Robert E. Lee Wilson built several small railroads to facilitate the transportation of goods and timber. Wilson's first line spanned the distance from Wilson to Marie, to Keiser and on to Victoria. Later the company bought the Jonesboro, Lake City and Eastern railway, running from Jonesboro to Lake City, Arkansas. A spur route, branching off at Dell, ran down to Wilson. The Wilson Northern brought passengers and freight to Wilson, carrying out timber and cotton