The Iowa plain dealer. [volume] (New Oregon, Howard County, Iowa) 1867-1895, 1869-05-21
Which Money Or lsIighted
Faith.

To the old settlers of this count y
1t Is unnecessary to recount the cf-
forts made, the disappointments sus-
tanned, and the "hope deferred, -
in their struggles for railroad facili-
ties before they were finally rcaliz
ed. We propose briefly to recount
some Of these efforts with the prop
ositions made to different parties,
to attain this needed facility, that
was to determine whether Howard
county should be converted into
homes Astounding with the comforts
Of life, with due proportion of its
luxuries, or whether it should re-
main the homes of those suffering
for the one and deprived ofthe 9th .
or.
This necessity was so urgent that
when mere adventurer came
among us, and proposed a certain
sum in subscri ptions, and the dona-
ton Of our swamp lands, the people
of the county Immediately came
forward with good and valid sub
sciiptions to the amount of $50, 900
every dollar Of which remains un-
paid, and almost a unanimous vote
for giving the swamp lands. Sub
sequently their hopes were blighted
by the failure of the person to " hom
these splendid donations of money
and land had been pledged. The
war occurring about this time crea-
ted general advance in almost
every article Of merchandise while
farm products remaining at about
old prices were nearly consumed in
their transportation to market.
At about this time a project was
set on foot to build a road via of
Waukon commencing on the Missis-
sippi, near Harper's Ferry. and to
extend through this county. This
scheme Of course was met by our
people with all tho favor they had
previously extended to tho route
from North McGrcgor, West.
An effort was made by parties of
this section, and we think of this
county, to procure aid in New York
to insure its speedy construction.
Representations were made that
the counties through which the
road would be built would aid to
the extent Of preparing the road bed
ready for the rails. which had the
effect Of securing promise Of the
rolling stock and iron.
At about this time the franchise
Of the road from McGregor west,
was purchased if VIC mistake not,
by Geo. Greene and others, with
the 800, 200 in subscriptions pro-
cured by MIR. Dwight.
The liberal aid that the country
had SO generously pledged was new
or paid and a. about the time the
road was completed by the Greenes
to Conover, it was found that they
were unable to proceed farther with
its construction. Previous to this
however an additional $4,000 in
subscriptions had been procured
from this county, besides two sepa-
rate votes on the question Of ceding
the swamp lands, both of which re-
enlted in its favor. aa
The Greenes then transferred
their franchises in the road with
their rights in the swamp lands,
and their subscriptions made to
themselves, and to Dwight, amount;
ing in the aggregate to $4,000, to
the Milwaukee & Prairie du Chien
Il. r. Company.
It must not be forgotten that a
land grant had been made by con-
grcss to aid in the construction of
q road on or near the 43 parallel,
prior to this transfer by the Grcenes.
This transfer was followed by agi-
tating the question of building the
road west on the present location of
the road west from Calmar, starting
however from Conoyer, and avoid
ing our county entirely, and Of
course surrcndering all claims to
either swamp land or subscription.
a computation Of the amount of
this subscription and Of the value
OF the swamp land as against the
land grant route, decided the Com
pany in favor Of this route instcad
Of going west to the Cedar and
thence nort', to Austin.
1t is urged that the swamp lands
Of the county have become Of great
value, and this is a reason for rcpu-
dating our contract with the rail-
rnal Rnk oil thu. lanLs -, 4l,a