The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1903-06-19
IT He Says the Word an Electric Line
Will Be Built.
Had a Conference With Messrs. Hord,
Keator and Ewing in Chicago.
They Lay Their Plans Before Him, Re.
quest His O. K. Of Them.
ST. Peter Branch Is Not to Be Con
structed This Year.
From Fridays Daily.

From Fridays Daily.
w. L. HiXon is home from Chicago
where he had been in consultation with
Colonel Hord, Messrs.4Keator, Adali Ew.
ing and Hall in regard to the construc-
ton of an electric railway in Mankato
Mr.. HiNOn was interviewed today by
to his conference with the gentlemen re-
ferred to and he said that the st. Peter
line would not be built this year. Mr.
HiXon was called to Chicago for the pur-
pose of giving his views regarding the
construction of a line in AIankato i'm
mediately, the line to St. Peter to be
built next year. Mr. Ewing stated to
Mr. HiXOn that it was his wish that a
company be organized to include at least
two Mankato citizens in the board of
directorate, and he expressed wish that
Mr.. HiNon be one of the gentlemen
to interest himself in the enterprise,
and the other he spoke of was Mr.
Clark who has been acting as attorney for
NIessrs. Hord & Keator. Mr.. Hixon in
formed the Chicago parties that if the
railway is to be a sure thing he would
be willing to connect himself with the
company. They assumed to Mr.. Hixon
that it is their purpose to build line
here providing he (AIr. Hixon) recon-
mends it. Mr.. HiXon realizes that this
places Il great deal of responsibility up
on him and he has not as yet given his
sanction to the plans as set forth by
Colonel Hord and his friends.
Mr.. HiXon informed The Free Press
that it would not be the purpose of the
company to build power house at this
time, but that generators, and other ma
chinery would be purchased and space
secured at some manufacturing COM
pany's plant, the railway company to
employ engineers and fremen. The
when the st. Peter line is constructed
1t is proposed that four or five miles of
road be built in AIankato and that there
be no bonds issued; the road will be
paid for as soon as it is completed. Mr..
Ewing stated to Mr.. HiXon that next
year bonds could be sold, the company
having an equity, they would sell at a
better price than if the company has
nothing to back it up. Mr.. Ewing |
SAID also that so far as he is concerned
he would favor operating an electric line |
here even if the bare expenses were paid, |
and he figured that receipts aggregating
$40 per day would meet all the expenses
that would necessarily be entailed There |
of the officers of the company would be |
paid a salary.
Col Hord was of the opinion that the |
road could make good and Mr.. Ewing has |
faith in the enterprise. Mr.. Hall, who is |
at the head of the Marine Iron works |
IL Chicago, is favorable to the project. 1t |
is now up to Mr.. HiXon. If he gives the |
matter his approval four miles of cleo |
trio road will be built and operated in |
AIankato before snow flies. No bonus is |
asked and it is not the purpose of the
company to engage in electric lighting
Mr.. HiXon did not care to state what |
his advice to these gentlemen will be- |
III fact he had not made up his mind |
to say that the plan proposed is one that
will give to Mankato an electric railway
with every assurance that suburban lines |
will be constructed from year to year.
He did not wish, however, to recommend /
tc the Chicago gentlemen a proposition
which might prove a failure.
Mr.. Hixon found time while in Chi
cago to look up the standing of the par
ties interested and it was frstclass. Mr. |
Ewing is financially interested in a |
steam road in Georgia which has been |
connected up to a trunk line. He is a |
man of considerable means and has a |
large clientage. He is related closely to
Adeli Stevenson, who was once candi-
date for vice president on the Democrat
ic ticket.
Both Colonel Hord and Mr. Heater are |
able to put money into the railway here. /
Mr.. Hixon will probably correspond |
with the gentlemen within a few days |
and if he recommends the construction |
the work will begin at once.
5000 From Chicago to Boston and Re |