Post by Eric Standridge on Oct 20, 2011 8:36:49 GMT -6
The Development of the Frisco Railroad is the last sub-chapter of Chapter 2. This is a rough draft of part of that sub-chapter, and still requires editing before it is ready for publication.
Development of the Frisco Railroad
During the late 1800’s, most long-distance travel was done through the railways. In Indian Territory, there were no railroad tracks laid until the 1880’s. In 1882, the Fort Smith and Southern Railway acquired rights from Congress to construct its road between Ft. Smith and Red River north of Paris, Texas.
Work began in 1886. By November 1, 1886, the line had extended to Bengal, Oklahoma, which lies almost 30 miles southwest of present-day Poteau. Within a few weeks, a pay train consisting of an engine, a coach car, and a caboose ran to Crockett’s camp at Cavanal, located three miles west of Wister.
The railroad was built in sections, beginning in Ft. Smith at one end and the town of Red River, Texas. At completion, the two lines would eventually be joined at Buck Creek, nearly 118 miles south of Ft. Smith.
Road camps were established along the route, allowing the railroad ties to be cut and laid at the same time. One such camp was established at the base of Cavanal Mountain. Melvin Fleener, who would later own one of the largest hotels in Poteau, was in charge of that camp.
When the railroad crossed the Poteau River, Fleener was directly in charge of the bridges construction. The rock piers that held the line was quarried on Town Creek and the lumber came from Cavanal Mountain. The large rocks and lumber were then hauled down to Buck Davis’s ferry, where they would be moved to Fleener’s camp.
By this time, Buck Davis had moved into another house located about one and one-half blocks west of the present Frisco and Kansas City Southern Railroad crossing. Eventually, he would add on to this house until it became a large 2-story home. He was in the process of constructing this home when the Frisco railroad was being built. When the work camps were set up, Davis offered the railroad workers use of his house. During the time they were working on the railroad, they stayed in the original house, which would eventually become the kitchen.
Benjamin Harper, one of the earliest settlers in the area, lived near the base of Cavanal Mountain. As the railroad crews passed through the area, he supplied them with the best beef from his farms. The railroad crews always paid him with silver and gold, which he had to carry back to his home in saddlebags....
Development of the Frisco Railroad
During the late 1800’s, most long-distance travel was done through the railways. In Indian Territory, there were no railroad tracks laid until the 1880’s. In 1882, the Fort Smith and Southern Railway acquired rights from Congress to construct its road between Ft. Smith and Red River north of Paris, Texas.
Work began in 1886. By November 1, 1886, the line had extended to Bengal, Oklahoma, which lies almost 30 miles southwest of present-day Poteau. Within a few weeks, a pay train consisting of an engine, a coach car, and a caboose ran to Crockett’s camp at Cavanal, located three miles west of Wister.
The railroad was built in sections, beginning in Ft. Smith at one end and the town of Red River, Texas. At completion, the two lines would eventually be joined at Buck Creek, nearly 118 miles south of Ft. Smith.
Road camps were established along the route, allowing the railroad ties to be cut and laid at the same time. One such camp was established at the base of Cavanal Mountain. Melvin Fleener, who would later own one of the largest hotels in Poteau, was in charge of that camp.
When the railroad crossed the Poteau River, Fleener was directly in charge of the bridges construction. The rock piers that held the line was quarried on Town Creek and the lumber came from Cavanal Mountain. The large rocks and lumber were then hauled down to Buck Davis’s ferry, where they would be moved to Fleener’s camp.
By this time, Buck Davis had moved into another house located about one and one-half blocks west of the present Frisco and Kansas City Southern Railroad crossing. Eventually, he would add on to this house until it became a large 2-story home. He was in the process of constructing this home when the Frisco railroad was being built. When the work camps were set up, Davis offered the railroad workers use of his house. During the time they were working on the railroad, they stayed in the original house, which would eventually become the kitchen.
Benjamin Harper, one of the earliest settlers in the area, lived near the base of Cavanal Mountain. As the railroad crews passed through the area, he supplied them with the best beef from his farms. The railroad crews always paid him with silver and gold, which he had to carry back to his home in saddlebags....