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Ann Arbor RR newspaper articles for 11885

The Ann Arbor Courier Jan. 14, 1885
The T., A. A. & N. M. R. R. Co. has chosen Dr. W. J. Herdman, of this city its chief surgeon.


Trains on the T. A. A. & N. M. R.R. Have been delayed this week by snow drifts.


Geo. Moore, son of Edw. Moore of Scio, came near being run over at the Liberty st. crossing of the T. A. A. & N. M. R. R., yesterday afternoon. He was returning home at about 4 o'clock p. m, and did not notice the incoming train until it was too late to pass, so he turned the horses to one side and jumped. The team fell by the side of the engine, one of the team being cut in the side a trifle, but not serious. It was a close shave.


The T., A. A. & N. M. Extension
A Durand correspondent of the Detroit Post writes as follows under date of January 5:

The people of Owosso, it is claimed, have paid their full pledges in aid of the Toledo, Ann Arbor & North Michigan and given up their claims for the southeastern extension upon a promise from the Grand Trunk people that the shops shall be located at Owosso.

The people of Durand are confident that the southern branch of this road (known as the Toledo, Ann Arbor & Grant Trunk) will leave the Detroit, Grand Haven & Milwaukee at Durand, which will make this an important point in the Grand Trunk system, which company have already advanced $15,000 for the purchase of right of way on this survey. It is here stated the work will commenced on the missing link between here and South Lyon as soon as the ground settles the coming spring, and pushed to a speedy completion, giving a through connection with Toledo. Their northwestern terminus will eventually be Frankfort, on Lake Michigan.

This may be a satisfactory ending of this road, but it seems to one not allowed to peep inside the ring that that it would be much more satisfactory to have the road ran from South Lyon to Owosso, and there connect with the northern extension, thus opening opening up the lumber and salt regions to Ann Arbor, Toledo, etc. The benefits to be derived from a connection at Durand are hard to find.

Owosso The Times February 6, 1885
ANN ARBOR
The Mercury registered 28 below at this point last night and 32 at at Webster. The Toledo & Ann Arbor Road has 300 snow shovelers at work and has run no trains for two days. A. M. C. train – the Jackson express – is frozen in here.

Pinckney Dispatch February 26, 1885
The snow drifts which the T. & A. A. had to cut through were often higher than the cars.[South Lyon Picket]


The following rumor now floating around in the the seems as yet to have no tangible foundation: “It is stated that Jay Gould has bough the Toledo & Ann Arbor railroad and that a though passenger train will run from Detroit to Pittsburgh, Pa., with out change, via Milan over the Wabash.[Ann Arbor Register]

Owosso The Times February 13, 1885
The St. Johns Independent learns from a reliable source that "the chance are very slim for the building the L. A & Mt. P. railroad from Lansing to 'Mt. Pleasant, and that the company are notating with the T. A. A & N. M. R. R. to run to Alma, thus giving them a southern outlet at Owosso."

Owosso The Times February 20, 1885
The Chicago Lumberman notes what Mr. Ashley said about making Cadillac the northern terminus of the T. A. A. & N. R. R., and comments:

The proposition now Is to make Cadillac the northern terminus of the line, but if it reaches so far north as that It will probably put out feelers for Lake Michigan ports. If the company is wise it will have three termini on Lake Michigan, one at .Frankfort, one at Traverse City, and one at Charlevoix, while a branch to Elk Rapids would not hurt the main line. These termini would all be important on account of summer travel to the growing resorts of the region, and because they would penetrate a remarkably fine hardwood country, which is already becoming a productive farming and fruit region, and will be increasingly so as the lands continue to be cleared.

The Toledo, Ann Arbor & Northern railroad, if completed to Cadillac, will be one of the most important in Michigan to the lumber interest. The building of it will be watched with anxiety, not only by the people along its line but by the lumbermen in other parts of the state, and even by the dealers in this city. A direct road from Toledo and northern Ohio Into northern Michigan means more competition for Saginaw, the Michigan shore and for every market that distributes Michigan pine.

The Bancroft Advertiser is responsible for the following relative to the T. A. A. & N. M. railway companies probable future policy. “Duranders now feel confident that the railroad between Owosso and South Lyon will be built in the spring; and it will strike Durand and run its trains to

Owosso on the G. H. & M. track. We have had too much experience in. railroading to be over confident about it, but it certainly Iooks that way – Inter-Lake. Yes, that Is all very well but you not heard that the citizens of Toledo have taken hold of the project, with intention of building the road direct from Ann Arbor to Howell and Owosso via Byron? The have been so informed over at Byron.

Pinckney Dispatch March 26, 1885
Howell can now bond itself for $20,000 for the T. A. A. R. R., as 417 voted for the bond and only six against it at their special election Monday.

