Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1850-1854, 1854-04-28
Our Railroad.


We have said but little about this en-
terprise. preferring to let older residents
say whatever the circumstances demand
ed to be said and believing that but little
was necessary. We find, however, that
a certain few. from whatever motives we
viii not stop to inquire, are disparaging
the enterprise, and are seemingly seeking
to drive from it that encouragement it
needs Indeed. at one of the Meetings
held at Dutton's few weeks ago, a res
olution was introduced, and formally
adopted, declaring that the Road. when
built, would not be paying Road.
We win not impugn the motives Of the
Meeting, for we believe those composing
1t were honest, candid men, though undu-
" excited, and too much so to exercise
discriminating reason. Neither will we
impugn the motives of the mover of the
Resolution; for this is kind of discussion
unworthy attention; and if the argument
cannot be overcome, the motive is Of no
moment.
Our own opinion of this kind of enter
prizes is undergoing q radical change; and
we will give our readers the reasons there
OF, and perhaps they may be worthy some
attention.
The history of Commerce has shown
that there have, as yet, no means been
devised at all adequate to accommodate
its growing demends.
In the earlier history Of our country
the Wagon was the only means of trans
portatieu across the country. And for
years Wagoning was the regular calling
Of thousands Of citizens. From Boston
west and north through New England;
from New Z urk west to Buffalo, and north
to all points on Lake Ontario; from Phil
adelphia west over the mountains, to Pitts
burgh; from Baltimore west over the
mountains, to Wheeling; and so on. REM
nants Of this old system of carrying, in its
primitive perfection, have existed III Penn
sylvania and Virginia till within a very
few years; and may now still be in full
vigor in isolated parts ofour country south.
We have seen in one tavern yard, at one
time. in Wheeling nearly on" hundred Of
those old commercial vehicles:-a large
covered wagon, five feet track, wheel five
feet high. tire five inches wide, stiff ton
CUE. drawn by six horses, and carrying,
As an ordinary load, from three to five
tons. The stable always carried along,
in the shape of huge feeding trough,
which at night was slung on the tongue,
three horses arranged on a side, the hay
always bought by the 100 lbs bundle and
thrown under the tongue, and thus the
horses were left for the night.
TO facilitate this means Of carrying,
turnpike roads were made, and the East
ern and Middle States, and especially
Pennsylvania. are full Of turnpike roads.
In the latter State, every shire town is
connected with its ncighboring shire
towns. by a turnpike road.
These roads benefited the country, but
only in exceptional cases. did the stock
pay anything.
Simultaneous with this. where there
were natural water courses. the Keel
Boat. pushed by pole, was the carrying
vehicle And fifty years ago, the MiSsis-
slppi. Ohio, Allegheny, and their tributa-
ries. were covered with kcel-Boats, and
kecl-boating was the regular calling for
thousands of men. till the whole system
WAS superseded by cheaper and more rap
il modes Of transportation.
These modes couid not supply the great
demcnd for transportation; and Canals
were invented. The Canals from Albany
to Buffalo. from Philadelphia to Pitts
burgh. from Portsmouth to Cleveland
and So on, were mode. The Wagon was
thus superseded.
But the growing wants of commerce
demanded ereater facilities. Steamboats,
and Railroads were invented. Steam
boating took precedence of Rallroading.
The entire waters of our country are Gov
cred with thousands upon thousands OF
steamboats,. In summer they are found
To be n cheap, expeditions, and excellent
mode of travel and transportation. For
travel they Immediately superseded the
Canal.
But with all these improvements, the
earlier modes were not obliterated., The
Wagon was driven from the great thor
oughfare. to crossroads, and from farm
houses to the points where Canal boats
and Steamboats, could take their loads;
and then it found enough to do. The
Canal boat. though relievedby the Steam
boat of it's passengers. found more freight
heaping upon it than it could carry. Up
on the great Erie Canal the number OF
boats have been increased till the canal
is literIly full. and still there was more
=, y, than could be done. The Canal
has ho. y enlarged and still its capacity
/. found II, terly inadequate
Steamboats, have been added to steam
boats sai,-vessel, have been multiplied
till the capacity of the harborS OF the
lakes is exhausted, and still there Is more
fh&R they can do.
IT,. ,...-,,, C,,,.;,,c- uoflriih.StGi HdHlg