The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1889-06-15
A MAMMOTH CONTRACT.
A NEW RAILROAD LET FROM CHI.
cAGo TO SPRINGFIELD, MO.
Memphis and Kansas City Contractors
to Build and Equip the Road-Eight
Millions and Half on Deposit-work
Soon to Begin.
The Southwest was there.

The Southwest was there.
The Southwest is usually there when
there is anything big on hand, and the
Southwest usually secures what it reaches
for.
The latest triumph OF the Southwest was
achieved in Chicago few days ago when
the Chicago, Hannibal & Springfield mo.
Railroad was let There were contractors
there from all over the Union-big, burly
plutocrats, who count their wealth by the
millions, and who have been in the habit
OF carrying things by storm and crowding
out less wealthy competitors. These folks
were watching each other like hawks and
paying no attention to any one west OF tho
Rockies. They did not think that any ono
could possibly be found willing and able
to undertake and complete a Job which is
to cost the mastodonian sum OF IS, 400, 900,
and when the bids Of Messrs. John S.
McTige & Co., of Memphis, and Messrs.
Fudge d Strang, OF Kansas City, NO.,
were read and tho mammoth contract
gwen these gentlemen, the millionaires for
the first time realized that there were foe
men worthy OF their steel in the Southwest,
There was no trouble about arranging
the details. Notwithstanding the magni.
tnde Of the undertaking. everything was
signed, sealed and delivered and all bonds
and guarantees arranged for and provided
inside OF five days, and the fortunate gem
tlemen returned TO Memphis with tho
contract IN their pockets.
This contract is the largest known in
modern times. 1t is peculiar in many
ways. 1t is bold to the verge OF desperate
daring. IL Is continuous, TO what would
ordinarily be called infinity. Ii is royal
in its comprehensiveness, taking in every
thing from the purchase OF tho right of
way to the stocking Of the road with freight
and passenger cars, coaches aud engines
the building OF the switches, spurs, station.
houses, tanks, roundhouses, turntables.
and everything connected with a complete
and finished railroad. There was no
mincing or selecting OF this or that partic-
ular feature OF the work; the contractors
went "the whole hog"
The road will run from Chicago 10
Springfield, and will touch the towns of
Hannibal, Centralia, Mexico. Buffalo,
Peoria, Astoria, Nashville, Mount Sterling.
New London, Upton and other places OF
note. A branch is to be built from some
point on the main line, not yet selected, 10
Quincy, ILL.,; another branch from Peoria
TO Halls, Ill; another from Pekin 10
Havana.
There will be no delay in getting the
work in progress. Two hundred and fifty-
three miles have already been SURVEYED
and laid of, and a corps Of 100 skilled en-
glneers are strung along the route working
TO complete preliminary surveys. BY the
terms Of the contract the first 100 miles OF
the work must DO completed and in opera.
ton by October %, a little over four
months hence. To do this will require
active work, but the contractors who |
have the matter In hand are ac- |
customed 10 active work. Towns |
and perhaps young cities will have |
to be laid of and built and the whole cur
rent OF trade will be changed. Memphis |
will be connected with Chicago via SPRING. |
field and all the intervening territory will |
be in a manner cut OF from a dependence |
upon St. Louis. OF course that is what
Chicago is working for and Chicago is DO.
hind the movement There is no lack OF |
funds, the SUN OF IS, 100000 having been
placed on deposit with the Manhattan
Trust Company OF New York as condi-
ton precedent The energetic contractors
arc 10 be congratulated. When millions
arc the stakes there is but little danger OF
loss and gain Is almost certain.
Everything will be In readiness for sub
contractors 10 secure work In thirty DAYS
rom date. Thousands OF men and teams
viii DO given profitable employment.