The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1857-02-07
For the Gate City.

Fur the uANIlty.
X eokuk and kansas City HatlresA.
MEssss. EprroRs have read, with much
satisfaction, q number Of editorial articles
in your paper calling attention to the pro-
posed connection Of keokak with Kansas
City, by railroad. As is we'll known to most
Of our citizens, the project has long been
favorite one with me ever, in fact, since
ls4e, when, in the Pacific Railroad Conven-
ton held in St. Louis, and Of which was
member, from Iowa, 1t first attracted my at
tenton.
The line OF policy agreed upon by that
body. composed of delegates from no less
than fifteen states, and after full discussion
upon the subject, was TO ask Congress to
provide for the construction OF great
trunk railroad west to the Pacific, commence
ing Mt Kansas City, on the western border Of
Missouri, with three branches from that
point to the East; one to Chicago, which 1t
was at once seen would, by direct line,
pass through Keokuk, "a second to st. Louis,
and third to Memphis, or some point fur
Their South.
This was the origin of the proposition to
connect Keokuk and Kansas City by the iron
rail and have never lost sight of it since,
but have urged its Importance upon our citi-
zens again and again, whenever suitable
opportunity has seemed TO me to present
itself.
Until last summer, however, the time
seemed not to have fully arrived for taking
hold of it in good earnest; movement from
Missouri, within whose territory almost the
entire route lies, being looked for as import
ant before any definite steps should be aken.
Then, for the first, a delegation from that
state, consisting of DR.. Lykins and others
Of Kansas City, with Col. Samuels, OF Clay
county, came to keokuk to enlist the CO. OPP
Grafton of her citizens in the important en-
| terprise. Out Of that visit, and one subse-
quently made by Mr.. Coates OF Kansas City,
grew tho meeting, on the Goth Of Nov. last,
of convention ut Linneus, midway between
keokuk and Kansas, of which body was
a member, together with Messrs. Hornish
and Holsey, Of this place. Most OF the coun-
ties in Missouri, between Keokuk and Kan
sas City, were represented by able delega-
tions in that convention, and they manifested
a very warm and deep interest in the project.
II was agreed by the convention, after deter
mining upon Keokuk and Kansas City as the
termini of the proposed road, and fixing
upon several intermediate points, to memo
rialize the Legislature OF Missouri for char
ter to carry forward the enterprise in ac-
cordance with such agreement. The charter
has since been procured, as will appear BY
the letters which hand you herewith; and
the time for further action is consequently
close at band.
Not improbably may have good deal
more TO say hereafter in reference to this
magnificent project. which, with DIR. Lykins,
/ am fully satisfied will, If completed, make
Keokuk truly ''the Queen City of the Mis-
sissipp Valley" With her other great en-
terprises, already under construction, this is
one Of necessity, to insure to her that splen-
did destiny--as could readily be demonstrated
did time and space permit. For the present,
will only. in the pointed language OF my
friend Dr. Lykins, repeat the question
''Ilaye her citizens the enterprise and the
energy to seize and secure the price"
Respectfully Yours,
V. P. vANANTWERP.
KANSAS Cry, Jan. IL, 81.
Messrs. Ford, Hornish, Fan AntUerI
!, and others, Committee, ke0kuk.
GENrLKaKS We have the pleasure Of in
forming you that the amendments to th'
charter of the Kansas City, Hannibal and ST
. Joseph Railroad Company, passed our Leg
islature on Tuesday last, after some prctt,
sharp sparring. Now, that we have ou
charter out of danger, lc. us go to work
We wish TO open negotiations with you 10
$ the purpose Of speedy organization Of tn
Company; and together with copy of tn
act US amended, VIII, in a few days, forwar'
open books to receive subscriptions.
You can correspond with the Railroa
Committee of the Kansas City Chamber o
o Commerce, on this or any other subject.
n