The silver messenger. (Challis, Idaho) 1890-1912, 1900-03-27
Midland Notes.

The Boise Statesman of the
2lst inst, says
Thomas W. Bates, promoter of
the Idaho Midland railroad pro
lect, accompanied by Edward H.
Watson and the latter's wife and
sons, arrived yesterday from New
York. Mr.. Watson is one of
those who have signifed their
Willingness to supply the neces-
sary financial aid to this impor-
tant undertaking, their promise
being conditional upon verifca-
ton of Mr.. Bates representa-
tions.
Just tell the people that the
Idaho Midland is going to be
built" said Mr.. Bates Yesterday
in the course of an interview. II
feel very much encouraged.
Prominent financiers in the east
have taken the matter. Mr.. Wat
son has come out to look over
the ground. Arrangements were
made for his associates to come
out the early part of April, but
since arriving in Boise we have
received a message from them
stating that they desired to come
right away provided they could
get over the line of the road.
That shows the interest they
feel. We have wired them to
come on. While it is a little
early I am satisfied l can show
them enough to more than salts
fly them"
Mr.. Watson stated that he and
others had agreed to furnish the
money for the enterprise pro-
vided they found conditions here
as had been represented.
Il desire that you emphasize
this fact" he said, continuing.
1--WE are not coming here to ask
the people for a bonus or any
thing of the sort. This is not a
stock jobbing arrangement or a
town lot scheme. We are going
into the project purely from
business motives and it is not
our intention to ask a dollar
bonus to place in our pockets.
1--WE think, however, that the
people here should evince as
much interest and faith in their
own country as we in New York
have. They can do so by sub
scribing for whatever amount of
bonds they feel able to carry.
Nothing so encourages outside
capital as an exhibition of the
faith on the part of the people
locally. That disposition counts
for more than the amount OF
money so invested, for l am pre-
pared to say that there is plenty
of money to put the project
through, providing the condi-
tions are found to be as repre-
sented." E" =,
Continuing, Mr.. Watson said
he and his associates intended to
become permanently interested
in Idaho, and to be actively iden-
tilted with the upbuilding of the
state. The building of the roao
would result in the expenditure
of great sums of money in Other
enterprises, ''for, it will be oul
policy to develop fully all the
: country tributary to the road.
Mr.. Watson will remain in the
, city until his business associates
: arrive from New York and viii
| accompany them over the line O
! the road.
Messrs. Wilkerson and Thomp
t son. the contractors who bull
: the P. & I. N, are in the city. |
. is understood they have beer
a buving supplies and have al
r their outfits in readiness to shll
them to Boise on a moments no
e tice It is said no contract 10
d construction work on the Mid
r land has been let, but the firm o
i WiIkerson & Thompson evident
j w believe their capabilities an
e foures will bring them the cor
n 9 tract when it is let, for it j
S known that they have been maF
t no nrenarations for very heav