Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1872-05-02
OUR RAILROAD INTEREST.

Fourteen Miles Saved TO Sc. Louis.
To the Editors OF tho Union and American:
In these latter days not only the building
Of railroads, but their very connections, and
| length Of competing lines make and un-
make cities. For instance, the object Of
| the original projectors of the Nashville and
| Northwestern road was TO secure a direct
| connection with St. Louis and the great
/ West. Hon. Jno. A. Gardner, the then
President, closed consolidation with the
Hickman and Obion Railroad, to get Mis-
| sissippi river terminus at the nearest point
where such connection could be had. Y.
! &. Stevenson, probably one Of our most far
seeing railroad men, looked upon the Nash
vile and Northwestern as the redeemer Of
the Nashville and Chattanooga, and both
as one great thoroughfare. At that early
day, In his mind, he had these two roads
consolidated and their stock ia common.
Time anG circumstances have made this
even better to the stockholders Of
the Nashville and Chattanooga road
than the then desired equal consolidation,
while the trade from st. Louis to the South
east, which Is increasing from year TO year,
almost from day to day, demonstrates the
correctness Of Y. K. Stevenson's views.
The shortest, best, and cheapest route from
Nashville to st. Louis was then admitted TO
be via Hickman, KY, ami nencs the termi-
nus Of the Nashville and Northwestern was
made at that point, to be continued from
thence by way of the Iron Mountain. Be-
fore constructing the southern part Of the
Iron Mountain, surveys we're made, which
showed that the route via Hickman was
the shortest, cheapest and best. Gen. W.
?. InIds, then in power, at first favored
and was convinced that the Iron Mountain
could seek direct connection at Hickman
but the city Of Hickman having
incdrred his i'll viii by the institu-
ton Of certain suits against his manage
ment, caused his influence to be thrown In
favor oft Belmont terminus.
The fixing Of Belmont as the terminus
thwarted the object Of direct connection
between the Nashville and Northwestern
and Iroa Mountain, and makes both those
road dependent on third line for dis
tance OftTenty-eight miles.
A direct connection of these roads l.
more necessary now than ever. Naturally,
IS all railroad nlsn anticipated, the South
eastern trade Is far greater and more i'm
pertant than the direct Southsrn trade. The
Nashville and Northwestern and Iron
Mountain are the carriers Of this trade, bet
at present are dependent on the Mobile and
Ohio for . connecting link OF IS miles. EV-
cry railroad man viii admit that this can
not long be boFDe, and that direct con-
neetion Is absolutely necessary. This d.
rect connection can be had by building
road from the Nashville snd Northwestern
to Columbus, OF as originally contemplated
from Hickman 10 near Charleston, No.,
crossing the Mississippi at Hickman. Sur
veys show the connection by Hickman to
be the shortest and cheapest. II the con-
nsction Is built to Columbus, the length Of
the line cannot be less than l9 or 20 miles,
mostly through heavy country. II from
Hickman, through Missouri to the nearest
point Of the Iron Mountain, the distance
would be about the same.
This line would leave the main line Of the
Iron Mountain aoout IS or 20 miles from
Belmont, and the distance from said point
to Hickman or Belmont would be equal;
but on the through route from Nashville 70
st. Louis, would leave the Hickman route
IA miles the shortest, the distance via Co
lumbus being 400 miles, and via Hickman !
3S6. In addition the route via Hickman
would secure liberal aid from citizens across |
the Mississippi. in Missouri, from the city |
of Hickman, andlron $4,000 mile) the |
State Of Missouri. These ara advantages |
which should commend themselves 70 0ur |
far seeing railroad men. (
1t may be said thai the Columbus route
has the advantage Of an already constructed /
river crossing, but this cost, which was /
only $4,000 or $4,000, would be soon
saved in operating road IA miles shorter. I
Besides, since the recent wharf improve
ments at Hickman by the Nashville and /
Chattanooga Company, the Northwestern |
has river protection inferior 70 no point /
on the Mississippi. .
In addition, this extension would attract
to Nashville the rich cOrn-gro wing Missis- |
sippl botovm srakta Of Missouri RsRtaeky |
aud TsnnsansA W.