The Forrest City times., 1899-02-17
Improvements On the Cotton Belt.

The Cotton Belt has recently made some large additions to it's rolling stock, and will in few days commence operating in its trains some of the handsomest cars ever run west of the Mississippi river. The Pullman and the St. Charles Car com panies have just completed and delivered | to the Cotton Belt four new parlor cafe l cars, ten new chair cars and six combina. ton express and baggage cars all of which are models of beauty and convenience The fonr parior cafe cars are the hand somest cars ever seen in the Southwe and are the only parlor cafe cars in daily operation in that section of the country. To simply say they are luxurious would be faint praise indeed. The cars are fin ished throughout with beautifully polished oak. quarter. sawed. which is relieved by handsome beveled plate glass mirrors. The floor is covered by heavy, dark. green Wilton carpet of soft shade, and the ceiling is delicately frescoed in a Harmo-
 nious shade of pink. The main compart-
 ment contains two rows Of large, high back revolving armchars, upholstered in dark-green leather. the woodwork of the | chairs being highly polished mahogany The chairs were built with an eye to com fort as well as for beauty. aud there being only nine on each side of the car, ample room is assured. The windows are large. permitting floods of light from without | and an unrestricted view from within. At the rear end of the car there is smoking room, furnished with a large couch and three commOdlous armchairs. Here also is stationary washstand, supplied with clean towels, soap, etc, and adjoining is a spacious lavatOry. The other end of the car contains feature which will appeal strongly to the ladies it is large lounging room, containing couch and aImchairs. where the ladies can retire for nap or place to rest. Adjoining this lounging room is the dressing room, supplied with all the necessities of such compartment. Besides caring for the comfort of the outer man, provision has been made in the
 cars to supply the wants of the inner man. A compartment is set aside for the porter. which Is fitted up with three gas brOiers and other cooking apparatus, besides large refrigerator and ample shelves and lockers for dishes, etc.-in short, a we'll equipped kitchen, reduced in size to meet the requirements. From this compartment tempting meal can be served. individual
 tables being placed before your chair A choice menu has been prepared, from
 which the most exac;ng epicure could or
 der to his hearts content. Meals are
 served la carte, so that you will only
 have to pay for what you order.
 The cars are wide vestibuled, with long
 plate glass windows and extended plat.
 forms, being in effect substantially an ob-
 servation end. These cars are to be placed
 in the daily runs between Memphis and
 Texarkana, and Texarksna and Waco.
 The charge for seat in these cars is
 merely nominal. being only twenty five
 cents for from 130 to 150 miles, and fifty
 cents for any greater distance. Meals
 will be served in these cars to the occu-
 pants Of other cars in the train. but such
 persoss will be expected to retire after meal has been finished.
 The chair cars are likewise very hand.
 some. being finished throughout with
 highly polished oak and carpeted with
 heavy Wilton carpet, containing at one end smoking compartment with station ary washstand. towels, etc. and at the other ladies' dressing room, also supplied
 with stationary washstand. towels, etc. and assuring complete privacy to those desiring it. These cars, like the parlor cars, arc of the wide vestibule pattern
 with extended platform. and. like the par Tor cars. are also lighted by Pintsch gas and heated by the Baker system of hot
 water heat.
 One or more of these cars will he placed in each through train. and the patrons of the Cotton Belt will thus be assured every comfort and convenience ever supplied to railroad traveller. No charge whatever is made for use of these cars.
 This is certainly big step in advance taken by the Cotton Belt, and the travel ing public should show its appreciation of the service thus offered it by making lib- eral use of it whenever possible.