Fairhaven herald. [volume] (Fairhaven, Wash.) 1890-????, 1891-03-21
THE TRANSFER EFFECTED
OF the New Westminster
Southern to the Fairhaven
and Southern
The Object of the Visit of
President Larrabee
and Party
A History of the Organization
and Work of the
Road


President c. X. Larrabee. Chief Engl-
nccr j. J. Donovan and Attorney II. Y.
Thompson, returned 10 the city at I2
o'clock Thursday night from trip to
New Westminster. The object OF the
trip was 10 complete the formal transfer
OF the New Westminster Southern TO the
officials Of the Fairhaven aud Southern.
The New Westminster Southern rail.
way company consisted OF fourteen resi-
dents Of Westminster, who organized for
the purpose Of constructing railroad
connecting that city with an American
system Of railways. The gentlemen put
up money TO make preliminary surveys
and cXcrtcd enough influence To secure
the passage Of d bylaw giving the com
pany bonus consisting Of valuable lands
and $4,000 In cash, providing II carried
out the scheme for which II was organrz-
ed and build Il bridge across the Fraser
river at New Westminster.
The gentlemen composing the original
company Of the New Westminster South
era were not railway men and were anx-
ious TO turn the scheme and building of
the road over 70 some practical railway
builder TO carry out the desire Of the peo-
pie Of that section. Senator Garfield was
the first person with whom negotiations
were opened, and IN 1883 and 1889 nearly
$4,000 most Of which was furnished by
the New Westminster company, was ex-
pended. In June and July Of 1889 differ
cnccs arose between Senator CanGcld and
the Westminster company which resulted
n the withdrawal Of the former from all
connection with the work aud the West
Minister people again started out IN search
Of "A man 10 complete the road.
After spending considerable time the
New Westminster company succeeded ia
cnIisling the interest Of Mr.. Nelson Ben.
nett who was at that time heavily intor.
cstcd In the falrhaycn aud southern,
then under construction from Fairhavcn
to the Skagt valley. Mr.. Bennett, ia
company with Mr.. II. Y. Thompson. vls-
Tied Now Westminster aud he then agreed
TO undertake 10 make the proposed con
ncction with the American system. This
mcnccd at once and has been prosecuted
continually TO the present time. Track
laying was completed In January Of the
present year and the formal connection
was made February H.
The local representative OF the Fair
haven and Southern at Now Westminster
has been Mr.. George f. Jayncs, very
able aud efficient engineer. lie has car
rlcd on the work successfully In the face
of unusual natural obstacles aud he has
succeeded In winning the confidence OF
the officials of both the New Westminster
southern and the Fairhayen aud South
crn railways.
The terms under which the road was
built was that after its completion, in.
stead Of paying for the work In coin, the
stock Of the company was 10 be trans
ierrcd 10 the builders When Mr. Bennett
sold his Interests In the various enter
prlscs Ia and about Fairhaven the con
tract and interest In the New Westmin-
ster Southern was part OF the property In
the deal
The New Westminster Southern Is
practically completed, and the visit Of the
Falrhavcn and Southern officials 10 New
Westminster was 20 effect the formal
transfer Of the stock 10 the new owners.
The transfer was made 10 President c. X.
Larrabce Thursday, ho paying the entire
liabilities that had been contracted by the
company up 10 the time when Mr.. Ben
nett made bis contract Since that time
all expenses have been paid monthly at
the Fairhaycu and Southern offices at
Falrhaycn. The old organization stlll
continues 10 hold Office, but II Is supposed
that the new owners will soon reorganlze
the company.
The bonus Of lands and money offered
by the city Of New Westminster has never
been paid a. II was found the expense Of
bridging the Fraser river at that point
would Involve an expenditure OF over
5000 The bonus was not a sufficient
nducemcnt % Justify this expenditure.
The question of constructing bridge G.
building ferry 70 connect Liverpool and
New Westminster Is now being considered
by the Great Northern officials, the New
Westminster Southern being included
In the deal made one year ago with Presi-
dent J. J. Hill Of the Great Northern.
The New Westminster Southern Il in
good condition, but there Is vet Some bal
lasting and suriaclng TO be done. The
workman employed between Falrhayen
and Blaine has yet about three days
work 10 do and next Tuesday Will be sent
10 Fort Kells on the New Westminster
Southern This will mako three trains
aud 800 men employed on the work, and II
Is expected that the entire line between
Falrhayon and Liverpool will be ready
for freight and passenger traffic within
ten days.
The special train bringing President
Larrabce and party from New Westmln-
ster made the trip from Blaine TO Fair
haven, including five stops for water,
drawbridges, etc, IN fifty two minutes.
Elder w. r. Cowden, of the Christian
church. will preach at the school house,
sfh ~.