Documents relating to
Internal Improvements
in the
State of Illinois
Washington
1836
LIBRARY OF
KNOX- COLLEGE
F1NLEY- COLLECTION- ONTHE
HISTORYAND- ROMANCE- OF
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PRESENTED BY
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25th Congress, [ SENATE, ]
2d Session.
DOCUMENTS
rN RELATION TJ
INTERNAL IMPROVEMENTS,
In the State of Illinois.
March 5, 1838.
Submitted by Mr. Young, and ordered to be printed, and that 300 additional copies be fur-
nished for the use of the Senate.
An act to establish and maintain a general system of internal improve-
ment, with supplementary acts : passed at a General Assembly of the
State of Illinois, begun and held at Vandalia, on the bth December.
1836.
Sec i. Be it enacted by the people of the State of Illinois, represented
in the General Assembly, That there shall be elected by the joint vote of
the present General Assembly, and biennially thereafter, a board of fund
commissioners, to consist of three members, who shall be practical and ex-
perienced financiers, and whose terms of office therein shall expire bienni-
ally, and who shall be eligible to re-election. Each member of the board,
before entering into the discharge of the duties of his office, shall severally
take and subscribe an oath or affirmation, faithfully, honestly, and diligently
to discharge the duties of his said office, and shall execute a bond to the
Governor, and his successors in office, for the use of the State, in the penal
sum of fifty thousand dollars, with good and sufficient security, to be ap-
proved by the Governor or the person administering the Government, condi-
tioned for the faithful discharge of the duties of his office, imposed upon
him, or thereafter to be imposed upon him, by law ; and for the faithful ac-
counting for all moneys that shall or may come into his hands as fund
commissioner ; and all vacancies which may occur in the board of fund
commissioners during the recess of the Legislature, shall be filled by ap-
pointment by the Governor, which appointments shall continue until the
end of the next session of the General Assembly, and until their successors
are elected and qualified, and who shall give bond and take an oath in the
same manner as is required by the foregoing part of this section of other
commissioners.
Sec. 2. A majority of the board of fund commissioners shall constitute a
quorum for the transaction of business ; and it shall be the duty of the said
board of fund commisssions to contract for and negotiate all loans author-
ized to be effected by the Legislature, on the faith and credit of the State, for
objects of internal improvements or other purposes, unless otherwise pro-
vided for, on the best and most favorable terms for the interests of the State ;
and shall sign and execute bonds or certificates of stock therefor, in the
Blair & Rires, printers.
manner directed by law ; and shall receive, manage, deposite, and apply all
sums of moneys arising from said loans, in such manner as shall, from time
to time, be provided for bylaw ; and shall make quarterly reports to the au-
ditor of public accounts, or to such other authority as the Legislature may
direct, on the first Mondays of March. June, September, and December, an-
nually, of all the proceedings of the said board.
Sec. 3. The board of fund commissioners shall keep a fair and complete
record of all their proceedings, together with a full, minute and accurate ac-
count of all their fiscal transactions as commissioners, with a record of all
official letters and correspondence, written and received in relation to the
subject of their duties as fund commissioners, in well bound books, to be
provided for the purpose ; which records shall at all times be open at their
office to the inspection of the Governor, the auditor of public accounts, the
attorney general, and to any member of the General Assembly. In order
to enable the board to keep said record, they are hereby authorized to ap-
point a secretary of the board, whenever, in their opinion, the business of the
board may render it necessary ; which secretary, before entering upon the
discharge of his duties, shall be required to take an oath or affirmation,
faithfully and diligently to perform the duties of his appointment, and shall
enter into bond to the Governor of the State, and his successors in office,
for the use of the State, in such penal sum, and with such securities as the
board may by an order direct, conditioned for the faithful and diligent dis-
charge of his duties, as secretary of the board of fund commissioners, and
for the safe keeping of all books, vouchers, and papers, which may come to
his hands as secretary as aforesaid. The members of the board of fund
commissioners shall each be entitled to receive, as a full compensation for
their services, at the rate of five dollars per day, for each and every day they
may be necessarily employed in the discharge of their duties. And the
board may allow to the secretary of the board such compensation for his
services as they may deem reasonable and just.
Sec. 4. That for the purpose of promoting and maintaining a general
system of internal improvement in this State, and of uniting its various
branches under the same supervision and direction, (excepting the con-
struction of the Illinois and Michigan canal,) there shall be created a board
of public works, to consist of seven members, one from each judicial cir-
cuit, to be elected biennially by the joint vote of the General Assembly,
and who shall be styled " The Board of Commissioners of Public Works,"
who shall continue in office for two years, and until their successors are
elected and qualified, but who shall be eligible to be re-elected. Any vacancy
which may occur in the board by death, refusal to act, resignation, remo-
val out of the State, or otherwise, shall be filled by an appointment by the
Governor, which appointment shall expire at the end of the next session
of the General Assembly; and the incumbent thus appointed shall take the
like oath of office, and enter into the like bond, as is required of the mem-
bers elected by the Legislature, before he shall enter into the discharge of
his duties as one of said commissioners.
Sec. 5. Each of the members of the board of commissioners of public
works previously to entering into the discharge of the duties of their offices,
respectively, shall take and subscribe an oath or affirmation, faithfully,
honestly, impartially, and diligently to discharge the duties of his office 'j
and shall execute a bond to the Governor, and his successors in office, for
the use of the State of Illinois, in the penal sum of twenty thousand dofc
3 [■ 259 ]
tars, with two or more good and sufficient securities, to be approved of by
the Governor, or person administering the Government of the State, con-
ditioned for the faithful, honest, impartial, and diligent discharge of the
duties of his office, as one of the commissioners of the board of commis-
sioners of public works, and for the faithful disbursement of, and accou ril-
ing for, all moneys intrusted to him as one 'of said commissioners; and no
commissioner shall be allowed to have in his hands, at any one time, more
than twenty thousand dollars ; and every sum advanced to, or received by
him, shall be deemed to remain in his hands until its application shall have
been properly accounted for by the necessary vouchers, to be filed with,
and audited by, the board of fund commissioners, or such other authority
as may be, from time to time^ directed by the Legislature to examine and
audit said vouchers.
Sec. 6. The members of the said board of public works, after having
been qualified, and having executed bonds in the manner hereinbefore
directed, shall, on or as soon as convenient before the first Monday in April,
next ensuing their election, hold their first meeting at the seat of Govern-
ment, and organize the board by electing one of their number to be the
president of the said board; and by appointing a secretary of the board,
who, before entering into the discharge of the duties of his appointment,
shall take an oath or affirmation faithfully and truly to discharge his duties
as secretary of the board of commissioners of public works, and shall enter
into bond to the Governor, and his successors in office, for the use of the
State, in such penal sum, and with such security, as the board shall order
and direct, conditioned for the faithful, true, and diligent discharge of his
duties as said secretary, which may devolve upon him by law, or under the
directions, resolutions, and orders of the board.
Sec. 7. The board of commissioners of public works, when oiganized
and constituted as aforesaid, shall be authorized to locate, superintend,
direct, and construct, on the part and behalf of this State, all works of
intern al improvements which have been, or shall be, authorized to be
undertaken, prosecuted, and constructed by the State, either in whole or
in part, (excepting the Illinois and Michigan canal, ) and the charge and
superintendence of all such internal improvements, excepting as aforesaid,
shall be vested in said board ; and the said board of commissioners of public
works shall do and perform such services and duties as may, from time to
time, be imposed upon the said board by law. The said board shall hold
semi-annual meetings on the first Mondays of June and December, in each
and every year, at the seat of Government of this State; and the said
board shall have authority to choose a president pro tempore, in the absence
of the president, at any meeting of the board, and to adjourn, from time to
time, to meet at any other place they may think proper ; and the president
shall have power to call special meetings of the board when, in his opinion*
the public interests may require it. Three of the members shall con-
stitute a quorum for the transaction of business, at any stated or special
meeting of the board, when convened under the authority aforesaid. Each
of the members of the board shall be allowed to receive, as a compensation
for their services, the sum of five dollars per day, for every day necessarily
employed in the discharge of their duties; and they shall and may allow to
the secretary of the board, as a compensation for his services, such sum as
they may think reasonable and just And the acting commissioner for the
fourth judicial circuit shall cause to be surveyed a route commencing at
C 259 ] 4
Charleston, via the county seal of Clark county, to the most eligible pofrit
on the Great Wabash river, between York and (he line dividing the States
of Indiana and Illinois, and make a report to the next session of the Gen-
eral Assembly, of the utility of the State constructing a railroad on said
route, together with an estimate of the probable cost of constructing the
same : Provided, however, That if, in the opinion of the board of public
works, after said survey and estimates have been made, that it would be
best calculated to promote the interests of the points above named, and
ihe country through which said road may pass, to build a good turnpike
road, then, and in that case, they shall report accordingly.
Sec. 8. In the meetings of the board, they shall determine the general
outline of the operations in relation to such works of internal improvements
as may be authorized by law, and as either in part or in whole may be
placed under their direction and supervision ; determining questions of
importance submitted to the board by the acting commissioners on the
respective lines or works, or by other persons connected with the public
works, in relation thereto ; and shall examine and audit accounts relating
to the expenditures of moneys on the works under their charge and
supervision ; make estimates of the probable amount of funds which may,
from time to time, be required to meet expenditures in the prosecution
thereof, and shall enter said estimates at large in a book to be provided for
that purpose ; and cause authenticated copies thereof to be served on the
board of fund commissioners, in due time to enable said fund commissioners
to provide the necessary amount of funds to meet the payment of said
estimates ; and shall, also, at their said meetings, make out the reports
of their proceedings, which shall be required by law to be made and filed
by them ; and shall attend to such other matters and things as shall arise
in the discharge of their duties, and as are necessary to be passed upon by
the board. The board shall also, at any of their meetings, whenever the
progress and situation of the works under their charge shall render it
necessary, from time to time, agree upon and assign to the individual
members of the board, in special charge, a specific portion or division of the
public works in progress ; and the member to v/hom any such specific
portion or division shall be assigned, shall superintend the same as acting
commissioner thereon, under the general direction and during the pleasure
of the board ; and shall make detailed reports to the board of his proceedings^
at its semi-annual meeting, and as much oftener as is practicable and
convenient.
Sec. 9. The board shall cause to be kept in well bound books to be
provided for the purpose, a fair and complete record of all the proceedings
and doings of the board, and also an accurate and separate account of all
the moneys expended by them, in the survey and construction of each
respective work under their direction ; exhibiting, also, the amounts received
by the board, and each and every member thereof, to be applied by them,
on the respective works under their direction and supervision \ which said
books shall at all times be open at the office of the board, to the inspection
of the Governor, auditor of public accounts, attorney general, members of
the board of fund commissioners, and members of the General Assembly r
and to such other authorities as the Legislature may, from time to time,,
authorize to inspect the same.
Sec. 10. The said board of commissioners of public works shall make,
imder their hands, semi-annual reports of their proceedings to the Governor,.
5 [ 259 1
or person administering the Government, on the first Mondays in June and
December, or within thirty days thereafter ; which reports shall contain a
detailed statement of their operations and proceedings for the preceding six
months, and shall exhibit the amount of moneys received and expended by
the board, in the examination and survey of routes and locations of the
public works, and in the prosecution and constructien thereof, showing
specifically the amount expended on each respective work up to that date ;
which reports, or an outline thereof, the Governor shall cause to be forthwith
published in some newspaper printed and published at the seat of Government;
and shall cause all said reports to be filed in the office of the Secretary of
State ; and shall lay a certified copy thereof before the General Assembly, on
the first week of their sessions, or as soon thereafter as the same may be
received by him, And if the said board shall at any time refuse or neglect
to make any semi-annual reports required by this act, or any other reports
hereafter required by the Legislature to be made, within the time specified
for making the same, the members of the said board so refusing or neglecting
to make such reports, shall forever thereafter be ineligible to re-election,
and moreover shall be liable to impeachment for misdemeanor in office :
Provided, That if at any stated meeting of the board, there should not be
a quorum in attendance, the minority met may make a report of the facts
within their knowledge, relating to the progress of the works and the
expenditures thereon ; and the making of such report shall exonerate the
said minority from the above penalties: And provided, also, That if the
absent members are detained from the meeting of the board by sickness, or
other causes beyond their control, they also may exonorate themselves from
the above penalties by rendering to the Legislature a satisfactory reason for
their absence from the board, and failure to join in such report.
Sec. 11. The said board of commissioners of public works shall have
power to employ such engineers, agents, superintendents, and other assist-
ants as the interests of the State shall in their opinion demand, to enable
them to discharge the duties required of them by law ; and to pay such
engineers, agents, superintendents, and assistants such sums as, in their
opinion, may be a reasonable compensation for the services they may per-
form, and to remove said officers at pleasure : Provided, That the term of
any appointments made by the board shall not extend more than sixty days
beyond the expiration of their own term of office ; and the said board shall
also have authority to organize their corps of engineers, by the appoint-
ment of principal or principals, and subordinates, and assign to each their
respective and appropriate charges and duties, in such maimer as the said
hoard may deem the interests of the State to demand ; and shall also have
authority to purchase and procure such mathematical and other instru-
ments, camps, camp equipage, stationery, supplies, teams, wagons, and
other apparatus, and employ so many laborers and assistants, as shall be
deemed necessary by them, to insure the correct and efficient discharge of
the duties of the engineering department of the public works ; and shall and
may provide such offices in which to transact the business of the board and
of the engineering department, as they may deem the interest of the State
to require.
Sec. 12. The board of commissioners of public works shall cause such
examinations and surveys to be made of the several rivers, which may
from time to time be directed by law to be improved, to ascertain the nature
mid extent of the obstructions and impediments to the navigation thereof.
[259] 6
as shall be necessary to enable the board to determine upon and prosecute
the most eligible and useful plans of making such improvements ; and
shall require estimates of the probable costs thereof, under the oath or
affirmation of the engineer in charge of making the respective surveys
and examinations ; and shall also cause minute and accurate examinations
and surveys to be made of the proposed routes of all railroads and other
contemplated improvements which may from time to time be authorized by
law, and placed under the charge, supervision, and direction of the board :
and before placing any of the said works under contract, shall require of
the engineer or engineers under whose direction and charge the said ex-
aminations and surveys were made and executed, respectively, a report
of said examination and survey, attested by the oath or affirmation of the
said engineer or engineers, describing particularly the localities and nature
of the routes of the respective railroads and other improvements ; the
topography of the country over which it may pass ; the facilities for obtain-
ing materials for the construction of the work ; with such other informa-
tion as the engineer may deem to be useful and necessary, or which he
may be required to collect and report by an order of the board ; which
report shall be accompanied with plans and profiles of the route, and of
the mechanical structures proposed to be constructed thereon, and specifi-
cations of the work to be executed ; together with minute estimates of the
probable cost thereof; which said reports shall be filed by the secretary
of the board, and shall be open to the inspection of all persons desirous
of obtaining contracts on the route, during office hours, under such regu-
lations and restrictions as the board may adopt, to preserve the original
documents from loss or injury: Provided. That the board may exhibit
manuscript or printed copies thereof, in lieu of the originals.
Sec. 13. The board of commissioners of public works shall execute the
works under their charge and supervision by contract: Provided, however 1
That whenever any job will not admit of such definite specification as to
enable contractors to make specific bids for the same, or when jobs are too
small and inconsiderable to justify the attention of contractors, the board
or acting commissioner on the line may cause the job to be accomplished
by laborers to be employed and paid by the board or the acting commis-
sioner.
Sec. 14. That so soon as any work, or portion or division thereof, shall
be ready to be placed under contract, the acting commissioner, to whose
special charge and supervision the same shall have been assigned by the
board, agreeably to the provisions of the eighth section of this act. shall
give notice of the time and place of letting, by advertisements to be pub-
lished in at least five newspapers printed in this State, and in such other
newspapers as the board' may deem the interests of the State to demand,
at least once in each week for five weeks next preceding the day of said
lettings, which advertisements shall contain a brief description of the nature
and amount of work which will be offered to contractors, and shall state
the time within which contractors will be required to commence and com-
plete the work ; with such other information as the board may deem ad-
visable. The bids or proposals shall be sealed, and shall state a specific
and definite price for the work to he performed, and shall be received by
the acting commmissioner on the work, on. or at any time previous to, the
day of letting. The acting commissioner on the line, and at least one
other member of the board, together with the principal engineer in charge
7 [259]
of the work, shall attend at the time and the place of the letting ; and the
said commissioners shall, at the hour of four o'clock in the afternoon of
the said day, close the further receipt of proposals, and immediately proceed
to open, examine, and compare the several bids which shall have been
made for each respective job of work proposed to be let ; and shall let the
same to the lowest responsible bidder or bidders therefor: Provided, That
the said commissioners shall have authority to refuse any and all bids,
which, in the opinion of said commissioners and principal engineer, may
be deemed exorbitant; and shall and may proceed to re-advertise and let
the work so overbid, at such time and place as the board may think most
advisable for the interests of the State. All bids and proposals for work,
received by any commissioner, shall be retained, and handed over to the
secretary of the board, who shall file and preserve the same. Proposals for
contracts to furnish and deliver materials for the construction of works,
may be received in such manner, and upon such notice, as in the opinion
of the board may be most expedient to promote the interests of the State ;
but all proposals for such service shall be received in writing, and filed and
preserved in like manner as proposals for the execution of work : Prooided,
That negotiations and contracts for railroad iron, to be obtained from
foreign countries, may be carried on and made in such manner as the
board may deem best calculated to advance the interests of the State.
Sec. 15. All contracts shall be entered into, under such conditions and
reservations, to be expressed at large in said contracts, as shall enable and
fully authorize the board of commissioners of public works to declare the
same to have been abandoned by the contractor or contractors, in all cases
where the work shall not be fully commenced at the time and according to
the terms of said contract; and also in cases whenever, in the opinion of
the acting commissioner and engineer in charge of the work, the contractor
or contractors shall neglect or refuse to prosecute his contract with an
assiduity and efficiency that shall give a reasonable assurance to the said
commissioner and engineer of its uniform progress, and final completion,
within the time specified in the said contract: or when, in the opinion of
the principal engineer, said contractor shall perform the work imperfectly,
and shall refuse or neglect forthwith to remedy such imperfect performance;
and the job so declared to be abandoned may forthwith be relet by the
board, without the let, hindrance, or disturbance of the former contractor or
contractors, or of any person or persons claiming to act for or under him or
them. The contracts shall also contain a provision prohibiting the sub-
contracting of jobs, or any portion thereof, without the consent of the board,
under the penalty of a forfeiture of contract, and of all retained per centage
remaining unpaid thereon.
Sec. 16. The contracts shall be signed and sealed by the acting com-
missioner on the work, for the time being, on the part and behalf of the
board, and shall be binding on the State ; and shall also be signed and
sealed by the contractor or contractors ; and triplicate copies thereof shall
be thus executed. One of said copies shall be retained by the contractors ;
one shall be filed in the office of the auditor of public accounts ; and the
other filed in the office of the board of commissioners of public works, and
recorded by the secretary of the board, in a book to be furnished for that
purpose ; and the said secretary shall furnish the acting commissioner with
copies of said contracts, whenever thereunto required.
Sec, 17. During the progress of the public works, fair and correct esti-
[ 259 ] 8
mates of the probable amount of work actually done by the contractors, on
each respective job, shall be made by the engineer in charge of the work, or
by an assistant assigned to that service, at stated periods, not exceeding two
months asunder; and there shall be paid to the contractor a sum not less
than sixty-seven per centum, nor more than eighty-five per centum on the
amount of the work actually performed, at the discretion of the acting
commissioner on the work ; and the balance shall be retained as a security
to the State for the faithful performance of the contract, until the full com-
pletion thereof, according to its terms ; at which time the work shall be ac-
cepted, if done according to contract, and the balance in full shall be paid
to said contractors ; and the acting commissioner, in making his decision as
to the equitable proportion of the estimates to be retained as security for the
State, shall be governed by the diligence and efficiency of the contractors
in the prosecution of their contracts ; by the aggregate amount of per
centum already retained, and by the probable risk of injury to the unfin-
ished works, to be apprehended from freshets or other casualties, which risk
shall rest with the contractors ; and in the event of any contract being de-
clared to be abandoned, for any of the causes mentioned in the fifteenth
section of this act, all retained per centage on the amount of estimates
shall be forfeited to the use of the State. Copies of all estimates made
during the progress of the work as above directed, shall be transmitted to
the secretary of the board of commissioners of public works, to be by him
filed and preserved for future use and reference.
Sec. 18. The said board of commissioners of public works is hereby
authorized and required to adopt such measures as may be necessary to
commence, construct, and complete, within a reasonable length of time, the
following works, viz :
First. The improvement of the navigation of the Great Wabash river,
in that part of the same over which the States of Indiana and Illinois have
concurrent jurisdiction, for which improvement the sum of one hundred
thousand dollars is hereby appropriated ; which said appropriation the said
board of public works are hereby authorized and required to expend in said
improvements, in conjunction with the State of Indiana, in equal amounts,
and for like objects. And the said board of commissioners of public works
are hereby authorized and empowered to co operate with the board of in-
ternal improvement of Indiana, or with such other authority or authori-
ties of said State as are' or may be put in charge of the expenditure of ap-
propriations made by the State of Indiana for the improvement of said river,
in the survey and examinations of the obstructions to the navigation, and
in the location, construction, completion, and management of all works, at
the joint and equal expense of both States, which, by the joint boards or
other authorities aforesaid, may be deemed of the greatest utility, to render
said river navigable at all stages of water, for steam and other boats in that
part of the said river above specified ; and also, in the disposition, use, and
management of the water powers created or rendered available by the con-
struction of said works of improvements. And the said board of commis-
sioners of public works are hereby authorized and empowered to enter into
an agreement and compact on the part of the State of Illinois, with the
board of internal improvement of the State of Indiana, or such other author-
ity as said State has or may authorize and empower to enter into such
agreement and compact on the part of said State of Indiana, for the joint
and mutual co-operation of the two States, in the said survey, location^
9 [ 259 ]
•construction, completion, and management of the improvements and works
hereby contemplated ; and for the joint and mutual use and management
of, and jurisdiction over, all hydraulic power created or made available
thereby; which said agreement and compact, when ratified by the Gover-
nor of the State of Indiana, or by such other authority as the said State of
Indiana may authorize to ratify the same, and make it binding on the said
State, shall be valid and binding on the State of Illinois : Provided, how-
ever, That if there should be any incoherence between the laws of Indiana
and of this State, as to the specific mode of advertising and letting contracts,
and of paying the estimates made during the progress of the work, it shall
and may be lawful for the board of commissioners of public works to con-
form to the mode prescribed by the laws of Indiana, in so far as the improve-
ment of the Wabash river alone may be concerned, until the discrepances
aforesaid may be remedied by legislative enactments, or by the contemplated
compact aforesaid ; anything in the fourteenth and seventeenth sections of
this act to the contrary notwithstanding. And it is hereby made the duty
of the Governor of this State, to transmit to the Governor of the State of
Indiana, as soon as practicable, after the passage of this act, a certified
copy of the preceding part of this section thereof.
Second. The improvement of the navigation of Illinois river, west of
the third principal meridian, for which the sum of one hundred thousand
dollars is hereby appropriated ; and it is hereby made the duty of the board
of commissioners of public works to apply and expend the said appropriation
in removing or overcoming the most formidable obstructions and barriers to
the steamboat navigation in the said river, and to adopt and prosecute such
plans for said improvements, as in their best judgments will be most bene-
ficial and efficient to render the said river navigable for steam and other
boats, at all stages of water therein.
Third. The improvement of the navigation of Rock river, for which the
sum of one hundred thousand dollars is hereby appropriated ; and the board
of commissioners of public works shall apply and expend the said appro-
priation in removing or overcoming the most formidable obstructions to
the steamboat navigation in the said river ; and shall commence their
operations and expenditures, by removing or overcoming the obstructions
of the above descriptions, which are nearest to the mouth of the said river ;
and shall progress thence up stream with said improvements, so far as the
said appropriation will extend ; and the said board may adopt and execute
such plans for said improvements, as in their judgment will be best calcu-
lated to render the said river navigable for steam, keel, and other boats, of
the description and dimensions suited to said river in its course within the
jurisdiction of this State ; having due regard to the permanency of the
structures they may erect, and to the greatest and most useful amount of
water powers to be created or made available thereby for the use of the
State.
Fourth. The improvement of the navigation of the Kaskaskia river, for
which the sum of fifty thousand dollars is hereby appropriated; and the
said board of commissioners of public works are hereby authorized and re-
quired to apply and expend the said appropriation on the said river, on im-
provements adapted to steamboat, keel-boat, and flat-boat navigation, and to
commence the line of said improvements, at the obstruction to said naviga-
tion nearest the mouth of the river, and to progress upwards, giving the
low water channel in the said river, at the shoalest places therein, a con-
[ 259 ] 10
venient and uniform depth for the uninterrupted passage of keel and fiat-
boats, and of steamboats of such dimensions, as in the judgment of the board
will be best adapted to the navigation of the said river ; and shall also re-
move such timber obstructions to the navigation as may be deemed injuri-
ous or dangerous to the said navigation ; and the said board, in adopting
and executing their plans for the said improvements, shall have a due regard
to the greatest and most useful amount of water power, to be created or
rendered thereby for the use of the State, as a proper and economical loca-
tion and construction of the works will admit of: Provided, Said board of
commissioners of public works shall equalize the expenditure of said fifty
thousand dollars, as near as may be, on all portions of said river, susceptible
of improvement from its junction with the Mississippi, upwards, in remov-
ing the obstructions from its channel, in making short cuts across the bends,
and in clearing off the trees from the margin of the same.
Fifth. The improvement of the navigation of the Little Wabash river,
for which the sum of fifty thousand dollars is hereby appropriated ; and the
said board of commissioners of public works are hereby authorized and em-
powered to expend and apply the said appropriation in the improvement of
the navigation of the said river, in such manner as they shall deem most
advisable for the public good, to render the navigation thereof safe and prac-
ticable for steam, keel, and flat-boats, and the said board shall have due regard
to the greatest and most useful amount of water power to be created by the
works they may erect for the improvement of the said river for the use of
the State. And the said board of commissioners of public works, in the
construction of dams across any of the rivers aforesaid, are hereby author-
ized to construct and keep in repair suitable chutes in the said dams, for
the accommodation of the ordinary flat-boats, and others descending navi-
gation in the rivers, whensoever, in their opinion, the costs and practica-
bility of construction, and the interests of the State, will justify the con-
struction and maintenance thereof.
Sixth. Two hundred and fifty thousand dollars of the first loans to be
effected under the provisions of this act, are hereby appropriated ; and shall
be expended, under the directions of the board of commissioners of public
works, on the great western mail route, leading from Vincennes to St.
Louis, as follows, viz : Thirty thousand dollars on that part thereof lying be-
tween Vincennes and Lawrenceville, embracing what is commonly called the
V Purgatory swamp." Fifteen thousand dollars on the Little Wabash river
bottom, between the Big Muddy branch thereof and the main river, at
McCawley's bridge, in Clay county. Thirty thousand dollars on that part
of said road lying between the Bluffs and the Mississippi river, in the coun-
ty of St. Clair ; and the residue of said appropriation shall be expended in
bridging and repairing said mail route, as equally as practicable, on other
parts thereof; and the said board of public works are authorized to erect
and have kept, toll gates on any portion of said route, on which the said
appropriatfon may in part be expended, as they may deem proper, and
establish such reasonable rates of toll thereon, as in their opinion will pro-
tect the rights of the State, and not be burdensome to the people.
Seventh. A railroad from the city of Cairo, at or near the confluence of
the Ohio and Mississippi rivers, to some point at or near the southern ter-
mination of the Illinois and Michigan canal, via Vandalia, Shelbyville.
Decatur, and Bloomington5 and from thence via Savannah to Galena ; for
II f 259 ]
the construction and completion of said railroad and appendages, the sum
of three million and five hundred thousand dollars is hereby appropriated.
Eighth. A southern cross railroad from Alton to Mount Carmel via Ed-
wardsville, Carlyle, Salem, Fairfield and Albion ; and also a railroad from
Alton to Shawneetown, to diverge from the aforesaid southern cross-railroad,
at or near Edvvardsville, and thence from said diverging point via Leba-
non, in St. Clair county, Nashville, in Washington county, Pickneyville,
in Perry county, Frankfort, in Franklin county, and Equality, in Gallatin
county; for the construction and completion of which said railroads and ap-
pendages, the sum of one millioH and six hundred thousand dollars are
hereby appropriated.
Ninth. The northern cross railroad, from Gtuincy, on the Mississippi
river, via Columbus and Clayton, in Adams county, Mount Sterling, in
Schuyler county. Meredosia and Jacksonville, in Morgan county, Spring-
field, in Sangamon county, Decatur, in Macon county, Sidney, in Cham-
paign county, and Danville, in Vermillion county, and thence to the State
line, in the direction of Lafayette, Indiana, which railroad shall cross the
Sangamon river at some eligible point below the north and south forks
thereof; for the construction and completion of which said railroad and ap-
pendages, the sum of one million eight hundred and fifty thousand dollars
is hereby appropriated, exclusive of the necessary sum for constructing a
bridge over the Illinois river, to be appropriated whenever the said bridge
may be authorized by the Legislature.
Tenth. A branch of the central railroad, to commence at some eligible
point on said road where a direct line from Hillsborough to Shelbyville
would intersect, the same, or within one mile of the said point of inter-
section, and to run from thence via Shelbyville, in Shelby county, Charles-
ton, in Coles county, Paris, in Edgar county, and thence to the State line
in a general direction for Terre Haute, Indiana; for the construction of
which said branch railroad, and appendages, the sum of six hundred and
fifty thousand dollars is hereby appropriated : and it shall be lawful for the
" Alton, Wabash, and Erie Railroad Company," incorporated January 16,
1836, to connect the westerly end of their proposed railroad at its point
of commencement on the Central railroad, with the said branch railroad,
on such terms and conditions as is provided in this act, for making such
connexions ; and the said company are hereby exonerated from all liability
to construct so much of their proposed railroad as lies east of the Central
road : Provided, That said company or corporators release to the State, in
the manner hereinafter provided, all claims under their charters, to con-
struct said eastern end thereof; and, also,
Eleventh. A railroad from Peoria, in Peoria county, via Canton, in Ful-
ton county. Macomb, in McDonough county, Carthage, in Hancock county,
to Warsaw, on the Mississippi river ; for the construction of which said
railroad and its appendages, the sum of seven hundred thousand dollars is
hereby appropriated.
Twelfth. A railroad from Lower Alton, via Upper Alton and Hills-
borough, to the Central railroad, so as to intersect the railroad from Terre
Haute to the same ; and the sum of six hundred thousand dollars is hereby
appropriated for the completion of the same.
Thirteenth. A railroad from Belleville via Lebanon, to intersect the rail-
road from Alton to Mount Carmel. at the nearest and most eligible point on
[259] 12
said road; and the sum of one hundred and fifty thousand dollars is hereby
appropriated for the completion of the same.
Fourteenth. A railroad from Bloomington, in McLean county, to Macki-
naw town, in Tazewell county, to diverge a fork at said Mackinaw town ;
one branch or fork of said railroad to run to the Illinois river, and con-
nect with the Peoria and Warsaw railroad, at Peoria ; and the other branch
to run through Tremont to Pekin ; for which the sum of three hundred
and fifty thousand dollars is hereby appropriated.
Fifteenth. There shall be appropriated the sum of two hundred thou-
sand dollars of the first moneys that shall be obtained under the pro-
visions of this act, to be drawn by the several counties in a ratable pro-
portion to the census last made, through which no railroad or canal is
provided to be made at the expense or cost of the State of Illinois ;
which said money shall be expended in the improvement of roads, con-
structing bridges, and other public works.
Sec. 19. Nothing contained in the seventh, eighth, ninth, tenth, and
eleventh articles of the foregoing sections shall be so construed as to au-
thorize and render necessary the expenditure of the whole of any of the
said appropriations, on the respective works, for the construction of which
the several appropriations are made, unless the whole amount shall be
requisite to construct the same, in the general manner and according to
the general plan specified in this act ; and any surplus of any or either
of the said appropriations not needed in the completion of the said several
works and appendages thereof, including the necessary machines, and
motive powers to put the same into full and -complete operation, and fit-
ted to accommodate the trade, transportation, and travel thereupon ; and
the establishment of depots, store-houses, and other buildings, weighing
machines, and other apparatus necessary thereto, shall be deemed an un-
expended balance of said appropriation, and be subject to future appropri-
ation by the Legislature.
