Madison County Railroad Newspaper Clippings
RAILROAD NEEDED IN EDWARDSVILLE
Source: Alton Telegraph, February 23, 1866
The great question of interest with our people at present is the
railroad. A meeting was held in the court house last Saturday, at
which the reports of the various canvassing committees were heard,
when it was found by adding together the various subscriptions, that
the sum contributed has reached forty-nine thousand dollars –
lacking only one thousand of the amount required. It is to be
remembered, however, that there will have to be a margin to cover
losses, and to secure that amount, committees have been appointed
for the coming week, and a vigorous canvass will doubtless be made.
In the meantime, we will probably hear from the other contracting
parties, and if so, by next Saturday, will know whether the road is
to be built.
The importance of the work for our town and county is beginning to
be better appreciated, and we hope the matter will not be allowed to
rest till we hear the whistle of the locomotive. No arguments are
necessary now on the subject, as it is, we are almost out of the
world, and to our town and surrounding country, it is a work of
prime necessity. Our village does not at present even receive a
visit from those who desire to invest their means, because it is not
accessible. Besides, we need a large population to sustain the
institutions of social and intellectual progress. For instance, we
have a number of Baptist and Presbyterian Church members, and yet
there are not enough of either of these denominations to organize a
church that can sustain a regular minister. This must continue a
great drawback against the growth of our town.
The railroad would obviate this, and we could offer inducements to
members of either these powerful denominations to become a part of
our population. The lecturers of national fame, the vocals of the
country, whose sweet strains rapture and purify the soul, pass us in
their journeyings because the swift tread of the iron horse conveys
them more speedily and conveniently to more favored places for the
exhibition of their talents.
EDWARDSVILLE RAILROAD
Source: Alton Telegraph, October 18, 1867
We learn from Mr. H. C. Swift, engineer of the road, that the
grading of the roadbed of the Edwardsville railroad is very nearly
completed, and that track laying will be commenced by the first of
November. The contracts require the road to be in running order by
the first of December next.
MADISON COUNTY RAILROAD COMPANY
Source: Alton Telegraph, December 20, 1867
By reference to the City Council proceedings, it will be seen that a
preamble resolution was introduced into that body, granting to the
Madison County Railroad Company the privilege of laying down a track
the entire length of the levee, commencing at a point west of
Weaver’s elevator, and intersecting the Chicago Road near Piasa
Street. It will also be noticed that the franchise grants the
privilege for a period of twenty-five years at the magnificent
annual rental of $200. The subject was referred to the Ordinance
Committee to report.
EDWARDSVILLE RAILROAD
Source: Alton Telegraph, December 20, 1867
The Madison Courier learns that the rails are being laid on a
portion of the Edwardsville railroad, and is credibly informed that
the company are sanguine of completing the line before the new year.
Nearly the entire grading is completed, the working party now being
engaged inside the corporation of Edwardsville.
MADISON COUNTY RAILROAD
Source: Alton Telegraph, January 24, 1868
We learn from Mr. H. C. Swift, the efficient engineer in charge of
the construction of the Madison County Railroad, that the track is
now laid to within a mile and a quarter of Edwardsville. Mr.
Tunstall, President of the roads, yesterday purchased a passenger
car at Litchfield for the use of the road, and trains will commence
running between Alton and Edwardsville next week. The trains will
enter Alton on the track of the Terre Haute Railroad. It is with no
ordinary gratification that we announce the early completion of this
important railroad connection, as it is destined to be of great
business importance to both Alton and Edwardsville, as well as to
all this section of the country; not to speak of its advantages in
point of convenience and social intercommunication.
MADISON COUNTY RAILROAD
Source: Alton Telegraph, January 24, 1868
The work of track laying on this road, although progressing slowly,
is now nearly completed. It is the intention of the directors to run
trains into this city and not to Madison, as has been stated.
MADISON COUNTY RAILROAD
Source: Alton Telegraph, January 31, 1868
The railroad is nearly completed. The locomotive is this side of the
creek, and inside of the corporation. We hope for the energetic
gentlemen, to whom we owe the important work, the greatest success
in the enterprise. Captain Tunstall is deserving of the thanks of
our people, who should do their best to make the road a paying
enterprise.
