The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1880-06-07

The Railroad Troubles
The residents along Water street were
surprised this morning when awakening
to see the Chicago. Burlington q quincy
road hands at work laying a strack from
10Th street. east Three weeks ago the
council met and repealed al portion OF the
ordinance, and it was generally believed
that this settled the matter and that 10
| attemp. would be made to lay track
along the original right Of way. The force
of men are of the regular construction
train uuder the leadership OF B. 3.
Aus,in. and are from ..Beardetown. The
men went to work about 80 o'clock this
morning and by o'clock about so feet of
track had been laid up to the Rock Island
and Peoria track. and. then the latter com :
pauy ran a train OF cars across and of
course the workers had to suspend
work. But the work was taken
up OF :the other side and then
the WORK was again ordered stopped by
Mayor Carse and Marshal Miller, Mr.. <.
| D. Sweeney, OF Sweeney, Jackson &
Walker, attorneys for the Chicago, Bur
lington & Quincy asked upon what ground
the stoppago was ordered, and demanded
the papers. The Mayor replied that the
action of the council repeating the ordi-
nance was final and upon that ground the
work was in violation of the law. A war
rant was issued for F. B. Austin,in charge
| Of the gang of workmen. and work was
temporarily suspended. There was great
excitement among the property owners
along the line of the projected new line Of
track, and every obstacle was thrown in
| the way of the workmen. such as piling
up ties, etc., but no violence was attempt
| ed by either side. tho citizens contenting
themselves with some loud protests. Mr..
Sweeney claims that the right. of way Is
| still intact and that the action of the coun-
Gil was illegal; that The Chicago, Burliug-
ton & Quincy will not resort to force. that
and that they will have. Excitement
runs high, and reminds one of the times
in Moline, year ago when Williams
White & Co., resisted the laying OF a
track along the right of way.
The question is a vexed one the right of
title tracing back to the old Rockford
road. and by succession TO the. present
owners. the c. B. & Q. company,
Tho original grant was accorded by
city ordinance on May 26, 1869, and
Sweeney. Jackson &. Walker claim was
re-afhrmed. clearly and enthusiastically in
April 1879. The workmen are still keep
ing guard over their rails and ties, while
citizens continue to keep watch. fearing
some c0up de etat on the part of the rail
road company. 1t looks rs if the matter
would reach a solution only at the end
of tedious litigation.
ssa This afternoon ct $50 O'clock the OBJ
structions were removed by order of Mayer
Carse. Street Superintendent Warren
with force Of men, did the tearing asun-
dsr OF the ties and iron, and the removal.
while Marshal Miller and the full police
force, were present to keep order. Alder
man Brown was present giving orders and
taking an active share CT the command
while Mayor Carse was absent. Mr., NJ.
NJ. Corbstt, looked on and after the legal
rights of the city, while Mr. Matthews
and other citizens owning property on the
street were present. A number of rail-
road laborers hung around waiting for
anything that might turn up. At the
time above stated the police force were
relieved with the exception of Officer
Feeley who was left to watch and wait,
The next scene will probably be laid in
Circuit Court. The papers for an iDjunc-
ton are now being prepared. Will be ready
By to morrow morning, when the merits
of the same will be heard before Judge
Peasants.