The Guthrie daily leader. [volume] (Guthrie, Okla.) 1893-1996, 1902-09-16
RAILROADS COMPETING
FOR BUSINESS
Natural RecOurceS of Okla
Warrant Optimism

contain accounts OF ANt fhAticihN W
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 coun
Try. especially tha; Of Oklahoma, has
been so rapid that it can hardly be
realized. II Is commonly remarked by
those who have made the conditions
matter Of Investigation that there
has been no such material progress in
a land to equal this since history be-
gan 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 $40 to s6O an acre
and the railroads are rapidly carrying
in homeseexers. so that by the lime a
few more OF the restless element Of
boomers who entered in the early
days, took their claims and so far
have kept them. viii be eliminated
and more stable and reliable popu-
lation win be completed The trans
portation 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 a single county in the ter
ritory that IL without its railroad. a
record comparing most favorably with
that OF older commemorative, in this
respect.
The Santa Fe was the first to get
into the new country. in fact # was
there before such opening took place
Il remained for a time somewhat in
active as regards extensions and ex
pansion. but now II has reused and Is
constructing the Eastern Oklahoma
line from Newlurk to Paul's Valley on
the Gulf. Colorado and Santa Fe.
Only few weeks ago O. Swanson.
Topeka contractor began building a
new passenger station there estimat-
ed in cost at 100000. And another
similar to It IS to be put up at Okla
homa city should a talked-of proiec
for a unioa depot there fail
The Blackwell. Enid and Southern
which was purchased by the Frisco
and extended since its change Of
ownership. the Oklahoma City and
Western and the Arkansae and Choc-
taw are leading lines OF that system
in the new country. President Yoak- /
um of the Frisco declared the other
day. in an interview. his strong faith
in the uphullding and ultimate devel- (
opment Of the new southwest and the I
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
..,3ian territory and iis prominence
is becoming greater every month. Ii
has injured the Santa Fe much owing
70 It's recent Development and in
reaching the ranching country Since
entering the field there It has secured
control Of the Choctaw, Oklahoma aud
Gulf and extensions are under way
from Guthrie to Chandler and from
Hartshorne TO Ardmore
Across the northwestern part OF the
territory the Kansas City, Mexico and
Orient Is to traverse a rich portion OF
country and already a part OF the
line Ia thar locality has been finished
The Oklahoma City TO Coalga q. I. T.,
tapping the Choctaw and the Katy at
the last named place. The Katy is
extending in a sou:hwesterly direction
from Stevens. l. r. ana It Will reach
the towns Of Guthrie Oklahoma City
and Coaleate T. T. Between Red
Fork. I T.. and Enid, Okla. the Ar
Kansas Valley and Western is a pro-
iected line partially completed The
fori Smith and Western; Denver,
Enid and Gulf. between Enid and
Marshall Ozark and Cherokee Cen
trsl from Fayetteville. Ark. west, are
new roads
IN the resources which Oklahoma
and Indian territory otfer there is rea-
son for an this development of rail
roads II is not because OF any one
industry that so many transportation
companies have built, but because
agriculture stock raising, horticulture
and other great industries are started
and indeed stin in their infancy. The
TWO territories have a great future
and the railroads are NOT to be the
least Of sharers Of the benefits which