Dodgeville chronicle. [volume] (Dodgeville, Wis.) 1862-current, 1867-04-11
Oshkosh g. Mississippi Railroad.

For the benefit of those interested in the
building ofthe Oshkosh & Mississippi rail
road, we make few extracts from the re-
port of the engineer, Mr., A. L. Mortimer,
which we find in communication from
Hon. W. W. Field to the Grant County
Herald The report commences as fol-
1.-The construction of railway in such
close proximity to one of great capacity,
and durable structure which has hitherto
been operated with much success, and
which by secret consolidation has secured
/ large control of the travel and traffic Of
the country through which it passes, may
seem to such as have not given due atten-
ton to the progressive wants of the public,
as in advance of its necessities. 1t would
be easy to show, however, that such an
opinion is entertained only where there is
limited knowledge of the facts, both with
reference to the location aud designs of
your, road, as well as the character and
extent of the varied resources of the coun-
try through which it Is to pass, and the
rapidly increasing necessity for greater fa-
cilities of transit between the east and acest.
Penetrating, as this portion of your line
will one Of the richest portions of Wiscon-
sin, 1rem which heavy and rapidly in
creasing local traffic has been derived by
the Milwaukee & Prairie du Chen Railway
Company. and attending as is proposed,
direct communication from Cassville by
way of Turkey River Valley with the vast
extent of productive country west OF the
mississippi river, which at this time is un-
supplied with convenient railway transpor
tation; or connecting at Dubuque with al
ready established lines also approaching
as does the Northern or Eastern division,
near to the immense forests of timber for
which there will be greatly increased de-
mand on the as yet but very partially oc
cupied prairies along your line and beyond
the Mississippi, all classes Of business
would receive new impulse; ,undeveloped
resources would thus be made available
water powers brought into operation to a
greater extent for the reduction of forests
into lumber for domestic uses other man.
ufactories erected along the route and be-
yond9 the river to meet the inevitably in
creased demands of the community; agri-
culture immensely stimulated, and all
kinds Of labor and property greatly en-
hanced in value, and the people generally
benefited.
1t is unnecessary for me here to dwell
more particularly upon other points of To-
cal or general Importance, the country on
either side Of this portion Of your pro-
posed road being familiar to the most of
kro orI I,oi ipin 9
| it will wide belt Of productive country.
No doubt can possibly be entertained that
it will engage heavy and remunerative To-
/ cal traffic and derive an Immense carrying
trade from beyond the Mississippi"
The report is accompanied with a map
and profile, full description of the lines
run, estimates Of cost for grading, culverts
road crossings, mechanical structures
equipments Of engineers and cars, stations
! fencing, and all other expenses necessary
for the completion ofa first class road
| About 60 per cent. of the line is straight
and % per cent level The report con
cludes as follows:
II have aimed to lay before you in this
/ report and accompanying map and profile
the information you sought for when this
/ survey was ordered to be made, and tc
demonstrate to you that a feasible route
| for railway lies along the height of lane
known as the "Old Military Ridge" and
/ so on down from it to the shore of the
! Mississippi river at some point, and that 6
first class road may be constructed in 9
reasonable time, and at reasonable ex
pense, and with every prospect that it viii
| yield profitable return for the outlay re
quired to complete and equip it."
The directors of this road met in Maids
on Saturday the 23d ult,, located portion
/ of their line, and took the necessary pre-
lminary steps to start the enterprise for
/ ward this season The directors in tn,
city of Oshkosh fell quite sanguine that
their city will furnish material aid imme
diately for that puspese.
- Read the advertisement of Demor
| actse Ono 80 he hac% fash