Knoxville journal. [volume] (Knoxville, Iowa) 1874-1986, 1877-01-17
The Des NIeines BRIDGE Matter.

The 0es Moines Bridge Matter.
From : late letter TO the State Keg;s-
ter We clip the following specimen.
IF there IL any argument, truth, OF
reason In IL that will be serviceabIe to
Pella, she IL welcome to it's promulga-
ton through the columns OF the
JOURNAL:
PELLA, Jan. 8, 1S77.-There has
beens OF talk lately Of de-
tatching Lake Prairie township lin
Guiding Pellaj from Marion county,
and attaching it to Mahaska county
claiming in the first place that Oska-
lO0sa can more easily be reached
from Pella than Knoxville; secondly,
that on several occasions District and
Circuit Court was necesitated to adj
journ on occOunt Of the absence OF
lawyers and witnesses from Pella,
prevented from crossing the raging
Dies Moines river; thirdly, that Ma
haska county would be willing to
build bridge over the Des Moines
river at some point between Pella and
Knoxville, which the latter place has
repeatedly frustrated and il not over
anxious TO help build. This project
IL being pretty literally discussed
among our deep thinking citizens.
Judge Winslow Is quoted as to having
given his opinion that the move ID
practicable and could be made. Judge
Sewers has also been asked for his OPP
inion which We did not learn. IT we
understand this matter right, supp0s-
Ing this project to be worked upon,
defeat In certain. On such matter
the whole county would vote, and, OF
course, the south side would not be
willing to let us out. Others again
are talking about organizing new
county; with Pella for a county seat,
combining portions OF Marion, Mahas-
ka and jasper counties. This was
talked Of years ago and nothing came
OF it--nor will It now; the counties
would not consent by vote. The only
way to get matters straight between
Peila and Knoxville, IL to have
bridge built, TO see that we get our
share Of the bridge fund, etc, Is TO
see to the kind OF men we help elect
a. members OF the Board Of Supervis-
ors. DO not work, nominate or vote
for any man unless he pledges himself
to work for the bridge enterprise.
JOHN.
The JOURNAL will not do the city OF
Pella the injustice TO hold her or her
citizens to account for
the wild utterances above quoted. But
few words Of comment are needed. |
Such talk as Johns and such action as
lie advises, will never bridge the Dies |
Noines between Pella and Knoxville. |
1t 10 evident that John wants bridge |
more for the purpose Of carrying trade
TO Pello than for the convenience of
Pella people I'm reaching their county
seat. He would have the bridge so far
,ast that it would benefit only Pella
and leave Summit, Red Rock and
Perry townships, and portion of
Polk, all on the north side of the river
no better accommodated than at pres
mt This territory includes the
owns Of Otley and Red Rock, whose
citizens have claims upon the bridge
'und as valid as those of PelIa. II one
bridge is to be builtat Durham's or
Horns another should be built at Red
Rock. If but one is to he built il
should be In Polk township, ut or
near Rousseau. A bridge at tho lat
er place would accommodate the
)ther towns as well ~ Pella, and re-
luire only mile or two extra travel
% Pella people in reaching Knoxville.
If bridge at Horns or Durham is
Pella's ultimatnm, and her citizens
will oppose any candidate for member
)f the Board unless he pledges him
self to work. for that bridge enter
prise, then Pella cuts itself loose
from all claims to cooperation with
Otley, Red Rock and their adjacent
territory, and the people OF the latter
places might be easily induced to object
md join others on this side of the
river to defeat Pella's pledged candi-
late. Let the North side people agree
upon site for a bridge, and unite In
M honorable effort to obtain it, and
hey will meet no formidable oppo-
sition from Knoxville or the south
side. II Pella proposes to make the
bridge question AL issue in the
election of q member of the Board Of
Supervisors, her representative and
more conservative men should present
the arguments, and let the matter be
wisely and good-naturedly placed be-
fore the whole people of the county |
In such way as to secure common
consent and an easy triumph. The
mad counsels of irresponsible and
jeolous persons will only tend to cre-
ate opposition and lay the foundations
for defeat in every attempt. The
people Of Knoxville want to be.neigh-
borly aud generous with their Pella
friends, who certainly cannot hope to
gain anything By endeavors to pro-
woke bad feeling aud encourage sect
ional strife. We advise Pella 10 keep
John" still on this question If posi-
h1o