The Evansville daily journal. [volume] (Evansville, Ia. [i.e. Ind.]) 1848-1862, 1855-09-14
Straight Line Railroad Affairs.

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Mr.. Willard Carpenter has just returned from
trip he has been making in company with
Hon. O. H. Smith, up the Evansville, Indiahap-
oils and Cleveland Straight Line Railroad. He
brings encouraging news of the progress of the
road, increase of stock subscriptions; and their
success in obtaining the right of way. They
held number ofmeetings, which were well at
tended, and did good work in increasing the
interest of people along the line of the road
in that great enterprise. We are gratifed to
learn that the entire right of way hasnow been
obtained to the connection of the Ohio and
Mississippi Railroad, in Davies County. Sew
eral farmers in this county had obstinately re-
sisted all appeals to grant the right of way
through their farms, although not man of
them but what knea0 the road would vastly
increase the value of his property. They had
been urged to claim damages by starving law
yers, who agreed to conduct their suits for half
the damages which might be awarded-and
damages they were determined to have. Mr.
Carpenter endeavored to compromise with them
by paying them reasonable sums, but they
would not accept. They, with the lawyers,
were after speculation off the company. FL
nally the cases of four came before Commits
sioners selected by Judge Niblack from list
of disinterested persons. Carpenter and Smith
defended, and the lawyers conducted the plain
tiff's cases. After brisk fight, the Commits
sioners awarded the plaintiffs one cent DANA
ges each, making four cents altogether, to the
half Of which the lawyers were entitled by con-
tract There was few mad fellows about
those diggings at that time sure! The decision
settled the right of way, with the grants al
ready made freely and obtained by law, up to
the O. & NJ. Railroad, although appeals may
be taken, which cannot, however, be settled for
probably three years.
Mr.. Carpenter says much more work has
been done on the road than he had any idea
was accomplished. tits proceeding with great
rapidity. He boasts that he never saw better
line of RAILROADS.&C. straight and of such light
grade. To secure the latter, very heavy cut
tngs have been made. We are gratified to
perceive Mr.. G.. in such fine spirits, for that
proves to us that everything is going on well.
He is gradually overcoming obstacles as they
rise, and with that energy and indefatigable
perseverance for which he is distinguished
pushing forward the great work
The enemies of the road were short time
ago assailing Mr.. Carpenter bitterly, for hav-
ing obtained contract out of which he was
going to pile another vast fortune on top of the
immense one he already has. Finding
that this would not go down, and that he free
ly offered to divide this contract with substan
tial men on the same terms he had taken it
these hard to please men have changed theil
tactics They are now reporting it about thai
these contracts are bound to 6reak Mr.. Carpen
ter, &C., &c. They can rest perfectly easy in
that score. Mr.. G. has shown through a Ions
lifetime, that he is abundantly able to take care
of his own interests. He intends, no doubt
not only to take care of his own interests but o
the interests of Evansville, and success to him