Northern tribune. [volume] (Cheboygan, Mich.) 1875-1885, 1875-07-31
QUIZ RAILROAD PROSPECTS
a Letter from o. M. Barnes
York on the Ertension mag
Commence this FnZ1.

Commence this Fal1.
Expecting at all times to give its read
ers the very latest reliable information
concerning all matters appertaining to
the welfare of this place, the TRIBUNE
has obtained permission to publish the
following private letter from O. M.
Barnes, Land Commissioner of the Jack
son, Lansing and Saginaw railroad. The
letter indicates that the views taken by
this journal concerning the extension of
this road, have probably been correct
The letter is in reply to one written by
Mr.. r. NJ. Lathrop, making some inqui-
ries concerning the matter, and is as fol-
lows:
LANSING, MICH, July %, 1874.
p. n. Lathrop, E-q., Cheboygan:
DEAR SIR Yours Of the 18th is received.
Whether the railroad goes forward this year or not
win depend on the New York and Boston capital
lists connected with enterprise. Those connect
ed with the road in Michigan are anxious to go on
at once There are some indications of a
willingness to go forward now, and think work
will be resumed this fall.
Nothing is settled as to the terminus. The road
may go to Cheboygan or to the straits when it is
extended. Yours, truly,
o. NJ. BARNES
1t would seem from this letter, coming
as it does from one of the principal Of
ficers Of the road, as we'll as one who has
more personal interest in its completion
than any other Michigan man connected
with 1t, that there is very little doubt
about the road being pushed forward
this season. There does, however, seem
to be question whether or not the road
will come to Cheboygan or go direct to
the straits. This is a matter that our
people should see to without delay. To
secure the completion of the road to this
point is a matter that every citizen Of
Cheboygan is personally interested in,
whether his property interests be large
or small. The future,of the place de-
ponds in securing one or more railroads.
With railroad facilities there is no place
in Northern Michigan which can usurp
the place of Cheboygan; without them
there may be. 1t will not do for this
place toput on airs Of independence and
say the railroad will not go past such an
important point as this, and, therefore,
there is no need of making any effort to
make certainty of its coming here.
There are towns in this state, and their
number is not few, which have sounded
their own death knell by acting upon
this supposition. Now is the time for
Cheboygan to take some action in regard
to this, 1t is not enough that the citi-
zens and those interested in the growth
and prosperity of the town should feel
and know that it would be to the inter-
est of the railroad to bring it to Cheboy-
gan; the managers and capitalists con-
nected with the enterprise must also be
convinced Of the fact. This done the
road will come. To do this both indi-
vidual and united effort may be required,
but be that as it may, nothing should be
left undOne which would go towards
making assurance doubly sure. Work
should be commenced at once and per-
sisted in until we know the road is com
ing here to certainty. The TRIBUNE
does not pretend to say what kind Of
work will be the most available-that>i is
something the citizens of the village
must decide-but in whatever manner
itmay bedecided to proceed, the NORTH
ERN TRIBUNE will be found ready 10 do
all that is within its power to enhance
those efforts.