The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1908-04-30
Promoter of Topeka-SOuth-
western DethrOned.
Will Have No Connection With
the Company.
HE REFUSES TO TALK
RumOr That His Stock Will BE
Purchased.
Trip Over the Line in AutOmO-
biles Starts.

W. L. Taylor who revived and pro-
NOTED the Topeka Southwestern
railroad after the project was appar-
emily dead is to be deposed. In fact
he has already been kicked out
though the formal ceremony is left
TO the future. Last night a banquet
was held for Mr.. Curnick and Mr.
Herbert and Mr.. Taylor was not even
invited. He was adroitly ignored
At the dinner last night. Robt Pierce
presided and these were present be-
sides Mr.. Curnick and Mr.. Herbert:
G.. Goodwin, ]. w. Robinson, E. B.
Merriam, c. W. Merriam, j. c. Har-
mon, w. C. Stephenson, w. H. Davis
and Chief Engineer Slayton of the
road
Mr. Taylor was formerly president
of the company but he was succeed
ed by Mr.. Davis some time ago. He
was however, left at the head of the
construction company to build the
line. 1t is rumored that his stock in
the construction company VIII De
purchased and that he will then drop
out of sight but this could not be en-
tirely verified.
Over Route in Autos.
The first train of cars passed over
the right of way of the Topeka
& Southwes tern today, leaving Sta
ton A in Topeka at o'clock.
The train consisted of three cars, the
first driven by George w. Crane, the
second by w. c. Stephenson and the
trailer, reiuvenated "Old Maude," with
A. c. Goodwin at the steering wheel.
i. The three automobiles will make the
trip from Topeka to Council Grove, un-
less an accident should happen, along
the proposed line of railroad which
will connect the two Kansas cities.
.1I- lit, l. ~
servation trip consists of C. K. Holli-
day, G. w. Crane, A. G. Goodwin, J.
w. Robinson, c. w. and E. B. Mer-
riam. E. H. Crosby, C. w. Stephenson,
w. f. Shamleffer, G.. A. Slayton, the
engineer for the construction company,
and F. j. Curnick and H. NJ. Herbert
of New York, representatives of Lam
precht Brothers & CO., financial back
ers of the project
A meeting is to be held at Council
Grove this evening providing the
party reaches that city in time and
tomorrow or the next day the return
trip will be made in a leisurely man
ner, taking time for visits with the
stockholders and friends of the
proposition along the line.
The trip is being made over the
proposed route for the purpose of
convincing the representatives of the
Lamprechts that the conditions are
just as they have been represented in
every way and is in all probabilities
the last step to be taken before the
actual work of construction will COM
mence. The grading work was COM
menced last fall near Washburn col
lege and was continued for a few
weeks and then abandoned without a
satisfactory explanation being offered.
An air of secrecy has prevailed for
several months concerning the future
of the Topeka and Southwestern rail-
road or rather the future of the pro-
motors
been persistent to the effect that W. L.
Taylor who has promoted the enter
prise would dispose of his interests and
resign as president of the company
Those in position to know the truth of
the rumors have steadfastly refused to
either deny or affirm them.
There is little doubt that the trip of
Mr.. Curnick and Mr.. Herbert to To-
peka was made to consummate a deal of
this kind and less doubt that the affair
will be closed within the next few days
Mr.. Curnick and Mr. Taylor refuse to
discuss this phase of the affair at this
time. If the deal is consummated Mr.
Herbert will in all probabilities make
construction of the road having super
vision of the work.
Though the fact has been strenuous
ly denied it is true that there has been
friction among the Topeka promoters
and this may have been largely respon-
sible for the delay in commencing work
on the line. 1t is understood that the
differences will have been ironed out
in case that Mr.. Taylor resigns as pres
ident of the company and disposes of
his holdings.
If the outlook is satisfactory to the
representatives of Lamprecht Broth
ers and Company, Herbert and Cur
nick the resignation of Mr.. Taylor will
probably be forthcoming following a.
meeting of the directors of the road
which will be held in Topeka i'm
mediately after their return from
their trip to Council Grove.
Two grading outfits have been quar-
tered in the vicinity of Topeka for
several weeks past and it is under
stood that d. ]. Griffith, who owns
one of them. returned to his home
near Jaudon, Mo, last night for the
purpose of adding to the equipment
which he now has in this city. I'm
less some unexpected hitch should
occur active work by these two grad
ing outfits will commence within the
next thirty days and be pushed to an
early completion.