The Kansas herald of freedom., 1858-09-04
Railroad Project.

The following correspondence, we learn,
was written some twelve months ago for
the st. Louis Republican, but owing to the
great monetary pressure which then per-
vaded the whole country, the author was
induced to withhold its publication till
recently, when he concluded to contribute
it to the columns of the Lsavenworth
Herald, from which paper we copy, for the
benefit of our readers:
Ed. KANSAS HERALD:-Some twelve
months since l penned this article, but
neglected to forward it until the great
monetary crisis began to press upon the
country with such weight that I thought
it useless to put forth, or even think of
any railroad scheme, be it ever so feasible
or important. But light beginning to
dawn through those trying times, will
now venture to place before your readers
my darling project. 1t is one have had
in contemplation ever since l saw the
beautiful valley of the Kansas.
In 1886, visited St. Louis for the first
time, and it was then very little larger
than Leavenworth city now is. Only
think of it-just behold what twenty-five
years can bring about What has caused
so rapid growth of st. Louis At that
time it was the great western mart of
trade for all the vast country west of Gin
cinnati. And to the south, she had moth
ing to contend with until you reach the
vicinity of New Orleans. At that time
it seemed as though st. Louis was des.
tined to become the London of America.
Her central position for trade seemed to
give her the predominance among all the
great American cities. Men even talked
of her as destined to become the metrop-
oils of America. was not then aware
of the great revolution railroads would
bring about in the commercial world. At
the time above alluded to, visited the
lead mines in the vicinity of Galena and
Dubuque, and traversed almost the entire
States of Indiana and Illinois; saw the
great Blackhawk purchase, as it was then
called, now the beautiful and populous
State of Iowa. Galena was composed of
two streets, Water street, and what was
then known as Bench street. / recollect
it well, the streets, particularly. Bench
street was SO narrow I had to pass entirely
through the city before could turn my
carriage, and it had the appearance of
finished town, and that it would be impos-
sible for the art of man to make it very
much larger, as the projecting rocks hang
ing over it seemed to bid defiance to mans
power. 1t then had population of from
800 to 200, mostly mining adventurers
and trading men, and that was then con-
sidered the great northwestern city.
The mines, where the beautiful city of
Dubuque, with its 25,000 or 10000 in
habitants,) in magnifcence and grandure
stands, only had the cognomen of Du-
buque's Diggins, and much resembled the
encampment of gang of hands on rail-
road, which was to be pulled up and re-
moved as the work of grading progressed.
Davenport, with her now 10000 inhab-
itants, and iron horse almost hourly flying
across the great Father of Waters, is only
to be remembered as the place opposite
where stood Fort Armstrong, on beauti-
full projecting rock, the residence of the
lamented Davenport and q few Indian
wigwams, where the beautiful city now
stands.
At that time it had not entered the brain
of any one, that Chicago would in one
hundred years even half reach its present
population. But look at her now; making
rapid strides, and even daring to measure
arms with the great Queen City of the
West. Yes, almost match for st. Louis,
that was then thought to be a rival for
New York itself.
Seeing these things are SO, if st. Louis
thinks of maintaining her present high
and exalted position, she must bestir her.
self, and push forward her Pacific Rail-
road into the Kansas valley, and secure to
herself at least part of what she will
otherwise, in very short time, lose, and
that forever If she suffers those northern
roads to take the Kansas valley, her loss
will be insuperable-game worth contend
ing for. This, and that of northwestern
Missouri adds much to her trade. 1t has,
to great extent, lost the trade on the
Mississippi, and must, without proper ex-
ertions, lose all of western Iowa and Ne
braska. Nothing but energy and perse-
verance in pushing forward the Pacific
Railroad into the Kansas valley, and
eventually to the Platte, in the direction
of Fort Kearney, so as to come in compe-
tition with those northern roads, can Sc
cure the trade. The Hannibal and st.
Joseph Road and the Mississippi and Mis-
souri, Roads are fast extending themselves
into these countries, and by proper exer-
tions, you can reach them as soon, or sooner
than they. In these fast days, it will not
do to put river navigation against railroad
speed. With river navigation against
railroad speed, it is easy to predict what
would be the result. In the event of a
railroad reaching us first from the east,
our business men would take the cars for
the east, and in a short time almost forget
that there was such place as st. Louie to
replenish their stocks. If you expect our
trade, you must exert yourselves and give
US railroad communication. You may
ask, wha. has all this harangue to do with
the business and business prospects of st.
Louis st. Louis is our natural place OF
trade for many articles, particularly gro
ceries and heavy goods, and for many OF
our trading men, their whole supplies.
Many of them would not think of going
to an eastern market to make their pur-
chases, when they could as easily get them
near at hand. But let railroad reach Us
from the east, that brings US in more direct
and quicker connection i.h New York
than st. Louis, and none from st. Louis.
One of our merchants would take the cam
for New York, and another boat for st.
Louis, and, in many instances, especially
in low water, at the very time they wish
to lay in their winter and spring supplies,
the one to New York would make the
trip, return and have his goods on his
shelves and half sold, while his unfortu-
nate neighbor would be sticking on sand
bar, on his way downward. These are not
fancy pictures, but cases that would fire.
quently occur. But how are these diff
culties to be overcome while money mat