Knoxville journal. [volume] (Knoxville, Iowa) 1874-1986, 1875-03-18
The Railroad.


tard the work of securing subscrip-
tions for railroad stock. One of these
is that st. Louis has pledged to make
up any amount we fail to raise here
to fulfill our contract with Mr.. Buell.
for the building Of the railroad from
Abba to Knoxville.
There Is no truth whatever in this
report, but 1t has perhaps had the
effect intended by very small num-
Der of men who appear to have mall
icious desire to defeat the enterprise.
Another damaging rumor is that
the Quincy Company intend to
build the road, and will build 1t
whether the'required amonnt is sub
scribed or not, and hence that 1t will
make not the least difference whether
we raise even $50, 900 here aud on the
line between here and Abba or not.
1t is further said, in confirmation Of
this story thgt the full amount re-
quired TO secure the road and bind the
Company 10 build it to Abba has
been pledged. This also Is false.
Abba had not raised her quota of $50,
900, at latest word and Moravia WAS
also behind.
These runlors are given circulation
not only by the enemies of the road,
but also by friends, who do not rea-
lize the injury they are thus doing
to the cause, though they may sup
pose that there is possibly some truth
In the rumors. Such parties should
inform themselves as to the real facts,
and at least take as much trouble to
correct false statements as they have
taken to circulate them.
We cannot fairly anticipate that
any body will help us until we have
shown a earnest and liberal disposi-
ton to help ourselves. The fact Is we
are not subscribing, generally, with
sufficient liberality to assure success.
A few have done all that could reas-
onably be asked, and much more
than their share, but the large ma
jority have not subscribed at all, and
many who are able to subscribe large
ly, and ought to do 30, have subscri-
bed only from one-fourth to one-half
their reasonable proportion. A few
men who have amassed wealth In
this town and vicinity, who have
fattened upon the generous patronage
OF the comfhnnity. who have now
splendid farms and large interests in
| real estate in the town to be doubled
and quadrupled In value by the build
ing Of this road, have subscribed
very meagerly, and i'm amounts by no
means commensurate with the bene-
Fl its they will derive from the building
of the road. The subscriptions Of a
few such men have really done more
harm than good. They had better
not subscribed at all.
We have stated some plain facts in
the above paragraphs, not in a
captious spirit, but because they are
Jacfs patent TO all. 1t IL important
now that the real situation should he
appreciated. The progress thus
far made I'm securing subscrip-
tions Is not satisfactory, and
does not inspire hope OF success. The
town has done much better than the
country. and may fairly be expected
to take the lead. But the town has
as yet done little more than half what
1t should do, and the country has
scarcely done anything. The farmers
must realize that they must all help q
little. A small lift from every man In
Knoxville township land every man
can and ought to lift according to his
strength would insure success. "Put
your shoulder to the wheel 10 q motto
for every man." and an excellent
motto, especially applicable In this
emergency. Not only should every
man give encouragement in words, by
correcting adverse and false reports
and advancing favorable arguments
upon every suitable occasion, but he
should also give his subscription, AZ
generously as he possibly can, and give
1t at once, In proof Of his faith. This
course upon the part even q majority
of those Interested would encourage
others, and ensure and early an sue
cessful issue.
Our road will not he built unless
such course as is above Indicated
should soon be adopted. Every man
who Is not utterly blind to his own
personal interest. utterly careless as to
the interest of the community, and
utterly selfish, surely can see that he
ought to give encouraging words or
financial aid, or both, In generous
measure, to further this enterprise.
Individual and common interest de-
niand it. II we fail now we do not