FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Local Historians Gathering Photographs and Information for a History of the Cadiz Railroad – Cadiz, Kentucky – December 27, 2010 – Although both William Turner and Thomas Harper are currently busy promoting their respective books, Edgar Cayce’s Hometown and Images of America: Trigg County, they have made time to begin research for their next project; a history of the Cadiz Railroad.
March 9, 2011, marks the 110th anniversary of the founding of the Cadiz Railroad, the 10.33 mile short-line that connected Cadiz and Trigg County to the world by way of nearby Gracey. Upon arrival in Gracey, Trigg Countians made their way to cities near and far aboard the Louisville & Nashville and the Illinois Central Railroads. In addition to passenger transportation, the Cadiz Railroad also carried livestock, tobacco, timber and other merchandise out of the county while delivering nearly every imaginable item to the merchants of Trigg County, and from 1902 to 1941, even the mail arrived aboard a Cadiz Railroad steam powered locomotive.
According to H. S. “Stan” White, Jr., several articles have been published over the years about the Cadiz Railroad, but they have often been riddled with errors or inflated by the authors for the purpose of “a good story”. White is working closely with Turner and Harper, contributing his personal archive of Cadiz Railroad business documents and photographs and through personal interviews; White is also writing the foreword to the upcoming book. Turner states that Stan White’s contribution to this publication is invaluable. “As President of the Cadiz Railroad from 1966 until his retirement in 1985, he [White] brings a one-of-a- kind perspective to the process of documenting the history of the railroad.”
William T. Turner has authored numerous books on various historical topics, including Images of America: Cerulean Springs and the Springs of Western Kentucky, with LaDonna Dixon Anderson. Turner opened his personal archives to Thomas Harper and provided guidance during the compilation of Harper’s first book, Images of America: Trigg County, which is set for release on February 21, 2011.
Turner and Harper are seeking information, photographs and personal accounts about the Cadiz Railroad. For more information or to contribute materials, please call 270-498-1212, 270-839-6380 or email trigghistory@gmail.com.