The Ann Arbor Courier April 1, 1885
TOLEDO & ANN ARBOR
A Brief History of its Inception and Its Prayers
Saturday evening, March 21st, the Draconian Club, of Toledo, Ohio, gave Gov. Ashley of the Toledo & Ann Arbor R. R., a grand banquet. The cards were elegant, the menu delicious and the whole affair a grand one. Hon. Chas., A. King, president of the club presided. The following is Gov. Ashley's speech. It is of sufficient interest to our readers to give in full:

Mr. President and Gentlemen of the Club:

For this very complimentary and unexpected entertainment, I am under many obligations, and thank you individually and collectively for your flattering reception, and you, Mr. President, for all your generous words of commendation and welcome. I have no set speech to make to-night, and therefore shall not detain very long. Perhaps I can entertain you best by giving you a brief history of the Ann Arbor road, from its inception until the present time, at least that part of it which my properly be made public. If the inside history of it were written I fear it would read like a section of the Arabian Nights than the actual history history of a live railroad in Michigan.

It was at the end of the political campaign in '76, through which I had gone with a good deal of dissatisfaction, to myself at least, when I said that I would not make not make another political speech until such issues were before the country as would enlist my heart and stir my blood. My children at that time were in the University at Ann Arbor, and to reach there from Toledo it was necessary for me to go by way of Detroit. Some years before a road bed had been graded from Ann Arbor to the state line, and a road bed graded from Owosso to Alma, Gratiot county, Mich.

I looked over this Ann Arbor enterprise and after careful investigation, I said I drop polities and see whats I could do with this road. Railroad managers of eminence had send their engineers to examine this route, and I concluded that if Col. Scott, of the Pennsylvania, and Mr. Garrett, of the Baltimore & Ohio, considered this a practical line, I need not hesitate to take hold of it.

I found, on examining the United States census reports, that the population for thirty years, that the population for thirty has been following the direction of this proposed. I was satisfied that any country with twelve miles of territory on either side of a railroad and a population of 1,000 a mile tributary to it, could maintain and support a line it properly operated.

For more than a year I importuned men of wealth in the East for the money with to build the road. I did not attempt to raise the money in Toledo because I was known here as an ex-Congressman and not as a railroad man. At that time the Michigan Central was practically in the hands of a gentleman who had been a great friend of mine in public life, Mr. Grinnell. About the time I got my rails laid to Ann Arbor the rumor was current in the papers that Mr. Vanderbilt was about to secure control of that road.

I went to New York and Mr. Grinnell assured me that there was not slightest danger of it going into hands. I was told to go ahead with my road and that a connection would be given me with the Michigan Central at Ann Arbor for Chicago and the East. In this Mr. Grinnell was honestly mistaken. The Ann Arbor road was thus left without connection, either at Ann Arbor or Alexis. I then went to Philadelphia and made a bargain for the State Line road, which had been built by the Pennsylvania company under the direction of Gen. Swayne, and that bargain saved the Ann Arbor from going into the hands of a receiver.

The State Line road from here to Alexis, was the most valuable piece property which the Ann Arbor road could have obtained. Then came financial trouble, and the men who had advanced me money became anxious about it. I could not get business enough between and Ann Arbor to make the road pay. It was not thought possible that anybody would extend the Michigan Air Line road from Pontiac to Jackson. I could not get a dollar in Toledo for the extension of the Ann Arbor road, and I must extend it or surrender. I finally organized a company and succeeded in grading the road bed from Ann Arbor to Pontiac, and built it as far South Lyons, when the news came that the “Grand Trunk” was to be built to Jackson. Here, was another embarrassment I finally sold the road-bed from South Lyons to Pontiac to the Grand Trunk for less than it cost me. It would have damage the Ann Arbor property to have had another line built parallel with it. Our road crosses, as you will see by a glance at the map of Michigan all the other roads in that section of the state at right angles. Some years after I had bought the roadbed, from Owosso, north, an slipped through the Legislature of Michigan allowing anybody to take and occupy a road-bed, that had not used for ten years, so I was compelled to go up there and put my rails on that road-bed in order to hold it, as it had not been used for over ten years. In spite of this succession of discouragements and seeming disasters, I resolved to make this a living road, and that it should never go into the hands of a receiver. Toledo is the natural gateway for the commence of that great state can be brought to Toledo by this road of ours better and cheaper than by any other route.

When the Ann Arbor reaches Cadillac of the inland commerce of Michigan than any it command a larger portion of the inland commerce of Michigan than any road of the same length in the state, for the reason that Toledo is the natural gateway southeast for its forest and other products.

