Page 184
7-8-02
WRECK ON MILWAUKEE
New Cut-Off Has its First One By Engine
Jumping Track.
NOT MUCH DAMAGE WAS DONE
Big Gangs of Men at Work Putting the Track
in Order—Much Ballasting is Necessary on the Road Bed.
The first wreck on the new Milwaukee cut-off which
is being built between this city and Rutledge happened yesterday
when the engine used in pulling the construction train and the
gravel trains back and forth jumped the track, while running at
a point several miles below the city beyond the Leutsinger bridge,
it happened near the big cuts in the bluff, where the track rises
in a gentle slope from the Mississippi Valley to the bluffs beyond.
No Damage Done.
Fortunately the engine was not running rapidly, owing
to the bad condition of the track and could therefore be stopped
immediately before enough time had elapsed for anything of a
serious nature to happen. The track is exceedingly rough and it is
expedient that a very slow rate of speed be maintained by the trains
as they are run back and forth. Therefore the danger of any serious
wreck was avoided.
No Cars Dumped.
The engine was stopped suddenly and the train came to a
standstill, thus not allowing the engine to pull any of the cars off the
track. This was fortunate for if two or 15 cars had been dumped it
would have been a great deal of trouble to jack them on the tracks
again. Jacks were put under the engine and in a short time it was
righted and the work resumed.
Page 185
Many Men in Gang
Much work is being done within a few miles of
this city as there are many men employed by this company
in improving the grade and raising the track. One gang is at
work near where the Milwaukee branches off from the Rock
Island composed of about 60 laborers. They are kept busy
engaged in raising the track and tamping dirt under the ties. The
greatest portion of them are what are known in railroad circle as
the "tampers".
The "paddles" and the short stemmed pipes are
in evidence. The railroader's pipe is a peculiar thing --it is
acknowledged by all, having any knowledge of it , to take the
"cake" for having to be light. Some of these men have got
" soldiering" down to such a fine point that they strike a
match every few minutes to light their pipes. The men, however
seemed to be a happy and contented gang of men and occasionally
one can hear a few plaintive bars of "Break the News to Mother”
"Just as the Sun Went Down" , "He laid away a suit of grey," or
some such melody badly disfigured and dished up in bad form.
The work train is kept busy running from the cut to the
low land and hauling dirt for the ballasting and raising of the track.
It will take hundreds of cars of dirt and gravel to rise this track
and get it in shape between this city and the bluff.
Page 186
7-9-02
RAIN HINDERS CONTRACTORS
MCINTOSH BROTHERS AND OTHERS HAVE WORK
HELD BACK BY RAIN.
NEW GRADE IS VERY SOFT.
Mr. Mcintosh says it is the wettest spell
in his 30 years of experience—trouble at
the Cedar River Bridge
I have railroaded and built railroads for 30 years, but I
never had such a siege of wet weather as this, when I was engaged in
heavy work said Dan Mcintosh of the contracting firm of Mcintosh
Brothers, to a Journal reporter this morning, when asked if he was
being inconvenienced by the rain on the work on the Milwaukee cut-off.
Mcintosh has charge of considerable work just out from Muscatine
and has a great deal of the heavy grading and filling.
"But owing to the fact that we had a fine winter to work,
And got a good early start, I am nearly two months ahead of my contract.
I have two sections and only about 200,000 yards of dirt more to
move when I will be through with the work, but of course, I am delayed by
kind of weather.
The Grade is Soft.
"The grade is very soft" continued Mr. Mcintosh. It's so
soft that nearly all day yesterday, the Milwaukee people were kept
busy keeping their engines and cars on the track. I moved one of my
steam shovels the other day for a short distance and almost upset it.
It was a good firm grade, I thought, but before we moved it ten feet
The big 55 ton shovel began to drop down on one side and it kept us
busy for a few minutes to get some large timbers and prop it up. We
have suffered no accidents so far but of course are being delayed by the
excesssive rains."
Page 187
At the McDougall and Yale camp farther down the
line work was suspended from last Wednesday until Monday on
account of the rains and the contractors wanted to give the men
an opportunity to celebrate the Fourth. Here also they have been
retarded in their work by rain, but they have a good start and will
get through in time, which is the middle of October.
Fears for the Bridge
The Milwaukee people are suffering the most about a
mile this side of Conesville, where they are putting in their new
bridge over Cedar River. The river, which is still very high has
carried away considerable of the grade on both sides of the river,
but the men after a few days work gave up hope on the grade and
waited their energies on the bridge which was in danger of being
injured by the floating debris in the overflowing river. The iron
work on the bridge for the present is all held up by false work
constructed of immense timbers and the trees and other rubbish
floating down the swollen stream is liable to dislodge a number
of these timbers by coming in contact with them, which would
let the iron work down and bring on a great loss. Men are
stationed at the waters edge at the bridge and on the false work,
and keep things moving so none of the debris piles up around the
piers. It is dangerous work, but necessary for the protection of
the bridge.
Cedar Still UP.
Reports from the flooded districts this morning still
tell of the loss of crops and property. The stock is being taken
care of now, but Attorney John W. McKee says that on the bottoms
near the McKeown bridge, about 300 head of cattle and horses are
stationed around on the knolls and high places. The stock is unable
to swim out on account of the wire fences. The air is filled with the
cries of the cattle, as they cluster on the high places and sometimes
attempt to swim out. The farmers say the flood will spoil their
pasture for this summer and many are selling off their stock and
selling it cheap.
Page 188
8-2-02
INTERLOCKING SWITCH AT CONE
Milwaukee Road preparing to run through the Burg and non-stop
Work being pushed.
The Chicago, Milwaukee and St. Paul Road is putting in a set of
interlocking switches at Cone, which means that the through trains
will not stop on account of the B. C. R. & N. crossing but will run
past the place at the rate of maybe 60 miles an hour. The construction
crews along the line are now pushing things with great vigor.
One span of the bridge over Cedar River this side of Cone is in
place. During the recent washout about 90 feet of the new grade
on the approach to the bridge was taken out, but the company has
put down a number of large piling and upon this erected a trestle
which in time will be filled up, and having this for an underpiling
will hold the grade in case another washout ever occurs in the
future. On the contracts near Muscatine the work has been pushed
with great vigor particularly since the rains have let up some,
While contractors were somewhat delayed by the wet weather they
are ahead the work and an average August and September will do
such towards finishing the jobs.
8-20-02
RAILROAD WORK BEING PUSHED
Railroad writer says that the Milwaukee Cut-Off will be completed
this year.
The rate at it which construction work is being pushed on the cut-offs
From Muscatine to Rutledge and from Ashdale to Thomson makes it
Certain that the short line of the St. Paul system between here and
Kansas City will be completed this year, writes the railroad either
of the Inter-0cean. At present the company's line from here to
Kansas is 538 miles long. The new line will be 488 miles. The
length of the Alton Road is 488.6 miles; Burlington 489; Rock Island
518, and Sante Fe 458.
Grading is nearly completed on the St. Paul's Kansas City cut-off
from Muscatine to Rutledge, Iowa, ?6 miles and track has been laid
from Muscatine west five miles, and from Cone east and west seven
miles. On the branch from Farmington to Mankota, Minn., the grading
is approaching completion, and the track laying has just been commenced.
