The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1855-05-19
in the Prairie Farmer.
RAILROADS AND THE FAIR.


RAILROADS AND THE FAIR
OrfIcE OF THE Ill. CENTRAL r. r. Col
Chicago, April 10th, 1865,
DR.. Jony 4. kESSIcoTT,
Correspond. Sec. State agricultural .Society.
Dear S'r,-Mr. John ~ Alsop Griswold,
our President has Just handed me your inter
esting communication Of the 7th inst, which
would have been earlier attended to, had
not been absent South and West, almost un-
intcrruptcdly since it was received.
now beg to say on behalf of this Compa.
ny, that take pleasure in acknowledging
the obligations we in common with all Rail.
road companies, feel we owe to the State
Agricultural Society, and to assure you that
we shall cordially join in assisting to pro.
mote its objects and its welfare, so far as it
can be done consistently with the understood
obligations to the State and the stock and
bond holders, and without departing from
general rules in such cases governing the
action Of the Railroad interest Of this vicinity.
And to begin to practice these profes-
sions OF sympathy and good feelings, we pr.
pose
lst. To run trains at about half fare over
such portions Of our line as we may think
justiiiablc, for the accommodation of visit
ors going al I'd returning from the Fair, and
to continue them to its close.
I'd. To carry all cattle, stock, produce.
specimen articles and everything intended
for exhibition at the Fair, free both WAYS
over our line the party ,foruarding in all
cases acting as his o,oa Insurer, anil SHINING a
special contract TO that effect, and paying in
freight in advance; which prepayment will,
however, be refunded. and the articles,
s'ock,ictc., returned free, on proof Of exhiJi.
ton at the Fair, by certificate from the Sec
retary Of the Society.
Sd. Though this point is not touched upon
in your letter, venture to propose that We
will, in case You choose spot Of ground on
our line south Of this city for Fair Grounds,
run trains from our passenger station house,
near Michigan Avenue, to the Fair, hourly.
during the middle Of the day and run ali
trains necessary to carry visitors early and
late in the day during the continuance of the
Fair, at % cents trip.
4th Referring to that portion of your let.
ter which suggests the active co .operat on of
this Company through its Station Agents,
along,its extended line, in bringing forward
an interesting show Of the natural products
Of the State, take pleasure in informing you
that VIC are ready to adopt and carry out
your suggestions. Ifyou will prepare notes
for letter Of instructions, they shall be en-
bodied in q circular to Agents on the road,
and an endcavsr shall be made to impress
upon them the Importance Of Jealous and
intelligent action with regard to the object in
view. II, in order more cfectually to carry
out this scheme, you should think it Judi.
cious or advisable to send special Agent of
the Society over our Road 70 make suggcs.
tions and explanations on this matter, and
cxplations on this matter, and to give advice
and render assistance, he shall be provided
with free pass and n general letter Of intro.
duction, on application to this Office.
enclose for yourself a free pass over our
whole line for the balance Of the year, and
have sent such an other to your President,
and others to each Of the gentlemen named
in your letter, to he used only when trav.
cling to attend public and advertised meet.
ings of the Society ...
Trusting success may crown this under.
taking Of yonr Society. and rcasSuring you
Of the hearty cooperation Of this Company
in every measure tending 10 develop the
resources Of the State, n..
,r.N - lam, with great respect, sir,
.N'A1 "a W ,M.a your obcdient servant
II. b. MASON. n
Chisf Enoineer. Gent SUM- TX csnt n n