The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1869-01-23
Fox River Valley Railroad.


Putting aside as beneath notice great deal
of meaningless blatherskite lately uttered
about this railroad, some facts have transpired
within the past week THAT encourage confident
hopes of its early construction. We mention
ed a week ago that the officers and other per-
sons deeply interested in the road had been
summoned by telegraph to New York, and
when they returned there would probably be
something definite to report about the pres
poets OF the road. Those gentlemen have re-
turned, and the result of their trip east was
meeting Of the Directors of the road in this
city last Tuesday, at which the contract to
grade, tie and iron the road from Streator to
Geneva was let to Oliver Young, Esq, of the
vermilion Coal Company, the gentleman not
only being in every way responsible himself,
hut offering abundant security besides for the
faithful tulfilment of the contract ON his part.
The contract, however, involves some i'm
portant conditions precedent These are,
that the present local subscriptions on the route
of the road, amounting to about $3.50, 900,
q Slidll NC ldlSCu w FOco,OOV tudt Guy duu
township bonds or individual notes repre-
senting these subscriptions shall be issued at
once, to be placed in the hands of trustees,
who are to pay them over to the contractors
as rapidly as the road progresses to compile
ton; and that the right Of way of the road
tor its entire length shall be secured to the
railroad Company. These conditions fulfilled,
Mr. Young binds himself to have the road In
running order Ia IS months from that day.
1t now remains for the people along the
line of the road to say whether these condi-
tons precedent shall be met. The purpose
in entering into this contract, is to build an
independent road, unhampered by entangling
alliances with any other road, cooperation or
concern whatever, but free to make the best
arrangements for freight and business with
all. Being largely owned by the people on
its route, and dependent on them for business
the purpose is to run the road in their interest
Do the people Of the Fox River Valley want
such road A simple yes will not answer
The answer must come in the shape Of Cellars
and cents, or at least tangible pledges of dol
lars and cents, and that speedily.
Can the additional 1000 be raiseds 1t
seems absurd to ask the question. The value
of the farming lands alone on the line of the
road will be increased four times that amount
in three months after the road is commenced.
Half the towns en- the line of the road have
rs yet voted no subscriptions. Farm Ridge,
Grand Rapids, Dayton, Mission, Aurora, and
Geneva have yet to vote Then there are
about S150,0OO private subscriptions, and
these it is believed can be largely increased
Of course the additional sum needed CAN
be raised. 1t can be raised in week by
vigorous work-it would be unpardsnable to
spend month aboutit And the right of way
can be procured. The thing is to DO it. With
the road in its present hopeful condition,
there should be meeting in every town on
its route within week, and efficient commit
tees appointed to meet the conditions OF the
contract SO promptly, that the first blue-bird
of spring shall be startled fror his perch by
the noise Of the axe, the pick and the shevel
on the road.