Mexico weekly ledger., 1903-05-28
THE DEPOT MEETING.
COMMITTEE ON SOLICITING EN-.
LARGED AT MASS MEETING
MONDAY NIGHT.
A BRIGHT OUTLOOK FOR MEXICO.
1t Seems Shat There is a Chance For
Building Connecting Link Of
Burlington From Mexico to
Macon-Talk of Alton to
The South.
A BRIGHT OUTLOOK FOR MEXICO.

At a mass meeting Of citizens held
at the Court House on Monday night
the committee formerly appointed
by the Commercial Club to solicit
funds to buy a depot site for the Alton
and Burlington roads In this city
was increased to fifteen, and will get
down to work and raise the necessary
5000 this week. President Hatha-
way, OF the Commercial Club, presid-
ed and stated the object of the meet
ing. He said that a year age the
Alton was figuring on building a new
depot here, which he thought was to
cost all the way from $4,000 to S32,-
600. Mr.. Hathaway thinks that the
proposed depot will serve the double
purpose Of a union station and office
building for the two roads. He says
they will spend fully $751; 0 in the
erection of a building. Continuing
Mr.. Hathaway stated that the Burl-
ington had negotiated for a large
tract Of land east Of Mexico and was
making estimates for a thirty-eight
stall round-house He seems Go think
it reasonable that the Burlington
would connect their line from the
north into Macon with the short-line
now under contract. He ended by
say ing that the railroad wanted the
city to take action at once and settle
the matter.
P. H.. Cullen was called for and
made a rousing speech regarding the
raising Of the money. He said: "As
far as ! have investigated, l think it
is the best proposition Mexico has had
since l have been a resident here. 1t
will make Mexico a great railroad
center, and will surely call for some
kind of a division; also shops. Here is
a proposition which is backed by
millions, and they can just about as
easily leave Mexico out as not and
never feel 1t. For a city like Mexico,
growing and intending to grow, l.
think 1t is best to accept the PROPOSE
tion to furnish a suitable depot site
at once.n
f. r. Jesse spoke of the advantages
which will be derived from the new
line, Suppose the Burlington said
MIR. Jesse, SHOULD cross the Chicago
g. Alton tracks three miles east of
Mexico, then we would regret that
we did not induce them to come with
In our city limits. We should do our
full duty along this line. l have
heard many people say that the road
will come anyhow, but II it don't we
will regret 1t all our lives. Our daily
papers, which have worked day and
night for the good Of the town, have
stated repeatedly that all the Bur
llngton and Alton had to do was to
tell us what they wanted and we
would give it to them. Now let us
make their promise good"
Mr.. Cullen s and stated that
William Lesh had told that at his old
home in Huntington, Indiana, the
Wabash, when building through that
section a number Of years ago, wanted
to come into Huntington If the city
would "do so and So" The citizens
put up the old plant ''that 1t is com
ing anyway" and failed to meet the
roads requests. AS a result, another
town was built six miles out of Hunt
ington, and has got a substantial pop
ulation and is a division point.
q. +. Clark: 81 think this is the
critical time in the affairs of Mexico.
Our opportunities are better than
they have been in t~hirty-five years.
Possibilities are greater and depend
on whether more roads come to Mexico.
The Burlington proposes to erect a
thirty-eight stall roundbouse, which
is larger than the ones at Jefferson
City, Moberly or Kansas City. The
Chicago & Alton has a franchise for a
bridge at Jefferson City; and, even
tually, | feel sure, their road will be
extended south from Cedar City to
Springfield, which would mean a direct
line through from the southwest to
Chicago. Mexico will be the largest
railroad center in the State.n
Rev. A.. A. Wallace arose and stat
ed that he was heartily in favor of the
enterprise.
A. G. Barnes; ''This is the first
time that we have had an opportunity
for getting an enterprise which is
backed by a sufficient sum to carry
out all expectations. II this road
comes to Mexico there will be nc idle
men here for years to come"
@. F. Clark, OF the soliciting commit
tee, was called on for a report of what
had been done. He arose and stated
that pledges to the amount Of 81, 32l
had been made.
S. NJ. Locke arose and on behalf Of
the Mexico Water Works Company
subscribed $3.50. In regard to this
subscription Mr.. Clark explained that
Mr.. Locke had the same day subscrib-
ed $500 in behalf of the Mexico Saw
ings Bank. He stated: 81 will say
that 1t would take but a few more
such men as Mr.. Locke to make up
the money. II we don't appreciate
such a man we don't do our duty"
Lakenan & Barnes gave 500 and
several smaller subscriptions were
made, the total being about 5000.
o. Hit was called on for a few re-
marks and stated that the citizens
should encourage the enterprise. He
SAID that we must be a slow people IL
W. cannot raise the money. He cited
the removal Of the Chicago s. Alton
division from Mexico some several
years ago, stating that the citizens OF
AT~.FnA "a e1x.k eta.. III - -