The Emporia news. [volume] (Emporia, Kan.) 1859-1881, 1869-12-10
With the A. I. s S. +. Co.. who made

out that F0merOy was too sharp, for his
own pockets sake, to release those fran.
chises until they got more valuable
We understand when they were finally
released Old Pom. made a good thing
for himself out of them.
This meeting adjourned to meet al
Emporia on the 25th of April. AT this
meeting, in addition to the above coun-
ties, Riley was fully represented The
committee reported that we had but lit
tie to expect from the company holding
the franchises. At this meeting steps
were taken to have this road organized
as branch of the Pacific railroad, and
to ask for it the additional franchises in
bonds that had been granted to the Kan
sas and Nebraska routes. Messrs. Ran
kin, Eskridge and Goss were appointed
committee to prepare articles for the
organization of railroad company to
connect Fit. Riley and Fit. Gibson. At
ter attending to various other matters
to further the object of the meeting, it
adjourned to meet in Emporia on the
4th day of June following.
AT the June meeting, Davis county
was represented, in addition to those
that had been represented in the for
mer meetings.
The committee appointed at the for
mer meeting to prepare articles of asso-
citation, reported in favor of the imme-
date organization of company for the
construction of a road from Fl. Riley
ciG the Neosho Valley in the direction
of Galveston Bay. After some other
business, the following Board of Direc-
tors was elected: s. ID. Houston, r.
McBratney, r. M. Ruggles, j. II. Hunt,
p. b. Maxson, j. M. Rankin, William
Manson, N. s. Goss, and one to be af-
forwards selected for each of the coun-
ties of Morris and Allen.
This board organized by the election
of the following officers: President,
r. NJ. Ruggles; Vice President, N. S..
Goss; Treasurer, j. NJ. Rankin Cores
ponding Secretary, II. McBratney; Re-
cording Secretary, Jacob Stotler. Rug
giles, Goss and McBratney were appoint
ed to get up the necessary writings.
Thus the movement for building this
great line of road was put on foot. Of
course it was ridiculed. But the men
engaged in it believed in its final sue
cess, paid their own board and livery
bills, and went along.
The matter rested here until the fol-
towing spring, when a new company
was organized under the State law
which was passed at the session of 1865.
1t was organized quietly, and none of
the old members were taken in except
Messrs. Goss and Maxson. 1t was
charged that the reason of this was, a
part of the programme of majority of
the new board was to leave Emporia
"out in the cold" Whether this was
true or not we never heard. The new
board of incorporates went actively to
work. A thorough canvass of the matter
was made from one end of the route to
the other. The requisite stock was
finally taken. Emporia did not readily
take hold of the enterprise because of
the threats to leave her out. But through
the efforts of Col. Plumb-this gentle
man having been elected a director
finally took hold of the matter. We
have not room to particularize now.
Suffice it to say that in June, 1867, the
counties along the line voted bonds to
aid in its construction. The company
finally got possession of the landed
franchises. The same year a contract
was let to an Eastern company headed
by one Beach, to build the road. He
and his company proved failure. But
the local company, through skillful man.
prevented their getting con-
troll of the franchises, and as soon as it
was ascertained that Beach was hum
bug, let the contract to the present COM
pany, headed by Judge Parsons, of New
York. They have built the road, and
considering all things, built it quickly
and we'll.
Among the local company who de-
serve especial mention for their unself-
ish and untiring efforts to secure the
success of this great enterprise, we may
mention Col. N. S. Goss, Col. p. B.
Plumb, Hon. P. B. Maxson and S. S.
Prouty. Never have the interests of
road, for long time struggling between
life and death, been more skilfully, eco
nomically and ably managed. None of
them, although they and their associ-
ates had the management of the en-
tire franchises, ever made a cent.
Col. N. S. Goss, we presume, is
out hundreds of dollars, and the 9TH
ers have also spent more money and
time than they have ever received pay
for. Col Goss was put at the head OF
the local company at an early day, and
it seems he was the man especially pro-
from New Orleans to New York, spent
his winters at Washington, paying his
own bills, and in fact, has thrown his
whole soul and time into the enterprise
for five years. He, together with
Plumb, Prouty and Maxson, may well
be proud of the grand triumph which
they have achieved over difficulties that
would often have discouraged and driv.
en- from the enterprise men with less
energy. They deserve and receive the
thanks of the people of the Valley
OF course there are scores of other mel
who deserve great credit, but we have
not time nor room to further particular
ize.
We have the railroad. 1t is a grand
monument to the enterprise and energy
of people struggling with poverty
They had faith in the country, believing
it would not only support railroads, -bu
would become wealthy and prosper
Gus country. They will, we hope ant
believe, soon begin to realize their fond
est expectations.