The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1903-05-30
OKLAHOMA
RAILROAD
PROJECT
Cherokee Construction Co. to
Build Road
HEADED FOR WICHITA
Men Who Built Old ChOCtaw
Behind 1t
HEADED FOR WICHITA

Guthrie, o. T, May 29.-The Cherokee
Construction company, recently organized,
and which secured territorial charter
here yesterday, will soon place surveyors
in the field to make the preliminary sur
vey for a railroad line from Fort Smith,
Ark, along the Arkansas river te
Wichita, Kan. The men behind this
movement are the capitalists who built
the old ChOctaw system, afterwards Sc
cured by the Rock Island Ever since
the sale of the old Choctaw main line,
these capitalists have contemplated build
ing another line of railroad in some part
of the territory. In anticipation Of this
work, a number of valuable coal leases
in the Indian territory have been secured,
which will be of immense benefit to the
new line. in the future.
J. w. McLoud, formerly general attor-
ney for the ChOctaw, and later with the
Rock Island, is actively engaged in max
ing preparations for the new line Of
railroad. He is arranging for the prelinl-
inary survey and If this survey proves to
be satisfactory, graders viii be placed
at work at once. The route along the
Arkansas rirer viii tap some Of the most
fertile country in the west. 1t is the con-
census Of opinion among railroad men
that the line viii be a paying proposition
from the time the first trains are operated
over it.
It has been known for some time that
Wichita has been desirous OF securing a
railroad that viii give them advantage
of lower rates on coal; also assisting in
making Wichita distributing center.
Heretofore it has been impossible for
Wichita merchants to compete with job
bers in other cities, owing to the fact
that they could not get into the Indian
territory without the goods being hauled
many miles in a roundabout way.
1t is stated here that a party Of Kansas
men are already figuring on q southeast
road. but unless work is begun soon the
promoters of the Choctaw road viii have
ali arrangements made for the construc-
ton Of the line. The men interested in
fhe new line are Chas. Z. IngersOll, VIM
H Jnks, VIM. p. Harrity, and James L.
Fisher. all Of Philadelphia, Pa, and VIII
Hard Johnson and c. II. Cade, of Shaw
nee. It is probable that the new road
VIII be known as the Cherokee. Oklahoma
and Kansas line, although it is under
stood that this matter has not yet been
definitely agreed upon. ]. NJ. McLCud,
representing the new organization, has
been in this part of oklahoma for a num-
Der Of days looking up matters relative
Is the survey. After the construction
company has built the road it is probable
that it will be disposed of TO some other
line, or operated by the construction COM
pany people after a reorganization is
made.
It is conceded that the new line as pro
posed will be a winner and a money
maker for the men behind it.
Guthrie, O. T., May 2S.-A resolution
placed on file in the office Of Secretary
William Grimes today, having been pre-
pared by the directors of the Rock Is
land system, approve and authorize the
construction Of a line of road to connect
the main line of the Rock Island with
the main line of the Choctaw at FL Reno
The road Will only he a few miles in
length. Condemnation proceedings have
been begun and it is proposed to construct
the road at once.
Plans Were Approved.
Guthrie Q. r, May 9S.-The information
was received here today that the plans