The Dallas daily herald. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1873-1887, 1876-01-21
The Lancaster Tap RaIIrOnd.

LANCASTER, Texas January 10, 1876.
TO the Editor of the Dallas Herald:
| have been requested to report the
proceedings of certain meetings held
In this place, having for their object
the building Of a tap railway from Ian
caster TO the Central road, but as the
publication of all that has been said
aud done on these occasions would oc-
cupy too much space in your paper,
propose brief resume thereof. Unjust
say, however, that have been very
much surprised at not seeing any
mention made Of the to us) allah.
ing subject of the Lancaster Tap rail-
road.
We are only fifteen miles from Dali
las, and it seems to me that your local
could have heard something about the
matter. But to my report. The first
meeting was held on Monday evening,
December 9th, 1875, and was very
largely attended. 1t was organized by
calling J. Il. Lloyd, Esq, to the chair,
and appointing DIR. James I'll. Swindells
Secretary.
DIR. IL. J. Moffett, by request, stated
the object of the meeting to be to
deliberate on the subject Of building Il
railroad from Lancaster to Hutchins
or some other practicable point on the
Texas Central Railroad. There were
addresses made by different gentlemen,
all favoring the project, when u resolu-
ton was offered and adopted appoint
ing committee of five to examine in
to the practicability, and report to an
adjourned meeting, the cost, best
route, &c. AS 1t would be necessary
to survey two or thee routes, more
important committee was appointed,
viz: One to raise the funds to pay the
expenses Of survey, &c.
The meeting then adjourned to meet
on the 18th of January, 1876.
The committee first named went i'm
mediately to work, employed an en-
gineer and surveyed out two routes
one to Hutchins, and one running d.
rectly east. The first route, though Il
tOlerably good grade, was found i'm
practicable on account of the difficulty
OF obtaining the right of way for any
thing like n reasonable sum, and then,
too, IL was over mile farther than the
second. The route east was found to
be an excellent one, as to grade, and
but little difficulty will be met with in
obtaining the right of way, as most of
the line can be made to follow the
lines of survey.
The people met again on the Sth
instant, but as the committee was not
ready to report it adjourned until the
18th instant.
This afternoon large number of
people met, Notwithstanding the rain
and disagreeable weather, and after
being called to order by the chairman,
the committee submitted their report,
which was adopted, and committee
appointed to draw up memorial to
the Legislature asking an act of incor-
pOration. ..f
The estimated cost of building the
road, complete, exclusive OF rolling
stock, is $1,000 for three miles and
eight-tenths, or $500 per mile.
This estimate is considered a very
liberal one, aud 1t Is thought the road
can be built for even less.
The kind Of road which II is proposed
to build is narrow gauge, with wooden
rails covered with strap iron, three
inches by one-half inch, bolted to the
wood. This, no viewer, may be changed
to 30-lbs Il rail, or, what is most prob
able, the road may be run for two or
three years as a tramway.
Now, Mr.. Editor, our people are in
earnest, and intend to go through with
what they have commenced. They do
not expect, as good many impecuui-
Gus railroad builders do, to build with
out money and, although they will be
thankful for any and all the outside as
sistance they IN ay get, they intend TO
foot the bills-as Brother Calder says
he has done for the Dallas and Wichita
road.
l cannot close this without rendering
the thanks OF the committe to Mon.
sieur Adolphe Concorde, our engineer,
for his skill and efficiency in survey.
ing, and to Mr.. Cummins, of Dallas,
for the kind interest he has shown In
procuring and loaning the instruments
necessary in making our surveys.
Very respectfully, etc.,
T. IT q