Lexington weekly intelligencer. (Lexington, Mo.) 1871-1887, 1885-04-25
A BRIDGE AT LEXINGTON.

Some months ago the Intelligenoer
printed an article advocating the build
ing of a railroad and wagon bridge at
Lexington, by an organization OF our
own citizens. A few wide-awake peo-
pie here saw the Importance OF the
idea and realized its feasibility, but
the majority, with the apathy that
seems to have seized them, treated the
matter as more of a joke than anything
else. Congress was then in session.
Prompt action could have secured us a
charter, and the organization could have
been at work this season.
God helps them that help themselves
The Importance of having the control
of this bridge in the hands of our own
| citizens cannot be too strongly estl-
| mated. No local capital would have
been needed in it's construction. If we
want the bridge we should say so, and
act accordingly. Others are looking
this way, but unless we show a dis
position to help ourselves, we can look
| for no successful enterprises. The fol-
lowing railroad news is in point
The decision of Judges Brewer and Treat
| that the receivers should not pay any rent OF
leased lines where the income Is less thar the
operating expenses has resulted already In
| steps being taken by three roads to seventeen
connection with the Wabash, to-wit: The
Cairo division, the HAVANA division and the
Quincy, Missouri and Pacific. 1t is not prob
able, from the following from the st. Joseph
Herald, that this process OF dlsintegratioh
will stop with these roads:
Mr.. Newton Crane, of st. LOUIS, attorney
of the owners of this road, visited st. Joseph
yesterday at the Invitation of L. D.. Chew
Jr., chairman of the railway and Transports
ton committee of the Board OF Trade, Tor
the purpose of conference with reference to
the abandonment by the Wabash company
of this branch. Mr.. Crane was met at the
directors room of the Board Of Trade by
some fifteen or twenty of st. Joseph's mos
prominent merchants and bankers. The
matter was fully and carefully discussed, and
it seems to be the conclusion of all presen,
that the property owned by the st. JOSEPH
and St. Louis railroad company could BIZ
proftably operated as an independent line
with the construction of a bridge at LeXing.
ton, which would afford this company ar
opportunity of connection not only with the
Wabash and Missouri Pacific, but also witt
the NJ, X. Il T.. with all its great Southern
connections, thus affording the merchants o
St. Joseph greater and more prompt facili'
ties for delivering their goods to these sec
lions of this country than are furnished BY
the present system. 1t developed in thu
interview with Mr.. Crane that the propert!
of this company is unencumbered by mort
gage or other indebtedness, and if prudent!
managed, even Its local traffic would result il
profit to its owners. 1t Is hoped that at
very early day this result may be accomplish
ed, and that the very large contribution
made by the people Of this county may sooi
result in a great benefit to our people.
Now, here is an opportunity TO
Lexington, and that it should avail it
self of it, seems as plain as a pike staff
but will it do So, or will it suffer thi
chance to pass by. as it did the oppor
tunity to secure the extension of tn,
Burlington, Kansas City Southwest
ern railway? Just now plans AZ
being laid for fruition as times begil
to improve. People all round US ar
vide awake, and it behooves us to be OF
the alert.