GUTHRIE TO KIOWA
117.10 Miles
Incorporated in Oklahoma as the Denver, Enid and Gulf Railroad Company, March 31st, 1902, by the five Frantz Brothers.
Sold May 22nd, 1907 to the Eastern Oklahoma Railway Company. Sold to the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway Company, June 20th 1907.
The first President was Edmond Frantz, followed by Breckinridge Jones. The first Vice-President and General Manager was Edward L. Peckham. He was the leading sprit that built the road. (Died Feb. 3rd., 1914). The Mississippi Valley Trust Company financed the Road. They sub-let the contract to Bes Construction Company.
The first Chief Engineer was Major W.S. Gamble, who located the line, Enid to Guthrie, in May 1902. The construction was done under Mr. F. G. Jonah, Chief Engineer in 1902-'03-'04. W. D. Gerber, one of Mr. Jonah's assistants, followed him as the 3rd Chief Engineer (Acting) which position he held until December 1905. He completed the line, Enid to Kiowa. Mr. Gerber made surveys through to Medicine Lodge. (See organization, Kiowa to Belvidere)
Grading started in June 1902, at Enid. McArthur Bros, of Chicago, Sub-contractors, Enid to Marshall; Marshall to Guthrie, Bes Construction Company. Mr. F. G. Johah had charge of construction.
Tracklaying began at Enid, reaching Guthrie, July 3rd, 1904. The first passenger train was run from Enid to Guthrie, July 4th, 1904. This was an excursion train. Road opened on that date, Enid to Guthrie
Grading started at Enid for Coldwater, (now Hillsdale) in 1904. From Hillsdale to Cherokee in 1904; Bes Construction Company, Contractors. Also from Cherokee to Kiowa, in 1904.
The Santa Fe bought the D. E. & G. May 22nd, 1907.
The Denver, Enid and Gulf continued to operate the line until July 1st, 1907 with Mr. B. C. Young as President and General Manager; G. C. Starkweather succeeding him, with W. Worthington as Train Master, until organization at Enid was abolished and line turned over to the Santa Fe. H. A. Tice was Superintendent. The D. E. & G. rented the Santa Fe Depot and tracks at Guthrie, while they operated independently in Guthrie.
Mile Post 0.0 on the Belvidere line is about one-half a mile east of the Kiowa Depot and about 1000-ft. east of the coal chute. It is the heel of the frog of the first switch entering the Kiowa yard in the east end. It leaves the Satnat Fe Road in a cut about ten-feet deep. The "Y" at Kiowa is south of the depot and belongs to the Santa Fe; the East Head Block is M.P. 00 of the D.E.&G.
Salt Fork Bridge #14-B raised 5-Ft. in 1914 and four 60-ft. deck girders put in over the channel and one-80 ft. deck girder over the road.
Bridge #18-C, overflow ditch, west end of Cherokee Yard. Track raised 2-feet in 1912 and ditch enlarged. Dirt from the ditch used to raise the grade.
Salt Plains, M.P. 27+ about 1-3/4 miles across on the railroad. We cross the south end where it peters out. The plains are 14 miles wide and 18 miles long.
At Wheaton the name was changed to New Burlington in 1915.
At Cold Water the name was changed to Hilsdale in 1908.
At Enid we use 2.8 miles of the Frisco track in going west out of Enid to Blanton Juction, See contracts #21421 and #21422. We also use a short piece of Frisco track (988.5-feet) east of our Enid Depot, at the Interlocing Tower. See Contract #25307. (We have the right -of- way for building our own line). We have a "Y", Water Tank and Crane east of the depot.
Douglas station was changed to Onyx. Changed back to Douglas.
Wirt was changed to Mudge in 1916.
At Guthrie the Denver, Enid & Gulf formerly ended as a spur. They now run into the Santa Fe Depot on a connection built by the Santa Fe Company.
We use the Frisco tracks in going west out of Enid for a short distance of 2.8 miles.
Established 04/22/96-Updated 03/10/2009
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This portion of the Meade's Manual transcribed in altered form by Russell L. Crump
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