Sec. 20. That, for the purpose of constructing the several works of in-
ternal improvement contemplated by this act, there shall be constituted a
fund for internal improvements, which shall consist of all moneys which
shall and may be raised by the sale of stocks or State bonds, or in any
other manner by virtue of loans authorized by law ; and of all appropria-
tions which may be made from time to time out of the revenue of the
State arising from land taxes ; and of all moneys arising and to be de-
rived from the tolls and water, and other rents of all the said works of
internal improvements; and of all rents, issues, and profits, arising from
the lands purchased or entered by the State for the purpose of promoting
and aiding in the construction and completion of said works, either by leas-
ing or selling the same; >and of the proceeds of all lands which maybe
donated by the General Government in aid of internal improvements in
this State ; and of all grants or donations which may be received from
individuals, companies, corporations, or the General Government, to aid
in the completion of said works; and, also, all the profits and interests
which may accrue from the said works, in any manner whatsoever, to-
gether with the balance (after paying the debt due from the Stat*?, to the
school, college, and seminary funds) of the moneys to be received from the
Treasury of the United States under the provisions and operation of an
act of Congress, providing for a distribution of the surplus revenue of
the United" States by depositing the same with the several States ; which
13 [ 259 j
amount of said deposite so funded shall be charged to the said fund fur
internal improvement, and repaid out of the same, when the said deposite
shall be demanded by the General Government; and together with all
net profits to arise from bank, and other stocks hereafter to be sub-
scribed for and owned by this State, after liquidating the interest on
loans contracted for the purchase of such bank or other stocks.
Sec. 21. The board of fund commissioners are hereby authorized and
required, on the part and behalf of this State, to contract with any individ-
ual, company, or corporation, at such time as the said board may find it
necessary to meet the re-payment of the aforesaid deposite of the General
Government, or the payment of other legitimate demands upon the funds
for internal improvements, and at such times as they may be advised by
the board of commissioners of public works that the same will be needed
in the purchase of lands, or prosecution of the works under their charge, su-
pervision, or direction, for a loan or loans, from time to time, in all not ex-
ceeding the sum of eight millions of dollars, on the faith of this State ;
which said loan or loans shall bear an interest, not exceeding six per cent,
per annum, payable semi-annually, at the treasury of this State, or at some
bank or banks in the cities of Boston, New- York, or Philadelphia, as may
be agreed upon, and the principal of which to be reimburseable at the
pleasure of the State, at any time after the first day of January, Anno
Domini one thousand eight hundred and seventy, and to be so negotiated
that the proceeds may be drawn for, and bear interest at any time as early
as practicable, when the board of fund commissioners may be advised by
the board of commissioners of public works that said money will be re-
quired for the progress of any of the works of internal improvements, for
the construction of which said funds are appropriated by this act, and the
said board of fund commissioners shall issue for said loans, transferable
certificates, to be denominated "certificates of Illinois internal improve-
ment stock," in the name of the State of Illinois, which, when signed by
the members of the said board, or by a majority of them, and counter-
signed by the auditor of public accounts of this State, shall be valid and
binding on this State; and to facilitate the purposes herein contemplated,
the said board of fund commissioners shall have power to make such ar-
rangements relative to obtaining the loans, the payment of interest thereon,
and the transmission and deposite of the money arising therefrom, as they
may deem conducive to the best interests of the State, as shall not be in-
consistent with the provisions of this act, or of any subsequent act of the
Legislature in relation thereto.
Sec. 22. For the punctual payment of the interest, and final redemption
of the principal, of all sums of money which may be borrowed under the
provisions of this act, there shall be and hereby are irrevocably pledged
and appropriated, all the interest and claim of the State of Illinois in all
the works of internal improvements, to the construction of which, either in
whole or in part, the moneys loaned under the provisions of this act shall
have been appropriated and expended, together with all lands, waters, and
water powers thereunto appertaining, and the privileges thereby created,
and the rents, issues, and profits thereof, together with the net proceeds of
all tolls collected thereon, for the sufficiency of which to pay the interest
and principal of the said loans, as the same shall become due and payable,
the State of Illinois doth hereby irrevocably guarantee, and for which pay-
[ 259 ] 14
ments and redemption, well and truly to be made and effected, the faith of
the State of Illinois is hereby irrevocably pledged.
Sec. 23. All moneys which may be received by the board of fund com-
missioners, or either member thereof, from the proceeds of loans, or other-
wise, under the provisions of this or any subsequent act of the Legislature,
as soon as conveniently may be after the receipt of the same, be deposited
by them in some safe bank or banks, to be selected by the board of fund
commissioners, and to be placed to the credit of the board of fund commis-
sioners of the State of Illinois, and shall make such contracts with the said
bank or banks, for the reception and payment of the said deposites, on such
terms and conditions as will best tend to make the said sums as productive
as practicable to the fund to which it may belong, and, at the same time,
insure the prompt payment of all drafts which may become necessary to be
drawn by the board to meet the expenditures on the public works in pro-
gress, or for the purpose of purchasing lands, and for the payment of inter-
est on loans ; and upon the further condition, to be expressed in the con-
tract with the said bank or banks, that the cashier or president thereof shall
deliver, or transmit by mail or otherwise, to the auditor of public accounts
of this State, monthly statements of the accounts of the said board of fund
commissioners of Illinois, as the same shall stand upon the books of the
bank, on the last day of every month ; and it is hereby made the duty of
the said auditor of public accounts to receive and file said statements in
his office, and to give notice to any of said deposite banks of the failure to
receive from the said banks any of the said monthly statements, whenever
delayed beyond a reasonable period ; and in order to enable the said auditor
to discharge said duties, the board of fund commissioners shall notify the
auditor of public accounts whenever the said board shall open an account
with any bank, under the provisions of this section, and, also, of the time
of closing any such accounts.
Sec. 24. The board of commissioners of public works shall furnish the
acting commissioners on the respective lines of the public works with the
necessary funds to prosecute the works under their charge and supervision,
respectively : and for that purpose shall give drafts from time to time, on the
board of fund commissioners, signed by the president, or president pro tem-
pore, for the time being, and countersigned by the secretary of the board,
payable to the order of the said acting commissioner, and specifying on the
face of said draft the particular work to which the amount thereof
is to be applied ; which said drafts, when endorsed by the said acting
commissioner, in his official capacity, shall be paid by the board of
fund commissioners, subject, however, to the provisions and restrictions
contained in the fifth section of this act ; and also under such other rules,
regulations, and restrictions, as the said board of fund commissioners may
deem necessary for its security and proper application : Provided, That
whenever it may be necessary to pay any contractor or other person, com-
pany, or corporation, a large sum of money for work performed, materials
furnished, lands purchased, or for other legitimate purposes, for carrying
into effect the objects of this act, said payments may be made directly to
such persons, companies, or corporations, by a draft drawn on the board of
fund commissioners, payable to the person, company, or corporation, enti-
tled to receive the same, which draft shall be signed by the president, or
^resident pro tempore, of the board of commissioners of public works, and
by at least one, and by as many other commissioners as there are amounts
15 [ 259 ]
o( twenty thousand dollars included in the amount of said draft, and shall
be countersigned by the secretary of the board ; which draft shall specify the
objects for which it is drawn, and to the particular work, to the account of
which it is to be charged ; and shall be paid by the said board of fund com-
missioners, on presenting to said board, under such regulations as they
may establish for the payment of such special drafts ; and the amounts of
the last description of drafts shall not be deemed by the board of fund com-
missioners to be remaining in the hands of the commissioner of public
works, signing the same, in contemplation of the said fifth section of this act.
Sec. 25. The board of commissioners of public works shall cause ah
moneys coming to their hands, or to the hands of the respective acting
commissioners, io be expended, in the most economical manner, on the works
of internal improvements authorized by law, and placed under their charge
and supervision, and on none others, nor for any other objects excepting
such as are specified in this act; at such times and places, and in such
sums as they may deem most judicious and conducive to the general public
jjood ; having in view a prudential distribution of the available labor of the
State, over and upon all the various works authorized to be constructed, as
shall tend in as small a degree as possible to increase the prices of labor
and provisions, beyond a reasonable amount, in any one section of the
State ; and having also in view a fair and equitable uniform progress of all
of the said works, at the same period of time. And it shall be the duty of
the said board of commissioners of public works to commence the different
portions of the railroads at their intersection and connexion with navigable
streams, and to progress from said streams, in both directions, in order that
the roads may become productive of revenue, as early as possible : Pro-
vided, That nothing herein contained shall be so construed as to prevent
the said commissioners from prosecuting and putting into operation any
portions of the said railroads, in the interior, and remote from naviga-
ble water courses, whenever they may. deem the interest of the State to
demand it, and particularly in both directions from important trading towns
on their routes.
Sec. 26. The said board of commissioners of public works are hereby
authorized and empowered, so soon as any portions of the said public works
shall be so far completed as to be capable of use. to provide the requisite
machines and motive power to put the same into operation, undersuch rules
and regulations as the said board may think expedient to adopt ; and to es-
tablish such tolls, and to adopt such measures to secure the faithful collection
and payment thereof to the board of fund commissioners, as they may deem
most advisable, to promote the objects intended by this act.
Sec. 27. It is hereby made the express duty of the board of commission-
ers of public works, by one or more of its members, to proceed, in early and
due time, along the lines of the several railroads and other works herein
authorized to be constructed, and take from the several individuals, compa-
nies, and corporations, through whose lands the said contemplated works
may probably pass, or which may be contiguous to the routes thereof,
grants and releases to the State of the necessary land, timber, stone, and
other materials necessary for the purpose of constructing any or all of said
works, or for maintaining and repairing the same, and also for building
ground for the construction of mills or other hydraulic machinery, to be pro-
pelled by the water powers created by said works ; and, also, for the purpose of
erecting ware-houses, engine houses, workshops, and other necessary build-
[259] 16
ings ; and also such plats of ground as shall be deemed necessary for de-
pots and stopping stages, atthe ends and along the routes of the said railways ;
and also all such sites for dams and locks, and other works to be by them
erected, under the provisions of this act ; and also to enter and purchase in
the name and on behalf of the State of Illinois, any lands belonging to the
General Government, or to individuals, companies, or corporations, which
will or probably may be necessary for any of the purposes above mention-
ed. Releases and conveyances shall be taken in the name of the State of
Illinois, and shall operate to vest in the said State a full and complete right
to enter upon, use, and take the said lands, materials, and privileges thereby
granted, at any and all times thereafter.
Sec. 28. It shall be lawful for the board of commissioners of public
works, and each of the members thereof, by themselves or by any superin-
tendent, agent, or engineer, employed by them, to enter upon and take pos-
session of and use all and singular any lands, streams, and materials of any
and every description, for the location, prosecution, and completion of the
improvements contemplated by this act ; and all plats of land as shall be
necessary for the convenient and profitable use of water powers created
thereby, and for the location of depots and stopping stages, at the ends and
along the route of any line of railroad : and for the purpose of construct-
ing any bridge, dam, lock, canal, side cut, or other river improvement, and
upon which to erect such and so many lock houses, warehouses, engine
houses, work shops, and other buildings, as shall be necessary to carry into
full effect the objects contemplated by this act, whenever, and in all cases,
any of the aforesaid lands or privileges cannot be obtained by the volun-
tary grant or release of the owner or owners thereof, avoiding in all cases
unnecessary damage and injury to private property.
Sec. 29. That when any person or persons, company or corporation,
whose lands, waters, or materials, shall have been taken and used in the
manner and for any of the purposes mentioned in the foregoing section,
shall feel aggrieved by the taking and using the same for the use of the State,
by the said board of commissioners of public works, the owner or owners
of said property shall have redress and remuneration for the injury or sup-
posed injury, in, the manner prescribed, and under the provisions of an act
entitled 4i An act concerning the right of way, and for other purposes," ap-
proved February 28th, 1833 : Provided, That the justice of the peace sum-
moning the householders to act as appraisers in the case, shall choose the
said householders with a view to their capacity and integrity, and who shall
not be directly or indirectly interested in the result of the decision to be
made by them, and who shall, in addition to the oath required to be admin-
istered to them by the said recited act, swear or affirm tiiat they are not in-
terested, either directly or indirectly, in the lands or other property in con-
troversy, nor in any other lands, waters, or materials, likely to be required
by the State, in the construction of any of the public works authorized to be
constructed, and that they have not any present intention of becoming so
interested ; and the damages to be fixed and awarded by the said house-
holders shall be paid by the board of commissioners of public works, to the
owner or owners of the property so taken, or to their legal representatives ;
which decision and payment of damages, shall operate to vest in the State
of Illinois all such lands, waters, privileges, and materials, as fully and to
all intents and purposes, as if the same had been granted or released to the
State by the owner or owners of said property : Provided, That either
17 [ 259 j
party may take an appeal from the said decision before the justice of the
peace, to the circuit court of the judicial circuit in which the lands or other
property may be situated, within such time, and in such manner and form,
as near as may be, as shall be allowed by law in other cases before justices
of the peace ; and the said justice shall recognise any member or the board
of public works, or any agent, superintendent, or engineer, employed by
the said board, and who may appear in the case on the part of the State, as
the party authorized to act in the case for the State, and no appeal bond
shall be required to be filed, by the person so authorized to appear and act
for the State, on any such appeal to be applied for by them, any law or prac-
tice to the contrary, notwithstanding. And in no case shall the pendency
of any petition, suit, or appeal, between the State and the said owner of pro-
perty, operate to delay or hinder the progress and completion of any of the
works authorized by this act.
Sec. 30. That whenever any lands, waters, privileges or materials ne-
cessary to be taken and used for the construction of any of the aforesaid
works shall belong to minors, feme coverts, persons who are non compos
mentis, or non-residents of the State, it shall and may be lawful for the board
of commissioners of public works, or any member thereof, to file a petition
in the office of the clerk of the circuit court of the county in which said
lands or other property may lie, stating all the facts in the case, as are with-
in the knowledge of the petitioner, and describing the land,waters, privileges,
and materials, which it has become necessary to take and use for the State'
in the construction of any work, and the said circuit court, setting and act-
ing as a court of chancery, shall make such orders in the case, and make
and enforce the execution of such decrees in the premises, as shall appear to
said court, upon a full hearing of the facts of the case, to be just and equi-
table, being governed in its decisions by the principles for valuation laid down
in the act concerning right of way, cited in the foregoing section of this act.
Sec. 31. The said board of commissioners of public works are hereby
authorized and required to enter and purchase, for and on behalf of the
State of Illinois, any lands belonging to the General Government, and lying-
within five miles of the probable route of any of the public works which,
in the opinion of any two members of the board, may be deemed valuable'
and the value of which will in their opinion be materially enhanced bv the
construction and completion of the said works contiguous thereto : Pro-
vided^ That any tract of unentered land not exceeding one hundred and
sixty acres, upon which an actual settler may reside, shall not be entered bv
the said board, unless the occupant shall consent to such entry.
Sec. 32. All deeds, grants, releases, certificates of the entries of Govern-
ment lands, and other vouchers relating to lands, released, purchased or
taken for the State, shall be filed in the office of the auditor of public
accounts, and shall be by him recorded in a book to be provided for that
special purpose, and an alphabetical list of the said vouchers shall be kept
in the said book, for the convenience of reference.
Sec. 33. The location of all the railroads authorized by this act shall be
made with a view of occupying the most direct and eligible route between
the several points named for their commencement and termination and
between such intermediate points as are specified, adopting in all cases such
plan and profile for the respective roads as will be productive of the great-
est useful effect in their operation, as the nature of the country over which
they pass, and an economical construction, will admit of: Provided That.
[259] 18
in cases where any county or other important trading town cannot be
reached with the main line of railroad, by a judicious and economical loca-
tion, it shall and may be lawful for the board of commissioners of public
works to construct a lateral branch of the said main line to the said town3
calculated for a single track only, when the distance to said town from the
main line shall not exceed five miles, if in the opinion of the board the
interests of the State will not be compromised or injured thereby.
Sec. 34. The location of the several roads which intersect the navigable
rivers shall be made with a view of crossing the valleys thereof, without the
aid of stationary power wherever practicable, and also with the further
view of combining the aforesaid character of the line with that of com-
manding a favorable and eligible site for the construction of bridges over
the said rivers : Provided, That the construction of bridges over the Illi-
nois and Great Wabash rivers shall be dispensed with by the board until
specially authorized by the Legislature ; and if it should be found impracti-
cable to locate any railroad over the valleys of the Illinois and Wabash
rivers, without resorting to inclined planes to be overcome by stationary
power, the said inclined planes shall also be dispensed with by the board,
and the depot made at the summit, until the action of the Legislature can
be had upon the subject : Provided, also, That if said railroads intersecting
any navigable stream shall be ready for use before any bridge over the
same shall be completed, it shall be lawful for the board to procure and
keep in operation the necessary ferry boats and apparatus to transport the
trade and travel across said river, until the said ferry shall be superseded
by the completion of the bridge over the same ; and for the purpose of
establishing and keeping in operation the said ferries, the board are hereby
authorized and required to procure the necessary plats of land on either
side of any river, by release, purchase, or otherwise, as is herinbefore pro-
vided for procuring lands for other purposes, to carry into effect the objects
of this act.
Sec. 35.. The road bed formation and bridges shall, in all cases, be made
of sufficient width to admit of the construction of a single track railway
thereupon, and all the bridges over streams exceeding eighty feet wide from
bank to bank, shall have sufficient extra width to admit of the safe passage
of the common road wagons, and the embankments and excavations at the
end of said bridges shall be accommodated to the passage thereof, unless,
in the opinion of the board of commissioners of public works, this plan
may be dispensed with in special cases without prejudice to the public good ;
whenever it may be inconvenient and expensive to procure suitable build-
ing stone for the construction of bridge abutments, culverts, or other struc-
tures, durable and well selected timber may be substituted therefor, with
the ultimate view of replacing the same with stone, to be transported on
the railways when completed, at any time when the necessity of the case
may require it.
Sec. 36. One track only of the said railways, with the necessary turn-
outs and side tracks at the convenient point for stopping stages and depots
along the lines, not less than five miles nor more than fifteen miles asunder,
and also at the intersection of navigable rivers, and at the commencing and
terminating points of the several lines of railroads, shall be laid down,
until, in the opinion of the Legislature, the exigencies of the trade on any
route and the public good may demand the construction of the additional
track.
19 [259]
Sec, 37. The tracks of all the railways to be constructed in this State,
Shall be made of one uniform width : which width shall be four feet and
eight inches in the clear : Provided, That if any agreement or understan-
ding shall hereafter be entered into between this and any other or all of the
western States and Territories, to provide for a uniform width of railway
tracks therein, the board of commissioners of public works shall conform
thereto : Provided, The same shall not be less than four feet and six inches.
Sec. 38. The superstructures of all the railways to be laid down on all
the roads authorized by this act, shall be laid upon a wooden or stone foun-
dation, or both, as may be most convenient and economical ; and shall be
made of hard and durable timber, or with stone and timber combined,
where stone of a suitable quality can be found convenient to the line, as in
the judgment of the board of public work, is most economical and expe-
dient, and the rails shall be plated with i on, not less than five-eighths of an
inch in thickness, (excepting lateral branches) before cars shall be permitted
to run upon the railways ; and the whole of the main lines shall be of suf-
ficient strength and solidity to admit of the successful application of steam
power upon the said railways.
Sec. 39. The board of commissioners of public works shall adopt such
plans and elevations for all bridges over navigable streams, as shall not ob-
struct the ordinary navigation thereof; and shall construct and provide
safe, convenient, and suitable crossings over all railroads, for all public
roads and highways laid out prior to the location of the said railroads
which shall intersect the said railroads : Provided, That they shall have
power to change the specific location of any such road or highway, in that
part thereof contiguous to the route of said railroad, in order to command
the most eligible and economical site for making said crossing : And pro-
vided, also, That such change of location shall not materially increase the
length of said travelled road or highway, or prejudice the usefulness there-
of; and shall also construct and provide crossings for private roads and
farm ways, at such suitable and convenient points as will be least expensive
to the State, and least injurious to the railway, and at the same time ac-
commodate, as generally as practicable, the neighborhood or individuals
intended to be accommodated thereby. In order to provide against the
expense and injury arising from an unnecessary number of road crossings
over railroads, all public and private roads to be laid out, after the location
of any railroad route, and which shall intersect the same, shall, whenever
the public interests will not be essentially prejudiced thereby, be located
and directed to some former established crossing, or to some regular stop-
ping stage and depot on the line of the railroad.
Sec. 40. That if any person shall wilfully, wittingly, and maliciously,
or negligently, obstruct any railroad in this State, by throwing or placing
upon the track of any said railroad, any material or thing calculated to
injure any engine, car, or vehicle, running thereon, or to throw the same
from the track of said railroad, or shall otherwise obstruct or injure any
railroad, or any engine, viaduct, car, bridge, or other appendage thereof, in
any manner whatsoever, or shall ride, drive, or lead, any beast, wagon, or
other vehicle across any railroad, excepting upon the road crossings provi
dedfor that purpose, every person so offending shall be deemed to be guilts
of a misdemeanor, and upon conviction thereof shall be fined in any sum
wot exceeding one thousand dollars7 or imprisoned any term not exceeding
[ £59 ] 20
five years, or both, at the discretion of the court before whom the convictioa
may be had.
Sec. 41. Every locomotive engine, passing upon any railroad, shall
have attached to the same a bell of not less than twenty-five pounds weight?
and the said bell shall always be rung at the distance of at least sixty rods
from the place where said railroad crosses any other railroad, turnpike
road, highway, or public road, upon the same level with the said railroad,
and shall be kept ringing until the engine and its train shall have crossed
the said road or way.
Sec. 42. There shall be boards conspicuously put up, and constantly
maintained, across each turnpike road and highway, crossing any railroads
upon the same level therewith, in such a position as can be easily seen by
travellers, and without obstructing the travel ; and on each side of the said
board shall be printed in plain and legible capital letters, of at least the size
of nine inches each; RAILROAD CROSSING; LOOK OUT FOR
THE ENGINE WHILE THE BELL RINGS.
Sec. 43. The board of commissioners of public works are hereby au-
thorized and empowered to adopt and enforce, from time to time, all such
rules and regulations as they may deem necessary and expedient, for the
purpose of carrying into full effect the objects of this act, and to provide
for the security and successful management and operation of the public
works authorized hereby ; and in the absence of legislative enactments, to
fix and establish the rates of toll to be collected thereupon, and provide for
the faithful collection thereof, and for the payment of the amounts collected
to the board of fund commissioners ; which rules and regulations, and rates
of tolls, shall be published, and printed copies thereof kept up, publicly
exhibited along the several lines of the public works, wherever their ob-
servance is required ; and any person knowingly, wilfully, and maliciously
offending against the said rules and regulations, or refusing or evading to
pay the established tolls, shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor, and on
conviction thereof shall he fined or imprisoned by the court before whom the
conviction may be had : Provided, That the fine shall not exceed fifty
dollars, and the imprisonment six months, unless the offence shall be deem-
ed by the court to come within the purview of the fortieth section of this
act, when the penalties therein prescribed may be inflicted by the court :
Andprovided also, That no conviction under this act shall be deemed to ex-
mpt the offender from the payment of all damages which may have accru-
ed to the public and private property, in consequence of the commission of
any such offences.
Sec 44. For the purpose of guarding against accidents, and for the
greater security of lives and property on railroads in this State, no person
shall be employed in the situation and capacity of engineer or conductor
of locomotive engines, or of superintendent of the transportation thereon7
who is habitually intemperate.
Sec. 45. It shall be lawful for any individual, company, or corporation^
to connect any branch or other railroad with the roads hereby authorized
to be constructed, at such points, and upon such reasonable conditions, to pro-
tect the rights of the State, as the board of commissioners of public works
may deem to be just and right: Provided, That the tracks of ah such branch
or other railways shall be of the precise width of the railways of the State ;
and the construction of the wheels of the cars in use on said branch or other
railways, and designed to pass off upon the State railroads and run thereon.
21 [259]
shall be of such a model as shall not materially injure the Stale railroads :
And provided, also. That the engines, cars, and coaches, passing from the
said lateral to the State railroads, shall be subject to and conducted while on
the said State railroads, by the rules and regulations adopted by the board
for that purpose.
Sec. 46. Whenever in the opinion of the board of commissioners of pub-
lic works there shall or may be surplus water, over and above the quantity
required for navigation at any dam, lock, or other work constructed at the
expense of this State, either in whole or in part, the said board are hereby
authorized and empowered to lease the water power produced by said sur-
plus water, together with the necessary plats of grounds upon which to
erect hydraulic machinery, to be propelled thereby, to the highest bidder
therefor, under such conditions and restrictions as a majority of a full boar3
of commissioners may deem necessary and proper for the interests of the
State ; but no water power shall be leased by the board unless the ground
upon which the same is proposed to be used shall be the property of the
State, unless otherwise specially provided for by the Legislature.
Sec. 47. For the purpose of securing the confidence of the people in the
honesty and integrity of the officers aha engineers concerned in the public
works, and to protect said officers and engineers from imputations of malfea-
sance in the discharge of their respective duties, it shall not be lwful for
either member of the board of public works, or for any engineer concerned
in the recognizance, examination, or location of any of the public works au-
thorized by this act, or hereafter to be authorized by law, after the date of
their election or appointment, to purchase, or in anywise become interested,
either directly or indirectly, in any lands, tenements, or real estate, lying
within five miles of the routes or probable routes of any of the railroads
authorized by this act, or within one mile of the proposed location of any
dams, or locks, by which water power will be created, until the permanent
location of any such works shall have been definitely fixed and established
by the board of public works, and the said established location shall have
been marked out on the ground and made fully public ; nor shall any con-
tingent contract, bargain, or understanding be made in the premises, for any
such lands or real estate by which the provisions and prohibitions contained
in this section may be evaded, or intended to be evaded, by any such com-
missioner or engineer. And it shall be the express duty of the said com-
missioners and engineers, (to the observance and discharge of which each
engineer shall be sworn or affirmed before entering into the discharge of any
of the duties of his appointment,) to keep secret, for the interests and advan-
tage of the State, all information which he or they may become possessed of
in the discharge of their respective duties, relating to all lands which may
be necessary and useful for the State to become possessed of, either by
entry or purchase, for the use of the works, or otherwise to aid in their
construction, and to enter and purchase the same for the State, under the
authority of this act, or any subsequent act or resolution of the Genera)
Assembly authorizing the same; or to give the necessary notice to the board
of public works, or to some member thereof, that the said lands may be so
entered or purchased ; and shall not, either directly, or indirectly, give any
such information to any other person or persons whatsoever : And if any
member of the board of commissioners of public works, or engineer, shall
be guilty of a violation of any of the provisions of this section of this act,
lie shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor, and upon conviction thereof
[2 59] 22
before any court of competent jurisdiction, shall be fined in any sum no
exceeding five thousand dollars ; one-half to be paid to the person who
may inform thereof and prosecute to conviction, and the other half to be
paid to the fund for internal improvements; and said conviction shall amount
to a removal from his office or appointment as the case may be, and the
offender shall forever thereafter be incapable of holding any office or ap-
pointment in this State : Provided, That nothing herein contained shall
be so construed as to prevent any commissioner or engineer from purchas-
ing or leasing for a term of years a residence along any of the lines of the
public works on which they are engaged, if the same be done in good faith,
for the purpose of a residence alone, and not with any intention of evading
the provisions of this section ; nor shall it be so construed as to prevent pur-
chasers of town property in any town, to which the respective rail routes
are permanently fixed by law, and the location of which said road at said
point is in nowise left to the discretion of the board of commissioners of
public works : And provided. That such purchases of town property shall
not be situated on the immediate line of the said railroad.
Sec. 48. The said board of commissioners of public works, or any mem-
ber thereof, are hereby authorized and required to prosecute and defend all
suits for damages done to the public works, or trespass on the lands of the
State, entered or purchased, or otherwise acquired for the use of said works,
or in aid of their construction for the use of the State, in any court of
record having cognizance thereof; and to proceed in all matters and things
as an individual might do ; and such damages, when collected, shall be
paid over to the board of fund commissioners ; and all acts in force in this
State, in relation to trespass upon lands, by cutting timber or otherwise,
shall be deemed to extend to trespasses committed upon State property.
Sec. 49. Nothing in this act contained shall be construed to extend to
the Illinois and Michigan canal, or to any operation thereon, or to the funds
relating thereto, or to the canal lands granted by Congress to aid in the
construction thereof.
Sec. 50. The board of commissioners of public works shall suspend
their operations on the several railroads named in this act, for which com-
panies have heretofore been incorporated to construct, until said companies
or corporations shall have relinquished and released to the State their right
to construct the said railroads or parts of roads aforesaid, respectively, by
releases signed and sealed by a majority of the board of directors, (if the
companies have been organized and directors elected,) which releases shall
and may contain a proviso and reservation for the benefit of the said com-
panies, that the State shall and will commence, construct, and complete
the said railroads named and designated in this act, and for which the said
releases are given, respectively, within the time, and as is provided for in
the first clause of the 18th section of this act : Provided, That said releases
shall be given by the said companies or corporations, and filed in the office
of the Secretary of State within a reasonable time, and without unneces-
sary delay: And provided, also, That nothing contained in this section
shall be so construed as to prevent, excuse, or delay the board of commis-
sioners of public works, or other authorized agent or agents on the part of
the State, from entering or purchasing lands along or contiguous to any of
the routes or probable routes of any of the said railroads for the use of the
State, by virtue of this act, or any other act or resolution of the General
Assembly prior to the making and filing of any such releases ; but shall
23 [ 259 ]
fee construed to extend only to commencing the survey and construction of
the said several railroads for which releases have not been executed and
riled as aforesaid.
Sec. 51. That whenever the proprietor of any town plat, or the corpo-
ration of any town or borough, through which any of the railroads, author-
ized by this act, are to pass, shall object to the passage thereof, or the said
proprietors, corporations, or owners of property, shall require and exact
from the State unreasonable damages for the right of way through the said
town plat, it shall be lawful for the board of commissioners of public works
to locate the said road, in the vicinity thereof, in such manner as will best
promote the interest of the State.
Sec. 52. That so soon as there shall be appointed a board of commis-
sioners of public works under the provisions of this act, said board of
commissioners shall proceed to survey and locate all railroads contemplated
in said act so soon as they can possibly perform the same ; and so soon as
said road or roads are located, it shall be their duty to advertise the same
in some one or more newspapers printed in this State, as said commissioners
shall think best, for contracting with any person or persons, company or
companies, for the contracting and completing of a part or of all of said
railroad, to be done on the plan laid down by said board of commissioners.
Sec. 53. That it shall also be the duty of the board of commissioners to
contract for the immediate construction, so soon as located, of all the rail-
roads or parts thereof contemplated between Q,uincy and the Wabash, as
lies between Jacksonville, in Morgan county, Springfield, in Sangamon
county, Decatur, in Macon county, and Danville, in Vermillion county ;
thence to the State line in Vermillion county in a direction to Lafayette, in
Indiana, at such point as the commissioners of this State and of Indiana
may agree to cross the same.
Sec. 54. That any company or companies, contracting for the construc-
tion of all or a part of said railroad, and furnishing money for the completion
of the same ; (provided the amount so appropriated does not exceed the a-
mount agreed upon by said contracting parties for the completion of said
railroads,) and whenever said railroad or roads shall be completed by said
company or companies, then it shall be the duty of said commissioners, and
they are hereby required, to report the same to the fund commissioners,
whose duty it shall be to draw a warrant or warrants in favor of the com-
pany or companies for the same, together with six per cent interest from the
time they commenced said work, provided they on their part suffered no
unnecessary delay.
Sec. 55. Whenever said railroad is completed according to the provis-
ions of this act, and the same paid for, then it shall be a public road, and be
managed and kept in repair as all other public State railroads are kept:
Provided, That the money to be paid as aforesaid shall be paid out of the
fund appropriated for the construction of said road, and no other : And pro-
vided, further, That all parts of said road may be put under contract, and
completed upon the terms provided in the foregoing sections.
Sec. 56. This act shall be deemed and taken to be a public act. and shall
be taken notice of as such, without the necessity of pleading the same ; and
shall be in force from and after its passage.
Approved February 27, 1837,
[ 259 ] 24
An ACT supplemental to the <; act to establish and maintain a general system of internal im-
provements.
Sec. 1. Be it enacted hij the people of the State of Illinois, represented
in the General Assembly, That the board of fund commissioners, created
by the act to which this is a supplement, shall take and use all proper
means and measures for the transferring the stock authorized to be constitu-
ted by said act, and also for the transferring all State bonds authorized to be
made and executed under the provisions of this act, and it shall be deemed
a good execution of the power to borrow, to cause the said certificates of
stock and State bonds to be sold : Provided, That said stock and bonds shall
not, in any event, be sold for less than par value.
Sec. 2. The Governor of the State is authorized and required, whenever
requested by the said fund commissioners, to execute bonds for and in be-
half of the State, for any sum or sums of money which may be borrowed^
under the provisions of this and the act to which this is a supplement, in
any foreign language, stipulating for the payment of the interest and prin-
cipal, in such foreign currency and country as shall be found most benefi-
cial for the interest of the State ; which bonds shall be signed by the Gov-
ernor, countersigned by the auditor of public accounts, with the impress of
the great seal of State affixed thereto, and shall be delivered to the fund
commissioners.
Sec. 3. The fund commissioners are authorized to appoint one or more
agents, with full power to negotiate the loans, and make sale of the State
bonds and certificates of stock in any foreign country, and to vest the said
agent or agents with as full and ample powers as are by law vested in the
said fund commissioners.
Sec. 4. The State hereby engages and agrees to provide sufficient rev-
enues and means to pay the interest and principal of all sums of money r
which, under the provisions of the act to which this is a supplement, may
be borrowed, as the same becomes due and payable ; and the faith of the
State is hereby irrevocably pledged, to comply with the provisions of this
section.
