|
|
The Truman Area Community Network
|
These notes are from the weekly Clinton Advocate and from the Clinton Daily Advocate. There is still some copied articles not yet transcribed. 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.
A SERIES OF MISHAPS
Delays Wednesday Everning's Passenger Train, North Bound, some Twenty-Four Hours
We incidentally mentioned Thursday that an accident had happened to the north bound passenger train which had materially delayed it. The first delay was caused by a bridge going down, under the freight of a heavy mogul engine, over the Middle Boggy, in the Indian Territory, near Atoka. After some fourteen hours delay the gap was closed and the train came on without further trouble until about a mile and a half this side of Montrose, when one of the journals of the tender gave way allowing the axle to drop and before the engineer was aware of it - after running some two hundred yards - a shock came resulting in the complete wrecking of the tender and the throwing from the track of two baggage cars, the mail car, smoker, and one passenger coach. Fortunately, no one was hurt seriously; the fire man sustaining the most serious injuries, which consisted of a sprained ankle and a few bruises. That there was no one killed or a number badly mangled is almost miraculous. The two passenger coaches were well filled with passengers and the forward one was so badly damaged that it was found necessary to leave it. One of the baggage cars was also badly mashed up and left at the scene of the accident.
The accident occured a little before 12 o'clock and in response to a call the wrecking train with a force of hands put in an appearance about 2 o'clock and proceeded to straighten things up. This required time and it was not until about half past seven that the cars were right and the track repaired.
The delay caused quite a collection of south bound trains at this point. When the passenger arrived here, a little after 8, there were five trains, almong them the passenger. After laying here some fifteen or twenty minutes for orders they began to skip out and the side tracks were soon cleared, all speeding on their way rejoicing.
We understand that the unfortunate train met with an obstruction on the track near Green Ridge, but if so it amounted to nothing and caused no delay.
Work was begun yesterday on the KC&S. As it will take several weeks for the construction of the bridge over the Grand river, nothing can be done more than to fix up the track already laid and do some grading. Whatever can be done of course will be done.
THE RAILROAD
Some Officials Facts and Figures Regarding the St. Louis, Emporia and Western
The following account of the proposed route and plans of the St. Louis, Emporia and Western is taken from the official documents privately issued, and will clear up some points on which the public mind has for some time been in doubt.
The St. Louis, Emporia and Western Railway was incorporated May 28, 1883, under the Kansas State laws. Its incorporators were: Daniel Hay, Jacob Smith, James T. Culver, G. W. Frederic and J. E. Lambert. Their object is to construct and maintain a standard gauge railroad and telegraph line from Emporia, Lyon County, Kans., to a point in or near the city of St. Louis. The capital stock is $12,000,000, one-third of which amount is to be prefered and the dividends shall amount to 7 per cent per annum. For the first year the Board of Directors are Sel;lect B. Warren, Emporia; Jas. F. Culber, Emporia; Geo. W. Frederic, Emporia; Daniel Hay, Nashville ???; Jas. M. Leete, St. Louis; W. H. Thornburg, St. Louis; E. T. Allen, St. Louis; with general offices located in this city.
It is intended the line shall run through the counties of Lyon, Coffey, Anderson, Miami, Linn, in the State of Kansas; thence eastwardly, through the counties of Bates, Henry, Benton, Morgan, Miller, Camden, Maries, Osage, Gasconade, Franklin, St. Louis, and City of St. Louis, upon or near the West bank of the Mississippi.
An eastern terminus will be made at Spring Point, on the Missouri River, which is to be the western terminus of the Forest Park and Central, now under construction.
Objective points along the route are Union, the county seat of Franklin; Tuscumbia, in Jefferson County, and Clinton in Henry County, by an air-line nearly as practical. Fron Union the line will follow the top of the divide, descend into the Dry Fork of the Burbois River, ascend on the north side of the creek, passing over the divide until the head waters of Long Creek, a tributary of the Gasconade, is reached. Sixty-five miles from UInion a 200 foot bridge will span the Gasconade. Thirty miles further on the Osage River is crossed at the mouth of Saline Creek near North Tuscumbia. The western prairies of this State will be traversed along the divided between the Osage and Missouri Rivers, the line passing near the famous Aurora Springs of Miller County. At Cole Camp the Sedalia, Warsaw and Southern will be crossed. The line, as plamnned, then goes to Clinton in Henry County, and almost due west to Emporia, Kans. A branch of the line is projected from Clinton, in Henry County through Jackson and over the corners of Casds and Johnson Counties to Kansas City. The main line will be 350 miles long and the Kansas City branch about 100.
A contract forits construction and equipment has been entered into with the Missouri and Kansdas Construction Company, who are to received the securities of the company in full payment for work when accepted, from time to time, by the company's Chief Engineer.
