Richland beacon. [volume] (Rayville, La.) 1869-1890, 1888-06-02
The New Orleans, Natchez and
Fort Scott Railroad.

Judge John II. Rice, Of Fort Scott. presi-
dent of the New Orleans, Na,chez and Fort
Scott Railroad, is now IN this city, having
come here from Baton Rouge, where he in
terviewed number Of gentlemen from
North Louisiana interested in his company.
1t is scarcely necessary for the Times-Dem-
ocrat to review at length the history OF tins
road, Witch we have told from day to DAY, or
TO poin, out what it means for New Orleans
II gives this city direct communication with
the grain fields and cattle yards Of Sou,hwes-
tern Missouri and Kansas, one of the chief
food producing sections of the Union. This
road is one that New Orleans has long needed
and looked forward to as promising it hand
some returns. Ii is road also OF the deep
est moment to the people of North Louisiana
and South Arkansas, now deprived OF smith
cient communication with market; and they
haveworked zealously for It, and have con.
,rbu,ed literally tow ard it.
The road is intended to run from here to
Natcbez. from Na,chez diagonslly through
Arkanas, passing through Hot Springs, and
thence on to Fort Scott, Kan. The distance
from New Orleans TO that point is ego miles
by this route. As the road will have COM
muniraton from Natclez, by the Mississippi
Valley line, with this city, this latter section
is for the present indefinitely Posponcb. leav>
lug between Natchez and Fort Scott less than
500 mile. TO be built. We have spoken al'
ready of the rich and fertile country through
which it passes. Another fact to be noted is
thai the line runs parallel with the streams
of North Louisiana, instead Of transversey
across them, and therefore avoids bridges,
swamps and oveTlows, building through the
billy or higher country lying between the al
luvial bottoms.
This section of Louisiana and Arkansas j:
denied sufficient communication with mar
ket, and has always held out liberal induce
ments to railroad enterprises to come its way.
| The New Orleans, Na,chez and Fort Scot
Railroad at once commanded its good will
and support, and received not only the ap'
proval of the people of that section, but were
voted the money and assistance needed to as
sure its success. 1t has been given the riph
of way and ample depot grounds for the
country il fraverses between Naichez and
Ho, Springs, Ark The energetic and lib
era! City of Na,chez, filly recognizing the
advantages Of railroads, has voted it $500 ,00(
of 8 per cent bonds. The parishes Of Con
cordia, franklin, Richland, Ouochta ant
| Morehonse, and the cities Of Monroe ant
Bastrop, have voted and-almost unanimous
ly--a five mill tax for ten years as snbscnp
ton towards its construction, while in Son'h
ern Arkansas SS5,OOO subsidy and 100000
acres of tin,bered land have been donated t.
the road. No attempt has been made to Sc
cure any subsidi,y or pledge Of aid from th'
counties and parishes between Natchez ant
New Orleans although there have been lib
eral offers here also. The company viii
content itself at first with building from
Natchez north, leaving the southern section o
the line to later day. The preliminary ar
engagements are now being made, aud are il
thoroughly satisfactory condiilon. The engi
neering force will be put in the field not late
than Sept. /, and will survey aud locate TIT
line. Construction will rapidly follow; ant
the construction, as we have noted is cas-!
and simple and comparatively cheap. Their
are no engineering difficulties to be suimoun
ted, nothing to impede rapid work; and will
all the advantages held out, we rave ever
reason to believe that large portion Of tn
road will be completed before another year
to the great benefit Of the country it traver
ses, and Of New Orleans, Its destination
Times Democrat