A bit confusing. The article stating the Frisco would retain its identity is dated MAY 11, 1903, whereas the article of the CRIP boasting the total absorption of the Frisco was dated JULY 1903. We all know it didn't happen, but I think it odd that the chronology as noted seems bass ackwards.
Not happening!!! When I was a kid my street was called Frisco...the tracks in front of my house is called Frisco and you know what?! The red and white locomotives are called Frisco!!!! So stick that in your pipe and smoke it Rock Island!!!
This certainly looks like a lot of confusion and speculation from when the Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific; the St. Louis & San Francisco; and Chicago & Eastern Illinois Railroad were owned by the Rock Island Company of New Jersey (Reid-Moore Syndicate).
Rob, I'm guessing this article was published shortly after Yoakum partnered up with the Reid-Moore Syndicate. It's interesting to look at a map of the two systems and see how they both fit together. The Reid-Moore Syndicate built or bought many lines to link the two railroads together. Even short of a full merger, there are a number of Rock Island routes that would've made logical additions to the Frisco system such as the Trinity & Brazos Valley or the St. Louis, Kansas City & Colorado. Gabriel G.
Ethan, They do complement each other rather nicely, don't they? The only issue is that both Frisco and Rock Island were reliant on bridge traffic. In order to complete their system, the Frisco-Rock Island system would've needed an outlet to the West Coast. I know several attempts were made by Yoakum and the Reid-Moore Syndicate to reach some sort of accommodation with either the Southern Pacific or Santa Fe. Gabriel G.