The contract is executed by W. W. Walker, President St. Louis and Emporia Railway Company, J. M. Leet, Vice President, and Edward B. Fox, Secretary. On the part of the construjction company is is signed by President H. H. Given, Vice Presidents W. G. Dacey, Nathan Frank and Edmund T. Allen, Treasurer O. W. Child, and Secretary M. J. Lorraine.
From Spring Point to the St. Louis Union Depot the St. Louis Emporia and Western will run over the Forest Park and Central Road, as tenants in common, and upon equal terms, each party paying its proportionate part for track maintenance, together with a proportionate part of 9 per cent annual interest on $700,000 first mortgage bonds, paid out in building the Forest Park and Central Line, and also esemi-annually its proportionate part of (6) per cent on the stock of said company, according to use and travel, but said payments on account of said siz (6) per cent on stock shall in no case exceed one and one half per cent on one million dollaars ($1,000,000), or fifteen thousand dollars ($15,000), in any one year, and payments by said users to be based and calculated on the amount of use and travel made by each of said parties with and other the property of said Forest Park and Central Railroad and its appurtnenat properties. It is agreed that the St. Louis, Empopria, and Western Railway Company is not to do any local business between St. Louis, Mo., and on the point of connection or intersection with the said Forest Park and Central Railroad.
It is estimated that a population of 693,375 people located along the line will contribute to its prosperity. The contribution acreage is 6,307,983, of which 3,927,831 acres are improved, all of which is computed to be worhjt $255,079,315. Embraced in this territory there is said to be a total persoanl property valuation of $63,992,739. To this sum ther is added $12,450,411 for farm products.
The Appleton City people have organized a sort of association for the purpose of securing the Emporia & St. Louis road. Officers have been elected and a working committee appointed. They seem to be laboring under the impression that the road, when built will be built a few miles distant from them unless they can secure it. The probability is that when this road is built it will be built, as is now proposed by those interested in its construction, on as near an air line as possible, striking such county seats as lie within a reasonable distance of the line. On all references to the matter which has had anything of an official character to them, Clinton has particularly been mentioned as one point on its line. A glance at the map will show that to make Appleton City and this city two points on a line from Emporia to St. Louis would be a long ways from an airline, besides bringing the road parallel to and in too close proximity to the MK&T. The Appleton City people show a spirit worthy of emulation, but we are of the opinion that their efforts are wrongly directed in this instance.
The Gas Works
A visit to the gas works Tuesday afternoon disclosed some material changes since we were last there. The reservoir has been completed, the frame work which acts as a guide to the holder is pretty well along toward completion. In the building we found the works in complete order and ready for the process of manufacturing the gas. In the retort room there are "benches" in which six retorts are encased. A "bench" is the brick work, made from fire brick, which surround the retorts and form the furnaces. The retorts are of fire clay, each nine feet long and thwenty-three by fifteen inches in their different diameters. Three of these are to be used at a time and the other three held in reserve for cases of necessity. The three will turn out about twenty thousand feet of gas per day, which will exceed considerably the amount that will be consumed here, for a while, at least. In this room are also a ten horse power boiler and a pump, all ready to be started up at short notice.
Previous to the manufacture of gas these retorts and benches have to be heated up gradually and kept hot for several days.
The machinery in an adjoining room for condensing, scrubbing, purifying and transmitting the gas into the holder, outside, is in order and ready to be used at any moment.
In the manufacture of gas, the retorts mentioned are filled with coal as free from sulphur and other impurities as possible and they are then tightly closed up and a fire built beneath them whicvh is kept up until the gas entirely escapes from the coal, which leaves in the retorts a residue known as coke. The gas as it is liberated by the heat passes off into a large pipe on top of the retorts, called a hydraulic main. Here the tar, which passes over with the gas, is precipitated while the gas goes on into the room adjoining, going first into a coil of iron pipes, twenty-one in number and having a circulating capacity of two hundred and sixty-five feet. These pipes are known as condensers and scrubbers, relieving the gas from much of its impurities. From these pipes it passes into the purifiers, or iron boxes containing screens holding slacked lime. There are three of these through which the gas passes from one to the other going through in its passage what is called a centre seal. In these boxes all the impurities are removed and when the gas leaves them for good it passes out to the holder,coming up into it from the bottom. Just outside of the holder and reservoir, some twenty feet down is a "drip box" of considerable size where water, the result of further condensation, is collected and pumped out at leisure. In cold weather there is considerable condensation, anbd as a very considerable stretch of the mains are run up an incline from the works the probability is that occasion to use a pump will present itself quite frequently.
