Submitted by
Howard Stansbury
Indianapolis
U.S.A. Civil Engineer
December 10, 1835

Sir: The results of the surveys for a railroad from Columbus to Jeffersonville, which, in September last you did me the honor to entrust to me, are respectfully submitted in the following

Report:

The map of the country between Columbus and Jeffersonville demonstrates to the first glance of examination that whatever minor differences may exist between the various practicable routes for a railroad connecting those points, common to all will be the necessity of overcoming two ridges. The one, that which separates the waters of the East or Driftwood Fork of White River from those of the Muscatatuck; the other, dividing the nature of the Muscatatuck from those of Silver Creek and other tributaries of the Ohio River.

Bounded by these ridges and, of course, crossing the direction of the contemplated road, is the valley of the Muscatatuck divided into the valleys of the Vernon, Graham, and Stucker’s Forks.

These forks unite some five or six miles westward of a direct line from Columbus to Jeffersonville, and the question arises: whether it would be better to cross their valleys a little below their junction, at the expense of some increase of distance, or to cross them separately at the expense of the ascent and descent of the ridges dividing them. The solution of this question is dependent on the elevation and character of these ridges, the peculiar nature of the Muscatatuck valley, and the position in the valley of those points at which access to it and egress from it may be most feasible; a knowledge of which must be obtained by actual examination of the ground.

Throughout the whole line this is the only doubt of other than minor importance which is to be solved: elsewhere the geography of the country directs too plainly to admit of error.

The valley of the East Fork of White River, upon which Columbus is situated, preserving for a considerable distance a favorable direction, is to be pursued to that point at which observation shall determine the propriety of relinquishing it and cross the ridge separating it from the Muscatatuck. This ridge, and the valley of the Muscatatuck being crossed, and the elevation of the ridge which is the southern boundary of the Muscatatuck being obtained, the valley of Silver Creek conducts to the Ohio three miles below Jeffersonville.

Thus, it is seen that the geographical divisions of the road are three:

1st The Northern or East Fork Division
2nd The Middle or Muscatatuck Division
3rd The Southern or Silver Creek Division

Difference in facility of communications with the markets as they at present exist in the country in population, in productiveness of the soil, and proportion of cultivation, will, by creating on these portions of the route a difference in the value of the provisions, cause upon them a variation in the cost of the execution of similar work. Therefore, in the estimate, these divisions shall be adhered to, and also in the description of the route, that it may accord with the estimate.

We proceed to a description of the route as surveyed and an explanation of the causes which induced the selection of the ground which was selected, in preference to any other.