The Van Buren press., 1870-10-25
Little Rock and Fort Smith Railroad.

while at Little Rock, we with others of oul
party with quite number Of Little Rockite:
were kindly invited to an excursion party OF
the above road, on 10Th inst. We started out
at ~ O'Clock, A. NJ, went out to Cadron Gap
distance of40 miles, and returned same eve.
ning-took dinner near Cadron Bridge. There
were fifty or sixty In party-among whom
were Mr. Scott President of the Road. Gen
Pagan, Maj. Ben. johnson, Col. Thompson
and quite number of the most beautiful la
dies OF Little Rock, with Messrs. Mcdowell
Dixon and Leman attaches of the road
quite clever gentlemen by the way-Judge
Ogden G. Wilcox, Esq, Col. Jas o. Churchill
your humble servant, Miss Mary McGee and
Mrs. Dawson of Van Buren,; and Mrs. c. G.
Scott, queen of the occasion Ito whom the
party was given. We had a delightful trip
Ran out in "a hours-calne back in Ia
hours. The dinner spread on the occa-
sion by Mrs. Scott. put US in mind of old
times, when she used to preside over such oc-
casions here. The wine, which flowed freely
they said" was good. We had nothing tc
mar the pleasure of the trip, except a little
misstep of Gen. Pagan, for which he was duly
tried, your humble servant sitting as Judge
and fined two bottles of wine. He moved
an appeal, but the Court considering itsel
Honorable would not permit it, so he pait
it like a man. Another trifling incidence oc.
Cured: Getting short of fuel the President
Mr.. Scott, kindly furnished his hat, which the
q, oil
getting back. There was quite number
along whose acquaintance we did not make
Now, as to the road: SO far as we run out
it is pronounced by Col. Churchill, an expe-
rienced engineer, second to but one or two in
the United States. 1t is well constructed
smooth, even and one of the best drained he
has seen. And reflects great credit on those
who have had it in hand, especially Col. A. p
Robinson, Chief Engineer, whom we find a
courteous gentleman,a and "a man of business y
lie fills our idea of a business man. The pas
senger cars are good the first class car, on
which we went out, is as fine as there is any
pleasure in looking at. The work on this road
is being pushed forward rapidly. Messrs'
Robinson, Chief Engineer, and Stacy, con-
tractor fol the building of the whole road, as
sure us that the road can be completed now
as fast as the iron can be had and track laid.
The whole road is to be under sub-contracts
within from one to two months and compile
ted to Van Buren, By lst September next.
The loss Of a cargo of 700 tons OF iron delayed
them somewhat. but are now ready to 90
ahead again. These gentlemen, we feel sure,
know their business, and we venture the as
sertion that in twelve months from this date,
Buren in running condition, which in con-
struction and equipment will compare favor
ably with any in tha United States. All-hai
the happy day. And as agreed upon last Sat
urday, wont we have one grand excursion
from Van Buren, on this road. a gay day for
Van Buren-the Father and Mother of this
road then shall we remember with gratitude
the labor and eXertions in former days of Col.
Jno Drennen, Hon. Jesse Turner, Capt. Z.
Pennywit, Gen. Wilcox, Judge j. B. Ogden,
5. NJ. Hays and others Of Crawford; Hon. NJ.
Rose Of Johnson; Shinn, Logan and West of
Pope; d. l.. Bourland of Franklin, and Col.
Gordon of Conway county; quite num-
Der Of whom were called away before they
realized the reward for their labors. And es-
pecially since the war those of Capt j. H..
Haney, w. p. Denckla and c. G Scott. who
have revived and put the road under way.
And also will there be one grand hazza for
Messrs. Robinson and Stacy, the Chief En-
gineer and Builder OF the Road. And will
by no means forget the Eastern capitalists
who have furnished the money.
Next comes our own Arkansas Western
Railroad. which. we have assurances, will be
in course of construction soon.
The Fair was success and we hope will be
better patronized next year B. j. b.