Cairo evening times. [volume] (Cairo, Ill.) 1865-1866, 1865-10-03
Cairo's River and Railroad
Communications.

Today we present map or diagram show
ing the position which Cairo occupies on the
Mississippi and Ohio Rivers, and clearly indi-
eating its position Railroad centre, pres
ent and prospective. Of course we do not wish
to represent all the Roads on the diagram as
completed, but believe we venture nothing in
asserting that within two years they will be
built, thus forming a network OF Railroads
around Cairo.
Cairo is practically the head of navigat ion.
When the Mississippi is at its lowest stages,
boats of the heaviest tonnage and great est
draught, can always reach this city. So, too,
IN the winter season. Jack Frost has never
beer able to construct a bridge across the river
al TINS point, sufficient to impede navigation to
and from the lower river
1t Is we'll established fact, conceded by all
steamboatmen, that no section of the Missis.
slppi is so difficult to navigate in low water, or
IN the winter season, as that stretching be-
tween this city and ST. Louis, thus peremptor-
NY demanding the speedy construction of the
Cairo and St. Louis railroad. Nor is this all.
The railroad companies east of St. Louis are so
DESTROYS that such road be built that if Cair
and the people on the line of the proposed road
do not construct it they will. But the people
OF this city and those living in the country
through which the ''Cairo and St. Louis Rail
road is proposed to run, are not only DESTROYS
that it should be built, but have evidenced
their determination that it shall be built, and
their ability to build it. 1t is now being, or
has been, surveyed, and but little remains to
be done ere the work will be commenced
The Cairo and Fincennes Railroad is an
other enterprise which is now being agitated
and which will soon be realized The s'Ohio
and Mississippi Railroad CO.. want an outlet,
to enable them to communicate more readily
with the lower Mississippi. A branch from
their road, running from Vincennes to this city,
will supply the want. The distance will be
short, the country through which it will run is
quite even and inviting, and the expense at
tending its construction but very light COM
pared to the advantages which would accrue
to the Railroad Company named, the people
living on the proposed route and our citizens,
so that we feel assured that its construction,
within short period, is a fixed fact.
The g Mobile and Ohio Railroad is now in
running order from Mobile to Columbus. The
terms ofthe Charter authorizing its construction
requires that its Northern terminus shall be at
Il point opposite Cairo and the provisions of
the Charter will be complied with at an early
day. At present we have a semi-daily packet
running to Columbus in connection with that
Road, and Cairo now is, practically the North
ern terminus of the ''Mobile and Ohio Rail-
road Before the war effected the equili
lrum of Commerce and divided the people of
the South from us, Cairo was the mart to which
the planters and monied men of the section of
country through which the NJ. & o. R. R. run
and those to whom the Road was tributary,
came to supply their necessities, and exchange
their staples for produce or money through our
business or commission men for goods by those
of Alabama and the States lying between. On
Friday last we noticed one Of our liquor meY-
chants filing large order for Mobile firm,
and other have informed us that they too have
shipped goods Ella the NJ. & o. r. r. to Mobile
and other points. At present Cairo is but
iorty-eight hours distant from Mobile. In q
few days, when the road is better ballasted,
the time will be reduced to thirty or thirty-six
hours Argument is not needed to demonstrate
the fact that Cairo is the natural feeder TO this
Road and presents to the planters along its
line, and the commercial men of the cities,
towns, and villages through which it runs
orershadowing inducements to establish it as
their entrepot.
The New Orleans, Jackson & Great North
ern r. RI commencing at New Orleans, taps
the Nj. s, O. Il. r. at Jackson, Tennessee, thus
making tie latter named Road medium
through which all the staples and wealth OF the
richest section of the South can be conveyed
North.
By reference to the diagram which we pre-
sent to-day, it will be readily seen that no
freight Or passengers can come from the South
either by the Railroad or by River and reach
the North without passing through Cairo which
stands as a gateway between the Northeast and
Southwest.