Fairhaven herald. [volume] (Fairhaven, Wash.) 1890-????, 1893-04-25
DISTINGUISHED VISITORS
Whitelaw Reid and D. 0. Mills Visit
the Bay With P. B. Cornwall
A TRIP TO LAKE WHATCOM
The Great Editor of the New York Tri-
bune and the Well Known Million
aire Examine Resources
A TRIP TO LAKE WHATCoM

ID. o. Mills, Of New York, an extensive
stakeholder in the same corporation,
and Whitelaw Reid, proprietor of the
New York Tribune, and late Republi-
can candidate for vice-president of the
United States, accompanied by Mrs.
Reid and his family, arrived in New
Whatcom Sunday afternoon. They
left Seattle early Sunday morning, COM
ing over the Seattle, Lake Shore q
Eastern railroad to Sumas and thence
by special train to New Whatcom.
Yesterday morning Mr.. Mills, Mr..
Cornwall and Mr.. Reid visited the
company's big saw mill, and inspected
minutely its operations. Subsequently
they went out and looked over the
company's coal prospect in the out
skirts of the city, where the fourteen
foot seam of coal was struck by the
diamond drill some months ago.
In the afternoon Mr.. Reid, accom-
panied by Mrs. Reid and family, went
TO Lake Whatcom. The Blue Canyon
Coal company placed their steamer at
the disposal of the party, and trip
was made to the Blue Canyon mine,
Mr.. and Mrs. Reid returning about
o'clock over the Bellingham Bay d
Eastern on special car.
During the afternoon Mr.. Mills and
Mr.. Cornwall were closeted with Gen
eral Superintendent Stangroom, but
shortly after 4 they went out for drive
about the city, returning about $50.
a representative of the HERALD
found Mr.. Mills in his car about 6
O'Clock. Mr.. Mills is a stout, we'll
preserved gentleman, whose age would
be hard to guess, when it is remem-
bered that he is strictly entitled to be
called an old-timer of the Pacific coast,
and whose interests on Bellingham
bay alone, cover "a period Of thirty
years-almOst an average lifetime. The
reporter explained the object of his
visit and MIR. Mills talked quite freely.
He alluded to the company's invest
ments here and at Black Diamond
near Seattle, and he said, when these
investments were made, il was not the
expectation of the company to build a
town. They were miners and the
lands they acquired on Bellingham
bay were supposed to he coal lands
He referred to the history of the Sc
home mine, and the subsequent growth
of the town, and the company's en-
deavors to help in its upbuilding, and,
said Mr.. Mills, ave have invested in
the city double the amount that we
have taken out. Through reasons
which you know the coal mine
was closed and then we began
to invest in other enterprises. The
railroad was built as Il business
enterprise, of course, and to develop
the lumber resources; we built the mill
down yonder, not because we were mill
men, but i'm order to help to build up
the city, and we have no reason to be
dissatisfied with our investments. This
city has an appearance of substanti-
ability, and its citizens wear an air of
thrift. You have many fine buildings,
public and private, and among the
most interesting to me is your public
library, well filled with interesting
miscellaneous reading matter.
us it the intention of your company
to begin the development of your rec
ent coal discovery in the near future ?1
ave are considering that matter
now" replied Mr.. Mills, "and we are
looking the ground over before we de-
termine what we shall do"
ut was stated during the election i'm
this.city, by which it was determined
to purchase the water works that the
amount received by your company
would be expended here i'm improve
ments and developments
AtANa bnilf fha yatar xuorlg ~ raf,1ioI
Mr.. Mills, "for the purpose of develop
ing the city and aflording it water
supply, and not strictly as a business
proposition, and we knew the city
could build a competing system at any
time" And it was here that Mr.. Mills
remarked that the company had ex-
pended double the amount in the city
that they had taken out.
Referring to Puget sound as a rival
to San Francisco, Mr.. Mills said: "Cal-
densely peopled, but here in this state
you have mag pnificent resources as well,
and each will command its own trade
there is plenty of room for both.v
Speaking Of the Great Northern and
its probable actual ocean terminus Mr..
Mills said he was not acquainted with
I'M Dieliios AAt hiltN ludl
NJ. Hill had accomplished a gigantic
task in the completion of his tTanscon-
continental road in so short a time;
that he was backed by ample English
capital, and it was his aim as a railroad
man to develop business at every avail
able point for his road.
Mr.. Mills then branched off into gen
eral topics, and he spoke Of the lumber,
coal and agricultural resources of the
state and of its future, which, he said,
were grand beyond a shadow Of u
doubt.
Just at the conclusion Of a most pleas
ant interview with the aaable New
York millionaire, the train having on
board Mr.. and Mrs. Whitelaw Reid,
arrived from Lake Whatcom. AS
everybody knows Mr.. Reid is the SON