The Ouachita telegraph. [volume] (Monroe, La.) 1865-1889, 1881-02-11
RAILROAD PROMISES UxKEDEEMED

Shreveport and Pacific railroad, he
being also the principal stakeholder, if
not the chief furnisher of supplies, it
was announced for hun by the Vicks-
burg Commercial that the purchase of
the road was of the character of a per-
manent investment, and that measures
would be at once adopted to complete
the road through to Shreveport. This
was some months ago-to be more
accurate, in March last, just after the
Colonel's return from New York.
1t was also announced that it was the
Company's purpose and plan to place
its bonds, at the rate of sc, 200 per
mile, upon the market, and that the
Colonel entertained no doubt whatever
that they would be promptly nego-
tiated on very reasonable terms.
Msjor Waddill and Mr.. Pittman, of
Vicksburg, took rooms in New York
for the purpose. of experimenting the
preparation of the bonds.
We copy the concluding portion of
the. Commercials report of the inter
view held in March last between the
reporter and Colonel Richardson:
1t is the purpose of the company as
we learn from Col. Richardson, to push
the work Of construction as rapidly as
possible, and with this view work will
be commenced at Monroe and Shreve-
port at the earliest day practiblc, ana
constructing parties will be pushing
forward their work from the east and
the west simultaneously. In addition
to this, II Is the purpose of tho COM
pany to commence next summer, and
press to vigorous and carly completion
the work etevating the road bed from
Delta to Monroe. BY raising the SUI
pcrstructure between these two points,
say about five feet, the road will be
entirely protected form the danger of
submergence by tho floods, which now
threaten to suspend traffic and trade
over this great highway, and thus give
| us continuous and uninterrupted com.
snunication with the vast and prolific
regions west of us.
The stories about the sale OF the road
to Jay Gould or to any body else, are
pure inventions. We are assured by
Col. Richardson, that the object of
himself and his company is to build
the road, and until that is done, or their
inability to accomplish the great work
is manifested to their satisfaction, the
road is not for sale.
Referring to these promises only for
the purpose of fastening their fulfill
ment, we have to chronicle the IN.
welcome fact that much remains to
be done before that point is reached.
In the matter Of the survey hence to
Shreveport, tho line has been per
manently located by Capt. Dabney,
and satisfactorily so, we believe, about
45 miles, as far rs Arcadia, with a
! trial extension to the western terminus,
and in the construction of the bridge
across the Ouachita, portion of the
material has been collected, four Gals.
sons wholly or partly placed and
| finished, and some other essentials of a
preliminary character have been dis
posed OF, leaving, however, by far the
greater portion of the undertaking vet
to be gone through with.
These two items embrace about all in
the way of manual labor yet accom-
plfshed to perfect a line of railroad 90
miles in length through a virgin up
land forest, saving, possibly, work
done on the superstructure of the bridge
Mt other points.
We submit that this is not n fair
equivalent for the expectations raised
by Col. Richardson, and perhaps by
other members, but of less force, of the
company, and that these results are
sadly disappointment to tho business
demands and material interests of tho
section of country interested, and SC
deeply, in the completion of the Nicks-
burg and Shreveport railroad. We
| may say, we think with entire truth
and certainly with feelings warmly
enlisted, as for many years, in the sue
cess Of this enterprise, that the com
pany's management has been wanting
in vigor, assuretliy in progress, or else
the credit of the road is weak and the
owners are delaying completion ir
hopes of being rid of their property
meanwhile, at IL handsome profit. We
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