Lexington weekly intelligencer. (Lexington, Mo.) 1871-1887, 1873-02-26
Lexington and her Railroad
Connections.
From the st. Louis Republican ct.h

EDITOR REPUBLICANS: E.afavctte
county, after giving $4,000 of her
bonds for the object, enjoys to some
extent the advantages of Il railroad
connection with ST. Louis and Kan
sas City, via the Missouri Pacific and
St. Louis. X. Z. & y. railroads.
There is, however, a link i'll this
connection to which the attention of
our lawmakers, now i'll session.
ought 10 be given ut once, that Il en-
cdy be provided for a very dangerous
evil.
A speedy and safe crossing of the
Missouri river al Lexington is of the
greatest importance. This end can
onlv ba attained by an efficient ferry
company. composed of men who
thorouEhy understand their bust
ness, ana who can afford to expenh
enough money to secure Il safe cross
ing in good strong boats, manned by
experienced " atcrmen.
This franchise is very valuable, and
any company owning it ought to feel
some obligations resting upon them
to passengers safs!'v, promptly,
and even without there being sub
ject to any feeling Of anxiety about
their safety while crossing.
One rather indifferent steam t."r?-
boat, disabled very frequently, got
ting more dangerous every dav, ana
unfit TO struggle with such q current
as VIC meet in this river every spring.
with a reserve of one or two small
cottonwood skiGs, constitute Il rather
poor rolling stock for the connecting
link of Il railroad arrangement.
Such skiffs answer well eHoug forh
boys to use i'll duck hunting, but
crossing railroad passengers and
their baggage, is Il rather dangerous
operation in such Il craft. This dam
ger has existed umrcprovcd, but not
. unnoticed, for years. More than
two years since, we witnessed the
crossing of n lady of St. Louis, with
two little children. in ono of these
skifrs: the hight was very dark it
was nine at night, a steamboat pass
ing. aud not even L lantern in the
skiff. The danger was very serious.
We saw another lady crossing in the
same kind of craft last fall in day
time; her trunk was large az ladies
usually carry, but was q full load
itself for the skill.
The Missouri river at Lexington is
as dangerous IN the spring as Iour
river ut ST. Louis. Now, Mr.. Editor,
! would Your city relish a railroad con-
nectiOn by means of such little craft
in case your steam ferry boat was dis
ablcd?
! Your readers will doubtless Won
der that local papers are silent OH
this subject. They. do speak occa-
... IA. hsn tl.n
present winter two of these skif1s
were crossing, in heavy floating ice,
loaded with precious life: rs they
drew hear the landing IL or both
passed under the guard of the ferry
boat which was tied up, too sick TO
cross; the passengers escaped, with
q Vettiug. One or two ofOur papers
were very merry over the plight OF
those escaping from .snch a danger.
You can from this understand the
editorial amimus here. They are Ell.
tirely devoted to praisiig where
praise is undescrved. 4 large, strong
yIwi-bOat, such as II steamers use,
ought to be provided. Such boat,
pulling two or fonr oars, could cross
at II time safely, aud the mails
could be trusted in such Il boat ; now
mails must not cross in skiifs, and it's
right.
A law ought at. nee to he passed
making the entire property of stock,
holders III such companies liable in
civil suits for damages caused by loss
OF life.
Our legislative assembly ought, IN
all cases, 10 mako ample provision fug
the security of the people.
The ST. Louis, Kansas City
and Northern railroads are undel
most excellent management, they
ought surely to look into this matter
-. IL. VALENTINE.
LEXINGTON, Feb. Il, 1873.