Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1884-09-26

ion Of frank, honest man, who formerly
resided In town, and was Indifferent on the
railroad subject when here We informed
him that the people we're divided as to wheth.
or a railroad would really benefit the town or
not. His reply, was "You need railroad
more than anything else we have them
here In Connecticut in nearly every town" 3"
II there we're no railroads existing in this
country it really seems that some of the peo-
pie would be compelled to sell some of their
cattle 10 the tanners for their hides and horns
this year. Railroads are like folks, often get
ours ID for doing good. Why not curse high
ways too2 Our patience is getting exhausted
when we think how a manufacturer has the
cars running on road that he is building in
an extra mountainous region and in short
space Of time since attempting it, and how
the West river people struggled along year
after year against obstacles, but conquered
at last and the opponents enjoy the benefits
with the others. Some have frankly admit
ted they made mistake in opposing the
road, and yet the people on the Wilmington
and Brattleboro line seem to be AZ blind as
some of those on the West river line were,
Notwithstanding that case is all clear now.
Experience is said to be good teacher.
The writer agrees with the courts in one
thing, that the route is vague and uncer-
tain" But little progress can be made in
building a railroad until fixed route is de-
cided on. Let il be one route or the other
soon. 1t Is hard to compromise the case
Passing over Thomas hill is difficult and un-
der it is no better way. If the road is to go
through Marlboro, Ak surveyed the town Of
Halifax cannot aid il. II it is to go through
Guilford the route ought to be viewed, if not
surveyed, 80 it can be depended upon. A
railroad has no good basis unless there is
some terra hrma for foundation. People
OF this town want something tangible. The
stakes of a permanent survey might cause
them to take patent road scraper and grade
considerable of the road, Just to start the en-
terprise. And if they were positively assur-
ed that there would be no fail they might Ia.
Dor for the future using Of the railroad. We
wish to have the snort of the iron horse to
compete with the screech Of the wild animals
that are becoming so common in our rapidly
growing thickets. Halifax has a better out.
let for a railroad than the route through West
Marlboro. A fine route fer road is from
Greenfield up Green river, through the val
ley of West Halifax to North river and thence
to the timber land in Texas" People say
they will bond heavier for that route than
any other ard as it becomes more eneourag.
ing, what is there to hinder someof those rail.
road companies that have lines near Greenfield
to build a road past tho nice villages to the
forests. An excellent grade and easy to con-
struct, and if it is accomplished it will be
great joke on Brattleboro people.
II the Bratteboro and Wilmington railroad
wish the business of this town, the company
must locate near our thoroughfares, where
the grade is good and business also. But be
this as it may, if the people of Brattleboro
want as much business as they now have
they will have to be vigilant, for it was the
opposition of the people of this town that
discouraged a railroad from entering via North
river valley. n. Ii. SHEPARDsoN.
Halifax, August, 1884.