Rockefeller buys railway (WC)

Wisconsin Central now controlled by Standard Oil, it is said.
(Special to the New York Times).

St. Paul, Minn., Fed. 17. - It was learned today, through an officer of the Wisconsin Central Railroad, that the Standard Oil Company has acquired a controlling interest in that road, and is financing the extension from Ladysmith, Wis,. to Superior and Duluth, and is also financing the extension of the Duluth, Rainy River, and Winnipeg Road, which extends through the iron ore range, on which the Rockefeller interests own a large area.

John D. Rockefeller is said to have personally directed this project, which has, it is understood, brought the Wisconsin Central under his control by the purchase of stock.  It is alleged that all the northern lines, the United States Steel Company's Road, the Great Northern, and the Northern Pacific have refused to haul the iron ore of the Rockefeller mines, and that the purchase of the Wisconsin Central or a controlling interest in the road, is for the purpose of getting an outlet to the ports of Lake Superior, Milwaukee, and Chicago.

----- NY Times 2/18/1906

A Big Consolidation - WC & NP

Milwaukee, Wis, Oct. 9. - A private letter written by President Colby of the Wisconsin Central Railroad to a stockholder of the Northern Pacific system reveals a gigantic railway consolidation that will connect the two oceans and revolutionize international railway traffic.  It was never intended that the letter should become public.  It contains the inside workings of a great scheme, which is not yet entirely completed.

The consolidation of the Wisconsin Central and the Northern Pacific systems in amicable traffic agreement was the first step.  Henry Villard has secretly been at work to gain possession of a controlling interest in the Northern Pacific, and has formed an alliance with Charles and Joseph Colby, who have unlimited means.  Through this alliance a majority of the Northern Pacific stock has been secured.

Henry Villard will be restored to his lost estate by being made President of the Northern Pacific system.  All his former enemies will be shorn of their power, and one of the greatest railway consolidation in the world will be consummated.  Even now the contracts have been signed whereby the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad is to enter into an agreement with the consolidated Wisconsin Central and Northern Pacific lines connecting the two oceans.  The Atchison is also in the deal, reaching Mexico and southern California.  Chicago will be made the centre of operating the three great lanes.  The Northern Pacific will be extended  from Puget Sound and built into Alaska, making a continuous line from New York City to Sitka.

Baltimore, Oct. 9 - In the absence of President Mayer, who is attending a coal meeting in Philadelphia, Vice President King was shown the story of the Colby letter. He said that as far as the B&O is concerned there is nothing in this report; which is started to affect the market.  The Wisconsin Central and the Northern Pacific are of course already on very pleasant terms, but it has always been the policy of the Baltimore and Ohio and other trunk lines east to avoid any affiliation with western roads at Chicago to the exclusion of others.  It is more profitable to be independent.

First Vice President Orlando Smith also denied the story,   saying that when the Baltimore and Ohio inspection party were in Chicago recently they looked over the terminals of the Wisconsin Central and made a short trip over their terminal road, and to this fact was doubtless due the manufacture of the story.

NY Times Oct 10, 1889

The Illinois Central, It is said, will absorb the MIssouri, Kansas & Texas Line.

Chicago, June 1. - It is reported that the next big railroad deal in connection with the western roads will be the absorption of the MIssouri, Kansas and Texas by the Illinois Central.  The basis of this deal, it is said, will be either a perpetual leave of the "Katy" property by the Illinois Central, on the guarantee of agreed dividends upon its entire issue of stock or the exchange of the stock for bonds guaranteed by the Illinois Central on the same plan as Burlington stock has been exchanged for bonds guaranteed by the Northern Pacific and the Great Northern.

For many years Harriman interests have had a strong representation in the Illinois Central and now they are the predominating power in the Missouri, Kansas & Texas affairs.  The most recent undertakings of the Illinois Central have been in reaching out for Omaha and St. Paul traffic, and in arranging to participate to an appreciable degree in transcontinental busisiness.

NY Times June 2, 1901

Pennsylvania in Milwaukee

Milwaukee - Dec. 19. - It is reported that the Pennsylvania Railroad Company will erect shops in this city, and in support of this statement it is also said that the Northern Pacific and Wisconsin Central Lines, as merged under the Villard direction, are to be allied with the Pennsylvania Company, so as to secure a new transcontinental line.  Before the Northern Pacific secured a lease of the WIsconsin Central the latter had acquired title to most of the property necessary to give it terminal facilities in the heart of Milwaukee.  It is claimed that the Pennsylvania Company will be running into Milwaukee over the Central's tracks before the end of next year and that what was regarded as inexplicable folly bt the Northern Pacific people in antagonizing other St. Paul lines by taking the Wisconsin Central will be shown to have been a well-conceived and carefully-execuated plan for a new through line independent of all others.

NY Times Dec 20, 1890

Erie in Wisconsin Road?

Newman Erb's election interpreted at Milwaukee-Duluth to coast plan.

Milwaukee, Oct. 10 - "New and strong interests have come into the Wisconsin Central property" says an official statement issued after the annual meeting today.  "No change is intended in the plans or policies of the company; on the contrary, it will be enabled to push its plans more vigorously."

"Two changes have been made in the Board of Directors to give these new interests representation.  Newman Erb of New York and G.M. Cumming, president of the United States Mortgage and Trust Company, New York are the new members of the Board of Directors".

Newman Erb succeeds John Crosby Brown of New York and Mr. Cumming was elected to the place held by Joseph S. Dale of New York.  THe directors will elect the officers in New York next month.  The gross earnings for the year ended on June 30, 1905, were $6,650,883 against $6,466,176 for the previous year.  The net earnings were $2,276,547 against $2,123,737 for the year ended on June 30, 1904.

The journal says:
"As sized up by MIlwaukee financial interestes and railroad men, the changes indicate a desire on the part of the Erie Railroad to get control of the Wisconsin Central in order to get a short route by car ferry to Manitowoc for a connection with the Great Northern Railroad at Minneapolis and Ashland. <note, the Northern Pacific reached Ashland, not the Great Northern or perhaps they meant Duluth>.  Former officers of the Pere Marquette Railroad have obtained interests in the line.  The Pere Marquette was recently absorbed by the Erie system.

The evening Wisconsin says the new interests in the WIsconsin Central present quite clearly the probablity of a big combination of traffic interests which will eventually form a strong, direct route through route from Duluth /Minneapolis to the seaboard.

NY Times Oct 11, 1905

Milwaukee Terminal Railroad



I had never heard of this venture before.  I know that there was a "Milwaukee Terminal" that was a joint venture of the Milwaukee Road and Northern Pacific in the Puget Sound area but that's not this one.  This venture appears to be related to a couple of railroads without access to the city of Milwaukee trying to gain access to the city.  It mentions the Wisconsin Central and I have seen mentions of the Wisconsin Central intending to use the former Fox River Valley right-of-way from Burlington to Milwaukee for Milwaukee access.  I had also heard about plans for the Illinois Central to access Milwaukee via the same/similar route.  However, this is the first that I have heard about the Chicago, Burlington, & Quincy, Northern Pacific, Rock Island, and/or Baltimore & Ohio attempting to gain access to Milwaukee.  Please note that it says the previous mentioned railroads are "believed" to be backing the company; it does not say with absolute certainty.