The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1889-07-03
Kansas, City, Watkins and Gulf
Railroad.

On the local page of to days paper we
publish long account of the "breaklns
of dirtn of the named road, at Lake
Charles on the 18th nit, clipped from one
of the papers there. On this same subject
the Times Democrat editorially says:
On the 25th instant ground was broken |
mt Lake Charles, i'll the parish OF Calca-
sieu. for the construction of the Kansas
CITY, Watkins and Gulf railroad. The
contractors, Mcssrs. Kennedy & Stone,
have undertaken to grade fifty miles OF
the road by Jan. /, 1880, and it Is be-
lieyed that within twelve months the new
line will have reached Junction point
with the Texas Pacific. :.
Tho Kansas City, Watkins and Gull
railroad is to be built i'll II noth-east a.
rection from Lake Charles through the
best agricultural portion OF Calcasleu par
ish, Its course from the terminus OF the
fifty miles of grading which have been
let will depend upon the aid extended NY
the people of the several localities Inter-
ested The road, we are assured by those
having authority to speak, Will not go
cast of Alexandria nor west OF Shre'e-
port. So far Calcasicu parish has not
done anything tangible for the new line,
the police jury having. vo,ed to Telieye
the road of taxation for q considerable
period of years. 1t may be possible Tor
the people of Natchitoches by proper ct
fort to have the Kansas City, Watkins
and Gulf built to II junction With the
Teyus Pacific at Prndhomme Station,
where there is already in existence a
branch road. eleven miles in length to
pOnlI
be made part of great system, winch,
in its progress north, would bridge Red
river at or above Grand EcOre, and go
thence north to Gibslaud, on the Vicks-
burp. Shreveport and Pacific, where 1t
wonld meet another branch road to
Homer.
The people of Rapides might likewise
secure the building of the road to Alex
andria. where it would cross Red river,
aud thence take u nOrthwesterly course
toward Kansas City.
And Caddo might secure the road
Shreveport. the second largest city III
I.onjsiaua, with her large and growing
trade, is plum which the projectorsso
the Kansas City, Watkins aud Gulf would
like TO see fall into their lap. 1t woult
require no great detection from straight
line for the road to 60 via Shreveport
and by coming to the front with the hare
cash there is no reason why Caddo shoult
net get the line. :,
But we give it with all the authorit!
possible in the premises that the parish
and town in Central and Northwestern
Louisian that gets the road Will be tina
parish and that town which vote tai
of five mills for ten years in aid OF tn
Kansas City, Watkins and Gulf railroad
The English capitalists who have put
their money in this road are not workln:
for glory, and as they can go north Will
equal ease in several different directions
II is safe to say that the parish that get
tho railroad Will be the parish that pay
for it.
The Kansas City, Watkins and Gul
railroad is one of the most jmportan
lines that can he constructed in LouisI
ana, and as it enjoys the distinction o
having been practically begun, we ma.
look for prompt action by the section
which will be most Immediately interes
ted. The wonderful wealth of agricul
tural and timber lands through which tn
new road will rum and the direct connee
ton it will give all of louisiana with tn
markets of the West, combine to max
,be construction ofthe Kansas City, Wat
kins and Gulf an event OF the creates
uossible import to the State. The road
cong to be built beyond doubt, and I'd
Jimcs Democrat bids it q WARM welcome