History of Saginaw county, Michigan; together with ... portraits ... and biographies ... History of Michigan ...

CHAPTER XV.
RAILROADS AND NAVIGATION.
At an early period in the history of the county the thoughts of
the settlers often adverted to the existing necessity for either a canal
or railroad to connect the little outside world with the federal
republic of Saginaw. The ideas of the settlers were theoretically
correct, but entirely too premature. Many great works were perfected on paper. Not only canals but also railroads were spread out
in every direction from Saginaw City. A few of the numerous daydreams of the period assumed practical shape, but the financial
crisis stayed all progress. For.a long period the people battled
with the reverses which were entailed by the panic, rose above them,
and alternately succeeded in surpassing even the highest notion
of internal improvement held by them in early years.
THE SAGINAW & MT. CLEMENS RAILROAD.
As early as 1835 Saginaw City dreamed of great deeds, and actually
witnessed the organization of a company, having for its object the
construction of a railroad from Saginaw City to Mt. Clemens, via
Lapeer. The capital stock of the railroad-builders was set down
at $1,000,000. With this sum of money the company promised
to begin the work within four years after the grant of the charter,
to complete 10 miles of track within 8 years, 45 miles within
15 years, and the whole distance of 90 miles within 40 years.
THE SAGINAW & GENESEE RAILROAD COMPANY
was anotheridea which took possession of the minds of the early
settlers. The company proposed to construct a railroad from
Saginaw City to the center of Genesee county, a distance of 40
miles. The company was organized in 1837, with a stock of
$400,000. On this very limited capital a charter was sought, the
petition containing a promise that work should be begun
within one year subsequent to the granting of the authority by the
State, and the line completed within seven years from the date of
charter. This enterprise was entirely theoretical.
THE FLINT & PERE MARQUETTE RAILROAD.
This was the first railroad company that adopted any practical
method of opening up the Saginaw region. Contrary to all precedent, the stockholders authorized a commencement to be made at
the end; in other words, to run the line from west to east.
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