Approved March 4, 1837.
An ACT further supplemental to an " net to establish and maintain a general system of in-
ternal improvements."
Sec. 1. Be it enacted by the people of the Stale of Illinois, represented
in the General Assembly, That so much of the act, to which this is an
amendment, as authorizes- three of the board of commissioners of public
works to form a quorum of said board to do business, be, and the same is
hereby, repealed, and hereafter no less than four shall be requisite to consti-
tute a quorum.
Sec. 2. The fund commissioners elected under the provisions of the act
to which this is a supplement, shall hold their offices for two years, and
until their successors are elected and qualified.
Sec. 3. Nothing in the act to which this is a supplement shall be so
construed as to entitle the fund commissioner or commissioners of public
works to receive their per diem compensation, excepting for the time
actually and bona fide engaged in the discharge of their respective duties*.
25 [ 259 ]
An abstract from the Journal of the Board of Commissioners of Public
Works of the Slate of Illinois, for April, 1837.
At the first meeting of the board of commissioners of public works of the
State of Illinois, begun and held at Vandalia on the first Monday in the
month of April, A. D. 1837, the following members appeared and took their
seats as such, to wit: Of the 1st judicial circuit, Murray McConnel; 2d.
William Kinney; 3d. Elijah Willard ; 4th. Milton K. Alexander; 7th. Eb-
enezer Peck.
Messrs. Joel Wright and James W. Stephenson, of the 5th and 6th cir-
cuits, not appearing to take their seats.
On motion of Mr. McConnel,
William Kinney was unanimously appointed president of the board ;
whereupon he immediately took his seat as president.
By request. Mr. McConnel consented to act as secretary until a secretary
should be appointed and qualified.
On motion of Mr. Willard,
G. W. Carruthers, Esq., was appointed secretary of the board of public
works.
Ordered, That said secretary give bond and security in the sum of five
thousand dollars ; that he reside and keep his office at Vandalia, and keep
the same open from eight o'clock in the morning until five o'clock in the
evening.
Adjourned until to-morrow morning, 10 o'clock.
Tuesday, April 4, 1837.
The board met pursuant to adjournment; present, the members as of
yesterday.
This day came G. W. Carruthers, and presented his bond as secretary
of the board ; said bond was approved, and the approval and the oath of of-
fice of the said secretary were ordered to be endorsed thereon.
Ordered, That said bond be filed in the office of Secretary of State of
the State of Illinois.
On motion of Mr. McConnel,
Resolved, That the secretary procure 500 printed blanks for drafts, ac-
cording lo 24th section of the act " To establish and maintain a general,
system of internal improvements," and also 300 blanks for deeds of release
for lands, &c. to the State, under the 30th section of said act.
Ordered, That the board adjourn until to-morrow morning, 9 o'clock.
Wednesday, April 5, 1837,
The board met pursuant to adjournment.
Present : Hon. Wm. Kinney, president of the board, and Messrs. Wil-
lard, Peck, Alexander, McConnel, and Mr. Joel Wright of the 5th circuit:
Mr. Stephenson absent.
On motion of Mr. Peck,
[ 259 ] 26 !
Resolved, That the commissioner of the fourth judicial circuit be es-
pecially empowered and requested to do and perform all things necessary
for the improvement of the Great Wabash river, in the manner, and under
the restrictions, contained in the first clause of the 18th section of the act
*■' To establish and maintain a general system of internal improvements,"
and also under the joint resolutions of the General Assemblies of the States
of Indiana and Illinois, forming a compact between said States, in relation
to the said improvements.
Mr. McConnel, from a committee heretofore appointed for the purpose,
reported the following rules and ordinances, organizing the board of pub-
lic works and the central office, and prescribing the duty of the secretary
of the board.
Sec. 1, Be it ordained by the Board of Commissioners of Public Works
of the State of Illinois ■■ That there shall be established at the seat of Gov-
ernment a general office, to be styled the central internal improvement
office of the State of Illinois.
2. The secretary of the board shall receive a salary of one thousand
dollars per annum, to be paid quarterly out of the internal improvement
fund.
3. Said secretary shall attend all meetings of the board, and shall keep
a journal of all the proceedings thereof while in session, and shall record
the same in a book called the journal, in the order in which the same oc-
curred, including the resolutions offered, and propositions made by each
member of the board, together with, the vote of each member upon each
question, which shall always be by viva voce, when requested by any one
member of the board; which journal shall, at all times, be open for inspec-
tion, as provided by law.
4. It shall be the duty of said secretary to receive and rile, and, if neces-
sary, record all returns from the clerks of the district offices, or from any
of the acting commissioners of the board, together with all plans, profiles,
reports, estimates, specifications, and other documents, transmitted or de-
livered to said office, by any engineer of any district in the employ of the
eommisrioners, all of which shall be open for the inspection of all persons in-
terested, in the presence of said secretary.
5. Said secretary shall do and perform all other acts required of him by
law, or by the orders of the board of public works, made while in session,
or that may be directed by the president of the board during vacation. All
proceedings of the board shall be signed by the president.
6. That each commissioner of the board of public works shall be acting
commissioner, and shall have the control, direction, and management of all
the different parts of the public works as lie within the respective circuits
in which they were elected, and shall have upon all and each of said public
works all the powers given by law to the board of public works over all the
internal improvements of the State.
7. They, and each of them, shall be furnished by this board with the
amount of money necessarv to carry on the surveying, location, estimates,
and construction, of all and each of said works, and also for the building of
offices, shops, warehouses, and other necessary buildings, and for salaries of
officers, engineers, agents, and all other persons employed upon said works,
in each of the said districts, and for all necessary expenses touching said
works.
R Copies of all drafts payable to the acting commissioner shall be filed
27 [ 259 ]
and recorded in the district office in the district in which said commissioner
shall reside ; and when said draft or drafts shall be paid, the receipt of said
money shall be entered in the proper books of said office, and copies of said
drafts, and of the accounts of cash received by each commissioner, shall be
transmitted to the Secretary of the board at the central office, and there
filed and entered on record in a book to be kept for that purpose.
9. For the better enabling the Presient of the board to furnish the act-
ing commissioners with the necessary funds, in pursuance of the foregoing-
provisions, it shall be the duty of the president to cause to be printed a suf-
ficient number of drafts upon the board of fund commissioners, in which
drafts the following blanks shall be left to be filled up by the acting com-
missioner, when it may become necessary to use said drafts; to wit : The date
and place where drawn ; the commissioner to whom payable ; the amount
to be drawn for; the particular work to which said amount thus drawn for
is to be applied ; and the number of the draft. And it shall be the duty of
the president to number and sign, in his official capacity, and to deliver to
each of said acting commissioners, a sufficient number of said drafts to en-
able said commissioner to obtain from the board of fund commissioners
whatever sums of money may be necessary to carry on the improvements
under his particular charge; which drafts shall be charged by their numbers
to the acting commissioner to whom delivered.
10. Whenever it may become necessary for any acting commissioner to
draw for, pay out, or use, any sum of money not properly chargeable to
any particular work, (such as the salaries of officers, engineers, agents, and
other persons employed upon and for all the internal improvements of the
State, and not for any particular one,) said commissioner shall fill up said
drafts to be charged to the particular object to which said money is to be
applied^ and the said drafts when paid, and the money applied to the ob-
ject for which the same was drawn, shall be charged by the secretary of
the district office to the general expenditure.
11. Monthly returns shall be made to the secretary of the board at the
central office by the acting commissioners and the clerks of the district offi-
ces, and also to the fund commissioners, of all money expended upon each
work, and for all other purposes whatever ; and the secretary of the board
shall cause to be kept in well bound books, a fair and complete record, ac-
cording to the ninth section of the " Act establishing a general system of
internal improvement," and the accounts of money expended shall be made
up from ihe returns aforesaid, and such other vouchers as may be furnished
by the board from time to time, all of which shall be subject to inspection
according to law.
Rides and ordinances dividing the "State into engineering districts ,
and organizing the district offices.
Sec. 1. Be it ordained by the board of commissioners of 'public works,
That the State of Illinois shall be divided into four districts for engineering
purposes, to be called internal improvement districts.
2. Resolved further. That all that part of the State of Illinois lying north of
a line commencing at the mouth of the Illinois river, on the west side, thence
op along the margin of the river at low water mark, to a point opposite the
[ 259 ] 28
mouth of the Sangamon river, thence across the Illinois river and up on
the margin of said river as aforesaid, to the north side of Tazewell county,
thence east on a line dividing the county of Tazewell from the county of
Putnam, and then due east to the east side of the State of Illinois, shall com-
pose the northern district.
3. That all that part of the Stale of Illinois situated within the following
boundaries, to wit : beginning at a point where the Central railroad crosses
the north line of McClean county, thence east to the State line, thence
south on said line to the Wabash river, thence down said river to the south
side of the county of Crawford, thence westwardly to the town of Vandalia,
thence north on the line of the Central railroad, including the same, to the
north fork of Sangamon river, thence north on the line of said road, exclu-
ding the same, to the place of beginning:, shall compose the eastern district.
4. That all that part of the State of Illinois situated within the following
boundaries, to wit: beginning at the mouth of the Illinois river, from thence
down the Mississippi to the centre of the town of Lower Alton, thence east
to Vandalia, thence north on the line of the Central railroad, excluding the
same, to the north fork of the Sangamon river, thence north on the line of
said railroad, including the same, to the north line of McLean county,
thence west to the east bank of the Illinois river, thence down the east
shore of said river at low water mark to the mouth of the Sangamon river,
thence across said river and down on the west side of the same to the place
of beginning, shall compose the western district.
5. That all that part of the State of Illinois situated south of the eastern
and western districts, shall compose the southern district.
6. There shall be one principal engineer appointed in each of said dis-
tricts, by the board of public works, or by the acting commissioner or com-
missioners of said districts, whose duty it shall be to make or superintend
the making of all surveys and estimates of all and each of the public works
in his district, under the direction of the acting commissioners of the board,
to whose charge the work is committed, by order of the board of public
works. Said chief engineer shall receive a competent salary, not exceeding
three thousand dollars per annum.
7. The acting commissioner of each judicial circuit shall be authorized
to employ as many assistant engineers and surveyors and other assistants,
from time to time, as to said commissioners may seem necessary to facili-
tate and forward the different works under his charge.
8. The survey and estimates of said assistant engineers shall pass under
the supervision of the principal engineer of the district, before the same is
let to contractors : said assistant engineers shall receive a compensation not
exceeding two thousand dollars per annum.
9. There shall be established in each of the said districts an office to be
styled, the District Office for Engineering Purposes.
10. The principal and all assistant engineers shall at all times obey the
instructions and rules adopted by the board of public works, and shall be
under the control of the acting commissioner of the circuit in which he or
they may be engaged for the time being.
11. Copies of all plats, releases, conveyances, drafts, reports, estimates,
and surveys, shall be kept at said offices.
12. All bids shall be received and examined, and all contracts let at said
office, or at such other places as the acting commissioner may deem expe-
dient. Copies of all bids and copies of the contracts furnished to the acting
>.
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me state, according to the 53d, 54th, and 55th sections of the act to estab-
lish a general system of internal improvements, at any time hereafter, so
soon as the same, or any part thereof, can be located : Provided, The whole
average cost of said road, and all necessary expenses connected therewith,
[ 259 ] £8
mouth of the Sangamon river, thence across the Illinois river and up on
the margin of said river as aforesaid, to the north side of Tazewell county,
thence east on a line dividing the county of Tazewell from the county of
Putnam, and then due east to the east side of the State of Illinois, shall com-
pose the northern district.
3. That all that part of the Stale of Illinois situated within the following
boundaries, to wit : beginning at a point where the Central railroad crosses
the north line of McClean county, thence east to the Stale line, thence
south on said line to the Wabash river, thence down said river to the south
side of the county of Crawford, thence westwardly to the town of Yandalia,
thence north on the line of the Central railroad, including the same, to the
north fork of Sangamon river, thence north on the line of said road, exclu-
ding the same, to the place of beginning, shall compose the eastern district.
4. That all that part of the State of Illinois situated within the following
boundaries, to wit: beginning at the mouth of the Illinois river, from thence
down the Mississippi to the centre of the town of Lower 'Alton, thence east
to Yandalia, thence north on the line of the Central railroad, excluding the
same, to the north fork of the Sangamon river, thence north on the line of
said railroad, including the same, to the north line of McLean county,
thence west to the east bank of the Illinois river, thence down the east
shore of said river at low water mark to the mouth of the Sangamon river,
thence across said river and down on the west side of the same to the place
of beginning, shall compose the western district.
5. That all that part of the State of Illinois situated south of the eastern
and western districts, shall compose the southern district.
6. There shall be one principal engineer appointed in each of said dis-
tricts, by the board of public works, or by the acting commissioner or com-
missioners of said districts, whose duty it shall be to make or superintend
the making of all surveys and estimates of all and each of the public works
in his district, under the direction of the acting commissioners of the board,
to whose charge the work is committed, by order of the board of public
works. Said chief engineer shall receive a competent salary, not exceeding-
three thousand dollars per annum.
7. The acting commissioner of each judicial circuit shall be authorized
to employ as many assistant engineers and surveyors and other assistants,
from time to time, as to said commissioners may seem necessary to facili-
tate and forward the different works under his charge.
8. The survey and estimates of said assistant engineers shall pass under
the supervision of the principal engineer of the district, before the same is
let to contractors : said assistant engineers shall receive a compensation not
exceeding two thousand dollars per annum.
9. There shall be established in each of the said districts an office to be
styled the District Office for Engineering Purposes.
10. The principal and all assistant engineers shall at all times obey the
instructions and rules adopted by the board of public works, and shall be
under the control of the acting commissioner of the circuit in which he or
they may be engaged for the time being.
11. Copies of all plats, releases, conveyances, drafts, reports, estimates,
and surveys, shall be kept at said offices.
12. All bids shall be received and examined, and all contracts let at said
office, or at such other places as the acting commissioner may deem expe-
dient. Copies of all bids and copies of the contracts furnished to the acting
LLINOIH
witji parts oJ'
SD1A.VA, WISCOXSIIV,
8CC.
[ 259 ]
mouth of i!"
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11. Copies of all plats, reieciooo, ^ — „
and surveys, shall be kept at said offices.
12. All bids shall be received and examined, and all contracts let at said
office, or at such other places as the acting commissioner may deem expe-
dient. Copies of all bids and copies of the contracts furnished to the acting
29 [ 259 |
commissioners of the respective circuits upon the works within the districts,
shall be filed and recorded in said office by the secretary of the board,
according to the sixteenth section of the " act to establish and maintain a
general system of internal improvements." All moneys to be paid to officers,
agents, engineers, contractors, and other persons, shall be made payable at
said office, at such other place or places as may seem expedient. Copies
of all estimates made during the progress of the different works, shall be
filed and recorded in said office, together with all other documents and
proceedings that may be directed to be filed, kept, or recorded in said
offices, necessary to a fair, full, and perfect understanding of the progress
of the different works within the respective districts, and the rights of all
parties connected therewith.
13. There shall be appointed to take charge of each of said offices a
principal clerk, to be styled the Clerk of the District Offices, whose duty it
shall be to furnish well bound books in which to make all records necessary
and proper to be made at said office. He shall open an account with each
work situated within, or passing through, the districts, in which he shall
charge all moneys paid out, upon, or for the construction of said improve-
ments, and shall credit each of said works with all tolls or other moneys
received from, or arising out of, the use of the same; said clerk shall also
keep a general account of all moneys paid out by the acting commissioner
or commissioners within the district, not properly chargeable to any one
work or improvement, and to keep all other accounts, and to make all
records necessary to be made, and that may be directed by the board, or by
the acting commissioner or commissioners having charge of the works
passing through said district; and it shall be the duty' of said commissioners,
and each of them, to cause to be kept in said office an account of all money
by them, or either of them, received from the fund commissioners for
the use of the system of internal improvements, and to furnish to said
clerk of the proper district all information necessary to enable him to per-
form the several duties enjoined upon him by this ordinance or by the
board of public works.
All records, files, and other documents, shall be open for the inspection of
all persons concerned therein, during office hours, and in the presence of
said clerk, and under such rules and regulations as may be adopted by the
acting commissioner or commissioners of the circuits or parts of circuits
composing said district.
1.4. Said clerks shall be appointed by the acting commissioner or commis-
sioners resident in the district, and shall hold their offices during the pleas
ure of the commissioner or commissioners aforesaid, and until their suc-
cessors shall be duly appointed, and shall receive a salary not exceeding one
thousand dollars per annum.
15. Said offices shall be located at such places as the acting commissioner
or commissioners in the district may see proper, under the advice of the
board.
16. The acting commissioners of the 1st, 4th, and 5th judicial circuits,
and each of them, are hereby authorized to receive proposals, and put under
contract all or any part of the cross railroad from Q.uincy to the east line of
the State, according to the 53d, 54th, and 55th sections of the act to estab-
lish a general system of internal improvements, at any time hereafter, so
soon as the same, or any part thereof, can be located : Provided, The whole
average cost of said road, and all necessary expenses connected therewith.
[ 250 ] 30
shall not exceed the sum appropriated by law for said work; which con-
tracts, when made, shall be executed according to the 16th section of said
act, for, and on the part and behalf of, this board of public works; and the
same, when so made, shall be binding upon the State of Illinois, and upon
the person or persons, company or companies, taking said contract : And
provided, further, That the six per cent, interest mentioned in the 54th sec-
. tion of said act shall not be paid, except from the time the said money shall
be expended upon said work.
On motion of Mr. Alexander,
Ordered by the board of public works, That the acting commissioner
of the 4th judicial circuit be authorized to call on the principal engineer
of the southern district at the proper time, to have surveys and estimates
made on the great western mail route leading from Yincennes, Indiana, to
St. Louis, Missouri, so far as the same lies in said district, preparatory to
letting contracts on the same.
On motion of Mr. McConnel,
Ordered, That the acting commissioner of the 1st judicial district have
the control and management of all the improvements of the navigation of
the Illinois river, below the mouth of Sangamon, and that the improve-
ments of the navigation of said river, above the mouth of Sangamon river,
shall be under the control and management of the acting commissioners
of the 5th, 6th, and 7th judicial circuits.
Resolved, That two and one-half per cent, upon the sums appropriated
for the construction of the several railroads, provided for by the act ': To
establish and maintain a general system of internal improvements," ap-
proved 23d of February, 1837, will probably be required to meet the ex-
penditures in the prosecution thereof, before the first day of September
next, and that the fund commissioners be notified thereof.
2. That the sum of one hundred and twenty-nVe thousand dollars will
probably be required to be expended before the first day of September next,
on the ^reat western mail route leading from Vincennes to St. Louis, un-
der the provisions of the aforesaid act, and that the fund commissioners be
notified thereof.
3. That five per cent, upon the sums appropriated for the improvement
of the several rivers, under the aforesaid act, will probably be required to
be expended upon the surveys of said rivers, before the first day of Sep-
tember next ; and, also, that fifty thousand dollars, appropriated for the im-
provement of the Great Wabash river, will probably be required, before
the said first day of September next, to be expended upon the said river,
and that the fund commissioners be notified thereof.
Adjourned until to-morrow morning, 9 o'clock.
. Thursday, April 6, 1837,
The board met pursuant to adjournment.
Present : full board.
On motion of Mr. Alexander,
Resolved, That thirty thousand dollars will probably be Wanted to defray
expenses incurred, not chargeable to any particular public work, (viz : clerk
hire office rent, wagons and teams, camp furniture, &c.,) up to the first
31 [259]
day of September next, and that the fund commissioners be notified
thereof.
Mr. Peck, who was appointed, in connexion with Mr. McConnel, to draught
instructions to the engineers, reported the following :
That the following plan and instructions shall be adopted and pursued
by the principal engineers appointed by, and under the authority of, the
board of public works for this State. The secretary of the board, or some
other authorized person, shall notify the engineer of his appointment, and
of the district or works assigned to him, and request that a letter of ac-
ceptance be communicated, which shall be filed by the secretary of the
board, and preserved.
The secretary, or some other authorized person, shall, as early as prac-
ticable, make known to the said principal engineer the names of his senior
and junior assistants, and of the surveyor to accompany him, who shall be
required to report themselves to the principal, and to place themselves under
his instructions, and to be subject to his directions.
The said principal engineer, unless otherwise directed, or unless the
same shall be furnished by some person acting in that behalf, shall be au-
thorized to procure camp equipage, teams, provisions, utensils, implements,
and stationery, and to employ rod-men, chain-men, axe-men, and the other
necessary laborers to complete an engineering party or parties.
In all expenditures it shall be forcibly and strictly enjoined upon the said
principal engineer, to consult the most rigid economy ; and that he be
also enjoined to take duplicate receipts for all disbursements, as no amount
will be placed to his credit unless he shall produce a satisfactory voucher
therefor.
The said engineer shall be directed to transmit to the secretary of the
board an inventory of the articles, camp equipage, teams, and utensils in
his possession, with an account of the cost thereof; also, a roll contain-
ing the names and amount of compensation of each individual of the par-
ty, so soon as the same shall be organized ; and when the work shall be
completed, the said articles, camp equipage, &c, to be returned to the care
and custody of some commissioner or authorized agent. It is expected
that due care will be taken to preserve the property of the State from in-
jury: and destruction.
All engagements of hands should be made upon the express condition
that they shall strictly obey orders, and at all times conduct themselves
civilly, morally, and industriously, while employed by the State ; also, that
they shall abstain from the use of ardent spirits while acting with the party ;
and that a breach of any of the foregoing conditions should be followed
by immediate dismission.
The principal, or one of the assistant engineers of each party, shall
keep a journal of the general operations of each party, separate and apart
from the field books, to be filed in the office of the secretary.
In order to carry into effect the intention of the Legislature in relation
to the survey, location, and construction of the several public works, to
observe, in addition to the requirement of the laws, the following general
instructions:
To make such minute explorations of the country, as to be able to re-
port under oath, that the " most direct and eligible routes'1'1 have been ascer-
tained and selected between the several points named in the act.
In cases where the designated points on the routes cannot be commanded
[ 259 ] 32
without conflicting with the provisions and conditions contained in the 33d
and 51st section of the act, to make all necessary examinations and estimates
on routes and places at such points, and to report all the facts collected in
reference to the difficulty to the board, for further instructions.
To confer freely with the members of the board of commissioners, and
receive their directions.
The surveys to be made with a view to a minimum radius of 500 feet for
curvatures, and a maximum grade of 30 feet to the mile, approximating,
however, in all cases, as nearly to a straight line, both vertically and hori-
zontally, as practical, without incurring unnecessary increase of expenditure.
In the construction of her public works, it has been the policy of the
State not to embark in any of a temporary character, or of doubtful expe-
diency, therefore your estimates will contemplate materials of a durable and
permanent kind.
The estimates to be based on a road-bed for a single track only, except-
ing in approaching and receding from streams, over SO feet wide, in which
cases an extra width must be given to accommodate the common road wag-
gons, and ultimately to be used fdr a double track rail- way, and excepting
also, at depots and stopping stages, where road-bed must be accommodated^
to a double track. In estimating the width of streams, under the provision
of the 35th section of this act, measure from the top of the natural banks,
in the direction of the line road, without reference to the requisite water
way to be given for the stream.
The width of the graduation for a single track to be 14 feet in embank-
ment, and 15 feet in cuttings, with the slopes adapted to the nature of the
materials composing them.
Section 12 of the act, and from section 33 to 39 inclusive, to be consider-
ed and taken as part of these instructions, and the estimates to be based up-
on the directions for surveys and construction therein contained.
The surveys of the rivers having to be prosecuted during certain stages
of water, it wiii be necessary to take advantage of the proper stage in them
to make the necessary surveys and examinations of these under the laws,
and for that purpose other operations which do not depend upon these un-
certain contingencies must be suspended.
The surveys and examinations of the rivers to be made conformably to
the directions contained in the 12th, and so much of the 18th section of the
act as relates to them respectively.
The directions and requisitions of the 47th section of the act, in relation
to the purchase of lands on the routes of the public works, of course to be
strictly complied with on the part of the engineers,' directly employed by
the board ; and the principal engineer to be required to impose similar re-
strictions on all persons attached to the parties engaged in the exploration
of routes under such orders as the board may make, from time to time, for
that purpose when communicated to them.
The acting commissioner on the line must be frequently advised of the
progress of the surveys, and notified of the lands necessary and proper to
be obtained by the State, for the use of the works or otherwise ; and also
of whatever is necessary or advisable to be done, to insure an efficient
and economical execution of the duties of the engineering department.
A monthly estimate of the funds necessary for the service of each suc-
ceeding month, and of the name of the work for which the same is re-
quired, should be made on the first of each month, to be forwarded to
33 f 259 ]
the acting commissioner, with vouchers for the expenditure of each pre-
ceding month, with an abstract embracing the names, amount paid to each,
the nature of the expenditure, and the aggregate sum, and an account
current showing the state of the account, and on what lines the expen-
ditures have been made. Both abstract and account current to be in
duplicate.
The explorations on the whole route to be minute, and such as will
enable the engineer to present a detailed report upon the best route, and
the probable cost of constructing the work.
In no case to permit a camp to be removed, or any work upon the line
to be done, on the Sabbath day.
In case of difficulty or doubt, the advice of any of the principal engi-
neers of the State may be taken, and when asked for should be given.
No engineer should absent himself for any length of time from any line,
without notifying the acting commissioner.
Where more than one principal engineer shall be engaged upon a con-
tinuous line of road, they should endeavor to adopt the same scale for the
different maps, plans, and profiles prepared by them.
To report upon the comparative cost, usefulness, and expedition in com-
pleting the work, by substituting truss work for expensive embankments
over morasses, abrupt ravines, river bottoms, and other difficult passes.
Ordered, That the board adjourn until to-morrow morning, 9 o'clock.
Friday, April 7, 1837.
Board met pursuant to adjournment.
Present, the whole board.
On motion of Mr. Peck,
Ordered, That the board adjourn until the first Monday in June next
WM. KINNEY, President
O. W. Carruthers, Secretary.
An abstract of the proceedings of the board of commissioners of public
works of the State of Illinois, December session, A. D. 1837.
REPORT OP THE BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS OP THE STATE OP ILLINOIS
TO THE GOVERNOR.
Sir : It has again become the duty of the undersigned, to report to the
Governor of the State an account of their proceedings for the preceding-
six months; a period within which so much has been accomplished
towards the advancement of our system of internal improvements, as to
encourage the undersigned to hope that the public has reason to be satisfied
with their labors.
The splendid predictions which the history of other States had encour-
aged the friends of improvement to publish, promised to be realized at a
less distant day, than could have been at first anticipated ; and the increas-
ed certainty that our State will in a few years be threaded by railroads'
[ 259 ] 34
bringing a ready market to the very doors of oar farmers, cannot fail to
enliven and cheer the patriot and philanthropist.
' Those who at first were disposed to doubt the propriety of the act giving
birth to our system, and looked upon it as visionary and impracticable,
and were incredulous as to the benefits to result from the introduction of
railroads into our fertile and flourishing State, already begin to doubt the
Correctness of the conclusions to which they had too hastily trained their
miuds, aud are yielding a more cheerful support to a measure which is
unquestionably calculated greatly to promote the public welfare, to exercise
an entensive and beneficial influence upon our community, and to open
new channels to the currents of traffic. FevV at the present period are so
blinded to the lights of experience, or so deaf to the voice of wisdom, us to
be ignorant of the advantages which are brought home to the " business
and bosoms" of men by the improvement of railroads; none will deny
that they enlarge the resources of society, by multiplying the facilities of
intercourse, and by extending the circle within which the same communi-
ties may act ; while at the same time it enables men to concentrate their
efforts upon any given spot where inclination or interest may lead. Whilst
they reduce distances, they extend the links of social intercourse. They
furnish to localities all the advantages of their position, and secure to
them, by a speedy conveyance, all the advantages resulting from an im-
mediate juxtaposition with those points favored by nature, — with channels
of intercommunication. They knit together the interests of society, and
develop new and manifold opportunities for the exercise of a vigorous and
healthy enterprise, by furnishing sure rewards for the toils of the husband-
man.
It having already been demonstrated by the actual success of railroads
in other States, how advantageous they are on the score of direct pecuniary
profit, independent of their vital efficacy in accomplishing salutary changes
upon the sentiments and morals of society, it would seem that hence-
forward none but those who close their minds against all conviction, and
wholly refuse to be persuaded, will any longer withhold their support and
countenance from a system which is warmly cherished by a large majority
of their fellow-citizens, and which promises so largely for the prosperity
and happiness of all.
That there should be great eagerness on the part of the people to avail
themselves of the benefits promised by the introduction of these improve-
ments, is not surprising ; that our system in its inception should have been
extensive, is easily to be accounted for ; it was the ready result springing
from a great desire for the reception of a benefit ; but that the system will
prove too large for the interests of the State, leaves room for serious doubt.
The choice of these channels of communication having been already set-
tled by a judicious compromise, it would not only be difficult, but obviously
wrong, except upon very cogent grounds, to attempt any great changes.
To wait until a sufficient accumulation of business at any interior point
of the State, should render the necessities for a railroad imperious, would
certainly be to delay until the exigencies of the case would admit of no
further cavil. But in a case where the elements of growth and prosperity
were abundant, and only required opportunity for expansion, it would also
be acting against wisdom and in defiance of experience, to withhold the
means of advancement. "When we consider that the currents of traffic
and of personal intercourse, instead of being confined to channels where
35 [ 259 1
only water could be made to flow, may be led over mountains and through
every region which human industry has enlivened ; and that the " prosperity
of cities, instead of depending on the accident of being placed on a naviga-
ble stream, which can float its commerce to a vast interior, would hereafter
depend upon the foresight and energy of their inhabitants in forming for
themselves the channels of intercourse," by the aid of railroads, it is not
surprising that the friends of internal improvements should have manifested
a great degree of earnestness to furnish for all parts of the State the means
of advancement, even though the present amount of business, by a frigid
and narrow calculation, might not seem to warrant the expenditure. The
projectors of this grand scheme were well capable of comprehending the
noble results which would flow to their constituents, and, impelled by a wise
patriotism, have planned a way — a sure and safe one — by which our State
will be advanced to that exalted rank in the Union, which a kind Provi-
dence, by bountifully supplying us with all the elements of prosperity, des-
tined us to fill.
In exhibiting a statement of the expenditures of the board, it becomes
necessary for them to explain, that as they were bound to hold their meet-
ings at the seat of Government on the first Monday of the present month,
it was impossible to bring with them an account of their expenditures up
to that date ; the accounts, however, are closed to as late a date as was
practicable. The expenditures of engineering parties, remote from the resi-
dence of the respective commissioners, for which vouchers could not be
furnished in proper time, and such other sums as were from omission and
inadvertence not fortified by vouchers according to the requirements of the
board, have been included under the head of estimated expenditures.
The following statement will show the amount expended for the preced-
ing six months by the several members of the board, as shown by their re-
spective accounts, audited and allowed by the board:
On the Central railroad - -$11,602 02
Peoria and Warsaw road - - ■ ■ * 3,519 48
Northern Cross road - 3,710 28
Paris, Shelbyville, and Alton road - - 2,755 75
Shawneetown and Alton road - • - 1,725 59
Great Western mail route - - - - 1,152 81
Alton and Mount Carmel road - - - 5,114 31
General fund ..... 10,645 32
Improvement of Rock river ... 2,91606
Estimated expenditure since the date of accouts filed - 39,136 20|-
Total of expenditures - - $82,277 82J
Amount received ~ - - $132,628 31
The commissioner of the fourth judicial circuit has received from Samuel
Mundy, in obedience to an act of the Legislature of the 4th March last, an
unexpended balance of a former appropriation, for the improvement of the
Wabash, amounting to $2,826 12. Since the receipt of this sum. $95 L 12
have been expended upon contracts previously entered into by Mr. Mundy.
Arrangements have been made, in co-operation with the commissioners of
the State of Indiana, for the improvement of the Great Wabash river, and
[ 259 J 36
contracts for this object have been entered into, for the delivery of the ne-
cessary materials for the construction of the dam and locks at the Grand
rapids.
By the vigilance of the acting commissioner of the second judicial cir-
cuit, the surveys on the Great Western mail route, between Yincennes and
St. Louis, were completed at a very early day; and in conformity with the
law in this behalf, requiring that the first moneys procured should be ex-
pended on this route, contracts to an amount bordering upon one hundred
thousand dollars, have been let by the acting commissioner of the second
and fourth judicial circuits. From the reports of the above named com-
missioners, these contracts have been vigorously prosecuted; and the bene-
ficial results of the expenditures upon this road are fully appreciated by
the community immediately interested in the improvement, and a pleasing
earnest is manifested of the certainty of the completion of the road, and of
the lasting benefits to be derived from the use of it.
The active commissioner of the first judicial circuit, availing himself of
those provisions of the law contained in the 53d and 54th sections of the
act, was enabled to place sixty-three miles of the Northern Cross road, ex-
tending from the Illinois river, via Jacksonville and Springfield, to the east
bank of the Sagamon river, under contract, with the option of paying in
State bonds, if other means should not be provided.
The fund commissioners having, since that letting, effected a sufficient
loan to provide for the successful prosecution of all the works in due time,
this road, of course, will receive, out of the funds raised, its fair proportion
with other similar works.
