The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1870-07-13
PROGRESS OF THE RAIL ROAD.

The subjoined article from the N.
o. Times affords the most crafty
ing evidence that the New Orleans,
Baton Rouge and Vicksburg Rail
Road is in the hands Of live men,
and that the people of Rapides will
soon have their rich alluyial lands
within easy reach of the market.
Work has been commenced and as
soon as the funds will permit the
whole line will be under contract.
By proper exertions this will be the
last crop in Rapides that will have
to depend on the bad roads and the
uncertain navigation of Red River
to get to market.
But amid all this energy on the
part of the people everywhere to
get the road in running order, it is
lamentable to reflect that the only
apathy and indifference displayed
anywhere is in Rapides, the parish
which, above all others, is most in
need Of Rail Road facilities,
While the little town Of Baton
Rouge, with it's poverty and small
population, can vote $40, 900 to aid
the road, certain old fogies in Ra-
pides sickle Oh this rich parish vo-
ting 100000 to a road that is to
prove the salvation Of her people.
If the people listen to such advice
the road will never be built. If the
Rail Road tax is voted down,
while it may not kill the road, it
may divert it in some other track
among people who are more liberal
and public spirited. The following
is the article from the Times:
The New Orleans, Baton Rouge and
Yicksburg Road has broken ground on
their limo to Pontchatoula. The con-
tract to build the road bed to the
Amite has been given out, and the
work already commenced. The other
sections are also about to be adjudica-
ted, so that the whole line will be I'M
der contract before the summer is out.
The surveys have been made, and the
lines are about to be laid to CLIFTON,
and thence in the northern direction to
Vicksburg. This company, with its
large grants and its fortunately central
position, will not let the grass grow
under it's feet. 1t holds the command
ing position as to the line from this CT
ty to Marshall, the great central and
eastern terminus of the Southern Pa
cifc, with it's two lines from Baton
Rouge to New Orleans, one by Pont-
chatoula, in connection with the Jack
son Road, and the other by the left
bank of the river from the Highlands
il straight course to the city, it vii
be able to place passengers and freight
on it's Western branch, the Crosse Tett
Road, connecting with the Boyce route
up the valley of the Red River, by thu
! very shortest line to the richest ant
most productive portion of Eastern
Texas, until it reaches Marshall, which
will stand towards all the Easter
lines in the relation that Omaha doe
now, as the eastern depot or terminus
of the Northern Pacific. The Gross
Tete and Boyce line run through one o
) the richest sections of the Southwest
f all solid, alluvial soil but partially cul
: tivated at present, ant With transpor
t tation facilities susceptible of produc
ing unlimited amounts Of wealth.
f is certainly an animating future to con
: template for our city, when this vas
Y region should be opened to settlemen
1 and cultivation. There lies now alon
G this route land never touched by spad
e or plow, wild and unsurveyed lane
e which only needs access and labor
= render it the source of more agricultr
n raj wealth than the whole State of Lot
(. isiana has heretofore yielded.
b This important result from the pro-
S ecution of the New Orleans, Bate
L Rouge and Vicksburg road should e,
y cite warm and deep interest in u
e prosecution of this great work, ind
) pendent even of the consequences
Ii it's connection with the South Pacifi
It will, therefore, crafty all our cit
a zens to know that the Chief Enginee
n ship of this road is in charge of a ge
e tleman SO we'll known for his energ
lie his practical experience and tact,
ID Major Ben. Green. A recent visit
y his headquarters at Baton Rouge ga
s. us satisfactory and cheering assurapc
ia that the prosecution of this most il
+ portant line of railroad connections
W being conducted with a zeal and es
Oh nestness, and an abundance of rcsot
" ces, that will render its completion
on event to DC realized far earlier tn
IL was ever dreamed of by tho most So
rs guine of our railroad projectors.
oil
9G- PIGs-ABoUT BREEDs.-A writer
o. the Rpral World saws he has bred q