The St. Louis Republic., 1902-06-15
Thursday, June 5.l
(Thursddy, June 5.l
PLEASANTON BIDS
FOR A RAILROAD.
MAKES DEAL WITH SAN ANTONIO
AND CROWTHER LINE.
Enthusiastic Meeting OF Citizens Held
to Discuss the SituntiOn-Benu-
mont Companies Entering
New Oil Field.

| Pleasanton. Tex, June 4-(Special)-
Pleasanton is after railroad connection
| with San Antonio. and at al mass meeting
/ of citizens held in the Courthouse here
| Monday afternoon action was taken which
| demonstrated the purpose Of the progress
| i've citizens OF TINS place TO secure rail-
| road.
When the announcement was made
| that Chief Engineer Pancoast and his
corps of surveyors had begun the work of
running a preliminary line for the San
Antonio and CrOwther Railroad, meeting
Of citizens was called to discuss the situa-
ton and to take steps to ascertain upon
what terms the line could De secured for
Pleasanton. 1t was then made known that
the proposed line of the San Antonio and
Crowther Railroad was projected to run
| almost due south. which would leave Pleas
anton three and half or four miles of the
road. A committee was appointed to can
vass the situation and correspond with the
officers and directors of the San Antonio
and Crowther enterprise. to obtain more
definite information concerning their plans.
The Citizens Meet.
On Monday Judge O. E. Lewis. vice pres
ident of the San Antonio and Crowther
Railroad and Sam Crowther. manager of
the King-Crowther Oil Company. arrived
from Crowther. and soon as their pres
ence in town became known an adjourned
meeting of citizens was called to consider
the railroad situation. and Messrs. Lewis
and Crowther were invited to be present.
The meeting was called to order by Dis
trict Attorney Martin. who stated the pur-
pose of the meeting and called for an ex-
preston of sentiment from those present.
Judge James Walton. William Mckinnon,
". T. Brite and others enumerated the
to the community from a railroad connect
ing with San Antonio and affording an
outlet by rail. He adwet on the necessity
of action. and reminded his hearers Of the
fate of neighboring counties that had de-
layed too long when offered an opportu-
nifty to secure railroad connection, and had
lost not only the railroad, but the Court
house and a large portion of their popula-
ton and wealth
After a general discussion of the matter
a desire was manifested to hear from the
projectors of the San Antonio and Crow
ther Railroad, and Judge o. E Lewis was
sponded by saying that the railroad was
business enterprise projected in the inter-
ests of the King-Crowther Corporation and
the purpose was to build the shortest and
most direct line practicable to the field of
operations of the corporation To carry out
this purpose. ne admitted. would leave ave
he said the company was Wiling TO enter
tain a proposition to vary its course suf-
nc1ently 10 IOuCn Ut TieeSdhboh.
$4,000 and 20 Acres.
Upon this announcement being made
Judge Lewis was requested to make
known what consideration the company
would demand for coming to Pleasanton.
and Judge Lewis. on behalf OF the railroad
company, responded with the statement
that for a cash bonus of $4,000 and the do
nation of twenty acres for depot and yard
purposes and the cooperation of the peo-
pie of Pleasanton in securing the necessary
risht-of-way from the Atascosa County
line southwark to Pleasanton. tPe course
of the road would be surveyed so as TO
bring il to Pleasanton.
This proposition met with such enthu-
s,sstic APPROVAL that u large portion of the
cash bonus was subscribed Immediately
and pledges were given insuring the rails
ing of the remainder.
& committee of ten was appointed by the
meeting to solicit the remainder OF the
bonus to arrange for the depot grounds
and conduct the negotiations between the
naonIe of Pleasanton and the San Antoni
and Crowther Railroad Company.