This is the story of the birth certificate of a railroad. Not the story of the Santa Fe as we know it today, but simply the notation on the back of its birth certificate. Its infant smiles and tears, its struggle to survive. Now, in just a moment we'll tell you about it, but first here's Gain Whitman. This year, winter sports have grown increasingly more popular. More popular, too, are all the new models of outdoor sportswear which carry the tag that reads, Fabrics Treated with DuPont Zeeland. There's good reason for this wide use of Zeeland durable water repellent. Outdoor enthusiasts know that garments made of fabric treated with Zeeland give continuing satisfaction because they afford protection against snow and rain even after many washings or cleaning. Zeeland, it's one of the DuPont company's better things for better living through chemistry. And now Ralph Bellamy as Cyrus Holliday and Louise Allbritton as Mary in the Prairie Burner on the DuPont's Cavalcade of America. It's the year 1866, just outside the frontier town in Kansas. The prairie, like a gold and russet carpet, stretches unbroken on each side of the rough wagon trail. The only sound to disturb the peacefulness of the morning is the sound of a stagecoach traveling up from the south. Uh-oh, did I say peaceful? Say, that was a rifle shot. Yes, there's a band of cowboys stopping the coach. Keep your hand away from your shooting arm, Darver. We ain't aiming for trouble with you less than you asked for. What's the idea of stopping my coach? We got a little something to say to one of your passengers. You Holliday. Yes, what concern have you with me, sir? Just this, Mr. Railroad Builder. More warning you. Keep your blasted prairie burners away from our grazing lands, understand? No, I'm afraid I don't understand. You see, mister, we just don't favor railroads in these parts, right boys? That's right. Oh, you don't, eh? No, and we don't favor railroad builders, neither. So we're giving you the way around. You better pay up to mine. Now you listen to me, my friend. I'm leaving for the east, but I'll be back to build a railroad across the desert from the peak of the Santa Fe, and you and all the cattlemen in Kansas won't stop me. Cyrus Holliday, back home in the east, found that the problems of building a railroad were not confined solely to the west. In the year 1867, we find him seated at the dinner table, glowering down at the plate before him. Mary, his wife, gently suggests. Eat your bluefish, dear. Bluefish. Yes, that's what they all are, bluefish. They have as much imagination, as much vision as this is broiled bluefish. Why, who, Cyrus? Guilford, this crowd, that's who. They think a railroad from Topeka, Kansas to Santa Fe is impractical, and they won't give me a cent worth of backing. Why, it's a very idea. Well, we'll use our own money, that's what we'll do. What? Do you know how much money it takes to build a railroad? No, no, but we have about $20,000 in the bank, ain't we? Mary, it takes lots more than $20,000 to build a railroad, lots more, dear. It takes hundreds of thousands, maybe millions. Oh my, really, Cyrus? Sure, $20,000 will build no more than maybe 10 or 12 miles of rail, dear. Well, then let's build a 12-mile railroad. That'd be throwing money away. No, it wouldn't. Your charter with the government gives you deed to land on each side of the railroad, doesn't it? Yes, if I build a railroad, but... Well, then why not build 12 miles of road, and sell the land, and take the money, and build 12 miles more, and then take that money and build... Whoa, whoa, there. I suppose you think that's ridiculous, too. Dear, I can't build a railroad with $20,000. Well, you can start one with that, can't you? It just won't work. I just don't see why not. Well, because... Well... Well? Because... Why not? Yes, why not? Why, Jupiter, why not? That's what I asked, dear. By heavens, I'll do it. You hear, Mary, I'll do it. You mean we'll do it, don't you, dear? Because I'm going with you this time. What? You mean to Kansas? Uh-huh, to Kansas. Oh, no. Oh, no, my pet. Oh, yes. Oh, yes, my darling. Mary, I will not hear another word about it. Uh, yes, darling. And that's final. Yes, darling. Now, do eat your bluefish, Cyrus. It's really quite good, dear. So, this is Topeka. Just one muddy street and two lines of clobbered houses. I shouldn't have allowed you to come. This is no place for... For a decent, respectable woman, yes, darling. You'd better inquire about their windows, whereabouts. Yes, I understand the building of New City Hall since I was here last, but none of those buildings look like it. If you please, sir. Whoa, whoa, nearly. Whoa, up there. House danger. Can you direct us to the City Hall? Sir, that noble edifice across the road to the New City Hall. Oh, thanks a lot. That's shag. Yes, sure, the railroad man, Wendy, has been expecting it, you know. Wendy. Ah, he's under the mayor. We call him Wendy and the county's got heaps of talking talent. I see. Yes, I'm the railroad man the mayor's been expecting. Thank you kindly, sir, for your assistance. Careful of the mud, ma'am, when you cross the road six inches before you hit bottom, I reckon. Thank you. Yes, I'd better carry across to the board, many. Oh, how nice, dear. You don't. Oh, careful, dear, don't flip. Do you think for a moment that I'd let such a precious bird fall in the Kansas mud? Mr. Railroad Man. Yes, my friend. I hear you're meaning to build a railroad to Santa Fe. That's right, sir, right across the desert to Santa Fe. I'll be doggone across the desert to Santa Fe. Man, what's