From the Chenango Union of Norwich, NY
Wednesday, June 15, 1870

   To-day (Wednesday) trains on the Midland commence running through from Oswego to Sidney Plains. Work on the DeRuyter Branch is progressing finely. The cut from Miller Street in this village, through to North Main Street, is going on well, and the fill across the lots west has reached Pleasant Street. Three bridges have been erected across the Canasawacta, and the fourth is now going up. The timber for the trestle work on the corporation is being drawn to it's place, and will soon be raised.

The DeRuyter correspondent of the Oneida Dispatch writes as follows:

   "Hon. D.C. Littlejohn, President of the Midland Railroad, Wm. Foster, Esq., member of the Executive Committee, W. B. Gilbert, Esq., Chief Engineer, came to town with Hon. J.W. merchant, on Friday evening of last week. They went to Truxton on Saturday to examine matters in reference to extending the road west from DeRuyter. The party returned to DeRuyter Saturday P.M.

   "The DeRuyter Brass Band, accompanied by several of our leading citizens, gave Mr. Littlejohn a serenade on Saturday evening. Mr. Littlejohn, after repeated calls, appeared and was introduced to the people by Hon. J.W. Merchant. He thanked the citizens of DeRuyter for the complement paid to him and also to the other directors. He referred to the progress of the Midland, to the distance now completed, and to the amount of work already done between Sidney and New York City.

   "He also spoke of Gov. Hoffman's veto of the Aid Bill, congratulated the citizens of DeRuyter on their being the first to bond for the Midland, and now were about to real the benefit of their investment for the present autumn would bring the iron horse into our midst from Norwich. Mr. Littlejohn further said that the great work would not stop here but would extend westward piercing the western counties of the State, and terminating on the shores of Lake Erie.

   "That through DeRuyter would be the great highway of commerce from the West to the East. Closing, by again thanking the citizens for the compliment paid, he retired amid the enthusiastic cheers of the assembled throng. Work on the railroad is progress as fast as possible. On Saturday the steam shovel moved six feet, cutting the entire track that distance. Crumb Hill is now two-thirds graded."