Grading is being pushed on the branch from Fairbault to
Zumbrota, Minn. 32 miles and the same will be completed ready for
operation this year. Grading is also being pushed on the extension
from Eureka, S.D. to Linton, N.D. 49 miles and track laying will
begin soon at Eureka. Grading is practically completed from Ashdale
to Thmson, Ill. but no rails have yet been laid.
Page 189
9-12-02
TRACK IS BEING LAID
First Work Done at the Ottumwa End
of the Milwaukee Line.
WORK BEING PUSHED HERE.
Contractors Busy and Good Weather Aiding in
the Finish—Great Business When Completed--
To Give Good Service.
The work on the Milwaukee cut-off from this city
southwest to Ottumwa is being pushed at this time with all
possible vigor. Contractor Yale, of the firm of McDougal
and Yale, states that although the season has been a wet
one, nevertheless, it has been a good one to work and
they are ahead of time on their contract. Their contract calls
for the completion of grading and ready for the tract by the
middle of October, and this will be accomplished all right.
The track layers are down about seven miles from the city
and another force is at work between Cone and Ardon, the
first station out of Muscatine. Work is also being
pushed on the new bridges to be built, and everything is running
along in good shape. When the first train will be run over the
cut-off is a question still in doubt, but it will not be many
moons away.
At the Other End.
At the Ottumwa end of the line all is activity as is
evidenced by the following taken from the Ottumwa Courier of
last evening:
"The first tracks of the new Milwaukee cutoff
were laid yesterday at Rutledge, three miles north
of Ottumwa, where the tracks of the new line join
the Marion and Kansas City branch. Few people
realize the magnitude of the undertaking which is
rapidly being pushed to completion on this line.
Page 190
The work at this end of the line is nearly
done and within a month it will have been
completed, but at other points on the line
the work is not so far advanced and it is
probable that the road will not be finished until
the end of the year. This will give the
Milwaukee one of the shortest and most direct
routes from Kansas City to Chicago and will
open up a new territory for the Ottumwa shippers.
Direct Line To Davenport.
The new line when completed will give travelers a direct
line to Davenport and Chicago and will enable them to directly
reach intermediate points along the line.
With the completion of the cut-off the Milwaukee will
run its Kansas City freight through Ottumwa, and the
traffic will doubtless be greatly increased owing to the
marked shortening of the track which will give them as short
a line from Kansas City to Chicago as the Santa Fe and shorter
than the other roads.
Use Temporary Track.
"At the station of Rutledge where the new line joins the
Marion and Kansas City branch, a busy scene is disclosed.
3angs of men are at work finishing the grade, while other squads
are laying the track over the completed section. The old track
on the Marion branch has been torn up and a temporary track constructed
about fifty yards west of the old one and this is being
used until the new track is completed.
Four Parallel Tracks.
The two lines will join about a quarter of a mile below the
station at Rutledge, near the old tile works, and the Marion and
Muscatine tracks will run parallel to each other for about three
quarters of a mile. They will divide the Marion trains continuing
north and the Muscatine line to the northwest. Between the points
where they join and divide there will be two side tracks and
these will be two side tracks to be long enough to accommodate two …
Page 191
… freight trains. An interlocking switch tower will be constructed
below the station at Rutledge so that the trains may run through
without a stop.
Will Give Good Service.
It is not known as yet just what number of trains will run
daily over the new road. Assurance is given, however, that
the best service will be given and as many trains put on as
the traffic of the road will justify.
Page 192
10-15-02
WORK BEING PUSHED
Milwaukee Construction Between Here and Ottumwa
And Davenport.
DAVENPORT MAY HAVE SHOPS.
Time Is Up on Many of the Contracts. But they have
Extension of Time on Account of West Weather—Other Matters.
Work on the Milwaukee cut off through Muscatine has been
pushed this fall, in spite of the wet weather and the grade just out
of Muscatine is in pretty good condition. The track is laid out for
a distance of about four miles but at the Adam Wigim farm, the
grade has settled so that it will take some little time to surface it
up once more. The bluff road is still an attraction for those interested
in railroad construction, and plenty of visitors are seen
down that way nearly every pleasant day.
Time Is Up.
It has been generally understood that the time for the completion
of the grading contracts would be up the middle of October, at least
that is the date given out by a number of the contractors. However,
owing to the extremely wet season some and nearly all have received
an extension of time, and considerable work remains to be done
southwest of the city. It is thought, however, that before snow
flies the grading will be done, after which will come the track
laying, then the ballasting up of the track, and it is thought by all
railroad people that it will be spring before the first train will go over
the new line. It may be the middle of the summer before regular
passenger traffic will be established. But the people will be patient
and welcome it when it does come.
Shops at Davenport.
It will be recalled that some time ago the Milwaukee bought a
considerable piece of land of the West Davenport Improvement
Company, all located in Rockingham Township. This tract runs along
the line of the south west line of the Rock Island road, a strip of ground …
Page 193
About 4,000 feet long and verging on 200 yards wide. It is almost at water level, above Mississippi floods, clear of trees and brush,
In fact the fairest, and smoothest piece of ground in the county,
and an ideal site for the development of a great railroad yard and
shop establishment. And the work of getting that establishment into
tangible form has made good progress.
Taking the river road to Buffalo, a distance of something like
half a mile below the resort known as Pariser garden the tracks of
Island's southwest line are crossed. It will be remembered
the Rock Island’s this also is to be the line of the Milwaukee between
Davenport and Muscatine. Beyond this point and from here on to
Ottumwa, the Milwaukee is building its own line, as straight and
as flat and as solid as the modern railroad engineer knows how to
make it. The new yards and the whole Milwaukee establishment in
question are just below this crossing of the highway and the tracks.
At The Crescent Bridge
The Crescent Bridge, as is well understood, is to be used in getting
over the Mississippi at this point. The line of the D. R. I.
& N. W. however, turns to the right, or east, immediately after
this side of the river is reached, attaining the slough bridge by
means of a long curving trestle. Clearly the west bound Milwaukee
cut-off cannot take this eastbound curve. It has been necessary
to lay out another like it that turns to the left, or westward.
This has been done, and the work is well advanced. A big high
very solid in construction, has been erected, carrying
trestle, from the north end of the Crescent bridge to the new
the track from across the slough. That slough is to be crossed by
line’s bridge of seven spans, carried on concrete piers on piling
foundations. These foundations are being got into place now.
Landing on the Iowa bank, north of the slough, the line of the
old B. C. R. & N. now the Rock Island, has been moved to the north-east
some 50 feet, and the place it occupied is to be taken by the
new Milwaukee line, whereby the southwest line of the Rock Island
is to be tapped a little farther down.
Work On The Line
The line between Muscatine and Ottumwa has been much delayed
by bad weather through the greater part of this season. The
rate of progress of this work in the future will be largely governed
by the weather. At the present time the track is completed to a
point about four miles beyond the city, and a 6-mile stretch is in
place between the Iowa and the Cedar Rivers. Three forces of men
are at work on the line, at as many different places, and advantage
is being taken of every good working day. The opening of the line
will be delayed no longer than is necessary.