As the gas is let into the holder it is gradually forced upward until filled with such quantity as may be desired, or to its fullest capacity. Another pipe, side by side with the one admitting the gas, carries it outward and into the city for consumers.
The machinery introduced into these works is of the very latest and best make, and Mr. Irland assures us that it is one of finest and most complete works of the size in this state, and we have every reason to believe from observation that his statement is correct.
It is expected to have everything in complete running order sometime next week and possibly the gas will be turned on the latter part of the week.
Railroad News
Warsaw, Mo., July 31 - An enthusiastic railroad meeting was held here last night in the interest of the contemplated St. Louis Emporia & Western railroad on Warsaw, then county seat of Benton, one of the best counties in the state, is on the direct line of the road and though the projected road crosses the Sedalia, Warsaw & Southern Railroad, of which this place is terminus, twenty miles north. Our people are determined to make an effort to get the road. It is claimed that the town is situated on the most practical route for the company to adopt and the people are up and doing.
The mineral and timber in this end of the country, which cannot be found north of us, is of sufficient importantce to secure us the road.
Enthusiastic speeches were made and a committee consisting of E. H. Richardson, Major Melton, R. W. Richardson, P. D. Hastain, Dee Reese, and Judge S. W. Smith, all leading citizenbs here, was appointed to confer with the projectors of the scheme, and use every effort to secure the road. Without a doubt, Benton's star is in the ascendancy.
The Railroad Meeting.
Quite an enthusiastic meeting was held Saturday afternoon at the court house in pursuance of the call made Friday and the day before.
Mr. A. C. Avery was called to the action and on action of J. T. Lingle Dr. Britts was requested to make a statement of the object of the meeting. The doctor, in response, said it was to take steps to secure the building of the St. Louis, Emporia and Western road through Clinton, that we should leased least tell that company that we are in favor of the road.
S. C. Mace was then elected Secretary on the motion of G. S. Holliday. It being understood that a profile of the road was in possession of Salmon Bros., it was brought over and Dr. Britts pointed out the different points, making explanatory remarks concerning resources, etc.
John Oechsli moved that a committee of three, which was subsequently raised to five, be appointed to draft resolution expressing the sense of the meeting. The following gentlemen were appointed.: J. Oeschli, Dr. Britts, Judge Savage, T. J. Lingle and Dr. Salmon.
Judge Savage moved that a committee of twelve or fifteen citizens be appointed to visit Butler and confer with her citizens with a view of making common cause and working harmoniously to secure the road to our respective towns. It being seconded the following gentleman were appointed: Judge Savage, Dr. Britts, Dr. Salmon, T. J. Lingle, S. C. Mace, W. D. Tyler, A. C. Avery, A. P. Frowein, J. B. Colt, H. W. Salmon, John Oeschli, T. W. Collins, Judge McBeth, Mr. Blevens, J. M. Kimbrough and Col. McClane.
The committee on resolution asked leave, which was granted, to prepare resolutions and funish them to the papers.
Judge Savage then moved, which was seconded and carried, that the visiting committee meet the people of Butler on Wednesday afternoon at 3 o'clock, and that the secretary notify parties in Butler of such intention.
The meeting then adjourned to Saturday next at 4 p.m.
Railroad Meeting
At the time of going to press the meeting of the committee from Clinton with the citizens of Butler was in progress.
Hon. John W. Abernathy was made chairman and T. J. Lingle secretary.
The Clinton gentleman stated that it was their desire to co-operate with the citizens of Butler in securing the Emporia road and the latter responded in the same terms.
A number of committees were apointed all of which will be published in full in our next week's paper.
The drift of the proceedings, so far as we could gather, seemed to indicate that the people of the two cities were cognizant of the fact that several companies have in contemplation a line from St. Louis to the Santa Fe at Emporia, and it would behoove the two towns to be up and stirring to secure the road: that while all were anxious to secure the road, it would be better policy to act in that direction which would be most likely to secure it. They seemed to think that the company represented by Mr. Nichols was one that could be relied on as having powerful backing, at the same time, as Vanderbilt, Garratt, and a St. Louis company had the same idea in view, it would be meet and proper to give each a respectful consideration.
Senator Britts and Judge Avery of Clinton arrived in the city on Tuesday night. The remaining portion of Clinton delagation came to time at noon yesterday, having come overland.
Mr. Mittong, of the Holden Enterprise and Mr. Smith, the Holden postmaster, were on hand as "lookers on in Venice."
The meeting was harmoniously conducted and no doubt will be productive of good results
We shall comment at length in our next week's issue. --Bates County Democrat.
From Thursday's Daily:
The railroad meeting at Butler yesterday resulted in an understanding that harmonious action would govern the people of the two towns in regard to their efforts to secure the building of the road. A committee of Butler people consisting of fifteen members was appointed with the understanding that a similar committee would be appointed for Henry county. These committees are to work together for a common purpose ofering such aid as may be required of them, n the way of subscriptions and securing the right of way.
