The Lincoln County herald., 1871-05-11
Railroad News.

A great many rumors respecting the
81. Louis and Keokuk railroad are aAost,
and some who have heretofore been very
sanguiue that the roar Of the iron horse
would within . year awaken new life in
our growing little town, have for the 6rst
time since work was commenced expressed
. doubt as to its 6nsl completion but
counteracting these rumors, is che 6rm
aud reliant faith Of others whose inter-
ests are closely identified both with the
road and the county, shat the coming
train is still heard in the distance, and
will soon emerge from the mists that hide
il now. There 10 certainly some cause
for anxiety, and II 10 we'll enough for the
people to watch their interests closely,
for already has nearly sixty thousand
dollars been expended by them ID antici.
patton Of the good to result from the
building Of this road; but it may be that
those whose fears have been aroused by
recent events, do not distinguish clearly
enough between the failure Of firm Of
railroad contractors to comply with Ger.
tain specified conditions and the ability
Of . railroad company to build : road
We will give the situation Of affairs as
correctly as We can, that our readers may
draw their own conclusious.
On Monday Of last week, the stock
holders Of the road under consideration
met 10 81. Louis to hold their annual
election Of directors, and the annual at
tempt to ring in "straw stock" for the
purpose Of taking the controlling infu
ence out Of the hands of the legitimate
stock holders, Lincoln and Rails counties,
was made. This, Of course, was warmly
contested by those controlling the genu.
inc stock 10 the road. The result was, the
election went by default, ard the present
board continue in Office until their sue
cessors are elected. This, We are assured,
is the reason there was no election, and
not, as the St. Louis Democrat has it, be.
cause the stock holders Of Lincoln county
we're clamorous about the re- -election Of
Judge Dimmitt; although tie Judge Il
q good director and they would like to
have him remain in the board. At Q
business meeting following this, the board
determined to act as a unit iu promoting
a rapid completion of the aoad. Among
other acts of the board at this meeting
Mr.. Jas. Mckenzie, formerly director
but now, from the best information, I
non resident, had his place supplied il
the board by giving Rails county another
director, Mr.. Wellmau, well.kuowr
attorney Of New London. The board ad
journcd to meet at Bowling Green on tn,
23d inst. .4s4
Following this, an event Of some inter
est transpired at this place, which, prob
ably, did more to disturb the confidence
Of our citizens than anything precedin,
it. We intimated short time since tha
Messrs. Wolf & Carpenter would not b.
able to comply with certain provisions o
their contract, viz: the ironing Of tn
road between New London and Hanniba
by the goth Of the present month. WI
based our opinion upon the slow pro
gress of the work at this point, and th'
fact that they were largely indebted II
their laborcrs and employees, and througl
them to many of the business men Of ou
town. Their creditors, having presented
their accounts time after time, and as oftel
had them put aside with promises Of al
early payment, last week levied upon tn
teams, wagons, and other implement
owned by tho contractors, that they ooul'
get possession of. Two Of the youpl
| Wolfs, contractors, left with thei
teams and wagons last Saturday nigh
about eleven o'clock to prevent thei
creditors seisiug them, and crossed th
river at Clarksville the day following
Some of the employees, who cobtracte'
debts in anticipation of soon rsceivin
pay, deserve credit for the manner i
which they handed over their persons
property to liquidats the Same.
Messrs. Wolf l. Csrpester, We under
stand, have instituted suit against th
St. Louis aud Keokuk' railroad compau,
for the recovery Of eighty thousand dol
lars. which they claim 10 due them o.
} work alresdy done. They say fair esti
mates Of the work have no. been mads
and BY reason Of this they have, not rt
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