History: Neillsville - A New Railroad (12 Aug. 1884)

Contact:  Crystal Wendt
Email: crystal@wiclarkcountyhistory.org

Surnames: Hiles, Schuster

----Sources: Neillsville Times (Neillsville, Clark County, Wis.) 12 Aug. 1884

A New Railroad

WHICH PROMISES TO PACE THROUGH THE CENTRAL PART OF CLARK COUNTY AND THROUGH THE COUNTY SEAT.

For the last two years the railroad enterprise of Geo. Hiles, in Wood County has been the subject of frequent comment by the Times. The latest development is that Geo. Hiles has sold out to the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul R. R. and has assumed the presidency of the new line under their management. They now propose to extend the road from Pittsville northwest following the old Air Line survey as nearly, as possibly to Lake Superior. They have already let the grading of the first twenty miles to W. H. H. Cash this will bring the road within the town of Sherwood Forest in this county. Our citizens hearing of the proposes extension the Board of trade, through their secretary, Louis Schuster, wrote Mr. Hiles to ascertain what the chances were to get the road to Neillsville and received the following reply:

Dexterville, Wis., Aug. 4.

Mr. Louis Schuster, Esq. –

In regard to the Pittsville & Superior railway building to Neillsville is of very doubtful prospects this year, but is certainly will be built in a northwesterly direction from Dexterville through to St. Paul or Lake Superior in the near future.

Yours Truly, George Hiles

This enterprise looks more like business than any of the many recent railroad stories. The road will doubtless be built within a year or so as the plan is feasible and is backed by men and companies who are known to be able to successfully prosecute the enterprise. The great question with the property owners of this city is, will the road run through the city or follow a course about six miles northeast of the town. It is reported that surveys have made which show that the latter course could be followed with considerable less expense, as several heavy fills and cuts would be avoided. If this were done it would ***rest cut off. ***