The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1870-03-05
Mendoza, Ottawa 8 Paxton r. r.

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There is perhaps no railroad project at pres
ent mooted in which Ottawa has deeper in
terest than in the proposed Mendoza, Ottawa
and Paxton read. Let any one take the map
Of Illinois and trace the route OF this road.
From Mendoza to Ottawa, 20 miles, it will be
continuation of the Galena branch of the
Illinois Central, on an air line. From Ottawa
to Pontiac, 40 miles, the same air line is con-
tinued. Thence, via Fairbury to Paxton, the
same air line continues 40 miles more From
Paxton another road is projected and in &C
tual process of construction, We believe, first
to Homer, 40 miles, in continuation OF the
same air line, and secondly from Homer to
Paris, on the Terre Hante and st Louis r. r.,
the whole constituting an air line Of some 275
miles in length, from Dixon to Terre Haute,
Ind, and passing through portion of Illinois,
perhaps the richest in agricultural resources,
and yet, of all Others, most destitute of rail
road facilities. The road would place ottawa
in connection with half dozen of grand trunk
routes to the east, shortening the distance by
all of them as compared with the routes via
Chicago and it would place us in direct rail-
road connection with the whole railroad sys-
tenn Of the south, radiating from Louisville
The route of the Ottawa and Paxton road,
from Paxton northward to the La Sale coun-
ty line has been surveyed and partly located,
and Pontiac, Fairbury, Paxton, and other To-
calitics have already voted large sums in aid
of the road. From Ottawa south to the Liv.
ingston line it would be very slight diverg-
ence from an air line to use the track of the
Fox River Valley r. r. to Strcator. In refer
ence to the portion of the road from Paxton
southwark to Paris, we extract the following
from lengthy article in the Paris Beacon:
Commencing at PARIS and running thence
north to Homer; the: road will pas. through
some OF the best agricultural country in the
West, and the region between the two points be.
ing thickly settled, for the most part, the road
will mere fully open up and develop section Of
country heretofore uDdeveloped in consequence
Of the want of railway facilities. At Homer
the road will cross the Toledo, Wabash and
Western Railway, thereby gaining full east and
west connection, and Homer, being the most
prominent point between Decatur and Danville,
on the Toledo, Wabash Il Western Railway, will
give the new road that assistance and solidity
that it can attain at no other "crossing' Homer,
with population Of 1900 inhabitants can CON-
mand more money or wealth than any other town
In Eastern or Central Illinois, and will, and can
afford to contribute literally towards building
the road. The distance from Paris to Homer is
about Az miles. and there is q natural rout be-
tween the two places, over which the road may
be built at a comparatively small cost per mile.
The road will run centrally through the famous
Alexander stock farm. 8 miles south OF Homer,
and will gain considerable assistance from the
Alexander interests
The road will continue north, or west of north
from Homer, connecting with the Illinois Cen.
trail branch at Paxton, . distance of about 40
miles, running through conntry but spsrsely
inhabited 1t present, but which the road will
cause to be settled.
The country along the whole route from Paris,
via Homer to Paxton 10 uns1celled in fertility of
soil and agricultural advantages The want of
railway facilities are felt and land owners along
the route will "do the handsome thing" Tor the
company, to induce the speedy building Of the
road.
Mr.. Eaton, the president of the Railway com.
psny referred to, is unremitting in his efforts TO
place his road and company on a firm basis and
the people OF Homer AK that Paris and Paxton
may come to their help, in this most necessary
enterprise, % that the Paris, Homer t. Paxton
railway may become - thing of life" and per-
maneat line Ut railway.