The weekly Shasta courier., 1872-12-28
NARROW GAUGE RAILROAD.

Throughout the State the question Of Mar
row Gauge Railways, is nnder discussion,
and if the proposed system possesses the ad-
yantages claimed for it by its advocates. it
will bid fair to revolutionize the entire rail-
way system Of the State. In several OF the
lower counties such as Tulare, San Mateo
aud others, public meetings have been held,
and the question of narrow and broad gauge
railways discussed in all its bearings.
In the feasibility and success Of the narrow
gauge system Shasta, in common with the
counties west of Sacramento has deep IN
terest. The Central Narrow Gauge Com
pany, to run from Benicia to Red Bluff, has
been incorporated, and claim that sufficient
stock is already subscribed to build the road
to the line between Colusa and Tehama coun
ties. Meetings have been held at Chico and
other points interested in the completion of
the road, and committees appointed to inquire
into the stability OF the company and the
probability of its fulfilling its promises. On
the reports of these committees will undoubt-
edly depend what action, of encouragement,
or otherwise will be given the company to
construct its main line, and also its branches.
1t is not only possible, but probable, that
if the projected railroad is pushed forward to
Red Bluff as intended, its main line may be
extended north as far as Shasta, if due en-
couragement is given by our citizens. We
have no need to point out to our people the
advantages which would result from the at.
! tainment of a so much to be desired end
The appreciation of real estate both in town
and county, would more than justify toe sub
scriptions to stock necessary to secure the
complexion of the road to this point, to say
nothing of the prospective benefits to be de-
rived in the way of reduced fares and freights
from the competing railroad lines. From
what Information we can gather from ouI
exchanges, and otherwise. the building OF
the proposed railroad as far as Red Bluff i:
now certainty, and there is no earthly rea
son why our mountain town should no. come
in for share in its advantages. Shasta
county has passed that stage of retrogresson
peculiar to mining counties. Mining is nc
longer the chief, and in few years more
will become only an incidental pursuit Of
onr people, compared with what it has been
in the past. There is in the county steady
increase of population and property, and il
will not be many years before branches Of
industry which are as yet untried, or ut bes
in their first stages of deyelopement, will be-
come the pursuits of the people. The adapt
ability of our soil and climate to wine and
wool growing. and the culture of fruits, i,
but just becoming fairly understood. When
these articles become the staple products of
the county, las in time they are sure to be),
with railway facilities to bring US to the
very doors of the markets of the world, we can
look to see Shasta take that place in the
rank of counties to which her area and adapt.
ability of soil and climate entitle her.
| At its terminus the Central Narrow Gauge
Company have every encouragement which
can be desired. Benicia has donated half O
mile Of her water front, given land sufficient,
in the heart of the city to erect the necessary
machine shops, depots, &c., and subscribed
$50, 900 to the capital stock of the company
And one feature of the company's which
should commend its projected work to all, il
that by the terms in which the company is
organized, its stock cannot be transferred te
any other railroad company, or its agent
We learn that parties of this place are alreay
in correspondence with the Company with
q view to have the line extended this far
and commend the enterprise to the encourage
ment of our people.