The weekly north Iowa times. [volume] (McGregor, Iowa) 1857-1867, 1862-03-19

Ne"S0"uto, dhu Nhel NSioCiLy Noulu HOt
overbalance practical power, the horse was
the cheapest by over so per cent.
The State of New York requires the N.
Y. Central r. R. for speed, but three fold
more the three mile an hour Erie Canal for
freight. To be sure upon the water the
span of horses can walk their three miles
AL hour drawing after them the boat and
4 4,000 bushels of wheat, making the boat
and cargo weight of 200 tons, which
shows us conclusively that speed even in
New York is net desirable when it is at a
higher rate of freight. Cheap transporta-
ton is wha. wheat and lumber always have
and always will demand. ..-.-.....
am informed that the heaviest grade
found in coming from McGregor to Calmar
by the old survey is so feet to the mile, and
those cases are not frequent and short dis
tances. This being the case, we are safe in
estimating that span of horses will take
over the road at a velocity of three miles
per hour, four cars containing 500 bushels
of wheat or one driver with four horses
| 900 bushels. Our mode of conducting
the road is the same as a canal, excepting
we furnish the cars, whereas the canal does
not furnish boats, charging toll upon the
road, say Of two cents per bushel to the
company. If man has but 25O bushels
Of wheat he takes but two cars and goes to
market, paying his toll at place of starting
Of SIS OO,-takes his load of lumber and
returns the two cars to place of starting,
paying his toll upon lumber at NcGregor.
If he starts from this place with 500
bushels of wheat, his toll is, say, $1,000.
He will make the trip in two days, at $500
per day, or four fifths of one cent per bush.
el. If he brings return load his expenses
are so much diminished. Thus at a cost
Of three cents per bushel wheat is carried
so miles. Undoubtedly, however, it re-
wolves itself into. this form: In every town
of Importance John Jones and Richard Roe
would have twenty horses each, and would
make regular business of competing for
the hauling-contracting with regular mer-
chants for year business. Still would in
no way permit anything which would debar
the farmer, the only thing which could or
would be that John Jones offered to carry
cheaper than himself.
Cost of road 100 miles at $4,000 per
mile, $5O0,OOO; expenses, interest per an.
mum upon original cost at per cent,
$3.50 Salary Of Superintendents, ST.
500; salary Of Assistant Superintsndents,
$500; salary Of Book Keeper, Treasurer,
and Secretary Zone room) $1,000; twenty
section hands, $40 per month, $4,000; re-
pairing cars, $1,000; incidentals, 81 900.
Total, $4,000.
Our plan for passenger trains is light
car with seats and everything in same form
as ordinary passenger trains, excepting
wheels, which are same as on freight cars
each car to seat 80 passengers and not
to weigh over 5000 pounds-to be drawn
over the road by horses or 6, as circum-
tances may dictate to the company, mail,
expresses &c, with relay of horses every 10
miles, travelling at speed of from to 10
miles per hour 1t is hard to make an es-
innate of the expenses or receipts Of this
train, but consider it safe to estimate that
its nett earnings would fully balance the
entire expenses of the road, noted above of
$4,000. have allowed nothing of my ex-
pense account for station agents, but would
make the rent Of station houses pay this
expense Of agents. One at McGregor
would pay u handsome bonus, one at Mo-
mona smaller, one at Postville a small
might want some help, so that the average
should balance this account.
RECEIPTS OF ROAD.
Toll upon 100000 bus of wheat
2 cents per bush, S $4,000
Back toll, equal 1000, 900, do. 10000
Local business upon road IN stone,
wood, brick, posts, hoop poles,
&C., g., equal 100000 bush, 10000
Total, $4,000
You will see by this that have taken
100000 bushels as my standard, instead
of 100000. Ny back freight, one fourth
the amount, which is low estimate, my
rates are not much over one half they wo'd
bear, being believe, obout one half charg
sd upon Illinois Canal; but at these figures
after paying per cent. interest upon orig
inal capital, leaves dividend to stockhold-
ers of $4,000 as sinking fund. Still,
should not properly have taken this inter
est into consideration, but should say to
the holders of 100000 in stock, here is
$4,000 to be given you in dividends
Now you say, how do you propose to
raise this 100000 to start and put the
road in motion! would read my lesson
from the Chicago & Galena Road FIRST,
Raise money enough to force the road far
enough into the country so it shall be Of
practical advantage to the farmer to use the
same and pay toll Of one cent per bushcl-
say Postyile; now this may be done in
this way possibly. From intimatons
have now in my possession, the works and
franchise, which include principal right
Of way to Monona, grading now done, &c,
y, k,>, ol>
with our road to Postvile,) can be purchas-
ed at what they are actually worth, in fact
far less, and upon such terms as we may in
any degree of fairness suggest; this OBJ
tanned, $4,000 would complete the road to
Postville, and $4,000 of this amount cred
it can be obtained in purchasing iron
thus leaving $4,000 to be raised. am
not at liberty here to state where this
amount can be raised-somc of il can be
raised in Postvile and between there and
McGregor.
Once the road is at Postville, and we
hear from Clermont and West Union; they
want the road. Very well, gentlemen, you
are the ones interested, come with so much
money, take so much stock and you can
have tho road. Ossian says the same,
Calmar the same, Decorah the same, Fort
Atkinson the same, New Oregon the same
and receive the same reply, and they are
willing to do it,poor as they are, if they can
have any fair assurance of having road.
| would say to any men taking stock that
80 per cent Of your stock is legal tender
next year for tolls and so per cent in two
years if you choose to pay it rather than to
keep it, and have it read so upon its face.
Therefore, if Mr.. A forward over the road
1000 bushels Of wheat and has 500 in
stock, he can pay $50 toll upon the 1000
bushels and sell $50 this year to any other
this year, whether the stock of the road is
worth anything or not.
Yours Very Truly,