Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1901-07-10

ny MdnCneSIeI, WHICH was, Wneu Lnese
roads were built, and probably always
will be the principal town of this local
ity. But the men who located these
roads were promoters instead Of rail
road men, and as promoters they dis
criminated'against this place.
About 30 years ago the road, now a
part of the great Chicago, Milwaukee
u st. Paul system, divided this county
into nearly equal parts, but made a
broad detour to avoid coming close to
our gates. And again, during the year
1887, the enterprising citizens of Du-
buque laid their lines of steel clear
across this county; but, again, history
repeated itself; again some outside In
fluence proved strong enough to locate
that road in such way as to make it
of but little use to any part of Delaware
county. The location of these lines
of railway were like thorns in the flesh
of Manchester people, they tore us and
we bled. Without shipping facilities
equal to our neighborlng cities, we
could not maintain a normal growth.
The fathers and mothers of Manches.
ter were frequently called upon to say
goodbye to their sons and daughters.
who were forced to go elsewhere to secure
employment which by right they should
have had an opportunity to procure
here among thel. friends and kindred.
With more than 10u miles of railway in
the county, majority of the people were
still unable to conveniently reach their
county seat by rail- Such condition
was not alone inconvenient, unusual
and damaging, but little short of un-
bearable. Time instead of healing
tended rather to aggravate these
wounds. The railroad map of the
county could not be considered finished
until it was finished right. While time
did not heal the wounds of which
speak, it wrought great changes. The
road promoted in Dubuque soon passed
far beyond the control of the men who
thrust it past us. 1t snow the Chicago
Great Western, one of the most pro.
gressive and up to date railways doing
business in the Mississippi valley. The
main line of that great railway crosses
the Chicago, Milwaukee g. st. Paul
road at Oneida, less than eight miles to
the northeast of the center of this city.
That railroad crossing, for the benefit
of the roads, as well as the people of
northeastern lowe, should have been at
Manchester; but, being at Oneida in
stead of Manchester, the logic of the
situation called for the construction of
q road, which for all practical purposes
would bring the two railways at Oneida
down into this city. By SO doing all
the railway losses of the past could be
retrieved, all the determinations wiped
out, all the benefits of ample shipping
facilities procured.
Under these conditions Is it any won
der that Manchester built the NJ. s. o.
Ry., and that too without help or aid of
any nature from outsider
Little more than year ago the people
of this place squared themselves for the
work of properly finishing the county's
railroad map. A company was incorpo.
rated with 81 board of fifteen directors,
and proposition to aid the company by
q 5 per cent. tax was carried by vote
of 1017 to 1O1. That vote was far more
than grant of tax aid 1t was gen
erous vote of confidence in the men in
trusted with the management of the
enterprise, and it has done much to
nerve their arms and insure the success
which is now at our doors. Since that
vote, these directors have considered
themselves as agents of this com
munity; and while they have had many
obstacles to overcome, they have never
doubted for an instant the final out
come. With ill will toward no one,
with charity for all opposing interests,
with faith in the benefits to be procur-
ed, they have gone steadily on, and
have never ripped stitch nor taken a
backward step. In the performance of
their trust, the directors have had gen.
erous support. Men and women have
gone outside of themselves and casi
their bread upon the bright running
waters of public benefit; and sincerely
trust that it will return to them in
many ways, and that before many days.
1t most essuredly will if the policy
heretofore pursued is to be continued
Without the patronage of the public,
lines of railway are of little value
With generous patronage they amply
repay, and this little road, if fairly treat
ed, will pay for all the toll and expense
connected with its construction. 1t viii
prove lasting convenience and benefit
not alone to Manchester and Delaware
county, but to our neighboring countie.
and cities on every side.
While we cannot draw aside the cur
tains, and see all that the future has IL
store for us, this much we know: Tn,
railway which is being dedicated toda.
was built 10 promote the welfare ant
happiness of these people who are her
about us, and their business neighbors
To their uses and to the upbuildint
of this city and county the road is dedi
Gated. We believe and hope that be
hind the doors of the future there ar
stored unseen benefits for plucky Man
chester; and it is not improper nor un
reasonable to indulge in this hope, 70
hope is the invisible guide which lead
man on to victory.
Joseph Hutchinson.
4 Fellow Citizens, Ladies aud Gentle
| men The building of this plug roa
has been hoby with me for years, an
this is not the first time I have worke
for this ENTERPRISE.