Now I would like to show what the road to South Lyons is doing. Our road is earning more per mile than four-fifths of all the lines in the United States. Our earning for 1884 are 20 per cent over the year 1883. The Railroad Gazette for March 6 shows that our increase per mile for January this exceeds that of any road in the United States but one, whose earning are published, and there are over a hundred of them, and I assume they they are all published as ours is on the certificates of their auditors. My auditors, gentlemen Whom you all know, is a man who makes no returns that are not true in every respect. The bonds of the F. & P. M. road at 112. It is a much longer road than ours, and there fore costs more to be maintained. It costs a million dollars to put 60 miles of road down and in good shape for operating. Our road from here to South Lyons cost us more than that. Now, the D. L. & N. and C. & W.M. And the F. &P. M. roads going into like territory have a south-bound tonnage of from 70 to 80 per cent year, and the D. L. & N. bonds are selling for 109. None of theses roads have valuable termini in large cities. We have a terminus here, and we cannot be excluded. We can make this the gateway of a large percentage of the Michigan traffic for the reason that we are thee shortest line. We can carry the products of the territory north of us through the very country that consumes it – Ohio,Pennsylvania, Maryland, etc. if the traffic is taken to Detroit from three to five hours are lost in crossing and going through Canada, a country that adds nothing to your traffic, and across one mile of the most expensive road in the world; I men the Niagara bridge. The extra expense per car over that lineif about $4.00 per car the year round, while the tax per car over our route, via the Maumee river, is but 50c and nothing for returning empties. It would have been better for me in mere dollars and cents to have let this road pass into the hands of one or two syndicates that were after it. They thought they had secured it more than once but they were as often mistaken. I am confident the extension of this road to Cadillac will make its bonds equal to the best railroad bonds in this country, and it will make the man who possesses stock in it, the owner of a good paying stock.

There is no reason why the Ann Arbor road should not be taken hold of earnestly by the people of Toledo. Those who do are certain to make money out of it, and I want some of my friends to have a share of the profits. I can show you with figures which are reliable that there is money in it, if I cannot, then I do not want you to take a hand in it.

I got the same idea in my head when I first came up the Maumee 30 years ago in a steamboat, which seems to have possessed a majority of our people from the first, that Toledo was to be future great.

The different roads which have been built – Chicago & Canadian Southern which fortunately for us, stopped at Fayette – the B&O, 30 or 40 miles south of us, and which ought to have come here, and the road built from Detroit to Butler by Mr. James F. Joy, one of Detroit's ablest and strongest men, must soon open our eyes to the fact that great cities can only be built by business. These roads, you will notice, have not contributed very largely to our becoming the Future Great. Is it not about time that we had a line which cannot be worked against the welfare of Toledo by parties interested in rival cities?

This, in brief, is the history of the Ann Arbor road. For the first two or three years it was a struggle to keep it out of the hands of railroad wreckers and men who wanted to be receivers. I would like to have such an interest felt in the Ann Arbor road, by every man, woman and child in Toledo, that they can answer any one from abroad, who apply to them for information regarding its securities, “that its bonds are a safe and good investment,” and also tell them that it is managed by prudent men, who are determined to make it a living road. How can you expect men who have no interest in Toledo to purchase the bonds of that road, if the people here do not? It requires a vast deal of work to induce a man to purchase the bonds of a road, unless the men in the locality are interested with him in the enterprise. I want to lift this enterprise up so high, that it will not require any talking to convince men that its bonds are a good investment. I want to interest the people the people of Toledo in this enterprise, and if I can show them that Toledo can be made the gateway for the commerce of Michigan, ought I not to expect them to become identified with this road.

I assure you that I esteem very highly the honor you have shown me by this reception, and I shall be gratified if hereafter I can have Your active co-operation. I would lose one dollar, nor if I did not believe that there is no enterprise in connection with Toledo which would pay you better.

Mr. Ashley's speech, which was received with frequent and very earnest applause.

Pinckney Dispatch April 2, 1885
If Howell gets the the T. & A. A. R. R. there is no better route for it to take across to Ann Arbor than by Pinckney. This would probably give us a chance to go out of town and back again the same day, as well as secure for us a competition in freights, which would be a benefit to all.

The Ann Arbor Courier April 8, 1885
At the recent election in Cadillac there were 727 votes cast in favor of bonding the city in the sum of $35,000 to help the Toledo & Ann Arbor railroad, and four against.


The New York Times April 8, 1885
PASSENGERS BADLY HURT
Milan, Mich., April 8 – A broken rail on the Toledo, Ann Arbor and Northern Railroad caused two coaches loaded with passengers to leave the track about six miles north of this place this morning. After leaving the track the coaches were turn over and dragged about 10 rods on their sides. J. B. Connors, train master, and H. Z. Smith, road master, were badly hurt. Three ladies, a child, and five men were also badly hurt. It is thought that Mrs. Clute, of Dundee, Mich., who was injured on the hip, will not recover. The track has been blocked all day, and all trains have been delayed.

