Democratic banner. (Bowling Green, Pike County, Mo.) 1845-1852, 1851-04-14
The ERecf Of Plank Roads.

II The Enect Of Plank ROeds. 81 50.
A correspondent of the Chicsgo Tribune,
gives, upon the authority Of w. Kingsford,
engineer on the Hudson rivet railroad, the
following facts, showing the effect ofPlenk
roads, on the trade of towns, and the value
offTthe road as an investment: @ 2@u'
But the most surprising statements in the
book referred to, relate to the effect Of plank
roads dussen the trade of towns and the value
ofsbroperty along their lines. The traffic
over a road of eleven miles leading into Al
bsuy, which was finished in 1S49, has in
creased ITO per cent, and farms along the
line 90 per cent. in value. A road from
Fonda to Lake CaTogs, in Hamilton coun-
ty. has raised the value of lands at the lat
ter place from 80 cents to $2 and So, and
has reduced the price Of fre-wood at Fon-
da from Sc to 80 rs. at which it csn now
always be purchased. ... ...
One hundred and sixty.three miles Of
plank lesd, may be considered tributary to
Utica, and they have increased her busi-
ness 100 per cent, her property 15 per
cent, and her population 25 per cent
They have also lessened the price Of cord
wood 81 so; and as $4,000 cords are an
nually consumed in Utica, $52, 1000 are an
nually saved to the hsbitants, which
would build thirty miles of plank road
Rome is the centre of l48 miles of plank
road, which has increased the storage and
forwarding business 33 l-2 per cent, and
doubled the amount of travel. Ninety.nine
miles of plank road run into Syracuse,
doubling the population and raising the
value of real estate from 10 to 90 per cent,
depending on localities, and reducing the
price of wood from Sc to So so per cord,
at the same time making the wood worth
50cts. per cord more standing. On the
$4,000 cords annusiIy brought from the sur
rounding country, $685., 800 are saved to
the inhabitants, which would build l3l
miles Of road each year. Oswego has lead
ing into it liz miles of plank road, enhanc-
ing the value of property 25 per cent, and
doubling the retail trade. There is now
constructing about Rochester $50 miles Of
plank road, raising the value of city prop
erty 20 per cent, and the value of the lands
near the city about 81 per cent.
Time will allow me to give Mr.. Kings
IOIO D boChS w Out1 Oho OtuOb PViue3 ouu
that is the value Of plank roads as an in.
vestment. The Troy and Lansingburg road
has paid of debt of 81 400, and divides
20 per cent. per annum, besides laying by
sinking fund. The Rome and Utica road
in twelve months has paid of 81, 900 debt,
and is expected to divide 20 per cent
The Utica and Franks fort, finished in Octo-
Der, ls49, has paid ten per cent. The Uti-
ca and Burlington, 20 per cent. The Rome
and Turin earned $4,000 the first six
months, on cost of $4,000. The Salina
Central Square road is worth now $Il0 per
shsre on $50 paid in. The Salina, Liver
pool and Clay pays 10 per cent. The Rome
and Oswego, 10 per cent, r.serving sink
ing funds. The Aliens Creek road, Ro-
chester, the directors refuse to make sny
state. The Aurora and Buffalo road divides
25 per cent. ..
The above are the facts connected with
some Of the plank roads in New York
the few which have been properly built and
managed 10 Illinois have yielded montrous
returns, which, when known, must render
these roads a favorite investment. This
will form an important adjunct to our rail-
roads, and the day is near at hand when our
State will be traversed 10 all directions by