The weekly democratic statesman. [volume] (Austin, Tex.) 1871-1883, 1882-04-06
RAILROAD MAGNATES
Of the Austin and Northwestern
Railroad Arrive in Austin
For the Purpose of Taking a Look
at the Road and its Extension.


Sunday there arrived in the city from
the north Senator j. K. Graves, F. T.
Walker and W. G. Waters, all of Du
buque, Iowa. These gentlemen, In com.
pany with General Manager H. w.
Mcneil and President j. A. RhOmberg,
are the builders of the Austin and North
western railroad, which is now rushing
its way through the northwestern coun
ties, and they are here for the purpose
of taking look over the road and max
ing the necessary preparations for its eX
tension, and to invest more capital IN any
enterprise which they feel convinced will
pay Besides being men of means, they
are composed of pure northern pluck,
energy and enterprise, and have the
ability to handle just such gigantic spec
ulations successfully as they have under
taken in Our city-in fact, more bust
ness-like set of men never visited us.
RThis has been shown by General Man
ger Mcneil and President Rhomberg,
who have been with us some months,
| giving the road their attention and work
ing most eneIgetically to get the first di
vision completed.
As these gentlemen are so heavily iden-
tilted with our city's progress and future
| prosperity, the STATESMAN has gone to q
little trouble in securing short personnel
of each, so that those who do not have
the pleasure of meeting them personally
may know something of them.
SENATOR j. X GRAVES,
who is known by a number of our citizens
has paid several visits to Austin and won
many admirers by the manner in which
he took hold of the Austin and North
western railroad enterprise. Mr.. Graves
is one of the most prominent men
in the northwest, and as a financiel
ranks among the best. At the present
time he is the senator from his district
and comes to Texas fresh from the lows
| legislative halls.
H. W. NJ NELL,
who is now one of us, is well known by
all. He was associated with Mr.. Grave:
in the Iowa coal mines, which they re
Gently sold for $500, 900. He is a Goa
expert and also thorough railroad man.
Since he became general manager of tho
road he has pushed the line so rapidly
that by the first of May train will pass
to Burnet. 1t would be of great advan
tage to Austin if we had more men Of
his stamp.
PRESIDENT j. A. RHOMBERG
might be called an old settler, as he ha.
spent at least nine months of the year il
the city. He is largely interested II
Texas, and it was mainly through his in
1uence that his Iowa friends were in
duced to invest some of their mean.
in Texas. He is worker anC
man of unusual energy. As he is SO
well known by all of our people it i!
unnecessary to speak further of him
Mr.. Thomberg, with Mr.. Graves, was the
builder of the Dubuque division of the
Chicago, Milwaukee and st. Paul rail
way, and has been interested in variou:
other enterprises.
F. t. WALKER
is director of the Austin and NORTH
western railroad, leading real estate
man of Iowa and Dakota He has paiC
Texas several visits and is of the opinion
that it is only question of a short tint
when the state will rank among the fore
most in the Union.
U. G. WATERS
is capitalist and also a director of the
road. This is his first visit to Texas and
he was indeed surprised to find the stat,
in such prosperous condition.
| These are the gentlemen who ar
furnishing the money for thi
road, which, when completed
will make Austin appear as if imbueC
with new life, and it is to the interest Of
our citizens TO meet them.
THE TRACK LAYING
force, since the arrival of the new en-
CINE, has been largely increased, ant
track is now being laid at the averag
rate of one and half miles day. T,
keep the hands in supplies it has becom
necessary to run two day trains and on
night train, and there is hardly a doub
that our people can take ride to Bun
net in another month. The citizens O
Burnet will, upon the arrival of the frs
train, give grand barbecue. Alread,
they are quietly making preparations 70
the reception of their guests.