The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1867-12-27
EDITORIAL CORRESPONDENCE.

Some Reflections UpOa a the Towns OF the
Missouri ValIey-RaIlrOads Finished
and In PrOgress-Omaha, AtchIson, st.
Joseph, LeavenwOIt tn, and Kansas CIty
"A Word OF Caution I'm Closing.
KANSAS CITY, Mo-, Dec. %, 1867.
AS have before rem marked in these letters, L
find more life and activity, more growth and
development, il this Missouri river region tnan
in any other part OF the country that have
visited. This fact is due, no doubt, In a good
degree, to the extensive public works which
have been in progress in this section during the
last two years. Both lines of the Pacific Rail-
road start from the Missouri river-the Union
Pacific Eastern Division, running up the valley
of the Kansas river from its mouth, and the
Union Pacific running up the valley of the
Platte, starting from Omaha The former OF
these roads has reached distance of some $50
miles, and is already nearly pleted to
the western boundary of Kansas. The latter
has reached the base of the mountains at Chey-
enne, some five hundred miles west from
Omaha. There is still another western line in
Kansas, running directly west from Atchison
and completed for distance Of one hundred
miles. The Galveston line, running due south
from Lawrence, is expected TO be in running
order for the first thirty m les, or from Law
renee to Ottawa, by the first of January. The
"Border TIER road, running from Kansas City
south through the border counties of Kansas
and intended to unite with the line from Law
renee just spoken of, is graded and ready for
the iron for the first twenty-five miles, or as
far as Olathe. The Cameron Railroad, road
some fifty miles in leng h, and extending from
Kansas City northeasterly to Cameron, on the
Hannibal and st. Joseph Railroad. has just
been completed, and was opened for passengers
and freight Few days since giving, in connec-
tion with the Hannibal road, and the Chicago
and Quincy road, a new line to Chicago, through
from this point in twenty-three hours. A line
of road has been built during the last two years
from Kansas City to Leavenworth, along the
western bank of the Missouri river A line
called the Missouri Valley Railroad is now in
process OF rapid construction along the north
branch OF the Missouri river, being a western
branch or extension of the North Missouri Rail.
road. and calculated to give a second indepen-
dent line from Kansas City to st. Louis. An
extension of the "Platte Country" Railroad
northwaTd from st. Joseph on the east side OF
the Missouri river, and intended to reach the
terminus of the Union Pacific Railroad. at
Omaha, is also in process OF construction.
We have here at least a thousand miles of
railroad, which have been built noiselessly
during the last two years, and several hundred
miles more in process Of construction-aH of
which concentrate in the Missouri valley be-
could not be other than to stimulate all this
section OF country into very rapid growth
Omaha, St. Joseph, Atchison, Leavenworth
and Kansas City all situated upon the Missouri
River, have become important commeroii al
points, numbering their population by thou
sands, and all eagerly competing for the prize
of supremacy in the future. IL is favorite
theory of these people, that once in every three
hundred miles from east to west in this coun-
oft
point to Buffalo, Pittsburg, Cincinnati,
! Chicago, and st. Louis, In conhrma-
tion OF their theory. The great question is,
where in the Missouri valley the next great
town is to beP I shall certainly not attempt to
decide this controverted point 1t is quite pos
sibIe that there will be no one OvershadowlnR
city In this region but that the population and
business will continue to be divided among the
several points-much as at present Leaven-
worth is now the largest OF these towns, while
the Kansas City people claim to have become
so much of a railroad centre. by the building
of the Cameron Railroad bridge across the
Missouri river, that they will outstrlp all the
others in the future. The town is certainly
growing very rapidly at present, and is doing a
large trade. It's population and business have
/ more than doubled during the last two years
and many costly and durable buildings
are being erected. The railroad bridge Is
| q great enterprise. IL is TO be I4OO feel
long, with seven spans one of which is $50 feet
40 feet above low water-mark, constructed
mainly of iron, and Intended TO accommodate
both railroad and ordinary travel. 1t is now
built, and is to be finished during the coming
season. large force is at work upon 1t, and
several OF the piers are already up. 1t viii
cost over a million of dollars. The following
railroads are already completed and In opera
tion. having one of their termini In Kansas
City. viz;-The Missouri Pacific from 81. Louis
to Kansas City; the Cameron Railroad, from
Cameron TO Kansas City; the Leavenworth and
Kansas City Railroad; and the Union Pacih'
Railway, Eastern Division, from Kansas City
westwaTdly toward the Pacific.
The following are In process of construction
viz The Border Tar from Kansaa Oitv aontf