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was incorporated with Dewitt C. Littlejohn of Oswego as President. Mr. Low later introduced a bill known as the "town-bonding law" which allowed towns along a railroad route to issue bonds, investing the proceeds in Midland stock. Railroad property would also be tax-exempt for a period of ten years. After bitter opposition, the bill, which barely passed, became a law April 5, 1866.
Public meetings were held throughout the area affected by the Midland, including Middletown. Preliminary surveys were made during the sumner of 1866, although the final route was not fixed.
Meeting at Syracuse, September 10, 1867, the directors of the conpany announced to a delegation from Middletown that the Midland would be located through the village. This was, of course, "provided the required aid is assured them. The sum nained by the conpany is $400,000," which was more than called for by the town bonding law passed for the benefit of the Midland. At this time, the Midland was locating their route based on whether or not a town would bond itself. It was understood if Middletown and the Town of Wallkill were unwilling or unable to raise the necessary funds, the management was prepared to locate the road via Otisville.
Dewitt C. Littlejohn, the road's president, and his aide, H.R. Low were the principal speakers at a meeting at Gothic Hall, September 23, 1867. As might be expected, "the hall was filled to overflowing." Dr. Joshua Draper and William M. Graham served as chairman and secretary, respectively, at the meeting.
Edward M. Madden, Middletown businessman and promoter, spoke first. He acknowledged the benefits to be gained by locating the Midland through the town, but felt the town should not bond itself until "satisfied that [the] management intended to build the road in good faith and in an economical manner." He was in favor of further exploration of the matter and not swept up in the Flames of the railroad fever' being fanned by Littlejohn, Low, and company.
President Littlejohn spoke next. After outlining a brief history of the enterprise, the advantages of building the road, calling it "a people's road," and stating the entire project would not cost over $8 million, he moved to the task at hand. Dangling the Otisville route before the crowd, he basically came out and said, 'payus your money or we'11 go elsewhere. He warned Middletown not to make the same tragic error Syracuse had made. When they refused to bond themselves, the road was located elsewhere. "Scores of their leading men were now anxious to have the road located there; but it was too late," Littlejohn lied.
If Littlejohn had been "the stick," Low, who spoke next, was "the carrot." He essentially made outlandish promises of greatness that would come to Middletown if the road was built