The follow letter by Edward B. Fox, Sec'y of the above company to Mr. A. P. Frowein speaks for itself:
ST. LOUIS, MO. August 8, 1883.
A. P. FROWEIN, CLINTON, MO.
DEAR SIR:- Your letter to Mr. Daniel Hay under date of July 19th just received. In his absence I will state that the company are now making surveys for the purpose of obtaining information where to locate the line.
The Kansas City branch will undoubtedly be located through your city, if the citizens are inclined to encourage the enterprise. Within a few days a representative of the company will call upon your and other citizens of Clinton. Send your prospectus by mail to-day and would be glad to have any suggestions you or any of your neighbors may deem proper to make.
Very Respectfully, your obed't servant.
EDWARD B. FOX
Sec. per D.
St. Louis Emporia and Western Railroad.
Rich Hill is a live, wide awake place and everything calculated to advance its interests that offers itself is taken prossession of at once and made the most of. The St. Louis, Emporia and Western railroad seems to be looking in that direction and its citizens will no double improve the opportunity and accept tet proposition made them as set forth in the following, clipped from yesterdays Rich Hill Chronicle"
The proposition made by the proprietors of the new line of railroad as suggested by the above title, was received by our citizens with a unanimity that argues well for the ultimate success of the enterprise. The proposition is substantially thus, Rich Hill and Appleton City are to secure the right of way for the new road from Warsaw through Bates County through Appleton City and Rich Hill to the Kansas line also to bear one-half the expese of a preliminary survey, which will be about $2,000.
Should the survey prove the route practical and satisfactory the railroad companyn will issue to the towns named preferred stock equal to the amount of costs of right of way and the preliminary survey. We consider the proposition eminently a fair one, and urge upon our citizens the necessity of prompt and liberal action if we desire to secure this route. The "anything to beat Rich Hill" policy inaugarated by our Butler friends is being adopted by other little towns about us, and Rich Hill will only need to bring her indomitable business pluck and ability to bear on the question, and she can distance all competitors in this race for commercial supremacy. We have all the natural advantages requisite to a great manufacturing city; let us grasp the situation with a strong and determined hand and keep our young city in the van of the onward march to commercial and social prosperity.
To say the least this prompt action shows that they mean business, and mean to locate and build the road over this line if the survey is satisfactory, and the people along the line do their duty towards the enterprise.
The future prospects of Appleton City are of the most promising nature, and it is our opinion that inside of one year this town will be double its present population.
The laying of the rails of the KC&S was finished up to and onto the abutment of the Grand River bridge Saturday afternoon. The bridge timbers and workmen to put them into position are expected soon. Col. Bailey we understand is in New York city completing arrangements for the renewal of the work, and orders are expected at any moment to go on with the grading to be followed with the receipt of all necessary material for further prosecution of the work.
Mr. W. B. Calvird received the following postal this morning from A. P. Frowein: St. Louis, August 13, 1883 Prospects for the road to Clinton are good. Saw Perry and Hay, both, and will see them again tomorrow. E. W. Fox will be in Clinton this week.
K&T Div, Mo P
Change of time card commencing 12:01 Sunday morning Feb 14, 1882
Passenger trains:
no 151 express south, leaves Clinton 8:07pm
153 south 6:39am
No 152 north 6:39am
154 north 8:44pm
Freight trains:
No 155 through freight south leaves 7:35pm
157 south 1:05pm
159 south 4:25am
161 local south 11:00am
156 through north 8:38am
158 north 2:20pm
160 north 8:07pm
162 local north 1:05pm
from Friday's Daily
Stock pens are being built at the terminus of the K. C. & S. road - at
Grand River - for the accommodation of shippers.
from Tuesday's Daily:
The first shipment of cattle over the new road was made yesterday -
two cars being loaded at the river by Mr. Terrell and shipped to St. Louis'.
from Mondays daily:
The visit of Messrs. Scullin, Pace, and Nichols, to Clinton on
Saturday, was to look somewhat into the resources of this region with the
view of building a railroad from St. Louis to Kansas City, with Clinton as a
probable point. There seems to be no question of their intention to build such
a road and that it will bebuilt at once is equally certain. One Million
dollars is already put up and couple of million more provided for, to be paid
in a certain length of time with plenty of capital behind them. Other
arrangements seems to have already been made looking to this end. Mr. Scullin
has given up a position where he was receiving $15,000 per annum and
expenses, to go into this scheme. He has also called his engineer and has
located an office in St. Louis. He is very enthusiastic over the matter and
declares that there is not a more promising route in the United States
than the one under consideration. Mr. Nichols also enthuses and has departed
for Ohio to enlist an interest there among his moneyed friends. There seemed to
be no disposition to beat around the bush, but as stated they declare the road
will be built, and more, that it will be completed within eighteen months. As
they have the money to do it with, and mean business, they can put it through
at a rapid gate when under way.
