The railroads at Hannibal now in full operation and running regularly into and out of the city, are the Missouri Pacific; Wabash; St. Louis and Pacific; Chicano, Burlington and Quincy; Hannibal and St. Joseph; St. Louis, Keokuk and Northwestern; St. Louis, Hannibal and Keokuk.

The Missouri Pacific was originally the Hannibal and Central Missouri; later, the Missouri, Kansas and Texas. It now forms a part of the Southwest railroad system, under the control of what is termed the Jay Gould interest. It crosses Missouri, a large portion of Kansas, bisects the Indian territory and the great State of Texas, and reaches old Mexico in a direct line at Laredo, where direct connection can be made for the City of Mexico.

The Wabash, St. Louis & Pacific is now a prominent part of the great Missouri system. For many years Hannibal was one of its principal western termini on the Mississippi. It now gives this city direct communication with all points East, through Central and Northern Illinois to the Atlantic seaboard, northward to Chicago and Minnesota, and westward to Kansas City and St. Joseph and Certain intermediate points. It crosses the railroad bridge over the Mississippi going East.

The Chicago, Burlington & Quincy runs regular trains to Quincy, and thence, in connection with its great system. It uses the track of the Keokuk & Northwestern to West Quincy, running four trains per day.

The Hannibal & St. Joseph has its general offices at Hannibal, as also its machine and car shops, employing over 400 men at about $23,000 per month. It runs two passenger and express trains daily out of Hannibal for the West, at 10:50 A. M. and 10 :45 P. M. and two trains arrive from that direction every day. The larger portion of the through train comes from and goes to Quiucv, and a junction is formed at Palmyra with the Hannibal train for the West.

The St Louis, Keokuk & Northwestern runs two passenger trains daily each way between St. Louis and Burlington, lowa, passing throug Hannibal. It furnishes a direct and speedy line to St. Louis, and also to Minneapolis and St. Paul, and other Northern points. It is called the " ling line," because it is somewhat longer to St. Louis by its route than by another. It connects with the Wabash, St. Louis & Pacific tit St. Peters, and runs thence over the track of that road, crossing the Missouri river over the St. Charles bridge.

The St. Louis, Hannibal & Keokuk is called "the short line " (in contradistinction to the "long line because its route is the shortest to St. Louis. It runs from Hannibal to Gilmore, where it connects with the Wabash, and uses its track to St. Louis. It is contemplated to extend this road northward into Iowa, and to build a bridge across the Missouri five miles above St. Charles.

All of these railroads run into and out of a fine union depot at Hannibal, finished in August, 1882, and complete in all its appointments. Here twenty-four passenger trains arrive and depart daily for all parts of the United States. The building is heated by steam, and all parts are kept comfortable during cold weather. It is surmounted by an elegant tower clock that strikes the hours and furnishes accurate time. The freight depots of the several railroads are large, ample, and well regulated and conducted.