The daily morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1883-1899, 1893-05-02
A Proposed
Pleasure Resort.

1t is a fact hat has been commented
on considerably by visitors that this
city offers no inducements in the way
of places or means of recreation and
sport. There is certainly no place Of
like Importance on the Pacific coast,
nor in fact in the whole country, which
in this respect, lacks so much that has
the power to charm the visiting stran-
ger and tempt him to remain. Sometime
since, there was an Athletic Club, but
that has gone; and though aquatic
sports as an amusement have often
been spoken of, until now the idea
has never taken any definite form.
- =. Z. Noif. formerly agent of the
Northern Pacific, yesterday placed
something before the citizens which
will not only prove novel and so to
make amends for what is now lacking,
but will also be a first class advertising
card for Astoria. Mr.. Nolf's idea is
to locate a large boat house ut Will
Transport. He has an option on the
portland boat house." a splendid float
81 by IS feet which is equipped with all
manner of pleasure and excursion boats
including a Naptha launch with a seat
ing capacity for twenty-five people.
In an interview, Mr.. Nolf stated: "My
intention is to endeavor to form a row.
ing association with a certain amount
of capital stock; and provided a suffi-
cient number Of shares can be disposed
of here, to have the boat house with its
entire equipments towed down the
river, and to Williamsport. This SER
vice can be performed by a small boat
in two days My next idea is perhaps
an eye opener" said he.
1T propose to look into the matter
of securing a rail line to the boat house.
should my efforts in forming a boat
association prove successful, and I will
advance the Boynton Bicycle railroad
method as being economical"
Mr.. Nolf is Pacific Coast Agent for
the Boynton people, and points rnt the
ease with which the Bay railway line
could under mis- system be extended to
double mileage at a comparatively low
EXPENSE; Is every other tie could be
discarded, one line of rail placed in the
center and the other used for the eX-
tension, requiring only the construc-
ton of an overhead guard rail, to COM
plete the road, the Boynton being a
single-rail system. From the plans and
illustrations in Mr.. Nolf's possession the
Boynton seems to be the coming meth
cd of locomotion by rail. 1t certainly
embodies features of merit which are
recognized at the first glance, combin-
ing lightness Of equipment with high
speed and minimum friction.
1t is not generally known. that the
Boynton people have had O line in
operation for two years or more from
New York City to Coney Island, as
we'll as a suburban line twenty-five
miles in length out of Boston, Mass,
upon which speed at the rate Of 100
miles per hour has been developed.
For the benefit of those who have not
| seen this wonderful invention, 1t may
be stated that the method comprises
a light steel rail in the center of the
| track, which is spiked upon a heavy
| stringer, while the top consists of a
wooden guard rail Hanged with iron
| against Zach side of which play rubber
trolley wheels. This trolley seldom
| touches p~erceptibly while a Boyrton
train is in motion, the primary pIinci-
| pie involved being similar to that mani
fest in a coin when the mi is rolled
across the floor, the coin unler picper
guidance maintaining an upright posi-
ton as long as sufficient force from the
hand which propelled it is present.
In fact the principles Of gravity govern
ing the ordinary road bicycle are Illus
trated in the Boynton method. Steam or
electricity can be employed as a mo-
tive power. Benz. w. Pond, for eigh-
teen years examiner of patents cover
ing railway appliances, ut Washing
ton, speaks of the .3oynton system In
glowing terms, and predicts at no dis
tant day the construction Of a trans
continental line on this bicycle plan,
that will enable passengers 10 make
a trip from the Atlantic TO the Tacific
Ocean in 48 hours.