so funny about that, my good man? Now, now, sir, don't get into a fuss, Wendy. At least carry me out of this mud, sir. Yes, let him laugh the confounded... Uh, mister. Yes? Sir, please. No, skin off my head again, but, uh, what are you expecting to talk on your railroad, mister? Bottle bones? Bottle bones? Now let me tell you something. Oh, oh, oh. Oh, sorry. Oh, look at that. Oh, I... Oh, look at that. Now... Ah, ha, ha, Mr. Halliday, my dear sir, welcome indeed to Topeka. Mayor Windham. Ah, dear me, I... I feel you've met with a mishap. I had just a little fall in the mud. Oh, may I present my wife, Mayor Mrs. Halliday. How do you do, sir? May I help you up, madam? Oh, thank you. Upon my word, indeed, a double delight awaits the proud citizens of Topeka. For grace and prosperity, beauty and grace. Indeed, my dear madam, indeed. Oh, thank you, sir. This way to the city hall, folks. Yes, sir, you may count me as your most willing servant. Indeed, sir, your most willing servant. Yes, here we are. Enter, please, my, uh, chambers. Do, uh, sit down, folks. Do sit down. Thank you, Mayor. Now, Mr. Halliday, sir, if I can be of any assistance in my official capacity as mayor of Topeka, you have but to speak, sir. Thank you. Now, now, in proof, sir, I think it best to warn you, there may be a bit of trouble. Trouble? Yes, now, now, nothing to be concerned about, I assure you, madam. Nothing at all, just, uh, Sam Coulter and some of his boys. Sam Coulter? Do you know him, sir? Yes, I met the gentleman on my last trip here. Uh, Sam Coulter, sir, can't abide the sight, smell, sound, or thought of a railroad. In fact, sir, a railroad man to Sam is lower than, excuse me, ma'am, a sheepherd. Huh? Oh, oh, goodness me. Yes, sir, sir, it seems Sam had a ranch up north of here, a railroad come along, bringing settlers and, and big pardon, ma'am, sheepherd. And go his herd off in the free grass. And he fought like all get out, but didn't do him a mighty good, said he'd rather sell out than have any fuck with a railroad. And by George, he did, yes, sir. Yes, he hates railroads worse than he does a, a horse theme. Ah, Coulter and all the cattlemen in Kansas aren't going to stop me from running a line to Emporia. Oh, there's a man of spirit, madam, indeed a man of spirit. Heh, that might, I inquire, sir. I see you don't carry any, uh, firearms. Firearms? Well, I'm sure I have a few spare ones around. Oh, yes, yes, here are a good lot. Oh, my, what a pretty pearl handle. May I? Mary, for the love of heaven, put that thing down. Oh. In fact, you're kindly, ma'am, but I don't think I'll need a gun. Yes, well, perhaps not, sir, perhaps not. Oh, Cyrus, do take the gun. It has such a pretty pearl handle. Mary, please. Yes, darling. No, I don't think we'll need guns to build the Santa Fe. At least, I hope not. Yes, Mary, I'm glad you decided to be a railroad builder, after all. Really, why? Because you might have been a coach road builder and made roads like this and had a little piece of material. Yes, but my friends who liked Needham have encountered some behö eta chalabna builded boggles for their menu weaponry. it's left side of the court order you've got no call to get the bristles up culture and it isn't that they're not going to what do you want to order one of your passengers come out of that coat holiday if you have anything to say to me kota say it let us go on our way up down holiday i'll keep them probably left jake there's a no concern of your you coming out holiday or do we have to come get you all right i'll come out no they might stay in the coach here don't worry all right boys let's take them and get it going ladies put that gun down and please let me handle this alone ma'am it won't please me not to make smoke with a woman so i'm asking you politely drop that gun i will drop this gun you you you sheep herder that's lame you don't remember if you want a lady if i wish i were a lady then i'd really tell you what i think of you of all the stupid short-sighted why don't you realize what a railroad will do for your southwest it'll build an empire if a whole new empire out of a desert and prairie ma'am we don't need none of you slick tongue easter to tell us how to run our fair these are free open ranges and we aim to keep my word have you say my friend i'm listening to our boss enough of this tin music let's get out of the minute pete all of them i warned you once now this is the last time you keep your blasted paraben is away from our grazing land or the only way you will ride will be when you set a straddle come on boys well i i guess they won't dare bother us again now well i've got my pretty pearl handle shooting i am really dear give me that gun oh all right where in heaven's name did you oh i see mere windham yes darling i just couldn't resist it it has such a pretty pearl hand i'll keep it myself if i know kohler i'm afraid i'm going to need it you are listening to ralph bellamy and louise albritton in the prairie burner on the cavalcade of america sponsored by the du pont company maker of better things for better living through chemistry the second part of our story opens a month later cyrus holiday is building a railroad from topeka to santa fe the rails are being laid in record time everything is going well and just before sundown one day the trouble starts keep your head down mike sure mr holiday those cowboys hate the shots they're made out to be the way they shoot me aiming high mike on purpose trying to scare your men of the quitting quitting we'll quit we drive the last bike down in santa fe and then a