Tama County Republican. (Toledo, Tama County, Iowa) 1867-1872, 1867-11-08
Iowa Central Rallroad-Its Importance
to St. Louis.


Iowa Central Railroad-Its Importance
to St. Louis.
Now that all doubt of the completion of the
North Missouri Railroad has passed. owing to
the recent large sale Of It's first mort gage
bonds to several of our weaiihiost, and Ger.
tiinly our most enterprising citizens, it is
perhaps not premature nor unwisc to call
public attention to one Of the connections OF
lllat road. We refer to the Iowa Central Rail
road. This road connects with the main line
Of the North Missouri Railroad at a point
about seventy five miles west of the Missis-
sirpi river and sixty miles south Of the beau
titul city OF Oska.oosa, and travevses the en-
tire State Of Iowa, from its southern TO it,
northern boundry, a distance Of $50 mile
and connects there with the Minnesota Cen ,
trai Railroad, leading almost directly north to
The city of St. Paul. and will be, when buii,
the perfecting link between the North Mis-
souri, and Minnesota Central Railroa Is. form
ing with them the main trunk line of railroad
running north ana south on the west side Of
the Mississippi river. 1t is located through a
ihneNiy settled. fertile country passes through
large deposits Of coal will do much to Tn.
courage that interest, carrying coal north
from oskalaosa to Cedar Falls and beyond
ana bringing in return hogs. lumber and
grain, which, through the medium afforded hv
this road aad the North Missouri Railroad.
VIII t,,l tIx,, ,A,,ly. r. - "
key to unlock Tie SOU ,rn Ioofs Of the nu-
merous graiaries of Central Iowa, which for
some years past lave sent their wealth of ce-
reals 10 the c y of Chicago. One county alone
Black Hawk, through which it passes. Sc. / off
last year 100000 bushels of wheat, aud each
county 50 favored can and will do as mu Ii or
more 10 build up the traffic of the road and in
crease our trade; for these are products with
the Iowa Central completed, will find their
way here instca 7. of seeking a market else.
where. The value of this connection to ST.
Louis, and more especially to the North Mis-
souri, Railroad, can now only be imagined
1t is the outlet of that road. Without It. the
North Missouri would have TO depend uponi Its
local traffic for its profits with it, it becomes
the great highway between St. Paul and the
Calf Of Mexico. With a junction Of the inter.
ests Of these two roads, both must become pay
ing roads, and will be of great benefit to us.
Cnamplin, Balch \ Co, contractors for the
construction of the North Missouri Railroad.
have taken the contract for the construction
Of the Iowa Central, and will push it to COM
pletion as fast as it is possible for them to do
so, assisted in their intentions and efforts by
its able President, W. I. Smith, E,sa. of Os-
kaloosa. Tie contractors are men Of known
and long experience in railroad construction.
and are, We are assured, well fitted to perform
what they have undertaken.
The grading is steadily progressing along
all parts OF the road ut present located forty
miles of which, between the northern line of
Missouri and the city Of Oskaloosa, are finish
ed, and thirty miles between Toledo ana Ce
Lar Falls are also completed. 1t will be seen
dat q short time only will elapse before we
will have, by shis route, railroad communica-
lion with thu fertile valley of the Des Moines.
Without a doubt, the southern end Of this road
will be ready for the rolling stock by The time
Tie Noltl, Missouri Railroad is finished to the
connecting point at the Iowa State line. The
cost OF construction Of Iowa Central will com
pare iavorabfy with that Of any Western road
and the expense Of running j. will not lie
great. The grades are easy and light, the
wear Of machinery cannot be great, and the
repairs Of road-bcd much less than if the
grades We're heavier, SO that it if fair to pre-
lune frci hit will be transported at moderate
rates. The bridging is also light. the bridge
over The Des Moines river being the only one
of Importance on the whole line.
Chainplin, liaich & Co, in this contract
with the Iowa Central, agreed 10 secure a sub.
scription to the stock OF the company for the
purpose of aiding in the construction of tie
Des Moines river bridge. ST. Louis citizens
would display q generous public spirit III sub
scribing literally to this stock. 1t is not ask
ing much of them to help those gentlemen in
an undertaking, the full performance OF which
will benefit us more than them.
Messrs. Champlin, Bllch y Co., are to re-
celyc for the construction Of the low Central
Railroad $1,000 per mile in cash to prepare tho
road bed for the ties and iron, two millions
three hundred thousand dollars in common
stock OF the company one hundred thousand
to be certified TO them on each ten miles of
road they may finish. In addition to his the
company agree to give them S1j, 900 in the
first mortgage bonds of the company, bearing
interest at the rate of eigl, per cent, per an
mum, payable semi-annua.ly, and has trans>
ferred to them all contracts for work. now ok.
listing, all subscriptions and other property
'aRen by the company to assist in building
the road, and agree 10 furnish the right Of
way and depot grounds, reserving only to IL
self a supervisory control over the expendi,
lures OF the means of construction. The Iowa
Central Railroad Company has displayed wis
dom IN its generosity. In giving 50 mauy