The Vinita daily chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1902-1913, 1909-10-25
YOAKUM HAS MUCH
PRAISE FOR V|NITA
Head Of Rock Isand-Frisco Lines a
Distinguished Visitor in vinita
For Short Time Sunday.

Il am glad to see the great inn
provement going on here, and / see
a great future for your city. said B.
f. Yoakum, head of the Rock Island
Frisco lines, who stopped here for a
short visit, Sunday morning, while
en- route to Dallas and other points
in the south
While in the city the great railroad
man was shown about the city, by
Judge Luman Parker, and he express
ed himself as greatly surprised at the
rapid strides Vinita is making, He
said that on his last visit here the
town looked like row Of shacks, and
the present rows of new fronts, had
made great change in the appearance
of the town. Mr. Yoakum expressed
great confidence in this portion Of
the new state, and reiterated his be-
lief that Vinita was destined to be a
great future
After looking this city over, Mr.
Yoakum departed for the south On
Wednesday he will make an address
at the state fair at Dallas.
Mr. B. f. Yoakum. now probably the
leading railroad financier in America
accompanied by several prominent
railroad officials arrived in Vinita yes
terday morning on a special train of
four private cars over the Frisco.
Judge Parker on the telegraphic re-
quest Of Mr.. Yoakum, met the party
They declined automobiles preferring
to walk, and were thus shown about
the city. Mr.. Yoakum expressed
himself as surprised and elated at the
marked improvement Of Vinita in the
way of paving sidewalks and neW
business structures. To show the re-
markable memory of the man for
places and conditions, and that his
statement was not an idle compli-
ment, he stated to a group of gentle
men at Canadian and Wilson street:
Why when ! walked down this street
less than two years ago, one story
residence stood where the postoffice
now is, and if ] am not mistaken
everything below this were only frame
shacks." Mr. Yoakum then offered
suggestion that would well receive the
attention of the Commercial club. He
said: You have wonderful natural
resources here, the greatest being this
artesian water The plaza at the juno
ton of the railroads is fine improve
ment and does credit to your citizen
ship and public spirit. but suggest
the city should so modify the flow of
water into the fountain so as to dis
close to the passing public the fact
that you have flowing artesian water
/ also suggest that the gas torch that
formerly burned near the plaza should
be restored and lighted day and night.
In passing the Auditorium he said
How about this?" He was told the
ground was secured from the Frisco
and the building and other improve
ments were made by company com
posed of Vinita citizens, What did
the Frisco get for this block Of
ground?' Judge Parker answered:
The good will of our citizens" Mr..
Yoalxum promptly responded. "a good |
bargain for both parties.
The good will Of the people is val
liable asset to every railroad, and one !
which many companies have at all
times shown the proper effort to Sc
cure. When the railroads and the i
people come to better understanding
and see their interests are in many
ways identical and interiocked with
each other. then a true solution Of
the problems that now engage our
thought win be easily reached"
From here the party journeyed south
on the M. X. & r. en- route to Dallas
where Mr. Yoakum win deliver an ad-
dress on the 18th Judge Parker ac-
companying them as far as Musko-
gee