Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1897-03-17
IN RAILWAY CIRCLES.
Rumors Are Rife as to New Departure
Here.

Rumors Are Rife as to New Departures
Here.
The presence here of surveyors en-
ployed by the Chicago & Northwestern
Railway company at different times
the past few weeks, and the fact that
considerable work has been performed
in the line of computing distances, etc.,
on the west side, have given rise to
certain rumors and conjectures as to
what the company intends doing. Of
course, the most popular suggestion
connects these mysterious movements
with the old proposition of spur
track to the business district. If such
were constructed many think it would
be over the same course once occupied
by the road as an avenue to the ice
houses, only that it wou.d d be continued
south along the bank of the river to
the vicinity of West Cady street. II is
stated that the laying of such a track
would involve an expenditure of near
ly $4,000, but the advantages to be
derived in facilitating freight business
are not to be doubted. Another rumor
is heard to the effect that the company
is considering the construction of 3
branch from this point to Wsukesha,
via Oconomowoc, but this proposition
seems 30 very vague and out of accord
with the condition of business at pre-
sent that.it is to be secuted. Somehow,
no one, so far as we have heard, has
ventured the idea that this whole stir
is only a preliminary TO the erection
of a fine new depot, which all will agree
is sorely needed; still, such an inter
probation may not be the farthest from
the truth after all, Whatever the
Northwestern intends doing we hope
will soon materialize, for it can hardly
fail to be for the city's welfare.
The ancient rumor that the Chicago,
Milwaukee & st. Paul company intends
making this city division point has
been revived for about the hundredth
time. The reason of it evidently lies
In the fact that press reports have been
published stating that railway men at
Portage are endeayoring to dispose of
their property because the train crews
are being run from Milwaukee to La
Crosse without change at Portage. The
argument has been that if Portage is
given up as division point Watertown
would take its place and the divisions
between Chicago and La Crosse cut
from three to two. Regarding the
rumor of the change, Station Agent
Webb was approached the other day,
but he gave forth no encouragement
whatever, saying that SO far as he knew
there was no foundation for the report
In reply to a comment on the matter
published by The Daily Times recent
ly, The Portage Register says:
A week ago The Register made care
fulsinquiry regarding this same rumor
OF the removal of the railroad men and
failed then to discover any truth III it;
another inquiry made Monday because
of the dispatch in The Sentinel on Sun
day sent from here by The Sentinel
correspondent, failed to reveal the
slightest intent on the part of several
Of the men who run these through
trains, to dispose OF their property
here. AS for the change affecting
Hundreds of railroad men" in this
city, this is not true At the outside
not more than fifty families could be
affected by the change, should the
change take place.
1t certainly would prove bonanza
for Watertown should the st. Paul road
decide to make that city a division
point, but with the assurance given
this city by the St. Paul officials to the
effect that the new method Of running
few Of the trains through without
change is merely an experiment and
that the experiment will be abandoned
very soon, the prospect for the bo-
nanza striking Watertown is somewhat
remote. We would not advise the
Watertown people to hold their real
estate If they nave an opportunity to
sell it. awaiting bonanza figures
And still they come! Even the
branch" is alive to the question of
railway mprovements. The Waterloo
Democrat remarks
| There is some talk in railroad circles
that the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul
company will lay heavy rails on this
branch this spring and put in all heavy
| bridges with the intention of making
this the Prairie du CHEN and Milwau
kee main line, and run all through
trains over this line.
A Peculiar Case.
For some time past Dr. F. G. Werner
| has been in attendance uDop q vo,nu