RAILROAD BUSINESS.

That Exira is growing and her business rapidly increasing is evident by the traffic of the Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific Railway on the Audubon branch, for the year ending Nov. 1, 1891. To Mr. C. H. Rollins, the company's agent here, we are indebted for our information. In speaking of this matter it is proper and timely to speak of the agent as well as of the road he represents. Mr. Rollins entered the service of the Rock-Island in 1878, and has been with the company continually since that time. He was assigned to this station in March, 1889. Especially adapted for the business he has chosen, always pleasant and accomodating [sic accommodating], even at his own inconvenience at times, public spirited and popular, the company can safely rest assured that their business here will always be carefully looked after and in a way highly satisfactory to all patrons. Mr. Rollins was elected as councilman in March last, and in this capacity, as in his railroad life, has served the people well.

Seven hundred and eleven car loads were shipped from this station the past year. Of this number 286 were corn, 206 hogs, 81 oats and 83 of cattle. Over 60,000 pounds of butter are shipped out of the state annually from this station. Local freight received will average 3,000,000 pounds per month. The whole business of the company in shipments from and to Exira reaches as high as $8,000 per month. During Mr. Rollins' time business has more than doubled. The business of the road at Exira far exceeds that of any other station of its size on the Rock-Island system in Iowa. The Audubon branch is the best paying 26 miles of road the Rock-Island company owns. The great Rock-Island route is not only a favorite of the shippers, but the traveling public appreciates its excellent equipage, fast time and close connections.

To those seeking safe and profitable investment we would here offer a few suggestions: It is apparent to the mind of the conservative business-man, that, as a rule, following a marked improvement in the business portions of a town comes a noticable advance in the residence portion. So is it true on the other hand. Exira has made in the past year, more substantial improvements than ever in her history, while there has not been a single business house erected. It is safe to predict that the improvements during the ocming year in the business part of the town will be considerable. It is bound to be--there is a demand for such buildings--nor will it be of a cheap character. Good two-story brick business houses are in demand and will pay from 20 to 30 per cent on the investment.

In 1887 thirteen brick business buildings wer eerected, all from home-made brick, which have proved to be of good quality. To a man who thoroughly understands the manufacture of brick and tile we claim without fear of contradiction, he can do an immense business from year to year at this point. The clay is unusually good, wood is plentiful and cheap, the demand for brick is indeed great. Investments in residence property will also pay a handsome profit on the money invested.

In conclusion let us here state that, after a careful investigation of the business annually done here, the increase in every line of commerce, the advantages the town and county possess, Exira offers great and better inducements to the speculator and homeseeker than any town in western Iowa.

Transcribed February, 2023 by Cheryl Siebrass from 1857-1891 History of Exira Audubon County, Iowa, From Its Foundation to the Present, Crane Publishing Company, Atlantic, Iowa, pp. 8, 9.