Bestor v. Wathen

In February, 1849, the legislature chartered a company with authority to build a railroad from Oquawka, on the Mississippi river, to Peoria, and in 1852 the charter was so amended as to authorize the extension of the road from Peoria eastward to the State line. In-1855 a contract was made between the railway corporation, of the one part, and the firm of Cruger, Secor & Co., of the other part, by which the latter undertook the construction and equipment of the road. On the 5th of April, 1856, while engaged upon this work, the members of the firm, together with Bestor, the president of the…