The Forrest City times., 1901-02-22

The Choctaw, Oklahoma X Gulf is one of the smaller western rail- roads which is enjoying a prosper our career. Its history dates back to September, 1894, when it suc- ceeded to the property of the old Choctaw Coal & Railway Company. Dividends on the preferred stock at the rate of 5 per cent per annum were begun in 1898, and have been maintained since then. In October, 1899, the common shares were also placed in the ranks of the dividend payers, and 1 per cent per annum is beng paid on the same, says the Globe. Democrat. The position of the property was greatly strength ened during the past year by tbe purchase of the Choctaw & Memphis railroad, (which was reorganiza ton of the old Little Lock & Mem. phis R. R. giving complete line under single ownership from Memphis through Arkansas and the Indian Territory to Weatherford, in Oklahoma. Both the common and the preferred stock were in creased as the result of this pur. chase, and there is now S6,000. 900 of each. The capitalization is light, the stock of both classes averaging on s20, ,s79 per mile. The funded debt on the 574.63 miles of road owned averages but S15,46l per mile.
 The foregoing shows the Choc- taw up in a most enviable light. and the writer not being in posses slon of all the facts regarding the roads recent acquisitions and pro. posed extensions, was probably no, so enthusiastic in writing of its prosperous career as he would have been had he been better informed.
 The Company has recently pur- chased the controlling interest in the Black & White River Valley railroad, which joins the main line at Brlnkley, Ark, and terminates at Jacksonport, point sixty miles to the northwest. This road is a valuable feeder, and is being i'm. proved rapidly, and we understand that the company intends to make an extension of the Black < White River Valley into the extreme northwestern part of Arkansas, which will develop one of the f. nest mineral sections of country ID the world. The land holds rich coal mines and fine mineral depos. its of zine and iron ore.
 The extension from W eat h herford I. T., to Amorilla, Teaxs, is now m course of construction, and the work of bringing the eastern divi, sion of tho route up to uniform grade throughout is progressing rapidly. New steel has been laid, and the track is being ballasted with gravel and riprap stone. the curves are being strengthened and trestles rebuilt. The rolling stock isnew and of the most modern type and the passenger equipment is unsurpassed in the southwest.
 A new branch line, which we had almost forgotten to mention, is now being built through the St. Francis bottoms and connects with the main line of the Choctaw at Round Pond. This feeder IS of very small Importance, broadly con. sidered, but still 1t opens up a very fine timber and farming country.
 We always think, write and talk about the Choctaw as one of the best railroads in the southwest, be. cause the company basal ways seem. cd 10 favor Forrest City. which is something no other railroad compa. ny has ever done. For this re ason we may be trlfe visionary, but in our minds eye we can see bright future for the Choctaw Route, and will never lose any opportunity to advance its interests.
 You Know What You Are Taking