The Meeker herald. [volume] (Meeker, Colo.) 1885-current, 1895-03-23
ALMOST ASSURED
The White River Valley Railway
to Reach Meeker by the 1st
of October Next.

of October Next.
The following from last SATURDAYS
Denver Times, which sheds full and
complete light on the railway outlook
up to date, will be read with interest in
these parts:
Articles of incorporation of the White
River Valley Railway company was
filed with the secretary of state tot day,
with capital stock of $3.50, 900. The in
corporators are A. G. Drumm of Denver,
E. Marshall, 1. N. McBeth and w. NJ.
Kinnison of Garden City, Kan, W. f.
Feagarden, of Craig, Colo, Isaac Baer,
F E. Sheridan and Henry J. Hay, of
Meeker.
The object of the company, as set
forth in the articles of Incorporation, is
to construct and operate line of rail-
way and telegraph from New Castle, in
Garfield county, to Meeker, the metro
polls of the White river country, dis
tance Of fifty miles.
The directors for the first year are A.
G. Drumm, E. Marshall, I. N. McBeth,
w. NJ. Kinnison and w. f. Teagarden.
The news of railroad building under
the present condition of affairs seems
somewhat preposterous, but In the face
of the prevailing depression this new
company has been organized to build
road from New Castle. connecting with
the Denver Il Rio Grande and Midland
roads at that point, to Meeker From
| tharn 10 fha info nF hn
to build to Craig, in the valley of the
Yampa river, and then along this val
ley in an easterly direction to Steamboat
Springs.
So frequently has railroad building
into Northwestern Colorado been pro-
jected without materializing that any
| report of such project has come to be
viewed with certain degree of allow
ance.
In view Of this fact the present COM
pany have worked in quiet manner for
two years past and have avoided any
publicity until ready to organize. A
charter has been secured and negotia-
tions have been completed for right of
way, depot grounds, etc.
The organization is entirely indepen-
dent Of any railroad in existence and is
composed largely of Colorado men, most
Of whom are interested in the develop
nent Of the section of country which
the proposed road enters. The contract
will be at once let for building from
New Castle to Meeker and the directors
OF the company state that trains will be
running into Meeker in time to control
the tourist business in October, which
has for several years been increasing so
rapidly that 1t has begun to assume en-
ormous proportions. This will also en-
able the cattlemen to make their fall
shipments by rail.
The importance of such project as
this, which concerns not merely North
western Colorado, but the entire state,
can only be understood by those who
have some knowledge of the resources
Of the valleys and mountains in that
quarter.
The counties of Routt and Rio Blanco
furnish large per cent of the stock
shipped from Colorado.
The soil, climate and abundant sup
ply OF water, enable these two valleys to
rank In productiyeness with any section
Of the west, while their area is so vast
as to be almost beyond the comprehen-
sion Of person acquainted with the
average northumberland valleys of
the west.
The length of the two valleys, with
their principal tributaries, aggregate
about 800 miles, and reaches several
miles in width at places. Aside from
this Is an almost endless amount Of
mesa land that is awaiting the advent
Of railroads as means of reclaimiDg
and developing 1t.
The coal veins OF this vast domain
constitute one Of Its principal resources,
varying as they do from soft Ignite to
anthracite in practically inexhaustible
quantities.
Among the resources attractive to
railroad builders is the oil which exists
in eastern Routt county.
For several years past these fields
have attracted the attention Of oil men,
but, owing to a lack Of transportation
facilities, very little development has
been made. Recently company has
organized and procured machinery with
view to beginning active operations as
soon az the snow is of Of the interyen-
ing ranges.
The hills are covered with an ample
supply Of timber and abound In min
erals, both base and precious, in almost
fabulous measures.
Important among the deposits OF
Routt county Is quarry Of onyx Of very
Dne quality within a mile of the sur
yeyed route Of the railroad. 1t In the
only body OF onyx known to exist in
Colorado and It promises TO compete
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