Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1906-08-02

| With reference to the reported pur-
chase by the Burlington Of large plot
of ground near Silvis, ILL.,, for the al
legged purpose of establishing either
yards or shops of the Minneapolis and
st. Louis branch of the road, local off.
Gals state that as far as is known
here there Is nothing in 1t.
Superintendent A. V. Brown said this
morning that he had heard Of no such
purchase, and that while 1t might be
the case, there had been no official an
nouncement Of it.
Silvis is the suburb of Moline, where
the Rock Island shops are located. The
following article from recent Moline
paper gives color to the report:
Moline Story.
"The Burlington railroad has pur.
chased forty acres of ground from the
Rock Island railroad and it is said that
the same will be used for the erection
of railroad repair shop to be used for
this decision of the Burlington. The
tract purchased lies north of the Rock
Island tracks at Silvis and south of
the Burlington tracks and along the
Watertown road.
| burlington officials would neither
confirm nor deny the story. The fact
that the official would not deny it lends
color to the story and while the Mail
Is. satisfied that the tract of land has
been purchased by the Burlington, 1t
cannot say with authority that the land
will be used for the shops.
Another story is to the effect that
the Burlington has purchased the
round house now in use by the Rock
Island railroad in Rock Island for that
roads passenger service. Added to
that the Burlington will fill along it's
right of way just north of the round
house so that more tracks can be con-
structed, thereby relieving the conges-
ed condition of the Burlington yards in
Moline and Rock Island.
Wonderful Increase.
'In talking of the story, one Burling-
ton official stated that the business Of
the road had increased wonderfully in
the past two years and he asserted
that on account of the lack of room for
tracks the company has been forced to
look for more room In Rock Island and
Moline. However, he denied that the
Rock Island roundhouse had been pur-
chased. If this should be the case,
however, another change would neces
sarily follow and that would be chang
ing the passenger division point Of thu
Rock Island system from the city of
Rock Island to Silvis
The only part of the rumor to which
there seems to be some truth, and
which is confirmed to certain extent.
is the fact that the Burlington has pur.
chased forty acres in Silvis, and 1T is
not necessary to add that the railroads
do not buy property for mere specula.
ton. They usually buy land for same
express purpose and possibly this land
was bought to place the Burlington re.
pair shop on"
Change System.
i 1t is learned today that the steam
system on all the passenger equip
ment of the Ottumwa division of the
Milwaukee will be changed from the
overhead style to the underneath.
This work will all be done at Ottum-
wa. 1t is said that similar change
will be made in the passenger equip
nlent of the whole road.
Jacobson Promoted.
Earl JACOBSON, vino has been chic
stenographer at the offices in the I'm
ion depot has accepted a position in
the Offices of the assistant general pas.
senger agent at st. Louis, Mo. Mr.
. Jacobson will leave Friday evening fol
! the Missouri city to assume the duties
of his new position. He has been EN-
: p!oyed in the Burlington offices here
for a year or more, and his promotion
is deserved one. Harry Blount will
be promoted to Mr.. Jacobson'ss position
in the local offices. Lloyd Hirst has
, been made master carpenters CLERK
and Harlan Reese succeeds Mr.. Hirst
!, as file clerk having started upon his
new duties this morning.
/, Railroad Notes.
, Burlington No. was delayed fol
!, about half hour yesterday at Abba
;, by hot box.
' G. G. Gardner of Davenport, travel
ing passenger agent of the Rocl
Island, was in the city today on bust
ness.