The Shasta courier., 1863-04-11
CaIifor MIA and Oregon Railroad.

Shall we have a railroad to Shasta? As
the preliminary steps are now being taken
by few entcrprising citizens OF Marysville,
for the purpose of making a survey for a
grand trunk railroad from tide water. on the
Sacramento river, to the Columbia river, in
Oregon, it would be we'll for the citizens of
Shasta to consider the great Importance such
a road would be to them should it be brought
through this town. During the past week
Mr.. S, 6. Elliott, one of the best civil engi-
neers on this coast, paid this town visit, for
the purpose of soliciting the cooperation of
the people of this county in making prelim-
mary survey of the route. While here he
took a view of the location and altitude of
our town, and expressed himself we'll pleased
with its location. the topography of the coun-
try presenting no obstacles to a railroad be-
ing brought directly through our town.
We call upon the property holders, and
citizens generally to take hold of this matter,
and contribute as much as possible to assist
in defrayiug the expense of this survey. Ac-
cordins to a law passed by the present Leg
islature, every person who subserlbes the sum
Of ten dollars towards the preliminary sur
vey of this road, Will be entitled to one vote
in fixing the location of the line, selecting
commissioners, directors &c., and be one of
the incorporators in the company that may
be formed for earring the work into opera
ton.
Tie town of Shasta should subscribe at
prise, which will give to the subscribers one
hundred votes In the organization of the con-
pany, and will unquestionably cause the line
of the road to be brought directly through our
town. That it will be surveyed and located
the coming season there is no doubt, and if
we all take hold of the matter as we
should, considering its importance to US, we
can 90 far towards securing the road to this
place; but if our citizens who have property
to the amount of tens of thousands of dollars
will not now take hold of this important mat
ter, the time will soon pass when their inhu-
cnce will be felt, other routes and interests
being deemed of more Importance, and our
fine brick houses and beautiful residences
may stand tenantless, silent monument of
pie who would rather that moss should grow
upon the fine fronts Of their business houses
than contribute a few dollars to make this
the most thriving town in the State.
VI II 4. III
only be about seven hours travel from San
Francisco. and the road must terminate here
for several years, ,befnre it can be graded thro'
the rough country to the north Of US. Then
we secure the entire northern trade, which
will be taken from this point over the fine
turnpike roads to Trinity, Klamath and Sis
kiyou counties, and who can estimate its
value to the citizens ofShasta?
As soon as the preliminary survey can be
made, the route and estimated cost will
be laid before the next Congress, for the
purpose of obtaining grants of land similar
to the grants made to the overland road, and
it is believed that, from the Importance of
this road to the Government for military pur-
poses, no difficulty viii be encountered in OBJ
taining ample grants Of land to insure its
completion without our citizens being called
upon to subscribe dollar towards the stock.
Let us take hold Of this matter now, and
see what can be done to further this enter
prise, which promises to be of such vast ben
eft to the entire people of the Pacific coast,
and the only salvation for the dropping busi-
ness prospects of our beautiful town.