Burlington hawk-eye. [volume] (Burlington, Iowa) 1845-185?, 1851-08-14
Peoria and Oquawka Railroad Of the Pres
idAnt

1oe0t.
The Knoxville Journal of August 9Th contains
letter from James Knox, President of the Peo
ria and Oquawka Railroad company, addressed
to the friends of the road. Mr. Knox estimates
the actual value Of the old grade and right of way
from Peoria TO Pennington, purchased BY the
company from the State of Illinois, at from SIR
ty to one hundred thousand dollars. 1t cannotfall
below 60 DOC, land may be worth more than 100000.
From recent inspection OF part and from informa-
ton with regard to the residue, Mr. Knox states
that the old grade is in much better condition
for use than when first made
The Company have been fortunate in secure
ing thAservices Of Col. Morgan as Engineer-a
gentleman highly recommended by long expert
ence in his profession at the East and the West.
Col. Morgan is now upon the route and will
probably be able IN two or three weeks to COM
plete such surveys as will be necessary to pre-
pare the road for letting out contracts from Peo-
ria to Pennington and also to make such recon-
noisance of the residue Of the route as will
able him to make preliminary report TO the Di-
rcctors. A meeting of the board will then be
held to decide upon further measures.
Mr. Knox makes an earnest appeal to the friends
of the road for an increased subscription. We
give this portion of his letter in full
Having recently conferred with several of the
Directors feel warranted in saying that if our
subscriptions could be increased to S5O0,OO0
before the meetin. of the Board, at that meeting
measures will be taken for the immediate compile
ton of the road to Pennington. Without this
and, in my judgement, it will not be prudent nor
Just to present stockholders to undertake a por-
| ton of the work which after all involves large
amount of money, so large that it may embarrass
our future progress. The mere completion of the
grade and even the addition of the superstructure,
might be within abilities, but to put the road
in operation, engines, passenger and freight cars.
and other furniture are 20 be procured, depos are
! 10 be built, which with small and gradual addi-
tons will answer all useful purposes, until the
| road reaches the Mississippi, but without which
| all previous OUTLAWS will be unproductive.
| To the friends of the road the question is pre-
sented, and forcibly presented, Can you-wiIl
you, with the united effort, make the additional
subscription, and make it nor. You have prom
ised and expect to make it as the work progress
| es, but wiu you do 1t now! In my judgement
reasons exist which show that you cannot afford
| to postpone your promised assistance.
| In the old grade to Pennington, it may be said
we have a hundred thousand dollars well expend-
ed but entirely unproductive. Expended on this
anu In furniture ElJO.tWuHloTe, ana you VIII nave
| a road which in twelve months will earn you
| So, 900, besides confering immense benefits upon
large scope of country, and furnishing facilities
| for extension, and moreover, and above all, en-
surfing the entire road.
| Give us but some of the ''Sinews of War. and
| think you may BE- certain that the Road will
| be in operation to Pennington within the next
! six mouths, with most encouraging prospect of
its rapid extension TO the Mississippi. We do not
ask for millions All that is no,r asked is an adj
ditioaal subscription of SlOOoO0, of which Il be-
lieve am safe in sayins) not more than one
fourth will be called for in the next year. For the
! want Of this will Peoria, Burlington, Pennington
Warren and Knox permit this work to be delay
ed? | think not. A few individuals at each of
! these points can by proper eNer.ions very soon
| procure the requisite amount. If it can be done
| within the next three weeks, fully believe that
| the Board will take measures for the immediate
! completion Of the Road 10 Pennington, with a
vew 10 an early completion of the entire work.
| may add in conclusion that my colleagues are
! not responsible for any opinions which | have
expressed. At the same time | am persuaded,
they quite as DESTROYS TO advance the best in
! terests of the Company as is
! Your obedient servant JAMES KNOX.
! Knoxville, August 18th, 1851.