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Description

Interesting map showing the primary route and various feeder routes for the Map of the Evansville, Indianapolis and Cleveland Straight Line Railroad, also known as the "Straight Line Railroad."

The railroad was chartered in Indiana in 1853 and seems to have issued 2 annual reports (1854 and 1855). In connection with its capitalization, it sold $200,000 in subscription bonds to the City of Evansville, Indiana. The City paid over the first $100,000, but under pressure from political influences later determined that it did not wish to honor its subscription and failed to deliver $100,000 to the Railroad, which resulted in litigation ultimately resolved by the Indiana State Supreme Court in 1860, which held the subscription valid and not procured by fraud. Judging by the available information, the failure to pay the $100,000 doomed the line to failure and liquidation during the Panic of 1857.

The present example is from the1854 Annual report and is apparently the first extant map of the line, known in 4 recorded examples (Yale, Indiana Historical Society, University of Missouri and Cincinnati Public Library). Offered here with the front cover of the Exhibit in which is was issued and bearing two signatures.

www.raremaps.com/gallery/enlarge/21879a

Condition Description
Folding map, pasted to front wrapper of original covers