MISSOURI DIVISION
Fort Madison (State Line ) to Sheffield, 214.20 Miles long.
Built under the same charter as the Illinois Division, viz; Incorporated in Illinois as the Chicago, Santa Fe and California Railway Company, December 3rd, 1886. Sold June 1st 1900 to the Santa Fe.
The Mississippi River Railroad and toll bridge company was a separate charter. Incorporated in Illinois November 9th, 1886. Length 0.61 miles long. Sold to the Santa Fe June 1st, 1900. This bridge was built under the direction of Mr. O. Chanute, Consulting Engineer, in 1887-'88. W. W. Curtis, Resident Engineer. Built by the Union Bridge Company.
Grading was started January 1st, 1887. First passenger train over Missouri Division January 29th, 1888. D. J. Chase, Chicago, General Superintendent. C. L. Nichols, Superintendent, Ft. Madison. Mr. Chase was succeeded by H. R. Nickerson and Mr. Nichols by W. E. Costello.
At Fort Madison a new brick depot was built in 1909-'10.
The Keokuk Dam was commenced January 1st, 1910. Last concrete put in dam May 31st, 1913. Current delivered at St. Louis, July 1st, 1913. First boat through lock June 12th, 1913.
Our Yards at Shopton and Ft. Madison, except the Main Line are below high water. High water is estimated by the Keokuk Dam People at 525.2'. It may go above this. If it does they become liable for damages under Contract. El B.M. at Anthes Hotel. 541.32 Memphis Datum. Equation between Santa Fe and Memphis datum 12.81. Santa Fe datum, base of rail Bridge 231-A (old 335) 530.07. Memphis datum 542.88. Estimated high water 525.20. Waiting room floor Ft. Madison Depot 531.30 Waiting room floor Freight Depot 531.39. Shopton office floor 530.01.
At Devils Creek near Macuta, the steel span was washed off the abutments June 8th, 1905 and new span and girder were put in 1907. Grade as raised about 2-1/2 feet before bridge was built.
The Santa Fe through Iowa (19.90 miles) was incorporated in Iowa as the Chicago, Santa Fe and California Railway Company, December 13th , 1886. Sold July 15th, 1887, to the C.S.F. & C. Ry. Co. Sold to the A.T.&S.F. Ry. Co. June 1st, 1890.
Just East of Dumas there is an old roadbed graded on the North side of the track leading to stone quarry put in by L.W. Lewis for a stone crusher in 1888. Pulled up in 1890. Relaid in 1892. The stone for the Media & Williamsfield Bridges came from this quarry. L. W. Lewis installed a crusher plant there again in 1894-'95. The tracks were taken up in 1896. It is about a mile from the Main Line to the quarry.
The DesMoines River was the dividing line, between the Chief Engineers on construction. B. F. Booker, Chief Engineer, DesMoines River to Sheffield under A. A. Robinson. (see description Illinois Division). Mr. O. Chanut was Consulting Engineer for Des Moines River Bridge.
Just West of Dumas Yard, L. W. Lewis Sons have a stone quarry and rock crusher.
Between Wyaconda and Gorin about Mile Post 275.6 there is an old abandoned roadbed, known as the Buell Line. It was proposed to build this line from Canton, Missouri on the Mississippi River to Centerville, Iowa, standard gauge. The grading was started in 1866. Stopped for a few years. Was revived again in 1877. It was to pass through the towns of Bunker Hill, Williamstown, Fairmont, Memphis and on to Centerville, Iowa. Understand the track was laid at one time to within five miles of Williamstown.
At Medill, the C.B.&Q. Built and own the depot and brick platform. Operated jointly with the Santa Fe.
At Marceline a new brick depot and office building was built in 1912-13. Opened April 10th, 1913. A new freight depot was built the same year. Also a lunch stand. Leased and built on by F. M. And Arthur Wolfe, in 1913.
We have made a survey from Marceline to Rothville for a double track on a 0.50% grade, but as long as we have already double tracked on an 0.80% grade, it is doubtful if it is ever built. This piece of double tracking was done before we decided to change the grade from an 0.80% to 0.50% grade. The proposed line has been located and is in every way feasible.
At Grand River there was very high water and some bad washouts in 1907. The grade was raised and a new double track bridge put in over Dean Lake, and tow over-flow bridges East of Grand River and a new double track span built over Grand River and an over-flow bridge put in West of Grand River. When Grand River bridge was originally built in 1887-'88 it was done under the direction of Mr. O. Chanute, Consulting Engineer.
At Mendon and Dean Lake the depots were moved to the opposite side of Track (South Side)
At Carrollton a new brick depot was bult in 1916-17 by Lungred & Carlson. Work begun September 1916. Finished June 1917 - Cost $20,000.00.
When the double track was built in 1907 at Lexington Junction a new brick depot was built in 1912 and 1913. Agent moved in on January 27, 1913.
Also a brick lunch Stand, by Phillips & Hamilton in 1913.
The yard was also remodeled in 1912 and 1913.
Page 43 Meade's Manual transcribed in altered form for the web by Russell Crump