In
the US Census and Denison city directory information available between 1895 and
1900, Kenneth Ellerton and his siblings, Maude and George, worked for the
Missouri-Kansas-Texas Railroad.
The railroad was dubbed “The Katy.”
The railroad was dubbed “The Katy.”
As
you can see from the map, its operations extended from St. Louis to Houston and
the Texas Gulf Coast.
Most
casual observers of railroads are familiar that the transcontinental railroad
was joined at Promontory Point, Utah on May 10, 1869 celebrated by great pomp
and circumstance. Just three and one-half years later, amid virtually no
fanfare, the North-South connection of America’s burgeoning railroad system was
consummated at Denison, Texas, when The Katy and the Houston and Texas Central Railroad
connected on Christmas Day 1872.
In
1896, at the same time our ancestors were employed by The Katy, there was a
notable incident that befitting the expression, “A train wreck waiting to happen.”
As its passenger ridership declined, The Katy challenged its passenger agent for Texas, George Crush, to revive its sagging fortunes. He invited the public to attend a staged, head-on train collision.
As its passenger ridership declined, The Katy challenged its passenger agent for Texas, George Crush, to revive its sagging fortunes. He invited the public to attend a staged, head-on train collision.
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