The Evansville journal. [volume] (Evansville, Ind.) 1866-1870, 1869-08-17

Vbich are good for a century yet at
east.
WE ind the following letter in the
Washington Davies County, Gazetts.-
4 i very carefully worded. and seems
o e especially designed not to make
INV commitals to the Washington
Deople. Even should they comply |
with the terms set forth, the best
promise they could obtain is that the |
road may run to Washington. pro-
vided the change does not injure the
general line or prejudice the general
interests of the road" 1t seems that
Mr.. FELLowEs and associates value
the old road bed at 100000 or more.
This valuation shows what magnif-
cent speculation he and his friends
made when they purchased tim
Guiding the claim against the city of
Evansville, which will realize them
500, 600 or more, additional-for the
sum Of $4,000 or 100000. We VEN
ture the prediction that more mag
ni6eent speculation was never made
in Indiana. The statement also
shows that with 100000 tied up in
the old road bed, and utterly use-
less unless the road is finished,
the Eastern capitalists are not likely
to let the road remain vacant by
refusing to add a couple or three
hundred thousand to their outlay,
and completing the road SO as to
make the whole investment available.
We conclude, therefore, that the Ev-
ansviIle and indianapolis Road IS a
certain tling, and that its completion
will be prompt, whether our people
subscribe largely in its aid or not. It
is but fair that the road should be
built without calling on Evansville
for much money because the subserip-
tions she is now paying we're based
on the promise that they would secure
the road to the o. & NJ. Road.
The following is Mr.. FELLowEs's
letter:
STRAIGHT LINE RAILROAD.
d. Fl. KENNEDY, ESQ.,:
DEAR SIR: Yesterday l completed
the papers required to organize a
Company, called the Evansville x
indianapolis Railroad Company. for
the purpose of constructing and OPP
Grating a railroad from Evansville
through the counties of Vanderburgh,
Warrick, Gibson, Pike, Daviess and
Greene, to a point on the line of the
indianapolis q Vincennes Railroad,
in the county of Greene. These pa
pers | have sent to be fled with the
Secretary of State, at indianapolis.
When that shall be done our corpora
ion will be legally complete.
1t is well known that Mr.. John j.
Merritt, Of New York, and myself
are the owners Of the road bed and
of tle franchise of the old Straight
Line Road, so-ealled. We also own
the greater part Of the stock of the
company just organized.
III Is natural to suppose that we
should desire to fix the line of the
new road as nearly on the line of the
old road as possible In order to have
the benefit of the work there, done at
an expense of some 100000 or more.
Indeed, the large outlay expended on
this old road, and the great advan-
tages IL affords IN entering upon the
construction of the new one as will
readily be seen, Is the great induce-
ment to US to undertake this enter
prise. At the-same time, we desire
to adapt ourselves, so far as we can,
without prejudice, to the general in
terests of our line, to the wishes and
the wants Of the people of the particu-
lar section of the country through
which our road is to pass. We I'M
derstand that the people of Washing
ton, IN particular, desire to have the
line brought near to that place
Whether the citizens of Daviess
County generally desire such change
we do not know. Perhaps for the
present it is not material. What |
desire TO say to you in this communi-
cation IS In accordance with views
expressed IN cur recent conversation
at Evansville, and through you to the
people of Washington, that if thev
Will Indicate the precise line which
they desire, and will provide the
means of defraying the expense of the
change, so that we shall not snfFer
loss by abandoning the old roa5 ~
that extent, and also vote tbe;r fa;~
share of the donations required 70 81 e.
the new road for the iron, and the nro
posed change does not injure the zen
eral line or prejudice the general in
terest Of the road, we are disposed Ia
attend to their wishes and consult their
interests so far as we can possibly do
SO, without injury to the general in.
terests of the new road. What I
have said is, am aware. expressed
in very general terms. I see not how
under the circumstances, it could well
be otherwise. But ere long Judge
Jones and Judge Parrett, of Evans.
vile, will, doubtless, visit your county
In our behalf, and with them a full
and particular conference can be had
Very Respectfully,
Your Ob't Servant,
FRANCIS FELLOWEs.
Hartford, Conn, Aug. 3, 1869.