The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1860-02-08
Ioxa una Mis-. ouri state Line Hail

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MzssRs. EDITORS Dear Nss: Knowing
that you take . deep interest in the lnternal
improvements Of our country, and particu-
larly in those directly calculated 10 advance
the interests OF Keokuk, write to inform
you Of the progress Of the Iowa and Missouri
State Line Railroad.
This road has been located over az miles
from Pennington west--pass the eastern line
of Davis county, Iowa, and to within 9 miles
Of Schuyler county, Missouri. II is located
Unfortunately, north and south OF the
State line, as the nature of the ground will
admit. The Chief Engineer, L. g. Parker,
ESQ, has examined the route nearly 80 miles
west, and finds It exceedingly practicable
A SURFACE grade can be adopted, with very
slight exceptions, the entire distance.
The streams are oil small, consequently
the bridging will be very light west Of the
Des Moines river. The largest strcam to be
crossed between the Des Moines and Missouri
rivers 10 the Middle or Thompson Fork OF
Grand river, in Decatur county, where 1t il
only 1877 feet from bank to bank, according
to the ssfeld notes. of the State Line sur
vey.
There is an abundance Of fine timber in
nearly every township on the line, and also
mex haustible quantities OF rock on the Char
t0n and most OF the streams west.
A considerable portion Of that part Of the
road new located is under contract to re-
sponsible parties to be graded BY the middle
OF November next. A considerable clearing,
grubbing and grading has been done. and
the work of clearing 10 now going on. Ar
rangements are being made for getting out
bridge timber, and other preparations are
making for vigorous prosecution OF the
work when the spring opens.
Many Of the farmers enter into contract,
and bind themselves to grade the road
through their own farms, and take their pay
| exclusively in railroad stock.
A corps Of engineers 10 on the line push
ing the survey and location as fast as the
weather will permit.
The estimated cost Of grading, masonry,
bridging and ties falls short of $4,000 per
mile much Of the distance already located
and under contract does not exceed $4,000
per mile.
The company have adopted regular town
ship syssem,-for the citizens residing north
and south OF the State line, in each congres-
sional range of townships, to prepare the
road bed, ready for the iron, across their
respective townships, six miles. This sys-
tenn meets with the universal appreciation OF
the people along the line. They say they
have the ability, and wiu build their six
miles of the road. In many places they de-
clarc they will not be excelled by any town
ship on the line in confirmation of which
they are subscribing to the stock and enter
ing into the work with an energy and zeal
not TO be mistaken.
| The benefit Keokuk will derive from the
construction of this road is almost incalcu.
liable. 1t will open new field of trade in
Mort hern Missouri she never can reach BY
any other road, and vsstly extend her trade
in Southern Iowa, instead of its going to St
Louis by the Hannibal and st. Joseph Rail.
road, as it now does.
The railroad system Of Keokuk, when fully
carried out, will be an admirable one. But
that system can never be perfected without
the compilation of the State Line road. tt
this end, the completion of this road, an
happy to say, the citizens Of Iowa and Mis-
souri, residing along the State line are ma
king steady, firm, harmonious and united
effort, and feel justified in believing tina
effort will be crowned with perfect success
1t is expected, however, Keokuk, in due time
will do her share toward accomplishing al
object go desirable.
Respectfully and truly, yours,
e. ROBINSON.
Revtvals.