The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1907-07-12
TRIBUTE TO ORIENT.
Eastern Periodical Speaks Highly of
StiIWeII Road


The Mining World and Engineering
Record, an English publication, in a re-
cent article pays quite tribute to the
Mexico & Orient railway and its presi-
dent. A. E. Stilwell. The article fol-
lows:
Worlds treasure-house," vast con-
glomerate OF mineralized lodes contain
ing incalculable metallic wealth and
forming a gigantic magnate for future
traffic. Rising to an elevation of S,140
feet beyond the third and last crossing
of the continental divide, the track of
the Orient working westward is now
completed to a point in the Sierras 1893
miles of rail weste of Chihuahua, whilst
from the port on the Pacific side pro-
ceeding eastward the track is in opera
ton past F'uerte, and should be in work
ing for 100 miles inwards from the coast
by the end of the year. Ultimately the
two railroads meet, and that consum-
nation will realize one of the greatest
increments to the worlds mineral val
ues ever established, by mans energy.
Up to within the past few years 1t was
not known, nor was it generally believed
that such a line would be located
through the Sierras, and it would as
tonish many to learn that at no point in
the present location does the gradient
exceed that of the Great Western be-
tween London and Bristol Territory
along the route through the Sierras is
held for the most part by it's now for
British company, at least, being prom
inently represented They have had
hitherto to depend upon mule traffic,
passing in some cases for hundreds of
miles to and from their destinations,
Notwithstanding the ore material pos
sessed by them and available under
more reasonable circumstances is to be
calculated by many millions sterling.
Development has been throttled by iso-
lation, and communication direct by rail
with the great manufacturing centers
of the United States on the east and
with the port on the west, opens the
door to realization of mineral wealth, a
dirninutive portion of which would be
sufficient to defray the cost of the whole
road. 1t was by the master mind of the
president of the Kansas City, Mexico &
Orient that this great project was plan
ned, and it is due to the indomitable
perseverance of that gentleman, his
perspicufty in selection of officers and
experts, and his blank REFUSAL of the
usual financial methods adopted by too
many railroad magnates that the I'M
dertaking occupies the position 1t does
today. The Mining World is interested
in railroad expansion wherever it affects
the development of mining business, and
the economic supply of the necessaries
of life comes under that heading as a
potent accessory to successful mining.
The Orient. after leaving the manufac-
turing center of Kansas City, traverses
districts prolific in agricultural produce,
both animal and vegetable. Coal fields,
forests, sugar, tobacco and fruits are to
be counted amongst the products on it's
60O-mile route. Towns, but a few
months old, are springing up. This
road is a Leviathan in value creating
power. and whilst property owners on
its route can never complain that Dame
Fortune has forsaken them, those in
terested in the project may be justly
proud of the part they are silently TAX
ing in the worlds work.