The Wichita city eagle., 1879-01-09
OUR RAILROADS, PRESENT AND PROS.
PECrIvE MEMPHIS, WICHITA
AND SAN FRANCISCO.
Our Markets Now ard What They Will Be.

One of the most importrnt factors entering
into the question of the settlement Of any
new agricultural country is that of markets.
An over or surplus production of any given
crop always cmbarrasses the producer, and
sometimes ruins him. No State i'm the Union
IL more favorably situated in this respect than
Kansas. and as 10 this section, Of the Arkan-
sas Valley, good markets for at least gene
ration arc assured. The great valley, with
its line OF railway. reaches into the YER.
heart Of the gold and silver mines of Colorado
and New Mexico. The demand for all it pro-
duccs, from these great mining sections. in
crcascs with every year. and will continue to
do 80 for many years to come. The bulk OF
our surplus wheat. cattle and hogs find mar
kets in st. Louis, Chicago. Kansas City and
Toledo. Corn. as 4 rule, is too bulky TO ship,
but from its superiority, or grade, and high
quotations in the Baltimore markets for for
cign shipment, many thousand of bushels an
nually, shcllcd and sacked, go to that market
by rail.
Another important market for this valley is
the Indian Territory upon the south. the
United States forts, Indian Agencies and nil
itary posts. all of which receive their supplies
largely from this section.
But the most important market, and 10
which our people are looking for the future
Q market that will take all our surplus hay,
grain, etc, il the Southern States and Europe
BY way of Memphis and New Orleans. The
only barrier 10 the immediate construction of
q frst-class railway from Wichita, down the
Arkansas Valley to the head of ship nariga-
tion OH tho Mississippi. is the Indian Terri
tory. Under present Indian treaties, in the
absence of Congressional action. no company
can construct a railroad through the Terri
tory, or secure the right Of way. But bill,
looking to that end. is now pending in the
lower House. while a half dozen corporations
stand ready TO construct the line. \ line OF
road IL already in operation from Memphis up
our river to the point where the valley leaves
the Territory. From that point to Wichita is
one Of the finest, richest and grandest valleys
in the world. sections of which are heavily
timbcred, aud along which have been discoy-
cred inc xlia,lstible beds of coal. The local
traffic Of said road. when constructed. would
be immense. TO say nothing of the fact that il
would supply a link between the southern
system of railroads. centering ut Memphis.
and the northern system, touching at Wichi-
u and Denver, giving the Southern States
direct Pacific railroad. Congressman from
the Southwestern States, as also our own and
those Of Colorado, are fully alive 10 the inn
portancc Of this great future line Of railway.
and they will leave nothing undone TO secure
an carly and favorable action by Congress.
The Atchison, Topeka 4 Santa Fe railroad
company, as also the Memphis & Little Rock
railway company, stand ready and anxious TO
construct this line, the completion of which
gives this valley not only the competition OF
the greatest markets north and south. but the |
only direct and natural outlet TO the seaboard |
In the matter Of competing lines direcfl. |
east from Wichita and the valley. several rail- |
way interests that traverse the State Of Mis- /
souri, from Chicago and st. Louis to the east
ern line Of Kansas. are negotiating for the cx- /
tension Of their lines To this section. The /
of two of the heaviest OF these cor
porations make no secret of their determine
tion to reach Wichita.
A glance at the map of Kansas, Missouri
and the Indian Territory will make plain the
that we have set forth.