MADISON COUNTY RAILROAD
Source: Alton Telegraph, April 03, 1868
The facilities for reaching Edwardsville from Alton, via the new
railroad, are so excellent that those who have made the trip declare
it to be more trouble than to go to New York.
MADISON COUNTY RAILROAD
Source: Alton Telegraph, May 01, 1868
We had the pleasure yesterday of making our first trip over this new
railroad, and found it a very great improvement over the old mode of
getting to and from the county seat by buggies and carriages, both
in reference to time and comfort. We left Alton about nine o’clock,
and arrived safely in Edwardsville a little after ten. The citizens
of that place, and the proprietors of the road, deserve the thanks
and gratitude of the traveling public for their liberality and
enterprise in shortening the distance between the two places.
Success, say we, to all railroad enterprises.
MADISON COUNTY RAILROAD DEPOT
Source: Alton Telegraph, May 8, 1868
The Madison Courier says that the depot of the Madison County
Railroad at Edwardsville is nearly completed. It is situated on St.
Louis Street. The turntable and engine house, situated about
one-half mile up the road, are finished.
MADISON COUNTY RAILROAD
Source: Alton Telegraph, May 29, 1868
From Edwardsville: Since the completion of the Madison County
Railroad, quite an impetus has been given to the business interests
of this heretofore very quiet rural town. In fact, the place is
thrilling with the recently acquired inspiration of the steam horse.
A number of new buildings are being erected, and the community in
general seems actuated by a desire to enlarge its borders and extend
its fair fame. But notwithstanding this amiable disposition, there
are influences, we think, that tend rather to retard than advance
the growth of this place. Railroads, telegraphs, steamboats, and in
fact, all the varied paraphernalia of an intelligent civilization,
are effective in accomplishing the grand aims and purposes of their
construction only when made use of by men of enlarged and
comprehensive views, guiding and controlling them with some view to
the public welfare and general prosperity, as well as the
advancement of their own individual interests. So too, when a town
is so unfortunate as to be owned by a number of greedy, grasping
capitalists, whose highest aspirations in life are the filling of
their own coffers and pockets, its future prosperity is rather
vaguely discernible. But a grateful reflection it is that misers, as
well as other folks, eventually “shuffle off this mortal coil,” and
make room for better men. And thus the aforesaid inventions of
genius eventually accomplish their legitimate purposes, though often
held in check for many years. They are the ultimate fore-runners of
better things.
It is the general rule, when a railroad happens to be built through
or to a hitherto obscure village, that its inhabitants at once
assume airs of the utmost importance. Property at once rises to a
fictitious value, and the consequence is pro tempore retardation,
rather than an improvement, in the interests of the place. Business
is usually suspended for the first six months, and the inhabitants
congregate at the “depot” to witness the arrivals and discuss the
increased value of their town lots. Time, however, reduces affairs
to their normal proportions, and gradually are accomplished the
happy results of intelligent industry and enterprise.
MADISON COUNTY RAILROAD
Source: Alton Telegraph, June 19, 1868
It is understood that on the first of next month, the Madison County
Railroad Company intend to commence running their trains direct to
Alton, instead of to the Coal Switch, as heretofore. It is to be
hoped that this will be done. Great benefit would doubtless result
to the company and accommodation to the public.
ACCIDENT ON THE MADISON COUNTY RAILROAD
Source: Edwardsville Intelligencer, November 18, 1869
Yesterday morning, as the locomotive on the Madison County Railroad
was run upon the turntable near the engine house, the turntable gave
way, which caused considerable delay, in consequence of which there
was no train left here in the morning or afternoon, and as a matter
of course, none arrived.
MADISON COUNTY RAILROAD
Source: Alton Telegraph, December 4, 1868
The new arrangement of trains on the Madison County Railroad is
working smoothly and satisfactorily. The trains make two trips a day
between this place and Edwardsville. They leave the latter place at
7:20 a.m., and returning, leave this city at 8:40 a.m. In the
afternoon, they leave Edwardsville at 2:10 o’clock, and returning,
leave this city at 6:40, on the arrival of the Alton packet. This
change is highly advantageous and convenient, and meets with the
cordial approbation of all who are accustomed to travel much between
this place and the county seat, and vice versa.
