In 1869, the Missouri Valley Railroad was working its way north from Savannah, Missouri toward the Missouri/Iowa state lines north of Hopkins to fulfill their contract with the State of Missouri to connect the two states and provide a shorter route between Kansas City and the markets in Chicago, and eastward. In mid 1869, they entered White Cloud Township in southern Nodaway County and began purchasing right of way for the railroad to cross the private farms along the 102 River. Among the landholders granting right of way was Dr. Perry H. Talbott, a prominent doctor and local politician. Another man, a prosperous rancher, Scott K. Snively also saw the potential for improvement and began buying land along the route in conjunction with Dr. Talbott and other local men. Knowing that prosperity follows the railroad, the two men began to envision a new town along the route. Over the next four years, they would make that dream a reality and the town of Arkoe would be established. By the end of the 1800s and into the early 1900s, Arkoe, Missouri would become one of the busiest freight and passenger stops in Nodaway County. Arkoe is a small community in Northwest Missouri. At one time, it was a very busy community, and much of its growth can be attributed to the railroad that once ran through the town, picking up passengers, livestock, and freight, and depositing the same. The research for this book began in conjunction with my first nonfiction title, Hezekiah Rasco: Child of Woe - Man of Sorrow, which detailed the murder of Kate Baumli by 15-year-old Hezekiah. Both families dwelt within two miles of Arkoe. As I worked toward conclusion of the Rasco book, I realized I could take the Arkoe research further and compile a book of its history, which had not yet been done. There were moments when I thought I wouldn't be able to gather enough for an entire book, but as I pushed forward, and with the help of local historians, people from within the community with personal connections to Arkoe, and the donation of photographs related to the town, it wasn't long before the first draft took shape. Today, people continue to contact me with their stories of Arkoe, growing up there, having attended school there, remembering events that took place there.I am glad that I undertook this project and I am able to offer this book to the public in general. If you are a fan of history, particularly rural history, you'll enjoy this snippet from Northwest Missouri. In 1869, the Missouri Valley Railroad was working its way north from Savannah, Missouri toward the Missouri/Iowa state lines north of Hopkins to fulfill their contract with the State of Missouri to connect the two states and provide a shorter route between Kansas City and the markets in Chicago, and eastward. In mid 1869, they entered White Cloud Township in southern Nodaway County and began purchasing right of way for the railroad to cross the private farms along the 102 River. Among the landholders granting right of way was Dr. Perry H. Talbott, a prominent doctor and local politician. Another man, a prosperous rancher, Scott K. Snively also saw the potential for improvement and began buying land along the route in conjunction with Dr. Talbott and other local men. Knowing that prosperity follows the railroad, the two men began to envision a new town along the route. Over the next four years, they would make that dream a reality and the town of Arkoe would be established. By the end of the 1800s and into the early 1900s, Arkoe, Missouri would become one of the busiest freight and passenger stops in Nodaway County. Susan Cronk is a self-published author focusing on writing fiction and nonfiction books that are accessible to the general public. Every effort is made to exclude profanity and explicit content, although due to the nature of some of the subjects some violence may be described. Susan began had held a love of writing since her childhood. Her first effort was a one-page family newspaper consisting of a few paragraphs. It had only one edition. But her passion for writing never entirely quieted. Through the encouragement of English and creative writing teachers throughout her education, and the support of her parents, Susan continued to pursue her creative abilities. In the 1990s, several short rural vignettes were accepted for publication in a western magazine tailored to the interests of farmers and ranchers, but it would not be for several more years before she would complete and self-publish her first book, a work of nonfiction titled Hezekiah Rasco: Child of Woe - Man of Sorrow, detailing the crimes of Hezekiah Rasco.