The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1901-05-17
OFFERS FAIR PRICE
Great Western Road Will Not
Be Touched"
1t Is Up to the Property Owners to Say
Whether Fine Union Depot
Will be Built.

ID. W. Lawler, general counsel for
the Chicago Great Western road, is
still in the city and may remain sew
eral days He gives it out that he is
looking over some papers from Garlic
ton college, but it is surmised that his
mission has to do with the acquiring
of right of way for the Chicago Great
Western road. 1t is known that there
is an understanding between this road
and the Milwaukee whereby a joint
traffic arrangement and the construc-
tion of union depot are possible.
The Milwaukee road is already we'll
installed in the center of the city,
while the Great Western is on the out
skirts Unless the Great Western has
something to offer to offset the advan-
tages which the Milwaukee has, the
joint arrangement is not pit to
materialize.
1t is understood that the Great
Western would like to purchase a strip
of land half block wide and two
blocks long, extending from Hickory
| to Cherry streets, and west of the al
ley between Front and Pike streets.
This would give it something to do
business with, with the Milwaukee
road. 1t was after this strip year
ago, but some of the property owners
baked the proposition by asking ex-
ceedingly high prices for the land,
which has little value for business pur-
poses other than as the location for fac
tories or warehouses.
| We understand that it is once more
up to these property owners to say
whether the Great Western and Mil
waukee roads shall unite in the con-
struction of a union depot on this
ground that shall be an ornament to
Mankato as we'll as an untold con-
venience to the citizens. With the
Milwaukee running a short line to st.
Paul and the Great Western pushing
westward, depot in such a central
location would be most desirable.
The Great Western has certain sum
set aside for the purchase of this
ground, and will not go above it. The
road is willing to pay reasonable
price for the land, determined by what
would be a fair market value. It
will not stand being bled, as it does
not have to have the land. 1t is
rumored that the road has already OBJ
tanned figures on vacant property in
the block north of the G. & N W. freight
depot if it cannot get south of Hickory
street A representative of the road
was also in North Mankato today OBJ
tanning options on ground there that
is suitable for depot purposes. In
case no satisfactory purchases can be
arranged on this side of the river, the
road may go across the Minnesota,
where land is plenty and owners have
not shown signs of holding up the
road. A strong effort will probably
be made to secure the road for
brooklyn as it would be the max
ing of that village and would develop
the quarries at the west end.
The value of the property desired
between Hickory and Cherry streets is
being looked up, and the property
owners should be ready to place fair
price on their land when they are ap-
preached by the company's representa-
tives.
/ The surveyors of the G.. G. W. went
out again this morning, across the
Blue Earth, and had their dinner sent
to them. They are expected to be at
work out of Mankato for several days
yet. Evidence accumulates that the
road is preparing to push westward to
South Dakota.
The stakes leave the Milwaukee
track at the old Willard & Pol chow
brick yard, and follow the Omaha to
the river.
!, The Omaha road is doing great
deal of graveling on it's road bed be-
tween this city and Lake Crystal tax
ing the gravel from the Garden City
pit. The work is being done very
thoroughly.
| Albert Lea Tribune: All reports 60
to indicate that the Duluth, st. Cloud,
Glencoe & Mankato line will be con-
structed this year, or the link between
this city and Mankato The right of
way people have about completed the
work on that part of the proposed line
and the arrangements for funds is now
in progress. If built it is expected the
Illinois Central will operate the line
and it would be an excellent manner
for that road to reach the big wheat
fields and lumber districts of the
northwest.
Some person who deserves to be run