Abilene & Northern Railway

          The Abilene & Northern Railway was chartered on February 8th to build a route connecting Abilene and Stamford creating a through route to Wichita Falls. Per the Charter it was due to be finished by December 31 that year. The Fidelity Company out of Wichita falls was given the construction contract. Unfortunately, due to heavy rainfall during the early part of the year, construction stalled greatly. 200 Greek immigrants had been hired to construct the line, however, the torrential downfall for weeks on end frustrated the workers causing them to quit and abandon their duties. Nevertheless, Colonel Morgan Jones’ determination pushed the construction to completion by December 31. The first day of 1907 brought a joyous celebration as the Abilene & Northern Railway officially opened for business on January 1st. It became a subsidiary to the Colorado & Southern Railway and promptly leased to the Wichita Valley Railway on February 1st, 1908. By the end of the year in December the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad had purchased the Colorado & Southern Railway becoming a subsidiary of their own. On June 13, 1952 the Abilene & Northern Railway, was officially merged into the Fort Worth & Denver Railway, another Colorado & Southern Subsidiary.