Page 194
10-22-02
SWITCHES ARE PLACED.
Interlocking Switches New In Place at Conesville.
TRACK FROM MADURA TO CONE.
Work Going Rapidly Forward—New "Golden State Limited'
On the Rock Island Attracting Attention—To be Running Nov. 2.
It begins to look like business in the railway line down near
Conesville. A report from that part of the country brings the
intelligence that the track between Cone and Madura, the first
new station this side of Cone has all been laid, and at Cone
the interlocking switches, where the Rock Island, or old B. C.
R. & N. road crosses the Milwaukee cut-off have been placed
and are now in working order.
L. A. Meyer Towerman.
L. A. Moyer of Cone has secured the position of signal operator
and will tend to matters in the tower at the crossing. He began
his new duties last week, and so far is very much pleased with
the work. Considerable responsibility rests on the man in this
position to keep the switches set just right and the track cleared for
the trains. At present he is not as busy as he will be when the
regular trains begin going over the new line of the cut-off for the only
trains on the Milwaukee at present are the construction and gravel pit
trains.
Only Six Miles
By the completion of the line between Cone and Madura and the line
finished from Muscatine out about four miles, there is but about six
miles yet to be built between Muscatine and Cone, and this between
Muscatine and Madura. The line is built within three miles of Ardon,
at the beginning of the heavy work of getting over the bluffs below
the city. If the weather had not been so bad this heavy work would
have been completed, and the track laid by this time, but the slipping
of the immense embankment has delayed matters considerable, and it …
Page 195
… can not not be stated just when the track will be complete. The line from
Ardon to Madura is comparatively level and the grading will be finished
In a short time. It is thought that by the time snow flies, track
laying will have been completed between Muscatine and Conesville at
least.
New "Golden State Limited"
Through train service to California via its new El Paso route
will be inaugurated by the Rock Island road, Nov. 2. The new train to
be known as the "Golden State Limited," will on and after that date
leave Chicago daily at 7:45 P.M. and arrive at Los Angeles at 1:55 P.M.
the third day thereafter and at San Francisco at 8:55 on the morning of
the fourth day. This makes the actual running time, 68 hours to Los
Angeles and seventy-four hours to Santa Barbara.
The inauguration of this service is of interest to the tourists of
Muscatine. The train going west will probably go about 1 o'clock in
the morning, but the return time table has not been given out as yet.
In fact, nothing aside from the mere announcement of the train has
been received at the office in Muscatine.
An entirely new outfit of equipment has been built for this service
by the Pullman company at a cost of about $200,000. No day or
tourist coaches will be carried on this train; it will be composed entirely
of sleeping, dining, library, and observation cars of the latest
patterns.
The new train, it is said, will be finer than the Lake Shore and
Pennsylvania limited and twenty hour trains, the cars being supplied
With the most modern appliances and finely furnished.
The route of the "Golden State Limited" between Los Angeles and San
Francisco will be over the Southern Pacific's coast line.
Page 196
11-3-02
FINEST OF TRAINS NOW
Golden State Limited Now Ready For Business Over Rock Island
IT BEGAN RUNS THIS MORNING
Passed Through on Time and Without Stopping--
Must Go To Davenport to Get
Aboard These Flying Palaces.
The change in time card took effect at 12 o'clock noon yesterday and at
an early hour this morning the two new "Golden State Limited" trains
passed through the city at the rate of nearly 50 miles an hour. These
trains were probably seen by very few people owing to the hour. In
looking over the time card it was noticed that no stop was marked
for Muscatine. The first train passed through here westbound at
12:55 this morning and the other at 5:17. They were both on time and
passed through the city without stopping. No stop is to be made between
Davenport and Kansas City and that will make it a little inconvenient for
the persons from Muscatine going west on this train. They will be
compelled to go to Davenport to catch this train. Persons wishing to
go west can leave on the 9:53 train for Davenport at night and reach
there in ample time to catch the new train. Those wishing to go to
Chicago can leave here on the 3:39 train in the morning, providing it is
on time, and get to Davenport in time to catch the eastbound train.
These two trains a r e beyond doubt the finest in the west and are among
the finest in the world.
Will Be Popular.
Many have expressed their doubts about the new trains being a paying
investment for the railroad company. The company knowing that there was
a large amount of this fine traffic, which could be gained by an endeavor
nearly $2,000,000 in equipping for it. It seems at present that the
will be a paying investment, as there is a great rush for tickets for those
trains to California points. It was learned from good authority this
morning that more than 700 applications were made to the passenger agent …
Page 197
… for points in the far southwest, before the trains started. Owing
to the limited number that can be handled on one train, it will be
really seen that some time will elapse before passage can be secured.
This is certainly a flattering outlook.
Fine Service From Employees
In the instructions the company has made it very explicit that the
service to be secured from the employees in the trains will be the
best that can be secured and all of those employed on these trains
are given to understand that the best of service is expected from
them as the traffic will be the best in America.
Page 198
11-25-02
ONE MILE TO BUILD
Laying Between Muscatine and Cone Nearly Completed.
GRADING ALL FINISHED TODAY.
Track Laying Saturday Night Was At The Crossing Near
Isaat Lees--Contractors Moving Out--SmaIl Wreck-
Other Matters.
If all works well probably by tonight Muscatine and Conesville
will be connected by the Chicago, Milwaukee and St. Paul railroad.
Saturday night the track layers were at the crossing just north of
the house of Isaac Lee, about two miles wejit of Arckpn, the first
station on the road. A short distance beyond this place Contractor
Betts has not quite finished his grading work, he having been delayed
considerably by washouts, and bad weather. He and his men
worked all day Sunday and it was thought that he would be finished by
noon today.
Working From Cone.
Another gang of track layers are at Cone working this way, and the
two forces are about one mile apart. They will meet before sunset
today. The track, however, is in bad shape. No attempt has been
made toward ballasting it up, the ties laid on the grade and the
rails spiked down, and at the present time it is very irregular. Now
that the track is built clear through to Cone, the work of ballasting
will begin, the output of the big gravel pit opened up at that place
being used for this work. Work trains are now going over the track
but it will probably be spring before the track is built and ballasted
up from Muscatine to Ottumwa and the regular train service put on.
Graders are Through.
With the exception of Contractor Betts, the graders are all
through, and another week will see them all gone, and starting
to work in other places. The Mcintosh camps about four miles
outside of the city, have been broken up, the shanties distroyed,
and the grading tools moved away. The McDougal and Yale camp,
the largest one, has not been broken up as yet. The buildings are
still there and the horses and mules and grading machinery. One
steam shovel has been taken as far as the Rock Island Junction in …
Page 199
… South Muscatine. The other shovel is still in the vicinity of
the camp on a separate track, but will probably be put on the
main line and brought to the city today. Contractor Yale said
they would move out as soon as the Rock Island Company could
furnish them cars to load the machinery, horses, etc. Nearly all
the men have been let out, only enough remaining to take care of
the camp and load the machinery. In a week this large camp will
in a thing of the past.
Many Overhead Bridges.
