The Van Buren Press

Little Rock and Fort Smith Railroad
A NEW BRIDGE ACROSS THE ARKANSAS RIVER AT LITTLE ROCK!
Elsewhere in this issue will be found advertisements for proposals to be opened on the 1st of October next, for the construction of a bridge across the river at this point, and also for the construction of sixty additional miles of the Little Rock and Fort Smith Railroad. These active steps taken for the prosecution of these great enterprises will be hailed with inexpressible joy by every friend of progress in the State. Both enterprises have been the subject of discussion for the last twenty years, and periodically there have been promises, and occasionally grounds of probability that the work would be accomplished, but all have alike failed, and it has been reserved for the present hour for the people to witness preparations that give the most positive evidence of a purpose to accomplish the end sought without delay.
THE COMPANY;
Which was composed of citizens of our own State mainly, who had undertaken the building of the road before the war, is enlarged by the addition of a number of eastern capitalists, with ample means to meet the expense. They propose to build the road and the bridge, with cash in hand and reserve all stocks and securities until the road shall have been running for one year, and all its stocks are worth their face at least, in cash, in the markets of the world.
We are led to infer from the present activity, and from the backing of which there is indubitable evidence that this is the commencement of the long-talked-of 35th parallel route to the Pacific coast, and that a large share of the accumulated capital of the east is pledged to the completion of the enterprise.
THE BRIDGE.
It is proposed to construct without delay, a railroad bridge across the river at the point known as the "point of rocks," at the foot of Rock street, ample enough to afford means of crossing for vehicles and footmen. This point possesses the advantages of a much narrower river, it being 975 feet across, while the channel is unchangeable at all seasons and the banks are better adapted for the foundation. This the company proposes to do with their own funds.
THE RAILROAD.
We have already frequently alluded to the construction of the first 20 miles, which is now cut out, about one-half of the ties are ready to be laid down, the iron is on the way, and the grading commenced with a force of over 100 men. It is proposed to put on a force of 500 men as soon as tools can be obtained. In addition to this, the entire road-bed has been located by the engineer corps, and as before stated, propositions are now to be received for the construction of sixty additional miles, making in all eighty. It is the intention to complete the sixty additional miles within one year from the time of commencing, and it is expected that the entire road will be in operation within a period of two years.
SUBSCRIPTIONS.
The counties traversed will be asked to subscribe for stock in the road-a measure that will doubtless meet with popular favor, as the people will thus become parties directly interested in its success, and be entitled to a voice in its management. Great public enterprises, in which the inhabitants of the immediate vicinity have a pecuniary interest in their success have always been found to prosper better, than in cases where the profits and the management belong to individuals, or corporations abroad having no interest in the community other than to make money. Should the people respond in this instance, as it is believed they will, liberally, the Little Rock and Fort Smith road will become one of the institutions of Arkansas in which Arkansians have an interest and a voice in its management. There are, also many other considerations which render liberal subscriptions by our people desirable and to which it will be our pleasure to refer hereafter.