The Florence daily tribune., 1901-07-29
ANOTHER RAILROAD THEORY.

-
correspondent at Victor OF
course there may not he much
contained in the story that Flor
entines are not already familiar
with, but it shows something of
what the chances are for making
Florence the terminus of stand
ard gauge railroad into the great
est gold camp in the world:
1t has been known for six months
past that railroad was under con.
sideration that would connect this
district with Florence, but it was
not learned until today who or
what company was to build it, but
for several weeks surveyors have
been in the field stalking out the
survey
This morning one of the sur
veyors was in camp and gave out
some information regarding the
line and by whom it will be built.
He said that the surveying party
had now reached point about
midway between here and Flor
ence, and that the survey would
be complete in about two months
more and that in order to do this
the surveying corps would be in
creased almost double.
He said that the Rock Island
Railroad company would build the
road; that is, the proposition was
laid before the company and he
expressed the sentiment that it
would take hold of the work if the
survey would be made for it and
the right of way secured, and
parties up from Colorado Springs
verify his statement,
The company will build the road
from Colorado Springs to Flor
ence and by the way of Florence
to Victor. The road will be run
by the way of Beaver Greek to
Florence, by the edge of the
mountains, and the terminals will
be at Florence, the site already
having been chosen.
There is little doubt, he said,
that the road will be built even if
the Rock Island backs down on
the proposition, as those behind
the scheme have assurances that
the Rio Grande Railroad company
is ready at any time to commence
on the grade, and this is more than
probable as the company's engi-
ID l.. Hutchinson, is in charge
of the field work now being pro-
secuted.
When asked if be thought the
work of laying steel would be
commenced this year he said he
had every reason to believe that it
would, because work on big rail
road contracts and construction
was almost invariably commenced
in the fall of the year or else early
in the spring, and as the parties
interested, which are Florence and
Cripple Creek men, are anxious
that the road be started as soon as
the government right-of-way is
secured, which, he thinks, will be
done Immediately after the survey
now being made is finished.
When asked further about the
road he said that the advantages
of new road between these two
towns would be so great that there
is not doubt that it will at once
enter into competition with other
roads entering the Cripple Greek
district
1t is estimated that the present
roads entering the district do
about 100000 worth of business
per month, and with the fourth
road built in it would certainly
come in for its oue-fourth part OF
the work, which would be $4,000
per month 1t will be broad
gauge road and 5-pound steel will
be laid. The new line when com
pleted will have 25 per cent
grade, while the roads now enter
ing the district have grades from
81 to Il per cent The new road
will have 10 degree curvature,
over the Short Line, which has a
/ per cent grade aud 16 degree
curvature, and thus the cost of op.
Grating will be greatly reduced.
The survey now being made will
enter such ground as will require
but little blasting in order to Sc
cure the grade and curvature out
lined. and the route will be up
Four Mile canon.
The road, he said, will be ex-