The Fremont weekly journal. [volume] (Fremont, Sandusky County, Ohio) 1867-1877, 1872-09-20
Chicago and New York Air Line
Railroad


A meeting of a number of our leading busi-
ness men, and delegates from York, Green
creek and BallviIle Townships, took place in
the office of Buckland, Everett & Fowler, on
Monday last, to canvass the merits of the pro-
iect for building an air line road from Chica-
90 to New York. Col. w. E. Haynes was
called to the chair, and J. P. Elderkin, jr., ap-
pointed Secretary. The object of the meeting
was stated by Gen. Buckland, who also ex-
planned the provisions of the Boesel Law, al
lowing cities, villages aud townships TO aid in
building railroads.
Mr.. John Gardner of Norwalk being called
upon, stated his views in relation to the enter
prise, and the capacity of its projectors to
carry it through. Believed it would be a
paying investment for either local or individ-
ual subscription, as there were not sufficient
Eastern outlets to do the business of the coun-
try. The Great West was being rapidly set
tied up, and its wants constantly increasing,
necessitating the building of other roads thsn
those at present in operation, and he believed
this road CT some other would be built, and
that we could not afford to allow this opportu-
nifty to go by and run the chances of another
road being constructed south of US. The
history of all railroad enterprises was that of
eventual success. It took time to build rail-
roads and complete the enterprises put on
foot, but though they may be delayed they at
last succeed. He had experience iu the build
/ -,g &u,o rofl-ooIu
about the business. When the Cleveland and
Toledo Road was built, it was regarded as
large undertaking, and required great deal
of work. Your county at last subscribed $780,
600, and when the road was opened and the
prospect of success raised the value of the
bonds abovepar, you sold out for fear there
might be reverse, and so as to be out of debt.
Ny county did likewise, although both might
have doubled their money if they had held on.
When completed the road represented about
Sl6,5OO per mile, now it represented 500, 900
per mile and paid eight per cent. on that.
The history of the Pittsburgh, Fort Wayne
and Chicago Railroad was similar. At one
time Its stock could have been bought for ten
cents on the dollar, but now it sells at par al
though it had been watered largely, and pays
seven per cent. on its stock. And this because
the Great West was requiring means of trans
portation and would continue to do so more
largely than ever.
The Atlantic and Great Western Railway,
with its heavy English capitalists, were seek
ing for and would get Chicago connection,
and he had no doubt if the road were once
graded and in readiness to be bonded, it would
take all the bonds you would issue, and furn.
ish the means to complete the road. They
must and will have an outlet, which could bt
obtained at Akron, and he had no hesitsncy il
saying that he was confident he could dispose
Of the bonds of the road to that company al
though it was the desire of the projectors tC
carry the road through TO Williamsport, Pa. i
the requisite local aid could be obtained, max
ing short and direct road to New York, anC
saving niDety-fiVe miles in distance. Norwalk
had already called an election to vote on thii
matter, and he felt confident the aid asked fol
would be voted. He did not propose to en-
dorse the road, but was willing to show his con
fidence in it by lending it his aid
Mr.. Hail. Secretary of the Company,sa thu
amount asked for from Sandusky County was
100000, and the projectors of the company
would subscribe an additional 100000. Or
in other words, they would subscribe to thr
stock Of the road an equal amount to tina
asked for from Ohio, as rapidly as the aiC
asked for was voted. They looked to an EARL
prosecution OF the work, and were anxious t.
have the matter determined at as early da,
as possible, so that all the preliminary worl
might be done during the coming winter prep
aratory to vigorous work in the spring.
It was proposed to take the necessary step
for submitting the matter to the people by th
2lst Of October, but it was objected that a
political matters might interfere with the re
suit, it had better be deferred until the elec
tions were over, or, until about the 18th o.
, Doth of November.
Without coming to decision on this mat
ter, the following resolution was submitted b.
Mr.. F. S. White, and unanimously adopted:
ResolUed, That it is the sense of this meet
ing that the sum OF 100000 ought to be raise
under the SGaLe Law III O&uQuSHy county, b'
l the townships through which the Chicago an,
> New York Air Line Railroad passes, to aid il
the construction of said road, and that W
pledge ourselves to all necessary effort to tina
end.
} ResoIUed, Further, that Committe of fiv
be appointed by the Chair to take charge O
the whole subject, and to bring the matter be
fore the people by public meetings or otherwise
The Chair appointed the following person
as that Committee:
F. S. White, R. P. Buckland, Ambros
Ochs, Oscar Ball and WIN. Helbster.
Here is project that promises to be of i'm
mense importance to our city. West from
here the line is practically the same as tina
} advocated in the JOURNAL several years ago
4 Its importance lies in its directness and saving
of distance, which is not only great oonsid
: Grafton in the construction, but a greater still
5 in the maintenance OF road. Completed tc
! New York, it would be a saving of ninety-fv,
5 miles of distance, and of three and one-haI
e hours travel between New York and Chicago
l which would place it in the front rank as
t competing route 1t comes to US favorably
: recommended, and our citizens who are anxi
Gus to see our city grow should take hold o
the matter earnestly, and insure the two-third
G vote required under the law, in order to securt
i for the project the desired aid, We have nj