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I made changes on two points in what was the first paragraph, now split into two paragraphs: (1) the direction of construction (and the beginning dates of railroad service) and (2) the reasons for why folks in Aurora wanted the railroad.
(1) the direction and dates of construction: A.W. Newton's historical article cites contemporary newspaper stories on the progress of construction and dates of when the railroad started train service; from his article, it is clear that the railroad was built from Turner Junction to Batavia, and then on to Aurora, not north from Aurora. The dates Newton gives contradict the information in the Interstate Commerce Commission source, but Newton's article is supported in detail, and partially agrees with the ICC information, on the date of first service -- just not on where the service started, which was Batavia and not Aurora. It seems to me, then, especially with the newspaper quotes, that Newton is the better source, and the partial agreement actually helps me think that the ICC got part of it right but not all of it.
(2) the reason for wanting a railroad: I used a direct quote from Newton's article rather than the point about city leaders being afraid Aurora would be passed by. Just before that quote, Newton clearly implies (on p. 7) that people in Aurora were trying to make it easier to get to markets in Chicago, especially trying to avoid 30-mile wagon rides. The phrase "agitation started for the construction of a line" could possibly include worry on the part of city (really village) leaders, and I would have no qualms seeing that point restored if it's backed up by a good source. But with seemingly contradictory information, I again went with what seemed to me to be the better researched source. James Postema (talk) 02:29, 21 April 2024 (UTC)[reply]
Well, I myself found support for the village leaders' worries about getting bypassed, in Overton's history Burlington Route, so I worked that point back in. James Postema (talk) 22:01, 7 May 2024 (UTC)[reply]