mysterious fire broke out one night in the supplier off the line mike no use fighting a fire any longer the sheds are gone what the railroad tries mr holiday i'm afraid there's nothing we can do about them now all black cotton this is going to set us back for month or more yes and we need that month with the government deadline coming closer every week and then the rails were torn up almost as fast as they were laid mike tell me operated again the keys and raise kansas city we need a new batch of rails to repair the section they tore up last night but mr holiday sir are you sure that we have the money to cover it i don't know mike but one thing i do know one more setback and we're through sit down mike mr holiday sir i know mike i know what you came to tell me the men are all quitting well no not exactly sir well i can't say i can blame them can't expect them to work without the certainty of being paid well no sir can't as bad as our lads only about half the hands of quit you might as well tell them all to put down their tools mike good morning looks like sam coler wins good morning darling morning dear well what's everyone looking so down the mouth about oh sure no ma'am there's only the set of my face uh yes i'd better get back to the men and tell them mr holiday oh i know no now i know money heaven's as if that was something to worry about look what i've got what three thousand in cartwheels and gold mary where did that money come from from the men sir the first turn will be pulling out on the new satafate tracks two weeks from today or my name is michael oday oh jake must you do that with oh just celebrating mr hard day man why did he never thought jay carter would be driving the first star in car games on your railroad mr hard day i never thought anyone would for the way it looked for a good while uh when do we let it book mr holiday you know as well as i do that nothing gets started around here without a speech from mayor windham time nation how do you like your new saddle jake yes driving an iron horse is a little more complicated than a stagecoach uh man my fear is jittery is a close-hobbled horse in fly time ah don't worry jake and i'll be riding in the engine with you on this run memorable occasion ready sir for your speech i've been ready for weeks ladies and gentlemen ladies and gentlemen this day april 26 1869 shall go down in the annals of the city of poppy as the most memorable the most great record in the great unwritten future to galveston to san francisco i even back east to chicago i can see the coming tide of immigration flowing along these lines like an ocean wave our nation mr hargay never thought we'd pull out a tepica wasn't very nice of you jake just saw the plane before now windham had a chance to finish his speech now he wouldn't want the first train or even later would you reckon he never even missed us wouldn't surprise me in the least if he was still there in his office uh-oh look at there mr hargay what's wrong look what's in front of us across the track there a herd of cattle good how do you know there's many cows in the whole world yeah here's to me mr hargay they've been heard it embedded down sort of purposeful i what do you mean see the way they're strung out yep bar t-brand coders marking all right yeah here they come riding up to us well if it's going to be gun play i reckon it's might easier shooting from the cab of a locomotive than this from the seat of a stagecoach what do you think they're up to jake i can't say mr hargay but i know sam coder can't be up to no good anyway we'll find out soon now here he comes well well the name jake carter you sure look mighty pretty inside that tea kettle jake get your head off in them tracks coder i reckon i just can't jake why not coder what do you see mr railroad man my cows are sort of peculiar they don't understand a mighty english ah jake keep away from your gun or you'll have a mighty short career in nursing that parry burner mr coder i hope you're not going to keep that herd on the track until they learn the rudiments of english don't bandy words with him jake stop the locomotive i'm wanting you jake you hit one of them cows i expected to do coder wait here until they make up their minds to move i reckon if you don't fancy waiting mr railroad man you can back this rattle the topeka but i ain't moving that there are start the engine jake i reckon that won't be necessary mr hargay no sir what are you gonna do jake i'm going to practice on my little tutoring if i know cows they'll run and keep running to kingdom i see the corner they're stampeding uh well mary it looks like the cattlemen are beginning to change their ideas about railroads after six months of running our little line they're getting wise and beginning to ship their cattle by rail yes i know isn't it wonderful but according to jake there's a reason for their change of mind what reason it's been this drought the grass and the range has burned to a crisp the streams are all dried up on the cattle trail to abilene i see so they were forced to ship them by rail uh what about our friend sam coder coder i guess he'd rather see his cattle die than send them over my railroad come on chomp them up cut plug holder what's the use of driving the poor critters any further they ain't had a lick of water for two days look at them they'll never make the market today but i'm some officer look here boss what did you do like i say if you don't know blast you cut plug i'd surely see them cows dry up and bust them on the railroad i won't have no trouble them blasted parry burners i