Iowa capitol reporter. [volume] (Iowa City, Iowa) 1841-1855, 1853-10-05

1.-THE following article from the New York
Rail Road journal, may possess some inter.
est for those who feel pride in the reputation
which Iowa has attained abroad, as making
rapsd strides in general advancement, and
not the least progressive in the establishment
| of internal improvements.
LYONS, IOWA, CENTRAL RAILROAD.
Every mile that our railroad system is ex-
tended west from the Mississippi, is SO much
gained towards railroad to the Pacific. While
| government is investigating and delihera-
ting. private enterprise and private capita ARE
pushing railroads to the very verge of our own
western settlements, so that when the former
is prepared to act, it will find more than half
| of this great work already accomplished, while
the steadily increased confidence which our
success is securing to our people in our ability
to construct a railroad to the Pacific, will rem
der this work a comparatively easy task when
finally undertaken.
The pioneer line based upon Chicago, which
occupies probably, the most conspicuous place
in public attention. is the Lyons Iowa Central
Railroad. The line of this Road commences
at Lyons, on the Mississippi river, very nearly
due west from Chicago. and extends in the
same direction to the Missouri river. distance
OF 1886 miles. Lyons is about lS2 miles vest of
Chicago, making the distance from that city to
the Missouri about 46T miles.
Upon the first division of this road, extend
ing 100 miles from the Mississippi stock sub.
scription of 81 900 900 has been raised, and
the work of construction is progressing rapidly.
Already are 400 men at work upon this por.
ton of the line. From Lyons to Iowa city, the
capital of the state, distance of IS miles, the
graduation is contracted 20 be done by the
first day of March next, and the road will be
completed to this point as soon after asthe rails
ha1 ,tl tl.,k. H.. L. ~.
ing year IS mics Of this road will be in active
operation. There is 800 ton Of Iron on the way
for the road
Active measures are in progress to raise the
necessary means for the several divisions of
the road of 100 miles, and we learn that stock
subscription Of 100000 has already been Sc.
cured. As soon as ST. ,000, 900 are raised. the
work will be commenced upon 1t. This divis-
ion will carry the road to the limit Of The set.
Elements that have moved west of the Missis.
sippi. There are however extensive settle.
ments on the Missouri that have gone up that
river, and in year or two more, the rapid i'm.
migration into the state will unite these Sc tile
ments, so that soon the entire line of this road
will be teeming with an active and thrifty
population.
There is probably no more attractive Sta'e
| in the Union than Iowa. The whole territory
may be said to consist of rolling prairie, Of
great fertility, large portion of it underlaid
with coal, and toerably we'll wooded Fever
aud Ague are almost entirely unknown. The
water is excel lent, the climate admirable. 1t
is filing up with great rapidly and in the cas-,
| tern portion OF the State all the elements neces-
sary to furnish a lucrative traffic to railroad
exists in abundance.
The parties who have this work in charge
| are well known for their energy and capacity.
| They are pushing forward their work with
conmendable vigor. The route of the road is
an excellent one in a business point of view
Il cannot fail of proving vast benefit to the
State and We see no reason why it should not
| prove equally profitable to stockholders.
Although the road is being constructed with
| a view 10 the accommodation of the local traf-
| fic of the route. it is believed by the parties
having it in charge, that it will ultimately
prove the trunk VI the great lines to the Pacific,
through the South Pass Chicago, evi iently
must become the terminus of a road to the Paci
fic, q the road that reaches given point on the
Missouri, or Platte rivers in the shortest dis
lance from that City. must be one selected as
| portion of the Pacific road. This advantage
is Claimed for this road over all rival pro.
| jects. 4