Lewiston teller. [volume] (Lewiston, North Idaho) 1878-1900, 1891-07-02
Spokane &Pal0Qse R'y.
THE NORHERN PACIFIC MAKES
ANOTHER PROPOSITION.
Subsidy to be Raised.
Premiums Awarded at the Closing
Exercises of the St. Aloysius
Academy on June 18Th.

Last year, Tor the flrSt time IN de-
cade, or more, the citizens of Lewiston
became aroused to the fact that they
must have Il railroad, and meeting
after meeting was called until enthu-
siasm got such a hold on them that
they put their shoulders to the wheel
each and everyone-and worked for the
movement Just what ind cements
they should make in order that cor
poration like the Northern Pacific
would give consideration, was ut first
looked upon AS great task. But Gn-
ally the idea of offering Il subsidy Of ten
per cent of each citizens assessment,
for the year 1889, was hit upon, and
seemed to meet with univer- al APP
proval. The Northern Pacific officials
were consulted; they expressed a
willing and encouraging disposition,
and our citizens went to work and OBJ
lgated themselves to pay the enor-
nous sum of SlO4, 900 to them upon the
completion of Il line into Lewiston by
January l, 1891. They obligated them
selves to pay more than they were able,
but they did it, and what was the re-
salt? Why, in less than fortnight,
the news was abroad all over the land
that Lewiston was going to have
railroad and was enjoying a great
boom.
In view of the fact that subsidy
had been offered, and on the presump-
ton that II railroad would be built,
more than quarter of Il million dol
lars worth of property changed hands
in this city before the graders had ar
rived, and the bulk of it being pur-
chased by outside capital.
Time rolled on; the first of January
came and the road not completed.
The fact that the right of way across
the Nez Perce Indian reservation could
not be obtained in time Is partial ex-
cuse, and, though things worked
slowly, the road has been looked upon
, as sure thing until week or two
ago when it became apparent that
work on the line would be discontinued
4 Juliaetta, just on the other side of the
t reservation line. This was not such
:. news as would cause the hearts of Lew.
!. lstonians to beat with joy; but rather
G the reverse. OF course, as the road was
l. not completed within the time stipu
t lated in the contract Of agreement, the
subsidy was invalid and could not have
q been collected.
But, however, before discontinuinl
:, all work, the railroad company wanted
!. to know what the general feeling of tn,
4 people was toward them, and as stated
d last week, sent lengthy telegram o
r inquiry to John p. Vollmer, Stain,
that if the citizens still were anxious
for the road and thought, by their Wis
II iting Lewiston, terms could be per
Is fected which would guarantee the com
IS pletion of the road this year, some O
u their agents would come. They wer
'e telegraphed to come, and on Sunda,
le last Mr.. c. G. Van Arsdal, in compan,
X with Mr.. R. H. McHenry, assistan
re chief engineer, arrived and held a con
y sultatlon with the committee, and ex
s. pressed Il willingness to complete tn
le road this year for a subsidy of $75, ,OO(
III Our citizens are still alive to the fac
er that they must have the road and vii
ce offer every fair inducement possible t
as secure it.
On Monday night the citizens re
sponded to call meeting and dis
cussed the question most thorough,
I'll making inquiries and suggestions as t
~ what was the best course to pursu,
u. and to see what amount could be raiset
.. The gathering was one of the most Ell
thusiastic and lively crowds that ha
cOngregated together since the excit
ment of a year ago. In fact, they wal
the road worse now than ever, an
while our people are not able to gi,
n what they offered last year, yet the
10 will raise every cent that they can O
tie of their assessed valuation Of 1890, /,
ie, eight per cent. Just what that amour
n will be is not exactly known, but
hg committee Of five was appointed to s
es. to work canvassing at once and NAL
q report next Monday night. TT
l. committee as appointed were John V
Denny, d. NJ. White, s. G. Isama
DIR. F. J. Boston and l.. Rowley.
II, after our citizens have done thu
Ire utmost to raise what they can at eig
per cent, the company will not acce
ste it, then the citizens of Lewiston c,
'do no more. Mr.. McHepry stated