The Emporia news. [volume] (Emporia, Kan.) 1859-1881, 1875-10-01

EMPORIA WANTS ANOTHER CON
NECTION WITH KANSAS CITY.

And Wants the Marrow Gauge to Build
1t. And to Extend the Line into
the Walnut Valley.
From the K. c. Journal, Sept 2s.l
The following correspondence be-
tween Col. p. B. Plumb, of Emporia,
Kansas, and the Narrow Gauge Rail-
way Company, of this city, explains
itself: 1t shows the desire of Emporia
and the Walnut valley to make q con-
nectiOn with the metropolis of Kansas
EMPOR4A, KAN, Sept. le, 1879.
HON. WIN. CHRISTIAN, Independence, Mo-:
DEAR SIR-You are, I am informed,
Interested In the construction of the
Narrow Gauge railroad from Kansas
City to Lexington, and looking at it as
an enterprise that will undoubtedly in
crease in magnitude until the road will
finally reach st. Louis, offer the sug-
gestion that yon look this way ior a
western extension and western bust
ness. The most considerable valley in
the southern part of Kansas wholly
Onprovided with railroad facilities is
the Walnut valley, heavily settled and
as fine body of land as there is in the
State. The people are anxious for a
road, and would give liberal aid for a
narrow gauge road if guaranteed to
them the coming season. This place
Is perhaps the best point from which
to start a road intended to traverse the
whole valley, and the road might be
commenced here and built down the
valley next season, thus preventing
any other enterprise from getting q
fOOthOld. Afterwards the gap between
here and Kansas City might be closed
up, taking the Usage coal fields in the
way, which would furnish large car
rying trade both ways.
1t this proposition, or any modifica-
ton Of it, strikes you at all favorably,
| could at some time, shortly, go TO In
dependence and present TO you more
fully the details of the project.
That i may not seem wholly an in
truoer in submitting this project to
you, will say that Judge Deveraux
mentioned you aud your associates TO
me In connection with your enterprise
giving cODjecturalIy, the outlines of
Of It's extension, aad suggesting posi-
bilities growing out of the combination
OF skill and capital engaged, which
has emboldened me to write you,
Respectfully yours, P. B. PLUME.
W., K. C. AND N. W!R. K, GEN,Ll
OFFICE, INDEPENDENCE, Mo-,
SEPTEMBER %, 1875.
z. b. PLUME, Esq. President Emporia Ma.
tioAal Bank. Emporia, kansas:
DEAR SIR-Yours of the 18th inst,
TO the Hon. VIM. Chrisman, received
and noted. Our road is in operation
ten and one-half miles from Kansas
City TO Independence, and is fully de-
monstrating the advantages of the mar
row gauge. It is located alongside OF
the Missouri Pacific, and notwiths tand-
ing the business which IL commands is
obtained under sharp competition, it
Is not only paying operating expenses,
put handsome profit to its owners.
That portion OF our line from Indepen-
dence to Lexington, thirty-two miles,
has recently been put under contract
at very favorable rates, and will be
completed January lst, 1876. From
Lexington the line will be rapidly ex-
tended TO Bonneville via Arrow Rock,
and from thence to St. Louis, forming
q shorter route between Kansas CITY
and st. Louis than either of those now
In operation, IN face the shortest prac-
tlcal line between the two cities.
Over 100 miles of the line pass
through coal and iron fields, furnish
ing very large and tremunerative bus
mess to the road.
In addition TO this the region OF
country through which it will pass is
unsurpassed In fertility by any section
west Of the Mississippi river, and
hence its local traffic will be very
large. IL will not have to wait fol
business for the development of the
country which it penesrates, for it is
| already developed and the business
awaiting the construction of the road
In fact there Is no part of the line
ten miles in length, which, If CON-
pletcds but would pay and pay well.
We are looking TO an extension OF
our road into Kansas, and know of nc
point possessing superior advantages
70 that of your section and city.
II your people desire the shortest
practicable route to st. Louis, and by
route costing less than one fourth a
much as those new in Operations, and
consequent low rates in both direc-
tons, they cannot possibly do better
than TO take immediate action lookino
TO an extension of the Wyandotte,
Kansas City & Northwestern Narrow
Gauge railway to your city.
am, very respectfully yours.
F. c. EAMEs, President.