The weekly Minnesotian. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1852-1858, 1852-12-04
GAI.ESA. Nov. 10Th.

Perhaps cannot give better illustration of
the growing Importance of the trade of the
Northwest, than to refer for a moment to the
business this season upon the portion of the
Galena and Chicago railroad. already finished
As our readers are aware, only 80 miles of this
road is in operation-the portion between Chi
cago and Rockford. Yet the fact is positive,
that this road is now, and has been for months,
paying better than any other road where
have been since leaving home. You cannot
pass station between Chicago and Rockford,
where you do not see immense quantities of
merchandise in transitu; and at the western
terminus the quantity in store would seem in
credible, were to give even a moderate esti-
mate. On the road between here and Rockford
you are never out of sight of teams, transport
ing goods to this and other points on the Mis-
sissippi. To show the profits of this railroad,
will state single fact: When the project of
building it was agitated, many of the leading
men of this place, as is always the case under
similar circumstances, considered the subscrib-
ing of stock as money thrown away. Some of
more forecast and sagacity took the right view
extent OF their means Among them was a
gentleman well known in our Territory, as one
of its earliest and best friends. He informs us
that he booked himself for ten shares. and be-
fore the road commenced operating, had paid
in seven hundred out of the thousand dollars
subscribed. He has never been called upon for
another cent, but out of the earnings of the
road he is now credited Oh the books with
t,relre hundred dollars worth of stock. and
this in the market is worth fifteen per cent
premium! How greatly have the Galenians
stood in their own light in not having this
road finished long ere this.
/ alluded yesterday to the prosperous state
of the country, and the abundance of capital,
everywhere seeking investment. You at home
may think talk wild' when say that if a
practical and liberal railroad charter were this
day in existence, to construct a road from st.
Paul to any point intersecting the great chain
of roads that diverge to the East and South at
the southern bend of Lake Michigan. and
properly qualified agents sent out to sell bonds
and solicit subscriptions the money could be
rnisef for the purpose in Tess than sir months
have no more doubt Of this than that l am
now alive. At Chicago the feeling is rife for a
continuation of their chain of roads, directly to
the Northwest, so as to reach st. Paul by wav
Of Madison and La Crosse. In Ohio, convers-
ed freely with many of the leading railroad
men Of that State, and they all enquired !:
Why don't you at once strike for railroad to
connect You with the East, and not be depend
ent upon river that is closed five months
in the year? Now is the time to get your
stock taken, while the country is prosperous
On the other hand, ST. Louis is pushing for a
road up the Mississippi, on the west side. to
our place, which would connect US with the
eastern lines at Dubuque, when the Illinois
Central is finished to that place. This is un.
doubtedly the most eligible route in point Of
expense, but the distance from St. Paul tn Chi.
cage by that route must be considerably great
er.
Hope the Legislatures of Wisconsin. Iowa and
Minnesota will look earnestly to these matters
the coming winter. The fact is, men of expert
ence and discernment wherever / have been
speak OF the absolute certainty of great COM
merclal city being built up in o few years
somewhere in the neighborhood of the Falls ~
st. Anthony; and that St. Paul will be tho
place. no man acquainted with her facilities