The Minnesota pioneer. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn. Territory) 1849-1855, 1853-08-25

Northwestern Railroad.
DIR. iloyt, the enerpising President Of the North
western Railroad, left with too late for publication
last week, very interesting estimates relative
the business done at the present time in the country
through which road direct from Madison, Wis, to
ST. Paul, Min, will pass, and which would be done
by that road completed. The estimates
done now, and will bear comparison i,h the
amount which the road would do when constructed
I II is a well known fact that the construction Of
railroads in the Eastern States, has caused an
increase OF business the line Of the road between
the commencement aud completion Of the road Of about
thirty per cent The increase in the Yves, has been
much greater, and we believe that owing TO the pc
cuar and various resources of the district Of country
through which the road between Madison and ST.
Paul would pass, would Justify an estimate Of an in
crease Of one hundred and fit, per cent, in the bu-
ness that will naturally flow to that road between the
present and the period when the road will he com
pleted, allowing the work to be FASTENED by the most
energetic cxerions for it's completion.
The estimates below are compiled from data as ac-
cIratc as could be obtained, and are certainly less
than the business actually done.
"WIsCoNSIS RIVER, LAST YEAR.
200 tons seght nj 81 80 per ton ......S5, $50
900 passengers at s y Observation-Disclosures. u 600
"tai' - 49, - ,Z3U
BLACK RIVER.
500 tons freight at SO per ton which is boat
ed up tom the Mississippi in fiat boats IS geo
500 Passengers AT 3.....................l,5 500
CHIPPEWA, MENOMINEE, AND EAU GALA, EAU
CLAIRE.
500 tons fire. shf, : l3 per ton..........Sl0 400
!, 200 passengers at 50. ..................3,6 900
Total. .................l4,O1 900
ST. cRoIx VALLEY.
Freight estimates taken from merchants and
'umfermen. ........ ..................2 %, 100
Passengers At $50. ................ $50
Total. NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.. S47, 40
ST. PAUL.
1873 arrivals from Caena and below and As
many departures, averaging 75passcngcrs
each way at II per passage. ..........S ~ 500
$4,000 tons iresh, a, ~ 30 per .... 1854, $50
-
-
Grand total. S219 eco
Allowing increase Of business Of three-Gfihs
made by the existence of the Railroad, which is
safe calculation in country with rich farming
lands vet unocc"pied. would make S447 500.
Allowing also an increase OF business of thirty per
cent per annun--which is far below the actual IN
crease for the last four years without Railroads; at
he eud OF the ncx, four years would amount to the
round sum Of S9sl 900 per annrm or the ntercs, OF
per cent. on fourteen millions Of dollars.
Allowing that the cost of the road is four and half
millions, which is the gross estimated cost from Mad
son to st. Crox and that only one half of the bust
ness is done by Railroad, the stock will yield an in
come Of Is and per cent. the investment.
Furthermore, the increase in the value OF lands on
The Inc and about the large towns, will amount to
more than enough to build five such Railroads.
IL will be rccoiectcd that the line Of this road will
pass through and connect with the most valuable and
extensive pine region in the North 1t will al
so be borne in mind that the numbering business is at
this time being extensively increased in all the luu-
boring districts preparatory to meeting the Increased
demand for lumber which must follow the construc-
ton Of Railroads to interscct the Mississippi.
: During the last season the city of Alton has done
much greater amount CT the numbering business than
St. Louis, owing to its connection 10y railroad with
the interior Of the State. Quincy is making vigor-
Gus preparations to meet an increase in the lumber
trade which VIII follow the completion Of the rail
roads connecting her with the interior. All the va
on tho 4, cI, h.,
ror is tapped by railroad are alive to the importance
Of the lumber trade and preparing for the ncreas
ed demand IN prospect, and therefore find that on
the Wisconsin, Black and Chippewa Rivers an unu-
sually great number of mills in process Of erection
On the st. Crox, We understand that there will he
an increase in the number of saws of about 50 pcr
cent. during the present year. On the Mississippi,
also, there viii Ike great increase in the mills, anh
in the Logging business.
While we contemplate the prospect Of very i'm
pOrtant increase in the numbering business on this
line, we must not forget that the road will pass
through and cause the settlement Of a superior agri-
cultural country, well adapted the production of
every article valuable in an Eastern or Southern
Market which can be produced in any State on the
right side of Mason and Dixon's line Neither should
forget that in estimating increase in the trade
Of ST. Paul, the settlement Of that portion Of our Ter
ritory west Of the Mississippi, the trade of which
will be undoubtedly concentrated here, must I've taken
into consideration. We have not the least doubt
that the trade Of St. Paul will increase three hun.
dred per cent. within the coming two years.
The construction of this road, for which a charter
has been granted by the Legislatures of Wisconsin
and Minnesota. is important to the business Of the
Territory, and Minnesota should join hear, and hand
with wisconsin in such sures as will tend to sc.
the early completion Of the road
The Minnesoan speaking Of this road, .ays:--"It
has been demonstrated that the stock will pay, and
pay well. Eastern capitalists have become satisfied
OF this FACT and stand ready consummate the work