


To amount of bridges, using wooden rails plated with iron 10,066 16


To grading and bridging the road t 495,557 38


For two steam engines 14,000 00


Total cost from Columbia to Philadelphia 1,432,767 22 Cost of road as above, using wood, iron and stone · 1,161,299 81


Difference between the two methods $271,467 41


But should the duty on iron for rail-ways be remitted by the government the difference would be only $137, 841 88 neither of which in so great an undertaking, ought to be considered when the comparison is- made between perishable and imperishable materials.


In approaching so large a city as Philadelphia with a rail-way,it is important that from some point in its neigh- borhood branch lines should be constructed, in order to accommodate the various commercial interests of that community, and to extend the whole benefits of such a line of communication with the interior, not only to the streets of a city, but also to the shipping.


Under such a view of the beneficial effect it might have in and around Philadelphia, I take the liberty of recommending to the board, that from the termination of the inclined plane, east of the residence of the late Judge Peters, a branch of the rail-way should be extend- ed along the margin of Schuylkill river, terminating at a suitable place of deposit near the tide water, and oppo- site the city of Philadelphia.


* The weight of 28 lb. per lineal yard for the malle- able iron rail enables it to sustain the pressure of the lo- comotive steam engine, and still retain its original form without a permanent deflexion. . Should horse power be considered as best adapted for propelling the railway carriages in this country, a reduction of two or three pounds in the weight of the rail as estimated, may be safely made.


t Should the plan of forming the rail-way with iron and stone be adopted, this item may be reduced one twelfth as the space required in the cuttings for the oth- er method may be diminished about four feet. VOL. III


In concluding this report upon the location and esti- niate of the Pennsylvania rail-way, I beg leave to ex- press the friendly disposition and assistance given me in promoting the object of the survey, by the inhabitants of Columbia, the committee appointed by the select and common councils of the city of Lancaster, and its citizens generally, also the committees of various sections of Chester county, and of Philadelphia. I am likewise in- debted to Mr. Scott,the principal assistant engineer, for his services in the field, and great accuracy in the deli- neations explanatory of this report, as well as to each of the individuals composing the locating and exploring corps, for ability, zeal and correct deportment.


All which is respectfully submitted. JOIIN WILSON,


Philadelphia, Dec. 1st, 1828. Engineer.


On the 29th ult. the city of Lancaster was thronged with gentlemen from various parts of the state, and some from adjoining states, for the purpose of offering propo- sals for excavating and grading the road, building of bridges, culverts, &c. on the Rail-road. We under- stand there were about 300 applicants; and are happy to state, that the terms on which contracts are taken, are within the estimate of the Engineer. The follow- ing is the


ALLOTMENT OF WORK ON THE PENNSYL- VANIA RAILWAY.


Lancaster, January 29, 1829.


Sections No. 1, 2, 3, Martin, Lloyd & Co. 4, Cornwell & Huston & Co.


5, 6, Blattenberger & Balsley,


7, C. & H. Blanchard, 8, 9, Michael Seitz,


10, John Snyder & Co.


11, Thomas Lynch,


12, J. Stambaugh,


13, George B. Porter,


14, C. & H. Blanchard,


15, J. C. Lessig & Co.


16, James Smith,


17, 18, James Gray,


19, 20, Porter and Boyd,


60, James Smith,


61, J. C. Lessig & Co.


62, John Snyder & Co.


63, 64, Barker & Co. 65, 66, A. E. Finley,


67, Dodge & Carncross, 68, 69, C. Cook & Co."


70, M'Clean & Flinn,


71, Siegfried & Co. 72, Ezry & Jones, 73, 74, J. R. Scott,


75, Siegfried & Co. 76, Bevans, Scott & Co.


77, J. M'Kinney & Co. 78, 79, M'Clellan & Blackstock. BRIDGES. Nos. 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 13, 14, 17, R. W. Huston, Cornwell & Co.


No. 12, (Little Conestogo,) Moore & Green.


No. 15, (Big Conestogo,) Campbell & Town.


Nos. 16, 55, 58, 59, Schuyler & Co.


No. 56, Benjamin Smith & Co.


No. 57, Ingrahem & Co. CULVERTS.


On Sections 10, 15, 19, 20, 62, John Snyder & Co. 60, 65, 70, 77, Cook, Delano & Co.


67, Dodge & Carncross, 71, Siegfried & Co. 72, Ezry & Jones, 73, 78, Scott & Bevans. WILLIAM WILSON, Superintendant.


12


PENNSYLVANIA RAIL-ROAD.


1829.]


90


WARREN COUNTY.


[FEBRUARY


.ANNALS OF PAUPERISM.


TABLE-Showing the number of persons admitted in- to the medical wards of the Infirmary of the Alms- House of the City and County of Philadelphia, and the number of deaths, between the third of December 1827, and the first of December, 1828.


Men's Medi- | Women's me-) cal Wards. dical wards.


Cells .*


Dates of ad- mission.


admitted.


Number


Deaths.


admitted.


Number


Deaths.


admitted.


Number


Deaths.


1827, Dec. 3


to 1828 Jan. 7


149+


17


149+


13


1


to Feby.


4


96


11


46


9


24| 122


1


March


3


60


9


61


3


26


2


April


7


71


12


47


10


27


2


May


5


46


9


55


4


33


1


June


2


76


8


46


9


30


2


July


7


64


12


45


10


24


5


August 4


62


8


47


6


31


11


Septem. 1


100


10


64


10


19


4


October 6


177


13


114


10


57


6


Novem.