Pinckney Dispatch April 16, 1885
Quite a serious accident on the T. & A. A. road south of Ann Arbor Thursday. The Train jumped the track and several persons were badly hurt, two thought to be fatally.

Ann Arbor Demcrat May 5, 1885

Surveyors have commended work on the Toledo & Arbor road between Howell and South Lyon. In March Howell voted $20,000 to this road.

Pinckney Dispatch May 21, 1885
Gov. Ashley says: “that when the extension of the Toledo, Ann Arbor & Northern Railroad is made, it will not go by way of Brighton and Howell, but on the survey through Pleasant Valley and Hartland.”--Milford Times. Gov. Ashley makes a great many contradictory remarks.

Pinckney Dispatch June 25, 1885
Major Anderson, the great railroad subscription solicitor, was in town Tuesday to meet J. M. Ashley, with whom he had an appointment, Mr. Ashley did not materialize but telegraphed. Mr. Anderson to meet him Detroit next morning, which he did. We understand it is proposed to see what substantial encouragement will be tendered to between this place and Owosso.[Howell Republican]

Alma Record June 26, 1885
The station on the T,, A. A, & N. M. railroad known as Douglass, will now be called North Sta to correspond with the township and post office.

Geo. L. Wells, of this village is engaged in laying out a village on the farm of Mr. Shepherd, at Salt River, to be called Shepherd City. It is being platted in anticipation of the early arrival of the Lansing, Alma & Mt. Pleasant railroad.[St. Louis Leader]

The New York Times June 27, 1885
NOTES OF VARIOUS INTERESTS
The Toledo, Ann Arbor and North Michigan Railway Company has executed a contract with a wealthy syndicate in this city to acquire and construct 43 miles of track from South Lyons to Owosso, Mich., thereby connection its Northern and Southern Divisions. According to the contract the work must be done done by Nov. 1. This will make a continuous line from Toledo to St. Louis. The same syndicate have also contracted to extend the Toledo, Ann Arbor and North Michigan Railway northerly from its present terminus at St. Louis into the pineries, and open it to Mount Pleasant, Mich., also by Nov. 1.

Alma Record July 10, 1885
Last Thursday night a car loaded with charcoal on the Toledo & Ann Arbor railroad train going south from St. Louis, took fire. The car was held until the switch was made, when all was consumed except the running gear.

The Ann Arbor Courier July 22, 1885
The pay car went over the T., A. A. & N. M. R. R. last Thursday, much to the gratification of the boys.


Two trains of Toledo excursionists, eighteen coaches in all, went over the Toledo & Ann Arbor road Sunday to South Lyon. A few of them stopped off at this station, as the train went up in the forenoon.


Howell is bound to secure the extension of the Toledo & Ann Arbor R. R. At a recent meeting its citizens pledged themselves to raise another $20,000, which Gov. Ashley said would be necessary if the road should be constructed via Howell. The Governor gave as a reason that he was unable to secure a lease of the D., L. & N. R. R. from South Lyon to that place, consequently a new road bed would have to be built. We Hope our Howell friends will be successful. Howell is just the sort of a town it is an honor to be connected with by rail, telephone, blood or in any other manner.

Alma Record July 24, 1885
The grading between this village and Salt River is now completed and the work of laying the iron will Commence Monday,

That some property owners here have been notified that the L. A. & Mt. P. R. R. will go thought heir their front gates, providing they don't move them.

Alma Record July 31, 1885
A large force of men are now engaged putting in a connecting track between the D. L. & N. R. R. and the L. A. & Mt. P. & N. R. R. The steel has been shipped and will be laid on the track of the latter named road next week. We understand that the right of way is nearly all secured by the Toledo & Ann Arbor road to this place and work will also be prosecuted on that line soon.

Pinckney Dispatch August 6, 1885
Howell and Brighton are working hard for the T. & A. A. R. R.

Alma Record Aug. 14, 1885
Messrs. Steele, Turck, French and Engineer Hall, of of the Lansing, Alma & Mt. Pleasant railway, were in town Wednesday for the purpose of discussing the line of railway and the sight for the depot. At a meeting of citizens held last night at which the engineer of the road was present, a committee composed of F. A. Sweeny, J. E. Chatterton and J. W. Hance, was appointed to confer with the citizens and consider the most feasible route for the railway into this place and the most desirable location for a depot. They will report at another meeting to be held Saturday evening. We are informed by the officials that as soon as the right of way is secured the company will employ a large force of men and push the construction of the railway in Mt. Pleasant as rapidly as possible. The grading is all completed to Salt River and from present indications trains will be running to that place within a few weeks.[Mt. Pleasant Tribune]

Contracts have been let for building forty-two miles of the Toledo, Ann Arbor & North Michigan railroad, connecting South Lyon with Owosso. This will give the company a complete line from Toledo to St. Louis, 145 miles. Contracts has also been made for constructing twenty miles of extension from St. Louis to Mount Pleasant, northward. When this is completed the road will be 165 miles long, and continuous from Toledo to Mount Pleasant, in Isabella county, thus tapping the white pine lumber district in that part of the state. This road is pointing for Lake Michigan termination in the Grand Traverse region, and will probably take Cadillac on the route.

