The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1864-02-06

1
with zeal truly commendable.
The company had engineers in the
field almost constantly from May, 1859,
to the latter part of December, 1860,
making preliminary surveys and locations.
Also part Of the summer Of 1851, and
again from the 18th Of September last.
The location is now completed from Farm
ington to Bloomfield, distance Of nearly
forty miles. Preliminary surveys have
been extended into Appanoose, Wayne
aud Decatur counties, Iowa, and Mercer
county, Missouri.
A considerable amount Of grading was
done in the summer of 1860 on the east
end Of the road, commencing on the west
bank of the Des Moines river opposite
Pennington.
10 the months Of January and Februa-
ry. 1861. forty-seveu contracts were en-
tered into with the farmers AMI citizens
residing alsng the line to grade nearly
sixteen miles Of the road. the grading to
be completed by the Goth Of the follow
ing October. The contracts commenced
nearly ten miles out from Harrington
and extended two miles into Davis coun-
ty. The pay was provided in all these
contracts BY the contractors agreeing to
either take their pay in railroad stock or
their neighbors' subscriptions, the col
lections to be made at their own risk -
Each contract stipulated the pay agreed
upon.
Several of the contractors commenced
their work that season, butin consequence
of the grea, rebellion it was deemed ad
visable TO suspend operations for time;
consequently, in October, the contracts
we're renewed and the time for completing
the work extended.
The grading was resumed on the 9th
OF October last, and was yigorosly pushed
forward at different points from Farming
ton to near Bloomfield. Several miles
are completed ready for the ties with 1
slight dressing up.
The value of the work already done, a,
| compared with the cost Of the same e1
tent of work on the railroads in Missouri
as reported by the Board of Public
Works OF that State, will amount to up
wards of 5000. 600.
i The right Of way has been secured b
deed through the city OF Farmingtol
to the junction with the keokuk, For
Des Moines 4 Minnesota X. IL. Tn
farmers, generally, cheerfully give th
right of way. and many Of them grad
, the road through their lands. We ais
get from ten to eighty acres of Jan,
donated at different points for depot pul
, poses, and We have the promise at tw
places Of stations being built for Us with
out cost to the company.
Il We estimate that s25 900 in additio
. to the contracts, (the pay for which is =
q ready provided,) and also our availab
subscriptions and what the people alon
. the line will readily do, during the pr
! gress of the work, will be sufficient
n complete the grading, bridging and fu
, nishing the ties from the Des Moin
q river to Bloomfield. Arrangements a
h being made 10 push the grading west
;, Bloomfield this season.
I'll 1t is the intention to have the road O
n tended to Ft. Kearny at As early d,
;. as practicable. there to connect with Il
4 Great Central Pacific.
il 1t is needless for me to occupy yo'
y space by going into lengthy argume
70 show the business men Of keokuk th
= the moment our road is completed
:, Bloomfield it viii open to them one
:, the riches, fields of trade west of I
Mississippi.
Trusting they will see and proper
appreciate their true interest and gi
the enterprise their hearty cooperate
* | cheerfully submit the subject to th,
EFF candid consideration.
an T.. RoRINsoS.