Wichita eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1886-1890, 1888-03-25
GOLDEN SPIKE.
THE WICHITA & VALLEY CENTER
MOTOR LINE COMPLETED.
Fourteen Miles of Track Equipped
With Sufficient Rolling Stock
for Good Service Costing
100000.

Valley Center Motor Line company has
been completed. The golden spike was
driven at 2:30 yesterday afternoon. 1t was
forced to its position, as claimed by some
by Uncle John Carpenter of Valley Center.
This, however. seems to be doubted as the
rails met about two miles south of Valley
Center and at two and three O'Clock yes
terday afternoon Mr.. Carpenter was seen
in the city. and how he could be so rapid
in his movements could not, in the minds
of many, be explained satisfactorily TO the
statement. This role of honor may have
been given him because he seemed TO be
the happiest man in the Valley yesterday,
and all of it, as he claimed, due to the
completion of the line.
The line being completed some of the
members of the company left for Valley
Center yesterday promptly at O'Clock.
1t was the first batch of passengers to
board motor line car for point thirteen
miles out of the city. They thought TO
make the trip first rather quietly, or on the
''all-alOne" theory, to see how they got
along. As result, but few We're made
aware of the departure of the first car. 1t
was generally agreed that if any smash
ups should come it would be kept secret;
neither would running off the track count
in making up the general estimate. With
such resolutions they started. The trip
proved quite interesting to all, some, not
having been north of the car works, were
probably more interested. Even Major
Powell and John Fisher, who have been
giving the line their personal attention
seemed very well entertained.
l,
ming on the corner of Fourth avenue and
Williams street and stopping at
the Kansas Midland depot in
South Valley Center. The line is
provided with one mile of side track. AS
far north as Thirteenth street on Market
the johnson rail is used which is said to
be the best rail in use. North of Thir-
teenth the ''T' rail is used, weighing
thirty-ive pounds per yard and made at
Cleveland, o. The oak ties came from
Eureka Springs, Ark: are two and one
half feet from center to center. The track
is standard grade four feet, eight and one
half inches.
Dirt has been filled in between the ties
for about eight miles and force of hands
are completing this part of the work.
diately commence work on ballasting the
track with sand filling in between the
rails and for two feet on the outsdes 1t
is intended to put the track in
first class condition from one end
to the Other. In the city of
course more attention will be given to
making the surface even with the rails
making it as little in the way of travel as
possible. IL is expected that in few
months the road will be nicely ballasted.
The rolling stock at present consists of
two motors and four cars. One more
motor and five additional cars were or
dered some months ago and will be on
hand in few weeks. This will give three
motors and nine cars. The engines will
be used north of Thirteenth and from that
point south the old-fashioned mule is
used. This is made a sort of headquarters
for the company. An engine and car
house with offices have been erected and
being near the railroads it is the point for
receiving fuel and other supplies.
For the present four trips will be made
to Valley Center daily and twenty
minute service given the Burton Car
Works, and this will be improved upon as
far north as Thirteenth, the point of
changing motors.
The company has capital stock of $780,
600 and the present amount of work done
on the road has cost $1,000 Improve
ments will be made which will bring the
cost up to 800, 900 The company was organ
lied about one year ago and many of the
would be Il told you so" people could be
heard predicting failure of the scheme
II WIS pronounced wild by some, a
winner by some, but the public idea on
the subject seemed to have no effect. They
went about putting down the iron and at
times were compelled to work slow
owing to lack Of material and
weather too cold or too hot
despite the ruggedness of the task, the
work went on when it was business to
work, and the result is that the road is
now ready for use to its intended terminus,
and provided with rolling stock sufficient
for giving good service. The directory Of
the company is as follows: Alex Steel T.
X Powell, j. A Doran, j. r. Hallowell
VIM. Mathewson, Joe Rich, John
Fisher, II. ID. Heiserman and
Geo. f. Harris. Officers as follows;
II. ID. Heiserman, president; VIM. Mathew
son, treasurer, +. X. Powell, general man
eyer; J. A. Doran, secretary.
The scheme has been proposed to extend
the line to Sedgwick, but this is not looked
on with favor. The continued rapid
growth Of the city Valley Center and
Sedgwick, according to member of the
company, may cause the extension
to be put down in a very few years but the
first thing is to get in proper trim the
present track.
Soon after leaving the Burton Car
Works the road nears the Little river
which is lined with trees, which in many
places extend back from the banks some
distance, forming the most beautiful
natural groves and parks TO be found any
where.
There are a number Of natural parks
which will be given attention and made
suitable for use. On the Butler and Fish
er farm, about two miles south of Valley
Center, nature has done everything for
park The owners viii commence work in
a few weeks taking down the underbrush,
construct two bridges across the river, and
a dam that will back up the water for
mill This Will make beautiful stretch
of water for boating. Some other parties
anticipate opening up parks at consider
able expense also.
The company viii aim 10 make parks
speciality. They viii encourage park
culture and have as many as posi-
BILE. In order 20 be prepared for
the work they expect 70 order number Of
eight wheel cars each thirty feet long
They VIII be open and built especially for
summer travel
II Is predicted that before many years
the country between Wichita and Valley