The Davenport gazette. [volume] (Davenport, Scott Co., Iowa) 1841-185?, 1850-10-03

Of our western settlements; that these re-
that they are derived from the direct progress on
an agricultural community.
The introduction Of large additional populatton
engaged In other pursuits must be necessary c94se
que nee; abundant water power EXISTS within tne
district Of country-miis Of different description. ~
manufacturing and mechanical operations would De
multiplied to great extent; causing villages 10 grow
np, which would contribute immensely to incresse
some other sources Of revenue from this interesting
district Of country yet to be taken INTO the
hut one other item only will be new considered. On
he whoie cxtent OF the route are inexhasble beds
bituminous coal, Of excellent quality, and easily on
tanned. The greater part ofthis from the same cause
which reards the development Of the agriculture! re-
sonpces Of the country, lies un disturbed and useless
he Railroad s thu only Of open ns xtensive
rrrat that So 900 annually hauled ~ miles on
Common wagons to Rock Island and Davenport. When
Railroad communication y opened, rsduc,ng ina
will be Immensely increased Westward a. well a. 70
the East for the construction Of railroad through To-
ent enterprise - its extension from Lasale to AuIo.
ra or it, futur. connection with Chicago.
will control the business of more than 10 coo square
miles lows which constitutes district OF country
possessing ell the elements for sustaining great pop
lation. With fertile lands, extensive water power,
and healthfu climate 4 will attain BY its railroad
prominent position in all its agricultural and CONNER
cial relations. An adequate ides OF s future wealth
ana Of the Inducements provide Railroad facilities,
can be formed in measure by considering ~ OOU
square miles contains terms, o. i
aud that the same area Of country will IN very few
years contain At least half million Of inhabitsnss--
Assuming that half only Of the traffic growing out
of these circumstance should over thr Rock Is-
land aud Lasalle railroad land there many reasons
rsesipts from 4 would amoun. annually 70 the 6rst
cost Of the undertaking. There are many other cir.
cumstances connected with the influence snd opera
these effects are not overrated but 70 enter upon the
Iowa Rairoad, is such to render its construction 81
early period almost certain. bill for an extensive
grant OF land for the purpose, having passed the Sen
ate Of the United States, and recommended BY COM
mittee Of the House, only awaits action.
There ARE maRy other circumstances connect
I'd witt, the influence and operation OF railroads,
which contribute to show that the effects allud-
ed 10 are no. overrated; mere alluslon to tho
numerous facts which experience has establish
Ell on some 10000 miles constructed within the
last 90 years in Europe and the United ates,
although all tending 10 prove hat what has been
assumed in this instance, is within the bounds OF
reality would eweli the repor, beyond its antlci-
pa,ed limits. II is also difficult to give sa,is-
factory account OF the important relations OF the
road which has bccn served Tor the last division
OF my subject, without entering somewhat AZ
large in the particular iaets connected with
them; shall therefore proceed TO show, as con-
c,sely az possible that the route OF the L .ck Is
land md Lasalle railroad is the best location Tor
the proposed NatIonst thoroughtare across this
gren; Continen. which can be iound between lake
Michigan and the Mississippi, or any r'.ere else.
lis claims rest first, upon ils geographical posi-
iion, thereby affording the shortest linz; 2d, on
its superior natural advantages in every respect
and IA connection with these, en- the fac. that
the Rock Island rapids presentfaclliies for cross
ing the Mississippi b a bridge incomparabis
superior TO any other point than can be selected
By an examination of the annexed map, on which
al the great lines OF railroads tending westward,
are delineated, either those already constructor,
or those projected, which are likely to be huir,
i, will be seen that three great lines are direct
inc their course towards the south end OF lake
Michigan, and exhibit most sirlkingiv, that one
common object actuatcs the great commercial
cities on the Atlantic. Each one is using IN.
infu. nee OF its capital, to share IN the profits ut
wes ern trade-B Boston by the NJ chigan central
rairoad-New York by the Buffalo and Missis-
sppi railroad, and Philadelphia By IT'S great CEN
tral line through Pennsylvania, which IS to be
extended to Cle~eland or in a more direct course.
When these Important works are completed 10
Chicago, the largo assemblage OF passengers
which will collect there, will seek their various
places Of destination at the north or north.west
and the west or southwest.
Chicago is now a point Of convergence and
Distribution; such in some degree is Peru, such
will Rock Island soon become. and AS population
advances westward, Council Bluffs and some
on the Nebraska, will assume a similar position.
But The main body OF travellers who are 10 cross
the Continent and who will accumulate at Chi.
cago, (whilst the railroads centre there) will
prefer a course a. nelrly west as circumstances
will admit Of
Gut OF the 2O0, 900 persons, according to the
estimate of Mr.. P p. F. neqrand, that will an-
nually travel to and from the Pacific, II 10 evl.
dent that large proportion will select the norih.
ern route. Aslraight line from G eve'and g the
.Sou,h Pass,' nearly int.rsects .'i'awa, Fern,
Rock Island, and Council Bluff. From thiiHdei-
Ia. otad lima ~, II Rck Ia and
so miles shorter than 10 st. Louis, by lnd'anapo
lie aud the T.rre Hsuie railroad. From New
York and Boston the distance saved, would De
80 miles. From Cincinnati and Indianapolis, oy
La Fayette, the distance 10 Rock Island or 81.
| ouis is nearly equal, whist the distance rom
R,ck Island by Council Bluff TO the South Pass
is probably 200 miles less In connection WIN
all these important facts, the practicabll,ty OF
bridging the Mississippi, becomes question oi
the utmost interest; its effect on Rock Island ana
Davenport, which derive their immediate bus'-
ness from the commerce Of the river, and the
incrcss influx Of couhtrytrade, Will De exacuy
wha, occurs At all great points OF reshipment.-
The intersection OF the Mississippi ny 'ne great
est Railroad in the World, cannot tail to estaol'sh
great commercial centre there, .ike Cn'cago
and St. Louis large amount OF capita. WIN soon
be emplo, cd in bling and wholesale business
hese considerations together with the interest
manifested BY Eastern capt. al'sts on the suo)ect
have induced me to pay particular attention in
relation 10 bridge.
have examined the river as far as Dubuque
that might report with confidence to the pubic
in this vicinity and particularly TO my rastern
friends. Dubuque 10 the only place At wnicn =
n.a r Ss po'so,s s1o., ,G1 .bs M Su. whe
thew will everhaye sufficient inducements, tconld
they command the means 10 effsctO isa question
alt should be remembered and explained 10
those unacquantsd with Asnos ,nIi undsr