The weekly Minnesotian. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1852-1858, 1854-01-21

Miiwauke and Mississippi Railroad.

In the recent trip of one of the editors Of the
Press to the Upper Mississippi, we had the plea
sure of meeting S. T. Wright, Esq. Engineer
OF the Western Division of this Road at Pra
rie du Chen. He and his party completed the
survey of the entire line on Saturday last To
Mr.; wright and his assistants, John Mortimer
ana IL. A. Scales, Esq, we are indebted for
much valuable information in reference to the
prospects OF this road and the resources of the
country through which it passes Our readers
are probably aware that the road is completed
rom Milwaukee west TO Jancsville, and like
all western roads, we believe is paying hand
some profit to its cntcrprisisng projectors
We are not informed of the precise time when
It Is expected the road will be completed to
Madison, but we understand it will be finished
within a mile or two Of that place next week.
west OF Madison the road is under contract
thrty-sx miles to the Wisconsin river 1t pas
ses down the valley of the Black Earth branch
OF the Wisconsin, by an easy grade, and through
an excellent agricultural region. Settlers are
making improvements very rapidly, and anoth-
er and most important region will soon be op-
encd to the trade of our city.
From near Arena where the road reaches the
Wisconsin to Prairie du Chcn, the distance is
60 miles, making in all ninety-six miles from
Madison to the Mississippi river The West
ern Division of the Road will lie entirely in the
sissippi 10y very slight grades, averaging only
about one and half feet to the mile 1t can
also he built very cheaply, as nature for most
of the distance has done the grading. The es-
Inmates are not yet completed but Mr.. Wright
thinks they will probably not exceed ten or
twelve thousand dollars per mile.
In the completion of the division of the road
west Of Madison, our citizens have large in
tcrest at stake, and they will not be slow to Sc
cure it. Milwaukee deserves much credit for
this important thoroughfare to the
Mississippi, and if they complete it they de-
serve and most cordially do we wish them to
reap rich reward for their enterprise Doubt
less they will receive it /; bat they must not ex-
pect that our far seeing merchants and manu-
facturers will be indifferent to the rich trade of
the Upper Mississippi. Long before their road
is completed to Prairie du Chen, we shall have
two roads, the Beloit and Madison Extension of
the Galena and the Illinois and Wisconsin fin
ishcd to Madison. At that place the merchants
of Wisconsin and Minnesota will have a choice
of markets in which to make their sales and
purchases. We venture the prediction that
some of them-we would by no means insinu-
ate that the larger nunJer-would find their
way to Chicago. The excess of the distance to
this city would not he worth a moments con-
sidcration.
The valley of the Wisconsin will of itself con
tribute largely to the support Of this road In
the immediate vicinity OF the river, much of the
soil is sandy, and some portions of it will for
many years at least be likely to remain uncu
tivated; but along the small streams which flow
into it, the soil is rich and exceedingly fertile.
The water is excellent, and everything seems
to invite the settler to make bis home where
nature has so bountifully provided for his COM
fort.
The portion of Iowa opposite to Prairie du
Chen is very fine SOIL and is settling very ra-
pidly with an enterprising and intelligent pop
ulation. For from fifty to hundred miles of
this territory would seek route to eastern
markets over this road. In the winter cspe-
cially it would be their only outlet. We have
no doubt therefore that this road will be built.
and that it will pay when completed, there can
any question, especially if it is con-
structed IS we have every reason to believe il
will he, with close and careful economy.
Our article would be too long were We to add
some facts which we have in our possession in
reference to the trade Of the Upper Mississippi
valley. These we shall give tomorrow
Messrs. Wright and Mortimer came down with
US from Bclvidere from Prairie du Chen. and
are now at Milwaukee. We hope to have a copy
of their report ere long. We need scarcely add
that their company relieved very materially
the tediousness of a fatiguing journey. We
wish them and the directors of their road abun-
dant success in their efforts to open another
Railroad to the Father of Waters. ."-Chicago
Press.