The daily morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1883-1899, 1899-07-19
RoCKEFELLER's WHEAT LINE
DIRECT TO ASTORIA.
Now Nearly Ready for Operation and
the Greatest Enterprise Ever Started
In the Northwest.

Mr. william Nichols, OF Milton. near
Walla Walla. accompanied by his son, ar
rived In Astoria yesterday Mr. Nichols
has come down IN the interest Of secur-
ing a camping ground near the beach for
a large family party. Special rates have
been secured on the railroads and the
party will travel lelsurely. stopping al
Portland Astoria and warrenton. en-
route to the SEA side
Mr.. Nichoss says the people Of the in
terior are taking great interest In the
Astoria proposition. Some OF the gentle-
men composing the party are already in-
I terested In real estate In this vicinity.
and others may look into bargain or
two Of the same sort while here. Mr.
Nichols has some idea Of starting
livery stable at Warrenton n he fnds
TIE prospect sufficiently encouraging.
/ In the course OF conversation with an
/ lAstorian representative on the subject OF
the present stir throughout the Inland
/ Empire In favor Of wheat exports via As
toria, Mr.. Nichols said one OF the move
ments most talked about Is the proposed
| portage railway around the Cello rapids
1T has been kept very quiet" said Mr
Nichols; but It Is coming sure and will
beat all the Nicaragua canals In It's i'm
mediate importance TO US northwestern
/ farmers"
Tell me what you know about IT,"
said the reporter.
why, you must know the Standard OIL
Company Is behind the scheme" said Mr..
Nichols and 1t Is the greatest enterprise
ever undertaken in the northwest. Rail-
road feeders will be constructed up every
valley and available cross section. These
lines will be independent Of any existing
railway system and will all run to the
river and deliver the wheat at convenient
landings TO specially construct boats for
transport direct to Astoria. An open rail-
way to Astoria, which ! am now satisfied
We shall have within a short time, will
add at least 10 cents bushel to our
wheat values, but the wheat which can
be rendered tributary TO the river by this
Standard Oil scheme will bring % cents
a bushel more than It now does at Port
land.
"Of course the matter has not yet been
generally advertised, even In our sec
ton Of the country, but those OF US on
the inside feel greatly elated over the
prospect DR.. Blalock was in Portland
comforting with Rockefeller about II on
the occasion Of the OIL Kings recent visit
to this region. It Is the intention TO put
on a separate line Of boats above and be-
low the rapids when the portage now
building Is completed, but the ultimate
plan contemplates the use Of a patent
boat as soon as enough can be construct.
ed, and then there will be no transfer at
the portage, but the wheat will come
through without breaking bulk. 1T Is a
grand enterprise, and, in connection with
the common railway point from remOter
inland sections, II will make the mouth
Of the Columbia the greatest shipping
point on this side Of the continent. You
will surely have one Of the greatest and
busiest cities on this coast at Astoria
within very short time"
what do you know" queried the As
torlan man, "of tle reported purchase
by tine Rockefelllers Of terminal facilities
for their wheat line at the mouth Of
skipanon creek?"
II have no definite knowledge where