The trains are under the charge of conductor Cobine, who is as
gentlemanly and accommodating an official as any of our longer lines
of railway can boast.
MADISON COUNTY RAILROAD
Source: Alton Telegraph, January 6, 1871
The employees of the Madison County Railroad, on Christmas Eve
presented Mr. James D. Cobine, superintendent of the line, with a
massive gold ring as a testimonial of their esteem.
MADISON COUNTY RAILROAD TO BE SOLD
Source: Alton Telegraph, January 27, 1871
The Madison County Railroad is to be sold under a deed of trust at
Alton on February 27.
MADISON COUNTY RAILROAD MEETING
Source: Alton Telegraph, February 24, 1871
At a large and enthusiastic meeting of the citizens of Edwardsville,
held in the courthouse this evening for the purpose of considering
the necessity of sustaining the Madison County Railroad, John A.
Prickett was in the chair, and G. W. Cole, Secretary. On motion, a
committee consisting of Judge W. T. Brown, Hon. M. G. Dale, Hon. D.
Gillespie, and J. S. Trares Esq., was appointed to draft resolutions
expressive of the sense of the meeting. During the deliberations of
the committee, A. O. French, Esq., Hon. J. Gillespie, and others,
addressed the meeting. Said committee reported the following:
“Whereas, the Madison County Railroad is to be sold under a deed of
trust on February 27, and Whereas, said road was mainly built by the
aid of the citizens of Edwardsville and vicinity, and we consider it
greatly to our advantage that said road be kept up and sustained, it
being the railroad for Edwardsville.
Resolved, That in case said railroad is purposed by those who intend
to keep it up, we, as citizens of Edwardsville and vicinity, hereby
pledge ourselves to do all in our power to encourage said purchasers
in operating said road, and in case of equal facilities for transfer
of passengers and freight at equal rates, we will give the
preference to said road, it being considered our road. And in case
said road is extended south, we hereby extend to the party
contemplating such extension our best endeavors and encouragement in
that behalf.
Resolved, That a committee of three be appointed, whose duty is
shall be to see parties who contemplate the purchase of said road,
and explain to them fully the feelings and expressions of this
meeting in regard to this matter. Whereupon, J. A. Prickett, David
Gillespie, and E. M. West were appointed said committee.
Revolved, That in case said railroad should be purchased by parties
giving sufficient assurance that it will be permanently operated for
the transportation of passengers and freight, that the town
authorities of Edwardsville will be influenced to relinquish the
claim of said town upon said railroad company for fifteen thousand
dollars of second mortgage bonds, to and in favor of said
purchasers.
MADISON COUNTY RAILROAD
Source: Alton Telegraph, June 9, 1871
The following article from the Edwardsville Intelligencer indicates
that the railroad atmosphere at the county seat has become
oppressive:
“In another column will be found an advertisement, signed by the
President of the Board of Trustees of the town of Edwardsville, in
which it is stated that the town will not pay certain interest now
due on bonds issued in aid of the Madison County Railroad, nor the
principal thereof, on failure of consideration. We do not know how
the law would construe such action, but there is one thing certain,
and that is that the taxpayers of Edwardsville are unanimous on one
point. They feel that they have been most outrageously swindled in
this matter, and that it makes but very little difference to them
who is to blame for it. When our citizens voted to pay thirty
thousand dollars to construct the Madison County Railroad, they did
so with the understanding that it was to be operated; and it was the
duty of those having the matter in charge to see that such a clause
was inserted to the contract. Whether such a clause was incorporated
in the contract or not, makes but very little difference – it was so
understood when our people voted the amount.
The action of the Board of Trustees, in refusing to pay either the
principal or interest, will be sanctioned by the whole community,
and it would be doing no more than justice to themselves, under the
circumstances, if they should repudiate the whole debt.”
