Lexington weekly intelligencer. (Lexington, Mo.) 1871-1887, 1885-11-14
THE O., B. & Q. EXTENSION.

Scott; VIM. E. Walton, Butler; Thos-
A. Whitworth, Odessa; Tilton Davis
and A.A. Lesueur, Lexington, visitedMr.
L. J. Potter, first vice. president and
general manager of the c., B. Il q.
railway, at Chicago, last Tuesday, by
appointment.
The interview lasted the better por-
ton of the forenoon, was unreserved,
full and free, and very satisfactory.
Numerous maps representing the
various portions of the state; the road
bed already graded from this place in
the desired direction; the connections
in Kansas; the road as marked out by
the c., B. s. Q. engineer, statistics,
etc., were spread upon the table and
continually consulted. Mr.. Potter
seemed to be fully as much interested
in the conference as was tie committee,
and displayed a thorough knowledge,
not only of the proposed line, but of
the railroad situation in southern Kan
sas.
Each gentleman was first given an
opportunity to present his views, after
which the conference was carried on i'll
q conversational manner. The ground
was very fully covered, especially as
those things which were inadvertently
omitted were brought out by Mr.. Pot
ter's questions.
1t would, of course, be impossible for
US to reproduce the entire conversa-
ton. The impression left upon the
minds of the committeeman was very
favorable to the building of the road.
Mr.. Potter fully realizes the value of
the Lexington coal field as compared
with any other in this vicinity; he
knows that $3.50 900 were spent in
making the road bed, which is in all
excellent state of preservation, and
much of which can be utilized by his
company I; he is aware of the easy grade
and freedom from bridges which this
line affords; he is advised of the value
of passing through the county seat and
the next best shipping point in the
county, Odessa; he appreciates that
Lexington, Washington and Sni-a-bar
| townships are now burdened with debts
aggregating over $500 900, incurred
for the building of the B., & S. w.
railroad; he sees the business of the
claim that the people on that line
have to the road, all other things be-
ing equal; and he also sees that the
road.bed, which belongs to his compa-
ny in far as it belongs to anybody,
renders this route a very desirable one;
he is convinced of the good will of the
people along the entire line; all these
things and many more were brought to
his attention.
Mr.. Potter is a thorough business
man and a perfect gentleman in his de-
pertinent. He is probably As years of
age; has a keen eye; is rapid but quiet
in his movements; celebrates careful
", but his conclusions
promptly and clearly. He has risen to
the high position which he now occu-
pies-the management of this great
property-by his own ability and force
of character, and as one of the party
remarked after the conference, "That
man is a general, and knows exactly
what he is doing"
Mr.. Potter was very frank with the
committee. He stated that as a matter
of fact the company had not fully de-
cided to extend the road; that the
c., B. & K. C. road, however, was in
such a condition that something would
have to be done with it II way OF an
other. He said that, if the company
after an investigation Don to be made,
concluded that the road could be
profitably operated, it would be built,
and that work would be begun upon it
by March 1. There a be no diff
Guilty in proving that the road will pay
from the beginning, 80 that admission
is virtually an assurance that the road
will be built. Mr.. Potter promised
to send, within a month, to this city,
the general engineer Of the road, MIR.
R. J. Mcclure, accompanied by what
he denominated of his business
men. These gentlemen are to view the
route carefully and make an immediate
report. Mr.. Potter could not, under
existing circumstances, declare at this
time that the road would come this
way, but his careful and numerous
questions as to the road-bed indicated
what he thought upon that point. Be-
side, he said that the money was ap-
propriated, set aside, last year, to ex-
tend the road to Lexington, but that
complications in other directions pre-
vented the company from carrying out
the idea. He stated, distinctly. that his
company did not desire, at this time,
to extend the road to Kansas City, but
did wish to go to the southwest. He
admitted that the building offs bridge
over the Missouri river was the great
est deterrent at This time, but said that
was not an i%nsuperable obstacle. He
further stated that he had already said
to the board of directors Of his com
pany, that they ought to give us all an
swer on this question at nee. Either
build the road or relinquish all claim to
the road bed so that we can look in
some other direction to have it ironed
and operated.
Altogether the interview was very
encouraging indeed. That it was op-
perfume, all who were present plainly
saw. No point that had been previous
ly suggested. We trust that out of the
meeting will grow up future cordial
relations that will result in securing
| he road to us, and in making it profit
able to the company.
We have received, with the compli-
ments of Geo. B. Sydnor, two copies
OF the Richmond, Va. Wing. One
copy is dated November 2. 1t is full of
big head lines, and its leading edito-
rial starts off in this grandiloquent style:
"Friends, countrymen, republicans!
victory is before us, within our grasp.