The Wichita city eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1872-1883, 1880-02-26
ANOTHER RAILROAD BOOM.
The OLD FIFTH PARALLEL SCHEME
REVIVED.


The older settlers will remember Sc
ries of editorials appearing in the EA-
GLE eight years ago this spring and
summer touching the construction Of
the Fifth Parallel Railroad and road
down the valley TO Memphis or Napo-
leon. The Fifth Parallel was scheme
for railroad from Lebanon, Missouri,
a point ON the Atlantic & Pacific Rail-
road. via Lac.ede and Fort Scott, and
thence along the line of the fifth parallel
through Humboldt, Yates Centre, and
Eldorado to ichita, forming an almost
air line from wichita TO 81. Louis, being
sixty-seven miles shorter than any 9TH
er contemplated line or combination Of
roads. Fifty miles of this line between
Humboldt and Fort Scott was graded
in III or 70. work in which our fellow
townsman J. G. Redfield was interest.
cl. a section of the line between Fort
Scott and I.a-lede has also been graded
We believe, and construction bonds in
greater or less amount voted through
tle new territory proposed TO be tap
ped in Missouri. The enterprise fell
through. however, leaving the partially
completed road bed alone to tell the tale,
which work fell into the possession OF
some ST. Louis capitalists.
Now for the sequel.
Last Saturday week several gentle
iuen arrived at Fort Scott among whom
were NJ. S. Carter, of ST. Louis, the |
owner OF the old right of y ay and road
bed. and Col. Dodson, President Of Tie |
Laclede e. Fort Scott Railroad. Two
days following, sale and transfer of
the above interests were made 10 the at
torney Of the parties in iterest, but all
Of the gentlemen refused to be inter-
viewed further than that il was their
intention TO construct the road inmed.
ately 10 connection IT " ichita with
The A L. & S. r..
Whether this move is a new one look
ing to the consolidation and extension
Of the Fort Scott & Laclede road, or
it is scheme of the st. Louis,
Wichita & San Francisco To tap an un-
occupied territory and make connec-
lion with the present line at Lebanon
At one end and at the other at some
point cast of Wichita, thereby shorten
ny the distance between Wichita and
81. Louis by as much as sixiy-fivc miles
md at the same time avoid the Ozark
Mountain grades are questions yet I'M
answered, but from what we know OF
previous calculations of the Selieinan
interests we should guess the latter the
more probable. AT any rate il is II
of no little moment to this
.iiy and valley. And il but shows thai
he great railroad interests have deter
mined that Wirhta is To be a railroad
entire which competing lines for self
must tap.
The following special correspondence
from Fort Scott TO the kinsas City
ToHraai is the last we have seen touch
ug the matter:
The recent purchase OF the Fort Scott
L Humboldt grade nv eastern parties !
seems not to be exactly understood by +,
he rIizens of this citv. As stated YES
terdav, al. Dodsun did not receive the
property. bat The contract FOR lis pur-
.ila-e was made dirert To the afforne,
Of the parties. Immediately after the :.
purchase the entire parry. except Mr..
,ariier. prorecled 10 Wichita for tie.
purpose of comforting with Others in
crested. Mr. Cartier having disposed
If his road left tor ST. Louis. II is pro-
liable :. consolidation of the Llclcle 4
Fort Scott road with the Fort Scott Il
Wichita will next be effected. i'his wil
make continuous line between Wichi- :
y. Kansas. and Lebanon. Missouri. aud :
If course become very valuable proper +;
V. The company pledge themselves to
the road and have their trains y
awning into Wichita before January. c
S8l. They also promise To complete
he road to Humboldt on the X. e., L. /;
S. II. r., in about ninety days, rs al.
most the entire line is graded and
'ridged. q