The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1911-08-16
New Life Found in Topeka
Southwestern Project.
Topeka and Council Grove Con.
fer on New Work.
MONEY is IN SIGHT
Capital Ready for Construction
of New Line.
People Along Way Enthusiastic
Over Proposed Plan.

1t is believed in Topeka railroad cir
cles that before next spring the money
and the plans for the building of the
Topeka southwestern railway between
Topeka ano Council Grove will be
ready. Railroad men and Topeka cap
italists and business men interested in
the project feel that matters are near
er actual construction work than at
any other time since the road was pro-
jected.
few days ago four Topeka repre-
sentattves went over the proposed route
southwest of this city in a motor car
Wherever they went they found farm
ers, villagers and others interested in
the road At the terminal of the pro
posed line, Council Grove, they found
an unusual interest in favor of the
proposition. They found many live
coals-even though the road has been
on the retired list since 1907.
The cost of the road and the finar-
cling of the new line has been a current
issue in Topeka for some time. Never
have the Topeka business men allowed
the proposition to lose support and er-
thusiasm. 1t is believed now that tns
money is at hand to push construction
on the line.
When the Topeka investigating party
arrived at Council Grove after an en-
couraging trip through the territory
| over which the road will traverse they
AC0AAA lAiS representatives OF the D6ODig
In earnest over the construction.
Need a Railroad.
J. NJ. Miller. ex-congressman. and w.
F. Shamleffer, ex-mayor of Council
Grove, composed the committee select
ed by that city to get together with the
Topekans They assured the Topeka
| men that from a Council Grove stand
point everything was in readiness fo-
immediate work.
The Topeka party was composed of J.
W. Kelley, president of the Commercial
/ club; George S. Badders, secretary OF
the Commercial club; Scott Hopkins, OF
| the Prudential Trust company: w G.
Stephenson, a real estate man.
There are two reasons why the people
| of Council Grove and intermediate ter
r1tory wish to push the Topeka-Sollth-
western railroad to construction First,
they want direct route to the Capital
city. Second, they want quicker wav
to get into the Kansas City live stock
market.
Not a town or locality on the pro-
posed Topeka-Southwes has a If-
rect route to Topeka or Kansas City.
And at that only two towns have any
railroads at all-Eskridge and Council
Grove. Eskridge is on the Santa Fe
and Council Grove on the Missouri Pa
ciflc.
TIE proposed line will go through ter
ritory that has been praying for a rail-
road for years. In southwestern Shaw
nee county and in southeastern Wa
| baunsee and northeastern Morris coun-
ties no railroad is in sight The farm
ers haul their grain and products for.
miles. Topeka would be in line for
this excellent trade territory.
The Topeka-Southweste was start
ed a few years ago. A few miles Of
right of way was graded just out OF
/ Topeka But the panic hit the country
and the road was abandoned for the
time.
The entire line has been surveyed
Forty per cent of the right of way wa 3
obtained before the panic stopped thS
work. 1t is considered that no difficulty
will be found in finding capital to
finance a road that taps such rich ter
ritory as the Topeka-Southwes
There has been considerable talk in
Topeka railroad circles of the Oriens
coming into this city over a part of this
a-Southwestern It is known that
the Topeka men interested in the move
ment had this in mind when they made
the overland trip to Council Grove.
1t is UP to the people to take their
| choice-the Orient or the Topeka
| Southwestern. It is believed that the
a-Suutnwestern will mean more
to this city and to the territory that is
praying for railroad facilities.