Marshall County Democrat. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1855-1859, 1859-08-11
LOCAL DEPARTMENT OF
Pittsburgh, Tt. w. e Chicago r. r. Co
Office Of the Vice President
FoRT WAYNE, August Cd, 1889.

FoRT WAYNE, August Cd, 1889.
Messrs. Willis Matthewson, Steph n Meredith,
Alexander Bland, James S. Bramcht, and VIM
Stalard.
GExr1EMEN:-The President of this company
has referred to me letter addressed to him, da-
ted July l6, last setting out the proceedings and
resolution of meeting of citizens at Pearsonvile
on that day, relating to certain alledged grevan-
ces received from the Company.
greatly regret that there should have been any
occasion for such meeting of citizens, and moro
regret that they should have felt it necessary to
intimate any intention of doing acts of hostility to
the Company.
This Company will, to the extent of its ability,
pay all lawful claims against It. Owing to the
want of proper fencing, which tho company, hith-
erto on account fits poverty, has not been able to
construct, the claims against it for Farm Stock
killed, are very numerous, and many no doubt have
been overlooked and remain unpaid, for the same
reason that large amount (ncarly two millions
of dolars) of the Company's otker debt remains
unpaid. viz-postive inability to pay it. The
Company has many other creditors besides those to
whom it owes cattle bills.
From the necessity of the case, and a desire to
maintain good feeling among the citizens ON the
line of the road, all just claims of recent dale for
cattle killed, have been allowed, as proof OF the
facts has been made to the attorneys of the compa-
nv and the rule of the Company is, to pay such
bills as other monthly expenses are paid. Over
$4,000 in amount of stock bills have been allowed
bv the Company in the last four months, and paid,
or are in course Of payment.
You cannot expect that the company will payblls
until they are proved. If any of you, or the cit
liens at the Jacksonville meeting had stock claims
you or they have only to furnish satisfactory proof
of the facts to the company's solicitor at Plymouth
Mr. Osborne, and he viii adjust the bills and put
them in the way of payment. 1t is not necessary to
bring suit in any case where the facts are clear
against the company.
Ifthe company is sued and costs made, the parties
suing must take their chance ofpayment with all
other creditors. We cannot pay costs on Cattle
CIaims-and ifthey are sued they will no longer be
regarded as among the class entitled to payment
with the current monthly expenses.
If citizens would rehectupon the general pub
lie benefit ofthe Road, and upon the hard struggle
thas cost the stock holders ofthe company to build
it, and upon the many difficulties experienced in
carrying on its Operations safely, it seems to me
they would be less hasty in Indicating their inten-
ton of taking the law into their own hands.
The Company has legal rights to enable it to
perform great public duties, and while the Direct
ors will at all times endcayOr that the COmpanys
duties to the public shall be faithfully discharged,
and as little injury as possible be done to any one,
they would fail In their trust if they permittedany
violation of the Company's rights. The opera
tons Of the Road must be protected at all hazards,
and any attempt to obstruct them viii be met by
invoking the power of the law.
1t is probably known to you, if not, it is my
duty TO state, that it isahgh miSdcmeanor punsha-
bic by heavy fine and Imprisonment even to OBJ
struct Railroad-and it is a felony to wilful or
maliciously place distractions on the track witha
view to throw off the Engine or cars-and if
death result by any such act, it is murder.
These penal laws are made for your protection
and the protection of tho public, more than for
the benefit OF the Rail Road Companies, and eve
~ good citizen has deep interest in their en-
forcemcnt.
The law will not permit any person on account
of any real or fancied injury from Rail Road
Company, to jeopsrdize the lives or property of
Rail Road passengers Or employees-and the man
who attempts to crafty his revenge in that way,
is in law and in morals criminal of the deep
est dye.
If any of you have been or shall be injured by
this Company in the destruction of your stock,
the simplest and cheapest way to get redress, is
for you to state your case to tho Attorney of the
Company, who will advise you of the course to be
pursued, without suit, and with far less trouble
and expense to yourselves, than will be caused by
an attempt to harrass the Company by law suits,
or to light yourselves by violent or unlawful acts
Steps are in progress towards fencing our Road,
and with reasonable liberality and cooperation
on the part of land owners on the Road, it is be-
lieyed that before the close of another year, the
entire line of Road can be securely fenced, and
an end made to the killing of farm stock (now in
measure unavoidable from the unprotected
condition of the Road,) which has proved SO
fruitful cause Of lors to the Company, and i'll
feelin. among the people who are neishbors to
| the Road. Respectfully,
| JOSEPH X. EDG ERTON,
| Vice President.
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