The Lansing state Republican. [volume] (Lansing, Mich.) 1855-1874, 1863-08-19
Railroad from Lansing to Battle Greek.

We call the attention of our citizens to the
following letter, from a resident OF Battle Creek,
on the subject Of railroad connection between
Lansing and that city. The subject is one of
vital importance to this section, and should de-
mand the earnest attention of every property
holder on the proposed route.
The people of the Southwest are not less
interested in it, as this route traverses both the
upper and the lower salt basins, and opens up to
them all the other resources of the Saginaw and
Grand River valleys. But it does more The
extension Of the Lansing and Traverse Bay road
10 Battle Creek, makes the through route east
from Chicago via Lansing, Ososso Port Huron
and the Grand Trunk R. R. thirty miles skorter
than any other route, and would thus make it at
once the great thoroughfare of travel
We have 10 doubt our citizens will heartily
co operate in this movement, and We trust the
railroad companies interested will adopt such
measures will secure its success. But to the
letter:
BATTLE CREEK. Aug 18th, SO.
DEAR SH:-Being wholly unacquainted in
your city, take the liberty to drop you line
on the important subject Of the extension Of
the Saginaw and Lansing r. r. to Battle
Greek, thus making an outlet to the great
Vest and Southwest. for the salt, plaster. and
pine lumber, coal and other products of your
section OF country.
Measures have already been adopted for
building railroad from Hastings TO Battle
Creek and sufficient stock taken 10 warrant
the work. My plan is to urge the extension
of your Lansing Railroad through Charlotte
and Bellevue, and connect with our Hastings
Railroad at or near section rs, in the town OF
Assyria, that being the contemplated route OF
our railroad, thus shortening the Lansing Rail
road some ten or twelve miles, and leaving
only about 80 to IS miles in length to be built
| think the citizens Of Lansing. and in fact all
your inhabitants must see the Importance of
so great an outlet as this will make / fully
believe that if a united effort is made. and the
land owners on the route see what Is apparent
TO all, that they will take hold in earnest. and
the road be built and that speedily.
propose to call a Convention at Charlotte.
at an early day, aud there devise plans for the
work. That rich and mustbe- productive soil
on that line, must have a market. Go with me
to what was ten years ago called the Galian
Woods, then an unbroken wilderness for %
miles west Of Niles. The Michigan Central
Railroad made the first opening. Look at that
section now; some u to 10 steam saw mills
Thousands Of acres Of cultivated fields. and
villages springing up. Would not your vast
forests follow suit, if the railroad was extend
I'd to Battle Greek? That vast country west
and southwest would be a market for your
rich salt, plaster and lumber, &c. sc. The
travel would be immense. Lansing would be
great depot, and fully believe the railroad
stock would pay well
viii you please see some Of the Lansing
Railroad men, and ask them to correspond
with me on the subject l feel deep interest
in all improvements calculated to benefit our
beautiful State. l consider without this outlet
the Lansing railroad cannot pay what it should.
Your great coal bed would find better mar
ket by this extension Of the railroad. The
towns on the NJ. c. K. r. could get their coal
from your region cheaper than from Jackson.
The great timber lands would yield rich
quantity Of lumber for this section. which il
destitute Of building timber In fact. there il
everything to induce an energetic action in the
work IL the East money goes begging for
investment; and if one>third Of the stock can
he taken on the line. fully believe the bal
ance can be got OF favorable terms. TO com
plete the road.
Ny residence i Saint Mary's Lake; my P.
O.. Battle Greek. Pardon the liberty have
taken in writing TO you. l shall be glad TO
hear from any Of you who are interested in
this enterprise.
Yours truly, Il. WILLIS.
THE DRAFT DEcLAEED CoSsIIIrTIOSAL BT A