The Mankato free press., 1902-05-30
Work on Electric Railway and
Lighting Plant.
Messrs. Williams and Collins Visit
the City and Give Out
Encouraging Words.

James b. Collins of Chicago and
Samuel A. Williams of Cleveland,
Ohio, arrived in Mankato Tuesday
noon from Chicago. and expected to
leave for that city on the afternoon
train. They conferred with the officers
of the Mankato and St. Peter Railway
and Lighting Co. during their stay.
When seen at the Saulpaugh, Mr..
Williams authorized the following
statement: "The contract between
the company and Mr.. Collins, as prin-
cipal, will be carried out, and work
will be begun at once. No great
amount of work can be done locally
until the machinery arrives. The
machinery will be ordered as soon as
the engineer can prepare a schedule of
what is needed. This will be the latter
part of this week. -
Mr.. Williams displayed kilograms
received by him from the Arbuckle-
Ryan Co. of Toledo, Ohio, referring to
the schedule of electrical supplies
needed and saying that it would be
completed by Friday.
In regard to the progress Of the
work locally, Mr.. Williams said that
Engineer Perkins will arrive from
Toledo, Ohio, early next week and
woald make the necessary surveys in
the city and to st. Peter, and would pre-
pare the drawings and estimates and
also plans for the power house. Work
on the power house would begin in
two or three weeks, and local contrac-
tors would in the meantime be given
an opportunity to bid on the building.
Mr.. Williams could not give any
estimate of what the building would
cost.
The purchase of the machinery will
be completed in few weeks, Mr..
Williams thought. The lighting
plant will be pushed to completion
first, but the power plant for the rail
road would be installed at the sam,
time and in the same building.
In regard to the street railwa,
plant, Mr.. Williams said Mr.. Perkin
would lay out the route through. tn
city, using his best judgment. - Th
line would run entirely through tn
city on Front street, to the park, AM
make a loop in West Mankato. bu
beyond that he did not know wher
it would go. He thought that si
miles of track would be constructed il
the city.
Engineer Mcdonald will work i
conjunction with Mr.. Perkins, as tn
company's engineer.
Regarding the effect of the Meaghe
injunction suit, Mr.. Williams sal
that it would in no way alter or della
} the plans for the construction of th
railroad and lighting plant. 1t woul
not deter him or Mr.. Collins frol
going ahead, and the contract woul
be carried out. He did not know "
: whether gas plant would be, put il
Mr.. Williams said that the capit
necessary to build the road is assured
and that there is no cause for anxiei
on that score. He did not desire
say who would furnish the money, ,
q, he did not care to expose the ente
!, prise to the assaults of the enemy mo-
> than was necessary, and it was real
nobody's business where the none
;, came from, so long as it was secures
> Mr.. williams stated that his home
> in Cleveland, Ohio, and has been
). some years. While a member of Il
= firm of Weed & Williams, he som
times registered as from New Have
Conn. The firm dissolved by mutu
e agreement May 10Th, but Mr.. w
r. liams said that he still represents M
d, Weed in his western interests. Al
r contracts or engagements made
u Weed & Williams prior to their d.
,e solving will be carried out or tax
IN care of satisfactorily.
IN Mr.. Williams said that locati
for a power plant would be secured
once. Whether it would be the {
= Nieollet House and adjoining proper
le would be matters for negotiation.
u Mr.. Williams said that the prese
ot visit of himself and Mr.. Collins v
e, merely for the purpose of closing sol
lg details. The city has done all that
Ut expected of it, and all matters
tween the company and themselves {
closed. He expected that they wo1
have to make several trips to Mank'
IN during the progress of the work.
On Messrs. Williams and Collins desil
OF o to meet the directors of the compai
~ but less than quorum was in
il city. This afternoon they looked
he sites for a power plant, and will pr
Is ably give Fred A. Kneeland author
in to purchase.