The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1901-05-19
TALK OF CHOCTAW
Running Its Line Into Wichita
From the South.
BUILDING IN OKLAHOMA
Prominent Business Men Are
Behind Statements Made.
BUILDING IN OKLAHOMA

The Choctaw, Oklahoma and Gulf rail-
road is headed toward Wichita and Is
putting down rails as fast as the con-
struction gang can lay them = Wichita
business man returned yesterday from the
scene Of action, and he says the Chootaw
people are making the dirt fiy. The Choc-
taw. which had only recently completed
its line from Geary TO Watonga has built
on up to within a few miles Of (old) Au-
gusta, O. T. and they nave bought the
right of way for the road from Augusta
TO Ava, and the road is to build from
there TO Anthony via kiowa, running
parallel TO the proposed route OF the
Orient, and then on I'D to Wichita This
Information was derived yesterday by a
reporter for the Eagle from source
that is considered almost absolutely au-
thentic, and il can be inquired 70 reas-
enable certainty that before the close
of the present year the ChOctaw viii be
operating trains out of this city. Only
few days ago a Wichita man received a
tip from an official Of one of the great
railway systems now owning right of
way in this county and through this city,
that something big was coming OF and
advising the purchase of properly In a
certain part of the city and the secur-
bic. This railway mogul also whispered
something about Choctaw, and TO show
the confidence with which the tip was
received it may be stated that options
have been secured on the property men
toned. The Choctaw. Oklahoma and Gulf
operates its line from Weatherford
through Oklahoma City. o. T., and Little
Rock, Ark, TO Memphis, Tenn, and taps
some Of the most valuable mineral, tim
Der and wheat districts in the south and
west. The Choctaw is one or the most
valuable roads of its size ia the United
States and it is said can be operated for
49 per cent OF its gross earnings. The
policy of the Choctaw has always been
of the aggressive and say little but do
much system, and on account OF its pro-
sressive attitude has been closely watch
ed by all of the western roads and every
move made is matter of much specula-
ton in railroad circles. The absorption
or connection of this prosperous road
with any of the western systems would
do much to strengthen them as a connec-
ton from, to and through Memphis
While it can not be stated as a fact
the indicator points 20, in the event OF
the road reaching this city, the absorption
by that lusIy young giant of western
railway systems the ST. Louis and san
Francisco road. Should the premise be-
come a certainty il would give TO the
Frisco together with the Kansas City,
Foft Scott and Memphis branch operated
by the Frisco from Kansas City through
Springfield, No, 10 4emphis, Tenn, al
most q perfect belt line, embracing a
country of vast wealth and diversified
resources. L, would make il the strongest
grain and lumber line IN the country. and
in the event OF the recent reported control
of the Mexican Central passing to tnc
Frisco it would give them q mileage sys-
tenn of over ZOO miles, or one OF the
longest lines in the country However.
be it as IL may, il is almost certain that
the Choctaw. Oklahoma and Gulf will
lay rails into Wichita before snow comes
and flies again.