That is exactly what happened at times. The best single source concerning
this topic is: Harry H. Pierce, Railroads of New York: A Study of Government
Aide, 1826 - 1875 (Harvard University Press, 1953). Perhaps the most blatant
users of this strategy were the promoters of the Oswego Midland later
reorganized as the New York, Ontario and Western Railway. Not only did the
line wander across the countryside in an effort to gain municipal support,
it intentionally avoided towns and cities like Hamilton and Syracuse that
refused to issue bonds on the railroad's behalf.

Jim Darlington
The Encyclopedia of New York State


----- Original Message -----
From: HistorianCindyA <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Tuesday, April 02, 2002 1:31 AM
Subject: Railroads


> Does the below mean towns were bidding to see where the railroad would go?
The railroads putting tracts through the town with the higest bid?
>
> Batavia, Genesee County
> Progressive Batavian
> Friday December 10 1869
> Railroad Meeting.--There is to be a Railroad meeting at Pavilion Centre on
> Wednesday the 15th inst.  The people are becoming very much waked up about
> that Rochester and Pennsylvania road.  The contest is now which route will
> bid highest.  We wish our Pavillion friends success in their aspirations.
>
>
> --
> Cindy Amrhein
> Town of Alabama Historian
> in Genesee Co., NY
> Experience the Town of Alabama in Genesee County, NY.
> http://www2.pcom.net/cinjod/historian/
> APHNYS (Association of Public Historians of New York State)
> http://www.tier.net/aphnys
>
>
>
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