The Evansville journal. [volume] (Evansville, Ind.) 1866-1870, 1869-09-23
Railroad Meeting at the Court
House Last Night.
speeches by Gentlemen From Illinois

Court House last evening, and fair
audience was in attendance. The
meeting was not determined upon
until yesterday afternoon, and but
few people were aware of it. The
Cornet Band played at the Court
House steps last night, however, and
attracted a considerable crowd.
The'meeting was opened by Robt.
A. Hill, President of the Evansville.
Carmi & Paducah Railroad. who an
nounced that speeches would be de-
livered by several gentlemen of Hi
nois, who had come over here to at
tend business meeting with the Di
rectors of the Evansville, Carmi &
Paducah Road, and explained that it
was proposed to call upon the city
shortly for a donation of 100000.
Mr.. Hill introduced
COL. JOHN II. CREBs,
OF Carmi, Illinois, who spoke short
time. He said he had come over here
with a number of other gentlemen,
to confer with our citizens in regard
to the building Of a railroad into
Southern Illinois. He spoke of the
resources of Southern Illinois, but
said they needed railroads and other
improvements. He said they could
not offer a great deal ia the way of
money. but they would donate all they
could raise. They would give it
cheerfully, aud did not seek to con
troll the Carmi Road Nature in
tended that the iron horse should
sweep through from Evansville West
ward, across the Wabash River, to
st. Louis He spoke of the charter
they had procured, and said it was
fortunate circumstance for all parties,
as it enabled them to act at once.
He was satisfied with the conference
that they had held with the Directors
of the E., G. & p. Road. and they
were going home to call for vote in
November for a donation 10 the rail-
road. He said he knew our citizens
were in earnest In this matter, and he
was satisfied that the road would be
built. His address was we'll received.
JUDGE s. S. MARSHALL,
Of MeLeansboro, Hamilton County,
Illinois, was next introduced He
said he had not seen Evansville FOR
ten or twelve years, and was surprised
at the improvements that he noticed
on all sides. He said the location of
this city was most advantageous, and
if it was not made a great city, it
would certainly be the fault of the
citizens. He referred to the rapid
growth of Chicago and other cities,
and said that with proper enterpr-s Sc
on the part of our citizens, we also
had a bright future before US. He
also remarked that the people of
Southern Illinois had received a rail-
road charter that was wonderfully
liberal in its provisions, aud the
citizens Of that county were
anxious to come here to trade
to sell the products of their
land, and buy goods in return. He
said, our interests are identical.
Let US go to work, aud not stop until
we hear the scream of the locomotive
running over first class road from
Evansville to Carmi." Judge Mar
shalrs remarks were frequently APP.
plauded.
HON. 5. S. CASEY,
OF Mt. Vernon, Jefferson County,
Illinois, who said he came from the
land of milk and honey, and took his
whisky straight" was next intro
duced, and made quite a lengthy ad-
dress, although but little of it refer
red to railroads. He said he was
merely a looker-on, and had come
over with the other gentlemen. He
stated that the iron was now being
put down on railroad from Mt.
Vernon to st. Louis, and in another
year they would have a connection
with St. Louis. He said that we
could not do without their road, as it
was to our interest to connect with
them. He said that our city could
not stand still. 1t must either 60 for
ward OF backward. But it is little
use for me TO talk to you about enter
prise. as the evidence of your great
public-spiritedness is exhibited on all
sides. We, of Illinois, feel great
interest in your city, and are anxious
to trade with you. His speech was
interspersed with many remarks of an
amusing character, and the audience
were kept full Of good humor.
c. E. M'DowELL,
OF Carmi, was then introduced, but
he only made a few remarks. He
said they had but one feeling; they
wanted the road built, and knew of
no reason why it should not be built.
They were all interested in this mat
ter, and hoped that the citizens of
Evansville would take advantage of
the present golden opportunity. He
thought the Directors Of the E.. G. &
p. Road had acted wisely in ordering
several different routes to be sur
veyed. He thanked the meeting for
their attention, aud concluded with
the expressed hope that the road
would be built at once.
The meeting then dispersed, well
satisfied with the remarks that had
been made.