A pioneer carrier for cattle and farm goods, the Motley County Railroad was chartered on June 20, 1913, by 92 people from Motley and nearby counties. One man is said to have invested $50,000, and the Matador Land & Cattle Company also provided bonus funds. Its original directors were J. C. Burleson, A. B. Echols, J. N. Gaines, T. E. Leckie, I. E. Martin, R. P. Moore, J. D. Morriss, J. E. Russell, and A. C. Traweek. Because its 8-mile track ran through unfenced ranches, trains used cattle sweepers. The line joined the Quanah, Acme & Pacific tracks near Roaring Springs, and the M.C.R.R. ceased to operate in 1936.