The Morning Tulsa daily world. [volume] (Tulsa, Okla.) 1919-1927, 1922-07-09
TOWN FORMED IN '66
History Shows That Bryan
County Hamlet Has Had
300 People Always
MINIMUM BID 28 MILLION
Railroad Officials Don't Ex-
pect Any Bids From
Colbert Interests
RY WESLEY DIcKEY-

Colber. Is just recovering from the
shock that IL has been chosen, out of
several thousand other cities and
towns, many of which could absorb
1, IN a night and not feel tho effect
Of other than "A normal growth, as
the place where the Missouri. Kan
sas and Texas railroad Will be sold
at public auction a month hence. on
recovery from the surprise most of
the 900 Inhabitants are taking the
b. matter philosophically and returning
10 the routine Of their business af-
fairs or domino games, which may
have been interrupted,
After moving along unnoticed by
the outside world during the 90
years of its existence, the town cam
not understand why, out Of the hun
dreds Of more important places, It
has been chosen as the site where
the sale will be held. II cannot un-
derstand Why after being almost to-
tally ignored by the great railroad
company for so many years, the
Missouri. Kansas and Texas railroad
has elected TO be sold at its little,
wooden, local station.
This, however. is practically the
extent of the interest displayed by
the larger portion OF the towns in
habtants. 4 revival meeting or pic
uic attracts more interest in Colbert
than the sale OF the big railroad sys-
tenn within It's enVirons VIII cause.
Hardly a ripple Of the regular row
tine duties OF the town Will be in
tlrrUp,ed.
Yet on that day, when the stipula-
uon that not less than S2S,000,0OO
shall be accepted for the railroad
81 stem more business will be trans
acted In the town than will perhaps
BE- written in 10 the books OF the
towns Industries in the next 90
syears.
Although It will cause no such
boom as the bringing in ~ a single
on wei In the vicinity, the sale OF
the Missouri, Kansas and Texas rail
road system in Colbert, will be an
event such as no town Of its size or
even many times its size, has ever
witnessed or may ever witness, Since
there are none in the town, however
able 70 make the minimum bid for
the road, probably not more than a
nalt dozen citizens OF the town will
witness the sale.
II the receivers Of the Katy we're
looking for a quiet place in which
70 hold the sale. their choice has
been well made. Unless they arrive
on their special train that brings the
bidders, who are expected to bid in
the system, no hangers-Cn will be
present at the sale, and II the sale is
cut and dried affair" Colbert will
not interfere. Financial Interests
headed by j. and w. Seligman & Co,
and Halgarten & Co. of New York
nave planned a reorganization OF the
road and are expected 10 bid IL in
a. tSe sale. II has been explained.
Home OF A. n. Ieecraft.
colbert's greatest claim TO fame is
the production of A. N. Lee
craft, state treasurer, who early in
he spring was prominently men
Toned as a prospective democratic
candidate for governor, but who re-
FUSED 10 make the race, saying,
.tthere are already good democrats in
he race. Leecraft was elected
Nate treasurer while a merchant al
~eoloert, and he will return either 20
.oIoert or Durant at the end OF his
term Of office.
The Leecraft Mercantile company.
which was established In Colbert in
1873, Is the one big industry OF the
towns and one OF the big businesses
V Bryan county. II isc now oper-
eted by B. NJ, Leecraft. son Of the
shte treasurer. who is a vide awake
!9ung business man and Is the
,,ihanher Of commerce OF the town.
ne Is interested I'm the Katy sale.
.Nt rs he is interested IN everything
uanWlll bring Colbert TO the notice
VI the world. In normal times, the
tteecralt Mercantile company does a
business amounting 20 $4,000 an
.laIiy and he is gradually branching
WY after new business
colbert has the usual cotton gin
" towns IN the cotton belt OF Okla
"otIa, Other businesses are n ga
.age, conveniently situated on the
recently completed hard-surface
.oaa through Bryan county, drug
Jote and blacksmith shop, The peo-
ps are happy, contented and pros
Pe'ol. having comfortable homes,
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