The people of that part of the country have been very fortunate
In the way of overhead bridges. Nearly every crossing has that
kind of a bridge, and the danger of grade crossing accidents is
greatly lessened. At Ardon, the new station the boarding cars of
the track layers are stationed. The grade is broadened out here,
and a number of switches and side tracks are being put in. In
fact that place begins to look like a railroad station, but no buildings
are yet to be seen beside the new Catholic Church.
A Small Wreck.
Last Friday a small wreck occurred in the deep cut near the home
of Adam Wigim. A train loaded with ties, rails and material was
pulling up the grade when the rails spread and two cars left the
track, turning over on their sides. One car was thrown off the
tracks into the ditch and is there yet. The track was torn up for
a distance of about 50 feet. This is the first wreck of any importance
on the line, and resulted in some little damage, while the train was
delayed about five hours.
Page 200
HISTORY OF CUT-OFF PRIOR TO BUILDING
Made Necessary by Sharp Competition of
Up-to-Date Transportation Companies.
DOUBTS AND FEARS WERE DISPELLED
For a Time Hope and Dismay Alternated in the Minds of
the People --Finally Assurance Came and All Were
Happy--Direct Line From Great Market
Center to Undeveloped But Resourceful Southwest.
Muscatine saw one of her happiest days when first there came the
suggestion that the great Chicago, Milwaunkee and St. Paul
railroad was inclined to send through this city, its rafts of steel
and its engines of great power, making of this place a beneficiary
of the many advantages of that great system. From Kansas City
to Chicago this line, it was said, would extend and to it would
be due the proud distinction of being the shortest line but one
between those great centers of commerce in the most productive
area known to the whole world. But the first fond hopes which
came to Muscatine were not destined to come to their full realization
until there had been tne many doubts and fears the intermittent
omens of good and evil which attend all desirable enterprises
before their full fruiton. The brief review of the movement
by which Muscatine finally became assured of the reality of this
enterprise is the purpose of this article.
Purpose of the New Line
Of course the new line has a purpose to fulfill. And equally true i
it that the men whose millions are back of it are not idle dreamers
but men of intense practicality who do not put their money where
it is not reasonability sure to earn the coveted dividends. In these
days of unexampled prosperity money is seeking investment and at
no place in the whole wide universe is it seeking investment more
dilligently and more successfully than right here in the great
middle west where nature’s forces of production have been but
partially put to the test of endurance and capabilities. Chicago has
established her supremacy as the lake center of commerce and
the hub, as it were of the productive area of the northern Mississippi
Valley.
Page 201
… a few hundred miles to the southwest lies Kansas City, not so large,
and not so prominent, but nevertheless, so situated as in time to
become one of the important shipping points of the country. To
the west and southwest lies thousands of acres continually becoming
more productive and more to be depended upon for crops and the
attendant shipments of grain and the more finished product of live
stock.
The great trunk lines have in the past few years been seeking close
and direct connection for Chicago and Omaha, But of late discerning
men of means are coming to a fuller realization of the possibility
of the great southwest, Kansas, Oklahoma, Indian territory,
Texas and contiguous territory and that this traffic may be diverted
eastward over the lines of railroad in which much money is invested
awaiting returns it became apparent to their observing eyes that
short lines from Chicago to Kansas City should claim consideration
as soon as the Omaha proposition should be properly cared for.
Thus it is that the purpose of such a line as is now being built through
Muscatine becomes clear.
Had Connections Before
Let it not be inferred for a minute from what is here written that
such a progressive road as the Milwaukee did not long ago have
a line into Kansas City. But it was not a main line. It was rather
an adjunct of the line crossing the state of Iowa from east to west
which found as its western objective that territory in the neighbor-
hood of Omaha . At Cedar Rapids in the eighties a road was begun
to the southward which ultimately reached Kansas City by way of
Ottumwa. This did not give a short line to Chicago by any means
but it did give a very good means of building up a business which
finally warranted the present work of the company. Even that line
was projected in the minds of the owners of the road long years
before it was finally build. The writer lived for years near that
line and knows well that before the time to which his recollection
dates, there was a road grade made which was commonly called
the Milwaukee. It had been graded and then either the funds failed
or the company for other reasons became disinclined to push the
enterprise and the old road bed grew up in weeds and was almost
obliterated by time . This particular spot of road bed was near
Ottumwa and when the optimistic farmers would talk of the day
when the Milwaukee would be running its trains through that section
the grumblers to be found in every community would look scornful
and declare the road would never be built.
Page 202
Saw First Engine
But one day in harvest time the writer was informed by his father
that the oil can had run low and must be replenished at the little
country store two miles away. Soon he was astride a horse and on
the way, for the oil. He crossed the grade and looked up the line
and was so astounded to see a locomotive and train of cars not far
away that he almost fell from his horse. It was the Milwaukee
construction train on its way to Kansas City in the building of the
Marion and Kansas City line.
The completion of that line was a great thing for the towns through
which it passed and for the farming communities contiguous thereto.
But in the course of railroad evolution and the growth of the west
that splendid achievement must be supplanted, or added to rather,
by a greater one the building of the Davenport Ottumwa cut-off.
Cut-Off Proposed
Though some may be inclined to think the cut-off the result of a
proposition or purpose formed in the last year, nevertheless such
is not the case. As much as three years ago it became known that
the officials of the road had the matter in view. And in fact much
was said in the newspapers of the intended building. Then it was
not considered probable that the next ten years would see the accom-
plishment of the plans proposed but those who remembered the slow
but sure process of building the original Kansas City line felt positive
that in time this company would bring to a focus its plans and construct
this cut-off which would give it an enviable position as a handler of
freight enroute from the southwest to the city by the lake.
Must Eliminate Miles
In these days of lightning speed miles must be eliminated and curves
made a minus quantity that a road may hope to complete with its
great rivals for trade and business. From Kansas City to Chicago
by was of Cedar Rapids and Marion was like traveling the two sides
of a triangle. This would never do for a road with the capital and
the progressive spirit of the Milwaukee and so it came about that
in the summer of 1901 has been begun the grading which before the
close of another year will bring to Muscatine the long desired competitor of the Rock Island.
Hopes Raised Again
After the first news of the proposed move on the part of the road
there had apparently become a general apathetic feeling, not in
the sense that the road was not wanted but that the people did not
have much confidence in its being built. So when last winter it
was again announced that in all probability the survey would soon…
Page 203
… be ordered and that it was not beyond the range of possibilities that the
work would be well in progress before the close of the year there was
a renewed interest almost as intense as if there had never before been
a similar piece of news. Though the first news was rather indefinite,
it was not without the essence of reliability and the promise of final
verification. This verification came when the board of directors met
in New York and voted the sum of $4, 300, 000 to pay for the cut-off.
Surveyors had been looking the ground over and the officials had been
collecting information of a valuable nature. They know what they were
doing when they presented the matter to the directors and the directors
were not long in making up their minds.
