The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1900-03-23
NEW RAILROAD.
Capt. Reed Addresses Mankato
Business Men.
President of the North and South Line
Presents Some Of Its Features.
Views of Other Speakers.

At a meeting of business men this
afternoon in the council room at the
city hall presided over by Mayor Cur
rier, Capt. A. n. Reed of Glencoe, OK
planned the situation as to the proposed
north and south road. He referred tc
various attempts made to secure road
in the past, how one attempt had
failed because the franchise had
expired before those back OF
it were ready to do anything
and how in the second attempt the
franchise had been sold to representa-
tiyes of the Milwaukee and the Great
Northern roads, and so had fallen
through. He reviewed what had been
done in the way of reorganizing the old
company, said they had had PROPOSE
tions from construction companies that
had offered to look into the matter If a
right of way is secured and if the build
ing of the road feasible to build the
same and take 90 per cent of their pay
in bonds issued, leaving the
company 10 per cent of the bonds that
can be placed on the road and 80 per
cent of the stock. He believed that If
it was properly taken hold of that the
road could be built this summer from
Mankato to st. Cloud, distance of 100
miles. He spoke at some length as to
what was desired of Mankato, which is
the same in substance as given In
an interview with him elsewhere this
evening. He also referred to the pos
sibility of gaining connection with
the Illinois Central, which is now build
ing TO Albert Lea.
Mr.. Reed said that it was not pro-
posed to build simply to ST. Cloud. but
after it is built there, to go on from
that point to Duluth, This latter could
be done next year, if the first section
was built this year.
Mr.. King, who accompanied Capt.
Reed, addressed the meeting. He said
he had found on looking into the mat
ter that both of the proposed routes
were feasible. He was more interested
in the west route because he had prop
erty on that line that would be favor
ably effected. Said all of the north and
south lines in the state were profitable
roads. Said there was no question but
that the road would be valuable as a
competing line on account of the many
roads which it crosses.
Mr.. Reed in reply to questions said
he believed the road would be paying
one from the start. 1t would be great
freight route as it passes through rich
country, and there would be loads to
carry both ways
Mr.. Hixon, being called on said he
thought the road would be benefit
for Mankato. 1t would be of much
value to his business and he did not see
wherein it would be of any more bene-
fit to him than to other interests. He
thought that as soon as the road was
built TO st. Cloud traffic arrangements
could be made which would be of much
benefit to Mankato.
Jno. B. Meagher said he thought the
project most feasible one. 1t would
run through very rich country and
thought that if Mankato would interest
itself to the extent that intermediate
points are taking, there was no doubt
but that the road would be built this
season.
After some little talk Capt. Reed
asked for an expression as to how many
in the audience would give the road
their moral and financial support.
About half of those present expressed
themselves in favor of aiding the
proposed road.
Mr. Reed said if Mankato would take
hold of the road all right. If Mankato
decided not to do so then the project
would be dropped or else it would be
taken up with st. Peter. He urged
that the matter be taken up and
pushed at once as the survey COM
menced in April.
In reply to question as to what the
road could be built for to st Cloud
he.said that on an estimate given by
President Hill, of the Great Northern,
it would cost about 81, 100000 to con-
struct. The distance is about 100
miles.
Mr.. Haynes thought that the best
move to make would be for commit
tee to interview our business men and
see what they are willing to do about
it and moved that a committee of three
be appointed to act in connection with
the resident directors, which was car
ried and the chair appointed as such
committee. w. A. Funk, John Klein
and A. l.. Wheeler.
The meeting then adjourned.
Friends of Miss Nellie DAILY, who has
al her.