The weekly intelligencer. [volume] (Lexington, Mo.) 1891-1901, 1894-03-17

Railroad from Lexington to Odessa.

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To the Editor of the I~ntelligencer;
A subject of interest to the people of
Lexington, Odessa, and the entire
county, lis now attracting attention
here, and should be thoughtfully con-
sidered by our people. 1t is the build
ing of a railroad from Lexington to
Odessa. The subject suggests two
questions: Can the road be built
by the people? 2-If so, how will it
be operated?
To the first question answer that it
can be built by the people, and that the
advance in the value of real estate, and
the benefits arising from it, will be far
greater than the cost of the road.
The actual value of real property in
Lexington is not less than 81 300 900
that of Odessa is not less than $500, 900.
The value of land lying on both sides
of the road, and around Lexington and
Odessa, the value of which would be
affected by it, is not less than $780,
600, making a total valuation of 49,
SOC, 900. This, it must be remembered,
is the value of real estate in Lexington
and Odessa, and the land Immediately
along the line of the road, and does not
include the land in the county, gener-
ally, that would be benefited by it.
Nor does it include the considerations
or to shippers at these
points, and farmers along the line.
Another important fact is that it
would developc another large coal
field. Most of the distance the land is
underlaid with n stratum of coal, SINH
lar to that operated so successfully
around Lexington and Mayview.
Shafts would be sunk along the line
that would give employment to a large
number of men. These would give
business to Mayvlew, Odessa and
Lexington.
1t will be readily perceived that the
building and operating this road would
result in an increase in the value of all
real estate nea it, including city prop
erty, and the value of the coal lands
along this line would be doubled.
1t is well known that this is the most
favorable time for building railroads !;
that has been known for thirty years.
There is a large amount of labor seek
ing employment, and it could be OBJ
tanned on fair terms. Railroad iron is
cheaper than it was ever known, and
ties are also low. 1t is believed that
the road could be built at a cost of not
exceeding three to five per cent of the
present value of the real estate near it,
while the increase would be from ten TO
twenty-five per cent. The advantages
to business in the cities would also
be sufficient for the business men to be
deeply interested in it. II it was built,
and its free use, for a term of years,
was rendered to the Missouri Pacific or
the C.. & A. railroad, it is believed it
could be operated to the interest of the
cities and the country.
1t is reported that the G. b. Il q.
road, that now terminates at Carroll
ton, is making preparations to extend
the line west to Kansas City, or to the
southwest. If this road was built, and
Its use given to that road, it would be
an inducement for it to cross the river
here, and build q direct line to the
southwest, without going by Kansas
City.
Citizens of Lexington, consider your
own interests! Would it not be to
your interest to subscribe, if necessary,
ten per cent of the present value of
your real estate to have the roadP
CITIZEN.