Mr. E. W. Fox arrived in Clinton last night agreeable to announcement by telegraph from Warsaw. Mr. Fox has been talking with the people of Clinton concerning his proposed road, which was, of course, the object of his visit. We met the gentleman this afternoon and had a very pleasant chat with him upon the project, but owing to the lateness of the hour will be unable to give a detailed account of what he said in this connection. He was frank and outspoken and seemed to freely understand the situation at this point. As to the road he says they propose to build from St. Louis to Kansas City, passing through Clinton. As to the lower line through Brownington to Appleton City and on to Rich Hill, it is a branch line and is proposed to connect with the main line some ten miles east of this place. For want of time this evening, we will only add that Mr Fox confidently asserts that his company is in a position to build the road; that they already have their connection with St. Louis, and that the road will be put through at an early day, and the he hopes to have the cooperation of the people of Clinton.
from Saturday's Daily:
Nevada Mail: Messrs. J. D. Scott and son of Schell City will in a few
days sell their livery stock, preparatory to beginning grading on the St.
Louis Emporia & Western Railroad. Mr Scott will commence work inside of ten
days. He returned Saturday from Illinois, where he had been to secure the
right of way through a two mile tract of land east of here. This gave the
company the right of way from here to Appleton City.
from Monday's daily:
The excursion to Grand River yesterday was not as well attended as it
should have been, but those who did go seemed to enjoy the ride very much. An
hour was passed pleasantly at the river, and on the return a short halt was
made at the favorite Jordan Springs, where all had an opportunity of testing
the efficacies of the life-giving fluid. From the accommodating conductor, E.
C. Johnson, we learn that $29.30 was the amount realized.
from Wednesday's daily:
Seven car loads of freight came up the K. C. & S. road yesterday, consisting of two cars of stock belonging to Mr. John Naffsiger of Brownington. The balance were coal and wood.
Men are at work on the south pier, on Grand River, at the terminus of the railroad, repairing it for the reception of the bridge, which will soon be erected there. The bridge will probably be completed within the next three or four weeks.
from Tuesday's daily:
A switch track is being graded at Groff's, on the K.C. & S., about seven miles out, preliminary to being laid with iron. If the weather is favorable it will be ready for use the last of this week.
Rich Hill Review
J. D. Scott & Sons have gone to work in earnest on the grade between here and Appleton City and about 50 teams are at work and more coming in every day. The whole bottom between the city and the river will be graded next month - before the fall rains interfere. Arrangements have been completed for right of way over the Montgomery tract - two miles - this closing nearly all the right of way between Rich Hill and Brownington. The survey west to the Santa Fe is being pushed along under Engineer Emerson, who reports a splendid line so far as gone. Mound City will be a point, and no doubt Florence, Kans., will be the connecting point with the A., T. and S. F. road unless Emporia or some other point reaches out and takes hold.
The importance of this road to Rich Hill and other western towns is very perceivable, breaking the monopoly of the Gould interests. It, too, will give and East outlet to all the Western business of the Santa Fe, the Gulf system, and all other roads not under the Missouri Pacific system, and that too, without reaching Kansas City to pool with other roads. This seems to be the great object, to miss the pooling at Kansas City, on all through business, the same as Gould is doing over the M., K. and T. and the Arizona branch.
For St. Louis it will be a great road, making the route a large number of miles shorter than by Kansas City, and controlling the business in St. Louis, which is now divided at K. C. going to Chicago, Toledo and other points. There should be no delay in pushing this important line to completion, opening up as it will a new field of coal and mining industries on more than half the route between here and the Mississippi. In one year after the completion of this road, 100,000 people will have been added to the population of the counties along the line, and millions of dollars invested in enterprises that would otherwise remain dormant for years to come.
Push the road through.
The engineers of the newly projected railway from St. Louis to Emporia, who started out from St. Louis some weeks ago, have reached as far as the Gasconade River and are now looking out a route across the dividing between the Gasconade and the Osage. Our best information is that they will strike the Osage with their line, somewhere between the mouth of Little Tavern or Bob Ruley, about the 15th of October - State Journal.
Rich Hill Review: E. W. Fox, representing the St. Louis Emporia & Western Railway Company has been in the city several days this week, and we were shown the contract, Tuesday, under which all the solid masonry on this line of road from Mound City, Kansas and Brownington, Missouri is to be done. Work is to be commenced at once on the piers for a bridge over the Marais des Cygnes river and to be completed early in January. The contract too, has been made for the superstructure of the bridge and a first class railroad bridge will be completed over this river at least before the middle of January.
