The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1886-08-05
Narrow Gauge Extension.

A meeting was held at the court house
last Thursday evening to consider the matter
of the extension of the L. & 5. II. X. H. from
Hartford to South Haven. Hon. A. S. Dyck-
man of South Haven, was present and ex-
planned what was desired of our people in
order that that end of the road might be
completed during the present season.
He assured rs that there was 10 reason
why the road should not be so completed if
the people in this vicinity would only help
them lift little. Mr. Clark of South Bend,
Ind, the party with whom negotiations have
been pending for several months, was at
South Haven a short time since and informed
them that he was ready to enter into con-
tract to iron the road and operate it just as
soon as they were ready to pledge themselves
TO furnish the means 10 furnish the right of
way and to grade and tie it. Mr.. d. said
that South Haven and Covert were ready to
take care of the grading and tieing from the
lake to the north line OF Hartford township;
that there was gap of four miles between
the village of Hartford and the north line of
Hartford township that was unprovided for
and that they were unable TO raise the means
to take care OF that four miles; that Hart
ford had lifted heavily in getting the exten-
sion from Lawrence and could not provide
all the money needed for that four miles but
would help; that meeting had been held at
that place and committees had gone to work
at the matter; that il would cost about So 900
to bridge the gap and they wanted Paw Paw
to furnish the sum of $4,000, and that sub
scriptions i'll that amount would undoubtedly
secure the extension. as Mr.. Clark was ready
| to pledge himself to have the road in opera
ton within ninety days after it was graded
and tied. He further stated that Mr.. Clark
Il n
speedily extended south to the Grand Trunk,
but that the western extension must first be
secured. Should the project be successful
and the small sum required of this town and
vicinity ought not to be allowed to stand in
the way-there would be a road starting at
South Haven, one of its termini, and running
thirty-six miles to Lawton in the direction Of
Toledo, the other projected terminus, and it
might reasonably be anticipated that, at no
distant day, there would materalZe a real
Toledo aud South Haven railroad. OF the
advantages of the proposed extension it is
almost needless to speak. They are apparent
to the most casual observer. 1t would large
ly increase the business intercourse between
the eastern and western portions of our
county thereby proving a source of profit to
both sections, it would give us direct compe--
tition in western freights during the season
OF navigation by way of steamer from Chi
cago to South Haven, il would give the rail-
road such importance and standing as to
make southern connection comparatively
easy, it would largely increase the trade of
our merchants and business men, it would
forever settle the question of the removal of
the county seat to any other town and would
add in various other ways TO the wealth and
prosperity of our town as well as other towns
along the route. The road cannot be i'm
proved without benefiting the towns and the
towns cannot be improved without benefit
ing the road. The benefits would be mutual
in each case.
After discussing the project in its various
aspects, committee subscriptions was
appointed consisting of Messrs. .. w. Row
land, l. j. Cummings, A. VanAuken, A. @.
Martin and Thos. Welch, and the meeting
adjourned until Wednesday evening, August
4th. at the court house at 7:30 o'clock p. m.
1t is to be hoped that the committee will
be successful in its labors and that our citi-
zens will see the necessity of not allowing
this project to fail for the want of the small
sum of money they are asked to contribute.
Let there be n full attendance at the meeting
and let each one be ready to aid in the work.
Do this and the burden will be so light as to
be scarcely felt.