Hannibal journal. (Hannibal, Mo.) 1853-1853, 1853-05-02
RAILROAD AND PLANK ROAD SENTIMENT A
PALMYRA

found fifty or seventy-ive persons assembled,
in pursuance Of call on all interested, TO NEE
on that day, and consult on the propriety Of cont
Structing plank road or roads from Palmyrsto
some point or points west, in the counties of
Shelby or Knox.
Mr.. PrOtte spoke first. lie thought there
was no necessity at this day 10 speak on the
benefits of plank roads. The only questions
properly before the meeting related to the means
and the route. He thought the means could be
raised; that they should at present attempt to
build only one road, and that 10 Philadelphia.
He thought it might afterwards be extended
to the river at Marion city, There is hostilit,
in Palmyra towards Hannibal" said he "wt
might as tUsH speak II out openly as talk about Il
secretly" He then offered the following resOlu-
tion:
Resolved, that we will build plank road to
Philadelphia.
Col. Davis followed in haste. The resolu.
ton looked curious somehow, but he didn't ex.
actly know what was the matter with it, HI
had been East, but had neglected to enquire
how they built plank roads. lie felt rather
green in the matter, and would like TO hear from
others. He thought resolution might some
how be fixed up, contemplating committees o.
conference, to consult with meetings in the
western part o. the county. He then named
several routes for plank roads, and among thu
rest one from Bloomington through Shelbyvill,
and Palmyra TO Marion City. They wanted
the trade of Macon and Shelby; and, said he
ave had better Strike lrhile the iron is hot!" II,
was for continuing the road to Marion City
He had been East and travelled on railroads bull
on trestle work, and he thought plank roaC
might be built on tresile work to Marion City.
The gentleman who had " been East" having
subsidized into his seat, Mr.. King rose to advo
cate the extension of the road to Scipio, wher
Mr.. Mahan sprung TO his feet and declared tina
Scipio was "tOo near Hannibal" He was il
favor of extending tho road 10 Quincy-an,
not a man in thai meeting who felt authorized (,
interfere, vcntured to suggest the possibility o.
there being no very great harm even in running
plank road directly to Hannibal. Mr.. King.
motion was seconded by Mr.. P. c. Lane, ant
by him only. There are not half dozen mer
in Palmyra who will go for plank road tC
ScipiO, because Hannibal might connect with il
at that point. So she would, of course. They
might as we'll commence it at first, with view
Of running the road to Hannibal Hunniba
would take stock in road 10 come in by Scipio
and would nearly as soon have that as any route
that could be chosen.
Mr.. Pratte's resolution was finally adopted
when we left 5000 in stock had been subscribed
900 by Mr.. Prntte, and Sl0e by Col. Davis
Mr.. King was endOavOrihg to obtain stock FOL
the Philadelphia, Palmyra and ScipiO Planl
Road" with what success we do not know.
Is it unreasonable to ask Palmyreans to dro,
these unkind feelings if they camp Member
Of the same community and bound together b,
a common interest, the welfare Of Hannibal j
the welfare of Palmyra. They reverse this
they convince themselves that the puOstration @
Hannibal would be the glory Of Palmyra. The
declare that, on the part Of Palmyra, hostilitit
exist against Hannibal. They call upon the en-
emies of Hannibal in Macon, and Shelby an
Quincy Tin another Stats) to Gene and hel
them; they endeavor to summon these @nemie
while they are most numerous lit is thei
policy to "strike whas tie iron 10 kot!"