Wisconsin herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1846-1849, 1847-09-11
EsailrOaSls---the difficulty of
getting stock taken.

]
The profits of Railroads through the
country are the leading stocks sought,
for permanent investments. The con-
structlon Of them at the present time
lis nearly one half less than ten years
Iago, when they were considered as
mere experiments. Experience has
taught that they have proved all that
could be anticipated.
Well do we remember when the
project of one from Schenectady to
Utica was started, that it was with diff
fculty the stock was taken. and State
aid was sought for. Before it was
completed the stock passed from the
hands of many subscribers, for eighty
cents on the dollar. A year after it
was finished. it commanded Sl25 for
500 paid in. 1t has paid 10 per
cent. per annum ever since, and a
havy reserved fund for T rail accu-
INFLATED, which is now being laid.
The road from Utica to Syracuse,
met with similar difficulties. 1t was
of the utmost trouble TO persuade peo-
pie that it would ever pay. The d.
vidends have been uniformly 10 per
cent. since completion, and is quick in
the market at an advance Of l2 per
cent. from cost.
To extend road further west than
Syracuse, was idle. For two years
Mr.. Sherwood labored to obtain a suf-
ficient subscription TO complete one
from Syracuse TO Auburn. 1t was so
long in building that large portion Of
the stock changed hands at 40 cents
on the dollar. Its profits have aver
aged 10 per cent. from he day the
cars started, and fund reserved.
/ From Auburn to Rochester, the pro-
jectors of the road had a mountain to
overcome. The State was solicited
and loaned her credit to assist in the
matter. Subscribers to the stock be-
came so discouraged that many Of them
forfeited their stock, after paying in 25
per cent. The road was some three
years in building. The Bostcnians
ever on the watch for a favorable in
vestment. picked up most OF the stock
at low prices and sent on Mr.. Brooks
who now has charge Of the Central
Railroad. 1t was completed, and 10
per cent on the cos. has been divided
every year since to the stockholders.
The Rochester and Batavia Road
called the Tonawanda Company-en.
countered similar discouragements.-
Many men who now own the stock at
cost of 80 per cent. advance, sold it
in the infancy of the Company at SO
cents on the dollar, for fear Of total
loss. The road once well finished
began to pay 10 per cent. and now, it
is in few hands. and no stock can be
got hold of.
From Atlica to Buffalo, similar
trouble was experienced. For n
while it seemed impossible to do any
thing. To raise funds, the Company
put portion of the stock that they
could not get subscribed for, up at auc-
ton, and sold it for what it would
bring, in order TO prosecute the work.
1t changed hands as low az u dollars
on the 100. Ever since it was COM
pleted it has paid 10 per cent, and
last month $4,000 of the stock sold at
auction, for Sl30 the share.
The history of these Companies is
the history Of almost all others in their
infancy. Even the great road leading
from Albany to Boston, was not ex-
copied The stock, the year before
its completion, was hawked in the mar
ket at 80 cents. Now it is above par.
and the additional capital of e2,0O0,-
900, recently added to it, for "A double
track, was taken Up at par in one day,
in Boston, last spring.