The daily morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1883-1899, 1894-12-02
DOLLARS

AT precisely $50 last evening, A. B.
Hammond, OF Missouia, Montana, pick
ed up pen in the Chamber OF Com
merce room, and in free, bold hand,
signed the railroad contract. A loud
clapping Of hands, and one or two
whoops from enthusiastic committee
men, told the people within hearing
distance outside, that something unu-
sual had taken place within. Mr.. Ham
mond signed three documents, and then
each member of the committee present
afixed his signature. A scene OF re-
toicing followed, and Messrs Ham
mond, Stanton. and Kimball were sur
rounded by those present, and hearty
handshalzlng followed.
on the morning boat arrived Mr' A.
B. Hammond, ]. c. Stanton, and Mr..
Kimball, together with several other
gentlemen who were interested. The
news soon spread abroad that they
were to close up a proposition, and the
r,rmor was made good shortly after
committee meeting in the morning, at
which Mr. Hammond's contract was
read and accepted. The time set for
signing the important papers was
O'Clock, but on account of the lateness
In drawing duplicates, and reading
them over before Ithe committee, the
signatures were not affixed until after
$50.
During the afternoon Mr.. Hammond
had a meeting with the Seashore road
directors, and made them a proposition
to purchase the line In this connec-
taon Mr.. Hammond made the following
statement to an Astorian reporter:
II made proposition to the only
two directors of ahe Seashore road
who are In the city, and they are salts
fed with the terms. The directors who
are absent from the city have been
given to understand win agree TO any
arrangement these gentlemen might
make. so you see, the matter Is vlrtu-
ally settled. The affair will not be
closed up until my return from New
York. Ut is the intention to place the
road bed In first class condition, and
equip it with as good rolling stock as
can be found on any radlroad In the
West
Does the purchase OF the South
coast mean that the line Is TO be ex-
tended into the Nehalem countryg"
asked the reporter.
'Well, that scheme will be thorough
iy gone over In due. time, l am fa-
vorably disposed toward the Nehalem
country, and have great faith in It's
future. Further than this ! cannot
say anything definite regarding that
branch Of the road
'Yess," continued Mr.. Hammond,
1.-THE road is certain fact and hope
It will be considerably less than the
time allowed by the contract before
we can commence active operations. ]
60 from here direct to New York City,
where the final arrangements win be
made"
Regarding the Oregon Pacific railroad,
which Is 20 be sold this month, and
which he has recently made thor
ough inspection of, Mr., Hammond said'
II do not wish to say anything re-
garding my intentions in that matter
/ consider It good speculation, and
whoever purchases It win get hold Of
q ilrst-class property that has cost sew
erai millions The last time 1t was sold
It went for s2OO.OOO but It Is hard
to say just what price It viii bring
at this sale
Mr. Hammond was besieged by people
who wished to shake hands with him,
and he was promised royal reception
IL he would remain over night. His
presence in New York az an early date
prevented him from partaking OF their
hospltalftIes, and he thanked each and
every one Of them.
Mr.. Stanton was perhaps as happy
as any man In the city last evening.
He has worked long and hard on this
proposition. and while he Is not direct |
iy mentioned in the contract, It Is ur-
ders.ood that he figures with Mr. Ham- |
mond on the deal At the occldent
Hotel. just after the contract was
signed, and the hutel corridor was NIL
Al with good natured committeeman, \
Mr.. Stanton turned toward the crowd.
and waving his hand. said II want
an my friends to come in and dine
with me this evening"
It didn't take second Invitation to
asart the crowd toward the dining room
door ard inside they partook Of Mr.,
shanton's hospitalities and made merry
with good natured speeches that ema,
mated from. hearts that were far from
heasy
Air. H L Klmball. IKE Afr. Stanton.
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