Lamoille newsdealer. [volume] (Hyde Park, Vt.) 1860-1877, 1873-08-20

through the Notch, and nothing was left
untried BY our enemies here and there to
crush the project out. Once We were de-
feated BY interpretations ten times
worse than those have read to you, but
our friends arc not only renewed but dOubl-
ed their efforts, aud, little more than
year ago, almost by acclanation, Port
land decided TO have the road. aud from
that time il became fixed fact beyond
psradventure.
In our imratiepce at the small amount
now doing upon this particular road let
us never forget all the fears, the doubts
and disappoiutmcnts We have gone through,
but now happily surmOuutcd, and, rather
rejoice, in the fact that We can see day
light ahead, though not so near as we
could wish. But let us see what has been
and will shortly be accomplished.
In September 1869, the first shovclful
of earth was moved upon the Portland
end of the road. In December Of the
samo year, work was commenced also at
St. JOhnsbury and SwantOn. In Septem-
Der, 1870. a section Of l6 miles was
opened for traffic from Portland to Sebaso
Lake, and in December, II miles more.
In December VIC also opened our first sec.
tios of track, from the Passuppsic depot
in St. Johusbury to Fairbanks scale works.
In June, 1871, the road was in operation
frop, Portland TO North Conway, 90 miles
In January, 1872, our own road was open.
cd for traffic to South Hardwick, 35 miles
west of St. Johnsbury, and to West Con-
cord eight miles east Of same point. Be-
sides this VIC had laid something more
than four miles Of track between Swanton
and Highgate. In January, 1878, trains
commenced running to Hyde Park having
for some time previously run 10 WOlcott
Besides the four miles Of track at tht
,oest end, zoe hare no,D 60 miles of road,
,oeH 6allaSted and in as good condition a.
ann road in Vermont, Ouer iOhich from
four TO sir trains running daily. Dur
ing the past month, trains commenced run
ping six miles beyond North Conway, and
by September lst, the track will be ex
tended seven miles further, and the road
opened 73 miles from Portland. In Sep
tembcr VIC hope to run trains three miles
past West Concord, and by January
1874, TO reach the Connecticut river anG
connect with the Montreal road % mile!
from st. Johnsbury. 1t is quite probable
also by that time, that the track will bc
extended to johnson. Ii so this viii
leave only 81 miles Of track to be laid ii
Vermont and 80 miles in New Hampshire
Here is progress, undoubtel and con
tinueus. Not only so, but in looking bacl
we see what then seemed to US to be mis-
fortunes, were only blessings in disguise
The things which We thought were rock
and shoals in our very path, proved to b.
only buOys so placed as to direct our shiI
into the right channel. This p. d o
road in the beginning was nsthing TO you
1t was simply road to Montpelier, {
branch of the Vermont Central, and a
such favored by that Company. Unfor
tunately. as it was then thought, Montpe
lier refused 10 lend a helping hand, ant
the building of that road was consequent
ly delayed. Montpelicr'S supinenes
proved to be your opportunity. The re
suit was the Lamoille Valley railroad
at first to be Lamoille Valley road lit
orally, and connecting with the Vernon
Central at Georgia. Butthis did not SO wei
suit that road. This had made it to som'
extent parallel road, nd,if built, it woul(
divert some of their local business. s.
their powerful interest went against it
and st. Adams, tho town most to be bene
Gifted followed the role of Montpelier ant
refused to aid in its construction. Breaker
ahead again ! But this was only Franklil
county's opportunity, and the result wa
what we see to.day-a line across th'
whole State of Vermont entirely indie
pendent of the Vermont Central not on
ly so but built through that part Of tn,
State most needing railroad and tn,
best able TO farnis hbusiness for its support
"Thero is providence which shapes our ends
Rough-hew them as We may"
Then again wheh we were about closing
business contract with the Ogdensburg
and Lake Champlain road, suddenly anc
unexpectedly to us that road fell into th'
hands of our enemies. But. as in Sc
many other cases, that was only sigl
that We were going into the wrong chan
mel. Canada and New York at once cam,
forward with their offerings, and, on arriv
ing at Swanton, we are now able to Sc,
the way clear to Ogdensburs, Ottawa ant
Montreal.
In the FIRST part Of this report spok'
of progressing by tide as well as wind