The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1903-12-17
LOCAL CLUBS WILL
TAKE MATTER UP
c. [. Davidson Says Line Must
Be Built.
INTO THE CITY OF WICHITA
H. |. Wasson Writes Letter
About Proposed Road.

In regard to the building of the Wich-
ita. Oklahoma and Indian territory rail-
way, a proposed line between Wichita
and Ft Smith, Ark" said c. l. David
son, who is director of the company. "a
| committee from the Chamber of Com
merce and the Commercial club win be
selected soon TO take active steps in the
matter Of securing this line for Wichita"
There is no doubt said Mr.. David
son last night. ''of the great need that
Wichita has for a southwest line. L un-
derstand, however, that the promoters of
the new road. propose to build to Free
port. Kan. The intention is to have trains
reach Wichita over some other line. If
Wichita takes any part toward the build
ing of this line. ii must enter Wichita.
1t will be decided soon exactly what steps
will be taken in the matter. II salts
factory arrangements are not made to
have the Wichita, Oklahoma and Indian
Territory railway enter Wichita on its
own line, steps will then be taken to-
ward the building of line composed of
local capital. And il will begin some
time the first part of the new year.
The Eagle is in receipt of the following
communication from II. !. WATSON of
Pond Creek, who is director and one
of the promoters in the new line:
Pond Creek o. T.. Dec 16-Editor
Wichita Eagle: Seeing that the Eagle
seems to be DESTROYS of obtaining some
s,,fD <.<@
lahoma and Indian Territory Railroad
company, l desire, as one of the incor-
porators of that company, to place some
of the reasons for such move before
the people of wichita
The men who met at Perry a couple Of
weeks ago for the purpose of considering
the building of such a line. after con-
siderable discussion Of the subject, incor-
porated the Wichita, Oklahoma and In
dian Territory Railroad company. Rep
resentatives from three Oklahoma coun-
ties were present &c the number of fif-
teen. These mon fully represented the
energy and enterprise OF these three coun-
ties. among the most important in the
territory. Much talk was INDUCED in rel
alive to proper northwest terminus
for such a road. 1t has been the habit
of most enterprises originating in Okla
homa to name Denver as the objective
point. At this meeting Wichita had
several good champions, although her
Commercial club had been invited and
had failed to respond. II was argued
that all the railroads now building from
connection with the rich coal and lum-
Der regions Of Indian territory and Ar
In,
Mexico connections: that there is a plen-
ty of roads centering in Wichita from
the west to AFFORD easy distribution Of
coal and lumber and that Wichita hav-
ing something OF start at being pack
ing and milling center, a good terminal
connection would be found there, with
the scheme relieved of building a long
stretch of track across the desert TO the
Rocky mountains. 1t was also held that
in building from Muskogee. connecting
with the Ozark and Cherokee Central and
Iron Mountain roads crossing the Frisco
and Katy lines in Indian territory, the
Santa Fe and Rock Island in Oklahoma
and connecting with the Missouri Pa
cific into Wichita from near Freeport.
that the road would be well fixed for
connections: that the continuous demand
for coal and lumber to the north and
west and the gulf connection to The south
east, added to the grain and stock trade
on the line. would afford continuous traf-
fic for the road
The counties through which it is pro-
posed need the local connections for
local development. They can and win
tender to any company proposing to
finance and build this line a substantial
aid. Wichita. the coming year. will feel
the Importance of engaging in several
substantial enterprises. The visitors 10
the worlds fair at ST. Louis will not
all go back without exploring the great
southwest. The chief cities of this region
win desire 10 have something attractive
to show them as an evidence OF progress
and growth. as well as a safe investment
for their capital. 1t is not every day
that Wichita can see enterprise
started from entirely outside her bor-
ders which means SO much to her. =
line of railroad from Wichita to Fort
Smith that does not pass through Guth-
rie or Oklahoma City means line to
Wichita herself II means a whole list
of towns to deaf with Wichita and TO
send their produce to Wichita. II Is d
sort OF relief to Oklahoma to have a
railroad corporation begin without hav
ing the name OF Denver 10 start with.
The Wichita, Oklahoma and Indian
Territory Railroad company has set out
10 obtain the right of WY and station
grounds along the line from Freeport TO
Muskogee. II is actively in the field for
this purpose and Will. n the very near
future. De able 20 answer the question
What substantial encouragement can
be obtained for the building of such a
lineof railroad?' II Wichita desires 10
get into the band wagon. The whole side
door Will be opened 20 her. II not the
way is clear to another ambitious town
10 the north aud west which uses n
large amount or coal and which has am
Ile railroad connections all over western
Kansas.
We fancy down here in Oklahoma that
Wichita has already felt that a good deaf
OF the realm Of the Peerless Princess
IS now entertaining other company too
much for her good
OF course IL viii not D. clximed that
the people down this way are 50 enrap-
tured with Wichita that they are orig
mating and building railroad 10 get
easy access 20 that city This is a or
curastance that goes Irt1 the general
scheme. The city Of Saltwater. the cap
iJai % Payne county. realizes the re-
cessity Of a lire CO railroad through the