What happened to the "Kansas City & Memphis Railway Company" of 1911?

Question

I work for a mortgage company, and one of our customers has an old warranty deed granting a right of way to that railway company across some property in Cave Springs, Benton County, Arkansas. However, the tracks were never built, and we need to find out who to contact to obtain an abandonment or a release of the right-of-way. The right of way was dated April 29, 1911 and was filed June 5, 1911, so who knows what happened to the railway company since then. Any help would be grealy appreciated.

Answer 1

it merged with Kansas City Southern in the early 50's after the war, i'm pretty sure

Answer 2

In tracking this thing further, I found a legal action dated 1/29/1990 involving the LA & ARK RR over an environment issue.  It was case #88-4901 in The US Court of Appeals, 5th Circuit District.

For your purposes, all you need is a contact person:

The legal counsel for Louisiana & Arkansas Railroad was the firm of Wilkinson, Carmody & Gillam of Shreveport, Louisiana.

Bobby Gillam and Jerald Jones were the firm's case attorneys.

Answer 3

Here is the best info I can find.

I find no reference to the "Kansas City & Memphis Railway Company."  The "Kansas City, Pittsburg and Gulf", started by Arthur Stillwell in 1890 was the earliest predesssor of the Kansas City Southern.  The road went into receivership two years later and was reborn as the KCS.

In 1939, this company merged with the "Louisiana and Arkansas Railroad", giving them access for coal shipments from Wyoming's Powder River Basin, via Burlington Northern, to the power plants of Arkansas, Louisiana and Texas.

Not exactly what you're looking for but perhaps this is a help anyhow.  Good luck in your search.