The Corvallis gazette. [volume] (Corvallis, Or.) 1862-1899, 1879-09-05
FIRST SPIKE DRIVEN.

first spike was driven on the William
cite Valley and Coast railroad, on the
corner of jackson and First streets, in
Corvallis, by VIM. B. Hamilton Esq
President of the Company. This
marks a new era in this railroad scheme
and we doubt not, augurs well for the
immediate prosecution of work. On
ly small portion Of the iron for the
road has been received from Portland,
as yet, but as soon as boats can beload-
ed both ways we have no doubt the
iron will be brought forward to Cor
wallis, as it is well known that with
the late improvements on the upper
Willamette, the light draft boats can
reach Corvallis when they can run to
Salem. The snag-puller and dredger
has made this possible.
Considerable interest was manifest
ed in the driving of the 'frst spike" !"
and short speeches were made by DR..
]. R. Bayley, Col. Kelsay, G.. B. Smith
ESQ.,, Col. Kinney, Emery Allen, Esq,
7. J. Buford, Esq, DIR. II. Green, and
s. few remarks by ye editor of the GA
zErTE.- Mrs. J. G. Avery, who is firm
friend of the road, and who had the
honor to throw the first spade-full of
dirt at the breaking ground for the road,
was present, to manifest her continued
interest in the enterprise. If we had
few hundred equally public spirited
individuals, (of either sex, the road
would not languish, as it has in the
past two years.
The driving of this "spike," and COM
nencement of work on this road, at
this time, has been construed, by some
persons, we understand, as antagonistic
to the Westside road. The remarks
Of Col Kinney, who has charge of the
construction, was quite sufficient, we
think, to dispel any such thought. The
City Council had previously grant
ed the W. v. g. c. R. R. Co., the priv
ilige of laying their track on First
or Water street, and to occupy the
street, at this time, was certainly right
and proper. The same privilege might,
with propriety, and we think should,
be granted to the Westside road, if
desired. Both roads could use the
same street, or, upon mutual under
standing, might both use the same
track along the city front. About
this matterth are no just grounds for
complaint or misunderstanding, and no
blame, should attach to the managers of
the w. V. & G. r. R.
We regret that any person should
endeavor to create disturbance or mis-
understanding between the managers Of
these Two roads Benton county can
not afford to do without either enter
prise, and the completion of one neces-
states the other IF our people un-
derstand their own interests, and act
with proper discretion, the Westside
railroad will be completed to our city
within the next ninety days, and that
will bring the w. V. & G. r. r. with
in eighteen months This is no idle
talk, and careful survey Of the case
cannot faiEto convince any unprejudic-
ed person. The capitalists owning the
grants in the western portion of Ben
ton county desire this road. 1t is to
their interest that the road should be
built and the sooner it is completed,
the sooner these lands will yield golden
returns. 1t is simply business trans
action, and when the people go forward
and complete the first ten miles, as per
agreement, the remainder of the road
will be pushed to speedy completion.
As favorable indication for our
road, G.. B. Smith Esq. is now taking
a lively interest in it. He is talking
railroad strong. And when such men
as he, and Uncle Haman Lewis,
and other leading wealthy men of our
county begin to give it the support and
encouragement it deserves, it will not
lag very long. As soon as harvest is
over men and teams enough could be
placed on this road to complete the
grade ready for the iron as soon as
the first boats could bring forward
the same. This done, and next sum-
mer the road will be completed from
Corvallis to Yaquina Bay.