The Milan exchange. (Milan, Gibson County, Tenn.) 1874-1978, 1874-07-16
EVANSVILLE NARROW cAraE.

Mr. Editor IL desire that you re-
,pabish an article in the edition of the
Evansville Journal. of July 9th. The
article was written by the chief editor
of that paper, who has just returned
from trip to Leavenworth City, KS,
which place he visited for the purpose
Of looking into the workings of the
Kansas Central Narrow Gauge r. r.
And. although heIeff home prGudiced
against narrow gauge railroads, you
will see that he returns thoroughly
converted to the new system. As it
is the intention Of fine Board of Di-
rectors of the Evansville, jackson ,&
New Orleans Railroad to construct
their line on that plan, and as our
people are deeply interested in the
enterprise, / think it important to
have the views of one so well posted
on that subject placed before them.
| have been investigating the subject
Of narrow gauge railroads to some
extent for several years, and am hearty |
in my approval of every word the
editor says on that subject.
Z. A. COLLINS.
Milan, July "a, 1874
An article on the second page, cop
led from the jackson Tenn Wing
and Tribune, shows that the interest
in the: railroad from that point to
Evansville is not diminishing in thei
least. i There is no doubt that the
road can be finished from here to
jackson in less than two years if the
people on the line display the liberal
ity and energy the merits of the great
enterprise deserve Thereis also 10
doubt that the benefit the country
would derive from n nazrex gauge
road would be far gTeater than the
burdens the people would have to bear
in subscribing for its construction.
The facility for moving produce afford
ed by narrow gauge roads, and Their
reasonable rates for transportation,
are such as to make them very popu-
lar with all classes of people. From
all that we can learn, they are en-
phatically the peoples roads, and are
not given up to express companies and
fast freight lines, which generally
manage to convert the dividends of
into revenues for inside
corporations. In our judgment the
construction of the narrow-gauge
reads would do mucA to seJve the
transportation problem to which the
grangers of Kentucky and other States
have devoted SO much time and at
tention. AT least such is claimed to
be the experience of communities
where narrow-gauge roads have been
an operation. Small articles .ef pro-
duce, such as baskets of eggs and but
ter, and all classes of vegetables, are
by these roads atforeded market falcili-
ties which greatly benefit both the
farmers and consumers in the towns.
We unbejtatingly give it us our opin-
ion that We're the Lake Erie, Evans
Vile and Southwestern Railroad con-
ve:ted into anarrUY gauge road and
imme'fGGy completed through the
counties of WarrIok and Debios, and .
run as economically and prudently as
other roads of that character are ..
that the saving in the price
of fruit and vegetables alone, in two
or three years, would more than re-
pay our city for all the money con-
tribute3 to aid in It's construction.
Great trunk hncs are well enough in
their place, but what Evansville most &!
wants is railroads which VIII afford
facilities for getting to rather than from
the city. That roads, of the kind in
contemplation from our city to Jack !
son, will afford such facilities is clear !
" proven, We think, by the practical
operation of such roads ut other
points. They are managed with
Ease and economy, and can afford to
transport freight and passengers at
over rates than broad gauge roads,
md, not being blinded by an insane
passion for through freight and pass
,ngers, it is to their interest to cultivate
md develope local travel and traffic. T
Any one can see that q road guided
~ this policy can not pass through
my section of country in the valley
If the lower Ohio without developing
t rapidly, and i'll proportion as the 4
country is improved, the cities Will
Increase in commerce and prosperity.
We hope that the friends of the
Jackson road, both in Kentucky and
Tennessee, will Immediately take steps =
o aid in its construction.
For ladies Dresa Goods COLL N,