Selections From The Splinters - Volume 12

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H R Weeks makes report on preliminary survey from Galesburg to Henry.

November 1886

B. F. Booker, Esq.,
Keokuk, Iowa.

Dear Sir:

Having completed the preliminary survey from Galesburg towards Henry, Illinois, I beg leave to submit the following report -

This survey begins at Station 3030 of Mr. Robinson's survey on the line of Mary Street, Galesburg, produced through the old Fair grounds in an easterly direction. After crossing the C B & Q Ry. tracks the line bears in a southeasterly direction to the head of Court Creek, the valley of which is followed down to near its junction with Spoon River, which is crossed at nearly right angles just north of the residence of Mr. Breece.

The line then crosses a large bend in Spoon River and strikes the bluffs on the south side near the middle of Section 19, Truro Township, then follows the bluffs in an easterly direction for 1-1/2 miles reaching the slopes of a small creek which is followed for a mile further till our grade of 0.8% brings us on to the level near the middle of the line dividing Sections 21 and 22 Truro Township. The line then bears in a southeasterly direction until the south line of section is reached, then east until Mr. Carpenter's Chicago line is intersected near the middle of the south line of Section 28, Princeville Township, about 3/4 mile southwest of Monica.

Station 1478+21.3 = 1098+62 of Mr. Carpenter's survey.

There is no stone nor timber available for railway construction along the line, except possibly a small amount of oak for cross ties.

Coal abounds. A vein 30" thick is worked for local use at the head of Court Creek and at various points along the valley. It crops out in the bed of the creek at some points and dips below the surface at others.

South of Spoon River the workable vein is said to be 4 ft. thick and is opened at various points near the river north of this survey, and no doubt could be found by sinking shafts at any point along this part of the line.

The quality is soft bituminous coal, such as is worked along the line of the CB&Q, north of this.

The soil along the valley and slopes of Court Creek and Spoon River is rather thin and the surface broken, and more or less covered with a growth of oak timber and hazzle brush. This makes excellent pasture when cleared off and put into blue grass pasture, which has already been done to some extent. On both sides of this timber belt, the prairies are level and fertile, producing abundantly corn, oats, and live stock are shipped in large quantities to Chicago, Peoria and other points.

The people along the line of survey are anxious to have the road built and I should think the right of way and depot grounds could be obtained on reasonable terms.

I wish to call special attention to the manufacturing interests located at the head of Court Creek. The Galesburg Pressed Brick and Tile Company - A. C. Colkins, President, and the Galesburg Brick and Terra Cotta Company, L. D. Scott, President, are located here, both of which are doing excellent work in their respective lines, and are extremely anxious to have the railroad built on the line of this survey.

There is also a pleasure resort in the head of this valley owned by T. C. McChesney, Esq. called Highland Park. Mr. McChesney owns and controls the land for some distance below the Brick Works and offers to do anything reasonable to promote the interest of a railway down this valley.

The bed of clay used for the pressed and paving brick extends for a long distance down the valley and bids fair to be used to a great extent in manufacturing brick for paving the streets of cities. As far as tested, it wears well and makes a smooth and even surface.

There is a bed of fire clay, 5 feet thick, below the 30" coal vein from which they are now making fire brick. So the block clay for pressed and paving brick - coal for fuel - and fire clay for fire brick all over-lie each other in this locality.

I have not spoken of Galesburg as a point on this survey, as it is one of the termini and no doubt has been considered in connection with other surveys.

Respectfully submitted
(Signed) H. R. Weeks
Loc. Engineer

Volume 12 Splinters page 113 and 114 transcribed in altered form for the web by Matt Lee.