Brooklyn Iowa

Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific Railroad

Brooklyn Railroad

Editorial, Brooklyn Chronicle, July 7, 1927

 

The railroad tracks opened to Brooklyn on June 2, 1862.  The following year it was finished to Grinnell, and the company's name was changed to the Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific Railroad.  Before the railroads reached far into Iowa, Poweshiek County Supervisors had subscribed $100,000.00 to be paid if it reached here by a designated time.  It didn't but the railroads shrewd agreement forced payment regardless.  The 16 county supervisors refused to pay up, were arrested and sentenced to prison.  Only after the appeal was carried to the U.S. Supreme Court, and lost, did the supervisors levy taxes to pay the bonds.  Because of the expense of the litigation, the county ended up paying three to four times the original debt.

 

 

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