The Hazel Green herald. [volume] (Hazel Green, Wolfe County, Ky.) 1885-19??, 1895-03-07
NEW YORK, February &c, 1895.

Room 1872, Washington Building,
No, 1. Broadway,
New YORK, February &c, 1895.
SPENCER COOPER, Esq, Editor HAZEL
GREEN HERALD, Hazel Green, KY
Dear Sir am informed that some Of
the prominent citizens of Hazel Green,
Campton and Wolfe county are interest
ing themselves in the matter of procur-
ing the construction of the Ohio & Ken
lucky railroad from Walnut Grove, in
Morgan county, to connection (passing
through Hazel Green and Campton) with
the Lexington & Eastern railroad.
This effort on the part Of said citizens
is not only progressive and patriotic, but
evidences the intelligent appreciation of
the great fact, that no community can
hope to be successful and to enjoy the
full fruits of civilization, without a free
untrammeled and quick communication
with the outside world Your section of
the great state of Kentucky has been
particularly lacking in the enjoyment of
such benefits.
| am not aware whether they have
hitherto had the opportunity to enjoy
them. But ! do know that such oppor.
tunity is now within their grasp and if
they will meet me much less than half
way, they may secure their attainment.
In order that there shall be no misun.
Outstanding on the part of the people
most directly interested | have taken the
liberty of addressing them through the
valuable medium of your always bright
and interesting newspaper
Your fellow citizens no doubt know of
the efforts have made and the expenses
| have incurred in the direction Of pro-
jecting a railroad from Walnut Grove to
a connection with the Chesapeake &
Ohio railroad at Morehead, but, in all
probability, they are not aware of the
circumstances leading to such effort and
its failure, which are as follows:
After unsolicited promises of material
aid consisting of cash, bridge bonds"
donations of railroad material, free right
Of way, ETC., etc, by the people most
directly benefited by the "Morehead
line" / placed an engineering corps in
the field and, after running out several
suggested lines, discovered one chat was
perfectly feasible. The expenditure of
the money involved together with the
fact that organized the Ohio q Ken
lucky railroad was taken by these people
as positive proof that the RAILROAD
WOULD BE BUILT ANYHOW"
They did net seem to realize that the
expenditures and other acts were abso-
lutely necessary in order that | might
legally accept their promised assistance.
After completing these necessary pre-
liminaries, | was greatly surprised and
thoroughly disguised to find that not
any of this assistance was forthcoming,
but on the contrary, | was met with an
unfriendly spirit and an evident inten-
tion on the part of some of the citizens
to make as much money out of the con.
struction of the railroad as circumstan.
ces would permit. Under such conditions
l withdrew and abandoned all idea of
building the line TO MOrehead.
/ wish to take this opportunity to
state very plainly to the citizens of Hazel
Green, Campton and Wolfe county and
all others who may he interested in the
construction of railroad over route
most beneficial to them, that so far as ]
am concerned and so far as the people
whom / represent are concerned, never
will the RAILROAD BE BUILT
ANYHOW" and l sincerely trust that
that foolish and misleading notion will
not find Judgment in the minds of the
people. A railroad of character under |
can not and will not be
constructed without the friendly sup.
port and liberal aid in the shape of do.
nations of cash, building material and
free right of way, on the part of the
people most directly benefited.
When such aid is offered in a legal and
proper shape, | will take the matter up,
make the proper surveys, and if feast
BILE route be demonstrated, will build
the railroad. But the people must do
their share and do it in business-liSe
and if they so do they will find
me willing to do much more than my
share
Self protection compels me to state
that until the people are organized and
heir representatives, are in such shape as
10 legally prOfIer the assistance they are
willing and able 20 give, can take no
decisive steps in the matter. am will.
ng TO meet such representatives and
ilscuss the matter with them at any
lime.
In closing | would say that am great i