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The Truman Area Community Network
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These notes are from the weekly Clinton Advocate and from the Clinton Daily Advocate. The library has the Henry County Democrat on microfilm for the first half of the year (last issue July 12) but I haven't searched this paper yet.
K&T Div, Mo P
Change of time card commencing 12:01 Sunday morning Nov 6, 1882
Passenger trains:
no 151 express south, leaves Clinton 8:06pm
153 south 6:40am
No 152 north 6:40am
154 north 8:42pm
Freight trains:
No 155 through freight south leaves 7:45pm
157 south 1:25pm
159 south 2:23am
161 local south 10:57pm * (except Sunday)
156 through north 9:00am
158 north 2:36pm
160 north 8:06pm
162 local north 1:25pm * (except Sundays)
* 160 and 161 only carry passengers
The Railroad
It is with considerable pleasure that we are able to furnish our readers this week with some news bearing upon the railroad, something tangible, that has on the face of it, business. There is unquestionably a feeling quite general, that the movement no on foot looking toward the building of the road is a scheme to squeeze some money out of the public. Having been badly squeezed in the past like a brued (?) child, they look with suspicion on everything that squints in their direction.
As we understand the present movement, however, the company does not ask the confidence of the public, nor does it care what the public think or believe. It proposes to go on in the even tenor of its way and accomplish what it has set out to do. As Col. Nash remarked the other evening, "We ask money of no one for the construction of the road, we buy nothing that we do not pay for as we go, and we intend to build the road."
Believing that the Company could give us something definite this week we called upon him at his office over Hekert's store, on Monday night, and as a result of the visit we learned what is given as follows:
Wm. Bailey, as President of the company, has been given absolute and unlimited control of the road by the stock holders, that is, he has full powers to do what he may choose, or see proper to do, to advance the work. Having this power, the delays incident to red tape is done away with. There will be no referring to directors and waiting upon their movements.
Among the first moves of Gen. (?) Bailey was the appointment of Col. Nash as general manager of the engineering and construction of the road. The choice was certainly well made for the building for the building of this road is one of the Col.'s pet schemes. He had his mind upon the line for years, and perhaps, if the truth were known, there is no one to whom the public is indebted or will be when the road is completed, as Col. Nash. He is thoroughly acquainted with all the possibilities. He knows it to be and has constantly talking it up as a line offering superior inducements on which to construct a railroad. He has been over the road time and time again and is perfectly familiar with what the territory from which it will draw is capable of furnishing in the way of traffic and knows that the mineral kingdom alone will furnish a sufficient quantity of freight to furnish a handsome revenue - a fair interest upon the investment. He has finally succeeded in bringing responsible parties to think as he does and to undertake to put the road through for the money that is in it.
Judge Heylman, of Rich Hill, is engineer-in-chief of the works. The Judge is an experienced engineer, a man of education and culture. Formerly a lawyer, but finding engineering more to his taste, he has laid aside Blackstone and taken up the tripod.
Now, to what has been accomplished. The Col. states that they have now at St. Louis on the cars , ready to be shipped when ordered, 500 tons, 60 pounds steel rail, equal to 5 ½ miles of track, and 300 tons, 56 pound rails, equal to 3 ½ miles of track. Of the Chicago rolling mills they have bought 800 tons, equal to 8 miles of track. Also ten miles of fastenings, bolts and splice bars have been bought of Child & Oliver, New York. On the I M & H R R they have three miles of 50 pound iron rail. At Kansas City they have 2 ½ miles of 50 pound iron rail. That makes a sum total of iron now bought, paid for, and ready to be sent as it can be used.
In addition to this they have purchased of the Litchfield (Mass.) Car Works twelve flat cars. They have besides these an engine, passenger and freight cars, ready to be forwarded when ordered.
At Kansas City they have a lot of tools -- scrapers, shovels, etc. including a car for track laying, that have been shipped and are probably by this time on the works. They have also at that point near a thousand ties ready for shipping when needed.
