The De Soto County news. [volume] (Arcadia, Fla.) 1898-1924, 1905-08-25
EAST COAST EXTENSION
A RATHER UNIQUE PIECE OF ROAD
OVER THE WATER.
Several Long Stretches of Trestie Work
Between the Keys-No other
Road Like II. &

Much has been said in the Florida
papers, especially those Of Jacksonville
and Miami, about the extension Of the
Florida East Coast Railway over the
Florida Keys to Key West, and much
more probably will and can be said,
for, to say the least, it will be a rather
unique piece of work in the way Of
railroad construction. q :
While this piece OF road will not
cost as much as some roads have that
have run over or THROUGH mountains,
10 still will be quite expensive, though
not so much so as to claim any great
attention in that regard, but the par
ticular feature is that it will be built
over line of islands in the ocean and
across shallow parts Of the ocean itself
and in two or more places, over COM
paratively deeep water, where the
waves of the Atlantic will beat with
their full force against the roadbed.
This is the only road in the world to
be built over such queer ard rather
dangerous right of way, but, from the
manner in which it will be built, about
II not quite all the danger will be
eliminated. and piece Of track be
constructed over which it will be more
pleasant and interesting to ride than
over any other piece ofthe same length
in the world.
As to the man who has made this
road a probability, he should be given
all the praise that is justly his due.
No fulsome Aattery should be INDUCED
in, nor should he be accused Of doing
it from a purely philanthropic spirit,
for all such would be very wide of the
mark.
HIM. Flagler, by personal visit to
Lake Worth, saw that it would pay to
build a road to this point and he built
it. Then, by personal investigation
he also saw the possibilities Of Miami
and at once extended his road to that
point. Now he sees the immense adj
vantages of a road to Key West, and in
spite of the many and great engineer
ing problems TO be overcome, he goes
aheadto build this road.
These facts show, we think, that II
NJ. Flagler is, without doubt, one OF
the most far sighted business men in
this orany other country to-day and
his immense wealth enables him to
carry out his plans and put his roads
where needed without floating bonds
or stock or calling on an outside cap
italists for help in any way whatever.
Mr., Flagler has simply seen what was
need ed, where it was needed, that it
would pay, and has gone ahead quiet
ly out persisently and energetically
and carried out his plans, to his own
profit and renown (though the latter
he has not sought for) and to the great
benefit of every section that has been
reached by his roads, and Of the coun-
try at large.
The full extent, possibilities and
probabilities OF the Key West extension
Mr.. Flagler may not live to see, but he
is going ahead to build the road know
ing that its hereafter is assured though
he may not live to see it. When this
extentlon is completed the Florida
East Coast Railway will be as much or
more political as well as commercial
importance as any road in Florida, II
not the world and no man probably is
better aware Of this fact than H. NJ.
Flagler and consequently he deserves
the credit for comprehending these
facts and building the road. Miami
News.