The Sumpter miner. [volume] (Sumpter, Or.) 1899-1905, 1900-07-18
RAILROAD RUMORS.
Significant, Inspired Theory
From Harney County.

In the division Of unoccupied territory to
the south and west Of Sumpter. The sit.
uation is an interesting one. The Port.
land Board Of Trade is already whereasing
and resolving relative to capturing the
trade Of this splendid empire which the
railroads will open up and develop, and
the papers there are speculating through
doubtful columns Of space rs to what
routes the several roads will follow.
On this subject the leading editorial IN
the Harvey County News Of last week Is
pregnant with significance. It is so be.
cause ii is evidently inspired by Hon. A.
W. Gowan, one Of the leading politicians
and most influential citizens OF that sec.
ton Of the state. His son is one OF the
publishers Of the News. Mr.. Gowan.
senior, has represented his county In the
legislature several sessions, when he
formed iniluented alliances, from which he
can secure accurate information on this
important matter. He has recently re.
turned from a conference with the powers
that be AZ Portland. and this is what he
has 10 say on this interesting subject
through his sons paper:
Harvey, Lake, Crook and Grant
counties, constituting the great inland
portion of Oregon, occupy a position
unique in the long continued isolation of
their industries from the modern means Of
transportation. An area rs large in eX.
tent as some Of the eastern state, these
four counties comprise the features Of
mountain. valley and desert, out of which
a sparte population has wrought a cumu.
lative development under conditions that
would s,agger the enterprise Of "A people
long accustomed TO better facilities.
This region has. by yielding an output
Of high class products, made rich eontribu.
tion 10 the distant railway lines that skirts
its outlying extremities. II has been In the
position to pay tribute to the adjuncts Of
full commercial development, but not to
receive its greater benefits. Now II
seems the inevitable time is drawing rear
when this great section will offer its in.
dueemen,s TO railroad building. and offer
them not in vain. Primary to this condi.
tion, the News believes, Is the sudden
activity which marks the operations Of
the Idaho Midland, short line between
Butte. Montana, and Boise, Idaho. II Is
only reasonable 10 regard this seemingly
independent line as an intermountain link
owe, which the Burlington expects to
reach the sea.
A junction al Snake river with the Ore.
gon Central Il Eastern, and the compile.
ton OF that road would furnish to Inland
Oregon an outlet TO the east and west.
Also il would iepIete the business Of the
Oregon Railway Il Navigation company
and the Oregon Short Line to the extent
Of the Iaffic between the summit Of the
Cascade mountains and the Boise river,
together with large portion Of ldaho's
live stock, wool and fruit, which now
seeks the cas-, over the Oregon Short
Line and the Union Pacific. The In.
tluence Of the triple system Is easily dis.
cernible in IN. activity which marks the
development, Of the Columbia Southern,
and indications point to dual lines Of that
road, embracing the southern spur Of the
Blue mountains, diverging from Shaniko
to carry the traffic Of Wheeler. Grant,
Crook, Harvey and Malheur counties out
to the tracks Of the main line at Snake
river. II is easy Of belief that such
system impends. and that contrary to
opinion long entertained, the first rail laid
In Harvey county may come from the