The Grange advance. [volume] (Red Wing, Minn.) 1873-1877, 1877-03-14
The Feeder Railroads.
RED Wing, March %, 1877,

RED WING, March ID, 1871.
Mr.. Editor:-I notice in your paper
Of February 2Sth, an article in relation
to two railroads (narrow guage) start
ing from Red Wing, one running
through Zumbrota to Kenyon and the
other to Cannon Falls. The article
wildly recalls to my mind my idea en-.
tertained for several years past. in re-
gard to the future of Red Wing, and
that is that both the location, and its
transportation facilities are very favor
able to make city Of some Importance,
provided the now young and growing
city looks after its own interests in a
practical and efficient manner.
First its location: 1t is practically
about midway between St. Paul and
Winona and it is the natural market of
one Of the best, if not the best, agri-
cultural regions Of the United States.
It is also far enough from St. Paul so
that that city will not interfere with it's
local business, provided Red Wing uses
the facilities that it may use to bring
its supplies from its natural sources, or
feeders, and that is from the west, with
quite an area from the east.
Just here occurs to ME i visit I re-
ceived few years ago from two bust
ness men Of Red Wing, in relation to
getting the town of Goodhue (where I
then lived) to vote bonus for the river
road. replied that the river road was
only a question Of time, bonus or no
bonus, and that the road would build
itself. That I should, therefore, go
against any bonus for Goodbue, Tin
that town the bonus got one solitary
vote but that they ought to be looking
for a road running westward, striking
out from the river back through the
country, to bring their natural supplies
to the city.
They objected that it would hurt the
retail trade and increase the wholesale.
Now for the result, what is it? Why
they are all complaining that the retail
trade is hurt, and mind you we have
got the river railroad alone with no
back country road. I am afraid their
philosophy don't hold good l. did not
believe then that it would.
Secondly, we have at our doors the
Mississippi river, the greatest Of our
country if not of the world. By which
the heavy shipments Of our country are
made north, south, east and west, and it
is a we'll known fact thas no other man
ner OF inland shipments can compete
with river transportation.
Our natural markets for our produce
are east and south and our supplies for
it are from the west. And, on the
other hand, GU. dry goods, groceries,
hardware and machinery are from the
east and south going west. Now what
are our facilities to get our supplies
from the west and to distribute those
that we get from the east? 1 presume
you would all like to say that we have
the improved modern facilities for trans
porting them; but no, the answer must
be that we in Red Wing use the trans
portation of our forefathers of hundreds
of years ago. Why? Because we
were afraid Of hurting our retail trade.
am afraid that the Red Wing bonus
philosophy was false philosophy.
Now Cannon Falls and Zumbrota are
both clamoring for railroad facilities,
and are bound to have them, and it is
only question Of time with them. One
road they are bound to have, and one
is all they need, and it will start from
from the Mississippi somewhere. The
place that starts out to them will re.
ceive the benefit of their good will and
trade. Red Wing should be that place
Will the citizens Of Red Wing put it il
operation ? More anon about cost
length, etc. Respectfully, n. r.
RED WING, March 9Th, IT.