Daily Davenport Democrat. [volume] (Davenport, Iowa) 1864-1874, 1868-02-12

- - - - VAD - VI ~ n u a
it has always been savorite scheme with
our people to have railroad connection witt
the hesd waters Of III Cedar River. Inlsts
and 80, determined effort was made here
to secure the construction Of q road up into
the Cedar Valley via Loudsn and Toronto
company was formed, survey made, and
considerable amount Of stock taken. But
the war came on and the attention Of ths
public Was turned in another direction.
Within few months past the railroad
fever has broken out very generally among
the people OF Maqu oketa, in Jackson cou n.y
They have never been blessed with any rail
road facilities, and are constantly reminded
that the great natural wealth ofthat locality )
is seriously below par for want Of an outlel
byrail. Hence they have gone earnestly te
work and obtained subscriptions enough Il
grade and tie the line we'll down to De Wit.
This morning We had the pleasure Of . cal
from Capt. Ward, Capt. Gates, and VIM
Rule, Esq. three Of the eading business rner
ofDe Witt, who came to Davenport to ascer
tain what the feeling Of our ctizsns is in ref
sncs to the proposed line. They assure u,
that Maquoketa and De Witt will raise fu nd.
to grade and tie the road to as far down q
ths latter plsce-ninsteen miles. provided
there 10 any present or future prospect o
our people securing its extension 10 thi
place.
lfthis assurance 10 not given in some way
then Clinton or Lyons capital proposes 4
build it with Maquoketa to the river. Ms
quoketa, we are assured would. prefer to con
tribute ito money in building it to Davenport
from tn, fact that it would secure Q rive,
point below the rapids and better market 70
cilities both in selling and bu-ing than eth.
er Clinton or Lyons could afford.
This is brief statement of the case, anl
now the question is. what encouragement
will Davenport extend towards building th,
20 miles laying between this town and De
Witt Every wholesale or 70
tail ; every dealer In grain and lumbs
among Us will readily admit the great advan
tagss Of such IN outlet and feeder 70 on
trade, and il is more than probable that u,
c., X. l. 4 P. Road would jump 1t th,
chance Of ironing and operating line ex
tending from this point up into the Csds
Valley. As the Southern troubles close u,
the river commerce with the South will b,
immeasurably enhanced, and were there
line Of road running from the foot of the
upper rapids straight up into the Cedar Val
ley, il is easy to see that It's business woul.
bs very extensive. Our business mon hav'
. great interest in it ~ an additional outls
TO the country. and can we'll afford to lend il
their aid. 1t not only runs straight through
the best farming country Of the State. and I
section destined to become the most popu
lous and wealthy Of any. but il also opsni
up to this market the finest oak and blacl
walnut forests in the whole Northw est
which would be grand source Of fevenu,
70 our lumber interests. Such road would
certainly be q paying investment from th'
start. and continue to pay better and better
- il moves farther northward. Shall ",
take the matter in hand and hold out som,
tangible inducement for the commencement
Of this enterprise that promises such
abundant returns. or shall we let il pas,
now and forever, Maqneksta and Devil.
are now ready to put in hundred thousan,
dollars At least to build the road this way.
Lyons and Clinton are putting up theil
money to take il their way. Maquokets
and Lyons can grade and tic tho 3s miles
Cannot Maqueketa, Dewitt and Daven
port do IS much? II is only two milsl
farther. This is = matter to be thought o
earnestly. 1t is Of great public Interest,"
cannot be we'll disregarded.