The News Announced
After this meeting the Journal had a comprehensive account of the
action there taken and the probabilities of the construction of the road
at an early date. The Journal said March 4, 1901:
Speculation is transformed into certainty and within 90 days it is
announced that work is to begin on the proposed Milwaukee short line
connecting Sabula Junction. The confirmation of this report is found
in the press dispatches from New York stating the action of the board
of directors in session there last week when they increased the capital
stock of the company 10 per cent for construction purposes. The
dispatch is as follows:
Board Decides For It
New York--The directors of the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul rail-
road at their monthly meeting in this city recommended an increase of 10%
in the capital stock of the company to provide $4,300, 000 to pay for the
Kansas City cut-off and reimburse the company's treasury for $4, 522, 520
capital expenditures. "
Survey To Be Followed
At that time it was not yet proposed to leave the Rock Island at Muscatine,
The intention was to run over the double tracks of the Rock Island to
Columbus Junction and there make a straight cut for Ottumwa. There
was also much speculation as to what plans would be adopted above
Davenport. Just what will be the route there is not yet definitely known
but whatever it may be it will give close connections with the main line.
Page 204
Columbus Junction Cut Out
About this stage of the proceedings, Conesville became very much interested
in the line and wondered why it could not have another road besides the
B. C. R. & N. over which to ship its hundreds of cars of melons and sweet
potatoes. Correspondence was taken up with the engineers of the road
and the result was that a survey was ordered from Muscatine. This would
also give the road opportunity to touch Washington which it could not well
do otherwise. The result of the investigations of engineers was that the
Conesville route was adopted and the spirits of the people in that vicinity
made jubilant in inverse ratio as those of Columbus Junction became
depressed. But the entreaties of none prevailed as the company gave
its engineers instruction to find the shortest line without regard to towns
or expense. It became more and more evident as time progressed that
Conesville was to win and win it did, though for a time it, too, feared
the road would pass some distance to the south.
Spirits Became Depressed
In March all looked bright and there seemed to be little chance for a
slip by which the hopes of the people aroused to such expectancy should
suffer a reverse . But railroads are always matters of speculation until
they are actually built, and in April and May the building leaves of nature
did not find a counterpart in the budding hopes of Muscatine.
Great Combine Threatened
Those were momentous days in New York. It was a time of battle royal among the great railroad kings of the country. It seemed the Harriman
interests were to get control of the Milwaukee and those interests were
thought to be inimical to the projected cut-off. Gloom began to prevail
and there was hoping against hope. Finally, however, all cleared
and the fears of the friends of the cut-off were vanishing. It became
apparent that outside influences were not to prevent the building of the
line and the people were glad.
Delay in Letting Contracts
Before the road could be built it became necessary that there be the
letting of contracts. After the news came that the New York flurry was
showing evidences of going into thin air it began to be wondered why
some evidence of the intentions of the promoters of the road were not
to be seen in the letting of contracts and the actual beginning of the work.
Page 205
Surveyors Continue Work
All time the surveyors were at work. There was really no genuine
cause for alarm but none the less the intense desire of Muscatine for
the road made the tension such that fast and furious progress was wanted
in the consummation of plans and the actual beginning of the grading. But
there were the traffic arrangements to make with the Rock Island. There
was the careful study of routes to consider. There were a hundred things
apparent to the railroad man but not to the novice which must be adjusted.
There was difficulty in South Muscatine about right of way. There was
the taking of options to attend to. And so it went that for several weeks
there was little doing apparently. But at last the glad news came that the
contact was let and the work would begin in a few days. August 20 the
Journal announced the climax of the summer's interest and the following
day the awards of contracts were given in greater detail. On that day
the Journal had the following which explains who was to do the work.
Contracts Awarded
The Flick and Johnson Construction company, of Davenport, has been
awarded the contract for the construction of forty-four and a half of
79 miles of track. The contract was signed in Chicago yesterday. This
is one of the largest pieces of work that has been let in this section of
the country for some time past and shows the progressiveness of the
Davenport firm. At the same time, it determines beyond any question
of doubt that the Milwaukee will build its Kansas City cut-off. The
cut-off has been in the balance so long that there was doubt expressed
that is would ever be built and even endless rumors have been circulated
to the effect that the Milwaukee had sold its interest in the D. , R. I. and
N. W. This sets all of them at rest.
Total Cost Work $1, 030, 000
The total cost of the construction of this line will be, in round numbers,
$1,030,000, exclusive of the rails and ties. That is to say, that the
construction of of the roadbed and bridges alone will cost that amount and
that the rails will be laid by the Milwaukee itself. The other successful
bidders are Mcintosh Brothers, of Milwaukee, who secured the contract
for the construction of thirty-four and one-half miles.
Flick & Johnson's Contract
The contract for the construction of sections No. 2 and 3 were awarded
to the Flick and Johnson Construction company at $502, 326. Sections …
Page 206
… No. 1 and 4 were awarded to Mcintosh Brothers. Section No. line included
the first seven miles of construction from Muscatine west. At the end
of this the contract of the Flick & Johnson company begins and continues
for the entire distance of 44 1/2 miles to the Skunk river . Then McIntosh
Brothers take up the work again and carry it on to Ottumwa, or rather
Rutledge, a small station above Ottumwa.
Thus Ends Preliminary Work
Now we have come to the end of the first chapter in the history of the
Milwaukee so far as Muscatine is concerned. The next chapter would
naturally be concerned with the construction and then would come the
grand climax of all when the future reveals the importance of this line
to Muscatine and how it was really the introduction of the New Era of
Progress for the Bend City.
Page 207
12-1902
MEANS MUCH TO THE CITY
The Coming of the Milwaukee Begins
A New Era For Muscatine.
TO COMPETE FOR BUSINESS
They Come to the City Intent on Getting
All the Business That They Can
And Are Under No Obligations to Any Other Railroad.
The building of the Milwaukee railroad through Muscatine can safely
be regarded as one of the advance agents of a new era for the city.
Muscatine has ever been restless for more railroads . The city
has not had the place that it should have among the cities of the state
on account of its railroad facilities. The traveling public and shippers
have had many problems to solve in connection with getting in and out
o£ Muscatine. All of which is greatly changed by the coming of the
Milwaukee cut-off.
Good For Travelers
The new road will make matters much more convenient for travelers.
As Muscatine will be on the main line of the road from Chicago to
Kansas City. Some of the best trains operated by the road will pass
through Muscatine. The fact of the city being on the main line will
also assure it of a frequent train service which will be undoubtedly
much used by the residents of nearby towns for taking trips to the
city.
Do Much For Shippers
Muscatine shippers are also expecting much from the Milwaukee.
This new line itself opens directly much new territory and furnishes
many advantageous connections. Especially will this be the case for
the jobbers of Muscatine. It is estimated that at least fifty new towns
will be opened for Muscatine Jobbers by the cut-off. This condition
ought to make Muscatine one of the best jobbing centers in the state
and give it the prestige that comes from such as is enjoyed now by
several cities which have not the population and natural advantages
of Muscatine. The larger shippers of Muscatine will, of course,…
Page 208
… also be greatly helped by the new road. It will give them better facilities
which will result mostly from the competition arising from the entrance
of the Milwaukee into the field.
