DUBUQUE, KANSAS CITY AND SOUTHWESTERN RAILROAD

DUBUQUE, KANSAS CITY AND SOUTHWESTERN RAILROAD. One of the projected railroads leading out of Dubuque, the road was to extend from Dubuque south through Iowa, into and through the State of Missouri to Kansas City. In its course it was designed to cross the Chicago & Northwestern and make connection with that system. (1) Interest in completing the DUBUQUE HIGH BRIDGE was given as an excuse for the lack of interest in 1887. (2) Political conventions in 1888 took some of the interested parties out of the city giving rise to the idea that the idea had been dropped. By July, 1888 two subscriptions of $3,000 each had been received. (3) A committee of fifty residents was formed to obtain subscriptions. (4) The Dubuque Herald reported that at a meeting held on June 18, 1889 a committee of three was chosen to write up a subscription paper for people to sign. (5) This paper was shown to another meeting of interested citizens on June 21st. There was a difference expressed as to the amount to be subscribed with the final figure being $150,000. It was also agreed that a committee of ten should be responsible for the actual subscription. (6)

The idea was revived in September 1890 and a meeting of the BOARD OF TRADE was called to discuss the idea. (7) In October the brothers at the Monastery pledged right-of-way through their land for the proposed railroad. (8)

In January 1891 a committee was to be organized to solicit stock. Solicitations were not binding unless at least $300,000 was subscribed nor until the city gave of bonus of $100,000. If both hurdles were passed, stockholders would meet and elect a board of directors which would elected officers. It was thought when $200,000 had been solicited it could be learned which route was considered most available and interesting for the railroad's officials either through Cascade or the junction at Calamus. (9)

In February, 1891 no committee to solicit money had been formed. The Dubuque City Council appeared ready to assist the new railroad when some activity by the company was shown. There was concern that the idea would not be pursued. (10)

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Source:

1. The Industries of Dubuque: Her Relations as a Trade Center, Dubuque: J. M. Elster and Company, Publishers, 1887, p. 38

2. "Two Coming Events for Dubuque," Dubuque Herald, December 1, 1887, p 2

3. "Active Work in the Subscriptions to the Capital Stock Soon to be Resumed," Dubuque Herald, July 1, 1888, p. 5

4. "Committee of Fifty," Dubuque Herald, June 11, 1889, p. 4

5. "Rousing Meeting," Dubuque Herald, June 19, 1889, p. 4

6. "Bound to Have It," Dubuque Herald, June 22, 1889, p. 4

7. "Local News in Brief," Dubuque Daily Herald, September 11, 1890, p. 4

8. "Local News in Brief," Dubuque Herald, October 23, 1890 p. 4

9. "Dubuque's New Railroad," Dubuque Daily Herald, January 9, 1891, p. 4. Online: https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=_OG5zn83XeQC&dat=18910109&printsec=frontpage&hl=en

10. "Where Are They?" Dubuque Herald, February 22, 1891, p. 8