The weekly chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Craig County, Okla.) 1905-1913, 1909-10-29
YOAKUM HAS MUCH
PRAISE FOR VINITA
Head Of Rock lsland-Frlseo Lines a
Distinguished Visitor In Vinita
For short Time Sunday.

Il am glad 20 see the great i'm.
proyemeut going on here. and l see
la 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 20 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 lie
said that ON his last visit here the
town looked like d row Of shacks, and
the present rows of new fronts had
made a 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..
Yoalum departed for the south On
Wednesday he will make an address
at the state fair az Dallas
Mr. B. + Yoakum. now probably the
leading railroad hnancier 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. Yoamm, 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 eompli-
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 postonice
now Isl and Il am not mistaken
everything below this were only frame
shacks" Mr. Yoakum then offered a
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 ut the june.
tion of the railroads is a 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 fiowine 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?" lie was told the
ground was secured from the Frisco
and the building and other improve.
ments were made by a 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.
Yoakum promptly responded. "a good
bargain for both parties
The good will of the people is a val
liable asset to evory railroad and one
which many companies have at al
times shown the proper effort to Sc
cure When the railroads and the
people come 10 better understanding
and see their interests are In many
ways identical and interloeked with
each other then a true solution oi
the problems that now engage oui
thought viii be easily reached"
From here the party Iourneyed soutI
on the NJ, X. & r. en- route to Dallas
where Mr. Yoakum will deliver an ad
dress on the nth Judge Parker ne
companylng them as far as Musko
gee