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Location of line from Guthrie east.

Topeka, July, 31, 1899.

Major H L Marvin
Locating Engineer
Guthrie, O. T.

Dear Sir:

Referring to location of line from Guthrie, east:

I would like to make the initial point of the survey 14 feet east of the center of main track opposite north end of the depot at Guthrie, then run 14 feet from and parallel with main track northward to a point near the south line of the N.E. 1/4 of the N.E. 1/4 of sec. 32, Town 17 N, Range 2 W, as shown in sketch sent you July 26th of Guthrie and vicinity, except that the tangent leading northeast on the sketch, should be produced backwards towards the main track and connected with your parallel line by a 7 degree 30 minute curve. This will avoid the bad reverse shown on the sketch is, of course, only approximate, and is probably a little too near the river at the northeast end. The object of making the sketch as sent you was to concentrate the road crossing which occurs on the wye, but it makes such bad alignment that I think we had better make two road crossings. Possibly the embankment will be high enough here so that we could put in trestle approaches and let the road cross underneath the wye tracks.

I would like the road to be located on maximum grades of 0.6 of one per cent compensated 0.05 per degree of curve, maximum curve 2 degrees except where heavy bluff work would be encountered, in which case you can run up as high as 6 degrees. Grades where stations are located not to exceed 0.4 of one per cent for a distance of 2,000 feet each way from approximate center of station grounds. Grade line in no case to be less than 17 feet above ordinary water in the Cimarron River. Frequent levels to be taken of elevation of water in the river wherever same approaches near to railroad in order to keep line at proper height.

The first thing to determine will be whether we can take the A line by making a deep cut in the N.W. 1/4 of Sec 10. Should this work prove to be too heavy with the use of a 0.6 grade, then we will be obliged to try the B line for purposes of comparison as to distance and cost. There should be a siding at most convenient point near the East and West half-mile line which bisects Sec. 2, Town 17 N, Range 2 W. There is a road on this half-mile line Possibly the grade getting down from the summit in Sec. 10, may force this siding

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eastward into Sec. 1.

There should also be a siding near the S.E. of Sec 33, Town 17 N. Range 1 W. Also one near intersection of 7, 8, 18 and 17, town 17 N, Range 1 E. Also one near County line between Logan and Payne Counties. Also one immediately south of Perkins. Also one in either section 6 or 7, Town 17 N, Range 4 E near mouth of Brush Creek wherever most convenient to roads. I would like the location made simultaneously with such preliminaries as you may have to run from Guthrie to the County line between Logan and Payne Counties, getting land lines, owner's names, and all information necessary in order to secure right of way and make proper descriptions, so that work would be all ready for construction between these points. After that, to continue the location as far as Crossing No. 1 on the Cimarron River; then run a preliminary, crossing the river at points 1-1/2 and 2, which would connect with your general line to Stillwater on this route, then continue preliminary down the river making crossing No. 3 and follow up valley of Stillwater Creek to Stillwater.

Incidental to this line, see what can be done in the way of turning off somewhere near the S. W. Corner of Sec. 32, Town 18 N, Range 4 E, and crossing over to Big Creek valley in the vicinity of Plum. I believe there is a saddle there which may save some distance on future lines down the river. Would like comparative estimates on the cost of the various lines indicated above from Crossing No 1 to Stillwater Depot grounds at Stillwater should be on the east side of town, if possible, and so located as to admit of going beyond in the direction of Pawnee.

In regard to crossings 1, 1-1/2, 2 and 3 on the river above referred to; I have engaged Mr A B Ross, one of Mr Tullock's Engineers, to make the necessary borings, and have given him letter of introduction to you, copy of which is enclosed. Also have arranged to have his boring tools and outfit shipped to him at Guthrie in your care.

I hardly think it will be possible to get a line as low as 0.6 grades between Perkins and Stillwater, except by the line around by Stillwater Creek, but if you find it practicable to do so, would like to try and get in on all lines. This also applies to line from Stillwater to Pawnee, and from Pawnee to Bliss, though i hardly hope for such favorable results.

With regard to line from vicinity of Bliss to Pawnee; would like preliminaries run on basis of getting 0.6 grades if found practicable, but not to use more than one per cent grades in any case. Even if we do find it is necessary

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to use one per cent grades at particularly heavy points, I prefer to locate the rest of the line on 0.6 basis so these heavy points could afterwards be reduced, should the business of the road render it desirable.

I received a letter from Mr. Asp stating that under the present rules of the Interior Department that before a survey is made through Indian Lands that permission must be obtained from the Secretary of the Interior. I have written Mr. Asp regarding this, and think you had better call on him and find out whether he is ready to start the party out of Bliss. Should he decide that we had better defer this awaiting the permission from Interior Department, then I would suggest putting Mr. Jones on the preliminary lines referred to in this letter between Perkins and Stillwater, leaving Mr. Richards to follow up with the location from Guthrie east.

As it now looks to me, while the line down the river and back via Stillwater Creek looks very bad on the map, yet after all it does not require as much railroad as it would to build a separate branch east and one crossing the river near Perkins, and covers more good country; still of course, we cannot form a correct judgment about this until the lines are run.

I enclose you blue print map showing in red the lines referred to herein. Also enclosed letter of introduction to Mr Asp.

Yours truly,

(James Dun)

Chief Engineer.

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