Cedar Falls gazette. [volume] (Cedar Falls, Iowa) 1860-1895, 1871-02-24
The South.We estern Railroad Project.

In another column we give the
proceedings of meeting held In this
city on Friday afternoon to discuss
the project OF building a railroad to
connect Central and North Eastern
Iowa with the Mississippi at Winona.
A similar project was under consid-
Grafton year ago, look ing to con-
pection with the Iowa Central Rail-
road at or near Ackley, but that was
abandoned for want of the necessary
CO. operation on the part of those
whose interests would naturally lead
them to promote the construction OF
the western end of the line. The
only practical result of the discussion
at that time was the organization, by
citizens of this place, of the Winona
and South Western Railroad Conn
pany, their object being chiefly to
place themselves In readiness to en-
brace any favorable opportunity that
might arise for the advancement of
the end sought to be attained
Nothing has occurred since then to
warrant any demonstration on the
part OF the company, and consequent
ly, although the project of a South~
Western Railroad is one In which our
citizens feel the most lively interest,
1t has occupied but small share of
the public attention. Now, however,
the coveted opportunity for action
seems to have presented itself. As
already intimated, our citizens re-
ceived visit, on Friday, from gem
tleman representing certain infiuen~
tial railroad and private interests In
Iowa--Dr. Sears, of Grinnell-w hose
object was to solicit the cooperation
of winona in the construction of
line of railroad from Grinnell, by
way OF Cedar Falls, to the Mississippi
at this city. That gentleman's state |
ment is given, In substance, In the
report of the meeting above referred
to. What Is proposed Ii briefly,
this: The citizens of Grinnell, To-
ledo, Cedar Falls and other import
ant and growing towns i'm Central
Iowa, desire a railroad connection
with some point on the Upper Mis-
sissippi which will afford them both
access to cheap lumber and market
for the coal which is found In great
abundance In Central Iowa. After a
careful survey Of the country aud al.
vantages presented by the various
leading towns OH the Mississippi be-
tween Dubuque and st. Paul, they
have arrived ut the conclusion that no
other place holds out such induces
ments of natural position and acquir-
ed facilities for trade and commerce
as Winona. They have, therefore,
placed themselves In communication
with this city with view to enlist
ing the active assistance and co-op-
Grafton of its business men In carry-
ing out this project; the success of
which would prove mutually advan-
tageous, and he a sufficient compen-
sation for the efforts that may be put
forth by either or all of the parties
concerned. They have been met
here, 1t affords us pleasure TO be able
to state, In q spirit of reciprocal
friendship that argues well for the
advancement Of the scheme. There
is no other railroad project affecting
the interests of this city that is 80
full of promise of rich reward for
the future, or that would so readily
enlist the united sympathies and en-
ergies of our citizens, as that now
under consideration. The action of
Fridays meeting was fully In accord
with this sentiment, and there ID rea-
son to believe that whatever may be
done In the future will be no less en-
phatic in the same direction.
The feasibility Of the proposed
route can scarcely be open TO doubt
or discussion. The distance from
Grinnell, the point Of juncture with
the Iowa Central, Is, on All air line,
about It's miles. Between Toledo
and Cedar Falls, IS miles, the line is
all graded. 1t IL proposed not only
to complete this section of the pro-
posed road, but 25 miles In addition,
from Toledo to Grinnell. during the
current year. This, it IL asserted,
will be done regardless of tile direc-
ton the North- Eastern terminus
may su bsequently take. From Ce-
dar Falls northwardly the line, IL
extended to Winona, as 10 now AN
ticipated, will pass through Bremen,
Chickasaw, and Howard count ties In
Iowa, to the southern boundary of
Fillmore county, In this State. The
location of the road thence to Vino.
na can only be conjectured, as no ac-
tual survey has as yet been made. A
gentleman of this city-Mr. Hilbert,
practical and competent engineer
who has repeatedly passed over the
country intervening, states positively
that there is good route for rail-
road from Winona, through the
Pleasant Valley, across the Ridge,
down the Money Greek valley, cross.
ing Root River, at or q little east of
Rushford, aud thence to Preston
the average cost of which for grad
ing and bridging would not exceed
81, 900 per mile. Others have sag
gested the entire practicability OF q
route passing out Of the Burns val
ley and thence nearly parallel with
common wagon road TO Chatfield.-
This, however, Is something 20 be
determined only by actual survey.
Such survey it becomes the duty of
our citizens to have made at as early
day as Is practicable. The matter
has now arrived at that stage where
accurate knowledge of the obstacles
to be met and overcome Is both de-
sirable TO perform I'm this connection
hereafter, but the first. to be under
taken is clearly that Of ascertaining
the most feasible route for railroad
line in the general direction pointed
out, and obtaining at least an approx
innate estimate of the cost of grads
ing. The city, or whoever may rep>
resent the Interests of the city In this
important project, will then have
some tangible information as b asis
for future operations. Winona Re
publican, FEB. 4th.
WE take the following from the
Paducah Kentuckida "There is no