Coldwater is now connected by bands of steel with that portion of the world east outside of Comanche county. The iron horse came puffing into our city Wednesday, and came near causing a stampede of citizens who perhaps have not seen the " kerrs" for over three years.We were all at the depot and the sight was a grand one, we assure you. But, however, we composed ourselves, having mutually agreed beforehand that we would not blow our fingers off with brass cannons, shoot deadly poison into each other with toy pistols or get howling full and swear that we could lick John L. Sullivan with one hand, and when the city marshall nabbed us act as a lamb and repent like a babe.
On the other hand we stood silently by while the numerous flags which decorated the business and residences of the city told of our fullness of heart, and thought of the consummate ass who called us a liar when 3 years ago we made the remark that the youthful inhabitants would live to see the day when Coldwater would have a railroad.
It is impossible to estimate the advantage the Chicago, Kansas & Western will have upon the future prosperity of our city saying nothing of the convenience.
Coldwater is still in the bloom of her youth and while her strides for greatness under many disadvantages this season, drought and lack of railroad facilities, have been phenomenal, next September's sun will light the morning on her fair young face and find that her population has more than doubled; that substantial brick blocks occupy the business portion of the city where frame buildings are now located, and that many more new and elegant residences will dot the sightly grounds which constitute the town site of Coldwater.
Coldwater is not ready to put on her gown and say, "Now I lay me down to sleep," but is still wide awake to her interests, and her growth cannot be checked until she becomes the metropolis of Southwest Kansas.
Also see:
Economic Impacts of Railroad Abandonment On Rural Kansas Communities Final Report, July 2003.
Frank Dodson: "For a time they lived on a claim from the government and then moved to the town of Avilla where he attended a private school. When the railroad came to Coldwater, the family moved to Coldwater." -- The Western Star, December 12, 1963.
Frank A. Kimple
"Some Early Day Experiences Recalled": A Stolen Ride On A Freight Train
The Western Star, July 4, 1924 and January 2, 1925.
Thanks to Shirley Brier for finding, transcribing and contributing the above news article to this web site!
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