All the contracts which have as yet been entered into on the part of the
State, have been upon favorable terms, and those contracts let upon rail-
roads have been let for a sum which will probably bring the cost of the
roads within the appropriation made by the Legislature.
The money expended upon that portion of the Northern Cross road put
under contract, as appears by the report of the commissioner, amounts to
the sum of $22,340 61£.
Proposals have been accepted for the putting under contract that part of
the Pekin and Bloomington branch of the Central railroadj extending from
the Illinois river to Tremont, the seat of justice of the county of Tazewell.
The contracts have not been closed, inasmuch as the commissioner charged
with this road was desirous of obtaining the sanction of the board for a
higher vertical grade than that previously allowed, for the purpose of re-
ducing the costs of construction.
A memorial has been forwarded to Congress by the board, asking an ap-
propriation of land to aid in carrying out our system of internal improve-
ments, which memorial,' we doubt not, will receive a favorable considera-
tion, since the sale of the public lands in the State must be greatly facili-
tated by the prosecution of our system.
In the prosecution of their duties, the several commissioners have caused
nearly all the surveys of the different routes to be completed, or so far ad-
vanced as to have them fully completed, long previous to the next meeting
of the Legislature, and before it will be advisable to put the roads under con-
tract.
Every precaution and pains have been taken in the experimental surveys
of the different roads, with a view to secure the most direct and eligible
routes for the location of the roads ; and they are pleased to report, that, fot
37 [ 259 ]
the most part, highly advantageous sites for the different roads have been
found.
In the prosecution of the surveys of the Great Central railroad, (and ex-
perimental lines have been run, nearly the whole length of it.) the engineers
employed have found, after much pains and careful examination, a more
favorable site for the road than was at first anticipated, and the undersigned
feel great pleasure in reporting that this important line of communication
is feasible, and comparatively easy of completion.
The surveys of the Little Wabash river have not been prosecuted from
the difficulty in procuring sufficient competent force for the purpose.
The surveys of the Kaskaskia and Illinois rivers have been made by an
officer, under the direction of the General Government ; but the report of
that officer in the premises, has not, up to the present period, been laid be-
fore the board. It is feared that the continued high stage of water in the
Illinois, has rendered the survey of that river less useful than is desirable.
An examination of a minute character has been made of Rock river, and
it is believed, from the reports of the engineer in charge of that work, that
an improvement of this stream can be easily accomplished, and within the
appropriation made for the purpose. It is the design of the acting com-
missioner of the sixth judicial circuit, to prosecute this improvement with
all that spirit which its great importance demands.
The undersigned, in the prosecution of their labors, have been influenced
by a sincere desire to enable all parts of the State to participate in the ben-
efits resulting not only from an early use of the roads, but also from the
expenditure of the necessary means used in their construction, and with
this view, they have decided that no other contracts shall be let for the
construction of the roads, for the ensuing six months, than the following:
1. On the Central road : Miles.
From Cairo, (northerly.) twenty miles 20
From Illinois river, (northerly,) eleven miles - - - 11
From Galena, (southerly,) twenty miles 20
From Illinois river, (southerly,) eleven miles 11
2. On Shawneetown and Alton road:
From Shawneetown to Equality 12
3. On the Alton and Mount Carmel road:
From Alton to the diverging point of the Mount Carmel and
Shawneetown roads, at or near Ed wards ville - - 15
From Mount Carmel to Albion - 18
4. On the Alton, Shelbyvilie, and Paris road:
From Alton, via Upper Alton, northerly, ten miles, so soon as
the necessary surveys are executed, to determine the practi-
cability of the road, within the limits for vertical inclination,
adopted by the board - 10
From the State line, via Paris, westerly, eighteen miles - 18
6. On the Northern Cross road :
FroniQrUincy to Columbia, in Adams county - - - IS
From Danville, (westerly.) eighteen miles 18
Not k.- -The portion of the road from the Illinois river to the
Sangamon river having been previously let - • 64
6. O i the Peoria and Warsaw road :
From Peoria, (westerly,) twelve miles 12
[ 259 ] 38
Miles.
Prom Warsaw, (easterly.) twelve miles - - - 12
7. On the Pekin and Bloomington road :
From Pekin to Tremont, (previously let) 10
Total ------ 266
The aggregate specified and estimated distances amounting to two hun-
dred and sixty-six miles.
In this manner, it is designed to proceed with the roads in question, un-
til their final completion.
That all the proceedings of this board should meet the entire approbation
of the public, is not to be expected. Perfection is an attribute to which the
board does not make any pretension. They have faithfully and zealously
labored to advance the public interests, by all means within their control,
and to carry out the designs of the framers of the law, in a spirit of truth
and justice.
Their labors have proceeded with unanimity and concert, and they have
been, thus far, enabled to carry on their designs with great unity of purpose.
In bringing this report to a close, the undersigned cannot omit to urge
upon the friends of internal improvement the exercise of a proper patience,
in awaiting the completion of the works contemplated by the bill. To
press forward the whole work with too much zeal, would tend to increase
the expense of construction to a very considerable amount, and, conse-
quently, to create prejudice against the system, as wisely projected, and tc*
cause embarrassment in carrying it into execution. The undersigned are
devoted to the system of internal improvements, and are intensely impressed
with its importance, and of the vast advantages which are to be gained by
it to the whole State.
Forewarned of the difficulties they have to encounter, and of the jealous
vigilance by which their acts will be scrutinized by a respectable portion
of their fellow-citizens, they intend steadfastly to pursue the important ob-
jects intrusted to their charge ; fully persuaded that, out of their labors and
the labor of their successors and coadjutors in the same field, is to spring
the largest measure of good which legislative wisdom could bestow upon
ths community,
WILLIAM KINNEY,
PvesH of Board and Com. 2d Judicial Circuit*
Me McCONNEL,
Commissioner of 1st Judicial Circuit*
ELIJAH WILLARD,
Commissioner of 3d Judicial Circuit.
M. K. ALEXANDER,
Commissioner of 4/ h Judicial Circuit,
J. WRIGHT,
Commissioner &f 5th Judicial Circuit,.
J. W. STEPHENSON,
Commissioner of 6tk Judicial Circuit..
E. PECK,
Commissioner of 7th Judicial CircuiL
Joseph Duncan,
Gov-ernor of the State of Illinois.
39
[ 259 ]
At a meeting of the board of commissioners of public works of the State
of Illinois, bsguLi'aud held at Vandalia, on Monday, the 4th day of Decem-
ber 1837. Present :
Of the 2d judicial circuit, William Kinney, President,
do. Murray McConnel,
do. Elijah Willard,
do. M. K. Alexander,
do. Joel Wright,
do. James W. Stephenson,
do. Ebenezer Peck.
1st
do.
3d
do.
4th
do.
5th
do.
6th
do.
7th
do.
Be it ordahirtd by the Boa*d of Commissioners of public works of the
Slate of Illinois, That all applications to this board, coming from persons
other than a commissioner, shall be made in writing and shall contain a
distinct proposition or propositions' upon which the board may be required
to act, and shall be presented to the board by the commissioner in whose
circuit the object to be effected shall lie: Profited, That if said commis-
sioner shall not be present at the meeting; of the board, where said applica-
tion is made, or shall refuse to make or offer, said proposition or propositions,
the same may be offered by any other commissioner present.
Ordered, That Ebenezer Peck, a member of this board, be appointed
a general agent of this board and of the State of Illinois, to proceed, in the
name of the board and of the State, to contract for all the railroad iron
that maybe needed for all the railroads in said State, that maybe put under
contract for the coming six months in the State of Illinois, and that he be
authorized to negotiate for said iron by receiving proposals or otherwise.
3. Ordered, That the president of the board do furnish the commissioner
of the 7th judicial circuit (Ebenezer Peck) with sufficient funds to defray
his expenses in and about the negotiation under the authority of the board
for railroad iron, spikes, knees, and plates, &c, and that the said sum be
chargeable to the general fund.
4. Ordered, That the fund commissioners be requested to furnish the
acting commissioner of the 7th judicial circuit with every proper facility to
aid him in his transactions and negotiations for the purpose of purchasing
railroad iron, spikes, knees, plates, &c., for the use of the State, and that
this, together with the several resolutions in this behalf, be furnished the
said fund commissioners.
5. Ordered, That the acting commissioner of the 1st judicial circuit
(Murray McConnei) be required to cause the grade of the Pekin and Bloom-
ington branch of the Central railroad ro be increased, so that the said grade
shall not exceed in any one place 75 feet to the mile, and that the contracts
required to be entered into in January next, shall be so made as to allow
of said change, and a deduction shall be made in the ccst of said work in
proportion to said change.
It is further ordered, That if any of said contractors shall refuse to
enter into said contracts with a necessary provision in relation to said
change, the said work shall be advertised and let to contract with the grade
so altered.
6. Ordered. That the acting commissioner in charge of any specific rail-
road, together with the o.ii nissioner at the lettings, shall have the dis-
[259] 40
cretionary power to adopt a grade exceeding 40 feet elevation to the mile,
and not exceeding 100 feet to the mile, in any case, which, in their opin-
ions, a judicious economy in the construction of the work, will warrant
such increase of inclination, without materially affecting the permanent
Utility of the work. And also, that such acting and associate commission-
ers may subtitnte temporary inclined planes, to be overcome by additional
and extra motive power than that necessary for a grade of 40 feet to the
mile, at any abrupt depressions, ravines, and declinations, in order to avoid,
for the present, the expense of excessive heavy embankments, deep cuttings,
or expensive viaducts ; such temporary inclined planes to be located and
constructed with a view to a future perfecting of the work, by dispensing
with the said plans and adopting such embankments, cuttings, and via-
ducts, whenever the amount of trade on the line, and the interests of the
community, may require the change to be made.
Ordered, That so much of the great western mail route as lies in the
3d judicial circuit, be transfeired to and# given in special charge to the
acting commissioner of the 2d judicial circuit; and that so much of the
Alton and Shelbyville railroad as may run through the county of Macou-
pin, shall be put under the care and direction of the commissioner of the
2d judicial circuit; and that improvements on the Little Wabash river be
assigned in special charge to the commissioner of the 3d judicial circuit.
8. Ordered. That this board estimate the amount which will be required
from the fund commissioners to meet the expenditures upon the public
works for the ensuing six months, at the sum of three hundred and seventy-
five thousand dollars, and that proper notice hereof be given to the said
fund commissioners, and that the entry of this resolution upon the records
of this board be deemed a compliance with the law in this behalf.
9. Ordered, That so much of the Peoria and Warsaw railroad route as
shall be located in the county of Peoria, (the same being in the 6th judicial
circuit.) shall be assigned to the supervision of the commissioner of the
6th judicial circuit, who is hereby required to control the operations on
said work.
10. Ordered, That the several acting commissioners be authorized to
adapt all or such portions of the railroads now authorized to be put under
contract as they may think proper, to the use of animal power thereon,
and to put cars thereon to be propelled by such power, so soon as any part
shall be completed.
11. Ordered, That the president of the board be requested to open a
correspondence with our Senators and Representatives in Congress, for the
purpose of obtaining the passage of a law for the benefit of the State,
to permit the importation or purchase of railroad iron, spikes, &c, free
of duty.
12. Ordered, That a committee of three members be appointed to draught
a memorial to the General Assembly of the State of Indiana, requesting
that the said State should provide by law for the creation by the State of a
railroad from a point on the Wabash river, opposite Mount Carmel, to New
Albany, on the Ohio river, and also, a railroad from some eligible point
upon the Wabash and Erie canal, to the State line of the State of Illinois,
in the direction of Danville, in said last mentioned State.
13. Ordered, That a memorial to the Legislature of the State of Indiana
be adopted, requesting of said State the construction of a railroad over
that part of her territory lying between Terre Haute and the Illinois Stat©
41 [259]
line, in the direction of Paris, so as to connect the terminating point of the
Wabash and Erie canal, with the Paris and Alton railroad.
14. Ordered, That a committee of three be appointed to draw up a memo-
rial to Congress, asking the donation to the State of Illinois, of ah1 unap-
propriated lands lying within the Congressional sections through which
any of our railroads may pass ; and that Messrs. Alexander, Peck, and
Stephenson, be said committee.
15. < trdered. That the extent of the railroads on the several routes, to
be put under contract, for the ensuing six months, shall be as follows:
1. On the Central railroad.
From Cairo (northerly) twenty miles 20
Illinois river (northerly) eleven miles 11
Illinois river (southerly) eleven miles 11
Galena (southerly) twenty miles 20
2. On the Alton and Shawneetown road.
From Shawneetown to Equality - 12
3. On the Alton and Mount Carmel road.
From Alton to the diverging point of the Mount Carmel road
at or near Edwardsville 15
From Mount Carmel to Albion . . - - 18
4. On the Alton. Shelby ville, and Paris road.
From Alton, via Upper Alton, northerly, ten miles; so soon as
the necessary surveys are executed, to determine the
practicability of the road, within the limits for vertical
inclination adopted by the board - - - 18
From the State line, via Paris, westerly 10
6. On the Northern Cross road.
From Quincy to Columbus, in Adams county - - 15
Danville, westerly, eighteen miles 18
Note. — The portion of the road from the Illinois to the San-
gamon river, having been previously let - - - 64
6. On the Peoria and Warsaw road.
From Peoria, westerly, twelve miles - - - 12
Warsaw, easterly, twelve miles 12
7. On the Pekin and Bloomington road.
From Pekin to Tremont (previously let) 10
Aggregate number of miles - - - 266
16. Ordered. That no portion of any railroad shall be placed under con-
tract without the consent of the board : Provided, however, That any por-
tion of any railroad authorized to be put under contract, may, at any tinie^
be re let by the acting commissioner.
17'. Ordered', That hereafter each of the acting commissioners of the
board shall have power to establish an office or offices in each of their res-
pective circuits, for internal improvement purposes, when they may think
proper, ;-,nd shall be authorized to employ a clerk or clerks in each of said
offic s
Ordered, That after the first day of January next, the appointment of
clerks of the present engineering district oifices shall cease, and the said
offices and appointments shall, from that date, be abolished. But the dis-
tricts for engineering purposes shall remain as they now are.
[259 ] 42
Ordered, That all papers, books, accounts, and other things now filed, or
hereafter to be filed, and required to be kept in the district offices, shall be re-
turned to and kept in the said offices, to be established in the circuits, so far
as the same may be applicable, or relate to the public works in said circuit.
Ordered, That all certificates and returns now required to be made by
the said district clerks, or by the said clerks and the coaimissioner, may here-
after be made by the commissioner alone : Provided, That said commission-
er shall not be required to make said returns oftener than quarter yearly.
Ordered, That all records, books, and accounts, applicable to any part of
the public works, over which the commissioner of the respective circuit
may have charge, or to any of the duties of said commissioner, shall be
kept by said commissioner at said offices to be established in the circuit.
Ordered, That the several principal engineers, or other engineers of the
district, shall cause to be filed in the offices of the circuits, copies of all
maps, plats, profiles, and estimates, and all other things now required to be
filed in the district offices, of all and each of the several parts of the pub-
lic works passing through said circuit, or over which the commissioner ot the
circuit may have charge.
Ordered, That all let tings of contracts now required to take place at the
offices may be advertised and take place at. the offices to be established in
the said circuits, or any other place or places the said commissioner or com-
missioners may deem proper.
Ordered, That all papers, vouchers, records, maps, plats, profiles, and
other documents, applicable to all and every part of the public works, situ-
ated within the third judicial circuit, or applicable to the duty ot the acting
commissioner of said circuit, now on file at the district office at Belleville,
Illinois, shall be transcribed, and the copies filed in the office to be establish-,
ed in the said third circuit, or said copies may be filed in the office at Belle-
ville, and the originals filed in the office of the third circuit, as the commis-
sioners of said circuits may agree.
Ordered, Th it the office of the southern district, now established at
Belleville, shall remain as an office of the second judicial circuit ; the dis-
trict office of the western district, now established at Jacksonville, shall re-
main there, and be deemed as an office of the first judicial circuit.
Ordered, That ail resolutions and ordinances heretofore passed by this
board, coming within the purview, or conflicting with the provisions of any
of the foregoing ordinances and resolutions, be, and the same are hereby, re-
pealed.
18. Ordered, That the principal engineer shall be held responsible for the
official performance of the assistant engineers, in their respective districts;
and should there be any delay or damage occurring to the contractors, or
the State, for the want of sufficient work definitely located, or grade, or
centres given after the location shall have been completed, or any directions
to contractors respecting the execution of their contracts, it shall be the
duty of the acting commissioner to direct the principal engineer to take the
field in person, and immediately see that the engineering duties in his dis-
trict are performed ; and should the engineer refuse to obey the orders of
the acting commissioner, respecting the performance of his official duties,
lie shall be liable to an immediate discharge from his office. It shall be the
duty of the principal engineer to inspect the work performed by the con-
tractors as often as required by the acting commissioner, and approve of all
materials, before the same shall be used for the construction of the road3and
43 [ 259 ]
shall certify what per cent, can be safely paid upon the work done by con-
tractors, and shall approve all bills, pay rolls, accounts, (fee, connected with
the construction of the road, previous to their being paid by the acting com-
missioner.
And be it further ordered, That the acting commissioners, upon the
representation of the principal engineer of their respective districts, of the
incompetency or wilful neglect of any assistant engineer in performing his
official duties, as directed by the principal engineer, to immediately dis-
charge the same from his office, and employ new assistants, who are both
competent and willing to perform the duties incumbent upon them.
19. Ordered, That the acting commissioner of the first judicial circuit
be authorized to cause a survey for a lateral route from the main line of the
Northern Cross road of the most eligible point on said road, to the town of
Naples, on the Illinois river ; and that a report of said said survey be made
to this board at its next meeting, and that said report contain all informa-
tion necessary to enable this board to determine the propriety of construct-
ing a lateral way to said town : Provided, That the point of commence-
ment upon said Northern Cross road shall not exceed five miles from said
town.
20. Ordered, That each commissioner shall open a separate book for
each work under his charge and superintendence, and also one for general
expenditure, and that he debit himself to the fund commissioners of the
State of Illinois, in the proper book, for the amount of any draft by them
paid, and pass to his credit the amount of the several vouchers by him
obtained in the disbursements, for any of the objects under his superin-
tendence and control ; that, in all cases, duplicate receipts or vouchers be
taken separately for the different objects of expenditure, and from time to
time the commissioner make separate returns to the central office, from the
several accounts in his office, and in all cases accompanying said returns
with the vouchers therein referred to; that all disbursements, whether
made by himself or agent, shall be made in his own name.
To the honorable the Board of Commissioners of Public Works:
The undersigned, acting commissioner of public works for the second
judicial circuit, respectfully reports to the board, at then semi-annual meet-
ing for December, 1837, his proceedings as acting commissioner, for and
during the last half year, as follows:
The survey and location of the Alton and Mount Carmel railroad, which
in my last report was stated to be in progress, have been completed ; and
full returns thereof, from the engineer, are in a course of pr< pa ration,
and will shortly be filed in the office of the board, as required by law.
The survey of the Belleville and Lebanon branch of the said road has
also been effected by the same party, and the results will be returned and
filed, in connexion with those of the main line.
The party which had been engaged on the foregoing surveys have sub-
sequently been engaged in preparing work, for the commencement of the
operations of contractors, on the jobs of work let on the great western mail
route, between Yinceunes and St. Louis, and more recently in preparing for
contract the line of railroad between Alton and Edwardsville, on the route
[ 259 ] 44
of the Mount Carmel and Alton road. This section of that work I have
advertised to he let, at the district office in Belleville, on the 2d day of Janu-
ary next, and now ask the confirmation of the board of this proceeding.
That portion of the Alton, Hillsborough, and Paris railroad, which runs
through the second judicial circuit, and attached to the western engineering
district, has not yet been surveyed, excepting that part thereof which lies
between Lower Alton and Upper Alton, a distance of about two and a half
miles. The principal engineer of that engineering district, (Mr. Bucklin,)
who made the survey, has reported that, on this portion of the work, there
are serious obstacles to an eligible and economical location withi i the
limits for vertical inclination of grade now adopted by the board ; and it
may become necessary for me to apply to the board for a special order,
in regard to this specific work, in relation to this subject. I have to inform
the board that the citizens interested in this railroad are exceedingly
anxious that the necessary steps should be taken to place a fair propor-
tion of this work under contract, simultaneously with other works under
the jurisdiction of the board. This survey has been delayed by circum-
stances beyond my control, and I presume, and believe, beyond the control
of the commissioner of the first judicial circuit. I would, therefore, suggest
and request that an order be made for letting a fair proportion of this work,
so soon as the necessary surveys, location, and estimates shall have been
made, and the entire practicability of the work ascertained. The expenses
of the surveys of this work, so far as they have been executed, have been
paid by me, and will be exhibited in my accounts rendered.
The survey of the great western mail route between Vincennes and St.
Louis was executed by R. A. Gilpin, assistant engineer, and the plans, pro-
files, and estimates of such parts as were designed to be placed under con-
tract the present season, were made out, certified, and filed i-iccording to
law. A letting of the work on that section of the route lying between
Belleville and St. Louis, being the first that was surveyed and ready
for contract, was had at Belleville on the 25th of August last. This part
of the line was subdivided into six sections; and three of them, embracing
the lighter portions of the work, were let at that time at a small advance
above the estimate of the locating engineer. The bids received for the
remaining three jobs, two of which embraced the heavy and expensive
work on the American bottom, between the Bluffs and St. Louis, were
rejected in consequence of their exorbitancy ; and these jobs, together with
some other jobs on the line east of Belleville, and extending to the Kas-
kaskia River bottom, were advertised for contract on the 9th of October
ensuing. At this letting, two of the jobs, which were laid over from the
August letting, were taken at a reduction in cost of ten thousand and two
hundred dollars below the lowest bids which were received for the same
work in August. But a small portion of the newly advertised work could
be let, in consequence of the bids received being deemed too high. The
jobs of work at the Kaskaskia bottom, and at Shoal Creek bottom, in Clinton
county, were unavoidably postponed to a future letting, advertised to take
place in January next. But as the condition of the said road at these points,
and particularly at the former one, from the report of the engineer sent
expressly to examine it, absolutely required immediate attention, to prevent
the road becoming impassable during the winter, I have ordered the
improvements to be commenced by a superintendent, with instructions ta
confine his operations to canying on the job so far only as would render
45 [ 259 ]
this point passable, until the work could be let to a contractor. The work
has progressed to the satisfaction of the engineer, and thus far fully within
the estimates. The work executed forms a portion of the job to be let, and
the amount executed by the superintendent will be deducted from the
amount of the whole job to be placed under contract. The contractors on
the line of mail route have, thus far, prosecuted their contracts with
efficiency and success ; and I am pleased to say that the operations on this
road, during the present season, have given great satisfaction to the people
and to the travelling community, and have had the effect to settle public
opinion in favor of our system of internal improvements, by giving an
assurance of the certain progress and final completion of the public works.
Upon the completion of the survey of the western mail route, Mr. Gil-
pin, as was originally designed, was transferred to the party engaged in the
survey and location of the Central railroad. There is but one party of en-
gineers in my circuit, consisting of the principal engineer of the southern
district, and Mr. Terrel and Mr Scheels, assistants. Mr. Beach was enga-
ged in August last, as a junior assistant, and has been engaged in the office
in Belleville, and incidentally and occasionally in the field. These o-en-
tlemen are all the engineers at present engaged in my circuit.
The board will have presented to them my accounts for receipts and
disbursements up to the first day of October, to be examined and audited.
The accounts for the months of October and November, I shall be under
the necessity of deferring until a subsequent meeting of the board, in con-
sequence of not being able to receive and have in readiness all the vouch-
ers in relation thereto. The accounts up to the first day of October, are
exhibited in the monthly statements, (marked "A,") for the months of July,
August, and September, which, together with the accompanying vouchers
are herewith submitted.
The contracts on file in the office of the board will show the specific
jobs, and, in connexion with the plans, profiles, and estimates, the amount
of work let to contractors.
All which is respectfully submitted,
WILLIAM KINNEY.
Belleville, December 4, 1837.
Rail Road Office, 1st Judicial Circuit,
December 1, 1837,
The undersigned, Mitrray McConnel, one of the commissioners of said
board, and acting commissioner of the 1st judicial circuit of said State
submits the following statements as his report to the said board:
Since the last meeting of said board, the said commissioner has caused
that part of the Northern Cross railroad situated between the Illinois river
and Springfield to be surveyed, located, and put under contract ; a report
of which was made to you as president of said board in July last, which
report is now on file in the office of the secretary of said board, and is here
referred to, and made a part of this report.
Immediately after the letting of said work, as shown in said report the
contractors entered with spirit and vigor upon the performance of the
work, and their progress since that date gives sufficient assurance of the
final completion of the same within the time limited.
I 259 ] 46
The commissioner has spared no pains in procuring the right of way
over the various tracts of land upon which said road is now being located,
between the Illinois river and Jacksonville, in which he has been greatly
aided by Mr. Cloud, the clerk of the western district. Tracts of land have
been procured for the use of the State, whereon to esect offices, depots, and
other necessary buildings for the use of said work, both at Jacksonville
and Springfield.
A building has been erected at Jacksonville upon said land for the offices
for the engineers and clerk of the western district, and which will be neces-
sary, both while the road is under construction, and after the same is com-
pleted.
Since the report of July last, all that part of the Northern Cross railroad,
situated between Springfield and Decatur, has been surveyed, and that part
between Springfield and the east bank of the Sangamon river, has been
permanently located, and put under contract, (including the viaduct over
the Sangamon river,) copies of which contracts may be seen filed in the
proper offices, as the law directs.
All that part of the Pekin and Bloomington branch of the Central rail-
road, situated between Pekin and Mackinaw town, on the Mackinaw river,
has been surveyed ; and that part between Pekin and 'Fremont, the coun-
ty seat of Tazewell county, has been permanently located and let to con-
tractors, and a day in January next appointed to enter into said contracts
according to law.
Owino" to the great distance between the places of residence of some of
the contractors and this office, and owing, also, to the inclement season and
the press of business in the office, it was impossible sooner to finally com-
plete this business. Said contracts will be filed in the proper offices so soon
as executed. The commissioner would recommend that the grade of this
road be changed even beyond fifty feet to the mile, with a view of lessening
the cost of construction, and the contracts were deferred to procure an ac-
tion of the board upon this recommendation.
Much difficulty was encountered in the location of this road. This was
principally owing to the great and sudden elevation of the country in the
direction of Bloomington above the level of the Illinois river at Pekin, and
to the high and undulating surface of the country.
It was found that said road could not be made at a grade of forty feet to
the mile. To make said road within any reasonable cost, a grade of fifty
feet to the mile was necessarily adopted. From ali these facts, it is evident
that the cost of this road will be greater than some other roads in this cir-
cuit. But the importance of the work, the great number of inhabitants to
be benefitted, and the great extent of fertile country to be accommodated,
will justify even a greater expenditure for its construction.
Every effort has" been made by the officers and engineers in charge of
the public works in this circuit, to forward the same and ta economize in
the location and construction thereof. The cheapest and most eligible
routes have been selected for said roads, without regard to individual inter-
est but with a view to the cheapness and permanency of the work, and
the general good of the whole. That those officers have arrived to perfec-
tion in the performance of their several tasks is not pretended ; but it is
believed that, in all instances, they have performed their duties with a rigid
and scrupulous determination to do right, and to strictly guard the inter-
est of the State.
47 [259]
The first surveyor's company entered upon field duly ahout the twen-
tieth of May last. Great difficulties were encountered from hfgh waters,
continued rains, sickness of liar ds and engineers, and a general want of
information among the hands employed of their necessary duties in this
new employment. No more than two companies have been employed in
this circuit at anyone time since the commencement of the surveys, and
part of the time only one. Yet there have been near four hundred and' fifty
miles of approximation and experimental lines surveyed. About seventy-five
miles of railroad have been permanently located and put under contract. A
great portion of this located road passes over the broken country bordering
upon the Illinois river, and some of its tributaries, and embraces the most
difficult parts of the public improvements in this circuit. In addition to
this, a great amount of work has been done by the contractors between the
Illinois river and Jacksonville, embracing an extent of active operations of
about twenty-four miles in length. This work required the almost constant
attention of the commissioner, and two or more of the engineers employed
in the circuit.
The engineering companies were discharged about the middle of Octo-
ber, and the expenses in every possible way curtailed. Several assistant
engineers are now necessarily engaged in making profiles, plans, and draw-
ings of the works now under contract. They have as yet been unable to
furnish the maps, plats, and profiles necessary to be filed in the office of the
secretary of the board, but the same will be made and filed in the course of
this winter.
The total amount of money drawn by me as commissioner since the
first commencement of my services as such, is equal to forty-seven thou-
sand five hundred dollars; and the total amount of money expended bv
me, upon all the public works under my charge, since the first commence-
ment of my services as commissioner up to the first day of the present
instant, is equal to thirty-three thousand eight hundred and thirty-six dol-
lars and twenty-one cents. A part of this expenditure was for mathemati-
cal instruments, horses, wagons, and camp equipage, now on hand and
ready for use so soon as the spring opens ; but by far the greatest portion
of said expenditure is for work actually done upon the Northern Cross
railroad.
This expenditure is properly chargeable to the objects hereinafter named
in the following proportions, to wit : '
To the general internal improvement fund - . <a>lo gqi oft
Northern Cross railroad from Quincy, &c. . ,22240 OH-
Pekin and Bloomington branch of the " 5~ *
Central railroad - qq^ .,q
The reports of the engineers, consisting of that of Mr. Bucklin chief
engineer, Mr. Hawn, and Mr. Pollock, senior assistant engineers, accompa-
nying this report, and are here referred to as part of the same, and as o-jV-
ing all the necessary information relative to said surveys. -
All of which is respectfully submitted.
, 1 M- McCONNEL,
Commissioner 1st Judicial Circuit, Illinois.
To the Hon. William Kinney,
President of the Board of Public Works
for the State of Illinois.
[ 259 ] 48
Yandalia, December 4, ] 837c
The undersigned, acting commissioner for the 3d judicial circuit, has
the honor to report to the board of commissioners of public works the fol-
lowing detail of operations and proceedings, for the six months preceding
the 1st of December, 1837, and also the amount of moneys received and
expended for and on account of the public works.
1. Central railroad. — No surrender of the company charter on this
road having been made according to law, the commencement of surveys
was delayed until the passageof the acts, supplemental to the act to establish
and maintain a general system of internal improvements, approved July
21st, 1837. So soon as this authority was obtained, the engineers com-
menced the examination and survey of the route between the mouth of
the Ohio and Vandalia. An experimental line is thus obtained through
the route.
2. Shawneetown and Alton railroad. — The surveys on this route have
been extended from Shawneetown to Big Muddy river, and a definite sur-
vey and location been made from Shawneetown to Equality, a distance of
about eleven miles.
STATEMENT OF RECEIPTS AND EXPENDITURES.
Name of the work. Ain't of Receipts. Ain't of Expenditures.
Central railroad - - - $4,500 $3,000 00
Alton and Shawneetown railroad - 6,500 1,735 59
Alton and Mt. Carmel railroad - 1,500 1,732 26
General fund - - - 1,000
Note. — Some acts the undersigned has not been able to have transmitted
to the central office in time for this report; they will be submitted hereafter,
The whole of which is respectfully submitted.
ELIJAH WILLARD,
Acting Commissioner Public Works.
SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT TO THE DECEMBER MEETING, 1837.
To the Board oj Commissioners of Public Works of the State of Illinois:
The undersigned, acting commissioner for the 4th judicial circuity
would present a semi-annual report of the progress made in the internal im-
provements of the State, under his superintendence, up to the 1st day of
November, 1837.
On the 17th day of April last, I employed A. W. Hoyt as principal engi-
neer for the eastern engineering district, (as stated in my last report,) at a
salary of three thousand dollars per annum, his time to commence the 1st
of May, and authorized him to go to the eastern States to procure assistant
engineers, mathematical instruments, &c, with a view to the organization
of two engineering parties ; he employed R. J. Cleveland as a senior assistant,
at a salary of fifteen hundred dollars per annum, and A. Bielaski as a ju-
nior, at eleven hundred dollars, also C. S. Williams as a sub-assistant, at
one dollar and thirty-two cents per day, and on the 8th day of June, com-
40 I 259 ]
menced the surveys on the Paris and Shelbyville railroad. On the 15th
day of Jane, J. K. Rychliclri arrived, who had been employed as a junior
assistant, at seven hundred and fifty dollars per annum ; on the 1st of July,
Messrs. Cleveland and Ryehlicki went on to the Northern Cross railroad,
and Messrs. Bielaski and Williams, with a party partially organized, con-
tinued the surveys on the Paris and Shelbyville road until the 15th of Au-
gust, when 0. T. Arms, jr. arrived (who had been employed at fifteen hun-
dred dollars per annum) and took charge of the party, and the approximate
location from Terre Haute, Ind., to Shelbyville, a distance of something
over seventy-one miles, which was completed about the 1st of November.
Mr. Cleveland finished the location of the Northern Cross railroad from
the State line of Indiana to Decatur, a distance of eighty-three miles, on the
26th of October, and commenced the location on the Central railroad, be-
tween Decatur and Shelbyville.
