The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1903-06-14
RAILWAY
PROJECT
ON FOOT
Proposed New Road in Okla
homa and Rio Grande
GOES SOUTH TO TEAXAS
Steel Said to Been Purchased
Already

Oklahoma City. June BIT is stated
here by responsible parties that an i'm
rnense railroad project has been placed
upon foot and that the proposed new road
is to be known as the Oklahoma and
Rio Grande Southern. The representa-
tive of the Eagle has it upon good au-
thority that the road viii be constructed
from Oklahoma City south through Texas
to the Rio Grande border. and it is be-
Ieved that a connection viii be made
with some Mexican port. The prelimi-
naries are being arranged now, and it
is stated that a charter will be taken
out in Texas within the next few weeks.
Maps have been prepared showing the
route and the road will pass through
Fort Worth straight south to San An
tonic and then on the Mexican border.
In connection with the proposed line it
is stated that nearly 10000 tons Of steel
have been purchased in Philadelphia
awaiting results from the plans made in
Texas. If the plans go through, the
steel will be shipped out at once and
construction on the new road commenced
Immediately. Work viii probably begin
at a number Of places in Texas and the
Oklahoma and Indian territory work done
later on. With such road Oklahoma
would have a direct line to Mexico points
and commercially, it would be one Of the
best things possible for the advance
ment of this city and other points in
Oklahoma. Local men are much inter
ested in the proposed line and profess to
believe that the road is an assured thing.
L. w. Van Horne, an engineer and
representative of the capitalists behind
the road is now in Texas looking up mat
tiers of Importance to the promoters. One
o fthe objects of his visit is to inspect
an old grade between LIano and Freder-
icksburg, which was thrown up for
Arkansas Pass, but never used. With ex-
ceptions of several cuts this grade IS
said to be intact, and with very little
work can be made of service. a railroad
contractor now owns the grade and offers
have been made him for complete control
of it.
1t has also leaked out that the new
corporation is going TO make an effort to
purchase the Kerrville branch Of the San
Antonio and Arkansas Pass, and avoid
some difficult construction work in get
ting into San Antonio. and preserve the
air line to the Rio Grande. Should the
negotiations be successful the line would
cross the Arkansas Pass at Comfort if
the grade he bought. otherwise it would
20 via Kerrville and the Arkansas Pass
would be used to reach San Antonio.
Joint track arrangements might ensue If
the purchase is not made The distance
from San Aantonio to Kerrville is sew
enty and five-tenths miles
The promoters of the road believe that
il will be the straight short line for cat
tie to the Fort Worth and Dallas pack
cries. and also the logical route for meat
products to return 20 the south from the
packeries. It is proposed TO traverse the
growing middle west and participate in
the great development Of the new coun-
try which has started o nan impetus OF
prosperity.
In connection with the meat and cattle
proposition and its advantages as affect
ing the new line 1t is reported that this
is so firmly imbeded in the proposition
that one of the directors is the president
Of the American Refrigerating Trust com
pany.
Mr. Van Horne IS an engineer Of much
experience. having been connected with
railroad building in Cuba and in many
PARTS Of the United States and Canada,
coming from the latter place. He states
that the new road is to be similar TO the
line of Senator Clark in Oregon.