Buchanan County bulletin. [volume] (Independence, Iowa) 1869-1891, 1871-07-21

/ $500
In accordance with previous notice a
very large number of our citizens assem-
bled at Munson's Hall on Friday evening
last, for the purpose Of listening to the
representatives Of the railroads projected
through onr county, and Of celebrating
on the question of extending aid to those
enterprises.
Jed Lake, Esq, called the meeting to
order, and nominated DR.. II. Bryant as
chairman. The further organization Of
the meeting was effected by the election
of VIM Toman and A. E. Barnhart Sec.
rctaries. After few preliminary re-
marks, the chairman introduced Mr.. A.
S. Belt, Solicitor of the Burlington, Cedar
Rapids & Minnesota r. r. Company,
who spoke for about half an hour in be-
half of the project undertaken by that
company.
Mr. Belt pref,ced his remarks by say
ing that he came to make no set speech,
hut just to talk business with our people
He renewed the assurance given by Supt.
Greene week before, that the enterprise
is no speculation, but bona fide design to
build a railroad from Cedar Rapids to
Postville by the most advantageous route,
and that, providing tax Of 21ss~per cent.
in Washington township and per cent.
in the other townships through which the
line runs, together with right of way and
depot grounds, is guaranteed, the com
pany will have the road in operation
through the county in twelve months. To
show the ability of the company to do
this he gave brief history Of its opera
tions 1t has in less than two years built
over 100 miles of railroad in Iowa, and
by the first of October will have 60 miles
more in operation. 1t has ample ability
to do all that it agrees to do. Its credit
is good, its bonds being readily negocia-
ted at very slight discount. Mr.. Belt de-
tailed the advantages of the road to In
dependence 1t crosses every east and west
railroad in the State, gives us the shortest
and most direct route to st. Louis and the
coal fields of Southern Iowa, and places
us in connection with the great grain
market of the northwest, Milwaukee.
1t has perfect arrangements with the G.
& N. w. r. r.. the G. B. & Q. II. r., and
other lines, for transportation to Chicago,
St. Louis and other important points,
without changing cars or breaking bulk.
Mr.. Belt declared that no other road pre-
sents so many advantages to our local
ity or is able to demonstrate more
clearly its ability to carry out its plans
than the B. c. II. & NJ, and that it re-
mains with our people to come up with
the local aid, when the enterprise would
arrive at speedy and satisfactory &C
complishment.
Hon VIM. Larrabee, Of Fayette coun-
ty, being present, was called and re- !
sponded with a short statement of the
feeling and determination in Fayette
county with regard to the Cedar Rapids
road. He said that the people are thor
oughly aroused on the subject, and, con
WINGED of the value of the proposed line
and the good faith of the company, are
determined to secure its construction
through the county. Mr.. Zeigler, Of
West Union, followed with similar assur-
ances that the people of Fayette county
arc actively in earnest with regard to the
enterprise, saying at the same time that
he was surprised at the moderate terms
extended to Independence. Mr.. c. C.
Cook, of Cedar Rapids. made 4 few re-
marks explanatory of the designs of the
company.
The meeting being called to consider
the claims of both the roads projected !
through our county, and Mr.. J. s. Stacy, =
of Anamosa, President of the Iowa & Min !
nesota II. II. Co. being present, he was
invited to take the stand Mr.. Stacy in
the outset admitted the importance of
the Cedar Rapids road to our county and
that it was our interest to aid is, but
claimed that the Iowa & Minnesota pro- |
ject, which he represented, was of equal
Importance. He said that the enterprise
was rapidly taking such shape as would
insure its completion to this point by next
July if the local aid was promptly voted. !;
The company had originally calculated
upon 100000 from this township, and he
thought that that amount should be
raised. The company are now looking
to an eastern connection by way of Tip |
ton, on the Iowa Southwestern II. r., to
Clinton. A construction company has
already been formed and work commcnc-
ed between Anamosa and Upton. 1t is
anticipated that after the Goth inst the
contract for the grading between Ana
mosa and Quasqueton will be let. The
means for finishing the road after grad (
ing are not yet definitely provided, but it
is understood that the enterprise will be
backed by the money and encouragement
of the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy rail
road, to which it will be an importcnt
feeder This question Of money was to
have been decided at a meeting in Chi
cago, on the Goth, between the officers of
the road and capitalists who propose to-
back it,
Further remarks were made by Messrs
Jamison Donnan. Boone, Hart and 9th
crs The following resolutions were pre-
sented and adopted unanimously:
RESOLVED, by the citizens of Wash.
ington Township here assembled, that we
will use our influence to get vote of
81 per cent. in said township to aid the
b. c. r. & NJ. r. r.
RESOLVED, by the citizens Of Washing
ton Township here assembled, that we
will use our influence to get vote Of
2l5 per cent tax in said Township to aid
the Iowa & Minnesota r. r.
REsoL WE'D, also that we will use our
influence to procure the aid desired by
each road in the other towns in the
county.
RESOLVED, that we the citizens of