The grading of the Y tracks and the main line are about completed and should the weather remain favorable, by this time next week we should be able, no doubt, to report a connection with the M K & T road and the laying of some track. This is the outlook. It is certainly as promising as one could ask and has every appearance of earnestness. Ordinarily such preparations would be accepted as sufficient evidence of honest intentions and a speedy completion of the road. The fact, however, that some years since there was even greater prospects of a road than now make the people skeptic and loth to believe and they will hardly be satisfied with anything short of a finished road and cars running.
Personals
J. H. Nash, General Manager of the Kansas City & Southern railroad, has his
office, over Deckert's (?) shoe store.
Warrensburg and Holden mail: By stage, going out, 7:00am on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays Mail arrives on alternate days at 6:00pm Osceola Mail: By stage, going out at 9:00am on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays Mail arrives on alternate days at 5:00pm Leesville, Urich, and Lucas: By stage, arrives at 12:00m Tuesdays, and Fridays. Going out at 1:00pm the same days.
F.M. Green, contractor on the Kansas City and Southern road returned from St. Louis this morning. Mr. Green tells us that the work is progressing nicely and if it had not been for the rain they would have been able to have run a train to Jordan's Springs by next Sunday. Mr. G. says he has on hand some twenty thousand ties, and if the weather will remain good they will soon have the road to Brownington.
ANOTHER RAILROAD
Prospects of More Direct Communication with St. Louis
About a month ago the Missouri and Kansas Construction Company was incorporated under the laws of Missouri to build a line from St. Louis to the Missouri River by way of Creve Couer Lake. The incorporators were Ed. T. Allen, H. H. Given, of Colorado, John T. Dewees, of Denver, and capitalists of this city. No special importance would be attached to the organization it was not for the fact that on the street it is reported that the Atchison Topeka and Santa Fe is in the background with prestige and funds to carry the project through to the full fruition of the projectors hopes. An off-shoot of the same is represented by the St. Louis and Emporia Railroad Company, which was chartered last week by the Kansas Legislature. Dr. J. M. Leete's name appears on the charter as the St. Louis representative of the line. The route marked out on the map is as follows: From St. Louis by the Forest Park and Central to Howell's Ferry. From there it is proposed to skirt the bluff on the south bank of the Missouri to Labadie, where the line crosses the tracks of the Missouri Pacific. Thence in a southwest line the road is to run to Union, the county seat of Franklin, and west by south to Gasconade. Thence it traverses Maries, Miller, Benton, and Morgan counties to Clinton, after leaving which the strikes directly west to Bates County, connect with the A. T. & S. F. at Emporia. Harrisonville, in Cass county, is one of the next important points. Kansas City is to be reached over the old grade of the Kansas City, Clinton & Memphis which is operated south of Clinton, but is not occupied on the Northern Division. The Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe is said to have accorded the scheme its support through a desire to obtain an entrance to St. Louis untrammeled by Gould influences. It is true the Santa Fe owns a half interest in the Atlantic and Pacific, the overland connection of the Frisco, but does not deem that sufficient security against adverse discrimination, as the Seligmans, who are the chief stockholders of the latter road, are also close friends and warm acquaintances of Jay Gould - Globe Democrat
From Tuesday's Daily:
A Six Million Dollar Mortgage
We learn this morning that the Kansas City & Southern had received a mortgage
to be laid upon their franchises. stock. etc. as a security for money to
further prosecute construction of their line.
Calling at the office this morning we found F. M. Green, general manager, who in response to an inquiry concerning the mortgage handed us the document itself for our perusal.
The paper is executed in favor of the Farmers Loan & Trust Cp of the City of New York, and is a First Mortgage for the issuing of bonds of the amount of six million five hundred thousand dollars, bearing 6 per cent interest, payable semi-annually. It also provides for a sinking fund to be raised for the redemption of the bonds, the fund to consist of one-half of one percent op the principal of the total amount of the bonds, this amount to be paid on the first days of January and July of each year, beginning January 1885.
Accompanying the mortgage is another article releasing on the records a former mortgage with the statement that no bonds have ever been issued under the mortgage.
