The Ouachita telegraph. [volume] (Monroe, La.) 1865-1889, 1871-03-04
Glacl:itN and Bartholomew Railroad.

he is endeavOring to accomplish, We
have been, for nearly two years, ham
mering away to arouse an interest in
the building Of a railroad north and
south along the Ouachita valley, and
its tributary, Bayou Bartholomew. 1t
has been, however, an uphill business,
and we have at times, until recently, |
felt like abandoning the enterprise.
The country along the proposed line is !
exceedingly fertile, a greater portion of
the route, and is pretty thickly inhab-
tied. The lands arc very valuable, or
would be, if they were brought into
notice and the market facilities in
creased by "a railroad. In short, in
every possible aspect, it is Il country for
railroads, and is destined to have
road in a few years. But we are impa-
tent we should like to see the road
built, and have some part in its con-
struction and hence the anxiety and
interest we have manifested.
1t is somewhat instructive that tho
! first substantial encouragement We have
received in the furtherance of this en-
terprise, is from gentleman living in
! Western Texas. Our own people APP
pear to be indifferent, but this gentle
man, hundreds of miles away, recog-
nizes the value of the proposed under
taking and proposes to render it sub
stantial aid. This is what he says:
| notice you are agitating the build
ing of a railroad from AleNdndril. to
Pine Bluff. Now, as have some land
situate near the proposed line, and as
lands can be made available in the
building of railroads; write to say that
will donate to any company that Will
build the proposed road, within a given
reasonable time, o'se-hoy OF said land,
being 1910 acres, which is 500 acres.
MY opinion is, that if others owning
1 lands along the line will do the same,
or even approximate it, and others not
owning lands, will give other property,
i money, &C., an amount sufficient cam
be thus raised to be equal to the inter
est on the invcstmentnecessary to build
the road, until such time as the work
ing of the road will pay; and ifso, there
will be no trouble in finding the money,
and the disposition, to build, and that
quickly. Suppose you try on this cline,
| if it takes all summer" Start il, that
direction, and you will go through.
The assurance OF this gentleman that
by donation, or subscription OF lands,
the proposed road can be built, is
strengthened by the fact that Govern
ment donations of land are generally
tantamount to the building of road.
Upon lands and tenamcnts alone can
credit be safely prcdicatcd, and their
enhanced value upon the completion of
the road, renders them the bestsecurity,
for their assessed value before the road
is completed, that can be offered to the
financial market.
What is the extent of the enhance
ment in value of lands by 81 railroad?
This is the question landowners will
most certainly ask. It would be safe
to assume that the increase in value
would range from 80 to 100 per cent,
according to quality and location. But
this is not the only advantage. \ rail
road tlispenscs with 40 much hauling,
and with the necessity of heavy pur-
chase5 at one time. 1t opens way
to market at all times and seasons, and
pl1tS VIC 'lliA'i III 'ittllS
with the outer world. These are priv
ilcges and advantages choaply pur-
chased with Il few acres of land. And
have not all Of our people more land
than they require, or care to pay taxes
upon provided, they can invest the
surplus in Il railroad which will build
up the country and increase our popu-
| latiOn?
| But other resources may be called
into service. The several parishes and
towns through which the proposed road
would pass, as we'll as the business and
professional men interested III its con-
struction, might be safely relied upon
for handsome subscriptions. Suppose
the road, us a beginning, should be sur
vcycd from Columbia to the State line.
This would interest three wealthy par
ishes and three Hourishing little towns,
whose joint subscriptions should not
fail short of S5OO,OOO. We believe lands
to the value of 81 200, 900, could be OBJ
tanned within thirty days. To this
might added other subscriptions in
crcasinG the stock to two millions of
dollars. Upon this and the franchises
of the road, sufficient means could be
raised, with State aid, to build the road
| from Columbia to the State line, and
| the stockholders would have exchanged
their property and values for one of the