The side track is completed at Groff's on the Southern, and will prove a great convenience to the people in that section.
As the Lebanon & Western Railway is under the same management as the KC&S the following from the Lebanon Rustic is of some interest: "The latest information regarding the Lebanon & Western road is the money has been secured for the completion of the road and that the work will be commenced at the earliest day possible. The prospects of the road are at least getting brighter once more,"
We hear considerable mention of the St. Louis and Western road, principally its statements that work is going on at both sides of the line, but we hear nothing of the Scullin road, and the inquiry naturally arises what has become of his proposed road through this city? The appearance is, just now, that it was all talk and no cider. Fox seems to mean business, and with his connecting lines with St. Louis by way of Creve Couer lake, and the encouragment he is receiving along the line, it seems possible, if not altogether probable, that he will make the riffle,. At any rate it would not be a bad idea to correspond with him and show a willingness to cooperate with him through Henry County and this city, Mr. Fox is possessed with the idea that the people of Clinton are indifferent to his project. We infer this from a conversation we had with him when he was here last. We do not know whether this is well founded, or not, but hardly think so, for it would hardly seem reasonable. Clinton can hardly afford to throw away any chance, however slim it may seem, that promises to benefit her. As we said before, it would not be a bad plan to open correspondence with Mr. Fox and disabuse his mind of the idea of indifference in case he has such a notion. This need not interfere with Scullin's road in case it is built, and the people of Henry County could well afford to assist both roads if called to do so. Railroads develop the country through which they run and towns through which they form junction.
All persons are strictly forbidden to board engines or cars while they are underway.
All trains must be run under the supposition that an irregular train is liable at any time to overtake them on any part of the road.
Passengers must not be permitted to ride on work trains, in baggage cars, nor on the platforms of cars while they are running.
Conductors will see that the brakemen call out, in a distinct voice, in each coach, the names of all stations at which they stop, and help the passenger on and off.
Trains will run slow during or after a heavy storm and not attempt to make time, keeping a close lookout for all places along the track that are liable to washouts or slides.
Passenger conductors are required to be in attendance on their train, in regular uniform, half an hour before leaving time and to remain in attendance in full uniform until they reach the end of their run and turn their train over to the proper employees. They will be held responsible for the cleanliness and proper condition of cars in their train and form the prompt action and general good conduct of their baggagemen and porters, requriing them to be on duty one half hour before their train leaves and to remain until the end of their runs and their duties are performed.
Competing Lines.
We clip the following from the Sedalia Democrat of Tuesday morning: It would seem that Mr. Fox proposes to have several lines to connect St. Louis with Kansas City. It is to be hoped that he will not altogether lose sight of the original line through this place.
"E. W. Fox, one of the projectors of the St. Louis and Emporia railroad, was in the city yesterday, feeling the pulse of some of the prominent citizens on the question of running the main line of the new railroad through Sedalia. What is contemplated with this part of the road, should the directors meet with proper encouragement, is that a new route be opened up for Sedalia, direct to St. Louis and Kansas City, and shorter by fourteen miles than any shippers now have. The project is to survey the course from Versailles to Sedalia and thence to join the Chicago and Alton at a point about fifteen miles west of Higginsville, making a way of travel better in the matter of distance and time than either of the present routes.
The survey for the new road has been made and settled from the east of Cole Camp and from thence will go to Florence, Kan. This additional line, if secured, would be an immense advantage to Sedalia shippers, inasmuch as they would profit by an active competition for their freight traffic and it would be no less to the traveling public inasmuch as they would have the benefit of the time saved by a shorter distance."
St. Louis, Emporia and Western Railroad.
Mr. E. W. Fox, secretary of the St. Louis, Emporia and Western railroad is now figuring on a line from Versailles to Kansas City by way of Sedalia; and, as we learn from the Sedalia Democrat, has made to the citizens of that city the following proposition: "That if they will donate $10,000, grant the right of way through the county, take $10,000 in preferred stock, and also $10,000 in first mortgage bonds, the road will be built through Sedalia and the county, in almost a straight line from Versailles, in Morgan county, to Odessa, in Lafayette."
A proposition which will be made to the Chicago & Alton for the use of their road from where the river line strikes it to Kansas City, is that the C. & A. shall use the Keokuk & St. Louis line on this side of the Mississippi River, thereby shortening their route forty miles from the intersection of the C. & A. and the Keokuk line, into St. Louis. Mr. Walker is Presdient of both the Keokuk and Emporia lines. The Democrat adds "once convince the capitalists that the company is well backed, and mean just what they say, and the citizens of Sedalia and Pettis county will not be slow to encourage the new enterprise."
