Selections From The Splinters - Volume 7
Galveston, Texas
July 2nd 1877
J. P. Fresenius, Esq.
Chief Engineer
Gulf Colorado and Santa Fe Rlwy. Co.
Sir:
I beg to submit the following report and estimates accompanied with map and profile of the line run from the 82 mile to the town of Belton in Bell County.
General Description of Line.
From the point of beginning which is within two miles of what is known as the big bend of the Brazos River, in Austin County, the line runs about north 35 degrees west, passing three miles west of the town of San Fellipe, thence through Bellville the County Seat of Austin County. Thence through Brenham the County Seat of Washington County, thence through Caldwell the County Seat of Burleson County, thence to a point on the International and Great Northern Railroad near the town of Milano, thence to Cameron the County Seat of Milam County.
From Cameron the line runs about north 65 degrees west to the town of Belton, the County Seat of Bell County.
Description of Country.
From the point of beginning to nearly opposite San Fellipe the line passes through a prairie bordering on the Brazos River, similar to the prairie adjacent to the Bay.
The line from San Fellipe runs through the eastern portion of what is known as the Millheim Settlement, thence across Mill Creek, a fine well timbered stream, and on through cultivated farms, to the crossing of the proposed route of the Houston & Western Texas N.G.RR. which is in the suburbs of Bellville. From Bellville to within eight miles of Brenham the line runs through post oak timber, but in close proximity to prairie on either side, from thence to within two miles of the Yegua Creek the line runs through a beautiful rolling prairie, thickly settled and well cultivated, from that point to the town of Cameron the country is heavily covered with post oak timber.
The town of Cameron is situated ____ Little River, the bottom lands of which are fully equal to those of the Brazos River. From Cameron to what is known as the Knobs, halfway from Cameron to Belton, the line follows the divide between Little River and Elm Creek, passing the whole way through a very rich prairie, principally covered with mesquite brush. From the Knobs to the Crossing of the Leon River, just above what is known as the three forks of Little River, the country is one succession of well cultivated plantations. From the Leon Crossing to Belton the line runs alternately through post oak and prairie belts.
There is an abundance of sand stone for building purposes all the way from Bellville to Belton, and in the neighborhood of the latter place there is an inexhaustible supply of a very superior quality of lime stone resembling marble in appearance.
Graduation of Road Bed.
I have thought it best to put grades of sixty six feet per mile on the profile and have used them wherever the work could be decreased. The estimates contemplate building a road of the same character as the Galvestion Harrisburg and San Antonio or Houston & Texas Central RR, economizing in every particular without injury to safety.
The truss bridging is combination on wood substructure.
The depots, Section houses and water stations are such as considered necessary for the present needs of the road.
If the road is built from the present Terminus, the cross ties for the first twenty miles will have to be procured from Orange or Calcassiux. From then on to Belton the country can supply a good quality of post and white oak ties.
The line from Galveston has very great advantages over roads built in the western states, in that it has six bases of supplies, viz:- The Harbor at Galveston, The GH&H RR at Virginia Point, the I&GN RR at Arcola, the GH&SA at Randon, the H&TC RR at Brenham and the I&GN RR at Milano. Nearly all these being competing routes, a very reasonable rate can be obtained on all materials for building purposes.
Tables of estimates are attached -
(Balance of paragraph blurred and cannot be deciphered)
Respectfully B. M. Temple
Volume 7 Splinters pages 143-144 transcribed in altered form for the web by Johnnie Welborn, Jr.
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