Pinckney Dispatch August 20, 1885
Howell has completed raising he $20,000 required bonus Tuesday night, and so informed Mr. Ashley, who assured the people in return that the road would surely be built here, and that the contruction would commence from Howell north, gangs of warkman being stationed all the line. The east line from Howell is not definitely settled upon yet, or that it will go to Brighton is not a postive fact. It is designed soon to make a survey from here south through Hamburg, and the company may decide to take that route. Mr. Sample, of the syndicate who have contracted for the building of the road, is daily expected here to to begin operations on the northern portion. A large force of hands will be put at work, it being the design to have the cars running by the first of January. The right of way and aid north form here has been secured.[Howell Republican]

Alma Record August 21, 1885
The iron is being rapidly put in place on the new road. Almost before we know it the iron horse will come snorting in from that direction.(L&Mt P)

The Ann Arbor Courier Aug. 26, 1885
The T., A. A. & N. M. R. R.

The aid is all raised for the line of the Toledo & Ann Arbor railroad through Howell. Work will be commenced as soon as one or two pieces of right of way can be closed up. Surveyors are running anew line direct from Howell to Hamburg, and connecting with the Air Line of the Grand Trunk at that point, instead of running from Howell to South Lyon via Brighton as had been proposed. Twenty thousand dollars of the aid from this section was voted as a bonded debt by village of Howell, and the remaining $20,000 comes in subscriptions from all classes of citizens. The poorest laboring men have given with the capitals to secure the road. – Detroit Evg. Journal.

Another railroad meeting was held in the Hall Tuesday evening at which a committee made up of ten of our citizens and farmers near by were chosen to solicit from the farmers living in the territory contiguous to this village, the $6,000 asked by Mr. Ashley. They will begin work at once, and should meet witth such success as to have their work completed in a week or ten days. We are promised the road if the money is raised. We must have the road! – Brighton Citizen.

The village authorities have issued the $20,000 bonds for the new railroad, and they have been placed in trust in the Fourth National bank of New York City, to be paid if the road is built from Owosso to this place, Jan. 1, 1887; if not, to be canceled and returned to the authorities of the village of Howell. As was stated last week, Mr. Hubbell threaten to serve an injunction on the council to restrain them from issuing the bonds, and so, not to be delayed or beaten in the matter, President Corson and Clerk Shapel went to Detroit Wednesday of last week, made out their bonds and forwarded them to New York, thus effectually silencing Mr H. on that score. As to railroad news there is not much that can be said this week that we have learned og. Such work necessarily moves slow. It takes time to close contracts and get men to work. Matters continue to look promising, however, for the early commencement of the same. Mr. Ashley has requested the council to act upon the proposition to grant him the right to lay track the length of North street, at their meeting to-night. We learn they will do so, and we also hear there will be some opposition, principally from Mr. Hubbell. However, it is commonly believed the right so to do will be granted. The cut through the street will be eighteen feet deep, an each intersecting street will be bridged with solid stone masonry work. – Howell Republican, Aug. 20.

The Brancroft Advertiser has an additional news item on the Toledo, Ann Arbor & North Michigan R. R. , in its last issue, as follows: “ It seems to be well settled that the railroad will go to Howell and Byron, but as to whether it will go to Durand or directly to Owosso is yet an open question. It now looks as if the road will be built directly from Ann Arbor to Howell and that the Grand Trunk branch to South Lyon will be abandoned. If one portion of the Grand Trunk line is given up perhaps it is the intention of the Toledo, Ann Arbor & North Michigan to build own its own air line from Ann Arbor to Owosso.

Pinckney Dispatch September 3, 1885
The T., A. A. & N. extension will probably run from Howell to Hamburg, connecting with their road at South Lyon via, the Air Line. Wee con find consolation in the fact that that it will give us a shorter cut to the county seat.


Milo Davis, chief engineer of the T. A. A. & N. M. railroad commenced Tuesday surveying the new talked of route by way of Hamburg.[Howell Republican].

Alma Record September 4, 1885
Twelve miles of steel for the new railroad are now here, and eight miles more have been ordered. The work is being hurried foreward as rapidly as possible.(L&Mt P)

The depot for the Lansing, Alma & Mt. Pleasant railway has been located on the flats near Harris Bros. Mill. A committee has been appointed to secure the right of way, and after this is done the work of grading will commence.[Mt. Pleasant Tribune]

The Ann Arbor Courier Sept. 9, 1885
The T., A. A. & N. M. R. R. will give an excursion from Toledo and all stations on the road, to Whitmore Lake and return, Sept. 17th. Fare from Ann Arbor 75 cents.


