GRAY'S POINT AT CENTER OF RR DISPUTE (100 YEARS AGO)

Gray's Point was named for Edmond Gray, a pioneer riverboat captain and landowner. Gray was born in Ohio but came to St. Louis as a boy. He entered the riverboat service under the tutelage of his father and older brothers, and earned his pilot's license before he was of age. Until 1898, he served continuously as a pilot or captain of Anchor line packets, but that year gave up his travels to take charge of the railroad transfer boat at Gray's Point. Gray continued the operation until the Thebes Bridge was completed in 1905 and did away with the boat transfers. He died in 1912 and was buried at the town the bears his name.

Excerpts from The Cape Girardeau Weekly Democrat

Saturday, Jan. 8, 1898; Page 5

Monday: It is rumored on the streets today that the Cotton Belt Terminal railroad will be extended from Gray's Point up the river to this city. The cause of this, it is said, is on account of their being no place on the river at Gray's Point for a railroad incline.

Saturday, Jan. 22, 1898; Page 5

Wednesday: The water in the swamp is making it hard on the contractors who are building the Gray's Point railroad. It is a hard matter to get men to work in the water at this season of the year.

Saturday, Feb. 5, 1898; Page 5

Monday: It is reported that all work on the Gray's Point Terminal has been stopped. The contractors are waiting for a decision from the Supreme Court.

Saturday, Feb. 5, 1898; Page 5

Friday: Matt Morrison says the Cotton Belt railroad is going to build up from Gray's Point to this city. Matt nearly always know what is going on.

Saturday, Feb. 12, 1898; Page 5

Wednesday: Every time a blast of powder goes off at Gray's Point the people of this city are reminded of how near and yet how far we came to getting that great railroad.

Saturday, Feb. 19, 1898; Page 5

Thursday: A large force of hands began work on Houck's land near Gray's Point this morning. The Supreme Court gave the Cotton Belt authority to go on with its work, but the end is not yet. There will be music in the air later on.

Saturday, Feb. 19, 1898; Page 5

HOUCK LOST: In his suit in the Supreme Court with the Cotton Belt Railroad (Louis) Houck lost. The Supreme Court so decided yesterday. This means that the foundation is laid for a long and tedious fight in the courts and it means that Mr. Houck, to keep up to his reputation as a winner of law suits will again win in the end.

Saturday, Feb. 26, 1898; Page 5

Monday: The blasting of rock at Gray's Point makes music for the people of this city, but it is not the kind of music calculated to enthuse our people.

Saturday, Feb. 26, 1898; Page 5

Monday: The Cotton Belt Spaniards are bombarding Houck's Land near Gray's Point and the report of the big corporation guns are heard in this city.

Saturday, March 12, 1898; Page 5

Tuesday: We understand that the work of laying the steel rails on the Gray's Point railroad was completed Saturday. The road, however, will not be ready for the cars for two or three months yet.

Saturday, March 12, 1898; Page 5

Friday: The hotel man who takes a pride in cursing (Louis) Houck and this city should move to Gray's Point. The people of Cape Girardeau are too good for him and the town is entirely too large for him.

Saturday, April 2, 1898; Page 5

Monday: It will be several months yet before the trains will run over the Gray's Point railroad. The high water has made the railroad dump through the swamp as soft as a sponge.

Saturday, April 2, 1898; Page 5

Thursday: The high water will soon have the Cotton Belt at Birds Point, and the Gray's Point branch is not yet finished. If the water remains up as it is the Cotton Belt will again have to do business with the Houck road.

Saturday, May 21, 1898; Page 5

Friday: Judge Riley will hold an adjourned term of the Circuit Court at Benton to try the damage suit of (Louis) Houck against the Gray's Point Railroad, on the 15th of June.

Saturday, May 28, 1898; Page 5

TOWN AT GRAY'S POINT: A town site at Gray's Point is being laid off, lots are being sold and several new houses will soon be erected. A post office has been established there and our old friend J.D. Van Etten has received the appointment as Postmaster.