Fairhaven herald. [volume] (Fairhaven, Wash.) 1890-????, 1891-06-17
PUGET SOUND
And Some Topics Absorbing the Mind,
of Citizens Along Its Shore


One signing himself sc. p. d." writes
from Fairhaven under date of May %,
1891, to Seaboard, a maritime periodical
printed at New York under the above
heading, and has this to say:
Two great questions at present absorb
the attention of the people along the
northern shores of the Sound: the route
to be taken by the Great Northern rail-
road. and the location of the plant of the
American Steel Barge company. Some
associate these two great schemes as be-
ing contingent upon each other. And
Others think not All the Indications
however, are that the rails of the Great
Northern Will first reach the Sound at
this port, and the claims of Port Gardner
do not modify this feeling. 1t is the gem
eral impression all along the Sound that
the Port Gardner boom Is local one en-
tirely, and that the Great Northern has
no intention of locating its vast plant
there nor has its shrewd managers given
countenance to the claims Of the real es-
tate Spectators of that town. 1t is also
definitely settled that the American Steel
Barge company will locate at Anacortes,
on fidalgo island, across the bay from
this port. The two cities will thus merge
two great industries, which will unques-
tionably IN the near future, make TWO
great cities at the head OF the Sound. and
largely divert the traffic which at present
iinds It's terminals at Tacoma and Seattle.
Vast improvements have been made all
along the shores OF this port by the Great
Northern railway, and the local mines at
hand, besides the vast mineral deposits
which are back of here, are attrac-
tions which are vast in their pri-
mary development, and colossal In
their future. The great coal storehouses
which are TO be erected here. are simply
the beginning of the improvements to be
made by the railway company, and the
depth OF water, safe anchorages, and
facilities Tor making this a centre from
which Will radiate numberless avenues
from whence will flow the commerce of
the interior, are superior in every essen
tial, TO any other point which the Sound
possesses.
As to the American Steel Barge com
pany's plant, its location. as have said.
Is to be at Anacortes. Large purchases
have been made by the syndicate from
the Mcknight Brothers, who are known
along the whole coast as men Of great
ability, sound sense and keen business in
stincts. These gentlemen are possessors
OF great deal OF land on Fidaigo island. |
and which latter is expected eventually 10
mark the limits OF the city OF Anacortes |
Large local improvements have been |
made, more are in contemplation by the |
townspeople of that city. and a |
clash has ensued between the Me- |
Naughts aud the less wise citizens of |
Anacortes, as to whether the purchases of |
the New York syndicate for the Steel |
Barge company plant shall be included In |
the taxation which the improvements of |
the town will necessitate, and which. in
included, will drive the syndicate
away, or whether they shall be exempt.
The McNaughts say they will be ex-
and certain other people say that
AS the purchases have been made |
there Is no fear of the Steel Barge COM
pany going elsewhere. The McNaughts
know better, and are daily winning con
verts to the scheme to exclude the posses
sions OF the Steel Barge company from
taxation, or " that be impossible within
the limits OF the city when Incorporated.
II Is the intention to have the property
owned by the syndicate excluded from the
corporation limits. This latter Is what
the McNaughts expect will be the con-
rluslon, but l cannot believe that the
good sense OF the people of Anacortes will
not prevail, and an Arrangement made
whereby the whole property purchased
BY the American Steel Barge company
will be included within the city limits.
Ind exempt from taxation for a reason
lb'e period. These Mcknight brothers.
Is You may well imagine, are men of great
mercy and undauDted courage, and thor
,ughiy familiar with the trend OF affairs
n the whole northwestern country. Two
u them are lawyers of fame, one being
he general counsel for the Northern Pa
Inc railway, the other two being among ,
he largest land owners In this section.