The Davenport gazette. [volume] (Davenport, Scott Co., Iowa) 1841-185?, 1854-01-26
From the ". Y. Mercantile Jour. and Railroad Gaz
The Rock Island and Chicago Railroad.

The Rock Island and Chicago Railroad
The progress of this road continues in
rapidity Of construction and productiveness
Of revenue to be fully satisfactory. Indeed,
the Chief Engineer reports that the traffic
on the road has been so large that it has
heen difficult to provide machinery fast
enough to do the business, and leave enough
to push the ballasting; assuredly, there ap-
pears nothing to contravenc the statement
made in the prospectIses, that 1t would be-
come portion of the most valuable central
line in the United States. The total length
Of the road is 1874 miles. Commencing at
Chicago, it runs southwest, and at 40 miles
strikes the Illinois and Michigan Canal at
Joliet. From this point it follows west
erly course in the vicinity of the canal, GO
miles to Peru. The latter place is on the
junction Of the Illinois canal, with the head
of navigation on the Illinois river. Thence
in westerly direction from the Illinois
river t, the Mississippiriver at Rock Island,
opposite Davenport, Iowa. II traverses In
its entire route a country well adapted to
agriculture. 1t passes fine coal field be-
tween Peru and Rock Island, which will
no doubt be ultimately source Of large
business to the Railroad. 1t strikes the
Mississippi a:a point where more than 1000
steamboats, pass during the season. In aid
TO this nvenu. Of trade the President states
a railroad is projected, and the company 10
organized, to extend from the foot OF the
Lower Rapids of the Mississippi at Warsaw,
10 the head Of the Upper Rapids at Port By
ron. This will make the communication
complete for the whole year, and make Rock
Island and Davenport more important
commercial centre, that must add greatly to
the business of the Road.
The progress of the Rock Island Road
inns been watched by the business men OF
Chicago, its extension from point to point
having been regarded as an event in the
history Of that rising city, and celebrated as
.nch on each increase OF distance compile
ted On the 18th of October, 1852, the
line was opened to Joliet; Jan. 9th, to Nor
ris. Feb. 18th, to Ottawa: March 10th, to
Ia Sale, and 2lst Of March, to Peru. AT
That time the track was laid to Peru, and the
GRADING between Peru and Rock Island was
nbout half done The track west Of Peru
x,as commenced in June and reached lis
kilwa September Sth, and Sheffield, one
hundred and thirty-six miles from Chicago,
October 10th. The contractors commenced
running passenger and freight trains to lis
kiiwa Srpte nbcr -, and Sheffield October
10Th. AT this date the track Is laid to Cen
cseo. 1853 miles from Chicago, and within
,v.nty.three miles of Rock Island.
The President reports that a contract has
been entered into, to lease the Peoria and
Hureau Valley Road This road is A miles
long. and will prove valuable feeder to
the moin stc,a. The total cost of the road
!, is said. will not exceed four million seven
hundred thousand dollars, sum closely ap-
nroximatinp to tn I named in the Original
eyirnates, and the in .rease has been caused
mainly by the extension OF the ROAD iurthef
into the city of Chicago. The poiley OF
this change, by bringing the station INTO
central part Of the city, has gwen general
satisfaction to travellers and cl,lzehs Of ehi-
cage.
The traffic on that portion of the line
which is opened, fully comes up to the es'i-
mates Of the managers
The Chicago and Rock Island line Is EN-
inently situated for securing prontaole
trade. Commanding as il does great por-
ton of .he tide of travel through ohicago'
i, Is expected that it will draw through its
extension westward, the largest portion OF
the trade and travel Of the counties lying on
the Mississippi, from Whiteside to HANCOCK
County in Illinois, and the central part oil
Iowa. Its importance to Chicago cannot
be fully estimated; but review OF the great
increase which has taken place in the trade
of that honrishing city since the formation
the many lines of railroads which now r a.
djate from thence as common cen're' wa
give moderate notion of the dement's TO De
received from the construction OF the ROCK
Island Road.
THIEF CAUGHT. Sunday. the 9Th inst, q
MN slammed at the Rock Island House with