145


7


88


6


24


6


Decem. 1


116.


10


79


11


32


3


Totals .


1162


126


841


101


1349


44


Remaining Dec. 1. 1828-in men's medical wards 54. In women's medical wards 79. In the cells 11.


RECAPITULATION.


Treated in men's medical wards


1162


Deaths


126


Per centage


10.34


Treated in women's medical wards


841


Deaths


101


Per centage


12.


Treated in cells


359


Deaths


44


Per centage


12.6


Whole number of patients treated


2352


Deaths


271


Per centage


11.47


* Most of the patients in the cells are admitted for mania-a-potu.


+ This number includes 88 in the wards Dec. 3. 1827.


# This number includes 56 in the wards Dec 3. 1827. " This number includes 8 in the cells Dec. 3. 1827. Amer. Journal of the Med. Sciences,


appended to Jackson's Clinical Report.


WARREN COUNTY


white-wood and occasionally extensive groves of pine, particularly on and near the streams. The land in the next tier of townships, lying between the above men- tioned and the Allegheny river is more various. A part of it, particularly that lying between the Conewango and Brokenstraw creeks, will answer the description a- bove given, excepting that lying on and within two or three miles of the river hill. This is timbered with oak, chesnut, pine, &c. It is estimated better for wheat than the beech and maple land. The land between the two big Brockenstraw for several miles in this range is stony and broken indeed. A land speculator from "the land of steady habits" once travelling over it where "stones peep o'er stones, and rock on rocks arise," re- marked: "That it would never be settled, till it was set- tled by an earthquake." West of this, and between it and Crawford and Venango county line there is a large body of good arable land.


The land of the river bottoms is considered first-rate. Of this, including the second bottom, there is, say from 40 to 50,000 acres in the county, besides that on the creek bottoms, which is but little inferior in quality. It produces when properly cultivated, 50 bushels of corn per acre; 60 and 70 have frequently been raised, and other grain in proportion, excepting wheat, which grows too rank. Twenty bushels of wheat and thirty of corn is about an average crop on the uplands.


The country South East of the Allegheny, until with in a year or two past; was but little known or explored. It was altogether uninhabited, and as was supposed, un- inhabitable. The land has been principally sold for taxes, and bid off by the County Commissioners. The time of redemption having expired, they have within the last two years made extensive sales. Some of the purchasers have moved on the land, and commenced im- provements. Several more are coming on in the spring, and there is a fair prospect of that part of the county settling. The land generally is found to be much bet- ter than was expected. It is heavily timbered, with all the varieties that are found in other parts of the county. There is no country in the world of the same extent, more abundantly supplied with streams of excellent wa- ter, and mill privileges. The Allegheny enters at the north east corner of the county, and passes out near the south west. Running with its meanderings, not less than 50 miles in the county. It is on an average about 25 rods wide. A description of this stream was correct- ly given by Judge Geddes in his report to the Canal Commissioners last winter. It consists of extensive sheets of dead water and short ripples. The fall in several of these ripples was taken by Mr. Whippo, and found to average about two feet each. In a low stage, the water over these ripples is not more than one and one and a half feet deep, while in the dead water it is from six to twelve feet deep. There are five double Saw-mills car- ried by water from the main stream between this place and the State line.


Is bounded north by the State of New York, (Chau- tauque co. ) on the east by M'Kean, on the south by Jef- ferson and Venango, and on the west by Crawford and The Conewango creek enters the county 12 miles north of, and empties into the Allegheny at Warren .- This is also a large and navigable stream. From Rus- sell's mills, (five miles, ) to the New York state line, it is a deep, sluggish stream, and will admit of steam-boat navigation the whole year when not frozen. The same may be said of it for 30 miles above. From Russell's Mills to Warren, (seven miles, ) it is more rapid. The fall in this distance, agreeably to a level taken by Mr. Whippo is sixty feet. Loaded keel boats, &c. ascend in a good stage of water, without difficulty. There are four double and two single Saw-mills on these rapids. The Brokenstraw creek is next in size and importance. It rises in the State of N. York, enters near the north west corner of the county, runs a southerly direction about 25 miles, and empties into the Allegheny seven miles below Warren. Nine miles from its mouth it receives the waters of the Little Brokenstraw, another excellent stream for mills. The lumbering business is carried on Erie counties. It is an oblong square 32 miles long, (east and west, ) and 26 miles broad. It contains 832 square miles, equal to 532,480 acres. It is divided into twelve townhips, eight of which lie north and west of the Allegheny, are organized and each composes an e- lection district. The other four lie south east of the Al- legheny, and are not organized. Its present population is about 4000. It would be difficult to give an accurate idea of the face of the country, soil, &c. in general terms. The lands on the State line and from six to eight miles south, comprising the first range of townships, are generally of good quality, and will admit of dense set- tlements. It is moderately undulating. but not hilly .- In this range containing say 150,000 acres, there are scarcely a hundred acres but what would make a tolera- ble good farm. They are usually rated second-rate land. The river and creek bottoms being first. The timber is principally sugar-maple and beech, interspers- ed with oak, chesnut, linn-wood, cucumber, cherry, extensively upon these streams. There are 30 Saw-mills




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