The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1890-03-19
THE HOUSTON, CENTRAL
ARKANSAS AND NORTH.
ERN RAILROAD.

Msjor c. G. Woodbridge, Chief
Engineer of the Houston, Central
Arkansas & Northern Railroad Com
pany, having arrived in Alexandria
early in the week, and desiring to
make certain propositions to our citi-
zens, it was decided to call a meet
'ug of citizens, at the City Hall, on
Wednesday afternoon, March II,
1890, at o'clock.
On the day and hour above stated,
quite a large number of Alexan-
hrians. also some citizens Of Pine
vile, were present.
On motion Judge j. r. Thornton
was called upon TO preside, and the
following newspaper representatives
Secretaries, viz: f. II. Mccormick,
Of the Town TALK; A. P. Williams,
Ut The Picayune, and w. W. Whit
tington, Jr. for the La. Democrat.
The Chairman, Judge Thornton,
stated that Msjor Woodbridge was
Of the opinion that it would be hest
for a citizen of Alexandria to explain
70 the meeting what the Railroad
Company asked for and what the
Company proposed to do in return.
The Chairman then in clear, forcible
language stated what was expected
If Alexandria, and what the Com
pany would do in return.
He said that the road had passed
into the hands of Mr.. Gould, and it
was we'll known that when Mr.. Gould
ordered a railroad built it was done.
A short line from St. Louis to New Or
ieahs is what Mr.. Gould wanted, and
the extension Of the Houston, Gen.
tral Arkansas & Northern Railroad
from Columbia, La, to Alexandria.
would give him short line to St.
Louis.
This road has already been located
to the head of Catahoula Lake.
From this point two routes have
been selected-one crossing Red
river near Experiment plantation,
running through Avoyelles parish
and connecting with the Texas &
Pacific at Rosa Station; the other
route comes direct through Rapides
parish, for about s miles, crossing
Red river at Alexandria. Mr..
Woodbridge, the speaker said, was
in favor of the Alexandria route.
Mr.. Gould some weeks ago preferred
the Avoyelles route because it would
shorten the route from New Orleans
to St. Louis at least 20 miles. The
grade by the Avoyelles route was
less also than that to Alexandria.
The Chairman spoke of the large
number of railroad meetings our
citizens had been called npon to at
tend, and how little benefit the city
had derived from same. Said that
he had seen proof from Mr.. Gould
stating positively that if the city Of
Alexandria would give what was
asked of it through Major Wood
bridge, that the road would be COM
pleted to Alexandria as fast as
money and men could do it. The
Chair emphasized the fact that this
was the best offer that Alexandria
had yet had, because the gentleman
at the head of the Company had the
means to carry out his statements
and contracts, and would do 80.
Judge Thornton informed the
meeting that if this railroad was
built to Alexandria that we woald be
only 526 miles from St. Louis instead
of 772 miles, the distance via the T.
& Z. and Iron Mountain roads. The
distance from Alexandria to Kansas
City by this new road would be 500
miles instead OF 1855 miles as by
the present nearest rail route.
If the people of Alexandria secure
the H., G. A. Il N. r. r. the Chair
man stated that it would prove a
great lever in securing other projec.
ted railroads. He spoke Of the
Arkansas Pass Railway Company now
building to Alexandria and surveyed
to Anna Coco Bayou. That if we
secure the H., c. A. & N. R. R. that
we were certain of getting other
roads, provided the city shows the
enterprising spirit it has in the past.
The following is asked of Alexandria
by the Houston, Central Arkansas
and Northern Railroad Company:
Right Of way through the parish
for about 8 miles.
Thirty acres of land for depot and
terminal facilities.
Exemption from Parish taxation for
10 years.
A 5 mill tax for 10 years time.
The property owners have already
voted mill tax for ten years to this
company. They will be asked to
amend it by giving the Company 3
months longer time in which to COM
plete the road, and also give the
road the right to put the bridge
wherever the U. S. engineers may
select, either above or below, or in
side the corporate limits.
Arrangements have already been
made to give the 30 acres Of land,
and the parish authorities have al
ready passed an ordinance remitting
taxation for 10 years to the first
railroad company building into Alex
| on1rio from tho North