The T. A. A. and N. extension will probably run from Howell to Hamburg, connecting with their road at South Lyon via the Air Line. We can find consolation in the fact that it will give us a shorter cut to the county seat. – Pinckney Dispatch.

Pinckney Dispatch September 10, 1885
Mr. Isaac Bush has been calling on railroad contributors this week getting a little slip, permitting the company to lay their track via Hamburg, pasted onto the notes.[Howell Republican]

The survey of the Toledo & Ann Arbor from this place to Hamburg township has been completed and pronounced very satisfactory, while the work of procuring the right of way over the route is progressing finely. It is generally understood the the Brighton route has abandoned, it now being the purpose to interest the Michigan Ail Line in Hamburg township at a point just west of the bridge where that road crosses the Huron, and use that track to run on a far as South Lyon. By this arrangement some eight iles less of road will need be constructed, and it is estimated that at least $200,000 will be saved. The notes here are being altered so as to be valid if the company adopts the latter route. Mr. Sample arrived last night, but as yet nothing has been gained by his visit, and whether he will construct the route for the Ashleys is an open question. The Ashleys however, say that work will shortly commence on the road and that it will be speedily constructed.[Howell Republican]

Alma Record September 11, 1885
The indications are that the Lansing, Alma & Mt. Pleasant Railway will be completed here this fall. The work of laying rails on the graded section from Alma to Salt River will Commence as as a delayed car of straps and bolts arrives at Alma, and grading will commence on the section between Mt. Pleasant and Salt River within a few days. A committee of gentlemen representing our citizens are busy securing the right of way, and as soon as that is accomplished the company is ready to go on with the work and vigorously prosecute it. In connection with these railway matters The Tribune has has much please in noting the generosity of many of those interested in the completion of the road. In this village Harris Bros. and Leaton & Upton gave the right of way free of charge, the latter firm contributing about one-half mile within the village limits. In Union township Messrs. Hohn Frazer and Godfrrey Burhalter, gave free deeds of the right of way though their property, and in Coe township, Mr. Wm. Atkins was equally generous. The generous public spirit displayed by these gentlemen is exceedingly creditable to them and doubtless may other gentlemen interested will emulate their example.[Mt. Pleasant Tribune]

The Ann Courier Sept. 16, 1885
From the Howell Republican
The New Rail Road a Certainty

Those of our citizens who all along have had grave doubt about the building of the T. A. & N. M. railroad this year are at last satisfied that the company has secured the needful finances and now mean business. Messrs. W. V. McCracken & Co., New York capitals, have contracted the the company build the road, and on Monday last opened offices in the Jewett block. Railroad contractors were here from all parts of the country to bid for the construction of the bed from Durand to this – 22 miles. The contract was finally award to Messrs. McLane & Wilson, the former gentleman being a resident of Coldwater, this state, and the latter an Ohio railroader. Immediately upon getting the contract they set men to work at clearing, and advertised for 200 teams and 500 men. They expect to have the dirt flying in good shape inside of five days, and will keep matters lively all along the line, as they have contracted to have their work done by December 1st next. They build the culverts and bridges and put the bed in shape for ties. Howell will be their headquarters, all men being paid at their office here, which will prove a great benefit to the place.

The interests of W. V. McCracken & Co. are represented here by Mr. J. H. Sample, an experienced engineer, assisted by Mr. H. M. McCracken, who will have charge of the tie and timber department. Those wishing to get out ties will fine these gentlemen ready to make contracts with them.

Pinckney Dispatch September 17, 1885
Those of our citizens who all along have had grave doubts about the building of the T. A. A. & N. M. railroad this year are at last satisfied that the company has secured the needful finances and now mean business. Messrs. W. V. McCracken & Co., New York capitalists, have contracted with the company to build the road, an on Monday last opened offices at Howell in the Jewett block. Railroad contractors were here from from all parts of the country to bid for the construction of bed from Durand to this place – 22 miles. The contract was finally awarded to Messrs. McLand & Wilson, thee former gentlemen being a resident of Coldwater, this state, and the the latter an Ohio railroader. Immediately upon getting the contract they set men to work at clearing and advertised for 200 teams and 500 men. They expect to have the dirt flying in good shape inside of five days and will will keep matters lively all along the line, as they have contracted to have their work done by December 1st, next. They build the culverts and bridges and put the bed in shape for ties. Howell will be their office here, which prove a great benefit to the place.

