From the Ithaca Leader of Ithaca, NY
Wednesday, September 18, 1872

The Midland

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Laying of the Rails across high Trestle Work at North Lansing -
A Large Crowd of People Present to witness the Work.

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   Yesterday was a day of rejoicing and of congratulations for the people of Lansing. The Midland railroad which has been under process of construction the past few months, is now nearly completed through that town. It is unnecessary to say that the citizens of this hitherto railroad forsaken town, are highly gratified at this new acquisition to her traveling and shipping facilities. But a few weeks have elapsed since the work of track laying commenced at Freeville. Considering the fact that the workmen have been repeatedly delayed by being obliged to wait for grading to be done, the track from Freeville to the trestle works, (a distance of 12 miles) has been done with commendable rapidity.

   Yesterday the track layers reached as far as the trestle work crossing the deep and wide gully at North Lansing. The crowd that was present to witness the crossing of the cars was to say the least, immense. the number is variously estimated from 1,200 to 2,000 people. It really seemed as if all Lansing and a large portion of the people of her sister towns were there.

   But back to our subject. The trestle work is 480 feet in length, and 74 feet high from the bed of the creek. There are 40 span or bents, 12 feet apart in this piece of framework and each are well braced. We were informed that there were over 250,000 feet of hemlock timber in this structure, and that the work, saying nothing about the outlay for the material, cost $1,200. The ties on this work are placed about 16 inches apart and are of white oak timber. We understand that it is the intention of the company to fill in on either side of the crossing, which will tend to strengthen the bridge and make it much more durable. The time of crossing was at 8 minutes past 5 o'clock.

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   The train was made up of 9 platform cars, drawn by the engine "Delhi". The cars were loaded with rails and ties. On these were standing just as many men as could possibly find room. When the train had got fairly out on the structure, the Geneva Brass Band struck up "Yankee Doodle". As the "iron horse" slowly made his way over this deep chasm ( we do not refer to the bloody chasm ), the men swung their hats and cheered lustily while the ladies showed their appreciation of the occasion by swinging their handkerchiefs and clapping their hands.

   This was indeed an exciting time, and one long to be remembered. After the cars had been unloaded, other people equally anxious as the first privileged, mounted the cars and rode back over the work. How many different trains of people passed over we cannot say, as our reporter was obliged to leave after the second train had made a crossing. One fact we have forgotten to mention, there was not, at any time the train crossed, the least perceptible quiver of the structure. This was a source of great satisfaction to all concerned.

   The first shipment that was ever made in the town of Lansing by railroad, was made on Monday. Mr. G.D. Crittenden, of the North Lansing flouring mills, shipped on that day by the Midland railroad, one ton of flour to a firm at Freeville. That this thoroughfare will be a source of convenience, and of great benefit to the people Lansing, there can be no doubt. The sum of $75,000, for which she is bonded, is a very small sum in comparison to what she will be benefited. The town is also bonded for $25,000 to extend the road from W.A.J. Osmun's farm through to Ithaca. We cannot believe that the good people of Ithaca will let this opportunity go by, and thus lose the business to a large extent, of a very wealthy portion of our county. Farmers say that if they do not have railroad facilities to Ithaca, they shall do their trading at Auburn and Cortland.

   The business men of Ithaca will do well to ponder these facts. The cost of this extension would be comparatively small while, the benefit derived would be great. We do not say that Lansing has any settlers who have never seen the "iron horse", but we do say that the lively interest manifested in yesterday's railroad celebration looks strangely suspicious. Never before have we seen people more pleaded with an enterprise than the people of Lansing were, apparently, yesterday. We were pleased also, and congratulate them.


The Midland DeRuyter Branch

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   Were it not for the five hours of waiting at Cortland, the trip from Ithaca to Utica over the Midland would be the pleasantest offered. As it is, one leaves the University depot at 7:45 A.M., and reaches Utica at 8:50 P.M. The waste of time comes of lack of connection between the Ithaca and Cortland and the Midland. When the road to Cortland shall have been put in prime condition it is thought direct connections will be made and the route will at once become popular. But this, aside.