Significant Historical Doc. Mississippi River- Rock Island- Davenport- Railroad For Sale

This holy grail of railroad, Mississippi River, and Abraham Lincoln history crossover is a museum worthy historical document that recorded the dealings of the Railroad Bridge Company\'s board of directors.  This company was organized for the sole purpose of  constructing the first bridge ever over the navigable Mississippi River at Rock Island and Davenport. It connected the Chicago and Rock Island Railroad and the Mississippi and Missouri Railroad. It is signed by the then governor of Illinois Joel A Matteson, Henry Fanham, Joseph Sheffield, and Norman B Judd.  After built, the bridge was struck by the riverboat Effie Afton and burned down.  This led to an important court case that pit railroads against riverboats.  Abraham Lincoln was one of lawyers that represented the company in the famous trial. Pages are numbered 3-40, but it appears as though no content is missing.  Some pages are blank towards the end of the document.