The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1902-09-13
RAILROAD NEWS.
Railroads Extending Through
out Oklahoma and 1. T..
Are Competing for Business Of
New Country.
FUTURE is PROMISING.
Natural Resources Of Country
Warrant Optimism.
What the Transportation Com
panies Are Doing.

contain accounts of the extension or
improvements in some way of lines in
Oklahoma or the Indian Territory and
it is pertinent to reflect upon some
things in this relation. In the first
place, the advancement of this country.
especially that of Oklahoma has been
so rapid that it can hardly be realized.
1t is commonly remarked by those who
have made the conditions a matter of
investigation that there has been no
such material progress in a land to
equal this since history began. It has
been rapid: substantial. and at the
same time in every way beneficial to
the people and to the land itself.
Just now throughout it the price of
land ranges from SO to $50 an acre and
the railroads are rapidly carrying in
hOmeSeekerS, SO that by the time few
more of the restless element of boomers
who entered in the early days, took
their claims and so far have kept them,
will be eliminated and more stable
and reliable population will be compile
ted. The transportation companies
were not slow to get in the field, even
though they are straining themselves
to get each its share of the business.
There is said to be not single county
in the territory that is without its rail-
road, record comparing most favora-
bly, with that of older commemorative in
this respect.
The Santa Fe was the first to get into
the new country, in fact it was there
before such openening took place. 1t
remained for a time somewhat inactive
as regards extensions and expansion,
but now it has reused and is construct
ing the eastern Oklahoma line from
Newkirk to PauPs Valley on the Gulf
Colorado & Santa Fe. Only few weeks
began building a new passenger station
there estimated in cost at $50, 900. And
another similar to 1t is to be put up at
Oklahoma City should a talked-of pro-
ject for a union depot there fail.
The Blackwell Enid & Southern which
was purchased by the Frisco and ex-
tended since it's change of ownership,
the Oklahoma City and Western and the
Arkansas and Choctaw are leading lines
of that system in the new country.
clared the other day. in an interview,
his strong faith in the upbuilding and
ultimate development of the new south
west and the roads that belong to the
corporation of which he is head are all
important in the same.
The Rock Island always has been
a leading road in Oklahoma and the In
dian Territory and it's prominence is be-
coming greater every month 1t has
injured the Santa Fee much owing to its
recent development and in reaching the
ranching country. Since entering the
field there it has secured control of the
Choctaw, Oklahoma & Gulf. and extern
sions are under way from Guthrie to
Chandler and from Hartshorne to Ard
more
Across the northwestern part of the
Territory the Kansas City, Mexico &
Orient is to traverse a rich portion OF
! country, and already a part of the line
! in that locality has been finished. The
| Oklahoma City to Coalgate, I. T., tap
ping the Choctaw and the Katy at the
| last named place. The Katy is extend
! ing in a southwesterly direction from
! Stevens, I. T., and it will reach the
| towns of Guthrie, Oklahoma City and
| Coalgate, l. T. Between Red Fork
! T., and Enid, Ok, the Arkansas Valley
| & Western is a projected line partially
| completed. The Fort Smith & Western
| Denver, Enid & Gulf, between Enid and
| Marshall: Ozark & Cherokee Contra
| from Fayetteville, Ark, west. are new
| roads,
| In the resources which Oklahoma ano
Indian Territory offer there is reason
/ for all this development of railroads. Il
| is not because of any one industry that
SO many transportation companies have
built, but because agriculture, stock
| raising, horticulture and other great in
/ dustries are started, and indeed still IL
| their infancy. The two territories have
great future and the railroads are mo-
to be the least of sharers of the benefit.
| which it will bring.