From the Chenango Semi-Weekly Telegraph
of Norwich, NY - Wednesday, May 4, 1881

Good News for the Branch

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   A Cortland correspondent of the Syracuse Herald sends that paper the following announcement :

   "It is stated by good authority that the Utica, Ithaca & Elmira Railroad is now virtually under the control of the New York, Ontario & Western Railroad Company, by right of purchase, and that the officials of that road will at once look over the ground, with a view of putting a line through, probably to Norwich, and possibly westward from that village.

   "It is said that they had previously opened the Ithaca, Auburn & Western Railroads from Freeville and are completing that line to Auburn from which point they will reach Buffalo, which will complete a through road between that city and New York."

   This will prove good news if true to the towns in the western portion of this County, as it insures them something more than "two streaks of rust" for their bonded indebtedness, and gives them precisely what they bonded for, a through connection with New York and Buffalo. The report also comes to us from other sources, and we believe the Ontario & Western, will consult their own interest in making permanent their control of this connection and business over their road from Norwich east. We shall look confidently for the early fulfillment of a scheme which can but prove of vital importance to the O. & W., as well as to the people of this County generally.