The undersigned advertised and let contracts on the Great Western mail
route on the 6th of September, for the improvement of the Purgatory swamp;
the contracts to the amount of near thirty thousand dollars were taken by
responsible men, considerably below the estimate of the engineer who sur-
veyed the work, and the work is progressing.
Contracts were also entered into on the 8th of September, for the improve-
ment of the Little Wabash bottom, on the same road, and the contractor is
prosecuting his work with efficiency. Contracts were entered into at the
same time for building bridges across Fox river, Elm river, and Raccoon
creek, at which points' but little has yet been done.
Early in June last, Colonel Thos. H. Blake, the acting commissioner of
the Great Wabash, on the part of Indiana, and the undersigned on the part
of Illinois, employed Mr. David Burr as principal engineer to superintend
the improvements on the river, at a salary of two thousand dollars, and he
has since been actively engaged in making surveys and examinations of
the river, at and adjacent to the Grand rapids, and we have advertised to let
contracts on the 22d of November, lor the delivery of seven thousand cubic
yards of limestone, for a lock and abutments, with a view to improve the
rapids by slack water.
The undersigned has drawn on the fund commissioners for the following
sums, viz: on the 7th of April, two thousand dollars, for the Paris and
Shelbyville railroad, which was paid about the 5th of June; on the 5th of
June, two thousand dollars, for the Northern Cross railroad ; on the 21st of
June, four thousand dollars, chargeable to the general fund, and six thou-
sand dollars for the Great Western mail route.
He has also expended the following sums, viz : on the Paris and Shelby-
ville road, two thousand four hundred and fifty-five dollars seventy-five and
one-half cents, (a part of which sum will be refunded by an arrangement
by the commissioners of Indiana, for the time occupied by the engineering
party between the State line and Terre Haute, in ascertaining the proper
intersection at the State line ;) on the Northern Cross railroad one thousand
eight hundred and eighty-eight dollars twelve and three-fourth cents have
been paid out; and for objects not chargeable to my particular work, such
as wagons, teams, camp furniture, office furniture, mathematical instruments,
stationery, salary of principal engineer, his own compensation, &c. &c.,
four thousand five hundred and eighteen dollars fifty and one-fourth cents.
Leaving a balance unaccounted for on the 1st of November, of five thou-
4
[ 259 ] 50
sand one hundred and thirty seven dollars and ninety-se%*en and one-half
cents. All of which is respectfully submitted.
M. K. ALEXANDER.
December 4, 1837.
Appendix embracing a partial report of the operations under the su*
perintendence of the commissioner of the Ath judicial circuity for the
month of November y 1837.
On the 6th of November, the undersigned drew on the fluid commission-
ers for ten thousand dollars for the mail route, and three thousand dollars
for general expenditure.
On the 7th an estimate was made by the engineer in charge of the work
on the mail route of the amount of work done on the Little Wabash bottom,
and two thousand three hundred and thirty-four dollars and thirty-three
cents paid to the contractor on said estimate, withholding fifteen per cen-
tum of the amount of work done as security for the faithful performance of
the contracts; an estimate was made of work done in the Purgatory swamp
on said road on the 21st, and three thousand six hundred and eighty-eight
dollars fifty-seven and three-fourth cents, paid to the contractors, reserving
the same per centum as above.
One hundred and forty-seven dollars has been paid out on said road for
advertising, printing, engineering, &c.
On the 22d, contracts were let for the stone advertised for, to be delivered
at the Grand rapids of the Wabash, considerably below the estimate of the
engineer.
Seven hundred and thirty-two dollars and thirty-four cents have been
paid out on the work at the rapids.
The engineering party engaged on the Central railroad, between Deca-
tur and Shelbyville, have completed the location between those points, and
the party disbanded.
After the location of the Paris and Shelbyville road was completed, the
party commenced on the Central railroad, between Shelbyville and Van-
dalia, in which work they are now engaged.
By an act of the General Assembly of the State of Illinois, passed on the
4th of March last, Samuel Mu n day was required to pay over to the board
of public works any unexpended balance of a former appropriation for the
improvement of the Wabash ; in accordance with said law, he paid over to
the undersigned, on the 24th of November, two thousand eight hundred
and twenty- six dollars-and twelve cents ; eight hundred and ■fifty- one dol-
lars and twelve cents of which the undersigned paid to P. H. Bagwell &
Co., on account entered into by said Munday, for work at Coffee island, and
one hundred dollars to Edward Smith, for engineering under the direction
of the said Munday.
The reports of A. W. Hoyt, principal engineer of the eastern engineer-
ing district, and David Burr, principal engineer on the Great Wabash, are
herewith submitted and referred to, and made a part of the accompanying
report and appendix thereto.
All of which is respectfully submitted.
M. K. ALEXANDER,
Commissioner*
51 [259]
.'5Tb the honorable William Kinney », president of the boaof public
works of the State of Illinois :
The undersigned, commissioner of the 5th judicial circuit, has the honor
to report the following statement of the progress of the public works within
the said circuit.
The survey of the Peoria and Warsaw railroad was commenced about
the middle of June, under the direction of Mr. John W. Ingersoll. Consid-
erable difficulty was found in the location of this road from Peoria to Can-
ton, and also at tlie crossing of Spoon river and Crooked creek. Between
the two first named points, two routes were carefully surveyed, and esti-
mates made of the expense of the road on each. The country along the
whole line has been carefully examined, and where a preference for a par-
ticular route was not obvious, approximation lines have been run on all
that appeared plausible. The whole route is believed to be quite as favor-
able as was anticipated, and the expense will probably not much exceed the
appropriation of the Legislature for the object. The survey has been con-
ducted with much skill and assiduity by Mr. Ingersoll and his party. His
report, annexed to that of James Seymour, Esq., principal engineer of the
northern district, is befors the board of public works. It is believed that a
number of miles of this road should be put under contract, so that the work
may be commenced early next spring.
That part of the Northern Cross railroad, included in this circuit, has
also been surveyed. The report of Mr. H. P. Wood worth, the engineer
having charge of that survey, is before the board.
As this survey was not commenced until some time in September, there
lias not been time for the engineer to furnish a detailed report of the same.
This, with the necessary maps, profiles, and estimates, will be made during
the present winter ; and it is the opinion of the undersigned that a portion
of this part of the work should be placed under contract as soon as
practicable.
The amount of money received for the public works by the undersigned
is as follows :
From the general fund ..... $1,000 00
For and on account of the Peoria and Warsaw railroad - 4,000 00
« " « Northern Cross railroad - 2,000 00
For sale of wagon, purchased for Peoria and Warsaw rail-
road ,.--..-. 70 00
The amount expended :
General expenditures
On Peoria and Warsaw railroad
Northern Cross railroad
Oash on hand
$7:070 00
■ $927 14
■ 3.524 23
1,822 16
796 47
$7,070 00
[ 259 ] rt
A statement of the above disbursements, with the vouchers' for the sattief
accompany this report.
All of which is respectfully submitted.
J. WRIGHT.
Commissioner of the 5th Judicial Circuit*
December 5, 1837.
To the honorable Wm. Kinney , president of the board of public works :
The undersigned, commissioner for the 7th judicial circuit, has the honor
to report, that since the meeting of the board in June last, so much of the
Central railroad as lies within his circuit has been carefully and accurately
surveyed under the immediate superintendence of Mr. H. P. Woodworth,
assistant engineer.
The surveys of Mr. Woodworth, under the direction of the principal en-
gineer, have been extended from the north line of McLean county, as far west
as Rock river. This survey having been continued beyond the jurisdic-
tion of the undersigned, it becomes necessary for him to explain that this
course was taken from a sincere desire to advance the public interests, with-
out any intention of encroaching upon the proper duties of others. Mr,
Woodworth and party were already organized and actually in the field, and
had, without the knowledge of the undersigned, carried their preliminary
surveys beyond the limits of the 7th circuit, and it was then thought ex-
pedient to permit the survey to continue as far as Rock river.
The preliminary surveys of all that part of the Central railroad which
lies within the 7th judicial circuit having been completed, it is the inten-
tion of the undersigned to locate several miles of this road, extending each
way from the Illinois river, early in the spring, and to put the same under
contract.
In a communication received from Mr. Woodworth, upon the subject of
this road, he remarks : " So far as I can judge from my observations, with-
out going into the detail of estimating, the route is a very feasible one ; the
grading will generally be easy, there being few cuts or embankments of
any magnitude. On the whole, I should think this portion of the Central
railroad would be less expensive in its construction than has been anticipa-
ted." The only difficulty attending any portion of this part of the road,
is in ascending from th?. valley of the Illiniois river to the top of the bluff;
and this on the south side, of the river can be easily overcome, but on the
north side of the river much remains to be considered in the choice of
routes, and it is apprehended that it will be impracticable to gain the sum-
mit on this side of the river, without adopting, for a short dislance, a grade
of at least one hundred feet per mile, it will, however, remain to make a
selection after due examination, from all the routes surveyed ; and in this
vicinity a very careful examination of all the routes has been made, no time
or pains having been spared at this point.
Mr. Woodworth and a proper number of assistants are now busily em-
ployed at this place in preparing plans and estimates of the several routes
which they have been occupied in surveying. It will be the duty of the
undersigned, under the direction of the board, to make suitable allowance
and compensation to such persons of the surveying party as will be neces-
sary to aid in perfecting the plans and estimates j and for this purpose
53 [ 259 ]
the undersigned would respectfully suggest that some just and equal rate
of allowance for the whole of the persons so employed in the State should
be decided upon.
The undesigned cheerfully bears testimony to the fidelity and zeal of
Mr. Wood worth, the assistant engineer, and to the party acting with him ;
by their untiring diligence much labor was accomplished in a short period
of time.
The undersigned has expended, since his appointment, the sum of six
thousand and twenty four dollars eighty-one and three-fourths cents, and
has received on account of the Central railroad, the sum of ten thousand
dollars, leaving a balance now in his hands amounting to the sum of three
thousand nine hundred and seventy-five dollars nineteen and one-fourth
-cents, which is more clearly exhibited by the accompanying statement of
accounts,
E. PECK,
Acting Com, of 7th Judicial Circuit
Ih ike Hon. Gov. Wm. Kinney, Elijah Willard, Esq., and General Mil-
ton K. Alexander, acting commissioners of public works of the 2d, 3d,
and Ath judicial circuits :
Gentlemen : The undersigned has the honor to submit the following
brief statement, descriptive of the general progress of the examinations,
surveys, location, and construction of the public works, in the southern
engineering district, which have been intrusted to his supervision as prin-
cipal engineer thereof. The field operations have been continued from
the time of their commencement in the month of May last, until the present
period, which circumstance, together with the attention which has been
iiidispensibly devoted to the letting of contracts on the line of the great
western mail route, and to the subsequent prosecution of the contracts, have
rendered it impossible for me to submit a report in detail at this time. This
duty has necessarily been deferred until the closing of the field operations
for the season, which being now done, will forthwith be commenced, and
prosecuted with all possible despatch.
Of the Alton and Mount Carmel railroad.
The examinations, surveys, and location of this work have been made,
chiefly under my personal charge and superintendence, assisted by Mr.
W. Terrel, as senior assistant The preliminary survey and location of the
main line, from Mount Carmel to Alton, was completed during the latter
part of the month of August last, and that of the Belleville and Lebanon
branch of this work has subsequently been completed. The party have
more recently been engaged in making the final and definite location of
th.it portion of the main line which lies between Alton and Edwardsville,
and preparing the work for contract.
The requisite plans, profiles, and* estimates, preparatory to the letting
of this work, will be completed in due time; and those for the eastern
division, fro n M/mtit Carmel westward, can be prepared within the time
necessary for advertising the work for contract, should the board order
[ 259 ] 54
any portion of it to be let, without any additional force, beyond what will
be retained 'in the service for spring operations.
The survey and location of the Alton and Mount Carmel railroad has been
made in detail, and with a view to its definite location, and it is believed that
there will be found little or no necessity for any material deviation from
the present line. At a few points, which will be designated in the detailed
report, it may be advisable to make some further examinations, with a view
to minor improvements in the line, but these will not affect the location at
points designated by law.
From an inspection of the map of the country over which this line of
work passes, it will appear that the line must necessarily intersect the
various general depressions in the country, nearly at right angles. The
obstacles which this feature in the country might be supposed to present,.
to a cheap construction of the work, are few and of limited extent, and
are easily overcome within the limits prescribed by the board for inclina-
tions in the vertical and curvations in the horizontal line; and without
increasing to any material extent, in any one instance, the distance between
designated points. The numerous valleys which the road intersects, are
Calculated to furnish the best materials for the superstructure of the rail-
way, thus obviating the necessity of distant transportation. This is pecu-
liarly the case with the Bon Pas, Little Wabash, Skillet fork, Kaskaskia,
Silver Creek, and Cahokia valleys. The facility for obtaining materials
for the construction of the work, from the Great Wabash and White rivers,
will add much to the economy in the cost of the eastern division. The
cost of graduation of the whole line will be moderate, and particularly
those portions immediately contiguous to the Mississippi and Great Wabash
rivers. The total length of the line is a fraction over 153 miles.
Of the Shawneetoim and Alton railroad.
The commencement of the surveys of this work was deferred until late
in the season, in consequence of the failure of the company incorporated to
construct it to comply with the requisitions of the law, in regard to the
surrender cfthe charter. The operations on this line have been under the
charge of Mr. Lathope, and who, as I am informed, has progressed to the
satisfaction of the commissioner in special charge of the work. Not having
received any recent report from the engineer, I am unable to give a full
description of the operations, or of the nature of the line. But I have the
pleasure to state, from the commissioner's verbal report, that the line so far
surveyed is of the most favorable and satisfactory character ; and that the
work from Shawneetown to Equality can be fully prepared for contract^
and made ready for letting, within the period required for publishing adver-
tisements thereof.
Of the Great Western mail route between Vincennes and St. Louis.
This work was surveyed by Mr. Gilpin, assistant engineer, and the por-
tions of the work, for which specific appropriations were uiade by law, and
some other portions which most needed improvement, have subsequently
been placed under contract. The work has generally been taken at fair
prices, and at small advances above the estimates of the engineer on the
western, and at prices below them on the eastern division \ and the con-
55 [259]
tracts have mostly been commenced and prosecuted with an energy that
gives a reasonable assurance of the completion of the jobs within the time
limited in the contracts. Owing to the difficulty of procuring laborers, and
other circumstances beyond the control of the contractor, there may be some
exceptionsas to the time of completion of the jobs to be executed at the present
season, but the work will be-so far advanced or placed in such a state as to pre-
sent little or no inconvenience to the travelling epmm.upity, in consequence of
its unfinished condition. From a late reconnoissance of the whole line, for
the purposes of inspection and m iking estimates, I am pleased to be able to
say, that there exists a manifest disposition on the part of the contractors to
prosecute their respective jobs with fidelity and all convenient despatch.
An estimate oi" the probable amount of funds, requisite to meet the estimates
of the present month, will be made out and submitted.
Of the Kaskaskla and Little Wabash rivers.
The survey and examination of the obstructions to the navigation in the
former river have been deferred by the State authority, in consequence of
this service having been performed, during the present year, by the author-
ity of the General Government Those on the Little Wabash, have not as
yet been commenced, for want of the adequate assistance requisite for the
-organization of a party to this service.
All which is respectfully submitted.
EDW. SMITH.
Vandalia, December?, 1837.
Vandalia, Dec. 5, 1837.
Hon. Wm. Kinney and Elijah Willnrd. commissioners :
Gentlemen: Herewith enclosed I have the honor to submit a report of
the operations of that portion of the Central railroad, the engineering de-
part U3iit of which yo i hive done me the honor to intrust with me. You
are aware, from the situation of affairs On this road, that I can make no
very detailed report at this meeting; and a general description of the late
survey is all that can possibly be reported.
. Very respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
J. FREEMAN,
Principal Engineer Central Railroad.
The h'Morable the Board of Commissioners of Public Works :
I have the lienor to submit the following report of operations on the Cen-
tral railroad :
That portion of the State to which my attention has been particularly
dire. 'ted, is drained either into the Mississippi or Ohio rivers. The princi-
pal w iter courses which discharge into the latter river, are Cash and its
tributaries; and of those which discharge into the Mississippi river, the
Kaskaskia and Big Muddy river*, and Clear creek, may be considered of
the first importance. Gash river, in its lower sections runs through a
series o[ alluvial swamps and flats; in its upper sections, through a very
[ 259 ] 56
elevated and broken ridge or table of land, extending: across the country
from the Ohio to the Mississippi. On the west edge of this table of land aie
the sources of Clear creek. The branches of Muddy, on the south side,
also take their rise on this table, and run in deep and narrow vallies to-
wards the north, to their debonche; north of Big Muddy the country is
more uniformly level; and even the division ground between Kaskaskia
and Muddy vallies, is of no great comparative elevation. The valley of
the Kaskasia is very extensive, with many streams intersecting it in every
direction, tending towards the main river. The country is of very gradual
descent to the river, and the channels of the tributaries are not greatly
below the general level.
The ridge south of Muddy is of sandstone formation, except a small
section of twenty-five or thirty square miles of limestone in the vicinity of
Jonesborough. North of Muddy, but little rock, of any kind, makes its ap-
pearance.
This river is also the general division between the prairie and timber
lands.
Through this country I have sought a passage for a railroad, according
to the provisions of the law supplemental to the internal improvement act,
approved July 21, 1837, and the instructions of the honorable braid.
By examination of the maps of this portion of country, three routes
would obviously present themselves. The first in importance, is the most
direct, leading across the country, and making use of every means which
it affords to obviate the difficulties attending the transit of a road through
a hilly and intricate region.
Another route would be, to avoid the higher ground, by taking a more
westwardly direction through the Mississippi bottom, until egress would be
easy.
And a third, to pass very considerably to the east, and avoid the intrica-
cies of Cash river.
Owing, however, to the advancement of the season when the Legislature
had authorized the prosecution of the work, the full examination of all
these routes could not be had, and my instrumental surveys have been
confined to the first mentioned route.
The following is a brief description of the course of this line: It will
leave Cairo, and follow up the Mississippi and Cash river bottom, to near
the big bend of Cash, where a small creek (Canelly) and one of its branches
are made use of to advance the line. From the head of this creek, the
course is down a branch of Cooper's creek, crossing the latter, and run-
ning in the valley of Mill creek. Mill creek is used to its extreme source
on the ridge dividing it from Clear creek. This ridge is crossed, and the
course pursued down a branch of Clear creek to its junction with another
branch coming in from the north, up which the course is directed to the
main summit of the country. This high ground is kept to the head of
Drury creek, whose valley is occupied throughout its whole length to Crab
Orchard creek.
Crossing Crab Orchard, and the ridge dividing it from Muddy, we ar-
rive at the latter stream above the mouth of Little Muddy. The high
ground between the Middle fork and Little Muddy is then occupied to
Crooked creek, a considerable tributary of the Kaskaskia river. This, as well
as the East fork, North fork, Patoka, and Richland creek, are crossed trans-
versely. Hickory creek is passed in the bottom common to it and the Kas-
57 [ 259 ]
kaskia river. The Kaskaskia is crossed a short distance below Vandalia,
and the entrance effected by aid of a depression on the south edge of the
town.
The season being far advanced, the surveys were closed until they can
be resumed with advantage.
On this line, advantageous grades, with easy curves, can be generally
obtained ; but a comparison cannot be instituted with the other routes until
further surveys can be had.
Respectfully submitted,
J. FREEMAN,
Chief Engineer Central Railroad.
Vandalia, 5th December, 1837.
Eastern Engineering District Office,
Paris, Edgar Co., Illinois, Dec. 1, 1837.
Dear Sir : I arrived at Paris on the 15th November, the day you left
for the Wabash river.
At the railroad office, I found my assistant, Mr. Arms, who informed me
of your wish to have "a statement of the progress made in the surveys, with
a rough estimate of the cost of constructing the cross railroads in the
eastern engineering district of the State, with the model of the track as re-
commended for adoption, and forwarded to Vandalia on or before the 3d
December," to enable you to report to the board of public works of the
State of Illinois.
I have been incessantly employed since my arrival, in fulfilling your
orders, and I herewith transmit the result.
The approximate location of the Northern Cross railroad from the eastern
line of the State, in the direction of Lafayette, in Indiana, to Decatur, Ma-
con county, Illinois, is completed. This line commences at a point on the
eastern line of the State, about four miles north of a direct line from Dan-
ville, Vermillion county, Illinois, to Lafayette, Indiana, and runs straight
to Danville. At Danville there are two curves of 4.000 feet radius each,
which carries the line through the town and over the Big Vermillion river ;
thence the line runs straight 6J miles, to Butler's point, where there ia
another curve, of 6,000 feet radius; thence straight 171 miles, to the town
of Sydney. At Sydney there is a curve of 10,000 feet radius, of 9 degrees ;
from that curve the line is straight 47f miles, to Decatur.
There are but two obstacles, worthy of note, to the construction of a rail-
road upon the hue surveyed. The first is the passing of the Big Vermil-
lion river, near Danville ; the second, the crossing of the Sangamon river, 6
miles east of Decatur. At the former place, 1 have estimated a bridge of
2^0 feet in length ; and at the latter, 250 feet. Both bridges to be buiit upon
Long's plan, treble bracing for the middle stringers, to be supported by tim-
ber pyramids, based on stone work.
The superstructure of the road I have estimated to be built according to
the model forwarded to you. For details, I refer you to the estimate.
The approximate location of the Central branch railroad, from Shelby -
ville, Shelby county, to the Slate line, between Paris, Edgar county, and
Terre Haute, Indiana, is also completed ; and that part between Paris and
[ 259 ] 58
the Stale line, is definitely located for grubbing and clearing. I have also
continued the approximate location of the road from the State line 10 Terre
Haute, and forwarded an estimate (a copy is transmitted to yon) to Col. T.
H. Blake, canal commissioner for the State of Indiana, with a plan of the
line surveyed.
The location of the Central branch railroad commences upon the east
line of the State, as before stated, and runs 10 miles 2,080 feet, to Paris,
with but one curve, and that is of 4,1.00 feet radius. From Paris to
Charleston, 27 miles, the line is straight ; and as the grade descends from
Paris to the Embarrass river, and ascends again to Charleston, a telescope
at either depot will command a constant view of the entire road between
these two points ; an advantage which but few roads possess. Thirty-two
miles of the line between Charleston and Shelby ville are straight; and
there is no curve less than 4,000 feet radius between these two points.
There are but three expensive points to be encountered upon the entire
line. The first, is passing the Sugar creek, near Paris, for which a bridge
of 500 feet in length is contemplated : the second, the passing of the Em-
barrass river, near Charleston, for which a bridge of 400 feet is required,
and two heavy embankments: the last, the crossing of the Kaskaskia river,
for which a bridge of 1,000 feet in length, with two heavy embankments,
is estimated.
The approximate location of the Central railroad, from Decatur to
Shelby ville, is completed, and the surveying corps disbanded ; leaving but
one engineering party now employed in the field, who are engaged upon
the surveys of the Cential railroad between Shelbyville and Yandalia.
The estimates annexed were computed without a careful adjustment of
the grade, (which a want of time prevented,) which gives the quantity of
work more than it will probably be when the definite location is completed;
but I believe they are sufficiently accurate for your present use.
I have estimated the timber for the track at different prices, to correspond
as nearly as possible to the difference of transportation : that near Paris
being the lowest, as steam saw mills will be erected there, on the line of
the road, to saw much of the timber to be used between the State line and
Charleston.
Plans, profiles, drawings, and models, of all the surveys and form of
construction, are in progress ; and I hope, ere long, to give an estimate, in
detail, and report to the "board of public works of the State of Illinois.
Very respectfully, yours,
ARTHUR W. HOYT,
Engineer of the Eastern Engineering District,
State of Illinois.
General M. K. Alexander,
Commissioner of tlte Board of Public Works,
Stale of JllinoiSffor t/u Fourth Judicial District*
59
[ 259 ]
CENTRAL BRANCH RAILROAD.
Length from the eastern line of the State to Shelby ville, Shelby county \
Illinois, 71 miles 3,265 feet.
Inclination of ihe
planes,
pe
* mile,
in feet.
Length of the inclination.
Miles.
Feet.
Level
_
-
.
..
11
1,843
From
OtolO
-
-
_
27
2,966
10 to 20
.
-
-
23
4.985
20 to 40
-
-
-
8
4,031
ESTIMATE of the branch of the Central railroad from, the State line,
between Paris and Terre Haute, to Shelbyville, Shelby county, Illi-
nois.
PROM THE STATE LINE TO PARIS.
11,320 rods grubbing and clearing, at 62^ cents
per rod - - - -
101,832 yards borrowed earth, for embank-
ment, at 14 cents per yard -
3,196 yards excavation, to be put into embank-
ment, at 24 cents per yard -
16,542 yards excavation, to be wasted, at 14
cents per yard -
20 wooden culverts, at $60 each
670 perches stone work, for culverts, at $5 per
perch - -
No. 1. — Wooden bridge.
Trestle work - - - $625 00
400 feet bridging, at $15 per foot,
Long's plan ' - - - 6,000 00
Amount of first bridge
No. 2. — Wooden bridge.
134 perches stone work foundation, at $6 per
perch, beds hammer dressed - $804 00
Trestle work - - - 625 00
$7,075 00
14,256 4S
7,671 84
2.315 88
1,200 00
3,350 00
6,625 00
[ 259 ]
60
ESTIMATE— Continued.
500 feet bridging-, at $15 per foot,
Long's plan *" - - - $7,500 00
$8,929 00
Amount of second bridge
Amount for grading -
$51,423 20
Which is equal to $4,947 41 per mile.
Superstructure.
Timber.— Stringers at $20 per M, mud sills
and splice pieces, at $14 per M, keys at 2
cents each, sleepers at 14 cents each ; making
the cost of one mile of timber - $1,261 81
Iron. — Rails per mile,
22 tons, at $100 per
ton - - $22,000 00
877 plates, 8 ounces
each, 438J pounds,
at 12 cents per
pound - - 52 62
7.038 spikes, 4 \ inches
in length, 2.21 oun-
ceseach,971 pounds,
at 14 cents per
pound - - 135 94
Loss on iron, \ per ct.,
being for spikes at
the joints of the
rails, &c. - - 11 94
Per mile - _ 2,400 50
Rail laying: 320 rods, at $2 50
per rod ... 800 00
4,462 31
Amount per mile
10 miles 2,080 feet, the-distance from the State
line to Paris, at $4,462 31 per mile
„
46,380 97
Passenger, merchandise, and engine depot at
Paris, including turn outs and turning ta-
bles. The engine house to be built of brick,
for four engines, and machine shop also of
brick -'--.-_-
-
8,500 00
Amount -
106,304 17
Which is equal to $10,227 51 per mile.
1
01
[259]
ESTIMATE— Continued,
PROM PARIS TO CHARLESTON.
4,375 rods grubbing and clearing, at 62| cents
per rod -
398,204 yards embankment, borrowed earth, at
14 cents per yard -
121,211 yards excavation, to be put into em-
bankment, at 24 cents per yard
46,756 yards excavation, to be wasted, at 14
cents per yard - ' - - -
32 wooden culverts, at $70 each
420 perches stone work, for culverts, at $5 per
perch -_...«.
Embarrass river bridge.
810 perches of stone work for piers, for tres-
tles, beds hammer dressed, at $6 per
perch - $4,860 00
Foundations for stone work - 300 00
2 trestle and bolster frames, at
$1,000 each - - - 2,000 00
400 feet bridging, at $18 per foot - 7,200 00
Amount of the bridge
Amount for grading
Which is equal to $4,188 49 per mile.
Superstructure,
Stringers, $30; mud sills and splice pieces,
$25 per M ; sleepers, 25 cents each ; keys,
2 cents each ; making the cost of one mile
of timber - - - $2,039 90
Iron, per mile, as on page No. 60,
viz: -
Kail laying, per mile, as on page
No. 60, viz: - - - 800 00
Amount for 1 mile
Amount for 27 miles
Depot similar to the one in Paris -
Amount - - -
Which is equal to $9,733 71 per mile.
2,400 50
$2,734 37
55,748 56
29,090 64
6,545 84
2,240 00
2,100 00
14,360 00
$112,819 41
5,240 40
141,490 80
8,500 oa
262,810 21
C 259 ]
82
ESTIMATE— Continued.
FROM CHARLESTON TO SHELBYVILLfi*
4,400 rods grubbing and clearing, at 62J cents
per rod
356,479 yards borrowed earth, for embank-
ment, at 14 cents per yard -
44,969 yards excavation, to be put into em-
bankment, at 24 cents per yard
45,012 yards of excavation, to be wasted, at
14 cents per yard -..'<.'.,.«/__.
504 perches of stone work, for culverts, at $5
per perch ~ '- ■ - ; , * ■ , .>
40 wooden culverts, at $70 each
No. 1. — Wooden bridge.
Trestle work - - , $800 00
500 feet of bridging, at $8 50
per foot - - - 4,250 00
No. 2. — Wooden bridge.
Trestle work - * - $620 00
600 feet of bridging, at $8 50 per
foot * .:■ ". - 5,100 00.
Shelby ville bridge*
2,284 perches of stone work for
the trestles, beds hammer dres-
sed, at $6 per perch -
720 piles, driven for the founda-
tion of the stone work, includ-
ing $100) the cost of the piling
machine
Timber ibr six trestle frames}
$354 48 each
Framing and raising the 6 trestles^
and fitting a bolster to each ;
each bolster containing 12,000
; feet, board measure, $1,200 a-
piece •
$13,704 00
1,576 00
2J26 88
7,200 00
$2,750 00
49,907 06
10,792 56
6,301 68
2,520 00
2,800 00
5,050 00
5,720 00
63
[259]
ESTIMATE— Continued.
1,000 feet of bridging, Long's plan,
treble brace work spans of 200
feet each, at $20 per foot - $20,000 00
Amount of bridge -
Amount for grading
Which is equal to $3,811 56 per mile.
34 miles and 1,185 feet of superstucturej at
$5,240 40 per mile -
Depot similar to the one at Paris
Amount *•-.._.,.->
Which is equal to $9,300 32 per mile.
RECAPITULATION,
Cost of the road from the State line to Paris
Cost of the road from Paris to Charleston -
Cost of the road from Charleston to Shelbyville,
Engineering and contingencies connected therewith
- $106,304 17
- 262,810 21
- 318,297 89
10,000 00
Total estimate of the Central Branch railroad from the State
line to Shelbyville, being 71 miles 3,265 feet in length * $697,412 27
Which is equal to $9,737 89 per mile.
NORTHERN CROSS RAILROAD.
Length from the eastern line of the State to Decatur ^ Macon county ^
Illinois^ 83 miles t
Inclination of the planes
per
mile, in feet.
Length of the inclinations.
Miles,
Feet.
Level
m
* -»
10
2,725
From 0 to 10
-
«
43
285
10 to 20
.
« *.
11
2,045
20 to 30
-
*
4
4,240
30 to 40
•
• a.
10
660
at 40
«
M
3
605
[259]
64
ESTIMATE— Continued.
EST1MA TE of the Northern Cross railroad, from the eastern line of the
State to Decatur, Macon county , Illinois.
10,055 rods of grubbing and clearing, at 62J
cents per rod -
1,183,433 yards of borrowed earth for embank-
ment, at 14 cents per yard -
500,800 yards of excavation to be put into
embankment, at 22 cents per yard -
59,900 yards of excavation to be wasted, at 14
cents per yard -
100 wooden culverts, at $70 each
9^4 perches of stone work, for culverts, at $5
perch »
Vermillion river bridge.
1,916 perches of stone work foun-
dation of trestles, at $6 per
perch - ' ,- ' - $11,496 00
2 trestles and bolster frames, each
$1,554 48 - • - 3,108 96
220 running feet of bridging,
Long's plan, treble stringers, at
$20 per foot - - - 4,400 00
150 feet of trestle and frame work,
to connect the embankment with
the bridge, at $5 per foot - 750 00
Sangamon river bridge.
1,308 perches of stone work for
the foundation of trestle work,
at $6 per perch - - 7,848 00
Foundation - - - 300 00
2 trestles, with bolster frames,
$1,036 00 each - - 2,072 00
250 feet of bridging, at $18 per
foot - 4,500 00
$6,284 37
165,680 62
110,176 00
8,386 00
7,000 00
4,620 00
$19,754 96
Amount for grading
14,720 00
336,621
65
[ 259 ]
ESTIMATE— Continued.
Superstructure.
Timber. — Stringers, at $25 per
M, mud sills and splice pieces,
at $20 per M; keys at 2 cents
each, sleepers at 20 cents
each ; making the cost of one
mile of timber
$1,671 85
Iron. — Rails, per mile,
22 tons, at $100
per ton - * $2,200 60
877 plates, 8 oz. each.