The interests of W. V. McCracken & Co. are represented here by Mr. J. H. Sample, an experienced engineer, assisted by Mr. H. M. McCracken, who will have of the tie and timber department. Those wishing to get out ties will will find these gentlemen ready to make contracts with them.[Howell Democrat]

Pinckney Dispatch September 24, 1885
Work on the T, A. A. & N. M. railroad is progressing. Graders are at work between Byron and Durand while only choppers have thus far been started between Howell and Byron. Messrs. McLane & Wilson expect grading tools here this week so that they will be able to keep the dirt flying all along the line from here to Durand after this week until the bed is finished.[Howell Republican]


Mr. Grossman, formerly of B. & O. line, takes Mr. Bay's place as agent for T., A. A., at this point. He is the sixth man who has tried to fill that position within two years.[South Lyon Excelsior]

Alma Record October 2, 1885
The right-of-way for the Lansing, & Mt. Pleasant railway, between here and Salt River, is nearly secured and from present indications the work of grading will commence next week.[Mt. Pleasant Tribune]

Quite a pulling and hauling is going on at Forest Hill over the depot site. Some parties want it in one place and the another faction want it in another place about a mile distant.

The first train of cars entered Forest Hill Saturday afternoon and now we expect to see the cars every day if look for them. When they arrived they found a nice side track ready to put the iron on as soon as the company thick best. A mile lacking 40 rods was laid Saturday. A free lunch was furnished the workmen after they were done work, by the ladies of Forest Hill. In return for the kindness shown, the superintendent invited the ladies to take the cars for Alma and return the same evening, but they were obliged to decline until a more convenient opportunity occurred. A fine depot will be erected in a short time, and we expect business will fairly boom. They expect to reach Shepherd by Saturday night.[Forrest Hill Record]

Alma Record October 9, 1885
The use of the D., G. H. & M track between Durand and Owosso by the T., A. A. & N. M. railroad will be only temporary. President Ashley is reported as saying that an independent track will be laid before long between those places, the course of which take in the Corunna mines and pass on the north side of Corunna to Owosso.[Evening News]

The Ann Arbor Courier Oct. 14, 1885
The “ Missing Link.”

The norther papers keep discussing the T., A. A. & N.M. R. R. extension. This is from the Bancroft Advertiser:

Mr. Ashley now announces that the Toledo & Ann Arbor railway will in the near future build a track of its own from Durand to Owosso.

Two years ago this route was surveyed, and it will be noticed that the company is only carrying out its original plan, in spite of all offers out its original plan, in spite of all offers and inducements to the contrary. The survey was begun at the same point where the line from Byron, which is being built, strikes the Detroit, Grand Haven & Milwaukee road. From thence the line runs north and west until it strikes a line running nearly east and west between Flint and Owosso. This last mention line runs near the Corunna coal mines, a little less than two miles north of Corunna.

Now, it is well known that the Grand Trunk three years ago started out to build a road from Flint to Owosso via Flushing and the Corunna coal mines. The line actually surveyed and the plan was to take the coal mine track and straighten it out between Corunna coal mines and Owosso, as a part of the line between that place and Flint, thus making a continuous Grand T. road from Port Huron to Grand Haven. Work was all already commenced; a survey was all already commenced; a survey was made and a large brick round house with turn table was built at Owosso, when the Ashleys sprung their scheme of building the Ann Arbor road to Owosso and the Northwest.

Then the Grand Trunk stopped work on their line allowed the Ashleys to take up the work of building, which is just what they are about to do. In the end this will give Owosso and Corunna the Toledo & Ann Arbor road as well as a direct road to Flint.

A meeting of the Lansing, Alma and Mt. Pleasant R. R. Co., was held here last week. The Company is ready to commence grading of the Salt River and Mt. Pleasant section as as the right of way is secured for them. An engine and fifteen cars arrived Tuesday and the the work of laying the steel between Alma and Salt River is being pushed. – Alma Record.

The above is of some interest to the people of this county, because it is believed by many that this Alma road is to be a link of the Ann Arbor road. – Vernon Inter-Lake

The use of the D., G. H. &M. track between Durand and Owosso by the T., A. A. & N. M. railroad, it is said will be only temporary. Mr. Ashley is reported saying that an independent track will be laid before long between those places, the course of which will take in the Corunna coal mines and pass on the north side of Corunna to Owosso. – Independent

Alma Record October 16, 1885
The first consignment of freight over the Lansing, Alma && Northern railway passed through Alma Saturday. It consisted of 16 carloads of lumber shipped from Salt River to Saginaw by Hughes Bros. of St. Louis.

The Lansing, Alma & Northern road reached Salt River Wednesday night last week and the event was duly celebrated the following day. It is expected that that the road will be completed to Mt. Pleasant by Dec. 1.

