Daily press and Dakotaian. [volume] (Yankton, Dakota Territory [S.D.]) 1875-1880, 1880-01-24
THE A1cn.soN EXTENSION.

Favorable View Of Yankton's sugges.
tions at tho other End OF Line.
The Atchison Daily Champion reprints
our comments upon the proposed extension
of the Atchison & Nebraska railroad up the
valley ofthe James, and publishes a letter
from Major Grimes, adding the following
as it's own ideas upon the subject:
We publish, this morning, a letter from
Major E B. Grimes, quartermaster U. S.
A., now stationed at Yankton, the capital
Of Dakota, concerning a proposed extension
OF the A,chison and Nebraska railroad from
Columbus, Neb;, to that point. Msjo,
Grimes sends us m article published in the
St. Louis Post Dispatch SOM days ago, con.
corning this enterprise, and the comments
of the Ysnkton Press and Dakotaian on the
same subject. Maj. Grimes adds his testi
mony to that of the others, sustaining the
practicability and great advantage Of this
proposed line of road.
Yankton is located directly north of Col
umbus, and about ninety miles distant. 1t
is the capital of Dakota, and on the Mis-.
souri, river at the mouth of the James, an
important tributary having its source
nearly a thousand miles northward. The
James river has a wide valley, and the
country adjacent is one of the richest wheat
growing regions in the northwest. The
road north from Columbus would traverse
the counties of Platte, Madison, Pierce and
Cedar, Nebraska, all nov destitute of rail.
way facilities ; or, passing q little east Of
this line, would run through the counties of
Platte, Stanton, Wayne and Cedar.
1t was the purpose Of the original build
ers of the Atchison and Nebraska road, ss
We know, to ultimately extend its line into
and Though Dakota. They clearly pre-
ceived the great advantages Of such a route,
and the immense carrying trade the road
would do. We have frequently talked With
the first president of tine A. & n, Col.
Abel, and its fret superintendent, Major
Firth, concerning this scheme, and know
that it was the cherished purpose Of their
lives. Since their death we have heard
very little of such an enterprise. except 10 a
general way: But we are glad to know
that the project has been revived, and we
ton its importance deserves.
1t would be q natural extension for the
A. & N, and would make that line one of
the most important and valuable in the
west. 1t would strike the Missouri river
at or available point for controlling the
trade for thousands of miles above. II
would secure. at once, q valuable local trade
In the rich country between the Platte and
the Missouri. and it would, at Yaoktos,
command TO . large extent, the still great.
er carrying trade Of the james river va.
ley.
SO far az this city is concerned, We are
sure that every influence the citizens can
exert will be cheerfully used 10 promote
the success Of this important enterprise.
The project is one, too, that ought to enlist
the helpful aid of the city Of St. Louis,
and especially Of the Missouri Pacific rail-
road company. The A. & N. is a natural
feeder Of the Missouri Pacific, and If the
former were extended northward TO the
capital Of Dakot., it would bring to the
Missouri Pacific q carrying trade that
would tax to the utmost its resources for
transportation.