The Mena star., 1899-01-11
EAST AND WEST R. R. FOR MENA

Mena was started that 1t has beer the intention of the Pittsburg & Gulf to build branch line from here to Hot Springs. We have recently published statements as appearing in the Little Rock pa pers to the effect that we'll con ceived movement was being started to build connecting lines from Paris, Texas, to Memphis, Tenn. and that Mena being on the direct line would be on this new line of road as proposed.
 On the 4th inst, Col. 5. w. Fordyce, president of the Cot ton Belt road, and one of the best railroad men in the southwest, purchased tho old Lott road, as it is called, which has twcnty-four miles graded between Little Rock and Hot Springs, paying S50,000 therefor.
 A dispatch to the Globe Demo crat speaking of the sale says:
 It is understood tonight from q re- liable source that a tacit understanding exists between the Fordyce syndicate the Kansas City, Pittsburg and Gulf and the Choctaw and Memphis com panies, an President E H. R. Green of the Texas Midland, that in the event of the purchase and completion of the Lott road from this city to Little Rock that the Texas Midland would extend u-ic Ark. there connecting with the Kan sas City, Pitts burg & Gulf, and that the latter road would then build into this city, connecting with the Lott road, and further that traffic arrange ments would be secured with the Choc- Jaw and Memphis road from Mister Junction, l. T., to Memphis. the latter company having absorbed the Little Rock and Memphis road.
 Col. Fordyce left tonight for Texas, where it is believed he goes to confer with President Green of the Texas Midland.
 It would appear from the above that the original intention of the Pittsburg & Gulf to build from here to Hot Springs has not been abandoned and that it is under stood that President Green is to extend his Texas Midland road from Paris to connect with the Pittsburg x Gulf at this point. In any event, the Texas Midland IS to have an eastern connection through Mcna to Hot Springs, Little Rock and on to Memphis.
 In corroboration of this fact we are permitted to make public a statement of k. M. Quigley of St. Louis, president of the Bank of Mena, who, during September, 1897, was stopping at the Hoffman House in New York, and while there he became acquainted with B. Il. R. Green president of the Texas Midland. Mir. Quiglev being a railroad contractor, natur- ally talked railroad with Mr. Green and was informed that it was the intention of the Texas Midland people to build east for a connection to Memphis at as carly date as practical and that the road would be built to Mena.
 That the practical time is near at hand is evidenced by the fact that tine chief engineer of the Tex. AS Midland was in Mena about two weeks ago, having viewed the proposed route from Paris here He called at this office and made many inquiries, here ard else where, regarding certain industrie, and prospects for freightage fol the new road, and informed friend. that he found the line from Pari. here a very practical one, possess ing an easy grade, also that wher the road was built it would entel Mena from tho west, or cross tn, Plttsburg & Gulf at this point.
 An era of expansion is befor, us. Capital is seeking investmen in the South and Mena will hay, an east and west railroad and an other division.
 Watch and see Mena grow dur ing 1899 or, what is better. talk, hold and help her grow.