The Portage County Democrat. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1854-1868, 1863-04-15
TALLMADGE, April 4th, 1863.

TALLMADGE, April 4th, 1868.
Editor Democrat:
Having once formed a constituent part of
old Portage, with Ravenna as our County
Seat, whittier we were wont to wend our way
for the transaction of our County business,
it has occurred to me that for old acquain-
tance sake, we may rghtfully lay claim, to
corner in your local column. The appear
ance of the iron horse in onr village, while it !
formerly existed between the two places, tenn |
porarily sundercd by local causes, are about
to be resumed, and consolidated as it were by
bands of iron, never more to be broken, also !
prompts us to take a retrospective view of
the great railroad enterprise, which is destin-
ed to work mighty changes in our midst. II
have before me letter written Sept 18th,
1858, in which occur the following words,-I
The railroad was finally on Monday eve
ming located at the Center. The news arriv-
ed here about 10 O'Clock in the evening, when
Immediately the guns began to fire, the bon
fires to stream up, and great jollifcation
was INDUCED in." ss, ~ rs taar
Thus you see a decade of years has passed
! by, years of alternate hope and fear, and now
we wake as from dream, to behold the
speedy realization of fond hopes so long en-.
4 tertained, that the road would be built, and
fair returns be made to those who invested
their money and their credit in its construc-
ton. Then we did not comprehend the mag
nitude of the enterprise, or the nature of the
obstacles to be overcome. Much credit is due
to the pioneers in this undertaking-Mes essrs.
Kent, Earl and others; but especially to the
i former, for the patience and perseverance
with which, under difficulties and opposition
1 of the most persistent character, they have
prosecuted it to a successful issue. Well
would it have been for the citizens of Sum-
NIT County, had the advice of these gentle
men, at general meeting of the citizens of
the County to consider the proprety of con-
structing the Akron Branch Road, been taken.
to invest their money in the Franklin and
Warren road a great through trunk road, the
stock of which must be good, ard one which
was sure to be built Had this been done,
our County would not now be called upon for
yearly tax of ten thousand dollars to pay
up their bonds of one hundred thousand,
given to that road. But we are not all gifted
with prophetic vision, and therefore must be
content to CLEAN wisdom among the brambles
and thorns of dear bought experience.
The coal at our place will make an impor-
tant item in the business of the road, as also
the pottery ware of Springfield. which is be-
coming one of the most important branches
of business in the County. This very useful
article finds its way into every household
and is much superior to the samples produced
in different parts of the country, in its capa-
bilty to resist the action of fire. 1t is said
to be in good demand throughout the State
of New York, selling readily at twenty five
cents per gallon, price which will afford
good margin of profit to the shipper from this
point Already we hear that some of the
pottery men of that vicinity propose to locate
in our village, with view to avail them
selves of the railroad and coal facilities here
afforded
And now farewell to the boundless CONT
guilty of mud through which it has been oul
sad destiny of late years to flounder-sad te
horse flesh as well as human-many times ii
the vain endeavor to reach the nearest rail
! road station before the exI ected train should
pass. Happily we have thus far escaped thy
perils by land, and thy perils by sea, but now
we part, thanks to our forbearance, more il
sorrow than in anger. Peace to thy pasty
fluid, oh mud pike, and long may you eoau
in the service of those benighted Individual
who cannot find better road to travel on.
For our part, We propose to take the car
of the A. & G.. W. r. r. All aboard.
TALLMADGE.