Saml D. Tillman, Esq.
Seneca Falls NY
Dr Sir
Your highly valued favr of the 3rd inst has been all noticed with lively interest for the statistics & general information therein contained. Please accept my thanks. A meeting of parties interested in the Cayuga & Sus. & Ligetts Gap R. R. Co. & of the other projected enterprises to form a connecting line from Lake Ontario to Jersey City will be held in N.Y. in a few weeks at which your letter shall appear. All the information that can be obtained relative to the best route from Sodus Bay to Ithaca will no doubt be brought forward and presented at that meeting. No correct comparison can be made between the two routes named in your letter until a survey is made from Ithaca to Sodus in the west side of Cayuga Lake. The country wd indicate that a feasible & practical route exits in the west side and no doubt a shorter line in my opinion which will depend upon the amt of subscriptions to the stock raised in your section of the state. As to the decision between the two proposed routes that your citizens are deeply interested in this proposed Rd and its location thro your flourishing town, there can be no doubt. I had intended to have paid a visit to Seneca Falls last season for the purpose of forming
some acquaintance with your business men but during my stay at Ithaca while engaged in the building of the C & S I did not find the time to avail myself of this pleasure. We had hoped and expected to have recd some share of the patronage of your citizens over our Lake & R. Rd but we suppose you have found it to your interest to seek other routes. I passed thru your place last March for the first & only time. I also spent part of 2 days at Sodus Bay last season.
Our Ligetts Gap R.R. is progressing rapidly & will be completed at an earlier date than was first expected. You may expect a supply of the best anthracite coal before the close of next navigation. If the proposed R Rd from Sodus Bay to Ithaca should connect at the village of Ithaca an improvement will be made in the present line of the C & S by which it will be shortened near 3 mi.
We shall be happy to give you any information in our possession and equally happy to rec any from you relative to the business alluded too. In the mean time I am hastily & very respt
Your obt svt
Geo W. Scranton