An Important Enterprise
Our exchanges in Western Missouri and Eastern Kansas contain frequent and full allusion to the rapid progress made in surveys and construction on the St. Louis, Emporia and Western Railway, and it seems about time that the capital and business interests of St. Louis should awaken to an appreciation of what it has in store for them. Some time ago we published an exhcnage from one of the Rich Hill papers showing how it would open up a new field of cotton production.
An idea of the value of this road may be gathered from the fact that its Western Division in Missouri passes over the rich coal fields of Bates, St. Clair and Benton counties, connecting these with the immense deposits of iron, lead and zinc in the counties of Benton, Morgan, Miller, Osage, Gasconade and Franklin. This connection will at once give an impetus to the manufacturing interests of Rich Hill - a young city of phenomenal growth, having obtained a population of 6,000 in less than four years, with waterworks and all the thriving elements of a promising trade centre. The people of Rich Hill, of Appleton City in St. Clair County, and of Mound City, in Linn County, Kas., as well as those along the line, are building the road right straight along, for they realize in it an auxiliary of still greater progress and development.
The citizens of Kansas are moving actively for it, the important point of benefit to them being the cheap and abundant supply of fuel from the mines of Bates and St. Clair. Only his is neded to quadruple the settlement and crop production of their fertile but treeless prairies.
The work of building this important thoroughfare is beeing actively prosecuted by the Missouri & Kansas Railroad Construction Company, and while a few citizens of St. Louis, who foresee the resutls to be accomplished, are aiding and encouraging the company, only these few realize the great interest at stake., The factories and foundtires of St. Louis, from the fine region traversed by the road, can draw from rich sources now unknown and undeveloped, abundant supplies of ore equal to the best in the State. Besides this, along it are found ample stores of fire-clay, glass sand, kaolin, and all the varieties of hard wood timber. The counties from here to the western terminus form a rich agricultural belt, producing grain, fruits and grasses, abounding in live stock, and yet for lack of transportation not one-fourth utilized. It looks to us like reversing the natural order of things to build the western end first, and if the business men of St. Louis could see the enterprise as it strikes us, and would be prodded to build at this end with equal rapidity, and so turn the channel of trade promptly in our direction, instead of letting it flow east and north of us. It is as difficult to turn established trade channels as it is to create them. - St. Louis Commercial Gazette.
THE NEWS CONFIRMED.
The Building of the Kansas City and Southern a Fixed Fact.
In an interview with Mr. Green Monday afternoon, we learned that Col. Bailey had succeeded in his negotiations for the necessary funds to complete the railroad, and that work will go forward as soon as material can be received. The bridge over Grand river will be completed to-morrow and ties and iron are expected soon, then the track will be laid over that structure and then onwaward as radpidly as circumstances will allow. Major Green has been exceedingly cautious and wary about saying anything in regard to the prosecution of the road, its prospects, etc., and now that he unresentedly states that the necessary arrangements have actually been made to construct the road, the public may rest assured that such is the case.
The paragraph which we gave a few days since from the Kansas City Journal, asserting the prospects to be as there stated was received from grains of doubt. This, however, is a confirmation from an undoubted source.
After many years of waiting, of doubt and distrust, the news will be hailed with great joy by many hundreds of people. It means the development of our county., the prosperity of Clinton and a ready communication with one of the principal cities of the west, and an ultimate outlet to the south and other markets that are now only reachable by roundabout ways.
To the gentlemen who have by persistent effort, undaunted by rebuffs, cold words and want of encouragement, succeeded in the face of an unsettled, panicky conditiuon of the general finances of the country, to raise money to build this road, there is due the warmest words of praise.
The work has been herculian, has consumed much time, exercised an immense amouht of patience and reqwuired a manipulation of affairs that would do honor to any man. All hail to the hero of the day, Col. Bailey.
From Fridays daily:
The people along the line of the St. Louis Emporia & Western Railway are showing a disposition to assist the company by raising money through voting bonds in the different townshiops. Yesterday fifteen thousand dollars were voted in Mound Township Linn County, Kansas. Rich Hill has also pledged itself to furnish twenty five thousand dollars upon completion of the road to St. Louis. The work is going on at a lively rate, it being reported that four hundred men and teams are at work between Appleton City and Rich Hill. That number of men would make the road pretty fast such weather as we have been having lately (sic).
From Wednesday's Daily
Ties have been laid over the Grand River bridge and as soon as the rails arrive, which is expected daily, the track will be laid.
$500 Reward
The passengers of the excursion train on the Kansas City & Southern yesterday, will pay the above reward for the arrest and conviction of the person or persons who put the obstruction on the track yesrerday. For more definite particulars apply at this office
A straight Line.
