The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1899-12-31

ceeded only by Salt Lake City and
| Ogden. 1t is the forwarding point for
the large country to the south and to
! the north and west. All of the govern
ment freight for Fort Duchesne and
| the several tribes of Indians on the
| Uintah and Uncompahgre reservations
is sent out from this station, also every
| thing for what is known as the Ashley
Valley section, and of which Vernal is
| the final distributing point.
The population is close to 1000, and
is growing steadily. each year witness
ing the erection of many new homes
and business houses. The public schools
employ three teachers and many peo-
pie have been induced to locate here by
reason of the splendid school facilities
facilities that are enjoyed by but few
towns with much larger population and
in every way more pretentious. The
revenues of the town are nearly $500
monthly, which are expended judicious-
~ and economically by a board of five
trustees. The town is out of debt and
has money in the treasury. There were
no city taxes levied for the year of 1899
for the reason that there was no need
of money, and the officials chose rather
to let it remain in the pockets of the
people than in the treasury, idle. The
town owns fine brick hall, which is
used Jointly by the county and town
officials. There is some talk of bonding
the county for new and modern court
house, and as the county is out of debt,
bonds may be issued with this object
in view. County warrants are at par
Helper, seven miles west of Price, is
the railroad center of the county. be-
ing a divisional point for the Rio
Grande Western railroad. Its popula-
ton is necessarily of the transient kind
though there are many railroad men
there who have resided in the place for
years. The town has as good school
/ facilities as are to be found in Utah.
and the railroad company has this year
built at its own cost a magnificent
structure, costing in the neighborhood
of $1,000, which 1t gives to the school
district for use free OF cost. The build
ing is also used for church and amuse-
ment purposes. and there are services
of a religious character every Sunday in
the year. There is no sect or creed;
on the contrary ii is open to every de-
nomination alike. The company has
some thirty-five cottages here for en-
ployees. a number of which were built
the past year. Cheap fuel. light and
water make Helper an ideal railroad
mans town, and the company here
maintains one of the very finest and
most attractive eating stations in the
entire west, which is under the personal
direction of Mr.. and Mrs G. G. Rus
sell.
Prosperous Mining Camps.
Castlegate, twelve miles west of
Price. is the home of the man who
delves in the bowels of the earth for
black diamonds, and where the greater
portion of the county's coal product has
in the past come from. The great cox
ing plant of the Pleasant Valley Coal
company is also situated here. In the
matter of population II exceeds slightly
any other place in the county. The
population is mostly foreign, but it is
not of an undesirable class. There are
good schools, churches and every incen-
tive to draw those who are looking for
homes. About all the ground for sey-
erai miles around is owned by the COM