SUIT AGAINST THE TOWN OF EDWARDSVILLE
Source: Alton Telegraph, June 23, 1871
A suit has been commenced in the United States Court at Springfield,
Illinois, against the town of Edwardsville, by the German Savings
Association of St. Louis, to enforce payment by said town of the
principal and interest of its bonds, issued to aid in building the
Madison County Railroad, payment of which is refused for the reason
that said road is no longer operated.
MADISON COUNTY RAILROAD
Source: Alton Telegraph, July 14, 1871
“If Edwardsville goes to war about the Madison County Railroad, and
all her citizens are killed off, where are patriotic men to be found
willing to fill the county offices? We hope Edwardsville won’t go to
war.”
From the Edwardsville Intelligencer, July 6, 1871
Yesterday morning, Captain R. J. Tunstall, former president of the
Madison County Railroad, paid our town a visit. He came here as a
representative of the German Savings Institution of St. Louis, with
full powers to treat with our citizens in regard to the operation of
the aforesaid article. On February 27, the Madison County Railroad
was put up at public auction under a deed of trust, held by the
German Savings Institution of St. Louis, and it will be recollected
that there were at the sale several responsible bidders. The highest
legitimate bid was that made by Mr. Tansey of Alton, who offered
sixty thousand dollars for the road. This amount at that time was
considered too insignificant, and the road was knocked down to the
holders of the bonds for five hundred dollars more. Mr. Robert
Barth, who is the controlling spirit in the German Savings
Institution, was present at the sale, and thought that sixty
thousand dollars was too small a sum for property that had cost that
concern about half the amount. Mr. Barth wanted a hundred percent,
or no sale could be effected. Since that time, Mr. Barth has
repented of his folly, and has regretted that he did not let the
road go for the amount stated. He bought the road in himself, and is
utterly sick of his bargain, simply from the fact that nobody feels
an interest of any particular degree in the German Savings
Institution of St. Louis.
Mr. Barth wants to realize his original outlay, now that the road
has been lying idle over four months, and is willing to resort to
any expedient to accomplish that result. The law prohibits Mr. Barth
from taking up the rails, but yet he sends Mr. Tunstall here to
inform our people that on a certain day in the middle of next week,
he will proceed to lift the rails and transfer them to East St.
Louis. He is going to bring a sufficient number of men to act as a
bodyguard, and a thirty-six pounder to awe the populace.
The fact of the matter is, Mr. Barth is in a tight place. He would
not sell the road when he had an opportunity to do it, and now that
he is willing to sell, nobody wants to buy. Hence it is that Mr.
Tunstall is here to scare the good people of Edwardsville into
putting their hands again into their pockets. But Mr. Barth mistakes
the temper of the parties most interested. They will neither give
more money, nor allow him to take up the road. Whenever he attempts
to do the latter, he will find more obstacles in the way than he
expected.
MADISON COUNTY RAILROAD
Source: Alton Telegraph, August 4, 1871
The best railroad investment that we know anything of is the Madison
County Railroad. It can be purchased from the German Savings
Institution at a low figure. The end of the road, west of Salem, can
be taken up and laid on the old grade of the Alton and Mt. Carmel
Railroad, to the Junction. There, it would connect with the Terre
Haute and Alton, the Rockford, Rock Island, and St. Louis Railroad,
and the plug road running out from Alton, and by this plug road,
with the Chicago and Alton Railroad, so that it would connect with
three roads and with the city of Alton, at the Junction, and if the
Quincy and St. Louis Road is located on this side of the river, it
would connect with that also.
MADISON COUNTY RAILROAD
Source: Alton Telegraph, December 15, 1871
The proprietors of the Madison County Railroad have appointed
Captain J. G. Robinson their agent, to take charge of the road and
the property belonging to it.
MADISON COUNTY RAILROAD
Source: Alton Telegraph, January 5, 1872
(From the Edwardsville Intelligencer)
Since the meeting at the courthouse, Messrs. Beach and Stiles have
had a conference with Mr. Barth in regard to the Madison County
Railroad, and Mr. Beach came here on Tuesday evening to present the
proposition of himself and Mr. Stiles in reference to running the
road. Mr. Barth refused to lease the road, but proposed to sell it
to Messrs. Beach and Stiles for $65,000, and gave them the refusal
of the road until yesterday at 12 o’clock.
