II. THE CONDITION OF THE ST. FRANCIS SPUR

Cheyenne County, Kansas, is the furthest northwestern point in the state,
and St. Francis is the county seat, located on the Republican River. Union
Blue Railroad entered into the construction of a spur from Colby
northwards in 1874. This involves bridging several rivers but is important
for two reasons.

First, the route just south of Sioux territory is currently under the
control of the Wasatch Railroad Company. In the event that the Wasatch
should suffer some untimely setback, a spur to St. Francis would make it
much easier for Union Blue to connect back with the Wasatch merely by
running rails along the banks of the river back to Republican Junction, in
the Nebraska territory. Opposition party members also believe that it
might be possible to enter into a contract with Wasatch similar to that
enjoyed with Denver & Pacific, to pay the Wasatch to run Union Blue trains
on the Wasatch lines. I personally oppose this practice but it has some
merit.

Second, if hostilities with the Sioux are unavoidable - or if England
invades the U.S. via Canada, the spur will be invaluable in moving troops
and supplies quickly from Forts Hays and Dodge.

However, the spur has apparently stalled some few miles outside of Colby,
Kansas, without finishing the approximately 40 miles of rail still
needed, nor the consruction of a bridge over North Fork Sappa Creek.
General Chamberlain was evasive in his first quarter report to the
Committee. I doubt seriously that he knows what has happened.

This project must be started moving again by whatever means necessary.