The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1904-02-25

/ gore, ropes, BlltlnS, DO0u, j. L. DOney
! j. w. Adams, Rev. A. A. Parker, c. Z
! Powell CEI Dorado, L. L. Kiser (F,l Dor
/ adob Col. NJ NJ. Murdoch, V. H. Branch
! ". r. Long, (Kingman), James Allison
/ Newt Bridgeman. \. j. Titus, T. ]
/ Brockway (Cherokee).
At the close of the banquet Charlie:
Davidson arose and introduced NJ. W
Levy who. in few finely chosen words
extended a hearty welcome from Wichita
and her commercial organizations to Mr.
A. Z. Stillwell and party representing the
Kansas City, Mexico and Orient railway
Charles Smyth, the POSTMASTER of the
evening, then introduced Mr.. Stillwell
Mr. Smyth said:
1T was my pleasure to be a member
of the committee which visited Kansas
City as the guests of Mr.. Stillwell last
Friday to meetin his office and so over
the situation with him.
Il can say that when we finished talking
every man was ready to take off his coat
and fight for Mr.. StillweIl and the Kansas
City Mexico and Orient railway. And
he is here tonight gentlemen, to talk
over the proposition and show you what
you want it or not. I have asked him 10
come. and hope he will have a heart-to-
heart talk with you
Amid the applause which followed Mr..
Smyth Mr. Stillweu arose He said.
in part:
Il was informed by one OF the com
mittee today that there We're many who
had been invited TO attend this evening
that would be unable 20 be present, and
when l see the large number here and
note that there are only a very few va
cant places I feel like the governor OF a
province who could not make speeches.
He was once asked TO address a number
Of men who were in prison. He first
began: Ladies and Gentlemen- But
seeing that there were no ladies present
he said; No l mean fellow citizens
lie saw that would not do, so he said:
Fellow Prisoners.
Gentlemen, I am glad to see you this
evening and l would like as Mr.. Smyth
said, TO have heart -to-heart talk with
you upon the situation. In order to have
a HEARTH heart talk, hot air must be done
away with and only plain facts stated
Il vii speak first about the Orient rail-
way. how d railroad is built, and of
those that assist in building a trans
continental road.
The Kansas City. Mexico and Orient
railway is destined to revolutionize trans
portation to the Pacific ocean.
Besides being 500 miles shorter than
any other railroad it will open up rich
territory that has never been reached
lNa
south Of San Francisco and but 200 miles
east of Salt Lake city. 1t will be 1SO0
miles nearer Central and South Amer
ica and viii save one week time in
going there.
~ hen you consider the short time
already spent and the amount that has
been accomplished. it is surprising. Only
one year ago the right of way was pur-
chased and now there are 500 miles Of
grading completed and 345 miles of the
railroad is now in operation. 1t was only
three and oue-half years ago that the
idea of building this road ever entered
my head.
In the building of a railroad you have
everything against you and you must
hight to accomplish your ends. You must
reach the minds of hundreds OF thousands
of men and convince them Of the worth
of your proposition, and it is a gigantic
task and requires an enormous amount
of talk. We need the assistance of the
people in the west in building a railroad
for the west
The railroad viii pass through the
richest section Of the country and will
open up that mysterious and hitherto I'M
known territory. Mexico. which is one of
the richest places in minerals that exists
Three mines along this road have in the
last three years yielded $500 10000 each
In ore In this Sierra Madre region there
are the timbers. grasses and mines Of
great wealth. also the richest coal fields
are touched and viii bring anthracite
coal To Wichita at a rate unheard Of
before.
The greatest jewel we had TO give
was our shops. and this W. have prom
Used To Wichita Many do not realize
what this means. 1t means an increase
in the population OF your city in
very few years Of from $50 10 200
At meeting in Kansas City three
weeks ago $50 On was raised and the
people We're very enthusiastic over the
road Your committee was present and
were enthused with the proposition.
''I want il understood that We do not
have to ask anyone for help but If you
see the proposition as We see il. let Us
know. and they say money talks. I am
convinced that The investment will nay
cont three to one. even If the stock
should only sell for one-half what our
competitors dc.