The Ouachita telegraph. [volume] (Monroe, La.) 1865-1889, 1881-02-25
CORRESPONDENTS.

TO 3fs. ". Il. Parker, President L. e. d
G. @. RI Il.
Having been advised of the inten-
ton Of yourself and other stock hold
ers of the above road, to abandon your
present line, and remove to some more
paying section, I beg leave to call
your attention to the advantages Of
fered by building from the City of
Monroe, La, situated upon the east
bank of the Ouachita river, in the
heart of as fine an agricultural coun-
try as can be found in the south, in a
northeasterly direction through the
eastern portion of Ouachita parish,
tapping the Scum RIDGE" coax
Ridge" Prairies Jefferson and Ner
Rouge in Morehouse parish, and
thence extending your line up the allu.
vial valley of Bayou Bartholomew to
Pine Bluff, Ark; there connecting
with the Little Rock and Pine Bluff
road, thereby opening up a continu-
Gus, all rail connection with the City
of st. Louis, Mo-, the point from
supplies of western produce.
am authorized by the Monroe
Board of Trade to say that you can
obtain at that point substantial assis-
lance in cash stock-which, we think,
may safely be considered as dona-
don-to the amount Of $4,000, with
an equal amount from merchants and
planters in the portions of Morchouse
parish above named. The length of
line necessary to reach the edge of the
cotton belt through which this pro-
posed line would run, is about (1s)
eighteen miles, requiring but little
grading. think not over $500 cubic
y'ds per mile, and but one short tres
tie bridge. The country traversed be-
ing level alluvial or fiat second bot
tom pine lands, with tie and bridge
timbers in abundance, the graduation,
etc., would be as light as could be got
ten in the most advantageous locali-
ties. The completion of this section of
10 miles would give you the handling
of, say 10000 bales of cotton, with the
heavy "back' freights.
In extending the line to tho town of
Oak Ridge, a distance of twenty-four
(21) miles from Monroe, tho cotton
traffic would amount to $4,000 bales,
with the same expenditure for gradua-
ton, per mile, as the first eighteen {1S)
miles, with ono trestle bridge of, say,
seventy-tiv feet in length, and not ex-
ceeding five hundred feet of trestle
work, (not piling, of an average
height of five feet. A distance of 80
miles would reach Prairie NIer Rouge,
and take an additional 5000 bales
more. After reaching this section of
Morehouse parish, which is in the
heart of as rich and productive a Sec
ton as can be found in the south, the
construction would be comparatively
nothing, and the country travcrsed
one of unsurpassed fertility, and unex-
celled in the production of our great
staple.
BY making Monroe the southern ter
minous of tho road, thereby securing
a connection by water for three fourths
of the year, we think extra induce
mcnts could be offered shippers during
the boating season. BY rail from
Monroe, or any point on the V. S. 4
+. II. II. when navigation is not open
the ruling rate for cotton is from $3.50
to $500 per bale, and by water from
Bayou Bartholomew and Bnuf river
the same prices as above rule.
Usual rates upon cotton, by water,
from Monroe to New Orleans, 81. 90
per bale. Never more than this, and
often rs low as 25c and soc per bale.
Before making any final decision as
regards location, We would he pleased
to have you visit our city as the guest
of our board of trade, and will take
pleasure in making your stay as agree
able as possible.
With the hope that you will give the
above hurried summary favorable con,
| am sir,
7sr. Very Respectfully Yours,