Alma Record October 23, 1885
There is great rivalry between two proposed stations on the L., A. & M. P. railroad. The patron of Forest Hill has complained to the directors of the road that the engineer simply gives two little toots for Forest Hill, and a big whistle for Parkerson's crossing.[Detroit Evening News]

The question of grading the Mt. Pleasant division of the L. A. & N. railroad was decided last evening, but we go to press too early to announce the result of the deliberations. Should the road be graded it cannot be completed this fall, as it will be impossible to secure the steel earlier than next spring. The work of ballasting the Shepherd City division is progressing nicely and will soon be completed,

Alma Record October 30, 1885
The stockholders of the Lansing, Alma & Mt. Pleasant railroad were treated to an excursion last Sunday over the newly completed line between Alma and Salt River River. At a meeting of the directors held in Alma, it was decided to commence work on the line between Salt River and Mt. Pleasant immediately, and to push it to completion to Reed City, and thence on to Manistee. With the completion of the Manistee branch of the G. R. & I. To Manistee, with Reed City as its southern terminal point,, giving us four railroad lines, with a fair prospect of securing the Toledo, Ann Arbor & Frankfort, will give Reed City a boom such as she never received before.[Reed City Clarion]

Alma Record November 6, 1885
(Forest Hill) Ballasting on the R. R. is nearly completed to this place.[Record]

The Ann Arbor Courier Nov. 18, 1885
This snake story is from the Howell Republican: “ While some of the hands were at work on the new railroad extension two miles north of this place, on Monday last, in cutting off the top root of an old oak grub which was hollow, they discovered the the hollow in the root had been selected by the snakes of that vicinity as a convenient place of winter quarters. They dislodged a straight hundred of them, and Mr. Arthur M. Huntington, who is responsible for the story, thinks a few more perhaps might have been found if it had been necessary in order to make a good story. But as one hundred was thought to be enough they look for more. They were of all sizes from four to ten inches in length, and what is still more strange is the fact that several varieties were represented in the crowd.”


ANOTHER EXTENSION
The Ashleys, of the T., A. A. & N. M. road, now contemplate an extension of their road through our village, to make connection with the air line and thence on to their connection at Hamburg. Mr. Ashley was here last week and a meeting of our most prominent citizens was held at the bank to seel what could be done. Mr. Ashley says the company do not want much of South Lyon, only that we give them the right of way, possibly a little more. Now, can wee afford to let this chance slip through our hands, when the road can be obtained by so little exertion? No! Most emphatically, no! And when Mr. Ashley comes again, let us give him a rousing meeting, appoint a committee of responsible men to solicit aid, and go at the work with a will. If our village becomes a place of any size we must have manufactories and, to obtain them, some inducements can be offered and what better inducement can be offered than good railroad facilities. The road, as now surveyed, will run from the Union depot , about parallel with the D., L & N. track half west to James Duncan's farm, across that to E. I. Arms's place and from there on the air line track. – South Lyon Pickett.

Alma Record November 27, 1885
The new T., A. A. & N. M. depot at Ithaca is completed. It is said to be a good one.

Mr. Turck, of the L., A. & M. P. railway and J. M. Ashley, of the Toledo & & Mt. Pleasant railway were in town Wednesday and made satisfactory arrangements for the completion of the railway to this place. Work on the extension between Salt River and Mt. Pleasant will commence in a few days should the weather continue favorable. If the the necessary men can be procured, we are assured on high authority that trains will be running from Mt. Pleasant to Toledo, direct, by the first of January next.[Mt. Pleasant Tribune]

A gang of men was put to work here Tuesday morning on the road and it will be pushed south some distance, how far deponent saith not.

(Forest Hill) Our depot is enclosed and the roof on, and it will be pushed rapidly to completion[Record Correspondence]

The Ann Arbor Courier Nov. 25, 1885
The T., A. A. & N. M. R. R. is projecting a line of railroad from here to Hamburg, thus making an air line between this point and Howell. A consummation devoutly to be desired.

The New York Times Dec. 3, 1895
Messrs. Adrain H. Muller & Son sold the following securities at auction yesterday at the Liberty-Street Real Estate Exchange:

$15,000 Toledo, Ann Arbor and North Michigan Railway convertible mortgage 6 per cent bonds, due 1924, interest May and November, $1,000 each, at 90.

The Ann Arbor Courier Dec. 9, 1885
The Toledo, Ann Arbor & Northern Michigan R. R. Co., now has 139 miles of road with bonds cut for $2,780,000 or $20,000 per mile. The first mortgage 6 per cent bonds sell 92 ½, due 1924. In 1884 the statement shows earnings of $240,000 with operating expenses, $144,000; interest charges $75,000, leaving a surplus of $20,000. Thus far this year the year the business of the road has been ahead of last year.

The Ann Arbor Courier Dec. 30, 1885
The T. & A.A. Road since the burning of their car shops at Toledo, are looking for a new location. South Lyon is bidding for the same, and offers 30 acres of land to build the shops on. – Saline Observer