The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1898-01-07

big returns has been undertaken by u
company of local capitalists. principal
ly well known Scranton investors. lt
Is nothing less than the development or
a large section OF the now industrially
awakening territory of New Mexico.
The construction of first -class, mod
ernly- y-equipped railroad 16O miles in
length, the building of an up-to-date
city and the opening of coal fields,
quite as extensive as those of the
Lackawanna end of the Anthracite
belt are among the principal features
of the undertaking.
The company, which Is known as the
New Mexico Railway and Coal com
pany is composed of the following:
Commodore C. w. Lowrey, of New
York, president; Benjamin S. Harmon,
of New York; Charles b. Eddy, OF
Eddy, n. NJ; j. Wells Hollenback, of
Wilkes Barre; Thomas Ford, of Pitts
ton; G. ID. Simpson, II. II. watkins.
II. p. Simpson, Hon. l.. A. Watres and
Col. II. NJ. Boies, of Scranton. The
directors met yesterday in the offices
of Simpson q Watkins, in the Board
of Trade building, to hear the report
of their vice. president and general
manager, Charles B. Eddy, as 10 the
progress made in building the railroad
and the other enterprises connected
Herewith The report was very graft
flying to the directors. Thirty miles of
the grading for the railroad has been
finished, the rolling stock has been
contracted for and the rights necessary
for the improvement of the new city
secured. The whole report was of the
most pncOurap ping nature.
COURSE OF THE ROAD.
The railroad starts from IIl Paso,
Tex, which is located at the center
point of the southern boundary line of
New Mexico, where the Rio Grande
projection Of Texas. New Mexico and
Old Mexico meet. 1t takes a north
easterly direction to, through and be-
yond the Sacramento mountains, a re-
gion rich in minerals and timber, fer
tile beyond compare and with eli
mate that for healthfulness is now
freely conceded to surpass any place in
Colorado or California.
Tracklaying will be commenced Jan
Is and it is expected that it will be
pushed along at the rate of a mile a
day. The thirty miles start which has
been made with the grading, it is
thought, will permit the tracklaying tc
proceed uninterrupted.
BY April / it is intended to have the
road in operation as far as the Jarillas
mountains, where it Is confidently ex-
pected much freight business will be
secured. These mountains have g
great show of minerals and since the
road was started three hundred mer
have gone thither to locate claims and
| begin prospecting. Indications of cop
per, gold and iron ore are very favor.
| able, but up to the time Mr.. Eddy left
| the region no paying mines had beer
| opened. If they do prove to be paying
| they will Of themselves give the roat
| almost sufficient support to make Il
pay, leaving aside all the other pro
| jects.
BY June 1 it Is estimated the roat
| will be completed to Alamo GardC
| Canyon, N. NJ, where 1t will tap tht
| timber belt and a country that can moi
be excelled for fruit growing.
SITE FOR A CITY.
At Alamo Gardo it is proposed Il
| locate the new city. 1t will be pri
marily health resort, but the natura
| advantages of the region WILL 1t il
| thought make it a business center il
| a very few years. The site of the towr
| is 4,500 feet above sea level, highe
than Colorado Springs, and with a eli
mate that is admittedly more bene
| fetal to invalids than that of Cali
| fornia. The city will be laid out, sew
cred, lighted with electricity, supplied
| with water and furnished with ever!
convenience that would tend to maxi
it an inviting place for invalids o
| means to make a permanent residence
The water supply is excellent and tn
| place has numerous mineral springs
| all of which have been secured by tn
| company. Mr.. Eddy reports that ther
are 1900 people now stopping at E
| Paso for their health. The town is a
mountains renowned for their beauti
full scenery and the plentitude Of hunt
ing and fishing they AFFORD.
The line will be continued to tn
Salado coal fields. which the compan!
owns and which are on the other sid
of the mountains. All along the rout
are rich natural resources, and tina
they will be developed is evidenced b,
the fact that ten different mineral dis
trlcts are being prospected since it be
came known that there would be a.
outlet to the Ell Paso smelters.
| Within a year. 1t is confidently
thought, the country through whicl
the road passes will be transforme
into a hustling, busy region.