The Wichita city eagle., 1882-01-05
WICHITA AND Her RAILWAY mrrRKsTs.

NO preventing providence. In the gules OF
| general fnansial disturbance of values, or
other calamitous break in the prosperity of
the country, we prophecy a big boom for
Wichita within the year. With no vexing
municipal, corporate or personal debts to
dispirit our people, and confident and hope
ful outlook animating all classes of business
men, there is nothing to hinder a substantial
and solid growth. Outside of our own re-
sources, also, there are other encouraging
indications, in the matter of added capital
and manufacturing enterprises from abroad
II We except the hardly pcrceptible feeling
Of disirust touching our railway interests,
there is no factor wanting for IN immediate
and rapid stride forward. OF this last inter-
est We wish more particularly to speak:
There no longer exists any feeling or poll
cy inimical to the best welfare of Wichita
and Sedgwick county by the existing lines or
their managers. or this fact we believe our
Board Of Trade are fully convinced. The
st. Louis San Francisco, while, in pur.u.
ance Of an agreement heretofore made, will
run its through cars over the A, I. & S. F.
track to Halstead, will nevertheless substan-
TALLY make Wichita the terminus for all
travel, trafc and freights. The good will
manifested by our business men of late to-
ward that line, and the patronage bestowed.
has gone far in assuring its liberal manage
ment Of our city's importance and her peo-
pies good faith. As for the Santa Fe, sever
al things have occurred recently involving
the most convincing proof that the new man.
agement not only bears our city no i'll will.
but cherishes n bona fds desire to give our
city a boost.
Touching the prospective lines, while there
is much that is wholly speculative, there is
nevertheless much that is tangible enough to
build upon. The local corporation having
control OF the proposed Mcpherson connec.
ton with the Missouri Pacific extension,
have not been idle. Last week proposition
was submitted to the eastern men who have
shown an anxiety TO. furnish the means for
constructing the line. That the proposition
will he accepted seems entirely probable. |
The advantages OF such an outlet, forming
rs j. would a close competing line to the |
mines of the west, needs no elucidation.
Due west from Wichita for one hundred
and nineiy-five miles is Dodge City, and
southwest from Wichita, for one hundred |
aud twenty-five to one hundred and fifty |
miles, in the direction of Barbour county, |
there lies country which in all respects, |
either for agriculture or for grazing, sur.
passes the lands lying contiguous TO the A., |
T. & S. +. anywhere west of Hutchinson. |
Existing Interests are not only cognizant of
this fact, but an individual corporation are
taking preparatory steps for occupying that |
field at an early date. In some respects il |
would be better for the Frisco or Santa Fe |
to construct these lines, while in other re- |
spects it would prove as satisfactory for an
independent company. But that something |
will be done in the near future, We have the |
most positive assurance.
Next in importance TO q direct line down
the main valley OF the Arkansas to ship nav
igation at Memphis for our producers. is the |
Fort Scott & Wichita road, now in course Of
construction for the reason that it reaches
the Mississippi river ut paint below where
ice forms, over line now being rapidly con-
strncted by General Nettleton from Fort
Scott to Memphis. Mr.. Alexander, Of this
city. who has large contract on said road,
informs US that the entire line is under con-
tract, and will be built by the time the Fort
Scott g. Wichita road is finished. General
Nettleton is negotiating now for right Of
way through the city Of Memphis to con-
nection with the Chesapeake a. Ohio road,
which touches tide water on the Atlantic
coast. The road il completed to Springfield,
and graded for fifty miles beyond. The en-
tire length of the road will be four hundred
and fifty miles. or about six hundred miles
from Wichita to Memphis by way Of the Ft.
Scott & Wichita road.
As to the latter road, the work is progress
sing. The grading is going rapidly forward
in Greenwood county. Yesterday the town.
ship elections were held in Butler, the result
of which has not yet reached US. If the
stock was taken, there is no reason, 30 far As
we know, why the road should not be com.
pleted to Wichita some time during the
present year.
As for the direct line down the valley, II
does not seem probable that Congress will
grant any right of way until other Indian
questions have been disposed of; yet, as we
stated in the outstart, the chances for Wich-
ita's immediate future are fattering.