tell you you'll have to hog time me first i'd make 722 that all cut plug reckon that's tally mr holiday 722 head sure glad to see him bedded down them cattle creek and i'm glad the colder outfit finally came around but we're just saying we don't seem about sam well skin me for a mule i've come forgot we got him hog tied in the chuck wagon well marry after six months of running our little railroad we're beginning to show a profit yes my dear topeka's in for a boom at the cow business and are you listening my dear sorry that that man what man stop digging into that desk door and tell me mary will you stop playing with that gun for the last time you don't need that gun ma'am colder yeah cold tell your missus to set down a shooting hour holiday i want to have a talk with mary yes dear i i'm putting it down well colder what can i do for you i want to know what i'm owing you holiday for shipping my cattle to abilene i i won't be beholden to no railroad man i got your bill here but i'd much rather you'd pay me off in goodwill ah you won't have no more trouble for me holiday i had to be hog-tied first but i reckon i know when i'm licked and come the next cattle run i'll sign a contract right regularly can we shake on that colder well never shook hands with one before but you know holiday for a railroad man you ain't such a bad umbrae after all shake partner shake partner and now mary i think you can give windy back his gun oh must i do very uh yes but it's such a pretty pearl handled revolver holiday lived to see his road go over the desert to santa fe up over the mountain passes to denver down to the gulf east to chicago and west to the pacific he lived to see his 12 miles of road go to 12 000 his plans were opposed by some who like sam colter thought his own interests were threatened yet his faith in his enterprise the kind of faith that built america not only carried the road through to its destination but converted those opponents into supporters so it has been many times in america and so it'll be many times again as it must in a land that is dynamic and still growing now here's gain whitman speaking for a department the other day i had some oil put in my car while the man at the service station was pouring in the oil i happened to pick up the can and read the label gee i said to myself this oil manufacturer claims a lot for his product but then i realized say these aren't just claims these are facts or the oil companies wouldn't print them on the label along with their brands listen to some of the things a modern motor oil does it has a detergent in it what you and i might call a cleaner that prevents carbon and sludge from dirtying up your engine the oil you buy today tries to help keep your engine clean today's oil must operate under much higher temperatures and pressures than motor oil used to but today it doesn't break down so quickly because it has been made more stable stands more heat and it runs more freely even when the thermometer gets well down below zero but perhaps the most striking improvement of all is that chemistry has developed compounds called lubricant assistance when these are added to oil this is the thing that seems unusual to me they actually make it oilier so i asked myself there at the gas station as i looked at the label how did all this happen how did this lubricating oil we buy nowadays get to be so much better than the oil my dad used to buy for his car in say 1920 there are two answers and they both begin with the letter c chemistry and competition years of scientific research in the laboratories of the oil companies and the laboratories of industrial chemical companies like du pont have made oil better why have scientists done all this just to give you better oil for your car i suppose partly because human beings are that way always trying to develop and improve things but mainly because that other c competition leads businessmen to give you the best oil you can buy so that you'll continue to be satisfied customers and keep buying their products the best oil or the best baking powder the best refrigerator that's the bur under the blanket of our american business system competition petroleum additives helping to make modern lubricating oils as good as they are deserve their place on the roster of the du pont companies better things for better living through chemistry next week the du pont cavalcade brings you william holden and marcia hunt in builder of the zoo it's the true story of a man who had a wonderful dream and of the woman who stood by him until that dream came true charles harley believed the canal could be built across the great lakes so did katie bingham they fought ignorance bad weather sickness and financial problems but they won out and harvey built the souq canal in two years instead of the 10 that congress set aside for this project be sure and listen next monday at the same time to builder of the zoo starring william holden and lovely marcia hunt on the cavalcade of america the music for tonight's du pont cavalcade was composed by arden cornwell and conducted by donald borey our cavalcade play was written by henry walsh in the cast with ralph bellamy and louise albert and tonight were ted de corse as colter john griggs as windy joseph boland as pete camera and andrews as jake walter cancela as mike and ted osborne as cup club this is ted pearson inviting you to listen next week to william holden and marcia hunt in the builder of the zoo on the cavalcade of america brought to you by the company of wilmington delaware this is ending the national broadcasting bubble
