The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1907-11-15

the opening and true to train schedule
of the present day were late in Startin 6
and lost time on the line of march.
Lincoln Post Drum Corps, with fife and
drum headed a miscellaneous column
composed of everything from pedes-
trians to automobiles while a long line
of wheel ScraperS with which much of
the actual work is to be done were in
cluded.
AS the column proceeded southwark
on Kansas avenue it was re-enforced
and by the time it was well under head
way extended the distance of three
blocks. The ceremonies at the ground
of the actual dirt throwing consisted of
a speech of welcome and praise by
President c. K. Holiday of the Com
mercial club, followed by an address by
Congressman J. M. Miller of Council
Grove Mr. Holiday was unstinted in
his praise of w. L. Taylor who has
made the Topeka and Southwestern
road a success as well as of the men
along the line who have aided in every
possible way.
Congressman Miller's talk was along
the same line, congratulating Topeka
and the Commercial club for the efforts
which have made the road between the
state capital and his city a possibility.
Come to Council Grove and let us show
you that we appreciate your efforts and
that we are willing to do our SHARE"
was the general invitation extended by
Congressman Miller.
President w. L. Taylor was called on
for an address but as is his custom
when called on for a talk had nothing
to say just at this time" and President
Holiday made his speech of thanks for
him. Perhaps half of the crowd of
people gathered were from outside of
the city many of them being from the
towns along the proposed route. Every
county and town through which the
road will pass when completed was rep
resented by from one to dozen citi-
zens.
There were some in the gathering
who came to scott, for there has been a
well defined following who have con-
tended from the first that the road
would never be financed. The work
has not been accomplished without op-
position and that in many instances by
the people who will receive the great
est benefit from the line when com
pleted.
Following Mr.. Taylor and his shovel
full of dirt a few moments six big gray
horses attached to a heavy grading
pillow turned the first furrow of dirt in
the construction work of the road. This
was added to and the work was kept
up until quitting time in the evening
when a number of broad burrows had
been turned across the south line of
the Washburn campus. J. H. Maxwell.
who with w. T. Denton of CIeburne,
Texas, has the contract for the con-
struction work for the first seventeen
miles of the road, directed the work in
person.
This contract is for all of the work
included in a grading contract to the
west line of the county and it is more
than likely that the second and re-
naming contract will be awarded to
the same firm as they are well equipped
for the work. 1t will require about
four months to complete the grading to
the west line of the county. allowing
one-third time off for bad weather.
which it is expected will be encounter
ed at this season of the year.
1t has been something over two years
since the line was first proposed by
Mr.. Taylor and obs tacles of all kinds
have been pla ced in the way of its COM
pletion. The road has been financed
by Lamprecht Brothers & Company of
New York, q firm which is well known
in the railroad building world 1t will
connect Topeka and Council Grove
when completed. traversing sixty miles
through the richest farming land in the
state.
Much of this territory is without
railroad facilities. many of the farmers