The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1914-08-27
Marysville Cutoff Not What
Hartman Dreamed.
Track Must Rest on Solid Base
Before 1t Is Realized.
RE-ROUTE OVERLAND TRAINS
n. E. Copeland Raised Big
MelOn-At Shawnee Bank.
I.istler-Lynn Wedding Per.
fOrmed-Other News.

One of the ambitions of E. II. Har-
riman, the great railroad builder and
manager, may not be realized. 1t was
one Of his ambitions to shorten the
line of Union Pacific between Kansas
City and points along the Pacific coast.
The only practical method known. was
to build a cut off to connect the main
line to Denver with the main line of
the system which ran west out of
Omaha to the Pacific coast.
In working out the plans. it was
deemed advisable to built a cut off
to extend from Menoken. just west of
Topeka, to Marysville, thus completing
a connection with the Pacific main
line at Grand Island, Neb., shortening
the route by 1875 miles.
The engineers were put TO WORK 10
make a survey over the proposed
route, but had trouble in mapping out
a route which would enable the line
to built at a minimum expense AFTER
making six or seven surveys. the route
was selected, the right of way secured
and work was started. This cut OF
was completed two years or more ago.
Through freight service was inaug-
urated over the line according TO Mr.
Harriman's idea, but 1t has been i'm
Dossible to carry out his entire plan.
He wanted to send the overland pas
senger trains over this route but DIED
before it was possible to do this. The
officials of the system have been try
the overland passenger trains this way
since, but the works of nature nave
prevented the fulfillment of the plan.
In building the cut off from Mem
oxen to Marysville, it was necessary
to reduce the grade over the hills and
raise the grade through low places.
This work was done but satisfactory
results were not accomplished. IN
making these cuts and fills. the dirt
was moved from one place to another.
Snn
installed, the trackmen have put
crushed stone under the ties. No soon,
er do they lamp this stone down solid
and level up the track when heavy
rain sOftens the earth and the weight
of the heavy trains brushes the stone
from under the ties. After the earth
dries, the roadmaster finds low and
high places along the track winch
must be removed.
The railroad men have not been
able to overcome these oDstacies al, anu
obtain a good solid road bed. The
dreams of Mr.. Hartman can not pc
fulfilled until this roadbed resists the
works of nature. AS soon as the road
bed becomes solid enough to resist this
wear and tear, the overland trains OF
the Union Pacific may be routed
through Topeka.
Some Watermelon.
Noel f.. Copeland. nurseryman
who lives in Oakland, knows how to
raise watermelons. At least one
would think SO after seeing one on
display at the Shawnee State bank, in
North Topeka Mr.. Copeland brought
one Of the largest melons in his patch
to the bank Wednesday. 1t is one OF
those long lack-skinned melons with
q heart as red as crimson and as sweet
N sugar This melon is 35 inches in
circumference at a point about mid
way from the ends. and it is SO inches
in circumference when placing the
tape around the ends.
Kistler-Lynn Nuptials.
Miss Edna Kistler and Francis NJ.
Lynn were married Wednesday even
ing at the home of the brides mother.
Mrs. A. j. Kistler. on North Jackson
street. Rev. ]. E. Sch-er, pastor OF
the Kansas Avenue Methodist church,
ofnciated. Miss Iva Craig sang "A
Perfect Day." and was at the piano.
The bridal couple was unattended and
stood beneath an archway OF ferns
and goldenrod. Miss Kistler wore q
simple gown of white wolfe combined
with shadow lace.
James Lynn and is employed by the
Zercher Book and Stationery COM
pany. The young couple will make
their home at 1929 Central avenue.
The out-of-town guests were Mrs.
w. W. Schenck of San Diego, Cal,
MfS. j. w. FINCH anu sOn OI Apple.
ton, ILL.,, and Mrs. G. C. Underwood OF
Hoisington.
w. C. r. U. Election.
Delegates to the Shawnee county
convention of the w. c. T. U. were
selected at a meeting held at the home
Of Mrs. Margaret Tillson at 1915 North
jackson street. The following super
intendents Of departments were elected
for the coming year: Foreign, miners
and colored, Mrs. Accord; president.
Mrs. Letta Mcdonald: 8. T. l., Mrs.
Margaret Tillson; evsngelistic, Mrs.
Phoebe Bell; franchise, Mrs. M. e.
Finch: organisation. Mrs. s. A. Walker:
medical, temperance. health and hered-
fly, Mrs. Mcdonald; flower mission.
Mrs Maggie Accord; purity in literature
and art Miss Blanche Bots; w. c. T.
u. Institutes, Mrs. Walker; anti-nar-
cotics, Miss Bots.
The next meeting will be held in two
weeks and Mrs. Cecil will have charge.
All women are cordially invited to at
tend. The location will be announced
later
Notes and Personals.
Mr.. and Mrs. Frank b. Simms and
son and Mr.. and Mrs. w. H. Dyal have
returned from Colorado where they
have been spending their vacation
They made the trip in a motor car.
Fred Voiland and family have re.
turned from Colorado. where they have
been spending their vacation.