HISTORY OF BRINGING THE ATCHISON, TOPEKA & SANTA FE RAILWAY TO GALESBURG. [Galesburg, Ill. Wagoner Printing Co.], 1913. pp. [1-2] [1-2] 3-85 [86: blank], seven inserted plates, publisher's brown cloth, front panel stamped in gold, brown endpapers. First edition. A presentation copy with a signed inscription by Carr on the front flyleaf to Frank E. Johnson, dated Christmas 1914. A history of the Guarantee Bond executed in 1886 by the citizen's committee of Galesburg, Illinois, to secure the right-of-way through the city and at least twenty acres for depot and yard grounds for the AT&SF's main line between Kansas City and Chicago, written by Ezra Clark Carr (1836-1919), a prominent member of the committee. "Abraham Lincoln appointed Carr postmaster of Galesburg in March, 1861. For the next twenty-four years every succeeding Republican president continued to appoint him. It was a respected position in the community and reflected his status as a leader in local politics ... Colonel Carr was active in the economic development of Galesburg from the end of the Civil War until the late 1880s. He invested in the first gas plant which provided street lights in the city. He purchased the Register and edited it for several years. When he sold the newspaper it was combined with the Republican. Carr played an important role in convincing the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railroad to build its line to Chicago through Galesburg in 1887. Local citizens raised $60,000 as an incentive and Carr used his influence with the Board of Directors to seal the deal" (Barbara Schock, Sandburg. org). Col. Carr published an interesting autobiography, MY DAY AND GENERATION, in 1908, as well as a popular historical novel, THE ILLINI: A STORY OF THE PRAIRIES, in 1904. A bright, clean, very good copy. (#172945).
Price: $125.00
No statement of printing.