The Sumpter miner. [volume] (Sumpter, Or.) 1899-1905, 1900-05-30
RAILROAD EXTENSION.
Officials Of the S. v. and the
c. S. Railways Talk.


public into his confidence regarding his
railroad building plans, through an inter.
view in the Portland Telegram. 1t makes
interesting reading, but should be taken
with some salt. The Telegram says:
Sin few days construction work will
begin on the railroad to Prairie City. 1t
is to be an extension of the Sumpter Val.
ley railroad from Sumpter. Contractors are
now on the ground figuring on the work,
and the first contract for eighteen miles
will probably be let next week.
"The information comes direct from G..
W. Nibley, manager Of the Sumpter Val.
ley railroad. When seen at the Portland,
Mr.. Nibley said, further, that everything
is progressing as rapidly as could be ex.
pected. Permanent surveys have been
completed over most Of the route, and the
way cleared for the contractors on con.
struetion work. The road will cost about
$4,000 a mile, but the manager says
there Is business enough at the other end
to justify the expenditure.
"In fact, the road will not depend upon
Prarie City business alone, although the
country surrounding that city Is rich In
resources, but will ultimately extend to
Canyon City, thence to Burns, and finally
will take in the entire southeastern part Of
the state, which Is now without railroad
facilities. As rapidly as the country Is
developed, the road will be extended.
"AIthough the Columbia Southern has
made surveys from Prineville, In central
Oregon, to Canyon City, It Is not thought
by those familiar with the situation that
it will ever build in such way as to In.
terfere with the extension Of the Sumpter
Valley road. For one thing, there Is
enough territory within easier reach for
the former line in the central and southern
portions Of the state, and furthermore, a
natural watershed divides the two terri.
tories, so that one may easily be drained
by the Sumpter Valley railroad and the
other bH the Columbia Southern.
"for either road to attempt to cross the
dividing line into the others territory
would be unwise from business point of
view. In short, there Is plenty OF room
tor both roads without either crowding the
other.
"The only thing, II Is said, which would
ever induce the Columbia Southern to
push east to Canyon City would be for
the purpose of making itself an outlet for
some one Of the transcontinental roads
now reported to be heading for Portland" "
President Lytle, of the Columbia South.
ern, is quoted in another issue Of the same
paper, as follows:
"The Columbia Southern has set no
time for the beginning of work on its ex.
tension from Shaniko, the present term.
nus Of the road, to Prairie City, Granite,
Canyon City, Burns and Ontario. We
now have full corps OF engineers and
special agents investigating thoroughly
the resources Of the country to be trav-
ersed by the proposed extensions. We
have incorporated two companies for car
rying out this work. Our surveys have
been made, and just as soon as we can
satisfy ourselves that there will be enough
business in this territory to justify the
building of the line in part, or in whole,
taking into consideration that we do not
want or expect at the beginning a very
rich paying business, we will begin the
work. We are perfectly willing to take
some chances on the future development
Of the country.