For the prosecution of the work a stipulated price is to be paid over upon the completion of each five miles of road.
From this it will be seen that the company is in good shape for work and there can be no doubt of the intention of the company to push the work right along until their object is fully accomplished, viz: The completion of a line of railway leading from Kansas City to the Mississippi River.
Vickersville:
The railroad is booming, track-laying being completed to Sparrow
Creek; building bridge will be next in order.
SUNDAY'S EXCURSION
Over the Kansas City, Clinton & Southern Railroad. A Magnificent Time, Bushels of
Enjoyment
As per announcement in Saturdays's paper the excursion over the new road came off Sunday and for a season of unalloyed pleasure its equal has not been seen in this region for many a long day.
The day was as beautiful as could be asked, bright, clear and of a temperature just the thing for a pleasure trip; it could hardly have been improved upon if an attempt could have been made.
By 2 o'clock the train, with engineer Gust. Hopkins at the throttle and Wm Stillinger, who officiated as conductor.
The crowd of pleasure seekers, numbering near four hundred, were promptly on hand and, shortly after 2, all aboard was sung out, and a load of human freight moved out for the first time over the steel rails of the road. It was a jolly good company in which were numbered many of Clinton's prominent citizens.
Five miles and a half were soon passed over, which brought the train to Sparrow creek and here the party disembarked and each one proceeded to enjoy himself and herself as they felt inclined. Some roamed about through the woods and gathered flowers, others sat around in squads and chatted while others hung close about the cars, ready to be on board at the shortest notice. After something over an hour's ruralizing the locomotive whistle sounded to call in the rovers. Some time elapsed before all were in from the woods which many seemed very loath to leave. Finally, all were on board and away went the train, homeward bound. Arriving at Jordan's well the train stopped and a wild rush was made for the pump. After a consumption of several barrels of water the thirst of the multitude was assuaged and once more the cars were mounted and were whirled rapidly back to town, safe and sound and all feeling better for the ride.
On the outward trip on reaching the property of Mr. A. Vickers the train stopped and took on the old gentleman and a party of several others, who rode out to the bridge.
The smoothness of the road was universally remarked. It was the impression of many that the ride would be a rough one, the road not being ballasted and the cars open ones, and built for heavy loads, but so level was the surface of the ground and so uniform the thickness of ties, and so regularly laid, that the oscillations of the cars amounted to actually less than upon many old established roads. This certainly speaks well of the construction.
To General Manager F. M. Green those who participated in the days enjoyment feel much indebted and hope that he may furnish them many more opportunities for pleasure in the near future.
[This is from an article on state assessment of the railroads and telegraph companies for tax purposes. Actual costs were higher than the assessed value, but by how much I can't say.]
Assessments by state on railroads: Locomotives $4,250 Palace cars $6,000 Directors cars $4,000 Pay and business cars $2,500 Passenger cars $2,250 Postal cars $2,000 Baggage cars $1,000 Caboose $400 Derrick $450 Tool car $400 Boarding car $300 Pile driving car $1,000 Box and stock cars $250 Flat and coal cars $200 Hand cars $25 Push cars $20 Assessments by state on telegraphs: 1st wire $72 per mile additional wires $24 per mile Batteries and instruments $5 each Some special structures: Boonnville bridge $250,000 Atchison Bridge (50%) $150,000 Kansas City bridge $500,000
Bethlehem Splinters:
The Clinton and Brownington Railroad is near the Groff cut.
Sunday's Excursion
The Weather Sunday was just splendid for excursion purposes and those who availed themselves of the opportunity to take a ride into the country of the new road Sunday enjoyed themselves very much. There was a good crowd aboard, somewhere between five and six hundred men, women, and children. The temperature was just right for a ride in the open cars; the cars were easy and comfortable and everyone free to move about choose and everybody did move about, and everybody voted it a success as a pleasure trip.
The ride out terminated with the track, near seven miles out, at the entrance of a heavy cut.
