The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1915-02-19
EARLY PROGRESS
PLEASES KNIGHT
Man Who is Back Of the keokuk-Jef.
jerson City Interurban Project
Likes Way Work Is
Being Done.
CONNECT WITH SANTA FEE
Route to Argyle Will Give This Road
Direct Connection Into keo-
kuk-Serves Good
Country.

Satisfactory progress is being made
in the preliminary work on the pro-
posed interurban from Keokuk to JeL
ferson City, according to H. w.
Knight, the promoter of the project
who is in the city. The preliminary
work is being done under the direction
Of Thomas Petersen, the chief engl-
neer for Mr.. Knight Assisting Mr..
Petersen is another Chicago engineer
by the name of Warrell. At the pres
ent time the preliminary work is be-
ing carried on around Wayland
A large map showing the proposed
route has been hung in the Industrial
association office. The proposed road
will start at Keoluk, and will go to
Argyle, connecting with the Santa Fe
there. This will give the Santa Fe
direct line into Keokuk. This road
| will be direct one to Argyle. At
Melrose, the Jefferson City line turns
south. The crossing Of the Des MONIES
river will be at ST. Francfsville.
st. Francisvilie Bridge.
In the opinion OF the promoter, this
crossing at st. Francisyille is ideal.
! 1t is like building bridge from two
tables, Mr.. knight said, as the river
does not overflow here to damage the
piers. The bridge will be built indie
pendently of the county, and will
carry a wagon road as well. 1t prob
ably will be free bridge. This is
something the merchants of the city
have been wanting for some time.
The proposed line runs through ter
ritory in Missouri not served by any
other road, and part of the line runs
through rich farm district, and part
through other good shipping territory.
The line will carry freight as well as
passengers, in fact If it were not for
the freight business it could not be
built, 1t Is stated.
Charge Is Uniform.
4 Mr.. knight has met the farmers In
1.-THE various districts through WHICH
! his road is to run. He is making
uniform demand Of $3.50. per mile for
1.-THE preliminary work. He Is not OF
Ifering any inducements and does not
try to force his proposition. He makes
his statement and if the people want
| to take it up, they are given the
chance.
The reception given the preliminary
work is extremely gratifying to the
promoters, and SHOWS the interest VI
the people the road will serve. The
work is progressing satisfactorily and
the interest being shown Is. encourag-
ling.
Mr.. Knight expects to. go to Shelby
vile tonight to talk to the people OF
that district. He will not hold a meet
ing at Keokuk until much later this
year, when all of the preliminary work
Iup to this terminal will have been
completed
The power for the road will come
from the Keokuk power plant, ana
the wires which feed the trolley line,
will be available to the farmers of the
district for their needs on the farm.
To build power plant which would
use coal in generating power for such
a line would cost an immense amount
of money, and the project would not
be feasible. But with the power from
the power plant at hand, this cost Is
1 cancelled Mr.. Knight said he had
conferred with the power company
officials in the matter Of power rates.
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