Delta chief., 1883-03-28
The Denver 4 Rio Grande In Utah.

There seems TO be considerable trouble on the
part Of the Denver & Rio Gnnde, says the Salt
Lake Tribune, in securing such -ound they
want for entrance 70 Ogden, for depot and yard
purposes there. The citizens owning such lands
organized and placed the matter in the hands OF
a committee, we understand, with the object Of
securing excessive prices for their property II is
probable that the matter has assumed such shape
will cause the condemning of the property TO
railroad uses, and the courts will be called upon
10 fix values. While the people of the junction
City, as mass, feel ike warmly welcoming this
road, which will add largely TO the value of their
property and to the general business of the city,
unfortunately few have taken advantage Of its
coming and propose TO make the most of it.
By the way, Ogden has had much to do in the
past few years in the way Of railway lands, and
with all its doing. their individual property is
placed much in jeopardy by the hallway corpora
tions. Some years ago the Union and Central
Pacific companies had decided TO them in common
tract of l3l acres of land. since occupied by the
two companies. This land was paid for by the
city Of Ogden, ont Of public funds, then decided
TO Brigham Young under verbal promises, who
in turn decided il to the twog great corporations
verbal promises TO put up depots shops, and
make other permanent Improvements, while the
deed itself only contained the proviso clause that
the two roads would make that point their june
ton, while the citizens OF Ogden have Just
claim on the corporations requiring them to make
the permanent Improvements verbally promised
and 10 much needed. even by the roads, they
have no claim under the title of properly convey
ed 10 the corporations. The failure to build
depots has acted much against the growth of the
city, and given cause for much distrust 10 its
pcrmAncncy a hallway junction OF the iinpor-
tant lines now ceniering there. Then there is
another unpleasant feature which leaves in doubt
the title to all of section -, township :, range l.
west. on which is located not only the land
decided 10 the two pncifc railways. but embraces
the entire business portion of The city. For ycar
there contest over small tract Of land
embraced in the close 10 the depot. This pro
perry held by Hatch, who refused 10 accept
the price offered by the Union Pacific company,
AMI the matter occupied the attention of our
courts for several ycars, coming up la suits in
various shapes. Soon after Judge Hunter became
Chief Justice Of Utah, he gave I, the opinion CT
the court that this section Of land was properly
the property of the Union Pacific under the act
granting TO that corporation the odd sections Of
land along its route. II claimed that the
city Of Ogden fsiied TO file this section in time
20 secure title TO IL. II this opinion is correct
no one holding property there could have a per
feet title until they became possessed.of deed
from the Union Pacific company.
Aftor Hatch's death. the company affected a
compromise with thc widow, thus stopping Atisa-
ton. II has been .:oli il.at the company would
deal lenienily with the citizens and that they
need have no fears. One gentleman feeling un
easy, wrote the company for quit claim deed
for his lots, and the answer came back, We have
no land TO SELL Soon afler this he asked by
letter, what will you eiveT" indicating that the
company at least think their claim TO this valua-
bic section of land Is valid one.
This Is matter Of so much impertance to the
city OF Ogden, and also To the Union Pacific. that
q, should be settled without further delay. We
cannot think otherwise but that the Union Pacific
will treat the citizens very fairly in this matter
IL they are properly asked TO do As il now
stands Il rests a cloud the city and has its
influence which operates against the investment
of capital in real estate. Ogden has progressive
class of citizens and the influx OF Gcutiles there
would soon give the management of. its public
affairs into the hands OF men with thoroughly
American ideas, and the city will become more
prosperous than ever.
The construction OF the Denver & Rio Grandc
from this city to Ogden will make it possible to
put the iron works in full operation, because of
the coke fnnm Colorado. and coal from Pleasant
valley, which will bring the cost Of iron prcduc-
tion low us to compete with manufactures
In the East. The road will be completed there
within the next two months, IL is thought, and II
should be warmly welcomed by the citizens of
Ogden. because OF the many benefits they will
derive from its coming.