Eastland County, TX - History - Cisco and Northeastern Being Dismantled ************************************************************************************* This file was contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by: Dorman Holub Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm ************************************************************************************* Once World's Most Prosperous Railway, Cisco and Northeastern Being Dismantled CISCO, April 7 - The order of the Interstate Commerce commission, which approved the hearing held in Cisco some time ago, and announced about one month ago, to dismantle the Cisco & Northeastern railroad, operation under purchase of the Texas & Pacific Company is now being carried out by a crew of 18 workmen under Contractor Edwards. The road is a child of the boom days in the oil belt and the personal effects of Col. R.Q. Lee, ranchman, oilman, banker and later member of congress from the 17th district of Texas and associates. The line came into existence when sorely needed in 1919, when it was completed to Breckenrdige, and was officered by R.Q. Lee, president; William Reagan and Walter Ray, vice presidents; John J. Butts and D.K. Scott, general counsel; Alex Spears, secretary, W.E. Ricks, treasurer. For the initial years of the road's existence it was the most prosperous railway line per mile in the world. Depression and diversions of transportations caused a slump until its operations was a cost more than income. The line was later extended from Breckenridge to Throckmorton, and was acquired by purchase by the Texas & Pacific, which applied to discontinue its operation and dismantle the line. Contractor Edwards and his wrecking crew are now taking up the steel and ties norht of Breckenridge. After these materials are salvaged north of Breckenridge the crew will establish headquarters in Cisco and finish the work. C.P. Cole, local Cisco Texas & Pacific freight agent, the steel will amount to 300 carloads, which will be used in government projects. The cross ties, about 500 car loads will be taken to Fort Worth. All properties of the road will revert to the cities in which they are located. The round house and land in Cisco will become the property of the city. Two engines of the road, one of which has been sold to a lumber company in Louisiana, and the other has been leased to Contractor Edwards in dismantling work of ht eline. People in Cisco-Breckenridge-Throckmorton regret the passing of the C.& N.E. and the names of its sponsors: R.Q. Lee, Gus Ward, C.H. Fee, John J. Butts, Walter Ray, William Reagan, Frank E. Harrell, D.K. Scott, Alex Spears, J.M. Williamson, B.S. Huey, C.M. Caldwell, Breck Walker, Earl Conner, Sr., C.U. Connellee, John Gholson, M.H. Hagerman. Abilene Reporter-News Saturday, 7 April 1951