The Fremont weekly journal. [volume] (Fremont, Sandusky County, Ohio) 1867-1877, 1869-08-27
The Effects of the Railroad oonsoli
dation,

uAt4Ou.G
Information of an authentic character
leaves no room for doubling tne statement
that the recent consolidation of the Lake
Shore and Michigan Southern Railroad was
effected with the consent and cooperation of
the Erie Railway, and that an amicable ar
rangement has been made between the latter
company aud the consolidated line.
The Incorporation of the Wabash line in
the consolidation was projected over a year
ago, when the scheme for consolidating the
Lake Shore line of roads was incubated. 1t
was an important part of the consolidation
project that the Wabash should be included
in the union, because thatiine was not only
the natural extension of the Lake Shore
Railroad, but from its position, and from the
fact that it tapped the same sources of supply
that fed the Michigan Southern Railroad,
would become dangerous rival should it at
any tune fall into the grasp of rival route
to the East. The work of incorporation
had to progress gradually, and the Wabash
was to be reached in due time, when all
the arrangements had been made for the
union. I
But whilst these arrangements were in
progress, a disturbing element appeared In
the person of the inevitable "ETie party.
A large amount of Wabash stock was bought
by Jay Gould, with what entent did not
clearly appear, aid this put stop for the
present to the proposed Consolidation so far
as the Wabash line was concerned. Then
commenced the witches danes" in railroad
matters in the north west part Of the State,
which has fevered the brains and beWildered
the understanding of the people Of the cities
and towns on the Fire Lands and in and
around the Black Swamp. An additional
issue of stock 10 the Wabash was made by
the BOOdy party, representing the actual
management of the road. This was contest
ed by Jay Gould, holding what is said to
have been the majority of the old stock, and
the company was thrown into the courts.
Gould aud BOOdy we're as active as grass
hOPpers on the tract of land separating the
lines of the Erie and Wabash Surveyors
were busily locating lines to connect the
Erie with the Wabash on one hand and the
Wabash with the Baltimore and Ohio or
Pennsylvania Central on. the other. Lines
were run from various points on the Erie rum
ming through Cleveland, or, mixing OleVe-
land, by way of demonstration against the
Lake Shore. Old characters were dug up,
defunct companies resucitated, and appeals
made for subscriptions to lines intended to
ward, or another line of narrow gauge east
ward. A bill had passed the General Assem-
bly, authOriziDg-In seeming open defiance Of
the constitution--municipalities to lend
their credit to new railroad schemes, and
Toledo voted its credit to a line fourteen
miles long, headed eastward, and the other
places on the route were following suit with
subscriptions. Pledges were given to the
Erie Railway that the new line to Toledo
would be given them, at least graded ready
for the iron, and the Erie stood ready to put
the line into immediate working order.
At this point truce was called and the
cOntending parties, after surveying the field,
concluded to cease hOstilities and make q
compromise. The result has been ANNOUNCE
ed. The Wabash and Lake Shore conkolida-
tion has been accomplished. The new line
between the Erie road aud Toledo is sband-
oned. Cleveland is to be the Northwestern u
terminus Of the broad gaugs line. Tne Erie
is to have a narrow gauge track from Buffalo
to New York, and has proceeded in good
faith to do that work. The agony concern-
! ing the projected rival lines in Northern and
Northwestern Ohio, is over, and in North.
ern Ohio railroad matters once more "every.
thing is lovely and the goose hangs high. y
-GleUeJdHa Herald.