438^ lbs. at 12 cents
per pound - - 52 62
7,038 spikes, 4| inches
long, 221 oz. each,
971 lbs. at 14 cents
per lb. - - 135 94
Loss on iron, \ per
cent, being for spikes
at the joints of the
'
rails, &c. - li 94
2,400 50
Per mile
Raillaying.-~320Yods,nt$2 50
per rod
800 00
$1872 35
Amount per mile
-
Amount 42 miles
-
$20,463 00
Forty -one miles of superstructure-
Stringers, at $30 per M. mud sills
and splice
pieces, at " $25 per M ; sleepers
25 cents
each, keys 2 cents each, iron and
rail laying
the same as above, $5,240 40 per
mile
214,856 40
Passenger, merchandise, and egine depot, at
Danville and Decatur, including
turn outs
and turning tables. The engine :
10 use to be
built of brick, for four engines, and the ma-
chine shops also of brick, at $8,500 00 each
17,000 00
Engineering and contingencies
connected
therewith -
■ -
10,000 00
Total estimate of the Northern Cross railroad
from the State line to Decatur, being 83 miles
in length -
-
$783,117 05
Which is equal to $9,435 15 per mile.
[ 259 J 66
To the honorable the Board of Commissioners of Public Works f
Gentlemen : In obedience to the instructions] have received from you>
growing out of rny engagement of the 24th of June last, to take charge of
the improvements contemplated in the Wabash river, I proceed to lay before
you a report of the measures taken to advance that object.
Immediately alter the 24th of June last. I repaired to this place, as the
point presenting the most formidable obstacles to be overcome, to which I
had been particularly directed as the field for operations, and commenced a
general though cursory examination of the country, in the vicinity of the
Grand rapids, and the river from Vincennes to the Ohio.
The operations now pressing forward, in so many rivers in Kentucky
and Pennsylvania, in preparing them for an uninterrupted navigation for
steamboats, appears to point to that mode as the ultimate means which will
at no long period be resorted to, for all the large tributaries of the Ohio ;
with this distinctly in view it was deemed necessary, as a preliminary step*
before a plan could be adopted with judgment to form opinions approaching
at least to correctness of the practability for improvements below, and the
kind which would ultimately be used, so that the plans devised for the
Grand rapids might be in keeping and harmony with those which, at some
future period, may be constructed between this place and the Ohio.
With slight exceptions, from Delphi to within ten miles of the junction
with White river, the Wabash has a mild current of good width, and toler-
ably well defined banks, which confine the waters to their natural bed, ex-
cept in time of floods. Below White river, evident changes are perceptible^
the stream becomes expanded to something like double of its former width,
its course more serpentine, it crosses its lowest valley from side to side,
which is from three to eight miles wide, and in traversing the valley,
changes its course frequently ; forms cutoffs in the bends of the rivers, and
rolls with its current vast volumes of sand. Between White river and the
Ohio, the sand rock of the country is found in the river bed at three places :
Coffee island, and the Little and Grand chains, and forms the ripples,
which have been improved by Messrs. Gardiner and Mundy. At these
places where the rock occurs, the river is susceptible of almost any kind of
improvement which the extensive and increasing trade of the country
may require. The great value of the trade of the valley of the Wabash
would in a short time induce a slack water navigation of the river for the
uninterrupted business of steamboats, if it were practicable to make such
an improvement. But however desirable such an object may be, it is pro-
blematical, at least, from the character of the country, overflown in time
of floods, from three to eight miles in width, with the bed of the stream con-
stantly changing, and its current rolling volumes of sand sufficient in a few
years to fill up its entire bed, for a long distance, whether such a river can
be generally converted into pools for slack water navigation. In such an
event, it is doubtful the process of filling up the pools would go on rapidly for
a few years, and then, to find way, the river would seek a new channel, and
leave such works as had been constructed on dry ground.
Although the probabilities are adverse for the general improvement of
the Wabash, by means of slack water navigation in its whole length, it is
entirely possible, at some period of time, that at the shoals where the rock
occurs, works of the kind may be erected ; and this consideration, although
remotely, had some weight in determining the plan for the works at the
Grand rapids.
67 [ 259 ]
TTbe Wabash below White river, for the small class of Ohio steamboat?,
^s navigable the greatest length of time in each year, and for a much longer
period than it is above, owing more to the shoals from the Grand rapids to
Little Rock, than want of water from thence to Lafayette. Many inquiries
relative to the length of time during which the ordinary steam naviga-
tion is used yearly on the river, have been made, above and below the con-
tinence of White river, but from the conflicting statements it is difficult to
form a correct opinion. The time varies doubtless in different years. Du-
ring the present, there can have been but little or no time when the water has
been too low for small steamboats to ascend the river to the rapids. A
steamboat of ordinary light draught came there the last of October, when
the water was depressed as low, probably, as it has been at any time this
season ; if it could have ascended the rapids it might have made way for a
long distance up the river. From the best sources of intelligence that
could be obtained, it is believed that when the improvements at Grand
rapids shall be completed, that it will add three months at least in each
year to the time in which steamboats can now ascend the Wabash above
the confluence of White river.
The obstructions proposed to be remedied by the present improvements
are the series of shoals and rapids, commencing one mile above the junc-
tion of White river :
1st. The Grand rapids, descent four feet in a half mile.
2d. The Hanging Rock rapids, two and one-fourth miles from the foot
of the Grand rapids, descent one foot seven inches in half a mile.
3d. Crum's ripple and the ripples at Ramsay's and Beedle's mills are
next in succession, four and one-fourth miles from Hanging Rock, descent
three feet two inches from the surface of the water above the dam to Hang-
ing Rock, the greatest part of which is within three and one-fourth of a
mile from the dam.
4th. Little Rock rapids, from the head of which in half a mile is a de-
scent of one foot and three inches ; making in all a descent often feet. The
water on the Little Rock shoals varies in depth in low water from four to
one and a half feet.
In running the line of levels, the point of high watermark was assumed
as the base line at the foot of the Grand rapids 21.57 feet above the sur-
face of the water when the levels were taken. The highest point of rocks,
on the shoals at Little Kock was 12.97 feet below this base line, and in
contemplating the proposed work, to give three and a half feet depth of
water over the rocks, the surface of the river must be raised to a point 9.47
feet below said base line, or in even number to nine feet six inches, which
will be the point to which the weir or comb of the dam will be raised to
when it shall be built.
To determine the best plan of overcoming this descent in the river, sev-
eral plans-, other than that of one dam and one lock, the plan adopted, sug-
gested themselves. The first, if found practicable, was to introduce a
feeder from White river on ground sufficiently elevated to lock by means of
a canal into the Wabash, above and below the rapids, and leave the bed of
the river in its natural state free for the great amount of trade passing it
in flat and steamboats. Another plan, to make a canal from the upper part
of the rapids, deep enough to be fed without throwing a dam across the
Wabash, and in that manner leave the river free. A third one, to erect a
«&am at Hanging Rock to supply a canal to the foot of the rapids.
A slight examination sufficed to show the impracticability of the first,
[ 259 ] 68
and the inexpediency of the last two. The cost of construction was enoogft
to decide the question ; but if they could have been made for a much less
sum, it is doubtful whether they should have been adopted. The steamboat
trade of the Wabash is immensely valuable, and this cannot be well accom-
modated in a canal ; the agitation of the waters produced by the motion
of the steam vessels induces the necessity of paving the banks with stone,
which injures the boats in their passage through them. Canals are obvi-
ously too narrow for the free operation of steamboats, whose motions in
them are so constrained, and their progress so much impeded, that the
utility of navigating canals by the agency of steam is a doubtful and un-
settled question. The first of these canals would have been over seven
miles in length, the latter over two.
These considerations were deemed sufficient to determine that the pro-
posed works at the Grand rapids should be by means of locks and dams
across the Wabash, of the necessary height to give sufficient depth of water
for boats to pass at all times, the shoals and rapids in the first eleven miles
above the mouth of White river, and whether one lock and one dam
should be used for that purpose, or two, was the only question which
remained undecided.
The height the waters require to be raised at the lower termination of
the rapids near White river, to give three and a half feet over the highest
point of the river bed at Little rock in the lowest stage of water, is twelve
feet. This height, on a good foundation, such as will be used, is not too
great to render a dam unsafe, and as a single dam and lock are more eco-
nomical and more convenient than to surmount the same rise of waters
by means of two, the use of one only should be preferred, provided the
country is sufficiently elevated to sustain that height of water against the
banks of the river.
In the event of building two dams, the site of the upper one would be
at Hanging Rock, the lower one near the foot of the Grand rapids. The
two sites are about two miles apart, and the water from the upper site to
the extremity of the pool in the river above, would be at the same eleva-
tion, whether one or two dams should be erected. The only difference to
the adjacent country, in relation to the height of the water, is for the dis-
tance between the* two dams, which, does not exceed two miles, and this
difference in the height of the water would not be greater than three and
one-half feet ; for in order to give the necessary depth over the rocks for
steamboats to enter the lock at the Hanging Rock dam, a considerable
portion of it would have to be submerged by the lower one. A dam at the
foot of the rapids to overcome the obstructions in the river to Hanging
Rock, and secure a sufficient depth of water to carry boats safely into the
second lock, would be seven and one half feet in height above the surface
of the river ; and to overcome all the obstacles proposed to jae remedied^
less than ten and a half feet above the surface of the water wheie the dam
will be built.
The greatest part of the descent of the Grand rapids is within half a
mile of the dam, so that the height to which the waters are raised above
their natural bed is diminished four feet in that distance. The banks are
high enough to confine the waters within them, except at the highest floods,
during which the country is overflowed for miles in extent, with the excep-
tion of a few insulated points of sandrock ridges, which appear like islands
in the surrounding waters.
The difference, therefore, in the height to which the surface of the river
69 [ 259 J
will be raised by the use of one or two dams is inconsiderable, not exceed-
ing three and a half feet for two miles in distance, but to obviate all objec-
tions on that account, in the estimates the cost of making guard banks from
the lower to the upper dam sites on each side of the river has been calcu-
lated and provided for. The difference in the height of the lock gates and
walls on the plan of two dams would have been three feet less than in one,
provided the walls had been left at ten feet above the weirs or combs of the
dams, and sometimes submerged in the waters of high floods, which, al-
though avoided in the plan adopted, would not have rendered the works
unsafe with the banks raised to the proper height, and well protected, and
when the water was at that height, the dams would have made no obstruc-
tion to the passage of boats.
It is believed that all the advantages which can be claimed for two dams
over one, are summed up in these items: of the height of the water, and
the height of the lock gates and walls ; both are inconsiderable.
But the plan of one lock and one dam is preferable on account of produ-
cing less delay and injury to steamboats to pass one lock than to pass two,
of less delay of landing flat-boats, and the hazard of being drawn over the
dam in the descending trade of the river, of an increased amount of water
power, and greater economy in the cost of construction. It is usual to al-
low three feet for head and fall in building mills; on the plan of two dams,
the difference in the surfaces of the water at Hanging Rock, above and be-
low the dam, would have been, only three feet, and therefore valueless for
practical purposes; the available water power at the lower dam site six
feet; on the same plan, but with one dam and one lock, the available water
power will be nine feet fail. Therefore, if two dams and two locks could
have been constructed for the same cost, the single plan ought to have been
preferred. The cost of two, however, would have generally exceeded the
•cost of erecting one. For comparison :
Plan of two dams and two locks.
Cost of dam and lock at foot of Grand rapids - $138,825 93
Cost of dam and lock at Hanging Rock - - 132,782 00
Total - - - - - $271,608 50
Plan of one dam and one lock.
Cost of dam and lock near foot of Grand rapids - $166,928 55
Difference - $104,679 98
The plan of dam and lock was adopted, not only on account of the great
difference of cost in its favor, but also of its greater utility. The height of the
dam will be sufficient to give three and a half feet water over the highest
points in the rock bed of the river at Little Rock shoals, without taking into
consideration the influence the dam will have in backing the waters that dis-
tance, or for the height the water will stand on the comb of the dam, both
of which \vill probably be equal to 6 inches, and give a depth of water of
four feet over the highest rocks.
The lock will be one hundred and seventy-five feet long, and thirty eight
feet wide in the chamber, and of the same dimensions as those used in the
Kentucky rivers, which are now being improved ; the lock is of sufficient ca-
[ 259 ] 70
pacity, with a rise of two and a half feet in the river, to pass boats of two
hundred tons burden, the size which includes the most numerous class.
which navigate the Ohio, and, at all times, to pass boats drawing three and a
half feet water ; the gates will be opened with capstans ; the lock walls will
be two hundred and thirty-six feet in length, with piers of crib-work filled
with stones, and faced with plank, extending one hundred and eighty feet
in length above -and below the lock, for protection walls.
The dam will be one thousand feet in length, built with cribs of timber
filled with stone, and covered with six inch plank. The site is on the sand
rock bed of the river, and affords a good foundation for the dam ; the rock
is more firm and compact than that which is found above water in the vi-
cinity. Care has been taken in the selection of the site, to place the dam suf-
ficiently up the falls for the 'agitation of water produced in passing the
dam to subside on the rock bed of the river, to prevent deep washings below?
the formation of new sand bars to impede the navigation, and to prevent
the structure from being weakened and undermined, The dam is thus
placed some distance up the falls, and, as a necessary consequence, the rock,
to some extent, has to be excavated below the lock. This selection of the
site lessens the height, the dam has to be built about one and a half foot7
and adds greatly to its permanency. This rise on the rock takes place
above the point where the water will be discharged for hydraulic purposes,
so that the fall secured by the erection of the dam is fully equal to twelve
leet, nine feet of which, according to the usual allowance of mill wrights
for head and fall races, will be available for machinery ; with a supply of
water greater than can be used for many years to come, sufficient at least to
propel three hundred run of four and a half feet mill stones at seasons of
the lowest stages of water, and will not be impeded by floods more than
six weeks in a year.
The dam will have some slight influence in backing the waters of the
river in medium floods, but this influence will be small; in higher staged
floods, in which the water rises on the weir or comb of a dam to something
like one-fifth part of its natural height, this influence of backing the waters
is altogether lost, so that a dam has no effect in increasing the rise of
freshets after they swell to a certain height; in such cases, an increase of
velocity, at the place the dam is situated, is all the difference which can
be perceived. The effect on smaller rises of a river must be very slight ;
for the waters in the pool of a dam of miles in extent, in small floods,
move with a current that is scarcely perceptible, and the difference, con-
sequently, of the elevation between the terminations of the pool must be
small indeed.
The banks of the river are generally nineteen or twenty ieet above its
bed, and at the height of ordinary floods ; but, with the exception of three
places in the distance of eleven miles above the mouth of White river, in
the highest rises of water the whole valley bordering the Wabash is over-
flowed for miles in extent. The valley is very level and uniform in its
surface, of a tough clayey soil, which affords a tolerable guaranty against
cutoffs, and the river from forming new channels.
From the lock and abutment on each side of the river guard banks
can be cheaply constructed to high ground which never overflows ; a fortu-
nate circumstance in the location, which could not be found at any other
place within many miles. Almost immediately above the site of the lock
on the eastern bank of the river, a point of land, twenty feet above the
71 [259]
highest floods, projects into the stream, and forms a harbor where boats
may land safely, without danger of being drawn over the dam.
This projection of high ground is not so abrupt as to make it difficult to
pass, but, at the same time, it influences the current from the point to
the bend of the river on the opposite side, and shields thereby the lock
from drift and ice.
The bed of the Wabash for some distance, several miles above the Little
Rock rapids, is deep and well adopted to become the reservoir of the sand,
which must, in the nature of things, be deposited at the head of the pool.
Few places on the Wabash could be found so well adapted for the location
of similar works, in which safety, convenience, and permanence are so well
secured. The lock walls are designed to be built of durable materials, and
in the best manner, as well as the abutments and dam. The great amount
of trade on the Wabash obviously points to the necessity of doing in the best
manner whatever is done, so that the work, when put up, will need little or
no repairs, or be of doubtful utility when completed. The plan is very
similar to those used in Kentucky on their public works. Care will be taken
to have the walls and gates of such dimensions that they will be able to
resist the pressure against them, and in the height of the gates that they
shall not exceed the limits in ordinary use for large locks, so that nothing
shall be left to conjecture or the hazard of an experiment.
The difficulty of procuring stone of good quality, the quantity of materials
to be collected at one point, the uncertainty of a proper stage of water for their
transportation, and the necessity of having all the materials ready and
prepared on the ground before a commencement of any part of the struc-
tures in the water can be made, induced the recommendation of letting out
the delivery of the stone for the lock and abutment. This letting for the
materials took place on the 22d instant, and contracts were taken by two
responsible companies for the delivery of seven hundred cubic yards of stone
by the 1st of June next, at fair prices for the States. The contractors have
already entered with spirit upon the business of their contract, and with an
activity which promises well for their performance. The prices at which
these contracts have been taken would seem to insure the completion of the
whole work within the estimates made for its cost.
Thus far, building stone of good quality has not been found nearer than
Porters ville, seventy-seven miles by water above the confluence of White
river. There the quarries are fine for the massive work for which the
materials are required ; none of suitable quality have been found nearer to
the site of the works, although diligent and laborious search has been made
for that purpose.
The cost of the dam and lock is estimated at one hundred and sixty -six
thousand nine hundred and twenty-eight dollars fifty-five cents. The
whole is carefully estimated, and put at such prices, it is confidently
believed, as will insure the completion of the work in the most substantial
manner, without exceeding the estimates by a single dollar.
It is expected that, according to contract, the stone will be delivered by
the first of June next, and that the main contracts for building the lock
and the dam, and abutment, may be let by the 15th of that month, so that
the work may be completed by the first of November, 1839.
Ample provisions have been made in the estimates for the use of the
water power in the construction of culverts and canals for the conveyance
and discharge of the water.
[ 259 ] 72
So great a power for hydraulic purposes created in the heart of an exten-
sive wheat growing country, and adjacent to the beds of iron ore abounding
in the valley of White river, cannot fail to insure to the States large profits,
Its situation in a district of country where water privileges are extremely
limited will enhance its value, and being so great, and within twelve hours'
voyage of the Ohio, will give it such claims to the attention of the public
as cannot, in the nature of things, fail to point it out as extremely well
situated for any kind of manufacture in which water power is essential,
and induce it to be extensively improved.
In regard to the profits to be derived from the construction of the work,
it will be sufficient to remark that, when completed, it will probably stand
on more favorable ground, in relation to the revenues to be derived from it,
than any other in either of the States, So soon as it shall be completed, a
very moderate rate of tolls collected on the great trade of the Wabash will
render it profitable in the matter of revenue. But a very short time can
elapse before the rents from the water power alone will pay the interest on
the cost of construction, and keep up the necessary repairs and attendants.
Leases for water power in Indiana rent for one hundred and fifty dollars
per annum, for privilege for propelling one run of four and one-haif feet
mill stones, and are readily sought for at these prices.
The eligibility of this water power for the manufacture of iron and nails,
of paper, cotton, lumber, and flour, cannot fail of making it, in a short time,
the source of large revenue to the State. The benefits of these works to
the country can hardly be appreciated. Great confidence is felt, that, to the
present navigable portion of the year of the Wabash, it will add at least
three months to that time, for the upper part of it, and that when the ob-
stacles to the navigation of this section of the river shall be removed, there
will be more inducement for the business of steamboats in the summer sea-
son, and that but ;i very short time in each year will be found, in which
light draught-boats, suited to the commerce, will not make their regular
trips from the upper country to its mouth. Nor will the benefits cease with
the extension of the navigation of the river ; and the rents and tolls which
will be received, the introduction of property, the investment of capital to
a great amount in manufactures, will swell the revenue of the States, add
greatly to the aggregate of their wealth, and to the prosperity and conveni-
ence of their people.
The disbursements made in locating the work, examinations for stone,
purchase of instruments, tools, &c. is one thousand four hundred and sixty-
four dollars sixty-eight cents; the one-half of which, or the sum of seven
hundred and thirty-two dollars thirty-four cents, was paid out of the money
furnished by each commissioner of the respective States, as per account
with vouchers rendered with the plans and estimates in detail.
Which are respectfully submitted.
D. BURR,
Principal Engineer, Wabash river.
Mount Carmel, Illinois, Nov. 28, 1837.
'The honorable the Board of Public Works, State of Illinois:
Gentlemen: The following is a biief statement of the progress of the
surveys and examinations for the proposed improvements in the northern
73 [ 259 ]
districts. of this State, committed to my charge by your honorable body,
from the commencement up to the present time.
The first party was organized on the 8th day of May, 1837, and placed
upon the line of the Central railroad, between the north line of McLean
county and Rock river. The examination was commenced near the ter-
mination of the Illinois and Michigan canal, at Peru. The surveys were
continued in a southerly direction, with J. W. Ingersoli at the head, until
the arrival of P. H. Woodworth, to whom the charge was then committed,
about the 1st of June, and Mr. Ingersoli placed in charge, with his party,
of the surveys and examinations of the country for the proposed railroad
between Peoria and Warsaw.
The third party was organized about the 3d of June, at Galena, with
William B. Gilbert at the head, and placed in charge of the necessary sur-
veys and examinations between that place and Rock river, to connect his
lines with those tc be examined by Mr. Woodworth, and terminating at the
same point, by making Rock river a division between the two parties.
The fourth party was organized at Dixon's ferry, Rock river, about the
20th June, and Mr. A. Blanc placed in charge of the same, to make the ne-
cessary surveys and examinations of the said river for steamboat navigation,
until the arrival of Mr. P. H. Oglebie, who was to continue the surveys;
Mr. B. then to take the charge of the office, and make the necessary maps,
profiles, &c. of said river and the Central railroad, between Galena and
Rock river, as fast as the surveys were made, he (Mr. B.) being one of our
best draughtsmen, on the arrival of Mr. O. who took the field. Soon after it
was found that the exposure to the weather was such that his health at the
time would not permit ; it became necessary that he should return to the
office, and Mr. B. to continue the surveys and examinations for the whole
length of said river, about one hundred and fifty miles distant ; all of which
has been finished, with much care and credit to himself. Mr. C. L. Sey-
mour has lately arrived, for the purpose of examining and assisting in mak-
ing the estimates as fast as maps, profiles, &c. of said river are finished.
He (Mr. C. L. Seymour) has also travelled in company with myself the
whole length of the river from the north line of the State to its confluence
with the Mississippi, and examined the most difficult point, and consulted
together with reference to the best place of improving the same; and I have
requested him to remain until the estimates are finished, as he has had
practical information upon similar works heretofore, and it being impossible
for me to attend to all of the necessary estimates at the same time, as the
offices are now situated, one at Dixon's ferry, Rock river, one at Chicago,
and the other at Canton, Fulton county.
The necessary preliminaries, surveys, and examinations, are now com-
pleted for all of the improvements before mentioned, together with the sur-
veys of the proposed railroad from Meredosia, in the valley of the Illinois
river, to Quincy, in the valley of the Mississippi. The latter has been
done by Mr. Woodworth's party. Since finishing the work as above be-
fore assigned to him, J. W. Ingersoll's party was disbanded the latter part
of September; Mr. Woodworth's and Mr. Gilbert's in October ; and Mr.
Blanc's in November, as you will see from the pay rolls, by retaining from
two to three in each party until the field books, maps, profiles, and esti-
mates are sufficiently arranged to dispense with their services for this sea-
son; all of which is now in progress, and will be finished as soon as the
necessary work can be well done ; after which a detailed report or docu-
[ 259 ] 74
merit will be presented by each assistant engineer upon the different works
they have been engaged, together with my report upon the same. The
head of each party, together with the draughtsman, received at the rate of
$1,500 per annum ; junior assistants' salary at the same time the duties and
labors were performed, have been that of senior assistants, which duties
have been 'faithfully executed. Each party has consisted of from eight to
ten in number, while in the field, and the price per day for leveller $3 00,
surveyor $2 50, roadman $2 00, chainman, axeman, teamster, cook, &c.
from $1 00 to $1 25 per day. The number of miles instrumentally ex-
amined by the different parties have been about 1,000 miles to obtain 500,
or thereabouts, for actual location, after a careful estimate of the different
lines examined. The preliminary surveys have been made with much
care, consequently the proposed lines may be located and put under con-
tract early next season, or such proportion of each work as you may di-
rect. At this time I cannot present you with a detailed report of the dif-
ferent lines until the estimates, maps, profiles, table of grades, curves, &c,
are finished, as before alluded to. I can say, however, that there are
no important obstacles in the way of either of the proposed improvements,
and that the amount appropriated for each will be sufficient for their con-
struction, or nearly so — some may overrun and others fall short. The
country through which the railroads are to pass, is favorable for their con-
struction, and can be finished for much less per mile than the average cost
of the many other railroads in the United States. The improvement of the
Rock river, for steamboat navigation, will be attended with very few diffi-
culties compared with the advantages to be derived from the same ; the
cost of which will not exceed $200,000, but will probably exceed $100,000
a little. It will be necessary, however, to exceed 40 feit grade per mile
in certain cases, for the railroad, which will not be very objectionable, con-
sidering the points and places where such grades will be necessary, together
with the distance, which will be short, &c. ; all of which will be clearly
explained, in the report alluded to, hereafter.
For a more detailed account of the several proposed improvements, I
beg leave to refer you to the following document from my assistants upon
the various works they have been engaged.
All of which is respectfully submitted, by your humble servant,
JAS. SEYMOUR.
Chicago, November 26, 1837.
Central Railroad Office,
Dixon's Ferry, November 25, 1837.
Sir : In compliance with the request contained in your letter of the 8th
instant, I hereby transmit to you a brief report, estimate, and table of grades
of a portion of the surveys committed to my charge.
This will give some idea of the nature and feasibility of the route, which
may be of essential service to the honorable the board of commissioners of
public works at their meeting in December. I do not pretend that all the
various subjects connected with a w minute report" are here embodied, or
that all the requisite information can be furnished at so early a date since
the completion of the duties in the field. Sufficient, however, will be given,
I hope, to satisfy yourself that the aggregate cost of the work will not ex-
75 [259]
ceed the amount contained in the following estimate, and that we have been
entirely successful in finding a feasible route.
To those acquainted with that section of the country between Galena
and Rock river, a more favorable result could not have been anticipated
than that developed by a careful examination of the country, which proves
so highly favorable to the construction of a railroad. After the rough
maps and profiles were made of the several lines that have been surveyed,
much exertion has been used to complete an estimate upon one line from
Galena to Rock river. I regret, for reasons already mentioned, that I am
unable to present the maps and profiles of this line. A detached report of
the result, including maps, profiles, and estimates of the different lines sur-
veyed, will be furnished as soon as practicable. It is probable that other
lines may present more feasible results.
From Galena to Savannah, 30 miles.
In your letter of instructions, Galena was designated as the point at
which the survey was to be commenced. The line commences on the
northeast side of Fever river, and follows its general course to its junction
with the Mississippi. The ground, most of the way, a distance of six
miles, is much broken by narrow ravines and ridges. At Low's point, two
miles below Galena, the river makes a sharp turn to the southwest, and the
hills adjacent are high and steep ; in several places large ledges of rocks
project. To pass this point, it is necessary to make a curve of 640 feet ra-
dius, to avoid expensive rock excavation. From Low's point the line con-
tinues on favorable ground about five and a half miles, excepting one point
where the river curves short to the northeast, and then as short to the south-
west. At this point a curve of 520 feet radius is made to avoid a deep
side-hill excavation.
Below the mouth of Fever river, the line follows the valley of the Missis-
sippi to Savannah, a point to which, by your letter of instructions, the sur-
vey was directed. A short distance below the mouth of Fever river the
banks of the Mississippi are high, and, in some places, very steep, the line
occupying the sloping bank about 28 feet above the river until it reaches
the Sand prairie, two miles below. In tracing the line through Sand prai-
rie, we pass over a uniform surface 12 miles.
At the lower end of this prairie the line crosses Apple river three-fourths
of a mile below Mr. Watson's house. The river at this place is 172 feet
wide ; the banks on each side are good, and afford a safe crossing, without
any danger from the high freshets to which the river is subject. The line
then ascends into abroad tableland, about 50 feet above the river, and con-
tinues quite uniform until broken by the valley of Rush creek, five miles
below. Crossing Rush creek near Mr. Robinson's dwelling, the line passes
over favorable ground to a point two miles above Savannah ; thence fol-
lows a steep sidehill to Savannah. The sidehill is mostly composed of
rock, lying in thin strata, much broken by vertical and horizontal seams,
which renders them easy to remove.
Q,uarries have been opened along the sidehill at different places, which
show very plainly the nature of the rock.
[ 259 ] 76
From Savannah to Rock river ) 36 miles , 17 chains.
Leaving Savannah, the line descends gradually to Plum river bottom;
crossing* the river half a mile above the ferry. At this place the river is
234 feet wide. The line then follows the valley of the Mississippi to the
head of Cat Tail swamp, a distance of 15 miles. From the head of Cat
Tail swamp, the line deflects to the northeast, from a tangent 12 miles,
leaving the valley of the Mississippi, and continues to Rock river, at a point
about 17 miles below Dixon's ferry.
The nature of the ground over which this line is traced, is uncommonly
favorable, the grading very light, and the earth easy of excavation.
Elevation.
The highest level attained on the line between Galena and Rock river,
is only 82 feet. The surface of Fever river being adopted as our base
line.
Curves.
There will be no curve less than 1,200 feet radius, excepting the two
before mentioned.
Estimate.
The following estimate is based upon work of durable character. On
every part of the line where the material is required, valuable stone for
building bridges, culverts, &c, can be obtained at very little expense. In
many places where the line crosses deep ravines, a considerable deduction
can be made from the estimate cost, by substituting bridges of wooden
structure in place of earthen embankments.
I arm sir, with much respect,
Your obedient humble servant,
W. B. GILBERT,
Civil Engineer.
James Seymour, Esq.,
Chief Engineer of the Central railroad. Northern District.
77
[ 259 j
TABLE of grades from Galena to Rock river.
No. of
Length of
Lnclinatiou
Ascending or
Elevation
grades..
grades.
per mile.
descending.
above Fever!
river.
Remarks.
Ms. ch^s.
]
0.30
Level
25.00
2
0.45
25.00
Ascending -
39.06
H
0.57
13.00
Descending
29.80
4
0.21
Level
29.80
At Low's point.
5
1.16
4.33
Ascending -
35.00
6
3.21
2.15
Descending-
28.00
7
3.75
_
Level
28.00
Head of Sand prairie.
8
1.28
22.96
Ascending -
59.00
9
0.72
26.67
Descending
35.00
10
1.10
10.22
Descending
23.50
11
4.25
8.00
Ascending -
58.00
L
12
1.10
27.56
Descending
27.00
13
1.25
10.67
Ascending -
41.00
14
0.60
21.33
Descending
25.00
15
0.06
_
Level
25.00
Cross Apple river.
16
1.01
28.64
Ascending -
54.00
17
0.78
7.47
Ascending -
61.28
18
2.02
12.48
Descending
36.00
19
0.48
26.67
Descending
20.00
Cross Rush creek.
20
2.20
4.44
Ascend ing-
30.00
21
1.70
5.33
Descending
20.00
Savanna h.
22
1.22
10,59
Descending
6.50
23
1.58
_
Level
6.50
Cross Plum river.
24
1.40
17.44
Ascending -
32.56
•
25
6.60
2.24
Descending
17.49
26
1.40
5.00
Ascending -
25.00
27
3.00
7.00
Descending
4.00
28
1.10
3.55
Descending
29
1.46
6.35
Ascending -
10.00
30
1.34
17.40
Ascending -
34.79
31
1.70
_
Level
34.79
32
1.52
25.58
Ascending -
77.00
33
0.78
4.10
Descending
73.00
34
0.84
20.95
Descending
51.00
35
0.66
4.52
Descending
47.27
36
0.72
21.31
Descending
29 34
37
0.30
11.73
Descending
24.94
38
& l'$
fll68
Ascending -
42.00
39
0.72
7.02
Descending
35.62
40
2.08
1.78
Descending
32.00
41
3.12
-
Level
32.00
Rock rivet/
f 259 ] 78
Sir : I have the honor of informing yon that the examinations and sur-
veys intrusted to my charge, as your assistant, have been completed, viz :
of that part of the Central railroad between the northern boundary of
McLean county and Rock river, and of the Quincy and Meredosia division
of the Northern Cross railroad, Our surveys, agreeable to yoUr instruc-
tions, were commenced on the south bank of the Illinois river, and as the
chief difficulties seemed to be in gaining the summit of the bluff, three dif-
ferent routes or lines were surveyed from the river intersecting on the
prairie, and thence but one line to McLean county.
The first of these lines ran up the Big Vermillion river. It" was found
to be rather a circuitous route • generally an easy, but on account of rockyf
points, deep ravines, &c., expensive grade. The second line is direct, and
surveyed with a view to stationary power : a good line, and as pretty a
grade as could be wished. Our third line is up the Cedar creek, very di-
rect, gaining the summit of the bluff in about four and a half miles ; and,
with the exception of two other deep cuts through rocky ridges for a
short distance, may be considered a good line. The grade on the whole, I
think, is easy and not expensive. After gaining the prairie^ there is nothing
to prevent a tangent, with light grading, at least as far as to McLean coun-
ty. After completing our surveys on the south side of the river, we com-
menced examinations on the north. Here we found more difficulty in gain-
ing the high prairie; four routes were examined and carefully surveyed.
On the first two, we gained the prairie in about one and a half mile, by
running up ravines, but were compelled to a grade of at least 100 feet per
mile, on a line with curves. I think, however, that by excavating and em-
banking moderately, a direct or straight line may be obtained on one of these
routes. Our third line runs up the Little Vermillion ; a crooked line, with
one, at least, very abrupt and unavoidable curve ; gaining the prairie in
about ten miles, and at a point at least four miles from the direct line.
