Demoine courier., 1856-06-12
KeOkuk and Fort Des MOines
Railroad.

Railroad.
We hid The pleasure Of an interview
last week with severa; gentlemen con
nec!ed with this road, who spent son,
hours among our citizens. on their way
10 Fl Des Moines. Gen Reed, Presi
dent. Mr. Eaton. Chief Engineer and NJ
Roberts (who is also an old Engineer
one of the parties engaged in construct,
ing the first division Of So miles. from
Keokuk TO Benionspart.
Having IS they told us, through ,h'
exer,ions Of the people Of Keokuk, ant
Lee county. aided by liberal subscrip
ITEMS from parties in s! Louis. and along
the route 10 Bs~n,onspori, secured ,ht
completion Of the first Division, 80 as Il
ensure the opening not later than the 10
of January next. they are nov passing
over the residue Of the route, between
Benions2ori and the new seat Of Gov.
eminent, 10 ascertain the views and
wishes Of the people in relation to il.
I'm nedi,te extension along the Valley.
The preliminary surveys, a. many
will recolIect, were made by Mr.. Eator,
Two years ago. but the general monetary
pressure which disturbed the country
soon afterwards, delayed TOR a time, the
commencement Of active operations.
Almos.a year ago, the frs, Division was
pot under contract, and we are now graf
fled ~ learn, that most Of the. heavy
work is finished, and that The track lay,
ing will commence in July or August
The Iron is purchased for The first thirty
miles, and now on it's way 10 Keokuk:
the cross.ties are all contracted for and
many OF them delivered; LOCOMOTIVES
and Cars are engaged. This !ron :for
The other ten miles 10 also secured, and
every Thing arranged to ensure Ahs'open.
ing ef the road to Bentonsport Aife. fall.
The city Of Keokuk has taken 500. 900;
individuals there and in 81. Louis have 10.
ken $500, 600, and the coun.y:cf Lee il
abou, subscribing $3.50, goo 10 her. three
Railroads. sI5O.0OO Of which il 10 be
applied to our valley line, making a home
subscription 10 this line, before leaving
Lee county, Of s75o.o0O.
Il will be observed. that our Keokub
friends, although working qu,s.ly, have
not heen idle; nor have they been back
ward in putting their own shoulders 10
the work. They come up the Valley
with the recommendation Of having done
their share towards the construction of .
grea, improvement, which they acknowl.
edge will greatly bene6, their City, but
which they. and we believe, will pro,e
to be among the most desirable and con-
venient avenue for travel and transport
sation ,ha, our Valley can possibly poss.
ess.
The road along tho Des Moines Val.
ley. can be very cheaply constructed.
owing to the exceedingly fasoraole char
ac.er Of the route; and having a gentle
descent ia favor OF the heaviest trade,
ito grades will also-be easy. No hard
cur, : u 10 necessary Al any point
Nature, incsed, sesms 30 have designed
our Valley for this great artificial i'm
provement, and il will be or ow'. neg
lee, If we do no. at once avail ourselves
Of the opportunity now presented. 10 Join
with the energetrc parties Who have
exhibited their own faith. and
Go our part in pushing it on TO compile
ton withou. delay.
We are glad to tina. the gen.
already named, who have gone
up the Valley, propose meeting our Gill.
Gems on their return. and expressing their
views publicly. We have received a
from them intimatips that il is their
intention 10 be here for that purpose on
evening the l3,h inst. on::whieh oc
casion W bespeak the general attendance
Of our citizens.
by the Methodist Gen.
cral Conference.
The q%uadrrnnial Conferences Of the
Methods, Episcopal Church in session .,
Indianapolis, Indians, has elected tie
following Editors for the ensuing iour
yeara:
North Western Christian Advocate,
Chicago. Rev J v r Watson; Wes,erc
Christian Advocate, Cincinnati, Prof
C Kingsly; Christian Advocate, New
York City. Rev Abel Stevens; Northern
Christian Advocate, Auburn. N Y. Rev
F G Hibhard; Pi,ssburg. Christian At-
yocate, Rev. DR.. j. H. Baird; National
Magazine, New York city. Rsv. DR. J.
Floy; Chrisiian Apologies and German
Books, Rev DR. Nash; Sunday School
AI.... D.. n..sl NV;,.. Mashod;.,