Winchester Virginia Republican

The Parkersburg road—A letter, of which the following is an extract, was put into our hands about a month ago, with a request that it should be inserted in the Republican. It has been deferred because we considered its publication, so far as it concerns the Parkersburg road, entirely useless. It is impossible that that great improvement can ever take the route which is here suggested: it would be too circuitous—at least such is our opinion, from a glance at the map, as well as from some personal knowledge of the country. As the request for its publication, however, has been recently renewed, and it contains some local information which may be interesting, we give it a place:

Savage Mills, Feb. 21, 1831.

Dear Sir: Believing, as I do, that you feel a lively interest in every thing that has any tendency to improve the condition of our county, I have concluded to employ a few leisure moments to inform you of the discoveries we have made relative to the improvement of our roads. Mr. Barnard has completed his new road from the top of the Backbone to the Chestnut Ridge, and it certainly is the best road, for the length of it, in the county. He has this winter examined Cheat Mountain, and is fully satisfied that Cheat can with ease be crossed at two degrees; but in order to suit certain local interests that lie on the line, and probably to save distance, it might be found advisable to run for short distances at 3 or 4 degrees. From the mouth of Savage a road can be had on good ground, to the top of the Backbone at two degrees: so that we have fully ascertained that a road can be made from this place to Clarksburg at a grade not to exceed 4 degrees, and but a very short distance at that. Mr. Barnard has examined Knobly Mountain, and finds that it can be crossed from Hammack's to Paddytown at 4 degrees, and but a very short distance at that: the balance will run at two. So you will at once see, that when Cheat, the Backbone and Knobly, are crossed at the above grade, there can be no doubt but a good road can be had—from Winchester to Clarksburg, and in no case will the grade exceed 4 degrees. Such a road would be of vast importance to the western part of Virginia, as well as to the upper part of Maryland. It would at once open a full and easy communication from Winchester to Clarksburg, and from there to Parkersburg—which would greatly benefit the western part of the state; and it is certain that this vast range of mountains cannot be crossed at any place so easy as this gap, both as to grade and distance.

The writer then requests that those facts be made known to the general assembly, that they may have their effect in the legislation of that body upon the Parkersburg road bill. As that bill, however, has passed since the letter was written, the remarks of the writer need not be repeated.