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Newspaper
Topeka State Journal
Location
Topeka, Kansas, United States of America
Date
Aug 17, 1903
Page
4
Portmouth water front options acquired by the Rock Island system promise major expansion of deep water facilities to handle export traffic from Oklahoma and Indian Territory. The plan anticipates routing grain cotton and other commodities via Portsmouth, with rival lines and mileage bureau changes shaping shifts in tolls and interline competition.
Hutchinson Kansas August 17 plans approved by Santa Fe Division Superintendent Ayres to add yardage facilities for faster through trains. A new yard and platforms will reduce switching delays with tracks extended to the freight house area. Depot relocation not planned. freight can be handled more quickly once improvements are complete.
General Passenger Agent Glenlson of Fort Worth and Denver City Railway received twenty dollars from a Hill County man. The man had bought a round trip Denver Road ticket from Fort Worth to Colorado Springs, changed route, and sent twenty dollars back to the broker who handled the return portion. He claimed the ticket was non transferable and felt wrong about selling it, prompting the repayment.
Chicago August 17 jury reports blame the Chicago Burlington & Quincy Railroad for the death of Albert Skibbe his wife Alvina and daughter Dorothy at a crossing. The coroner jury urges broad service reductions and faulted the railroad for a high speed train that killed them three weeks ago.
A remarkable performance by Kor fe ancremens Ositelaht and the Santa Fe line established a new record for freight movement. A test run from Denver to Houston covered about 1200 miles in under a week, simplifying long distance hauls and highlighting efficiency compared with prior timing.
A. M. Stirwett, of Great Northern division, claims a new ball bearing wagon wheel invention. The Kansan City, Missouri, resident asserts the device, marketed as perfected, will bring wealth and patent value. Gilbert, of Kansas City, Kans, is noted among promoters.
Report describes a ball bearing anti friction wheel tested by several eastern railroads and the Great Northern. It claims the wheel operates independently of the journal on ball bearings of hardened steel, reduces friction and wear, permits faster rolling on curves, and could cut locomotive draught by about 25 percent with small extra cost.
St. Louis August 17. Exposition officials and Missouri Pacific and Frisco rail road representatives discussed tracks for private cars at the World's fair. They toured the grounds with Francis and others and selected a southern site near the fair roads yards for ten to twelve tracks and depots at both ends for freight handling.
Needles California August 17 The note reports C F Miller a boilermaker missing for about three months since late March after entering a boiler at the Needles railroad shops His clothes were found at the work site and speculation centers on accidental heat exposure or fatal accident His fate remains unconfirmed prompting further inquiries to his wife Hudson and coworkers.
Private dispatches from New York claim a change in ownership involving the Chicago Great Western and the Chicago Milwaukee and St Paul plus the Kansas Texas lines. A joint arrangement for unified traffic management may place Aurn as general manager of the merged system, linking the Kitty network with Chicago and cutting the Great Western from St Paul territory.
The focal mechanical department reports a riveting unit now en route from Topeka to the San Bernardino shops. It is the long-standing unit replaced by a new gantry crane and will be installed immediately upon arrival. An announced railroad youth and church building project in Springfield, Massachusetts, plans a brick structure 83 by 33 feet funded by several rail lines. Kansas City hosts a major railroad convention as the Roadmasters and Maintenance of Way Association plans a meeting on October 12. In Milwaukee, Pere Marquette announces five daily freight trains plus a daily ferry car service starting August 20 between Muskegon and Milwaukee with a nightly schedule change.
A disrupted passage describes fruit trains running from St Ine toward Milwaukee, with schedules adjusted to pass Bus stead and take the Milwaukee car ferry. Five daily fruit trains will operate toward Michigan, and between 75 and 30 cars from these trains will be ferried to Milwaukee each night.
The Chicago and Alton Railway circular touts the Baldwin built monster express engines for heavy passenger service to haul 12 car trains weighing about 600 tons. Specifications include 80 inch driving wheels, 220 psi boiler pressure, 141,700 pounds on driving wheels, total engine weight around 219,000 pounds, and a 4000 gallon water tender with nine tons of coal.
The Santa Fe construction crew finished 2,600 feet of track work at the Fourteenth and Hickory site yesterday with 2,400 feet remaining. The new freight house will be about ten days from ready for occupancy, measuring 700 feet with 400 more feet of platform. It will provide a larger inlet for locomotives and aid freight removal, touted as one of the west's most modern facilities.
Joplin Missouri August 17 reports say Missouri Pacific engineers are locating a fifty mile line from Joplin to Chetopa Kansas. Vice President Russell Harding told Joplin chamber officials the line will be built soon. Completion of the White River division in northern Arkansas and the Chetopa gap will give a direct Denver Colorado to Memphis Tennessee corridor.
Railroad circles expect major timetable cuts as Union Pacific and Southern Pacific improvements near completion. Harriman roads plan faster passenger runs from Omaha west before winter, with millions spent to grade, straighten curves, and double track the line west of Ogden. Roadbed conditions promise several hours shaved from current schedules, amid Santa Fe demonstrations of faster Chicago to coast service.
The article notes Harriman interests pushing faster schedules by upgrading the Pacific line. Heavier rails and straighter tracks lower grades and cut travel time, with Santa Fe and others benefiting from improved track. Western lines plan similar work to tighten east to west transit through the Chicago gateway.
Substantial improvements in Logan total costs at least 75000 with many businesses and homes noted. Mentions Capt W E Cunningham seeking forestry post, Beloit and Ottawa county figures, Swayze leaving sheriff role for a Parlin and Orendorst venture, and a naval cadet from Osborne county. Reports on irrigation talks, Jewell County crops, Mankato Monitor expansion, and community events in Sixth District towns.
The Phillipa county Old Soldiers reunions draw large crowds with the younger generation taking a lead this year and last. Committees are led by J. F. Stinson M. W. Hardman and EB. A. Page. September 9 10 and 11 are set for events. Speaker Senator Lang expected while banking news from Stoy H. Ware signals new ventures.
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