The Evansville journal. [volume] (Evansville, Ind.) 1866-1870, 1869-07-08

they had come here to hear our peo-
pie talk. They want to have road |
built, and if we would build road |
from here to the Wabash River, they +,
would take it up and finish it, and |
give us a through outlet. He said
the counties of White, Hamilton,
Jefferson, Washington and st. Clair
were all willing and able to do their
part. He said they took great interest
in this city, and why? Because it was
the city nearest to them. In 1849 he
was here, and bought some lime, and
there were only few small stores
here at that time. We come here to-
day and what do we fnd-a city of
thirty thousand inhabitants, who are
shrewd, far-seeing and energetic.
They did not expect to make Carmi
a big city, but they wanted to be near
a big city.
RICHARD TOwNsHEND,
From McLeansboro, was next call
ed on, and in response, said
they were out of the way, far from
railroads, and about forty miles from
anywhere. Good land in Wander
burgh County is worth 500 per acre.
but in Hamilton County he could
point you to lands that were as rich
and fertile, that could be bought for
So per acre. All their people were in
favor of building a railroad to Evans
Vile They don't want to go to Gin
cinnati, st. Louis and other big cities,
but they wanted to come here. Ham
iIton County would give any reason
able amount towards the building of
a road froms McLeansboro to Evans
Vile. The farmers throughout the
entire county are in favor of the road
to this city, He showed the mer-
chants thatsit was to their interests to
build this road, as this was the favor
tie market for the people of Southern
Illinois. The difficulties that existed
among the citizens here was their own
private matter, but he hoped all
! differences would be. settled and the
road built.
MR.. PARKER,
Vice-President of the st. Louis
and Belleville Road, being pres
ent, was called upon. He stated
that he was accidentally ia the city,
and it was an unexpected honor for
him to meet the representatives of In
diana and Illinois in consultation in
regard to building railroads. He
spoke at some length, and advised our
citizens to turn their eyes westward,
and get an outlet to St. Louis. The
terminus of his road, as at present
proposed, is at Padueah, but if we
would build a road to Du Quoin they
would be willing to strike hands with
US, and make this the southern termi-
nus of their road.
COL. JOHN A. MANN,
OF Mt. Vernon, was next called upon.
He was IN favor Of the Evansville and
st. Louis Railroad. The people OF
Mt. Vefnon would like the road to
pass through their place, as it would
benefit both Evansville and Mt. Yer
non. He said a road could be built
to Mt Vernon a a length not exceed
ing eighteen miles.
IF we would run our road there,
the people Of Mt. Vernon would do
their part. The Little Chain on the
Wabash River, only seven miles from
Mt. Vernon, was the best place on
the river to make a crossing, and
from the Little Chain to Carmi the
route was almost level. He reiter-
ated his former statement that Mt
Vernon was anxious and willing to
help. build this road.
MR.. M'ILVAINE,
From McLeansboyo, was next called
upon. Our mutual necessities and
our mutual interests made us mutual
friends. IF we should say, Come
over and help us out of the mud for
the love you bear US, and you
wouldn't do it, wouldn't you come if
we would give you 100000 and all
our trade afterward? We think you
would.
He said they lived in a mud hole
and were anxious to get out of it
The Ohio River did not rua by their
: place. the Illinois Central Railroad
did not go through there, and various
other fine things they ought to have
they were without. At present they
hauled their goods in wagons sixty
Eve miles. There was prospect for
another road being run near them,
and he asked our citizens if they
thought they would come here to
trade in wagons, no matter how much
they liked rs, if they could go on a
railroad to some other city? Of
course they would not. But run this
road through Mci4eansboro and they
would help US build it, aud give US
all their trade afterwards. He said
the universal feeling was In favor of
this market, and they wanted to come
here. McLeansboro was so full OF
drummers " from Evansville that
he thought they could make a good
speculation BY building snug hotel
for the patronage Of the Evansville
business men. He said a good many
funny things, and kept the audience
In a splendid humor.
Mr.. M'DOWELL.
, From Carmi. Ills, was next called
II