The Van Buren press., 1866-05-12
Memphis and the Arkansas Railroads.

We are glad to see that Memphis is begin
ming to be little alive to is interests In tn
matter Of Arkansas Railroads. matter of VI
tai interest indeed to Memphis, when she fully
comprehends the +" situation" Ii she woult
not see business which legitimately belong
to her. directed into other channels, she must
act promptly to prevent the diversion Of the
trade of Western Arkansas to st. Louis and
other northern cities. The Memphis Post Of
the 9th ult., in an article upon Arkansas rail
roads, says: ..a
"In our view the Memphis and Little Rock
Railroad stands foremost among these enter
prises both for present and prospective trade
lnian article which we published some weeks
since. we referred to the great importance OF
this road and expressed the opinion that II
Was the most important public improvement,
taking into consideration all the circumstan-
ces, that at present called iUr the attention vi
our citizens, both as individuals and as an in
eorporated community. The large interest
owned in the road by the city corporation,
now lying entirely unproductive, is OF itself
great incentive to action In tie premises
but above all, the Importance Of the road ~ a
feeder TO our business Is OF fncafctIabI6 I'M
portance, in view of the attempts that are be-
inc made to carry the trade of Arkansas to
Northern cities, by means of the proposed
roads from Missouri"
The remarks of the Post are correct and
true as far as they 60; but Memphis must ex-
tend her vision farther west than Little Rock.
The completion of the road from Memphis to
Little Rock, would, certainly open a wide
field for vast trade that thereby would seek
her markets. but nothing compared to the
amount that would flow to her marts when
the road shall have been constructed from Lit
tie Rock to Van Bnren and Fort Smith. The
future business prosperity of Memphis, de-
pends in very great measure in the building
of a railroad to the western borders of Ar
kansas, and ultimately to be extended to the
Pacific. The Little Rock and Fort Smith
branch ofthc Cairo and Fulton Railroad has
a large land grant attached to 1t, and there Is
no good reason why capitalists should not
take hold of it. and push. it rapidly to compile
tion. Memphis must see to 1t that the road be
rapidly built. Already one is being construc-
ted from Leavcnworth, Kansas. south to Red
River where it will connect with the Texas
Roads; this road will pass only fifty miles
west of Fort Smith and Van Burcn, and If we
cannot get an outlet for the trade and travel
of this section of country east to Memphis.
we must seek it by connection with the road
last spoken of. What we desire of Memphis
at this time-and which it is of paramount in
terest for her to do-is to bring and keep be-
fore the public the great advantages possess
ed by the company Of the Little Rock and
Fort Smith railroad; the lands belonging to
the road being every alternate section on the
line of the road, together with the other man
ifold advantages it possesses. such as location
through rich and fertile country-its advan.
tages in connections that must eventually
be made with 1t on the west, &C., thereby di'
recting to it the attention ofcapitalists. viii
Memphis awaken to her interest or not?