Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1900-01-24
COAL LAND OPTIONS.
Report That Gates Interests
Contemplate Large Pur-
chases.
IN THIS AND IN OTHER COUNTIES

Railroad From Here to BE Built Into
the New FIelds-wm BE OF Great Bene-
fit to Communities Heresbout-New
Farming Country and Trade to BE
Opened Up.
1t is reported that the Gates svndi-
cate, which controls the Daven port,
Rock Island & Northwestern railway,
has secured an option on $500 acres
of coal land in Drury township. This
will mean the extension of the Termi-
nal line to the lower part of the
county and means a great deal for
that section of Rock Island county, as
well as to the city. The rumor is
that these options are not alone in
Drury township, but thousands of
acres more are also under such OPP
tions in the counties south and south
east of here.
There is no doubt as to the correct
ness of this report. 1t is also under
stood that there is little doubt that a
coal road will be built to this land.
AS far as the circumstances can be
learned, the tri-cities will be the
point of departure of this coal road.
1t is declared that the Northwestern
road is not backing this scheme. hut
there has not been denial that Mr..
Gates and his associates are behind it.
1t has not been said by anyone in au-
thority that they are interested, but
their interest has not been denied.
while there are people who claim to
have straight tips that MIR. Gates and
his friends are interested.
Frank =. Blair has been, for some
time, engaged on good sized job of
this kind in another part of Rock ISL
and county. Mr.. Blair has positively
declared that none of the Northwest
ern interests are behind the deal that
he has been working, but he has not
said who is at the bottom of it. The
Moline journal talks of the affair
thus:
Straight Tip.
The journal has 4 straight tip
that John w. Cafes. representing
what is known rs the Gates svndi cate
of capitalists, Wednesday secured IN
option on 4,j0O acres of coal land in
Drury township, in the lower end of
the county. and negotiations have
progressed so far that the deal may
he closed 1T any time.
- he cunSummaIlOn or 1nlS zeal
| means much to this locality. 1t means
the construction Of a new railroad
from the twin-cities to that point. tO
Join the Davenport, Rock island d
Northwestern. 1t means that rich
farming and coal country will be
tapped and that this neighborhood
will enjoy the benefits which have
been falling to Muscatine, her nearest
neighbor. The people of Rock Island
have long desired to reach that trade.
and now it seems that their fondest
hopes are to he realized. for it is al
most certainty that the Gates people
will put the deal through.
This, however, is entiI ely indie
pendent of the opening OF the coal
fields between Coal Valley and Sunny
Hill which is to be undertaken by
Messrs. Blair and Shuler, who recently
retired from active connection with
the new road. 1t is certain they will
carry out their original plan of build
ing branch line to that point for the
purpose of laying natures products
at our doors.
1.-The coming of such men as Gates
ct al to this locality evidently portends
good in the way of development. The
syndicate seemingly has unlimited
capital at its command and is willing
to spend it on a good thing"