Will Go After Business
In this connection there have come many assurances from time to time
that the Milwaukee road is going right after business when they began
to operate their new line. The fact that the Rock Island tracks are
to be used from Davenport to Muscatine led some to believe that there
would not be any active competition between the two roads but this
has been proven to be entirely without foundation by the statements
from time to time of several officials of the road. One of the straight
statements in this direction was that made to a Journal man by General
Manager Williams in Chicago a few weeks ago. The question in regard
to a new depot or new switching grounds had been put to him and the
fact that what the Rock Island now had was even insufficient for their
own business. In answer he said, "Well, we are not building this
railroad for fun. We are going after business in Muscatine as well
as every other city on the line. And if the Rock Island facilities
are not sufficient to handle their business they will have to better
them if for no other reason than to compete with us. We intend to
go after all the business in sight and to handle it right."
It Was a Trade
The fact that the Milwaukee railroad will use the Rock Island company's
tracks from Davenport does not place them under obligations to that
road in the least. This arrangement to make use of the tracks was
the result of a practical trade between the two railroad companies
The Burlington, Cedar Rapids & Northern Railway, it seems, wished
to use almost exactly the same number of miles of track belonging
to the Milwaukee railroad so as to run their line into St. Paul,
Minnesota. As the B. C.R. & N. railroad is practically a part
of the Rock Island system the two big companies made the trade of
the privileges. Thus the Milwaukee gets the use of the Rock Island
tracks from Davenport to Muscatine by giving in full value received
the use of their tracks to the B. C. R. & N. for the same number
of miles into St. Paul. The arrangement is an advantageous one to
both roads as it leaves neither under any obligations to the other
in either of the fields while on the contrary they are both in a position
to go after business under no restrictions whatever.
Page 209
Boom For the Town
The very announcement that the Milwaukee railroad would build their
Kansas City cut-off through Muscatine has been in itself an advantage
to the city. It has started a mild boom which may result in big things.
it has awakened the people of the city to their own advantages and to
the big things which it is possible for Muscatine to attain. It has in
a way advertised the city all over the state and can not help but bring
many new citizens to make their home here. Muscatine is so gifted
with natural advantages both as to the beauty of its situation on the
river, and many other points that the coming of this splendid railroad will make it a point to which the eyes of many will turn who are wanting to better their condition.
Population Will Increase
Under such circumstances there is not the slightest doubt but that
the population of the city will increase wonderfully within the next
few years. In fact, there is today an exodus of people to Muscatine
shown the scarcity of houses for rent in the city. Capital is stirring
itself and will undoubtedly soon have a large number of houses in
the city which will rent at a moderate sum and which will fill up
rapidly with new citizens. Factories will be attracted here and
that will bring more people because of the work thus afforded.
Muscatine can well welcome the coming of the Milwaukee and the
bright future from which it draws the curtain.
Page 210
12-1902
PROGRESS OF THE MILWAUKEE CUT-OFF WORK
Track Completed Across Muscatine County--Work
Done Under Unfavorable Weather Conditions--Trains
to Be Running June 1st, 1903.
When the annual edition of the Journal was published one year ago,
much space was devoted to the construction of the line of the Chicago
Milwaukee, and St. Paul railroad through Muscatine county. For
so great a line to construct nearly 70 miles of track through the
densely populated district of a great state like Iowa is something
of an unusual nature and the construction attracted widespread
interest. The line is for the purpose of making a shorter cut from
Chicago to Kansas City, and the new line runs from Muscatine to
to Rutledge, a small station a few miles this side of Ottumwa,
where it connects with the mail line of the same road running from
Cedar Rapids to Ottumwa. The Rock Island tracks are used from
Davenport to this city, and aside from double tracking that line,
nothing more of importance is to be noted. That was done this
past year, and has been in use some little time.
Turns Southwest at Sudbury
Sudbury is the name of a small station where Oregon street crosses
the Rock Island tracks in South Muscatine and is the point where the
great Milwaukee leaves the tracks of the great Rock Island route
and starts for the southwest. The route of the line through the
country is well known to all. The work of grading and preparing
the line for the rails has been so gigantic an undertaking that it
has been watched by hundreds, yes thousands of the people of this
county. The route is marked by great scars in the hillsides, grades
over the levels, immense cuts through the bluffs, immense fills in
the valleys and low places and marvelous feats of engineering. The
contractors stated that the work near the Adam Wigim farm was the
heaviest ever attempted in the prairie country, and when one views
the immense fill of 110 feet, and the work of changing the course of
a stream of water, he can scarcely realize that all that amount of
earth was removed in so brief a period of time as one year. And
yet that was what was accomplished. One year ago, the work was
just fairly started, while today rails are laid and construction
trains have been run from Muscatine to Conesville, 16 miles to the
west.
Page 211
Had a Good Winter
Taking the two seasons in which the contractors had to work, they
had an average year but two abnormal seasons, one very dry and
the other very wet and stormy, the latter causing an endless amount
of extra work and trouble. Last winter was a very good winter in
which to work. But little snow fell and but a few days were lost on
account of the stormy weather or the fact that snow and ice interfered with the progress of the work. The camps of Mcintosh Bros.
and McDougal & Yale were prepared for the chilling blasts of an
Iowa winter. The shanties, for such they were, were boarded and
banked, and made as comfortable as possible, and the men who
worked there spoke in the highest terms of the accommodations
afforded by the contractors and the quality of the food prepared.
During the winter a large amount of blasting was found to be
necessary. In the hills about four miles from the city, Mcintosh
Bros. had in their work some very deep cuts, and being through
the frozen ground, made it extremely difficult. However, the
contractors are accustomed to such obstacles, and a considerable
amount of powder was brought to the city and used at this point.
The blasts , with the machinery employed by this firm, easily
surmounted the seeming difficulty and the work went steadily
forward. The contractors were more than pleased with the winter's
work, and when spring came all prophesied that they would complete
their jobs long before the time was up, which was the 15th of
October last. But they were doomed to disappointment. Although
the winter was a great advantage to them, the summer was an
extraordinary one, and greatly hindered them in their work.
Summer Was Too Wet
The winter over, a trip over the work in the spring found marvelous
changes from the fall previous. The line of the road was plainly
marked out, as the work had advanced to a stage, where the roadbed
and the location of the track could be distinguished. The changes
were not near town they were about four miles out, and from there
on to Cone, it had progressed very rapidly. The summer, however,
was a bad time to work. About the first thing to be heard was a
wail from the contractors that it rained so much they could not work
and were getting behind with their contracts. The next thing to be …
Page 212
… heard was from the bridge builders near Cone, where the large
bridge was being put in over Cedar river . A freshet came one day
in July that took hundreds of yards of grade, and necessitated a large
amount of extra work. It rained and rained and the contractors and
laborers became discouraged. As soon as some of the immense
fills became thoroughly soaked, they began to slip and slide and
cause an endless amount of trouble. Daily reports came in that
the work was progressing slowly and many accidents were to be
noted. One day a large steam shovel belonging to Mcintosh Bros.,
about five miles from the city, began sinking on one side, and but
for the most strenuous efforts of the laborers , the great piece of
machinery would have fallen over, and caused a large amount of
loss and damage. The summer was one of the wettest that has been
experienced for years , and the work was hindered from the beginning
of the summer up until the contractors closed their work this fall.
Graded Through to Cone
The grade was almost completed by the middle of November to Cone.
