The Van Buren press., 1878-09-03
Shall the Railroad Cross Here ?

| Last Saturday night quite large number
of our people assembled at the court house,
and from there removed to the building op-
posite, to listen to the proposition made by
the railroad, with reference to making this
point the crossing.place Of the railroad, and
running into the town of Fort smith.
On motion Of b. j. Brown, Hon. Jesse Tur-
ner was called to the chair, and on motion OF
DR.. Pernot. Gen. Thomson was made Secre-
tary.
Mr.. Turner then explained the object ofthe
meeting, and presented quite number of
reasons why the railroad company should be
| assisted In this matter--of the benefits that
must accrue, ultimately, to Van Buren,. He
said that long years ago when the road was
first contemplated the company's intention
was to cross the river here. Since the new
company took the road, a different course was
determined upon, and now the road runs this
side of the river to its western terminus. lie
said that Van Buren, was the proper and only
available place in the west for crossing. He
said he hoped our people would awaken to
a lively sense of the Importance of this mat
ter, and not let this opportunity to advance
their own interests pass away unimpi owed.
He said Maj. Hartman was present, and could
state the purposes of the road, in the premis-
es. more efliectually than himself, and he
hoped to hear from him.
Maj. Hartman took the floor. and made a
very sensible talk. He spoke somewhat at
length about the Indian opposition against
the terminus of the railroad; said the road
had been ordered to remove the railroad and
appurtenances thereto belonging, outside the
limits of the Nation. In virtue ofthis order,
property had been purchased of Mr.. Stone
road, and work commenced there. During
the progress of the work, in studying upon
the matter, he questioned himself if lie was
not making mistake in the point lie had Sc
lectcd--if Van Buren was not the best and
most practicable point for crossing the river.
Acting upon the impulse of the moment, he
stopped work at Stoneroad's, and hurried to
Boston, to lay his plans before the executive
board of the road. He said that the first
question that met the explanation of the
purpose Of the visit, was, How much more
will it cost than at Stoneroad's ?" After
had made an estimate from the surveys made
by Mr.. Hughes, told them that the cost of
the completed work at Stoneroad would be
$4,000, and at Van Buren 100000 more. The
Board asked me where expected toeaise the
500, 900 ! said that expected them to give
it to me. They said they could not put any
more money in Arkansas, as they were real-
zing nothing from their present investment,
but that they would put the whole RESPONSE
blity upon my shoulders, and for me to do
whatever could, with the road m ans at my
disposal. That is the way the matter now
stands He said that at the end of a week.
If he received the necessary aid he would
commence work at this point, Otherwise
work would be resumed at Stoneroad. and
the crossing made there. He paid some very
tlattering compliments to Van Buren, and
urged upon the people the vital importance
of this proposition
Mr.. Turner" How do you intend dividing
the cost of the work between Van Buren, and
Fort smith"
Maj. H." have not given much thought
to the matter. but should think u third or Il
fourth would be Il fair DIVISION"
Judge lIuekleberry-" " hat do you intend
doing with the Lees Creek Bridgc?"
Maj. H" have to build new bridge at
| Cadron, and could remove it there at less ex-
| pense from Lees Creek than could erect "a