On Koek river, agreeably to your directions, we surveyed four lines from
the river. Across the country from Rock to Illinois river, we have surveyed
two entire lines, one of which has but one curve, and the other we tried to
suit to the surface of the country. In this survey, more than two hundred
miles of instrumental observations have been made with the greatest care,
and with a view to obtain the best feasible line for the road. On the whole,
1 am happy to say, that 1 think the route is much more favorable than has
been anticipated.
The Q,uincy and Meredosia survey was conducted under the immediate
direction of Mr. Wm. Seymour. The directions given me by yourself res-
pecting this survey have been strictly observed. Every line has been thor*
oughly examined, and judging from an examination of the field books, I
should think the route even more favorable than you anticipated. The
grades will be generally easy, and not expensive. About ninety miles of
instrumental observations were made to obtain a line for location of less
than sixty. My surveys were all completed by the 27th of October, when
the party was disbanded ; and I am happy to bear testimony to the zeal, in-
dustry, and fidelity of each member of the party, in the discharge of his
respective duties while in the field. Their promptness and activity in fol-
lowing my directions, and unity of action, has enabled us to accomplish so
much this season.
We have commenced operations in our office in Chicago, and shall make
our maps, profiles, plans, estimates, &c., with as much despatch as possible,
79 [ 259 ]
We have much work before us, and but little help to do it. However, I
think we can have everything done in the best possible manner before the
spring opens.
I have engaged the services of an assistant draughtsman, whose compen-
sation is to be left to yourself or the decision of the board of public works. I
consider his services absolutely necessary, considering the extent of our
surveys, and the fact that my surveyor was entirely unacquainted with
draughting, not even being able to plat his own field book. My leveller and
surveyor are, and will be, profitably employed in the office ; and consider-
ing we have the work of two surveys (viz: Central railroad and Q,uincy
and Meredosia) to do in our office, I would suggest the propriety of retain-
ing, as assistants in the office, the two young men who acted as rodmen on
the former survey, and alternately as levellers on the latter. They will
soon learn to render much assistance in platting profiles, estimating, &c.?
and may save the expense of another draughtsman.
As soon as our office work has sufficiently progressed, I shall have the
honor of making to you a more formal and detailed report.
In the mean time,
I remain your most obedient servant,
H. P. WOOD WORTH,
Assistant Engineer.
To James Seymour, Esq.,
Chief Engineer Northern Engineering District ', State of Illinois,
Canton, Illinois, November 27, 1837.
Sir ! Having been appointed to conduct the survey of the Peoria and
Warsaw railroad, and having completed that dutjr, I beg leave to present
the following report:
By the internal improvement act of the late session of the Legislature^
this road is to extend from the town of Peoria, on the Illinois river, to War-
saw, on the Mississippi, about four miles below the lower rapids, passing
through the towns of Canton, in Fulton county, Macomb, the seat of jus-
tice for McDonough county, and Carthage, the county seat of Hancock
county.
It has been deemed proper to divide the road into four divisions: the first5
extending from Peoria to Canton, the second, from Canton to Macomb, the
third, from Macomb to Carthage, and the fourth, from Carthage to Warsaw,
1st Division.
The country, in a direct line between Peoria and Canton, is not favorable
to the location of a railroad, on account of the numerous valleys and
ravines caused by the head branches of the Big and Little Lamarsh, Cop-
peras, and several smaller creeks. It is, therefore, necessary to deviate from
a direct line, either to the south, by following down the bottoms of the
Illinois river about twenty miles, then ascending the bluff on a grade of
forty feet per mile, cross the valley of Copperas creek, thence north to Can-
[ 259 ] 80
ton ; or to the north, ascending the bluff at Peoria, and, after crossing the
valley of Kickapoo creek, gain the high prairie ridge north of the head
waters of the above named creeks. Both these routes being feasible, it
was necessary, in order to form a correct opinion of their relative advan-
tages, to survey each of them; this was accordingly done, and the estimate
of the two lines are herewith presented, and a description of the country,
with the obstacles to be encountered on each route.
Bottom route.
The formation of the bluffs along the Illinois river are of such a nature,
that the numerous small streams which flow into it, from the high prairies,
cut into bluffs, deep and often wide ravines, and the earth, thus washed from
them, is deposited in the bottoms in ridges, and on the top of these ridges
are found the small creeks or branches which will necessarily increase the
expense of crossing them. As the line ascends the bluff, it is obliged to
cross ravines caused by these small branches, the embankments conse-
quently increasing in depth as the line ascends the bluff. After ascending
the bluff about two miles and gaining near the top of it, the valley of Cop-
peras creek presents itself as the most serious obstacle on this route. The
whole length of embankment across this valley is three thousand two hun-
dred feet, (sixty-six hundredths of a mile,) and the height of the grade line
above the bottom ninety feet. The width of the bottom is short, (four
hundred feet,) there being a strip of bench or table land about twelve hun-
dred feet in width. The average height of the grade line above this table
is sixty-five feet. The cost of crossing this valley, of course, depends on
the plan adopted.
I have estimated the expense required to build a solid earth embankment.
On the west side of Copperas creek valley the ground is nearly level, and
covered with a stinted growth of oaks, commonly denominated barrens.
Through this timber the line continues about two miles, then enters a
prairie, and follows the same to Canton ; distance, by way of bottom route,
thirty miles.
Prairie route.
The bluffs at Peoria are of a different formation from those generally
bordering on the Illinois river, there being a strip of table land from one to
two miles in width, and eighty feet above the river. To gain this table
land (according to the line at present established) will require a grade of
forty seven and five-tenths feet per mile. From this table the line ascends
the second bluff to the high prairie, and continues on the same about one
and three-fourths of a mile, where it reaches the valley of Kickapoo creek.
The valley of this creek, at the point of crossing, is one thousand feet from
bluff to bluff; and the bottoms are one hundred and sixty feet below the
grade line. The plan proposed for crossing this creek is by a bridge, after
the form of Col. Long's, supported by timber piers from the bottom : these
are to be covered to half their height with earth brought on the road and
dropped around their base. This will preserve the timber from decay below
the earth, and serve as a foundation when a re-construction shall be
required. This plan is proposed for crossing similar valleys by the chief
engineer of the Niagara and Detroit river railroad, and the bridges are in
81
[259]
use on some of the principal railroads in the country. After crossing this
valley, the line follows a summit ridge between some small branches of
the Kickapoo about two miles, and enters the prairie near Henry Jones's.
From this point the line continues to Canton on a prairie ridge, forming a
summit between the head-waters of Big and Little Lamarsh and Copperas
creek on the south, the branches of Kickapoo and Big creek on the north.
Distance, by the prairie route, thirty-two and two-tenths miles.
Estimate for grading Prairie route.
328,198 cubic yards of excavation, at 14 c.
437,114
1
19
embankment, at 15 c. -
culvert for a branch of Copperas creek
small culverts, at $120
Clearing and grubbing
Bridge over Kickapoo creek valley
Total estimate -
$45,949 72
65,567 10
500 00
2,280 00
1,500 00
20,000 00
$135,794 82
Estimate for grading Bottom route.
(Peoria and Copperas creek section, 22 miles/
179,600 cubic yards excavation, at 14 c.
183,076 <•
embankment, at 15c.
Bridges over Kickapoo, Big and Little Lamarsh
38 small culverts, at $130
Clearing and grnbbins:
Total estimate -
Copperas creek section, two miles.
287,438 cubic yards excavation, at 14 e. -
802,409 « "■ embankment, at 15 c.
Viaduct -
2 culverts, at $130 - - -
Clearing and grubbing ...
Total estimate -
Copperas creek section to Canton, six miles.
20,159 cubic yards excavation, at 14 cents -
57,975 cubic yards embankment, at 15 cents
8 small culverts, at $130
Clearing and grubbing ...
Total cost of bottom route -
Total cost of prairie route -
Favor of prairie route -
6
$25,144 00
27,; 61 40
4,700 00
4,940 00
13,976 00
$76,221 40
$40,241 32
120,361 35
3,000 00
260 00
1,400 00
$165,262 67
$2,822 26
8,696 25
1,040 00
600 00
$254,642 58
135,794 82
$118,847 76
[ 259 ] 82
Second division, Canton to Macomb, 36 7-10 miles*
The only points on this division where extra expense will be required^
are the valleys of Spoon river and Big creek ; the latter is about one mile
west of Canton, and presents the same general characteristics of all the
streams throughout this country, viz: deep valleys, (or what may be more pro-
perly denominated ravines.) abrupt and broken bluffs, and uneven ground on
either side, caused by their small tributaries. The only point near the di-
rect line where it is possible to reach the main valley of Big creek, without
crossing several of these small branches, is south of the town of Canton. It
was therefore necessary to run the line south through the town, before at-
tempting to run westerly in the general direction of the road. To cross
this valley, will require an embankment thirty feet high, and about four
hundred feet in length, with an ascending and descending grade of thirty-
seven and thirty-six hundredths feet per mile.
After crossing the valley of Big creek, and passing through the adjoining
timber, the line enters upon Totten's prairie, remarkable for its regularity
and smoothness of surface. This prairie is -narrow, forming a summit be-
tween the branches of Big creek and Spoon river on the south, and Put-
nam's creek on the north. The line continues down this prairie, (passing
through the town of Centreville,) about twelve and a half miles, then enters
the valley of Boughman's branch, and continues down the same to Spoon
river*
By reference to the table of grades, it will be seen that I have adopted
grades of 60 7-10ths feet per mile, for two and a half miles, and 44 9-10ths
feet per mile for 4,400 feet.
By a resolution of the board of commissioners of public works, the grades
on all the railorads in the State are limited to maximum of forty feet per
mile. In compliance with that requisition, 1 have estimated the expense of
constructing the road down this valley on that grade. It may be proper
here to remark, that if this latter grade is adopted, it will require the exca-
vation to be made below the surface of water in the branches near its source.
It will therefore be necessary to excavate the road bed wider than usual, in
order to admit drains of sufficient width to carry off the water which would
naturally flow into it. It may also be advisable to construct drains on -each
side of the excavation, on the natural surface, to prevent injury to the slopes
from washing.
After descending the valley of Boughman's branch, the line enters the
valley of, and crosses Spoon river, about one quarter of a mile above Colonel
Ball's mill. Alter crossing the bottoms, it is necessary to follow down the
west bluff, about one and three-fourths mile, then cutting through a spur
of the same between the river and Harris's branch the line enters the valley
of the latter. This branch presents the same general features as the one on
the opposite side of the river, but being longer, it will admit of grade thirty-
nine and seven-tenths feet per mile, until near its source, when the same
necessity occurs for adopting a steeper grade as at the head of Boughman's
branch ; it does not, however, require one so steep, being fifty-two and five
tenths feet per mile for one and three-fourths mile. If a grade of forty
feet per mile is adopted, the same extra expense will be required as at the
head of the branch on the opposite side of the river.
From the head of Harris's branch to Macomb, (twelve miles,) the line is
straight, passing over a large prairie, slightly undulating ; and by adopting
ithe grade to the sifrfaee, little expense will be required for grading,
83 [ 259 ]
&tlmate for grading second division, thirty-si-x and seven-tenths viiles ;
Canton to the head of Bough-marts branchy fourteen miles.
85,253 cubic yards of excavation, at 14 cents - - $11,935 42
100,423 cubic yards of embankment, at 15 cents - - 15,063 45
4 culverts, at $120 480 00
Clearing and grubbing - 600 00
Total estimate ..... $28,078 00
Prom the head of Boughmarts to the head of Harris's branch, ten and
three-fourths miles.
£7,317 cubic yards of excavation, at 14 cents
54,063 cubic yards of excavation, at 15 cents
9S,424 cubic yards of embankment, at 15 cents
55,210 cubic yards of embankment, at 16 cents
2,550 cubic yards rock excavation, $1 50
9 culverts, at $120 -
1 culvert -
450 cubic yards slope wail, at $1
Clearing and grubbing
Total estimate -7 ...-.■ .
$6,624 38
8,109 45
14,763 60
8,833 60
3,825 00
1,080 00
200 00
450 00
3,800 00
$47,686 03
ifth miles.
$2,245 74
5,092 20
360 00
5,000 00
$88,462 84
Prom head of Harris's branch to Macomb, eleven and one-fifth miles
16,041 cubic yards of excavation, at 14 cents
33,948 cubic yards of embankment, at 15 cents
3 culverts, at $120 -
Bridges over Spoon river and Big creek
Total cost of grading 2d division
Estimate for grading down the valley of Boughmarts branch on grades
of sixty and seven-tenths and forty -four and nine-tenths feet per mile,
three and six-tenths miles.
On sixty seven-tenths and forty-four nine-tenths feet per mile $12,576 44
On forty feet per mile - 80,005 07
Favor of steeper grades . . - - $67,428 63
Third division^ Macomb to Carthage, twenty-eight miles.
This division embraces a portion of the country drained by the waters
©f Crooked creek, and to cross its valley is the only point of difficulty.
f 259 ] 84
On a direct line between Macomb and Carthage, this 'creek is divided mi&'
two principal forks, called " the East and West forks," which form a junc-
tion about twelve miles west, and three and a half south of Macomb. The
route to whicli the line is confined for twelve miles west of this place, is a
narrow, flat prairie, directly parallel with the East fork, and forming a
summit between that and Troublesome creek. The line continues on this
prairie, parallel with the East fork, till after its junction with the West, then
descends to the valley of the main creek, through the valley of McDonough's
branch. At the head of this branch, and in the points of the bluff, throtagh
which it is necessary to cut, sandstone rock is found near the surface.
This is the only point on the road where there is any amount of rock
excavation. After crossing Crooked creek, and passing over a prairie
bottom from one-half to two feet below high water mark, the line enters
the valley of Asher's branch, and continues up the same to its head. This
valley is favorable to the location of a railroad, requiring but few curves^
and those of large radii, and grades of twenty-six and four-tenths and
twenty-nine feet per mile. From the head of Asher's branch to Carthage,
it is necessary to cross the valleys of three small branches of Crooked creek,
running in a northerly direction, requiring short and deep embankments,
and one of them an ascending and descending grade of thirty-eight and
five-tenths, and thirty-five and eleven hundredths feet per mile ; otherwise
the line passes over an even prairie, and enters Carthage on the south side.-
I also examined a route following neara direct line between the extremes
of this division, and crossing both forks of Crooked creek. The objections
to this route are the difficulty of crossing both forks, each of which presents
the same obstacles as the valley of the main creek, although the distance
would be from two to three miles less.
Estimate of grading third division, twenty -eight miles.
105,006 cubic yards of excavation, at 14 cents - - $14,709 24
32,181 cubic yards of excavation, at 15 cents
14.545 cubic yards rock excavation, at $1 50
177,556 cubic yards of embankment, at 15 cents -
119,429 cubic yards of embankment, at 16 cents -
10 culverts, at $120
2 culverts -
1 bridge over Crooked creek
Clearing and grubbing -
Total estimate -
Fourth division, Carthage to Warsaw, nineteen miles.
Between Carthage and the timber adjoining the Mississippi, is a prairie
of laro-e extent, drained by the head branches of Crooked, Beaver, and
Warsaw creeks. To avoid their valleys, it is necessary to deviate from a
direct line a short distance to the north and south. Approaching the Mis-
sissippi, the same peculiarity is presented as near the Illinois river, viz: the
ground ascending towards the river forming a ridge parallel with it from
4,827
15'
21,819 00'
26,633
40
19,108
64
1,200
00
2,000
00
2,000 00
2,050
00
$94,347 43
85
£259]
sixty to eighty feet above the general surface of the country. To gain the
summit of this ridge, an ascending grade of thirty eight feet per mile is
required. The line then descends along this ridge to the bluff, in the rear
of Warsaw. At this point, in order to gain the whole descent in one tan-
gent, and on favorable ground, is required a curve of five hundred feet
radius, which is the only one under twelve thousand feet on the whole
road. The grade adopted clown this bluff to the river is one hundred and
eighty-four feet per mile. On this grade passengers and light merchandise
can be transported with a single locomotive, but the heavier articles of
transportation will require extra horse-power, or an assistant locomotive.
The country near the Mississippi is exceedingly broken and irregular in
its formation, and much care and examination will be required before the
best possible location can be made.
Estimate of grading fourth division, nineteen miles.
225,631 cubic yards of excavation, at 14 cents
200,888 cubic yards of embankment, at 15 cents
22,376 cubic yards of embankment, at 16 cents
8 culverts, at $120 -
3 culverts, at $200 -
Clearing and grubbing
Total estimate
$31,588 34
30,133 20
3,580 00
960 00
600 00
1,000 00
$67,861 54
Summary.
1st division — prairie route
2d division
3d division - * -
4th division
$3,331 61 per mile for grading.
$ 135,794 82
88,462 84
94,347 43
67,861 54
$386,466 63
The following is a table of the grades adopted from Peoria to Warsaw
[259]
86
TABLE of grades.
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
42
43
44
45
46
47
AR
4^
8® .
14
Location.
Peoria
Cross Kickapoo creek
Prairie
Prairie
Prairie
Prairie
Prairie
Prairie
Prairie
Cross branch of Cop-
peras
Canton
Big creek
Totton's prairie
Totton's prairie
Totton's prairie
Totton's prairie
Totton's prairie
Centreville
Valley of Bough man's
branch
Valley of Boughman's
branch
Cross Spoon river
Along Spoon river bluff
Valley of Harris's br'nch
Valley of Harris's br'ncl
Fulton county
McDonough county _
McDonough county _
Prairie
Prairie
Prairie
Prairie
Prairie
Prairie
Prairie
Prairie
Prairie
Prairie
Macomb
o a
1°
l."S
Q
Miles.
0?95
2.80
3.41
5.30
6.30
7.20
10.04
10.99
12.40
16.10
17.99
19.32
20.45
24.62
27.08
31.06
32.01
32.99
34.28
35.83
36.93
38.64
39.50
40.08
40.91
41.86
46.21
47.08
49.20
50.04
51.60
52.08
52.42
53.14
53.98
55.49
57.16
57.95
58.52
5". 28
60.15
60.61
61.18
61.83
62.69
63.45
64.20
65.53
67.80
68.75
69.51
bo
G
bo
Miles
0.95
1.85
0.61
1.89
O.99
0.90
2 84
0.95
1.41
3.70
1.89
1.33
1.13
1.17
2.46
3.98
0.95
0.98
1.29
1.55
1.10
1.71
0.86
0.5&
0.83
0.95
4.35
0.87
2.12
0.84
1.59
0.45
0.34
0.70
0.84
1.51
1.67
0.79
0.57
0.70
0.87
0.46
0.56
0.75
0.76
0.76
0.75
1.33
2.27
0.95
0.76
Inclination of grade.
Direction.
Ascending
Ascending
Level
Ascending
Ascending
Descending
Ascending
Descending
Ascending
Level
Ascending
Ascending
Ascending
Descending
Descending-
Descending
Level
Descending
Ascending^
Ascending
Descending
Descending
Ascending
Ascending
Descending
Ascending
Descending
Descending
Descending
Descending
Level
Ascending
Ascending
Descending
Ascending
Ascending
Ascending
Ascending
Level
Ascending
Descending
Ascending
Descending
Ascending
Descending
Ascending-
Ascending
Level
Ascending
Level
Ascending
Per
mile.
Feet.
47?50
38.28
55?44
12.40
11.22
9.77
9.24
10.56
10756
4.49
14.00
2.64
13.20
182. 16
30736
36.96
6
7
3
4
5
5
7
60
92
17
75
28
81
09
5.02
3.70
60.70
44.90
9?24
39.60
16.37
29.06
39.60
52.80
10.62
13720
15.80
3.96
14.94
2.00
9.20
15.84
9.24
6734
7759
Total elevation of feet.
For each grade.
Rise. Fall.
Feet.
45700
76.00
105700
12.20
27775
15700
2o7oo
5.95
15.90
47.60
10.25
4.14
3.00
77oo
4.20
12.19
24720
59.88
88.00
8.00
io7oo
L80
i7so
12700
7.00
14740
5760
Feet.
10.30
8775
11.00
32.50
72.45
29790
8.70
5.40
4784
21 786
3.19
128.80
37.20
11.78
13.80
8750
77oo
Above
Peoria
lake.
Feet.
41.00
86.00
157.00
157.00
262.00
274.20
264.00
291.75
283.00
298.00
298.00
318.00
323.95
309.85
328.83
296.35
223.90
223.90
194.00
241.60
251.85
243.15
237.75-
241.89
244.89
240.05
247.05
225.19
222.00
93.20
56.00
56.00
60.20
72.39
61.92
86.12
146.00
234.00
242.00
242.00
252.00
238.20
240.00
231.50
233.00
226.00
238.0CV
245.00
245.00
259.40
259.40
265.00
87
TABLE— Continued.
[259 ]
q3
2
fcuo
Location.
O e8
O
a
o
\
Inclination of grade.
Total elevation in feet.
IB
For each grade.
Above
03
1°
M*q
Direction.
Per
Peoria
a
3
fa
g fib
mile.
lake.
1
w J;
J
Rise.
Fall.
Miles.
Miles.
Feet.
Feet.
Feet.
Feel.
52
Prairie
70.08
0.57
Descending-
7.39
_
4.20
260.80
53
_ _ _
71.20
1.13
Level
260.80
54
-
72. 16
0.95
Descending
7.39
77oo
253.80
55
73.48
1.32
Level
253.80
56
_
74.24
0.76
Descending
7?65
5^80
248.00
57
-
75.00
0.76
Ascending
5.28
4700
252.00
58
_
75.67
0.67
Level
252.00
59
-
76.33
0.66
Ascending
10?56
87oo
260.00
60
-
77.73
1.40
Descending
7.92
11.10
248.90
61
-
79.55
1.82
Level
248.90
m
-
80.69
1.14
Descending
21~58
_
24730
224.00
63
- -
81.25
0.56
Descending
12.61
6.60
218.00
64
Valley of McDonough's
branch
83.52
2.27
Descending
58.00
_
132.00
86.00
65
Cross Crooked creek _
85.61
2.69
Level
_
_
_
86.00
66
Valley of Asher's branch
87.31
1.70 ,
Ascending
26.40
45.00
131.00
67
Valley of Asher's branch
88.45
1.14
Ascending
29.00
33.00
_
164.00
68
-
83.94
0.49
Descending
10.56
5.20
158,80
m
Cross Wilson's branch
89.96
1.02
Ascending
29.00
29.70
_
188.50
70
— — _ _
90.53
0.57
Ascending
21.12
12.00
200.50
7t
Cross Owen's branch _
91.59
1.06
Descending
35.11
37.34
163.16
72
_ _ _ _
92.87
1.28
Ascending
38.50
49764
_
212.80
73
_
93.94
1.07
Ascending
4.22
4.48
_
217.2S
74
Cross Carthage branch
94.55
0.61
Descending
27.98
17.08
200.20
75
Prairie
95.34
0.79
Ascending
15.05
1L97
_
212.17
76
Prairie
96.02
0.68
Level
_
_
_
212.17
77
Prairie
96.97
0.95
Ascending
26.40
25.00
_
237.17
78
Pass Carthage
98.86
1.89
Ascending
14.73
26.00
_
263.17
79
Prairie
100.19
0.33
Descending
3.96
_
5.25
257.92
80
Prairie
100.37
0.18
Level
_
257.92
81
Cross small branch of
Bear creek _
101.33
0.96
Descending
23.23
22.00
235.92
82
- - _ _.
102.65
1.32
Descending
3.70
4.92
231.00
83
-
103.24
0.57
Descending
11.35
_
7 00
224.00
84
— — ■ _ _
109.85
6.61
Level
_
_
_
224.00
85
_ _ _ _
111.97
2.12
Ascending
38.28
81.20
305.20
88
Summit of ridge
112.31
0.34
Level
_
305.20
87
Along ridge _
113.82
1.52
Descending
39760
_
60.00
245.20
88
Along ridge _
114.77
0.95
Descending
31.68
_
30.00
215.20
89
Along ridge _
115.18
0.41
Descending
34.84
14.50
200.70
90
Along ridge _
115.23
0.05
Level
200.70
91
Warsaw
115.97
0.74
Descending
184780
_
136750
64.20
92
Mississippi river
116.00
0.03
Level
-
-
-
64.20
The foregoing estimates are liberal, and cannot fail to build the road.
If frame work is adopted in place of heavy embankments, the first cost
may be much reduced.
The whole length of the road (by way of the prairie route, first division)
is one hundred and sixteen miles, passing through a country celebrated for
the fertility of its soil and the salubrity of its climate, rapidly settling with
an industrious and enterprising population, and who have evinced, through-
[259]
88
out the whole length of the road, a commendable interest in its progress.
Liberal donations of land for depots have been offered in some of the towns
upon the line. Although the grades are undulating, to suit the surface of
the country, they will not suffer in comparison with any road of equal
extent in the country.
The following table will give the gross load with which an engine of
eight tons weight can ascend grades varying from a level to one hundred
and fifty feet per mile :
Ascension per mile.
Tons.
Ascension per mile.
Tons.
Level.
160.00
50
50.05
5
134.39
60
43.33
10
113.79
70
38.07
15
101.12
80
33.68
17
96.03
90
30.10
20
87.58
100
27.10
30
70.63
150
17.14
40
58.80
.
By applying the grades, in the foregoing table of grades, to the above, the
gross load of one engine is ascertained,
Curvatures.
With the exception of the curve at Warsaw, there will be required no
curves under one thousand two hundred feet radii. The majority of them
are from two to twelve hundred feet, and on a final location they may be
much improved.
All which is respectfully submitted, by
Your obedient, humble servant, &c,
JOHN W. 1NGERSQLL.
To James Seymour, Esq.
State op Illinois, )
Fayette county. \
Personally came J. W. Ingersoll before me, the undersigned, an acting
justice of the peace within and for said county, and made oath that the
facts and statements in his report, as engineer, signed by him, are true3
according to the best of his knowledge and belief.
[l. s.] Witness my hand and seal, this 9th of December, 1837.
ALLEN McPHAIL, J. P.
Engineers' Office, Western District,
Jacksonville^ October 29, 1837.
Gentlemen : In conformity with the instructions of the acting com-
missioner'of the first judicial district, and the plan of operations previously
adopted with reference to the speedy prosecution of all the surveys in this
district, the necessary arrangements were made as soon as practicable after
the final location of the first division of the Northern Cross railroad, to
89 [ 259 ]
commence the survey and location of a route for the Pekin and Blooming-
ton railroad, and the continuation of the Northern Cross railroad beyond
Springfield. The requisite instructions were issued, two brigades of engi-
neers organized, and the survey of the former road assigned lo Mr. Win.
Pollock, and the latter to Mr. Frederick Hawn. Subsequently instructions
were received from the acting commissioner of the first judicial district,
requiring the immediate preparation for contract of that part of the Pekin
and Bloomington railroad between Pekin and Tremont, and of that part of
the third division of the Northern Cross railroad between Springfield and
the northern bank of the Sangamon river. Accordingly the definitive loca-
tion of both portions of the respective roads have been completed, as soon
as possible, by the gentlemen to whose charge they were confided, and their
reports and estimates are herewith transmitted.
The country between Pekin and Tremont, as was anticipated, presents
great obstacles to the economical construction of that part of the road.
We have, however, been fortunate in being able to adopt a very direct
route; the value of which location is enhanced by the long and steep grades
which have been found unavoidable, and which would have been more
objectionable in curvatures. The cost of graduating the northern route,
through Park street, in Tremont, which is undoubtedly the cheapest and
most direct, amounts to $100,294, which, added to the probable cost of the
superstructure for nine and fifty-nine hundredths miles, at $6,110 per mile,
makes the total cost $174,778, or $18,225 per mile, including an allowance
of 10 per cent, for superintendence and contingent expenses. As the bad
health of Mr. Pollock and his party, and the unfavorable state of the
weather, has rendered it impossible to extend the examinations to Bloom-
ington, within the time fixed for letting the 1st division of the road, I am
unable to state how much the average cost of the whole road may be reduced
by the evidently more favorable character of the residue of the route.
The examinations of the route of the Northern Cross railroad has been
extended east of Springfield to Decatur, and the country sufficiently ex-
amined to ascertain the practicability of obtaining a very cheap and favor-
able route, though the location is by no means fixed, except for the first
seven miles east of Springfield, which has been definitively located, and is
now ready for contract, agreeably to the instructions of the acting commis-
sioner.
The route selected for this part of the 3d division is unusually favorable,
notwithstanding the unavoiably great expense of crossing the Sangamon
river. The length of the bridge across the river I have estimated at 300
feet, or two spans of 150 feet each; to decide whether this is sufficient to
pass its waters or not, it will be necessary to examine the stream when
high, an opportunity for which will probably occur the ensuing winter or
spring. The cost of graduating this portion of the 3d division of the
Northern Cross railroad six and sixty-six hundredths miles in length, is
estimated at $58,237, and the superstructure, at $6,339 per mile, at $42,219;
amounting to $110,483, or $16,569 per mile, including 10 per cent, for
superintendence and contingencies. The remaining part of the route to
Decatur is so favorable to the economical construction of the road, that
there can be no doubt but that the average cost of the whole division will
be less than $9,000 per mile.
The above estimates are predicated upon the value of labor and materials
at this time; but I must here express my conviction that, unless too large
[ 259 ] 90
a quantity of work is put under contract at once in this State, the former
must soon fall, as the fact is notorious that most of the public works in the
east are finished, and that great numbers of laborers are compelled to pro-
ceed west to obtain employment.
I will here suggest the propriety of deferring putting under contract, or
at least laying down, the superstructure of that part of the Northern Cross
railroad between Springfield and the Sangamon river, until the completion
of the graduation between Jacksonville and Springfield ; by so doing, the
embankments will have an opportunity to settle, especially in the valley of
the Sangamon, and the superstructure, when laid, will be less liable to
derangement, and more durable.
To insure the greatest durability of timber, it should be cut in Decem-
ber or January: this is an old rule. There is little doubt, however, but
that timber is just as good cut in the summer, provided it is immediately
deprived of its bark, and squared so as to take off the sap ; but it is difficult
to enforce a strict compliance with such a requisition. The timber for the
bridges on the first and second divisions Northern Cross railroad will be
cut this winter. Models of these important structures, including that
across the Sangamon, are now being made, so that there can be no possible
error in their construction ; the plan is one that admits of the renewal and
repair of any of the parts with facility.
The plan of the superstructure of the roads is the same as that adopted
on the 1st and 2d divisions of the Northern Cross railroad, viz : mud sills,
supporting cross ties, which connect the longitudinal rails. This seems
to be the most substanial plan that could be employed consistent with a
proper economy, and is capable of ready adjustment.
It would be prudent, I think, at this time, to provide for the future repairs
of the roads, by establishing nurseries of timber. The locust is the best adapt-
ed to our deep loamy soil, and is the most durable timber for the purpose ;
there is sometimes a difficulty in making the seeds germinate, but they are
very certain to do so if boiling hot water is poured upon them, and they
are suffered to stand 24 hours, or until they swell. The cost of 160 acres
of land, fencing, ploughing, planting, interest of cost and tending for ten
years, could not exceed $8,000, and "it would produce at least 50,000 trees,
a sufficient quantity of timber to entirely renew the superstructure on
thirty miles of road. The cost of the present inferior timber employed
greatly exceeds the above estimate, and is certainly of not one-fourth the
value.
It is highly probable that, when it becomes necessary to renew the present
superstructure on the Northern Cross railroad, it will be found expedient to
relay it upon a continuous wall of masonry, the materials for which can
be cheaply transported on the road, in which event less timber will be
required.
In the accompanying papers marked A and B will be found the reports
of Messrs. Pollock and Hawn, and in those marked C and D, estimates, in
detail, of the respective roads prepared for contract. The maps and pro-
files will be forwarded as soon as it is practicable to execute duplicates.
With high respect,
Your obedient servant.
J. M. BUCKLIN,
Principal Engineer Western District.
To the honorable Board op Public Works
Of the State of Illinois,
91 [ 259 ]
Jacksonville, October 25, 1837.
Sir: I respectfully submit the following report, and accompanying map
and profiles, which exhibit the result of an examination and survey for
that portion of the contemplated Pekin and Bloomington railroad between
the former place and Tremont, a distance of nine miles and a half; and
also of an experimental line from Tremont to Mackinaw town, a distance
of seven miles and a half more.
Agreeably with your instructions, 1 commenced the survey at Pekin two
months ago. It was your expectation that, before quitting the field, I would
run an experimental line the whole distance from Pekin to Bloomington,
and to complete th» location from the former place as far east as Tremont,
and as much farther as practicable, this fail. It is probable your expecta-
tion would have been realized, had the weather proved favorable ; but the
operations were considerably retarded by Jong-continued rains, and still
more so by sickness, probably caused by exposure in camping out in wet
weather. The party commenced taking sick on the 10th of September,
and in a few days after, the hands were nearly all afflicted with the ague
and fever, in consequence of which the operations were suspended, or
nearly so, and could not be resumed until a new set of hands were procured
from a distance.