The railroad company first built a track from Cone to the Cedar
river bridge. A large gravel pit was opened up and the output from
this place is to be used in ballasting up the track from Muscatine
as far west as practical. A tower and cross switches were put in
at Cone, and that active little place took on renewed activity and
energy. About this time, a report was circulated that Cone was to
be made a division point on the road and that the train dispatcher,
road master , superintendent and a number of other officials would
reside there , while round houses, offices and all that sort of thing
were to be erected. But the residents of that part of the county
were doomed to disappointment, for later the word was given out
that Cone was only a temporary division point, and the dispatcher's
office was for the purpose of handling the numerous construction
trains , that will be on the line all of this winter and next spring and
even into the summer.
Will Do Much for Cone
But nevertheless the people of Cone are grateful for the coming of the
road and it has done much for the little city. A large amount of land
has been purchased and there is a persistent rumor that the road in-
tends establishing feeding and watering yards for the care of stock …
Page 213
… shipped from Kansas City to Chicago. It is just half way between
these two important points and that naturally will make Cone an
important point. The fact that the city is at a railroad crossing will
make numerous connections possible, and the people have welcomed
the road, and done much for its benefit.
Track Laying Completed
The first of December saw the track laying between Muscatine and
Cone completed. The work really began at the other end first.
Late in the summer when the Cedar river bridge was completed,
the track layers began building this side of the bridge towards
Muscatine. They were soon stopped by the unfinished condition
of the grade. The crew was then brought to this end of the line,
coming around by way of West Liberty and Wilton. They began
work at the lower end of the city and pushed steadily forward until
they too overtook the contractors a short distance this side of
Vanatta's farm on the Burlington wagon road. The gang was again
taken around to Cone and started this way once more. They worked
along steadily. In the meantime the contractors finished up their
work, and a large crew of laborers , probably 200 or 300 came
down from Davenport, where they had been putting in switches,
and other necessary tracks and began where the other force had
left off. This gang lived in boarding cars , and was mostly foreign
labor. They excited a large amount of comment among the residents
of the vicinity in which they worked. They pushed the work of
construction through nearly to Madura, where they met the Cone
gang once more and the track was complete. This gang was delayed
a short time ago by one of the sub-contractors west of Ardon, who
was a little slow, but by working overtime and on Sunday, he was
able to finish and the track was laid with little delay. The condition
of the track just after it is laid is in terrible shape. It is laid
rapidly, and nothing done towards straightening it out, any more
than is absolutely necessary for a construction train to run over it
at slow speed. The work of ballasting and straightening out the
track is yet to come and is a tedious and almost endless job, and
the track never will be in good shape until a large amount of traffic
has been run over it.
Trains Running in Spring
If the Milwaukee road does not have too bad a winter in which to work
it may be that fast trains will be running over the new cut-off by
spring. These trains, however, will not be regular ones, but will
the freights at first , with possibly a local passenger train or two, …
Page 214
… but until the roadbed is worn down a bit by the heavy freights, no
through passenger business will be run that way. But the people
of Muscatine must be patient. It takes a long time to build and
establish a new road and a new route, and that is just what has
been done here. What is puzzling the people of Muscatine the most
at the present time is the question of depot and freight facilities
for the new road, all of which will be decided in a short time.
June 1st will probably see a train service established, and Muscatine will have another large railroad running through the city with its added facilities and advantages.
Page 215
12-14-01
BUYING OF RIGHT OF WAY FOR ROAD
THROUGHOUT MUSCATINE COUNTY
Was Done At an Expense of Almost Sixty Thousand
Dollars—Has an Area of Nearly 250 Acres.
SOME CONDEMNATION PROCEEDINGS
Usually the Residents Along the Line Settled With
the Company Without Trouble and the General
Expression is That Fairness Existed on Both Sides—
Few Curves and Gradual Grades.
Did you ever stop to think what an immense amount of work
is connected with even the preliminary plans for building a great
line as the Milwaukee is pushing through Muscatine? The road
having been laid out and the plans throughly perfected, the next
step is to secure the right of way. The owners of the land, of
course having become apprised of the fact that the railroad was
coming through their land, immediately began to think much and
seriously on the question of the price at which they should sell.
Employ Assistants.
In a case like this the railroad company employs local
attorneys, who are acquainted with the facts and understand the
circumstances so that the land for the proposed route can be secured
at the lowest possible figure. However, the railroad company,
while always looking for a good bargain, pay pretty fair prices for
the land and grant concessions so that the people southwest of
Muscatine, who sold land to the Milwaukee company are pretty
well satisfied and not much complaint has been heard.
Condemnation Proceedings
In some cases condemnation proceedings were necessary before
the land could be purchased. This was in cases where either the
owner wished too much for his land or there were certain damages
to asses, such as the removal of buildings or places where a great …
Page 216
… inconvenience was experienced by the parties who sold the
land. In cases of this kind a jury was selected, who with
the sheriff went to the place and thoroughly examined into
the merits of the case and assessed the damages. This plan
was satisfactory to all concerned ...
Page 216
... and the people who suffered
damages were well paid for their trouble.
Complete Record.
One of the things noticeable in connection with this
work is the complete record that the railway people preserve
of the work and land bought southwest of town. For instance,
when condemnation proceedings were necessary an exact
plat of the land through which the railroad passed, showing
all of the gate and under crossings to be established and every
minute detail was arranged. This plat is on file at the court
house in connection with the condemnation proceedings, the
railroad company has a copy of it and if ever at any future
date, any trouble should occur, those interested have but to turn
to this very complete record for information and proof.
Immense Amount Involved.
The Milwaukee Railroad have an immense amount of money
tied up in land in Muscatine county. They have paid dearly for
the right of way, but there is no regret on their part for they had
set aside an immense sum to build this road and will not be balked
or interferred with in the least on account of ca few thousand
dollars. The Journal has made a careful study of this right of way
business and has discovered the fact that the immense sum of
$55,083.13 has been spent for land alone in Muscatine county. Some
of the land will average over a thousand dollars an acre, but of
course this sum also includes the damages assessed.
Borrow Pit Leases.
Another thing involved in this enormous sum is money paid for
what is known as borrow pit leases. In many cases the right of
way lay in such a place that an immense fill had to be made and
there was not enough land which the railroad company bought or
cared to use to grade off onto this big fill consequently they went to
the farmer owning this land and made a proposition to pay him so
much for the use of a portion of the dirt of his farm to grade onto their
land. In some cases this was a real benefit, and in other cases a
damage. The size of the amount paid for the leases will show whether
it was a detriment or not.
Page 217
Louisa County Deeds.
But after an investigation of the matter the Journal has also found
that almost $10,000 has been spent in going through one corner of
Louisa county. The railroad people has not very much difficulty
in this vicinity because the people were ready to receive competing
road with open arms. The building of this road will be a great
benefit to the farms in the establishing of towns and better shipping
facilities for the shipment of stock and grain. With competing lines
they can get better service and better rates for the shipping in of
young stock and what grain that will have to come by that channel.
The Deeds Filed.
