Quasqueton guardian. (Quasqueton, Buchanan County, Iowa) 1856-1858, 1857-06-27

u
ness for both roads, and it is evident tha
the shortest and cheapest route is the one
to succeed, and that one is the Wapsipin.
icon, connected as it is with the Iows
Central, which has land grant of suffi
cient magnitude to build and equip it.
self, thus costing in fact nothing, 1t is
estimated that the roads will cost $50,
600 per mile, and it will be seen at a
glance that road of less than one hal
the length of another, and connecting
with a road built with public lands in
stead of private contributions, would not
be slow III establishing rates that its COM
petitors could not accept, for the reason
/ that under its circumstances that would
not pay.
The section of country through which
the Wapsipinicon passes, is one of the
most fertile and as well settled as any por-
ton of the northern prrt of the State.
Its whole length is skirted with heavy
growth of timber, and water power
abounds on all the streams which are
found in the valley of the river from which
the road takes its name. There are sew
eral flourishing towns along its line, most
of which are located where water and
timber abounds. Quasqueton has pop
ulation of about 800, and fine water
power; Independence, the county seat
of buchanan county, has 1900 inhabi-
tants and plenty of water power; Fair
banks 500 and good water power also.
There are several other towns whose pop
ulation we do not know. All, however,
are deeply interested in the immediate
construction of the road. The state of
feeling may be judged of somewhat by
the following extract from the Quasque-
ton Guardian, in announcing the result
Of the vote of Buchanan county, on the
question of a subscription to the stock.
1t speaks thus:
Notwithstanding the desperate exer-
tons made by rival roads to defeat the
vote in this county--notwithstanding
both money and lies were dealt out un-
sparingly by them-notwithstanding we
have a community peculiarly sensitive TO
increased taXation-and that this was
held up to them by our enemies, openly
wpIl %
blind their judgments and awaken their
prejudices-notwithstanding political ex
pediency was regarded by some para
mount to the county's interests-notwiLh
standing these, and many other local
causes operating against us, inapprecia-
bic to others outside the county, but pal
pable to us here, the Cause Of Improve
meat has triumphed-Buchanan county,
heretofore quoted as the enemy of rail
roads, expresses her confidence in, and
extends fostering hand to, the Wapsipin-
icon d ST. Peters Valley road At this
time we have not the official returns, but
enough is known to place the adoption of
the loan beyond doubt No matter what
the majority, considering the outside
pressure brought TO bear upon the coun-
ty, it is a triumph--a great triumph
When one company openly declares that
1t can afford to pay @5C0,U00 TO xii this
project, and two other roads have an
equivalent interest in the same result, our
friends abroad may rest assured that we
had no idle opposition. But the people
of Buchanan county have abundant faith
both in the road and the company, and
have not hesitated 10 loan her credit TO
them Atthis result we rejoice, not from
local sympathy or private interest, but
because we regard ii as the stepping stone
TO our whole county's ultimate develop
ment and pFosperity-placing her in the
first rank as regards population, wealth,
and agricultural productiveness."
1t will be seen by this, therefore, that
this is looked upon as the favorite road of
that county, and that It's construction is
regarded as a matter OF necessity by
those living along its line. The other
counties along the whole length of it will
follow in the lead of Buchanan in sub
scribing 10 lis stock whenever called up
OH py the ovuuPgrry 80 10 no. me IOWA
Central road, to which this viii at once
become an important branch and feeder,
is anxious for its construction, and will
afford it every facility, not only in build
ing but also in running it after it shall be
completed. Taking all these things into
consideration, and looking at the facts as
we have attempted to portray them above,
we think the prospects of the Wapsipini-
con and st. Peters Railroad are very fiat
tcring, and that it offers inducements for
investment which no other projected road
in the State can. Ii has no land grant,
which is equally true of its attempted ri
val, the c., l. d. n r. r., but il forms a
short link between two land grant roads,
both of which are exceedingly anxious
that it be built, the one as an outlet and
the other as feeder; and this being the
l. Al