Nebraska advertiser., 1868-02-20
C5nrcctinq Roads.

caster, is under construction from Macon City to
the Iowa line. 1t there connects with the Iowa
Central and st. Louis / Cedar Rapids Roads, both
in process Of construction. The Iowa Central con-
nacts at Cedar Falls, Iowa, with the Cedar Falls
s Minnesota Railroad being pushed forward to the
NJ nnesota line, there connecting with the Min
nesOta Central. These several links will form a
great northern route, from st. Paul TO St Louis,
and will be a very valuable contributor to this
road. The country through which they pass, is
already well settled, and q great producing cOun-
try. The st. Joseph i Council Bluffs Railroad, is
also In progress. 1t will furnish traffic by giving
transportation facilities and means Of travel to the
counties along the Missouri river. Others are
protested among many, the extension of the Kan
sas City 4 Cameron read to Fl. Des MOines.
The further extension Of this road from Brown
vile, Nebraska, TO Fl. KeaTney, thereby forming q
Pacific connection, will be of inestimable value,
and will enable this road to obtain a fair share Of
the present business of the gold mines Of the Terri
tories, and on the completion Of the Union Pacific, a
share in the great carrying trade from Asia and
China.
Owing to the uncertainty attending Indfln mat
tiers in Nebraska, that portion of the survey will
have to stand over until spring. A much cheaper
route per mile, with lighter grades, can be obtained
across Nebraska, than through the northern tier Of
counties in Missouri.
Business Prospects of the Road.
Although, before deciding upon the c~onstruc-
ton Of a railway, the first consideration would
seem to bes careful computation Of the amount Of
buginess already done upon the line Of road in the
transportation Of freight and passengers, with q
view Of determining whether this WOuld justify the
proposed expenditure. Estimates Of this character
afford a very uncertain index as to the actual bust
ness that would result under the new circum tsnces.
Judging f. ON the effects produced on the business
OF the country upon the opening Of q new railway
in similar districts, we find new branches Of trade
starting up, and the older ones simulated by the
greater economy Of transportation. The facilities
for travelling, induce an increase Of population, not
only in the smaller towns OF the interior, but more
especially in the agricultural portion of the coun-
try and the vacant lands of the praries become
:bdfty farms, causing a corresponding increase in
the agricultural products.
Upon the opening Of this road, as one instance,
the great bulk Of merchandise for the towns Of the
inter or, now transported from 0ttumwa, on the
north, and st. Joseph on the south, by wagon, a
distance of over one hundred miles, must necessa-
rily follow this route. Pine lumber, for building
and manu- featuring purposes, now almost impossible
10 obtain in the interior, will also form a great item
Of transportation q vast emigration, even tending
westward, not only into the State lof Missouri, but
still further, to Nebraska, Kansas, and the Terrific
ries, viii be sources Of revenue.
Upon a careful consideration of the table Of sta
It's ties Of the population, agricultural products and
taxable valuation Of the property Of the counties
along the route, as " ell as those adjoining, both on
the north and south, one can not bat conclude that
the revenue to be derived from the various sources
viii Justify such an expenditure as may be neces-
sary to construct and equip this rOai.
4ts traffic can not be Influenced by other routes,
there being no nearer railroad on either side than
FORTY Eve miles, at the closest point, and the early
completion Of this road will prevent the building Of
any railroad between the Burlington and Missouri
RiTer on the north, and the Hannibal 4 st. Joseph
on the south.
In. conclusion, / would state that the limited sum
placed at my disposal, caused by the non-fulflling
Of their engagements in some Of the counties, and
the departure Of my principal assistant, Mr.. Geo.
Brown, at q time when he could not be replaced,
has prevented such a thorough survey and recon-
noissanee being made as the nature Of the country
requires. / would also state that | do not consider
this IS the best route that can be fOnnd but con-
slider the estimates need not be exceeded TO build
the road. The grades can, I am certain, be mate
rally reduced, and much Of the heavy work avoided.
The alignement will compare favOrably with other
roads. The county-seats have all been made points
but direction has net been sacrificed for any minor
towns along the route.
In concluding my report, I desire to express my
thanks to the different members Of the corps, Tor
their promptitude and zeal in the discharge Of duty
under many trying circumstances, but moro es-
pecially to my assistants, Messrs. Brown and CIR ant;
also to many gentlemen who 50 kindly assisted me
as pioneers, and without whose valuable services, l
could not 60 quickly have carried the survey
through. Respectfully submitted,
JOSEPH SMITH,
20. Civil Engineer.