IC buys the WC? 1887

Bought by the Illinois Central

Chicago, March 11. - A Milwaukee dispatch says that it was learned today that the Illinois Central is planning to buy the WIsconsin Central line from Ashland to Chicago and from Abbottsford to St. Paul, with all the rights and titles of the various companies owning the line, its lands, shops, machinery, and rolling stock.  The Wisconsin Central line is operated by a company under the direction of the Trustees Stewart and Abbot, and is composed of the Wisconsin Central, Chicago, Wisconsin and Minnesota, Milwaukee & Lake Winnebago, Wisconsin & Minnesota, St. Croix & Wisconsin, and the Chicago and Schleisingerville Construction Company.  There is no doubt that the men controlling the majority of the stock of the united companies are anxious to accept the proposal of the Illinois Central Company, and it is quite likely that the sale will be consumated.

With the Wisconsin Central as a basis it is the intention of the Illinois Central, as understood in Milwaukee, to construction the most extensive railway system in Wisconsin, and afterward to enter into competition with the Milwaukee & St. Paul and Northwestern Roads, and secure also the lumber haul to points in the South and Southwest.

New York Times - March 12, 1887