After climbing the hills and rambling around generally in the brush for an hour, or such a matter, the whistle sounded and the crowd rushed for the cars. Once more on board the train moved homeward, making a couple of stops before reaching Jordan's Springs, to let off some excursionists who had been taken aboard on the outward trip. Arriving at Jordan's a halt was made and there was a general stampede for the spring. After giving everybody an opportunity to get a drink of the Lythia water, engineer Hopkins pulled out for town which was reached in good season and in good order.
J. A. Johnson had on board a barrel of lemonade which gave the thirsty an opportunity to slake their thirst and Benny Hopkins played the pea nutter; so we had the ride and the other ingredients of railroad travel, all in good style. All were satisfied and the general exclamation was give us another.
St. Louis Emporia & Western R. R.
For several weeks past there has been some talk in railroad circles of a line of road running from St. Louis to Emporia, it being once announced that the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe were the projectors. Whether this company had, or have, any such intentions we do not know, but that there is a project on foot looking to the construction of such a line we have to-day been apprised through a call from Mr. Daniel Hay, of St. Louis, director and attorney of the "St. Louis, Emporia & Western Railroad." Mr. Hay left St. Louis some two weeks ago to make a trip over the proposed route for the purpose of fully understanding the resourcves and possibilities of such a road. After coming thus far he seems to be very well satisfied and will no double be able to make a favorable report. Mr. Hay stated that it was not being built in the interests of any railroad corporation, but was an independent company and if put through will be a main trunk line.
As Clinton is one of the points on the road the people of Clinton and Henry County must necessarily take a lively interest in its construction, particularly as nothing will be asked in the way of subscription. It would open up a direct line with St. Louis some 27 miles shorter than the present route by rail, which would give to farmers, traders and business men generally, the choice of two routes to St. Louis, our natural market. That such a line would pay there can be no question.
Henry County and Bates with their coal fields and their magnificent agricultural resources could almost furnish material enough, alone, to pay a handsome interest on the money invested in the construction of the road. Then there is the trade beyond Emporia which would find its way to the east more readily and rapidly and cheaper than it does now.
St. Louis ought to wake up and make an effort to secure much of the trade in this section that is now being diverted in other directions. Such a line as the one proposed ought to be built by her citizens alone solely to secure the business that she is now losing. There is a beautiful country out this way, that is being rapidly developed and destined to grow with amazing rapidity in the future which is well worth looking after by the business centres.
We hope the line will be built and are satisfied that the peopke of Henry County will bee willing to do what they can to boost it along.
The Kansas City and Southern is a road designed to run from Kansas City in a nearly direct line to Pleasant Hill, in Cass Cou8nty, down the Grand River Valley to Clinton, Henry County, along the same valley to Osceola, St. Clair County and thence in a natural prairie valley to Bolivar, Polk County, and from this last point eastward through Buffalo, in Dallas County, to an intersection with St. Louis and San Francisco Road, somewhere near Lebanon, in Laclede County. From Lebanon the road is projected to run in a southeasterly direction to Helena, Ark. A glance at the map shows that the road will traverse some fifteen of the largest counties in Missouri, that are now destitute of railroad facilities, and aid remarkably in developing the coal fields of Henry County;
This road has been graded at intervals for some eighty miles between Kansas City and Osceola, Between Clinton and Osceola the grading is entirely completed, and rails could be laid at once between these points if the bridge over Grand River was completed. A contract for this bridge was let yesterday, and this gap of 100 feet will be spanned inside of thirty days. Northward, from Pleasant Hill toward Kansas City, a very large portion of the grading has been completed and some six miles of track east from Kansas City is already railed. There has also been laid some nine miles of steel from Clinton towards Osceola. The rails to complete the road are all purchased and paid for, and as yet not a bond has been issued on this portion of the line.
