Roseburg review. [volume] (Roseburg, Or.) 1885-1920, 1886-04-09
RAILROADS..

Tho proposition TO build railroad from
Coos Bay east TO connect with some eastern
trunk railroad by way Of Roseburg is one full
of meaning and one that will be accomplished
in the near future. Coos Bay and the Col
umbia river will afford traffic within the state
sufficient to operate railroads, and they are
the only ports that will do this. Trade beyond
the state line will be an additional traffic both
ways. No road will pay as well south OF the
Columbia river as the Coos Bay railroad when
built. Here is very large territory including
Douglas, Coos and Curry counties that will
all draw to this railroad. The county Of Coos
alone is able to furnish the traffic and travel
enough to operate railroad to Roseburg.
Add to this the freight traffic for Coos and the
interior and the patronage Of Southern Oregon
and we would have one OF the best paying
roads in Oregon for the means invested.
Connect the road with some trunk line east OF
Roseburg and we have not only fourishing
railroad, but country opened up that is rich
in soil, timber and everything to induce settle
ment and developement.
There is another view to be taken Of the
matter There are some six transcontinental
railroads built and projected, five are built.
These roads must have traffic and there is
nothing so much in demand as lumber. It
will be but short time before our forests will be
sought wherein to obtain this traffic, and already
our markets are sought after for this commo-
dity. About ten months ago one the agents
OF one of the large saw mills at Omaha took
| there car load of Oregon fir to show to the
officers of the Union Pacific railroad for the
purpose of inducing them to adopt it for car
building and for railway structures, bridges and
trestles, the result is that they now buy their
lumber in Portland. They have placed con-
tracts which will keep the two largest mills in
that city running TO fullest capacity; likewise
a similar order was given to the Clatsop mills
company at Astoria. When we consider that
the timber of every variety is far superior in
quality in the Umpqua and Coos belt to any
other on the coast we may we'll conclude that
the forests on the line of the proposed railroad
by way OF Roseburg will not be long neglected.
In addition to the fir and inferior cedar on the
| Columbia river we have in Coos county the
matchless white cedar and myrtle timber that
is found in no other part Of the state or county.
The traffic in lumber when once begun here
in Coos and Umpqua would consist of white
cedar, fir, pine, sugar pine, hemlock, spruce,
ash, alder and several other varieties, and this
tlade would soon take the lead of all other
localities was there a railroad built from Coos
bay to Roseburg this trade would be opened
at once for then there would be railroad con-
nection with the east. Not only lumber, but
fish and coal would become articles Of export
also TO very great extent. Every effort should
be made to have the resources Of the Umpqua
and Coos belt brought to the notice Of CONNER
cial centers. Everything is gained for our
section by comparison and this will hasten the
railroad if pushed forward PUSH.