The Omaha morning bee. [volume] (Omaha [Neb.]) 1922-1927, 1924-04-03
Railroads and
Omaha Growing
Together Finley
Greatest Population Increase
Came During Construction
of Lines, Says North
western Head.

THE state of Nebraska and the
city of Omaha have grown with the
growth of railroads of the country,
said William F. Finley. president OF
tha Chicago & Northwestern railroad
at the regular weekly luncheon OF
the Rotary club Wednesday.
THE population of Nebraska IN
1860 was 2s,s41. said Mr.. Finley
"and at that time the state had no
railroad facilities. Between 1850 and
1870 whatever commerce there was
to or from the state was carried via
stage or the Missouri river. How
ever, the population had increased
by 1870 to $4,000. and we then find
the Union Pacific railroad well
started and the Chicago & Northwest
ern railway extending to Omaha
from the east. giving an outlet by
rail to the central markets.
THE population grew under these
conditions. until in 1880 1t was 4a2,
600. In the 10 years following, the
Northwestern built most OF its lines
in eastern Nebraska. so that in 1891
1t was fairly well established and We
find population of the state more
than doubled. or 1,0s3.0oo.
Iss0-lse Greatest Increase.
I'm the 30 years following It in
creased TO 1.2se.0oo. The greatest in
crease in the population OF the state
was in the 10.year period between
1880 and 1890 and this is the period
in which the Northwestern Railway
built nearN all Of its line in eastern
Nebraska.
Omaha, being the principal city of
Nebraska, grew sproportionately. In
1860 tho population was 11.ss3. a
mere hamlet or outpost. In 1870 il
had grown to a healthy frontier city
Of 1s,0s3: in 1890 to 30.5O0: I'm 1890
the population was over 10000, and
in 1920 1t was over 1000.
| Again We notice that the greatest
period of growth was between 1856
and 1890. and II would seem clear
that this was distinct reflection OF
the advantage of railway transpor
tation.
'Since 1900 farm land has increa sed
over six times in value and the I'M
Iprovements In 1900 were valued al
over 5000. .0o0. 900. making the value
of all farm property in Nebraska as
of 1920. 10 times the amount of the
railway investment.
Northwestern Serves Nine States.
THE Chicago & Northwestern Rail
way company Is a corporation OF over
10000 stockholders whose resources
together with those of the bondhold
ers. have been united with the effort
of $4,000 employees to produce the
transportation service which serves
nine different states and many mil
lions OF people.
lit is estimated that II costs the
average farmer, who lives an average
of five miles from the station. 5 cent.
lper bushel TO haul his grain to the
railway station. This would be about
si.65 per ton. and for this amount the
average railway hauls his grain ovei
$50 miles. or so times as far"
Mr.. Finley was introduced by Wal
ter Head, president OF the Omaha Ma
, tional bank. He laughingly referred
to the movement for a new Union sta
tion I'm Omaha and said he had hopes
to hear Mr.. Carl Il. Gray. president
OF the Union Pacific system. who at
tended the luncheon. announce him
self as ready to build such a station
In Difference TO the pressure OF publ,
opinion. This sally brought heart,
laugh from both railroad presidents