Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1874-05-05

VIII ha seInDie at Montgomery, Alabama, on
the nrst OF June next, 70 take into consideTs-
zion this important subject, we respectfully
suggest 70 our merchants ann buoiness men
that they heartily and earnestly cooperate
Wild that convention In any practicable
method they may adopt of bridging about the
desired result ] X. GODWIN,
LION TROUsDALE,
". o. HARVEY.
The report Of the committee was
adopted without dissenting vote.
TIE MEMPHIs AND KANSAS CITY RAIL
WAY.
General Patterson presented the re-
port of the COMMITTEES on the Memphis
and Kansas City railway, urging the
early completion of the road as one of
vital importance to the commercial in
terests Of Memphis, was adopted as fol-
lows:
To the President Of the Chamber OF Com
merce, Memphis, Tennessee.
of TIE Kansas city railroad" beg leave TO sub
init the following:
We find there are several proposed lines OF
road lead ing west from this city; one called
the memphis and Kansas City ra' lroad,' 10
run TIA JacksOnport and BatesVille, Arkan-
sas, through sprlngneld 70 Kansas Clty' MS. MS
JacksonpOrt; one called the kansas CITY
and Memphis railroad" the line of which
would cross the Cairo aud Fulton road about
forty miles north of Jacksonport thence to
Sprfngdeld and Kansas City; and another
known as the "5t. Louis and Memphis rail-
road, !" on the same line Of the kansas City
and Memphis road" 70 terminate at the in
tersectiOn with the Cairo and Fulton road.
The line OF the "Memphis and Kansas CITY"
road, ria JAG ksOnport, We believe 70 De the
lire most in the interest of Memphis, for the
reason that with this road completed to Jack
sonporI, and the "A Augnsta hraneh. 10 Angus
Ia will be secured 10 NJ phis that large and
valuable trade OF the White river valley, now
diverted to st. Louis by the Cairo and Fulton
road, the line OF which crosses the Cairo and
Fulton road forty miles north Of Jacksonport,
would not secure to Memphis this advantage,
but would rather be In the Interest of st.
Louis; and the road known as the ''5t. Louis
and Memphis" road would give only a St.
Louis connection, and in the interest of that
We also recommend the adoption of the
Memphis and Kansas City line, believing IL
TO be the most, II not the only, practicable
route across the Misstssi ppi bottom, leading
west from Memphis.
Having decided to recommend to the mer-
chants and citizens OF Memphis to cOncen-
trAte all Of their efforts to secure the early
completion OF the Memphis and Kansas City
railroad, ria Jacksonpo port, in preference to
any other proposed line, we called upon the
president Of that company, Hon John Over
ton. T, for information, snd learned that his
company has county subscriptions from six
OF the counties through whicn the road will
run, amounting TO six hundred thousand dol
lars; that one hundred and nfty-fOur thou
sand acres OF land have been subscribed, with
hundred thousand acres more, making the
estimated value OF the present assets 10 use
in the construction OF the road about one mil
lion dollars,
MIR George B. Pickett, the engir eer who
made the survey, maps, prohles, and esti-
mated cost OF the road, says in his report:
''Ths submerged country during the seasons
OF overflow extends from near the Missouri
line 20 Helena, but among the few exceptions
to the submergence OF this large district is a
narrow ridge, elevated few feet above the
highest food line, extending from Mound
City -four miles above Hopeneld) west ward,
gradually subsiding in elevation, but retain
ing its relative hight above the country on
either side; and IL Is on this ridge Of relative
ly high ground-the only ridge Of any extent
running westward across the st. Francis ba-
sin-that the Memphis and Kansas City road
will run, and a road-oed OF solid earth en-
bankment, with the exception of a small
amount Of treStle-WOrk for drainage, can b.
built at q moderate cost, above the highest
water line" Mr.. Picket estimates the cost OF
q frst-class road on this line 10 JacksOnpOrt,
ninety miles, where II will tnJerseet the
Cairo and Fulton road, including IOlling-
stock, etc, at about sixteen million dollars
less than eighteen thousand dollars per mile.
Mr.. OveTtOn believes, with the present and
assets Of the company, and the /
hearty cooperation Of the citizens Of Mem !
phts, he viii soon be able to place the road /
under contract TO Jaeksonport, where it will
intersect the CsiIo and Fulton road, and Sc /
cure to Memphis the trade OF the White riYer ]
valley now taken to St. Louis.
with this road completed to Kansas City, |
crossing the lateral roads in Missouri, and /
connecting there with the entire railroad Sys- /
tenn OF Missouri, Kansas, Nebraska and Iowa, ]
including the Union Pacific, the products OF /
that vast region OF country will see K mar /
ket over II, and Memphis Will become the dis |
trbutinR point for the south instead OF re-
a tributary TO st. Louis, and may
asonably look forward to the day when she
will stand proudly among the foremost of The !
great cities OF the Mississippi valley.
The importance OF this road TO Memphis /
your committee in urging upon oar
citizens TO render all the aid in their power TO
secure its early completion, believing that
there is no proposed road from this city that
would do 50 much 70 increase and diversity its ]
trade; TO encourage manufacturing by reduc-
Ing the cost Of living, and TO bring prosperity
and wealth TO its citizens.
All Of which Is respectfully submitted.
JOHN 4. FARGASON,
J. M. GOODBAR,
f. F. PATTERSON,
GEO. D. CROCKETT,