The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1903-03-12
NORTH AND
SOUTH LINE
C. C. Chapman of Omaha
Was Here to See About 1t.
PLENTY OF CAPITAL
Has Been Arranged for in the
Eastern Cities.
OMAHA TO PORT ARTHUR
Through Wichita and McAIles-
ter Is Proposed Route.
OMAHA TO PORT ARTHUR

Mr.. c. c. Chapman was in the city yes
terday talking with the business men re-
garding the building Of a railroad from
Omaha, Neb., TO Port Arthur, Texas, and
through Wichita. Mr.. Chapman had just
returned from Boston and other eastern
points, and had interested several east
ern capitalists in the project, and now
there will be no trouble in securing the
cash to build the line.
All arrangements have been completed
In Omaha for the organization Of the
company, and securing a charter, and
Mr. Chapman was here to see what the
business men of Wichita viii do in the
matter 1t is proposed TO build the line
from Omaha TO Wichita in almost direct
line. From here the road Will run south
east through the McAlister coal fields
and on into Texas and to Port Arthur,
passing through a country which is
touched by no north and south railroad
at the present time except around
Wichita.
Prohles of proposed railway from this
city to McAlister have been prepared,
and these were shown MIR. Chapman. This
route is considered the best that could be
chosen for this line and Mr.. Chapman
was well pleased with it.
Immediately after the organization of
the railroad company it is proposed TO or
ganiZe a construction company of Omaha
and Wichita men, something on the or
der of the Union Construction company
that is building the Orient. Arrange
ments have been completed with Boston
capitalists that as soon as five or ten
miles Of the road is completed the com
pa1y can secure the money for 1t to be
used in building other sections Of the line.
l. q Fral
after months of work by the promoters,
and this shows that the promoters have
plenty of capital back Of their scheme.
Wichita is to have the general shops
enc the central division point, and Omaha
the headquarters. Mr.. Chapman was
here to confer with business men and see
what this city would do toward the prop
osi-ion The line as projected viii pass
through an entirely new country. 1t viii
rur west OF the Santa Fe in this state,
touching Strong City. but not Topeka
In fact, from here to Omaha the line
will be as straight and short as possible.
From here to Omaha it will be a little
more than four hundred miles. At present
there is no line running north and south
through any of the country between here
ano Omaha and il is very fertile sec
ton. South the line viii go to McAlester,
through an unopened country and into
the great coal fields and in Texas the line
wiz pass through a section without
railroad for many miles in any direction.
This railroad was first brought to the
attention OF Wichita people by Mr.. Nevins
of st. Louis, who first promoted it. He
died last fall in Colorado Springs, before
the company had been placed upon its
feet. The proposition received a consider
abe setback on account Of his death,
bu. within the past few months those
who were interested with him in the
proposition have gone to work and Sc
cured an assurance OF capital from the
east. and are now ready to organize and
proceed to get the railway under way.
The business men who talked with Mr.
Chapman were heartily in favor of the
scheme and plenty Of aid was assured
him from this city whenever the company
makes a definite proposition meeting
CT the railroad committee Of the Cham
ter Of Commerce and business men viii
be held the first of the week. when the
matter will be taken up and discussed.