Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1850-1854, 1854-02-24
KcYsosYsc, a Re,ot9 gosss

kcsCsfa g. Bcs0f1 Road.
Perhaps the most marked instance of
the effect Of Railroads in developing wealth
and making business for themselves. IS
the Chicago and Galena Roa9. When
this Road was projected. the Engineer
passed over the proposed ground, and
made an estimate ofthe business it would
ind to perform setting down the item
OF passengers and each item Of produce,
under distinct heads. The estimate was
secuted as wild. The greatest difficulty
was experienced in starting the project.
A few men who had confidence in it club
bed their own neans-pledged their pri-
vate credit and got those who had an in
terest in it distinct from any prospective
profits on the stock. to do what they
could towards helping it along. The work
was started; those who had stock were
willing to sell it at any price, or give it
away to any person who would take it of
their hands. and for time, it took the
unceasing labors Of few men to sustain
the work and keep it moving. I-@al1.
But 10! change soon came over the
spirit Of the dream. The Road was COM
pleted . few miles into the country: and
it was discovered that the Engineer had
not begun to appreciate the business to
be done. His estimate had reference to
the completion ofthe road certain dis
lance into the country, and it was found
his estimate was exceeded in every res
pect before the road got half way to the
point designated. The Stock, as a con-
sequence from nothing, came up to 40,
so, and 60 cents on the dollar. The work
went on; the profits increased in arith-
metical proportion; the Stock went up,
UP, Up, and now the Road being west of
the Rock River no stock is to be had ex-
cept at very handsome premium-the
road paying large semi-annual dividends.
The value Of the road arises almost en-
tircly from the capabilities of the country
through which it passes. That Chicago
is large commercial city, has little to do
with it, as is manifest from the fact that
as yet there is no western terminus Of
any Importance, and its business comes
almost entirely from the resources of the
soil adjoining it, and the wants of those
living upon and cultivating that soil.
Sponding with this. in every re-
spect, is the Milwaukee and Mississippi
Road. Started under difficulties. and en-
yeloped i'll doubts, it struggled along be
tween life and death for several years,
until now its stock is sought in the mar
ket as profitable investment.
Is it unfair to institute these roads as
parallel to the Kenosha and Beloit
Road Do they go through more fer
tile section Of country? Have they a
more industrious and enterprising people
on their routes2 Is the soil in their vi
cinity capable ofgreater fruitfulncsS? We
think not.
Andagain; can We not supply the wants
Of this country as well as can Chicago
and Milwaukee those along the line of
the roads in question. We have piers
shall have as good harbor as either of
the places in qucs tion-can get lumber, ana
salt, and dry goods, and groceries, and
coal, and iron, and every thing else, as
well and as cheaply as they can be gotten
there or elsewhere.
1t looks to us, in the light Of what has
been done, as emily a matter of industry
and enterprise, and continued effort on
our part, to realize all the widest have
hoped from the Improvements now pro-
jcctcd, ccnterinr in this place.
And from what has been realized VIC
have reason to feel confidence that this
projected Railroad, upon which our hopes
of permanent prosperity in q measure
rest, will prove to stockholders a paying
investment, and will warrant those here
or elsewhere who have means, so using