The Estancia news. [volume] (Estancia, Torrance County, N.M.) 1904-1912, 1908-03-13
Is Plated North Of Track, while
Santa Fe'S TOWnSite is to
the South
EACh FIGHTING
FOR SUPREMACY
After Sunta Fe has Expended Thous-
ands in Improvements, Rock Island
would Share Harvest
Special correspondence to the NEWS

cpeclal correspondents to the NEWS
Vaughn, N. M, Mar. 1O.-The great
est sensation ever witnessed on the Cut
off, centers this week at Vaughn. 1t
was suddenly, and sltogether unex-
pectedly. sprung on the Santa Fe by
her great rival, the Rock Island. It
was nothing more nor less than clever
attempt on her part to steal away the
Santa Fe townsite at Vaughn. For the
past two years, the Santa Fe has been
doing a land Office business in real es-
tate. She bought great tracts of lHnd
at various points along the line, osten-
sibly for yards and shops and round
houses, but in reality for speculation
purposes. At Texico, Clovis, Melrose
and other places she bought land, set
aside what she needed for railroad pur-
poses for present and future use, and
proceeded to lay off the rest lin wn.
sites. She found a ready market for
her lots in the gullible settlers who
came pouring into the new country.
1t was legitimate business, within
the scope Of the articles Of incorporat-
ion, and could be carried on incidentally
with railroad building and why not reap
on the side, some of the benefits Of the
splendid opportunities she was creating
for the people? Sure Mike" she says
I'VE will" So she flew at it and the
harvest she reaped wa, surprisingly
great.
Whom it was finally settled that
Vaughn was to be the division point,
she planned to build up big town all
her own. She bought 900 acres Of land
extending two miles along the track on
the south side. She laid out e-track
yard, two miles long. Built fine depot
costing $25, 900. Erected concrete
round house, which when completed and
equipped will cost probably $50, 900.
Put up a monster coal chute, and laid
the foundation for reservoir to hold
ten million gallons of water. Then qui-
city and without any ado, laid out her
big townsits. Merchants, business
men, spectators sought to buy, but
the Santa Fe was not yet ready to spring
her darling project, 50 she put them off
with leases. For over year she pour
ed money into Vaughn as freely as the
water she brought from Willard. Her
engineers were busy plating off busi-
ness blocks, printing blue prints, rum
ing back and forth from Mountainair
and Belen- n--presumably toget pointers
from Becker and Corbett- and at last
everything was just about ready for the
launching of her pet side scheme, when
10! the Rock Island lin connection with
the E. P. & S. w. like willy cat, that
had been feigning sleep, suddenly poune-
ed upon the unsuspecting mouse.
Last Monday morning at day break a
Rock Island special stopped on the track
q mile northwest of Vaughn. A Apronii
nent official, once familiar on the SAINTS
Fe, alighted followed by six brass col
lars. They quietly stole up the gentle
slope and by the time the day had fairly
begun, the Rock Island had laid out the
new townsite of Vaughn.
Mr.. Nudge waited until the Santa Fs
had built and nicely feathered it's nest
then slipped in and put Rock Islane
hon in it and begun Matching Plymouth
Rock Island chicks in his former moth
er's nest. 1t was clever move, exc
cuted with finesse equalled only by tn