Daily press and Dakotaian. [volume] (Yankton, Dakota Territory [S.D.]) 1875-1880, 1879-04-10

A. syva 0esslemaa Givss ssis Views Upsa
l. subject s9 Yaaks ems Dasy - IL
self.
A geatlsman reading in Iowa City. who
has property interests in Yankton, writes q
letter to Governor Edmunds regarding the
advantages Of rail Communication with
Milwaukee. His ideas are excellent and we
publish such portions of the letter as are Of
public interest:
I Iowa City, April eth, ls79.-I have just
had my attention called to an article in a
Chicago paper stating that the G. NJ. 4 81.
P. r. Il. had contracted with a Minneapolis
firm to construct their extension from the
terminus 10 a point on the James river in a
direct line between their present terminus
and the mouth Of White river, and the same
notice mentioned the fact that the officers Of
the company did not nanifest the slightest
intention to yield to the appeals Of interested
parties to have the road diverge from an air
line, so a. to reach points which they, the
parties interested, consider vital. to Them
selves. l believe this 10 be y most vital
point in Yankton's history. One Of the
most important trunk lines of the country,
direct FROM the best wheat market in the west
DIETER thar Chicago) are constructing y
road into the territory, which cannot posi-
bly, 90 more than thirty or thirty.tivs miles
from Yankton.
Now you will agree with me in this, that
would have this effect: The farmers to With
in ten miles Of Yankton would draw their
grain 10 that road why? For this reason,
the NJ. 4 St. P. II. R., although a huge cor.
poratien 10 run by meu who do not allow
the smallest item to escape their notice.
They make rates that get the business. Es-
pecially is this the case when they come
into contact with the Chicago 4 Northwest
ern railroad, or any Of its feeders. and while
the c. & N. w. r. r. is conservative, and
its managers are slow to change rates, the
NJ. & st. p. Il. r., will. They are after the
business and they get it too.
The Milwaukee road would own a contin-
uous line direct to market while competitors
of their road would have to depend upon
the tender mercy Of other lines. You will
agree with me that, if Yankton fails to get
this road, instead Of drawing the farmers
from thirty to fifty miles (as you should and
will if you get the NJ & st. P. X. r. with
their wheat and to trade, you will see the
loaded wagons going the other way from
your very doors. And there is another mat.
ter to which l ask your attention. Standing
as you dc midway between the Mississippi
river and the Black Hills, the proposed
terminus of the road, Yankton will nc
doubt be the great division and will secure
the machine shops for the road, at least the
repair shops.
OF course railroads 90 where it will pay
the best and will get all the assistance they
can. Ny idea is not to figure on the cos,
Of the road, &C., but TO get the road frs
and then figure on the advantages afterward'
A red hot live town will do this and wiz
nine times out Of ten.
Yankton with its natural advantages
and location, and, as l believe, settled will
live and active men, must not let this grea
NJ. & St. p. road get around them. 70,
will count as gain all that this road costs
and will soon be putting on metropolitan
airs, instead of being a nice county sea
town with towns just as good thirty mile
back in the country. l shall be glad to pa,
q tax on what little | have in Yankton to
wards getting that road, and if it is to b
raised by any other means | will be glad I
subscribe my proportion and put it doapa
a good investment.
You will pardon me for takingv
for this long letter and I wouisss
written you if l had not known ~
largely identified with the prosperitys. -.
county and city of Yankton which place !
an early day l expect to make my home.
Very Respectfully,
J. A. ".