The weekly intelligencer. [volume] (Lexington, Mo.) 1891-1901, 1895-02-02
THE LEXINGTON BRIDGE.
The WindwOrk is DOne-COld Cash TO
be COllected-Only Sl5O,OOO Nee
essary--This will Secure the
Erection of a Splendid
z Railroad and Wagon
Bridge.

q Railroad and Wagon
Bridge.
Pursuant to a call issued by the
officers of the Lexington Bridge ana
Terminal Company, "a mass meeting was
held at the court house Monday night,
to hear what had been done in regard to
tile bridge. and to, take such furlher
action as might be found necessary. '
At 7.3O O'Clock the president, }. {.
McGrew. raped for order. He said the
board OF directors had authorized him
to say the bridge can be built II tile
people want it and are willing to pay Tor
it. Mr.. Tullock, president of tie
Lsavenworth Bridge Company, Is here
with his blue prints and specifications.
MIR. Tullock says the bridge will cost
$3.50. 900. If Lexington will raise SlAO-
900 Of this amount, Mr.. TulIock Will do
the rest.
MIR. W. G. McCausland moved that
W. G.. Musgrove, Frank Bowman and
O. ]. Powell be elected assistant secre-
taries. Carried.
John S. Blackwell was called on by
the president. He said: If we build this
bridge we must take off our ~overcoats.
We have met to take action on the most
important movement ever presented to
Lexington. Our business interests are
involved in the enterprise. / wish l had
Al .~-.,o,. % p,oGa oil ,Nnnn think and
feel as 1 do in regard to this matter.
This Is q question of such vital impor-
lance, and our duty is SO plain, it seems
to me We should all speak as with one
voice, and say I'VE will build it." The
directors have held many m meetings DIS
cussing this matter. We realize its
magnitude, and have not treated it
lightly. We want enthusiasm and hard
determination that this project shall not
| fail. This is to be
A HIGH BRIDGE, FOR RAILROADS,
WAGONS N FOOTMEN.
The probable cost is S350,000! The
character of the bridge, when butt, will
compare favorably with modern Missouri
river bridges. The trestle will extend
one half a mile, and the terminal on this
side will be near the Missouri Pacific
depot. The track viii run between the
Catron and LaBertew places. We are
informed that the approximate cost will
\ be about $4OO, 900. but we think we can
cat this down to S350,O00. The directory
has agreed that Lexington and Licking
ton township can and ought to raise
$l5O. 900. We are informed by a man
| who will take the contract, that if we
raise this amount the Bridge Company
will do the rest, and N year from now
cars will be running across the bridge.
The $4,000 will be used in the con-
struction. Stock cannot be given for
this $780, 900. The directors have ex-
amined and discussed this matter, and
find that it il impracticable. Subscrip-
tions to the Bridge Company will be on
condition that assessments be paid as
| the work progresses. the last assessment
to be paid as the bridge is finished. The
directors will give a second mortgage
lien for the $780, O0. Some will ask
"Why not o first mortgage ?" Because it
| will be necessary to raise 500 GOO more
on the bridge to be secured by first mort
gage bonds. We want to know if
this $50, 900 can be raised. We believe
it can be done, and that every, dollar
raised will be returned. ! am informed
by our best financiers that the bridge
will be q paying institution from the
start. The wagon and foot travel will
almost pay the interest on the bonded
debt. The Santa Fe railroad will in
crease the amount, and a sinking fund
be created TO pay of the debt. Fam
satisfied in my mind that the Santa Fe
will use the bridge as certainly as it will
be built. That road is not now in a
condition to make contracts. but it soon
| will be, and it will use the bridge,
receiver or no receiver. Build tliis
bridge and opr ents will increase. Take
q piece of property worth $1,000 now; il
will he North $500 or 5000 as sooh as
the bridge. is built. What will It, be
worth five years from now il it is not
built. Our territory has been cut of by
building railroads south of US. We must
have mora territory. Let every map be
q committee Of one to work till the
amount Is subscribed. +.
II. A. Hicklin was called for. He be,
lieved everybody was in favor of fine
bridge. The only thing lacking is
money. win do all he can for it,,
j. c. McGrew said he believed. the
bridge would be a paying Investment.
Allow Q per cent on the S2OO.DOO, and
this is $40 per year the bridge will
have to earn. He was sure the income
will he $4,000 to $4,000 from vehicles
and footmen. The Santa Fe railroad
will pay about $50 900 per year, OF &c
per cent, Of it's business, here. This
would give . nice surplus to pay off the
debt. Let every man subscribe accord
ing to his ability. i will do SO. we
must not expect our committees to dc
the work. Lot every man in the. town,
ship help pull. If we raise this money
by this time next year the cars will he
running over the bridge.
W. G.. McCausland was called for. liz
said he was in favor Of the bridge, and
believed we could build it. 1t is not ar
easy task. If we don't put forth every
effort We 60 back. / IA live without {
bridge, but I see the sons Of gray haired
men who have hOnored me, and ] wan
the bridge for these sons, and am Willing
to do my mite. II We don't do some
thing We will regret it. / have seer
Lexington in her gtory-the pfOudes
city between st. Louis and st. Joseph
There are probably as many people her
now ~ were here then, but there ID no
half the business. The Missouri Paci6,
and Alton railroads south of rs have Gil
of our trade. We have a good town an
always will have one, but we are no
growing and will not grow as we ough
unless we reach out for business. In m,
opinion, ten years after the bridge i
built, Lexington will have 10000 people
1t would be better for every man win
owns q dollar in Lexington TO give hal
OF 1t toward this enterprise. This grea
sacrifice IL not necessary but 1t is nee
essary to give $4,000. There is II
show to get the bridge without it. II
believed the bridge would earn SrO,O0
M. SsS nn0 f~am vahicloo ,pd fnn.no,