The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1884-07-10
Interview with Capt. Dabney.

NE gives a Hines correspondent
all the points in connection with the
railroad.
MONROE, JUNE q, 1884.
Dear Times: Knowing the fever
iSh excitement of our people con-
corning the completion of the v,
S. s. ?. r. r., your correspondent
called on that prince of good fellows,
Captain Dabney, for the purpose of
cleaning a few facts from him direct.
So, making bee line for the Cap
tain's Office, we were informed that
gentleman was in and would give Us
an audience in few moments. We
were soon shown to his privste office
aud found him busily engaged Civ
ing instructions to the different de.
partments. After stating our mis-
sion, the Captain kindly motioned
us to a comfortable seat, and look
ing US square in the face with those
penetrating eyes, remarked i'll sub.
stance:
"Well, sir, what is it | can inform
you. on ?n
"Captain, If agreeable, will you
give us a few dots as to the actual
time, or as near as possible, when
your road will be in regular connec-
ton with Shreveport for through
travel ~
'To the best of my belief, we will
reach your city on or about the 9Th
or 10th of July, but will not be able
to run regular passenger train be-
fore on or about the first of August
"Captain, it has been rumored
that you would run an excursion
train on the 4th of July from Vicks
burg to Shreveport ~
"That, sir, is a mistake
"How far are your tracklayers
from the Shreveport bridge now ?"
Turning to book on his table /:
"This days work included they will
be just seven miles fran the bridge
tonight. This is no guess work, as
we have it figured down to a foot"
'Do you expect any further de-
lays on account of rails?7
"No, indeed; the steamer Henry
Franks few moments since arrived
from New Orleans with sufficient
iron to complete the road and still
leave US a surplus of one half mile.
"How about running trains to
Lawrence station ?"
"We shall not do so until We are
ready toIun to Shreveport"
"How about the excursion spoken
of from Vicksburg to Shreveport %
"Well, for the benefit Of your peo-
pie, l will give you my present pro
gramme and you are at liberty to
put it in any shape to suit you
My idea is to start an exclusion on
the first of August from Vicksburg
to Shreveport. I mean OF course, a
free excursion for all prominent cit,
liens and railroad men along the
line; that is, if no accident occurs"
"Captain, what do you consider a
probable accident 81
"Well, sir, TO be plain with you,
we are now running two daily trains
east and west, leaving us only two
spare passenger coaches, but Super
intendent Cummings, ofthe I. 81 F.,
has kindly promised to lend us four
coaches, which he has now in New
Orleans, provided he can get them
out in time, and have every reason
to believe he will. All things being
favorable l, as before stated, will
start the excursion in person, start
ing with two coaches from Vicks.
burg, filling one between Vicksburg
and Monroe, filling two at Monroe
with prominent citizens and railroad
men and their families; continuing
on to Minden junction. filling up
along the line and reaching Shreve.
port with seven passenger coaches.
Before doing so, however, / will
telegraph to Mayor Currie, whom
know to be progressive and ener-
getic gentleman and friend oil
mine, to make the necessary prepare.
L