Previous to commencing the survey, I made a reconnoissance of the
country between Pekin and Tremont, and found it more unfavorable for
the construction of a railroad than I had anticipated, heavy excavations
and embankments being unavoidable. The most prominent obstacles
that present themselves between those two places, are the bluff, or an abrupt
ascent from the valley of the Illinois river, which commences near two miles
east of Pekin, and an elevated ridge intervening between Pekin and the
bluff. Also, James ridge, situated about two miles and a half west of Tre-
mont, and the adjoining valley of Dillon's creek, between the ridge and
Tremont.
To ascend from Pekin to the high land and overcome the bluff, two
routes were presented, viz: " Indian Hollow" and " Hayne's Hollow.'1 Lines
were run up each of them to their heads, by which I found the former to
be decidedly preferable, on several accounts. Firstly : That its direction
is the most favorable, it not exceeding half a mile from a straight line be-
tween Pekin and Tremont, whilst the other varies from it nearly two miles.
Secondly : That it is longer, and will admit of a grade of fifty feet per mile,
whilst the other would require eighty. And thirdly : That the ridge before
mentioned as intervening between Pekin and the bluff, presents a less
difficulty in that direction than in the other. Hayne's Hollow was there-
fore abandoned, and the line continued from the head of Indian Hollow
eastwardly, crossing Lost creek and other small streams running southerly,
and passing James's ridge, where a favorable depression occurs about half
a mile south of Mr. James's. From thence, continuing due east the greater
part of the distance to Tremont, running on a line between sections of land,
and passing through South street, the dividing line between the old and
new town of Tremont, so called : the one is the original town, and the other
an addition layed out at a subsequent period.
From Tremont the line was continued to Mackinaw town, crossing
Prairie creek, Mud creek, and the Mackinaw river. The western bluff of
the| Mackinaw was descended at a favorable place, commencing two miles
from Tremont, in the direction of Stout's mill. The valley at this place is
[ 259 ] 92
wide, owing to the junction of the valley of Mud creek. The line passes
about a half a mile north of Stout's mill, through a favorable depression in
the point of a ridge that makes down between the Mackinaw and Mud
creek. It crosses the Mackinaw river near three-fourths of a mile above
Stout's mill, and strikes the eastern bluff of the Mackinaw nearly one mile
and a half below the town of Mackinaw. We have, then, in order to reach
the level of Mackinaw town, to rise 103 feet. To accomplish that in the
distance above mentioned, would require a grade of a fraction over sixty-
eight feet per mile ; and the bluff being much broken, heavy embankments
would be required within that distance. The grade could be modified by
extending an embankment out from the foot of the bluff, or by selecting
that part of the town which lies on the side of the bluff for the entrance of
the road. The latter would probably be the least expensive.
The line which I have been describing, bends to the south nearly one
mile and a quarter from a direct line between Tremont and Mackinaw ;
but from the reconnoissance which I have made of the country, I am of the
opinion that it is close upon the most eligible route that can be selected.
To adopt a more northern route would involve the necessity of encounter-
ing the bluffs or banks of Mud creek, which would be attended with con-
siderable expense. On the present line they are avoided, and the stream
itself is crossed in the valley of the Mackinaw. But the greatest difficulty,
it appears to me, on a more northern route, would be the valley of the
Mackinaw. Opposite Mackinaw town, in the direction of Tremont, I
would suppose it to be three-fourths of a mile wide, and from that direction
to reach the town, which is situated immediately on the eastern bluff, at
the height above the valley of near one hundred feet, would certainly be dif-
ficult, at a moderate grade, and a reasonable expense. A more minute ex-
amination of the country, however, would be proper before the final deter-
mination of this part of the route.
A line was projected direct from the western bluff of the Mackinaw, at
the point before mentioned, to a depression in James's ridge, nearly half a
mile north of Mr. James's residence, passing a little obliquely through the
centre of the public square of the old town of Tremont, and passing Dillon's
creek at an eligible point ; thence direct to the head of Indian Hollow, cross-
ing the intermediate streams and hollows higher up than the former line,
and consequently less expensive on account of these not being so deep.
The straightness of this line, however, recommends it more than the dif-
ference of expense, it not varying to exceed four hundred feet from a straight
line for the distance of nearly eight miles.
Few curves will be required, and the radius of none of them will be
shorter than one thousand four hundred and thirty feet. A very small
proportion of the road will be level, and the grades will range from ten to
fifty feet per mile. It was not expected by you that the grades would ex-
ceed forty feet per mile, but to adopt a less inclination than fifty feet on
some parts of the road would be attended with enormous expense.
The location line commences at the top of the bank of the Illinois river
at the foot of Market street in Pekin, ancTcontiues out said street for near
half a mile, when it bears to the left in the direction of Indian Hollow,
cutting obliquely across the lots of one or two additions to the town.
The elevation of the line at the commencement is thirty-six feet above
low water mark in the river, and continues level for seven hundred feet.
The next one thousand feet, which reaches the eastern boundary of the
93 [ 2S9 ]
public square, is inclined at the rate of ten feet per mile. The whole
distance so far is seventeen hundred feet, and nearly level, it will be ample
space for the erection of depots and other buildings, and for the transaction
of all business connected with the road at that place.
Near the eastern boundary of the public square a grade of fifty feet per
mile commences, which is continued to the table land at the head of Indian
Hollow, a distance of three miles and twenty-one hundred feet. Thence
on the straight line before described, as far as James's ridge, and also from
there to Tremont, with the exception of a slight variation to the left between
that and Dillon's creek, and also to the right as it approaches the town of
Tremont, in order to pass through Park street, instead of passing obliquely
across the lots of the town.
A location line was also ruu from the northern crossing of Dillon's creek,
through South street, to the western boundary of Tremont.
Rock for the construction of bridges, culverts, &c, will be inconvenient,
unless new discoveries of quarries are made, which I think probable might
be if the necessary examinations were made. There are indications of rock
along the banks of all the larger streams. Those quarries that are known
to exist at present have not required much ingenuity or science to discover
them, as the rock most generally projected beyond the surface of the ground.
Unless new quarries are discovered, the rock necessary for the construction
of the road as far as Tremont will have to be taken from the bluffs of the
Illinois river. Mr. Alexander owns a quarry about three-fourths of a mile
from the line at the mouth of Indian Hollow, though not of so good a qual-
ity as would be desirable.
Timber for the use of the road, I am credibly informed, can be obtained
along the valleys of Dillon's creek and the Mackinaw river, at the distance
of three or four miles south of the line. There are also a number of good
saw mills within the same distance of the line, and in the vicinity of the
timber. An abundance of good timber might also be obtained from the vi-
cinity of the bluff west of the Illinois river, at the distance of tour or five
miles from Pekin.
The country between Pekin and Mackinaw is chiefly prairie, and well
adapted to farming purposes ; and between the former place and Tremont,
it is pretty well settled and improved. The distance between Pekin and
the termination of our lines in Tremont is, by the southern route, ten miles
two hundred and sixty feet ; the northern route through Park street is nine
and a half miles, and four hundred and eighty feet ; and the northern route,
through South street, nine and a half miles and nine hundred and sixty feet.
The probable expense of graduation and masonry on the first of the above
would be one hundred and three thousand nine hundred and seventy-two
dollars, or ten thousand three hundred and forty six dollars per mile. The
second would be one hundred thousand two hundred and ninety-seven dol-
lars, or ten thousand four hundred and fifty-seven dollars per mile ; and on
the third, one hundred and one thousand eight hundred and sixty-four dol-
lars, being at the rate of ten thousand five hundred and twenty-one dollars
per mile.
From Tremont to Mackinaw the expense per mile will probably be about
the same,
I was assisted in the survey by Mr. Woods and Mr. Hardin ; the former
made the compass survey, and the latter took the levels, I have the plea-
[ 259 ] 94
sure to state that bo$i performed their respective duties industriously and
satisfactorily.
Your most obedient servant,
WM. BOLLOCK,
Senior Assistant Engineer Western District,
James M. Bucrlin, Esq.,
Chief Engineer of the Western District.
ESTIMATE OP THE COST OF GRADUATION.
NORTHERN ROUTE, THROUGH PARK STREET, IN TREMONT, COMMENCING
AT PEKIN.
Section 1st
Excavation, 70,847 cubic yards, at 35 cents per yard
Excavation, 1,745 cubic yards, at 15 cents per yard -
Embankment, 1,445 cubic yards, at 15 cents per yard
Masonry, 25 perches, at $6 per perch
Section 2d,
Excavation, 66,910 cubic yards, at 35 cents per yard
Excavation, 3)755 cubic yards, at 16 cents per yard -
Embankment, 316 cubic yards, at 10 cents per yard -
Masonry, 16 perches, at $5 per perch . *
Section 3d.
Excavation) 570 cubic yards, at 14 cents per yard
pmbankment, 7,043 cubic yards, at 20 cents per yard
Masonry, 40 perches, at $6 per perch
Section Atk.
Excavation, 13,200 cubic yards, at 22 cents pet yard
Embankment, 3,316 cubic yards, at 16 cents per yard
Masonry, 20 perches, at $6 per perch *> *
$24,796 45
261 75
216 75
150 00
$25,424 95
$23,418 50
579 80
31 60
80 00
$24,109 90
$79 80
1,480 80
240 00
$1^800 60
$2,904 00
530 50
120 00
$3,554 56
95 [259]
Section 5ih.
Excavation, 17,716 cubic yards, at 20 cents per yard
Embankment, 12,850 cubic yards, at 25 cents per yard
Masonry, 60 perches, $6 -
Section 6th.
Excavation, 7,253 cubic yards, at 20 cents per yard
Embankment, 9,476 cubic yards, at 20 cents per yard
Masonry, 143 perches, at $7
Section 7th.
Excavation, 36,459 cubic yards, at 30 cents per yard
Excavation, 2,471 cubic yards, at 16 cents per yard
Embankment, 1,498 cubic yards, at 20 cents per yard
Masonry, 16 perches, at $6 - -
Grubbing .--...
Section 8th»
Excavation, 948 cubic yards,, at 12 cents per yard
Embankment, 6,216 cubic yards, at 20 cents per yard
Embankment, 28,042 cubic yards, at 26 cents per yard
Masonry, 90 perches, at $6 -
Section 9tk.
Excavation, 14^637 cubic yards, at 20 cents per yard
Embankment, 22,162 cubic yards, at 25 cents per yard
Masonry, 230 perches, at $7
Bridge, 40 feet span, $20 per foot * *
$3,543 20
3,212 50
360 00
$7,115 70
$1,450 60
1,895 20
1,001 00
$4,346 80
$10,937 70
395 36
899 66
96 00
150 00
$12,478 72
$113 76
1,243 20
7,290 92
540 00
$9,187 88
$2*927 40
5,540 50
1,610 00
800 00
$10,877 90
[ 259 ] 96
Section 10th.
Excavation, 2,910 cubic yards, at 16 cents per yard - $465 60
Embankment, 3,272 cubic yards - 654 40
Masonry, 40 perches - 280 00
$1,800 00
NORTHERN ROUTE, PASSING THROUGH SOUTH STREET.
The first eight sections are common to the foregoing route.
Section 9th.
Excavation, 20.115 cubic yards, at 20 cents per yard
Embankment, 22,762 cubic yards, at 25 cents per yard
Masonry, 230 perches, at $7 -
Bridge, 40 feet span, at $20 per foot
Section lOtk.
Excavation, 5,260 cubic yards, at 16 cents per yard -
Embankment, 3,000 cubic yards, at 20 cents per yard
Masonry, 40 perches, at $7 -
SOUTHERN ROUTE, PASSING THROUGH SOUTH STREET.
The first three sections are common to the preceding routes.
Section Atfu
Excavation, 4,538 cubic yards, at 20 cents per yard *
Embankment, 6,066 cubic yards, at 20 cents per yard
Masonry, 20 perches, at $6 - - -
Section &t)u
Excavation, 4,297 cubic yards, at 16 cents per yard *
Embankment, 32,300 cubic yards, at 25 cents per yard
Masonry, 75 perches, at $6 -
$4,023 00
5,690
50
1,610
00
800 00
$12,123
50
$84.1
61
600
00
280 00
$1,721
60
$907 60
1,209 20
120 00
$2,236 80
$687 72
8,075 00
450 00
$9,212 72
97 [ 259 ]
Section 6t/i.
Excavation, 9,425 cubic yards, at 25 cents per yard -
Embankment, 8,958 cubic yards, at 20 cents per yard
Masonry, 30 perches, at $6 -
Grubbing
Section 7 th.
Excavation, 35,934 cubic yards, at 25 cents per yard -
Embankment, 22,737 cubic yards, at 20 cents per yard
Bridge across Lost creek -
Grubbing and clearing - j - ' -. -
Section 8th.
Excavation, 22,480 cubic yards, at 18 cents per yard - - $4,046 40
Embankment, 3,552 cubic yards, at 20 cents per yard - 710 40
Masonry, 40 perches, at $T - ' - - - - 280 00
Section 9th.
Excavation, 18,040 cubic yards, at 18 cents per yard -
Embankment, 32,066 cubic yards, at 20 cents per yard
Masonry, 40 perches, at $7 * -
Bridge across Dillon's creek -
Section 10/// >
Excavation, 2,249 cubic yards, at 14 cents per yard -
Embankment, 13,795 cubic yards, at 28 cents per yard
Embankment, 1,437 cubic yards, at 20 cents per yard
Masonry, 30 perches, at $7 -
$1,696 50
1,791 60
180 00
100 00
$3,768
10
$8,933 50
4,547 40
1,500 00
326 00
$15,356
90
$5;036 80
$3,247 20
6,413 20
280 00
2,410 00
$12,350 40
$314 86
3,862 60
287 40
210 00
$4,674 86
[259]
98
SUMMARY.
No. of section.
Northern route.
Southern route.
Northern route through
South street.
1
$25,424 95
$25,424 95
$25,424 95
2
24,109 90
24,109 90
24,109 90
3
1,800 60
1,800 60
1.800 60
4
3,554 56
2,236 80
3,554 56
5
7,115 70
9,212 72
7,115 70
6
4,346 80
3,768 10
4,346 80
7
12,478 72
15,356 90
12,478 72
8
9,187 88
5,036 80
9,187 88
9
10.877 90
12,350 40
12,123 50
10
1,400 00
4,674 86
1,721 60
$100,297 01
$103,972 03
$101,864 21
ss
State of Illinois,
Morgan county.
Personally appeared before me, Samuel S. Brooks, an acting justice of
the peace within and for said county aforesaid, William Pollock, assistant
engineer, in the service of the State of Illinois, on the Pekin and Blooming-
ton railroad, who, being duly sworn, certifies, to the best of his knowledge
and belief, the foregoing statements and facts in relation to the survey and
location of that portion of the above railroad between Pekin and TremonL,
contained in his report to the principal engineer of the western district, J,
M. Bucklin, are true and correct.
Given under my hand and seal this 4th day of November, A. D. 1837.
SAMUEL S. BROOKS, J. P. [l. s.]
Engineer's Office. Jacksonville,
October 27, 1837.
Sir : I herewith submit the result of the preliminary survey of the third
division of the Northern Cross railroad, together with a location of that
part of the route lying between the town of Springfield and the Sangamon
river. Pursuant to your instructions of the 18th of August, I organized a
qorps for the examination and survey of the route designated, commencing
at Springfield and terminating at Decatur.
On the 29th of August, I commenced running a base line from the centre
of the east corporation line of the town of Springfield, in the direction with
the road leading to Dingman's ferry, to Widow^Bilyon's, and from thence
down a ravine to Mud lake, and touching the river at a point opposite
Smith's branch. The natural descent of this ravine is about eighty feet
per mile, which would require a deep excavation, and much of it through
rock, to get a line of the maximum grade.
6
99 [ 259 ]
I next run a line from station number 114, on the base line, by the way
of Widow Cartwel's down a ravine, passing the head of Mud lake, and
touching the river at the point opposite Smith's branch. The descent of
this ravine is about seventy-five feet per mile, and would also require a
deep excavation, and probably much of it rock, to get a line of the maximum
grade.
Commencing at station number 138, where the last line touched the river
bottom, I run "up a valley lying nearly parallel with the river bottom in a
southwestern direction, crossed the road leading from Springfield to Ding-
man's ferry, diverged into a smaller valley, and running south of Mr.
Man's house, terminated at station number 29, on the level with the prairie.
1 found that a grade of forty feet per mile could be had on this line, and,
for the present, I concluded a further examination unnecessary, as the
practicability of the last route was evident. As this was the route ulti-
mately adopted, in pursuance with subsequent instructions, 1 may here say
that its survey to Springfield was completed on my return from Decatur.
Pursuing the examinations, I next proceeded across the Sangamon river
to the mouth of Smith's branch, and following the valley of this branch to
the southeast corner of section number 10, of township number 16, 1 found
the grade, to the level of the prairie, not to exceed twenty-seven feet per
mile. The general direction of the valley is straight, and remarkably well
adapted to the construction of a railroad. From this point, I continued
the line due east to the valley of Stephenson's creek, four miles west of
Decatur. This line is on the north, and running nearly parallel with the
Sangamon river. In crossing the numerous branches which empty into
the river, many and serious objections present themselves, the most consider-
able of which were encountered in crossing Clear creek and Long-point
slough. Others, nearly as difficult, were met with, and all of them neces-
sarily require a vast amount of labor and expense to bring the line to the
proper grade. It appears evident, from the nature and character of the
country through which I run, that the line was too near the Sangamon
river. This river drains the entire prairie on the north ; and to avoid the
numerous heads of branches and creeks it was thought important to look
for another and better route farther north. This course was rendered dou-
bly necessary from the character of the country in the neighborhood of
Decatur. From the valley of Stephenson's creek, on this line, I found it
altogether impracticable to proceed in the direction of Decatur. The
greater part of the distance for three and a half miles is a succession of
valley and ridge, requiring deep cutting and high embankments, and an
expense which would not be justifiable if it could possibly be done. An
examination of several days in this neighborhood, together with the topo-
graphy of the country along the greater part of the line, led me to examine
further north for a route more feasible and less expensive. At the point of
termination on the line run from the east, by the engineer of the eastern
district, I commenced and run a line four miles north to Mr. Montgomery's
farm; thence, bearing west, I crossed Stephenson's creek, and found that
it could be crossed easily within the maximum grade. The whole of this
line, from Decatur to the crossing of Stephenson's creek, is good, requiring
no very considerable excavations or embankments. This line is out of the
true direction, but is the only one, in my opinion, practicable between this
line and the one first run. It may be thought advisable to locate the Cen-
[ 259 ] 100
tral railroad on that part of this line which lies between Decatur and Mont-
gomery's farm, which would save to the State some thousands of dollars.
Pursuing the route westerly, from Stephenson's creek to my former point
of crossing- the Sangamon river, I avoided all the heads of branches
except Clear creek, which so much embarrassed my operations on the
first line. From Stephenson's creek to Clear creek, the line runs through
a level prairie, requiring little excavation or embankment, and no cul-
verts or bridges worthy of notice. The crossing of Clear creek on the
last line is much better than on the first line, and can, in all probability,
be improved still more by taking it still farther north near its head. This
last line, so decidedly preferable to the first, can very materially be improved,
more especially in the first eight or ten miles after leaving the head of Smith's
branch. There is no doubt but a straight line of near twenty miles from the
head of Smith's branch can be obtained, and on good ground, well adapted
to the construction of a railroad.
On the 27th of September, I returned to Springfield, and on the 5th day of
October received instructions to make some preliminary examinations, and
to proceed to locate the route from Springfield to the opposite bank of the
Sangamon river. In pursuance of these instructions, I examined the route
by the way of Keye's branch and Sugar Creek bottom, to the Sangamon
river, and crossed it at the mouth of Sugar creek. The grade of this
line is easy ; but owing to the near approach of the Sugar Creek bluffs to
the creek, a very deep, and necessarily expensive, excavation for half a mile
was found necessary.
I next examined the Coal Bank route; and commencing on the bank
of the river, I followed a small ravine or depression in the direction
of Mr. Ridgway's farm, and terminated on the base line at station
number seventy-seven. This ravine is short, and the ascent of the natural
surface too great to be overcome without an excavation averaging eighteen
feet for nearly three -fourths of a mile. This, however, was preferable to the
last line, as the excavation was much less. These two lines terminated on
the Sangamon river, near two miles above Smith's branch. I did not ex-
amine the practicability of the ascent on the north side of the river at the
points opposite the last two lines ; for I had already found easier and less
expensive approaches to the river on the south side in my former examina-
tions ; and I could not reasonably expect to find on the opposite side any
better route through the bluffs than I had already found by the way of
Smith's branch. Satisfied that no route could be found combining so many
advantages as the one from the point opposite Smith's branch, by the way
of Man's, to Springfield, 1 proceeded, in pursuance with instructions, to lo-
cate on that line. I received no instructions to locate the place of depot in
the town of Springfield; and as it is yet unlocated, I have assumed two
routes in reference to the difficult points, either of which may be adopted,
and have made the estimates which will apply to either, without any addi-
tional field work. One route commences at the south end of, and running
through Sixth to near Madison street; thence curving slightly, until I ob-
tained a proper course for the head of the valley selected For the location,
and run the line to that point. This line, after leaving Sixth street, passes
over lots, the property of the heirs of Mitchell ; thence through the prairie
to Mr. Reed's farm, passing through about one-fourth of a mile north of the
starch factory ; thence passing through Mr. Lyon's farm, less than a fourth
of a mile north of his dwelling house; thence" through Mr. King's farm to
101 [ 259 ]
the prairie, passing about one hundred and fifty feet in the rear of his
house ; thence to the head of the valley selected for location. 1 next start-
ed a line from the south end of, and running through Tenth street, near its
entire length ; thence curving until the course requisite to strike the valley
was obtained. From the termination of the curves, the two lines approxi-
mate and intersect each other at the head of the valley. For a more par-
ticular description of the two routes, I would refer you to the maps and
profiles herewith submitted. The expense of construction on the routes is
the same. The distance from Springfield to the opposite bank of the river
is divided into six sections of a mile each, and one of three thousand five
hundred feet.
The estimated cost, including grading, culverts, and cross- ways, for each
section, is as follows :
Section No. 1
$864
Section No. 5
$643 00
" " 2
223
« " 6
15.828 00
" " 3
273
a u 7
10,010 00
» « 4
1,813
The greater portion of section number seven, lying in the river bottom,
and the grade line is supposed to be three feet above high water mark ; but
as it may vary, the estimated expense of the grading may also vary from
the above. The seventh section also includes the proposed bridge across
the Sangamon river ; the width of the river from bank to bank is two hun-
dred and sixteen feet ; the bed of the river is twenty-one feet below the
grade line. On the north side appearances indicate a foundation of rock,
on the south side the bank is clay and sand ; in times of high water the
river rises seventeen feet, and spreads over the whole bottom. The ques-
tion presents itself, whether the arch of the bridge at such times will vent
the whole of the water, and whether it may not be necessary to extend the
bridge beyond the natural channel of the stream. This question can only
be settled by a more thorough investigation than I have been able to bestow.
No quarry of stone is as yet known less than eight miles from the crossing
of the river, though there are indications of the existence of stone in abun-
dance within a mile, and timber is abundant in the immediate neighborhood.
The route from Springfield to Decatur, taken as a whole, is remarkably
well adapted to the construction of the work proposed. That part of it lying
between Springfield and the summit level of the prairie, on the opposite side
oi the Sangamon river, is far better than could have been expected before
the examination ; and though that portion of the route which has been per-
manently located is the only practicable one, yet it will be seen from the esti-
mates that its cost of construction will probably be much less per mile than sim-
ilar works in other States. The whole work, from Springfield to Decatur,
a distance of forty- one and a Jialf miles, can undoubtedly be made at an
expense very small when compared with the cost of other railroads in the
United States. Its location on or near the northern line, which has been
thought decidedly preferable to the one first run on the north side of the
Sangamon river, would better answer the general interests, though it might
not so well serve individual wishes and cupidity as the line first run.
In conclusion; I take great pleasure in stating that my exertions to advo-
[ '259 ]
102
cate the public interests have been sustained by the young gentleman con-
nected with my corps, in a manner equally honorable and satisfactory.
All of which I would respectfully submit.
F. HAWN,
Assistant Engineer of the Third Division
Of the Northern Cross Railroad.
To J. M. Pucklin.
State of Illinois, )
Morgan county. )
Personally appeared before me, Samuel S. Brooks, an acting justice of the
peace, within and for the county aforesaid, Frederick Hawn, assistant engi-
neer in the service of the State of Illinois, on the Northern Cross railroad,
who, being duly sworn, certifies, that to the best of his knowledge and be-
lief, the foregoing statements and facts in relation to the survey and loca-
tion of the third division of the Northern Cross railroad, contained in
his report to the principal engineer of the western district, J. M. Bucklin,
are true and correct.
SAMUEL S. BROOKS, J. P. [l. s.]
EST1MA TE of the probable cost of grading that part of the 3d di-
vision of the Northern Cross railroad, located from Springfield to the
east bank of the Sangamon river, Jacksonville, October, 1837.
No. of
Cubic
Price
Cubic
Price
Amount for
MASONRY.
Total
Total.
feet.
yards of
excava-
per
yard.
yards of
embank-
per
cubic
grubbing
and clearing.
amount for
grading.
tion.
ment.
yard.
Perch,
Price.
Cents.
Cents.
Dollars.
Dolls.
Dollars.
Dollars.
1
1,308
20
2,107
21
20
8 00
864 07
7,203 40
2
331
20
750
21
.
_
223 70
6,563 03
3
66
20
1,240
21
_
.
_
273 60
6,612 93
4
2,124
20
4,912
21
50 00
35
8 75
1,812 57
8,151 90
5
2,781
20
414
21
_
_
643 14
6,932 47
6
32,532
24
24,814
26
875 00
75
9 25
15,828 07
22,167 40
7
5,490
24
25,367
35
1,000 00
-
-
10,010 21
42,758 16
Aggreg
ate am
oimt
29,655 36
100,439 29
ESTIMATE of the probable cost of the super structure for
Mud sills, 10,560 lineal feet, at 7 cents per foot
Cross sills, 10,560 lineal feet, at 5 cents per foot
Rails, 10,560 lineal feet, at 8 cents per foot
Keys, 2,640 lineal feet, at 3 cents per foot
Dressing sills, 1.320, at 12J cents per piece
Dressing rails, 10,560 lineal feet, at 1 cent per foot
Laying down track, 5,280 lineal feet, at 23 cents per foot
22 tons of plates or iron, at $110 per ton
one mile.
$739 20
528 00
844 80
79 20
153 33
105 60
1,214 40
2,420 00
303 [259]
980 lbs. spikes, at 16 cents per lb. a - - . $156 80
880 lap plates, at 10 cents per lb. - - - 88 00
Nails for plates - - - - - 10 00
6,339 33
ESTIMATE of the probable cost of the proposed bridge across the
Sangamon river, on section No. 7. '
Foundation , $3,000 00
928 perches of masonry, estimated thus :
Value of stone, $0 50 per perch.
Quarrying, 1 50 do.
Cutting, 4 00 do.
Laying, 1 00 do.
Hauling 8 miles 6 00 do.
Value of one perch, 13 00 - - - 12 064 00
Wood work, 300 lineal feet, at $45 per foot - „ 13'5qo 00
Total amount * , ~~28^564~00
Summary estimate.
For grading 6.66 miles - g29 Q55 qk
For grading 6.66 miles superstructure, at $6,339 33 - 1 42 219 93
For bridge across Sangamon river, at section 7 • ■ . 28'564 00
Add 10 per cent, for superintendence - 10 043 Q5>
Total * : *'■'■- f t 110,483:21
Belleville, Illinois,
August 11, 1837.
Sir ! Whereas the General Assembly of the State of Illinois at its se<?
Sion held in the yeafs 1836 and 1837, passed an act to establish and main
tain a general system of internal improvements : and whereas a board f
commissioners of public works of the State of Illinois, was organized i
pursuance of the provisions of said act on the fourth day of April 1 «J
passed ; and it being the determination of the board thus organized to
every exertion to carry into effect the provisions of said act, according
the intent and meaning thereof; and whereas, the people of 'the State f I
a deep interest in the earliest possible commencement and completion nf
the whole or at least the most prominent works provided for in said t •
therefore, with the view of providing a source from which a portion of'thl
necessary aid may be derived,
[ 259 ] 104
Be it resolved, That our Representatives in Congress be respectfully re-
quested to use their most diligent efforts to procure the passage of a law
through the Congress of the United States, making a donation of each
alternate section on each side of the most important works contemplated by
the act aforesaid, or in the failure of this, to urge the adoption of some
other measure which will contribute to the aid of the State in her great
undertaking.
Resolved, That the president of this board be requested to furnish the
Speakers of both Houses of Congress and each of our Representatives of that
body with a copy of these proceedings.
I have the honor to be, sir,
Your obedient servant,
WILLIAM KINNEY,
President of the Board of Public Works,
State of Illinois,
To the Hon. A. W. Snyder.
Belleville, Illinois,
September 25, 1837.
Sir : As you are aware that Illinois did, at her last regular session, es-
tablish one of the most grand and splendid schemes of internal improve-
ment ever adopted by any State or country, and which is as well situated
to her locality, agricultural advantages, and commercial necessities, perhaps,
as such a system ever was or will be to any country, I would, therefore, beg
leave to suggest the propriety of the members in Congress from this State,
to ask aid from the General Government, by a donation of land of each
alternate section on each side of all the projected improvements aforesaid ;
not only for the benefit of the State, but to facilitate the sale and improve-
ment of the Government lands lying in the vicinity of said projected
internal improvements, both rivers and railroads ; and particularly to aid
in the completion of the great Central railroad, commencing at the mouth
of the Ohio, and connecting with the Michigan and Illinois canal. Such a
donation would be carrying out to perfection the same principles of na-
tional policy that actuated the Government to grant certain lands to aid in
the construction of the abovenamed canal ; as the said railroad con-
nected with said canal, will open a grand chain of intercourse in a com-
mercial, agricultural, and military point of view with the northern, south-
ern, eastern, and western States, to such an improvement as that, the utility
of which needs no comment. Certainly no member of Congress could
object, or refuse the aid of the General Government in facilitating the same.
It is useless for me to say to you, that Illinois is naturally destined to be
the garden spot of the world, as it respects agricultural pursuits. Her soil
is alluvial and groaning to be relieved by the hand of the industrious agri-
culturist of the immense wealth which it contains ; and that she is a rail-
way by nature, at least so far finished as would be a new wagon-wheel
lacking only the tire, compared with other countries, where railroads have
been, and are yet intended to be, successfully and usefully constructed. What,
therefore, would it be for the General Government to give aid to such a
system of internal improvements as Illinois has adopted, so suited to her
locality in every point of view, and which, if successfully carried out, will
place the whole system of our agricultural and commercial intercourse in an
attitude enviable and inviting to the enterprising agriculturist and carriers of
I
105 [ 259 J
liii parts of the world. It therefore seems to me that all that is wanting to
obtain aid to accomplish such a desirable object, both for the nation and this
State, is to make an effort; and a moment's reflection by that most honorable
of all national councils, the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States, will satisfy them of the propriety of carrying the projected
improvements, particularly that of the Central railroad into complete opera-
tion ; the accomplishment of which will make the mouth of the Ohio
and Mississippi accessible at all seasons of the year, ice or no ice ; high or
low water ; from which the whole products of this State for exportation,
can and will be thrown off, and scattered to the four winds of the world ;
without having, as has been frequently the case, to wait for the spring sea-
son, and then come in competition with other countries at the city of New
Orleans, who have been prevented in the transportation of their exports,
either for the want of water or retarded by ice.
Your early attention to this subject will be well received by the board of
public works, who have heretofore addressed you on this subject, and no
doubt by the whole community which you represent, and particularly by
your correspondent and humble servant,
WILLIAM KINNEY,
President of the Board of Public Works,
State of Illinois.
Hon, A, W. Snyder.
Public improvements contemplated in Illinois,
1. The Illinois and Michigan canal.
2. The navigation of Rock river.
3. The navigation of the Illinois river,
4. The navigation of the Kaskaskia river.
5. The navigation of the Great Wabash river.
6. The navigation of the Little Wabash river.
7. The improvement of the great Western mail road from Vincennes
to St. Louis.
8. The Central railroad, from the mouth of the Ohio river to the termina-
tion of the Illinois and Michigan canal at K Lasalle," and from thence to
Galena.
9. The Southern Cross railroad, from Alton to Mount Carmel.
10. The railroad from Alton to Shawneetown.
11. The Northern Cross railroad, from Q,uincy to the Indiana State line,
in the direction of Lafayette.
12. Branch of the Central railroad, from a point near Shelbyviile to the
Indiana State line, in the direction of Terre Haute.
13. The railroad from Peoria to Warsaw.
14. The railroad from Lower Alton, by Hillsboro', to the Central rail-
road, so as to intersect the railroad from Terre Haute at that point.
15. The railroad from Belleville to intersect the railroad from Alton
to Mount Carmel, at the nearest eligible point on said road.
16. The railroad from Bloomington to Mackinaw, where it is to branch ;
one branch to terminate at Peoria, and the other at Pekin.
17. The sum of $200,000 to be expended in the improvement of roads,
the construction of bridges, and other public works, in those counties
through which no railroad or canal is provided to be made at the expense
of the State.
8
L