Buchanan County bulletin. [volume] (Independence, Iowa) 1869-1891, 1870-11-18
Railroad Extension.

Our enterpriSlng nelghbOrs OF waterloo,
as we learn from the Courier, are moving
to see if they cannot procure the proposed
extension of the North Missouri Railroad
from Ottumwa northward, for which
survey has been made ria Marengo, Vim
ton, Independence, etc This might be
thought little selfish in our Cedar Val
ley neighbor, as she has already north
and south connection, but it is a part Of
that spirit of energy and enterprise which
has made her so prosperous city. In
dependence must bestir herself, and make
up her mind to subscribe literally, or else
Waterloo will be changing the course of
the railway from the Wapsie to the Ce-
dar.
In this connection, we may take the
liberty Of saying that there is one thing
that surprises us, and that is, that indie
pendencc and the towns and cities Of the
Valley of the Wapsipinicon do not take
active steps to interest the Northwestern
road in an extension of the Midland from
Anamosa up that Valley. The North
western has evidently no interest in push
ing the Midland as rival line to the
Sabula and Ackley, westward beyond
tAulillOSt, NuuC IL Soulu AdNS
no more valuable feeder to its main line
than the Midland would prove ifextended
up through the fertile district that borders
the Wapsipinicon river. The district is
one Of the richest sections Of Northwest
ern Iowa, and has population enough,
and raises products enough, to make the
road of great value to whatever company
builds it, rs surely some company will.
1t would prove an inner and shorter
route from the State line to Chicago, than
any road now built, and extended into
Minnesota, would run in Il direct line up
the rich and well settled and valuably
timbercd valley of the Minnesota river.
This route has heretofore been surveyed,
and the field notes and profile are in ex
istence somewhere. and they show route
second to none in the State in ease OF
gradients and chcapnSs Of construction.
If the Northwestern Company has any
inclination for the trade of Minnesota and
Northern Iowa. it would be easy to show
its managers that here is route by
which they can secure no small share OF
it, And -four neghbors of independence
have Il desire for Il competing route to
the eastward that will insure them cheap
f.eights, let them, in connection with An
amosa and other townSand villages north
and south of them, work up this project
while the course of the Midland seems
yet in doubt.
The above article is clipped entire from
the Dubuque Times We are pleased to
welcome so able coadjutor in the task
of arousing our citizens to action in rail
road matters. One thing must be said,
however, in excuse for the apparent
apathy of our citizens, with regard to the
valley road. In the first place, there has,
in times past, been a great deal of wind
work expended on this project, and to so
little real or sincere purpose that our peo
pie have heretofore, naturally fallen into
an attitude of waiting for tangible evil
dence that somebody or some company
is willing to undertake to build it with
our assistance Again, the Times seems
to forget that the project is already being
worked up by the Anamosa & Northwest
ern Company, which seems to have taken
hold of the work with determination and
energy, and which already has made con
siderable progress in securing local aid
along the line, One of the townships in
Buchanan county votes next week on the
proposition to tax itself per cent. i'll aid
of the enterprise, another has raised IA
large amount Of private subscriptions
toward the same end and Independence
is prepared to do her fall share when
called upon 1t is not long since our city
commenced to think seriously and earn
estly about these projects, the success Of
which will add so much to her growth
and prosperity. but we see evidence that
she is throwing of her sloth and prcplr-
inr to act rs becomes her possible desti-
nv.