J. N. Denison was the brother-in-law of one of the original investors in the CB&Q, J. W. Brooks. Through Brooks’ influence Denison was made treasurer of the B&MRR with his headquarters in Boston. He had been an early proponent of establishing the B&MRR in Iowa. In 1871, Boston investors, members of the Forbes group, along with Denison (who was then chairman of the CB&Q board), embarked on the development of what would become known as the “River Roads,” the Chicago, Clinton and Dubuque and the Chicago, Dubuque and Minnesota. As the construction ensued, the investors became embroiled in a bitter controversy involving the funding of the road. Burlington board members and investors in the line itself, J. A. Graves (president of the River Roads), J. W. Brooks and J. F. Joy included, had purchased majority shares in the construction company set to build the road. This led to a growing conflict of interest and infighting among board members. Denison was one of the first to draw attention to the conflict, acting almost as whistle blower, which unceremoniously ended James F. Joy’s tenure at CB&Q. Correspondence in this series covers nearly the entirety of Denison’s career with the Burlington, as well as the years of this episode.