The Saint Paul globe., 1899-04-28
NEWS OF RAILROADS
ROAD BED OF DULUTH, HURON &
DENVER PURCHASED AT
SHERIFF,S SALE
BY SECURITY TRUST COMPANY
e. J. Hodgson Gives a History of
the Line on Which 100000 Was
spent-WiIl Try to Interest Cap
tiOn-NOrthern Pacific Earnings
Continue to Show an Increase.

E. ]. Hedgsen, president of the Sc
curity Trust company. of this city. re-
turned yesterday from aGlenwood, Pope
county, where het purchased at sheriff's
sale the road bed of the Duluth, Huron &
Denvere railroad. Mr. Hpdgson acted as
trustee for some half dozen of the judg-
ment creditors and bid in the road for
100000 The road bed was graded and
bridged from Sauk Center through Ben
son and Appleton to the western line of
the state about twelve years ago at
cost Of $S00,00O, and while the bridges
are gone the road bed is in fairly good
condition.
Mr.. Hodgson last evening in speaking Of
the purchase which was made under
judgment said the original intention of
the parties Interested in the road was to
build line from Duluth to Huron. s.
D., and twelve years ago the work was
commenced. Instead of starting at Du-
luth tho work was commenced at Sauk
Center, 1t being contended that as both
the Northern Pacific and Great Northern
roads were at this point it would be just
as well to use these lines from Sank Cen
ter to Duluth. From Sauk Rapids the
line was graded southwest to Benson, q
distance of thirty-five miles and from
there to Appleton twenty-five miles
further From Appleton the route still
continuede southwest about forty miles
to the western line of the state
About 900 was expended in bridges
and grading the roadbed of the proposed
line distance of something over 100
miles. The trouble was, according to the
statement of Mr.. Hodgson, the parties
at the head Of the project were not prac
-tical railroad men and after spending
what money they had were unable to go
ahead. The president of the company
was Rev. ]. G. Conkey, Of Dubuque, To-,
and the officers and members Of the syn
| dicate were equally as we'll posted In the
business of constructing railroad as the
president Of the company.
The result was that after working over
| 100 miles from Sank Center the company
| came to the end of It's cash and work
| was stopped. There were numerous
! creditors as the work done aggregated
$500, 900, but only six or seven, which were
represented by MIR. fIodgson at the sale
! held Wednesday. held on and followed ur
i their claims with judgments.
| The names OF the parties interested OF
| the judgment creditors Mr.. Hodgson did
not care to give loat. The intention was
to get title to the road bed and interest
new capital or some railroad company ir
/ the scheme. Mr.. Hodgson said so far as
he mad personally examined the road
bed he was surprised to find the grading
almost intact. He had often heard thai
there was nothing so enduring as mound
building and this statement was proven
correct by the condition of the old road
bed constructed twelve years ago.
The proposed road, Mr.. Hodgson said
crossed the 500 at Sedan, the Great
Northern at Benson, and the III. & D
division of the Chicago Milwaukee & st
Paul at Appleton. The country was the
most promising in the farming line in the
state, and If it was possible to interest,"
outside capital or some railroad company
to put in money enough to complete the
line he had on doubt but that 1t woul6
pay for tho investment