The road from Bolivar to Lebanon is part of the line known formerly as the Laclede and Fort Scott, now St.Louis and Western, which is designed to run in as near an air lineas possible from Lebanon, via Buffalo, Bolivar, Stockton, and Nevada, to Fort Scott. Between Lebanon and Bolivar the work was very heavy, and large expendiotures have been made by individuals and counties in their corporate capacity. Upwards of ten years ago between $300,000 and $400,000 was expended onm this portion of the line. Laclede County paid $100,000, Dallas County, $250,000, and Polk County, which subscribed $250,000, paid $33,500, and a few months ago compromised the remainder at $75,000. Laclede and Polk counties have already paid their interest. Dallas county is contesting her bonds on the grounds that they were diverted from the prupose for which they were issued. Vernon county subscribed some $17,500, and graded a considerable portion of the road through that county just in time for the M., K. & T. to avail themselves of it, as their track between Nevada and Fort Scott.
The career of the St. Louis and Western has been somewhat chequered. Owing to a bad money market and failure of the New York syndicate to advance necessary funds, work on the track was suspended about a year ago, when the grading from Lebanon to Bolivar was practically completed. Quite recently Col. Wm. Bailey, President of the Kansas City and Southertn, purchased all the outstanding bonds and stock of the St. Louis and Western in the hands of the Eastern syndicate, and is proceeding to complete the road, hoping to get as far as Bolivar in time for fall business. Rails for this portion of the road have already been contracted for, with promise of early delivery.
* * * * * * *Dr. Dodson, who has been President for some years, declined reelection and Col. Wm. Bailey was elected in his place; Dr. Dodson becoming Vice President nd Amos Tenney Secretary. Col. Bailey is known as a somewhat aggressive railroad man, and the syndicate operating with him have plenty of money. The present intention is to complete the road from Clinton southeastwardly as fas as possible. The only heavy bridging is over the Osage at Osceola, and it is expected to get trains running from Kansas City to Lebanon by the end of the year, when the road will become a lively competitor of the Nettleton route.
A meeting of railroad men was held Monday at Nevada for the purpose of electing directors the Lebanon & South-western railroad. Those in attendance were principally stockholders of this road. Mr. F. M. Green, Major Salmon, and Mr. J. W. Taylor were present from this place.
In an interview with the Major we learned the following particulars: Col. Bailey, now building the Kansas City & Southern having purhcased the Lebanon & South-western road called the meeting for the election of new directors, with a view of re-organization and the forming of a combination with the line now under construction from Kansas City to the south-east through Clinton. The men chosen were selected by Col. Bailey in the interests of this new scheme and are as follows: Wm. Bailey, of St. Louis, Waldo P. Johnson, of St. Louis, E. L. Martin, Kansas City, J. W. Taylor, Clinton, S. J. Klock, of Helena, Amos Tenney, of New York, H. Attaway, of Lebanon, G. W. O'Bannon, of Buffalo, Dallas county, Mo., T. H. B. Dunnegan, of Bolivar, J. N. B. Dodson, of Nevada, Dr. Hepler, of Fort Scott, J. H. Concannon, of St. Louis.
Col. Bailey was elected president, J. N. B. Dodson, vice-president, and Amos Tenny secretary.
The road running from Lebanon into Kansas has some forty miles already graded, trestling built, ties on the ground and some three hundred tons of iron. It is the intention to go forward with this line and it will be but a short time before the graded portion will be finished. There will be also a line built from Bolivar to Springfield which will give connection with the whole southwest country. The K. C. & S. will interesect the L. & S. W. at Bolivar and pass on to the south-east, crossing the San Francisco at Mansfield. The work on this part of the road will go forward in a few days with increased vigor and will no doubt be rapidly completed as it is understood that Col. Bailey is backed by some of the best and strongest railroad companies in the country, seeking different outlets.
The Major says the enthusiasm over the completion of our road was decidedly marked and that parties in a position to know are now confident that all doublts upon this point are removed.
Col. Bailey has for some time been figuring in this matter and that he has succeeded in satisfactorily arranging affairs wherein so much was involved speaks well for his ability as a financier and his standing in the business world.
The Fourth of July
Time Table of the Kansas City & Southern for the Fourth
Leave Clinton 8:30am
5:30pm
9:00pm
Leave end of track 9:30am
6:00pm
9:30pm
Round trip tickets, adults 25 cents
Round trip tickets, children 15 cents