The New Orleans bulletin. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1874-1876, 1875-07-17
SHREVEPORT Or MARsHALL7

i SHREVEPORT OR MARsHALL7
It is question Of great moment to deter
mine at what point the railroad projected
from Alexandra shall reach the line Of tn
Texas Pacific road.
The route of the first sixty miles is settl 90
upon as passing through or near Natchitoche
and not far from the rich lands along Rec
River. 1t is expected that the road will be
continued by way of Mansfield, which ii
about fifty miles from Natchitoches, also
throu gh rich and prolific region. Mans
field lies q few miles south of direc
line from Natchitoches to Shreveport
but ID nearly in the direct line to Marshall
Texas From Mansfield, Shreveport is abou,
thirty-six miles in an air line due north
Mars ball is about the same distance wes
from Shreveport. The distance in direc,
line from Mansfield to Marshall is, therefore,
about fifty miles. The question is: ''Shall
or to Shreveport p
By pursuing the direct route to Marshall
the saving in distance from that point to New
Orleans will be about fifteen miles, Instead
of going thirty.six miles east to Shreveport,
and thence thirty-six miles south to Mans
field, it will of course be an easier and q
shorter, as well as cheaper way for the
merchant of Marshall to ride fifty
miles southeast to Mansfield. So far as
travel and freight from Marshal and from
points west of Marshall along the Texas Paci-
fic road are concerned, the direct route must
plainly have the preference. But until such
freight and travel become much larger than
they are likely to be for some years, and
until the Texas Pacific ROAD is continued
hundreds of miles further west than now,
the advantage will not compensate for the
construction of fifteen miles of extra road,
and for the loss of the Shreveport trade.
For many years to come, shipments by rail
from Shreveport would be much larger than
could be expected from Marshall, and the
same may be predicated of travel.
AS we conceive, one great object of the pro-
jected road is to give to the Upper Red River
parishes, on both sides. as we'll as to all
Southwestern Arkansas, Northwestern Lou
isiana and Northeastern Texas, rapid and
certain transit for their products and sup
plies at ali seasons of the year in spite
of the low water of the river. For some
months of every year, and often when
most needed, Red River becomes in
effect unnavigable, none but the smallest
steamboats, being able to ascend the Falls at
and to pass the numerous bars
from that point to Shreveport. The latter is
q large and thriving city, central to produc-
tive country, an important depot for cotton,
cattle and other articles for shipment, as we'll
IS large distributing depot for plantation
supplies and general merchandise. It is a
point Of reshipment for cotton coming from
twenty parishes and counties of Texas, Ar
kansas and Louisiana.
For all the country lying within radial
distance of seventy miles from Shreveport a
rail- road from New Orleans terminating there
would be of such benefit as to add more than
10 per cent to the value of real property, be-
sides increasing the value of property all
along the line to New Orleans for a distance
Of fifteen miles on each side or more, in the |
same ratio. After the completion of the road |
the number of visitors to this city from the
region around Shreveport would be twenty
imfs as great the first year, and would in
'rease from year to year.
Equivalent results can not be expected from
making Marshall the terminus of the road in
tead of Shreveport. Eventually it is to be
loped that business will require branch of
he completed Texas Pacific Railroad from
DALLAS in q direct line to this port or to the
cry mouths Of the Mississippi made upon
be shortest and cheapest route, regardless of
'ay accommodation. Such O line would
ave Alexandria, Nstchitoches, Mansfi cid,
hreveport and the entire valley of the Red
liver from 60 to 100 miles to the north.
Such road would be valuable now, but it
not one of the immediate pressing wants OF
le city and the State, like that of road to
hreyeport.
The builders of the projected road must be j.;
'ntrolled by the means placed at their dis.
'sal They can not expect help from the +,
erd hants in Shreveport and the planters ,
ound it for road that will divert trade and :.
oua1f hat al /