Following is a list of all the deeds filed in Muscatine and
Louisa county showing the location of the land and the consideration
paid:
| William Singleton, land in section 20, township 76, range 4 …. $1,000.00 |
| Nancy Wagner and husband, land in section 19, township 76, range 4 …. $ 78.00 |
| Cyrus Fry, land in section 24, township 76 range 4, also land in section 19, township 76, range 3 …. $ 700.00 |
| J. J. Hintermeister, land in section 6, township 76, range 2 …. $1,300.00 |
| William Harper, land in sections 20 and 21, township 76, range 4 …. $1,300.00 |
| Margaret J. Tipton, et al, land in section 21, township 76, range 4 …. $ 40.00 |
| David Meyer, land in section 21, township 76, range 4 .... $ 50.00 |
| Luther Colbert, land in section 22, township 74 range 4 …. $ 500.00 |
| David Moyer, land in section 19, township 76, range 4 …. $ 900.00 |
| Michael Byrne, land in section 23, township 76 range 4 … $300.00 |
| Henry Verink, land in section 23, township 76 range 4 …. $1,000.00 |
| Eliza M. Cecil and husband, land in Section 18, township 76, range 3 …. $2,300.00 |
| Maggie Hintermeister and husband, land in section 6, township 76, range 2 …. $200.00 |
| Andrew Healey, land in section 10, township 76, range 3 …. $1,700.00 |
| John O'Brien, land in section 17, township 76 range 3 …. $500.00 |
| Patrick O'Toole, land in section 19, township 76, range 3 …. $5.00. |
| Patrick O'Toole (borrow pit lease) land in section 19 …. $52.50 |
Page 218
| M. J. Shellabarger, land in section 18, township 76, range 3 … $150.00 |
| Adam Wigim, land in section Adam Wigim, (borrow pit lease) on land in section 11, township 76, range 3 …. $61.00 |
| Isaac Lee, land in section 15, and 16, township 76 range 3 ...$3,000.00 |
| Abraham Smalley, block 20, lots 1 and 2, block 22 South Muscatine …. $200.00 |
| Musser Lumber Co. lots 1, 2, 3 and 5, block 18, and lots 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, block 19, South Muscatine …. $1,500.00 |
| Richard Milholin, lnd in section 16, township 76, range 3 …. $1,500.00 |
| D. McCabe land in section 11, township 76, range 3 …. $1,558.55 |
| John Gay, land in section 21, township 74, range 4 …. $50.00 |
| Henry Westerman, et al, land in section 21, township 76, range 4 …. $100.00 |
| Priscilla Hartman and husband, land in section 4, township 76, range 2 …. $750.00 |
| David Vanatta, land in section 2, township 76, range 3 …. $30.00 |
| David Vanatta (borrow pit lease) on land in section 4, township 76, range 3 …. $5.00 |
| W. S. Hunter, land in section 24, township 76, range 4 …. $1,00.00 |
| Wm. Verink, land in section 23;, township 76, range 4 …. $100.00 |
| Sarah and Rilla Smalley, land in section 4, township 76, range 3 …. $300.00 |
| W. D. Smalley, land in section 3 and 4, township 76, range 2 …. $1,800.00 |
| Holland McGrew, land in section 11, township 76, range 3 …. $850.00 |
| Mary Thompson, land in section 6, township 76, range 3 …. $880.00 |
| Sidney B. Breeze, land in section 3, township 76 range 3 …. $1,972.00 |
| Henry M. Funk, land in section 6, township 76, range 2 .... $3,500.00 |
| John M. Kemble, lot 4, block 18, in South Muscatine …. $185.00 |
| Adam Wigim, land in section 11, township 76, range 8 …. $1.00 |
| J. J. Hintermeinter, land in section 6, township 76, range 2 …. $1,300.00 |
| D. McCabe, land in section 11, township 76, range 3 …. $1.00 |
| P. M. O'Brien, land in section 17, township 76, range 3 …. $2,200.00 |
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| James Healey, land in section 3, township 76, range 2 …. $4,900.00 |
| Mary Fulliam and husband (borow pit lease) on land in section 6 township 76, range 3 …. $1.00 |
| Walter J. Smalley by guardian, land in section 1, township 76, range 3 …. $1,200.00 |
| Walter J. Smalley, by guardian, land in section 1, township 76, range 3 …. $3,125.00 |
| Rosina Smalley, et al, land in section 1, township 76, range 3 …. $1,200.00 |
| B. Wm. Verink, land in section 23, township 76, range 3 …. $100.00 |
| Rosina Smalley, et al, land in section 1, township 76, range 3 …. $3,125.00 |
| Mary A. Welch and husband land in section 19, township 76, range 4 …. $1,350.00 |
| Mary A. Wehr (borrow pit lease) on land in section 19, township 76, range 4 …. $50.00 |
| Chas. S. Millar, land in sectin 6, township 76 range 3 …. $1,750.00 |
| Heirs J. T. J. Maxwell, land in section 21, township 76, range 4 …. $70.00 |
| Matilda Vanatta et al, land in section 1, township 76, range 3 …. $860.00 |
| Matilda Vanatta, et al (borrow pit lease) on land in section 1, township 76, range 3 …. $250.00 |
| Boyd Holliday, guardian (guardian's deed) land in section 1, township 76, range 3 …. $183.00 |
| Mira Hershey et al land in section 2, township 76, range 4 …. $3,989.99 |
| W. R. Murphy, land in section 24, township 76, range 5 …. $700.00 |
| David MxCullough et al, land in section 24, township 76 range 5 …. $700.00 |
| John Butcher, land in section 28, township 76, range 5 …. $200.00 |
| J. S. McKee, land in section 24, township 76, range 6 …. $1,600.00 |
| W. I. Edwards et al land in section 29, township 76, range 5 …. $300.00 |
| Mary E. Hendrixson, land in section 30 township 76 range 5 …. $370.00 |
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| Rose Loftus land in section 28, township 76 range 5 …. $250.00 |
| Ely Reynolds et al land in section 29, township 76, range 5 …. $500.00 |
| Isabelle and George Sweely, land in section 29, township 76, range 5 …. $500.00 |
| W. R. and Racheal Carr, land in section 30, township 76, range 5 …. $350.00 |
| A. and Emma Jay Drorbaugh land in section 30 township 76, range 5 …. $150.00 |
| Susannah J. Smith and husband, land in section 26 township 76, range 5 …. $250.00 |
| Z.L. and Sarah T. Edwards, land in section 26, township 76, range 5 …. $250.00 |
| T. A. Selders and wife, land in section 26, township 76, range 5 …. $400.00 |
| J. H. Brader, land in section 23, township 76, range 5 …. $825.00 |
But the Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific railroad company have had
to buy land this fall. On account of their double tracking operation
east of Muscatine, they too, have made some purchases. They have
spent nearly a thousand dollars in purchasing this land so they can
widen the road-bed and put in the double track. There is not as much
rush and hurry at this work as that below the city on account of having
little to do in comparison. Following is the list of transfers made
in that direction:
| Howell Hise, land in section 3, township 78, range 4 …. $50.00 |
| David Wilson, land in section 4, township 78, range 4 …. $23.00 |
| Amos C. Whitacre, land in section 3, township 78, range 4 …. $20.00 |
| Fred Geisenhaus, Jr., land in section 31, township 77, range 1 …. $450.00 |
| Austine Hare, land in section 29, township 77, range 1 …. $250.00 |
