Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1869-06-11
Memphis and Little Rock Railroad.

Memphis and Little Rock Railroad.
A correspondent from Jacksonport,
Arkansas, June A, writes some facts to
the Courier Journal which will be found
interesting to our renders, particularly
merchants, who will see what exertions
Louisville is making to secure Arkansas
trade:
Leaving Little Rock the morning fol.
lowing the date of my last, ! crossed over
to Duvalrs Bluff, on White river, via the
Memphis and Little Rock railroad, and
was fortunate enough TO have for one OF
my compagnons du royage Colonel 3. b.
Beaumont, the Superintendent OF the
road, to whose courtesy am indebted for
the following facts relative to the present
condition and prospects of this Ito this
State, at leasO vitality important enter
prise.
Starting from Memphis, the road is
finished end trains are running daily as
far west as the wes: bank of St Francis
river, at Madison, distance of 40 miles,
the river being spanned by magnificent
railroad bridge. Between this point
(Msdisop) and Duvall's Bluff, on White
river, there is q gap Of 46 miles, upon
which the work ia being pushed forward
as rapidly as possble-l2 miles of it
being graded and ready for laying the
cross-ties and rails - the contractors
having agreed 20 have the entire 46
miles in running order BY October lst
II is somewhat doubtful about their
being able to comply with this agree
ment, however, though it is morally Ger
tain that tyaius will be running through
to "the Rock" by January lSf, CT latest.
From Duvall's Bluff to Little Rock, dis
tant 48 miles, trains are now making
daily trips in about three hours time. 1t
ia intended to place line OF stages in
the gap between the st Francis and
White rivers, tais saEper; which will
enable passengers TO make toe lhroEgh
trip between Memphis and Little Rock,
or rice rersd, in one day. The financial
conditieB of tbe road is not so hourishing
Is i, cosld We yiehed-fthoBgb BY no means
gloemy--snd upleF the management Of
the present efficient and energetic officers
and directors continued improvement
may safely be looked for. 81 1900. 900 Of
the frst mortgage bonds are now out
standing, spsa Yhich the interest is
promptly paid in New YORK, tbess bonds
being worth in the market 70975c. at this
time. The State has appropriated $780,
600 Of State boads, now selling at Use
to enable the company to eoaplsta the
unfinished portion Of their road between
Madison and Duvalfs Buff. Important
as this line Of sS.l.cad is to Arkansas and
to Memph il is quite. II rot fully, ss
important to Louisville. Ii has been q
SOURCE of 10 little qualification to your
correspondent to learn that the bulk OF
the business in this river, as we'll as a
very fair proportion of that done on the
upper ArkanssS--i. e. above little Rock
lis done BY our Louisville merchants
many Of the towns, particularly on White
river, doing business with our city eX
clusively aud it may be counted upon
as cer,aia that the completion Of this
road will bring new customers 20 oui
doors, besides greatly increasing the bus
mess Of those whose patronage We have
already secured.
The route is now being surveyed for 6
railroad batVeen Little Rock and For
Smith, q distaucs Of about one hundred
and fifty miles, which will, Ehen CON.
pleted, traverse one Of the most feFtil,
portions Of the State. The charter hal
been already obtained for this road, and
an unusually valuable land grant madet,
it BY the Government, besides which, /
will derive very msterisl aid from ID,
State, which has agreed to issue its bond
10 the extent Of SIC, 900 per mile to ever
railroad having grants from the Govern
ment, aud Sl5.O par mile to every roa
not so subsidized.
EEsrRAyeE.