Bates Co. Democrat.
It may be said to be one of the probabilities that there will be a direct line from St. Louis to Clinton, thence to Butler, thence to La Cygne and thence to Emporia. Butler is a few miles south of the through line, but sufficient inducements can be bestowed to cause such a slight deflection. When we say this is one of the probabilities, we mean that is the natural line of an east and west road, being the straghtest and most direct line from Emporia to St. Louis. It is also the most practicable route and the most easily constructed of any that have been mentioned. The St. Louis Emporia & Western, and the St. Louis & Emporia are two contemplated lines that run through and among the Osage hills, over as rought a territory as could be selected in the State of Missouri. Besides they make a divergence of from thirty to fifty miles out of the road, and, in the course of a long period of years, the longer transport will consume considerable profits, when attempting to compete with the line that runs by the way of Clinton and LaCygne to Emporia. It may be that the true Emporia road may conclude to run from Walnut to Butler and thence to Clinton, which would have a tendency to drive out any contemplated road from LaCygne to Clinton, and other parts of the line may also be occupied before the straight through lkine from St. Louis to Emporia, by way of Clinton, Butler and LaCyng,e shall be gotten under full headwqay, which may have the same effect. But, in case no part of the line shall be occupied before very long, we have reasons for believing and stating that there will be a straight line from St. Louis to Emporia, through the above points and that at no distant day. It would be one of the grandest thorouhfares of the west: better than others because it would be straight, consequently shorter than other so-called Emporia roads. It will furnish a line of transportation for all roads not in the Gould systeml; those in Kansas that want an outlet to Illinois and those in Illinois that desire an outlet to Kansas, south of the Missouri river.
This season, it was intimated that the Gulf road would extend a branch from LaCygne to Butler, thence to Brownington coal fields, Yet we heard it hinted by one posted, that it was it purpose to build to Clinton, and that that company seriously contemplated a St. Louis line. But we begin to think that it has abandoned this line and will quite probably iron and equip the line from Rich Hill to Appleton and thence to Browning, virtually swallowing up the St. Louis, Emporia & Western. There is scarcely a doubt also but that the St. Louis & Emporia (Cross road) will push directly east from Walnut to its Hudson coal fields, leaving the fine territory from Clinton west on a straight line entirely unoccupied. At one time, before Messr. Plumb and Nichol quarreled, we had the idea that the St. Louis & Emporia would run over this road-bed from Walnut to Butler, thence to Clinton, which would have occupiued a very great share of the territory of the straight line and, no doubt, would have shut out any other project on the straight line. It now looks as if the Gulf, the St. Louis, Emporia & Western and St. Louis & Emporia are lost to use and will diverge materially from the straight line, and we have reason for asserting that the territory, over the natural line from St. Louis to Emporia will be occupied at no distant day. Clinton, Butler, and LaCygne can aid such a line very materially, and will do so, when the time comes, and they will no doubt have the opportunity, soon. Clinton has always been anxious for such a line, and it has a large number of wealthy men who will not stand back when their help is needed. The same assertion is true concerning Butler and it is only a question of time when the straight line shall be pushed forward to completion.
The straight line will save fifty miles of wear and tear, will save three hours time, and it will really and truly be the proper St. Louis & Emporia road. While we are gratified that the St. Louis, Emporia & Western, taken in by the Gulf, and the St. Louis & Emporia will run through some portion of the county, even if we could not secure them here, yet prudence requires that we shall look after our own immediate interests, and will do all we can to help that line by the way of the three points above designated. This is not all buncombe. If we are not woefully mistaken, it is straight forward and solid business, and wil be developed in due time.
from Saturday's daily:
Mr. F. M. Green left for St. louis last night to investigate the cause of delay in the forwarding of a lot of steel rails ordered some time ago.
A portion of the rails for the further prosection of the K. C. & S. has arrived.
Cass News:
Trains are now running on the Kansas City & Southern line between Clinton and Brownington, a distance of ten miles, and an immediate application will be made to Congress to establish a daily mail service between these two points, to commence January 1.
At the earnest solicitation of the people of Brownington, a train will be run over the KC&S tomorrow, making two round trips. This will give an opportunity to all of those who want to take a ride over the road to do so. Trains will leave Clinton at 7:45 am and 4:00 pm. Fifty cents for the round trip.
Through the kindness of Mr. Green an excursion train was run over the K.C. & S. yesterday morning, in order to give the Brownington people a chance to have a good ride and at the same time spend Christmas day in Clinton. About 25 availed themselves of the opportunity, and they no doubt had a good time. They returned home a little after four o'clock.
Three carloads of ties are received for the KC&S, which will extend the laying of the rails over the dump, by which time more will be received.