Alpena weekly argus. [volume] (Alpena, Mich.) 1871-1893, 1886-04-14
Railroad Meeting.


Andrew Harshaw was chosen pres
ident and G. w. Trask secretary.
Mr.. Maltz stated that nearly Sl7,'
900 of the bonus had been raised, and
G.. n. Fletcher and w. III. Potter
made remarks in regard to the rail-
road coming up State street and OF
the other route on Railroad street
c. w. Richardson spoke against
the road coming up State street. He
would rather build the road by some
other route and give it to the COM
pany than have it come up State
street by his home.
G. n. Fletcher remarked that hun
dreds of cars went by his residence
in Detroit, and he did not object.
Mr.. Richardson retorted by asking
Mr.. Fletcher if he did not object to
the boiler shop formerly on State
street and get it removed.
Mr.. Robinson asked Mr.. Fletcher
if the cars that ran by his residence
at Detroit were not street cars.
J. ID. Turnbull made some remarks
on the need of railroad, and thought
the bay route was the best.
Mr.. Maltz stated that certain par
ties were waiting to see if railroad
came to Alpena, before starting new
industries, among which was the pro
jected paper pulp business Of Mr..
Fletcher, and that the Minor Lumber
Co. did not propose to invest one dol
lar in the old Minor mill until it was
decided that the road would soon come
to Alpena. We believe it is the in
tention of the Minor Lumber Co. to
convert their old mill on the river in
to box factory if Alpena gets rail
road communication. He also spoke
of the trouble the committee had in
trying to get the railroad into the city
and of the little interest taken by the
citizens in general. He lived on
State street, and if the road came up
that street it would be as hard on
him as any other resident, but was
willing the road should so come. He
also advocated having the city sus-
pend sewer operations for one year,
and expend the money 50 saved in
getting the much needed permanent
improvement railroad.
Mr.. Fletcher said he would give
the $4,000 required TO make up the
bonus, if the road was allowed to come
up State street.
Mr.. Richardson said he would give
$4,000 if the railroad came to his
mill, so he could ship lumber by cars.
Mr.. Maltz thought the proposition
of Mr.. Richardson should be accept
ed.
G.. j. Robinson moved that Com
mon Council appropriate $4,000 in
opening up Railroad street.
w. II. Potter thought the city
should give $4,000 and the right of
way up Railroad street.
w. l.. Churchill asked if ground
for depot had been granted, and that
$4,000 should not be given until de-
pot question was settled.
Mr.. Robinson stated his resolution
covered that question, and that Coun-
Gil would not pay the proposed
amount until depot and all other
questions in connection with the rail
road coming into the city were settled.
Mr.. Fletcher stated he proposed to
give ground for railroad near Fletcher
House.
Mr.. Turnbull cautioned those pres.
ent, before they voted on the ques-
ton, to remember that if city laid out
$4,000 on Railroad street, this year,
that it could not also lay out $4,000
OH sewers and other improvements.
If the city voted for railroad improve.
ments, the other improvements would
have to wait one year.
Mr.. Maltz asked Mr.. Fletcher if he
would give right of way to allow the
railroad to be extended up River
street by his property, so as to reach
all the saw mills on the south side of
the river.
Mr.. Fletcher was willing, and Mr..
Churchill said he would not object to
the road coming by his residence.
Alpena had to have a railroad if she
desired to be anything.
Mr.. Maltz said he had no objection
to the road running by the Opera
House block, and that the Minor
Lumber Co. would grant right Of
way by their property.
Mr.. Richardson then discovered
that the railroad had been nearly laid
out to his mill, and he stated that his
offer of $4,000 was on condition Of
the railroad coming to his mill by
route on the north side of the river.
The resolution asking the Council
to use the street fund for this year in
opening up Railroad street was then
carried. There were a few nays.