The evening Argus. [volume] (Rock Island, Ill.) 1861-1871, 1867-07-06
From the Beardstown Central Illinoisan
The Alton & Rock Island Railroad.

The absolute necessity of an outlet, BY
rail, from Rock Island to St. Louis, seems
to be forcing itself, with telling effect, upon
the minds of leading men, along the line of
the road. 1t is true that every bubble thus
far blown up has burst with damaging effect;
but the imperative need at the present time
is likely to accomplish something. The
amount of money already expended upon
the road-bed, on this line, makes it at the
present time the most feasible of any route
that can be suggested. The improvement
now ordered by the government, in the cree
ton of public works at Rock Island-and
they of such character that will demand
continued open communication with points
south-will in all probability result in the
building of the Alton & Rock Island Rail-
| road however, the matter is bringing forth
considerable remark and encouragement
along the line of road, and we quote from
the Macomb Journal, which says
''In 1885, as our readers win remember a char
ter granted by the legislature incorporating
the Alton & Rock Island Railroad Company, and
authorizing that company to build railroad be-
| tween those points through Green, Scott, a part
| of Morgan, Cass, Schuyler, McDonough, Warren
Mercer and Rock Island counties. Subsequently.
we believe, the charter was amended as to
omit all points between Macomb and Rock Is
| land. The company organized and obtained and
expended subscriptions to the amount of nearly
SSUO,00O on the proposed route between Macomb
| and Whitehall. Since the beginning of the war
nothing has been done.
4"0ne day last week, Messrs McCreery and
| Randall, of Schuyler, and Messrs Wheat, Dodds
Hungate and Waters, of MeDonough, visited
Burlington, to ascertain if the citizens of that
city could be induced to invest in this project of
building that road to Burlington from Macomb
| instead of Rock Island. We are informed that
the railroad men of burlington were pleased with
the project and viii do all that they can to push
| it forward. We could never see any good reason
! why Warren, Mercer and Rock Island counties
and the cities of Monmouth, AIedo and Rock Is
land we're not awake to the importance of this
road. railroad from Rock Island to st. Louis
would be an important route to people along the
line, the cities at each end, and to the general
government. If the counties, towns and cities
along the route from St. Louis to Rock Island
were to make united effort we think an appro-
priation could be obtained from congress. Now
that the government is erecting public works of
so much importance at the latter city, direct
route south is of the first importance. Yet if
the counties north will do nothing we must look
elsewhere. Burlington seems to be alive to her
best interests. Let have a railroad meeting
at st. Louis soon, and let every county and town
from Alton to Rock Island and Burlington be
represented there.
This road will day be built and for the
shippers 1t cannot be built q day to soon. The
citizens of this county are pledged for Sl00, 900,
and the other counties will do as WE'LL Macomb
could and should taka $50,000. If We would
have town of any note or size, we must secure
another railroad and Of all roads proposed, none
would be Of greater advantage to US than this"