The independent. [volume] (Oskaloosa, Kan.) 1860-1874, 1865-06-10
Railroad Swindling,

Some four years ago a treaty was
effected with the Delaware Indians 10
favor of Company who proposed to
build a Railroad from Lesvenworth. .thro
the lands of The said Delaware Indians
westward TO Topeka. 1t was then said.
as all remember, that the road was to
be built Immediately.
Instead Of making tho road as was
expected, the Company commenced a
series Of tricks to raise money-not to
build the road, but to put into their own
pockets. Ii is needless to repeat all
the twis,ings and windings Of the Com
pany around the circumlocution office,
and how every time we were told the
road was to be constructed now, certain.
o. yes, it has been surely made
something less than score of times,
and is yet about where it was al the
beinning Of the arduous labors Of the
Company-ano,her exempiificalion Of
the "mountain bringing forth mousse"
ma. not a mountain, only hill OF very
small potatoes, and the mouse of cor
responding dimensions! This is the re-
suit oflhe Herculean Iabors Of this vsun-
ted Company in that line.
But what now? Not satisfied with
their past sHindles-and ifany one can
point out thing but swihdling they
have ever accomplished, we will be
thankful for the informalion-they now
are aiming to accomplish "big thing
in the way of getting pay three times
and from three different sources for the
same work.
This Company now propose 10 build
the road if Leavenworth will pay them
for constructig it. That is pay once.
Under the treaty with the Indians they
are to get the Indian Reserve lands for
making the road - the best lands in
Kansas. This is pay twice. Then nm
der the law Of Congress giving aid in
the construction of the Pacific Railroad,
they expect 10 get pay again. This is
the third time they seek to get pay for
the same work! Great fnanciers, these
fellows!
These are facts. The Company if
they build the road at all from Leaven-
worth, design to run track TO the
nearest point at which they can inter-
sec. their main line, and then run the
two roads on the same rails. They
have now applied to government for the
first pay. They claim the Indian Re-
serve Lands as theirs; this is second paw.
They ask Leevenworlh for $500 900
or more 10 make the switch - more
than enough to do it. This is third
pay,
Now, We ask, will government. will
the Indians, will Leavenworih consent
to be thus swindled by Sc, OF sharp
ers? Must these men be more than
paid for the road allowed to pocket the
difference, and ever after have the
road to run it for their own benefit?
We suggest 10 Leavenwor,h that
they keep their 100000 or more. and
apply it to the construction of straight
line to Topeka. Get a new treaty with
the Delaware Indians-lhe old Compa-
ny have failed to perform their part Of
the contract in the treaty. and hence
forfeited all rights under it, We are told
and have the Reserve Lands applied
to the construction Of the direc. route
The land and the $500, 900. will build
the road; and when built it will be
worth more TO the city than all other
roads running from thence out into the
State. This matter is worth the earn
est. serious and prompt attention Of the
citizens OF Lesvenworth.