Howard County IN Archives History - Books .....Kokomo, Marion & Western Traction Company 1909
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Book Title: History Of Howard County Indiana

KOKOMO, MARION & WESTERN TRACTION COMPANY.

   Enterprise, sound business judgment, and well directed energy combined, have
developed the Kokomo, Marion & Western Traction Company, of Kokomo, Indiana, to
the front rank among the interurban companies of the state. Its present position
of importance in the business and commercial world has been attained as the
result of a steady growth from a modest beginning. The Kokomo Street Railway
Company was organized by Attorney J. F. Morrison. Shortly afterwards the company
was reorganized and known as the Kokomo City Railway & Light Company. In the
start there were two companies, separate and distinct, that known as the
Citizens' Light & Power Company and the Kokomo City Railway Company. Under this
consolidation great practical advantages were attained, both for the new company
and the public, which the latter was not slow to recognize and appreciate. The
original owners of the street railway property were Frank E. Snow, W. E. Avery,
William H. Stevens, and J. E. Jackson, of Detroit Michigan, and J. E. McGetting,
of Indianapolis.

   In 1890 tracks were laid from Markland avenue to the junction, and a year
later the line was extended to the plate glass factory over Sycamore street. The
active and capable manager of the property at this period of its operation was
W. E. Avery, now deceased. It is to him, perhaps more than to any one person,
that the Kokomo public is indebted for the procurement of the beautiful city
park for which Kokomo is famed throughout Indiana. Mr. Avery, both for the
benefit of the city, and the company with which he was identified, perceived the
benefits to be derived from the establishment of a city park. Rebuffed at first
he was not to be discouraged, and approaching J. R. Hall, of Indianapolis, with
the proposition, Mr. Hall was taken with the idea at once. Being a former
resident of Kokomo and interested in her people, he adopted Mr. Avery's
suggestion and deeded the original park land to the city. The Street Railway
Company at once constructed a line to the park along Markland and Courtland
avenues.

   The company made money the first year of its organization, and was increasing
its business steadily in full ignorance that it was soon to face a financial
storm which would shake the enterprise from center to circumference. Thus far
the financial wisdom of its establishment had been proven, and extensions were
planned which were of a promising character. The panic of 1893 came on, and for
months the company dragged empty cars through the streets. But it was to be seen
that the enterprise was founded upon a rock that the waves of financial storm
could not dislodge, and a reorganization was effected, resulting in a sale of
the railway and light properties to W. E. Stevens and Freemont Woodsworth, of
Detroit.

   The company added the line of track running from Main street to the
Cloverleaf Railroad. During the time of the ownership of the properties by
Detroit capitalists about three and one half miles of track were utilized. It
was not until 1902 that very extensive improvements were undertaken. T. C.
McReynolds had assumed the management of the business, and he had in mind plans
for developing the enterprise, which contemplated a systematic growth. He was
confident of the bright future of the company and time has vindicated the
correctness of his judgment. In 1902 the Kokomo Railway & Light Company, under
his direction, laid four and one half miles of track in the city. The northwest
and southwest loops were constructed and from that hour the company took a step
forward to the vital moment to its profit and welfare. The traffic was trebled,
because the very heart of important territory had been touched and people could
go somewhere. The light plant was improved to a state of efficiency. But in 1903
all that Mr. McReynolds had hoped for and believed would be accomplished was
realized in the organization of the present company, the Kokomo, Marion &
Western Traction Company. Old things had passed away, and new blood was to
surprise the most conservative of the company's well wishers. In 1903 the
company was organized with George J. Marrott, of Indianapolis, president; L. J.
Kirkpatrick, vice-president, and T. C. McReynolds, secretary-treasurer and
general manager. Mr. McReynolds was now enabled to see that accomplished which
long before he had planned and upon which he had determined. An interurban line
was to be constructed connecting Kokomo and Marion. Mr. McReynolds was backed by
sufficient capital and supported by business capability of successful business
men. Twenty-eight miles of track east of Kokomo were laid and the line from the
start proved a good investment. Then the power plant was improved, the latest
improvements installed and the plant brought to its highest efficiency, so that
it cares for all requirements and much more. In 1900 this plant represented but
three hundred and fifty horse power. Today it represents, four thousand five
hundred horse power. The company is the owner of four electric light plants,
located at Kokomo, Swayzee, Greentown and Converse. The company's properties are
constantly increasing in value, and are so situated that an increase in value
must be the inevitable result from each passing year.


Additional Comments:
From:

HISTORY OF HOWARD COUNTY INDIANA
BY
JACKSON MORROW, B. A.
ILLUSTRATED
VOL. II
B. F. BOWEN & COMPANY
INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA

(circa 1909)

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