Cleveland daily leader. [volume] ([Cleveland, Ohio]) 1865-1873, 1866-05-11


RAILROADS IN IowA.-We copy the follow
ing from a Des Moines letter to the
Chicago::Times:
Railroads and railroad matters are at
tracing more attention in Iowa than at
any previous time in her history. There
has certainly been a great awakening upon
the subject within the last few months.
Roads partly built are being pushed for
ward at a rapid rate old projects are re-
yived, and new ones announced ans our
citizens, not content, as has been too often
the case heretofore. with speeches, news
paper articles, and what is called the
q wind work" generally, put their hands in
their pockets and pay out their ~greenbacks
to aid in the construction of roads.
The main feature of the railroad system
of Iowa is, of course, the four great lines of
land grant roads starting from the Missis-
sippi river and to have their terminus on
the Missouri, at some future day. These
are:
l. The Burlington 4 Missouri Railroad.
This road has been completed for some time
to Ottumwa, on the Des Moines river, and
there made a halt, but has now taken up its
line of march TO the West. The bridge
over the river is being rapidly constructed,
and a number of men are at work along
the line VEST OF the river.
2. The Mississippi L Missouri Railroad.
This road has reached Kellogg Station,
forty miles east of the city, and there
sticks. Here we have all sorts oil rumors as
to what is to be done by the Mississippi &
Missouri but they are so contradictory that
it is difficult to tell what are the intentions
Of the managers of the road. One thing is
certain, the old company have lest the con-
fdence of the people, and any change will
be hailed with pleasure. Much confidence
and good feeling is expressed for the
Chicago < Rock Island company, and
everybody in this section hopes and trusts
that it will obtain the control and push the
road through.
,. The Cedar Rapids & Missouri, or
Northwestern Railroad. This road appears
to have more life and energy than any of
the others. It has been pushed forward
steadily and rapidly, without halt or hest
tation. The bridge over the Des Moines is
completed, and the locomotive has crossed
to the west side of the river, and under
stand a large number of men, 1000 or more,
are hard at work on the prairies west Of the
bridge. The Northwestern Company leads
all its rivals, and, if the same energetic
and vigorous action shall continue, will
distance" all competition in the race to
the Missouri river.
4. The Dubuque Il Pacific Railroad has
been recently opened to Iowa Falls, and
work west of that place is being prosecuted
vigorously. Fort Dodge, on the Des Moines
river, will have, judging from present
appearances, a railroad at an early day.
After these land grant roads, the next in
importance is the Keokuk, Des Moines &
Minnesota Railroad. This road,
ing at Keokuk, follows up the Des Moines
Valley, and cars are now running to Mon
roe, thirty miles from this place, and in a
few days will be in Prairie City, ten miles
nearer. This only leaves twenty miles to
complete the connection with the Capital,
and a goodly portion of the twenty miles is
already graded. The balance is under
contract, and a strong force of men is
busily at work. st. Louis is deeply inter
ested in this road, has aided it from the
start and will continue to give it assist
anee, as thereby her citizens expect to
ecure the rich and heavy trade of tbs Des
Moines Valley. We understand that quite
recently St. Louis promptly answering to a
call made, advanced some $3.50 TO $780,
900 to help this road along.