NP, HT 11/6/1861

From the Houston Telegraph
 
November 6, 1861
 
The New Orleans Road
   Twelve thousand dollars will complete the Texas & New Orleans road from the present terminus to Orange. The business the company has hitherto done has been mostly for the Government, and for that they have not yet been paid. It is thought that if the military authorities of the District would advance to the company from their contingent funds, about what the Government is owing it, the work might be completed. If this cannot be done, it is of enough importance that this road should be completed at once to demand that the people should raise the money in some way for it.
   The only thing to be done is to complete about a mile of trestle work in the Neches bottom {at Beaumont, 87 miles from the Houston terminus}. The reason why this has not been done before has been because the work was in low swampy ground, surrounded by a dense forest, in which no man could work more than two days in the summer without being taken sick. The miasm is said to be almost thick enough to slice up and hang up to dry. Cold weather has now come, and the work can now be done, provided the money is at hand. When completed it will shorten the time from New Orleans here twenty-four hours at the least, and as the northers always detain the boats from twelve to twenty-four hours, this work completed would save that in addition.
   In times like these rapid conveyance of the mails, as well as important freights and troops is of the utmost importance, and we trust nothing will be left undone to complete this most important road.
   The Louisiana gap should also be filled up without delay. We believe Government should, as a military necessity, extend such aid to this enterprise as will insure its rapid progress. We trust this will be laid before the next Congress at an early day, and all the military necessities of the case brought to their attention.
   We are sure that nothing will be left undone by the enterprising managers to put the work ahead. Col. Gentry has shown himself the best railroad financier we have yet had upon our Texas roads.

Home