Another party was here last Monday, and walked over the road with
Captain Robinson. It is understood that this party was the agent of
General Winslow, and that the latter will take the road at $65,000,
if Messrs. Beach and Stiles do not purchase it, and in that event,
the iron will be taken up and put on the Belleville & O’Fallon Road.
Beach and Stiles will take the road on the following terms: pay
Barth $15,000 cash, and give bond and deed of trust on the road for
$50,000. They will also purchase $15,000 of rolling stock, which the
road must have to run it. This will make the road and rolling stock
cost $80,000, and they will issue this amount of stock and commence
operations at once, provided our citizens and the citizens of Alton
will take $15,000 in stock of the company. Mr. Stiles went to St.
Louis yesterday to get from Mr. Barth a few days longer time, in
order that they may see if the $15,000 in stock will be taken, and
if taken, we shall soon again hear the sound of the whistle on the
old Madison County Road. Trains will run to St. Louis without change
of cars – this arrangement having been made with the Indianapolis &
St. Louis Railroad.
MADISON COUNTY RAILROAD
From Edwardsville
Source: Alton Telegraph, March 15, 1872
Pending the litigation in the courts in relation to the payment of
the bonds of our town [Edwardsville], issued to the Madison County
Railroad Company, the money in the town treasury was applied to the
payment of other interest-bearing indebtedness of the town, and now
that the case has been decided against the town, our authorities are
proposing to negotiate a loan to pay the interest and so much of
principal of said bonds as have fallen due, and levy a tax to meet
the payment of the others as they fall due. Our railroad, being now
in operation and doing a prosperous business, our town trustees and
citizens generally seem to be quite wiling to pay the debt which
they incurred in building it, but there being no money in the
treasury, it is somewhat inconvenient for them to do so.
MADISON COUNTY RAILROAD
Source: Alton Telegraph, June 7, 1872
On May 26, a stirring railroad meeting was held at the Edwardsville
courthouse. Many of the most prominent citizens of the town were
present, and several from the town of Troy and vicinity. The Hon. J.
A. Barnsback of Troy was chosen chairman, and G. M. Cole, secretary.
Judge Joseph Gillespie stated the object of the meeting to be to
take into consideration the propriety of extending the Madison
County Railroad to Troy, to connect with the Belleville & O’Fallon
Railroad. He stated that there were parties ready to build the road,
provided they could meet with the proper encouragement from the
Edwardsville people and those living along the proposed line between
this point and Troy. Committees were appointed, who are to have
their reports ready to present at the meeting next Saturday.
MR. JAMES D. COBINE PRESENTED GOLD RING
Source: Alton Weekly Telegraph, January 6, 1876
The employees of the Madison County Railroad, on Christmas Eve,
presented Mr. James D. Cobine, superintendent of the line, with a
massive gold ring as a testimonial of their esteem.
A “LIGHTNING” TRAIN RIDE TO EDWARDSVILLE
Source: Alton Telegraph, September 11, 1884
A gentleman of Alton gives an amusing account of a trip he made to
Edwardsville some time ago, illustrating the swiftness(?) with which
trains move on the Madison County Railway. He left Alton for the
“hub” one Monday morning, and had a long time for the usual rest and
reflection at Edwardsville Crossing [near present-day Hartford]
before the dinky train pulled out. On arriving at Salem, an ox team
attached to a wagon had the right of way, and it was necessary to
stop while they were driven leisurely across the track. The train
then ran at a great rate for a few miles, when it was heard by those
on the car, “Get along, Bright, gee up January,” in sonorous tones,
and the passengers on the car looking out, saw the same ox team just
far enough ahead of the engine to be again entitled to the “right of
way,” rendering another stop necessary, while the patient cattle
plodded over the railway. This gave the engineer time to light his
pipe and take an observation, after which the procession continued
its journey. Luckily, it was only necessary to check up once more to
allow the oxen to cross the track, and the train arrived at
Edwardsville before the end of the week. The “judges” decided to
give the premium to the oxen, they having made the best time,
considering that the winding wagon road the animals traveled caused
them to traverse a greater distance than did the train.