Rogue River courier. (Grants Pass, Or.) 1886-1927, 1902-10-23
RAILROAD MASS MEETING.

railroad. 1t had been announced in
an unofficial way, that construction
work would be begun ON the new line
in about one month. and as the citi-
zens lacked about $1,000 of the neces-
sary subscription fund for the purpose
of terminal grounds and yards in this
city, it was deemed advisable, to get
the citizens together and secure the
remainder Of the subscription. The
meeting in this regard was an entire
success, as over $500 was subscribed
by liberal-hearted citizens and the
committee now have over $1,000 all
told, subscribed.
The Grants Pass band appeared in
the street and discoursed a number of
stirring airs just previous to the meet
ing. When President Coe, of the
Board of Trade, called the assembly
to order, the house was comfortably
filled by an enthusiastic crowd. Mr.,
Coe in his Introductory remarks, said
in part:
"We are met here tonight as citizens
and business men for the purpose of
considering the project of constructing
railroad.
"There is not man in Josephine
county but knows full well the ad-
vantages to be derived from this en-
terprise. The most conservative of
our business men fully realize the
gravity of the situation.
"All of the great Eastern railroads
are today pushing their lines west
ward in u mad rush to secure the most
advantageous route to and advanta-
geous location on the Pacific Coast.
"What does it mean? The whole
country has simply gone wild over
rans-continental railroads Every
gap in the mountains is being
jealously guarded, and millions of
dollars of capital are being gathered
together and will soon be knocking
at the door Of the great Northwest for
admittance.
'For the benefit of those who may
question the ability of the present
promoters of the Oregon & Pacific r.
r. Co. to carry out their part of the
contract / can only say some of the
best known railroad men in the
United States who are interested in
the project say that the road will be
constructed at once. But even if the
present promoters should fail to be-
gin or complete the construction of
the road, we are informed from per-
fectly reliable sources that several
other parties stand ready to step in
and complete the road on the same
terms and conditions.
Would also say, that the railroad
committee composed of p. II. Harth,
c. L. Harmon, Joseph Moss and II. G.
Kinney deserve great credit for their
untiring efforts and zeal and the able
manner in which they consummated
the rather complicated transactions
necessary in securing a bond ON all
the different tracts Of properties to
be acquired.
And assure every citizen that he
need have no hesitancy in obligating
himself as the committee will return
every note unless the railroad is COM
pleted within reasonable length Of
time, and also assure you that not a
dollars worth of property wilr be
turned over to any railroad company
until the road is completed and in
operation. p. II. Harth, chairman
of the joint committee appointed by
the board of trade and city council,
made a brief and concise report Of
the work the committee had done and
of the condition of the subscription
as it stood. Mr.. Harth said they had
secured bond on all of the ground
asked for, which amounts to some
g. 10 acres, with the exception of a
small strip near the river. The
owners of this piece Of ground refuse
to make or consider any propositin for
its sale at all They do not reside
here and have ceased to answer the
COMMUNICATIONS of the committee re-
garding the purchase of the ground.
For this reason it viii be necessary
to secure this strip in an indirect
way. The amount required for the
purchase Of the entire grounds is
$500 This amount, and more, had
been subscribed, but in order to
guarantee the purchase of the ground
it is necessary 10 have at least $1,000
over and above this. II was also de-
sired to secure double the amount Of
the required subscription if possible
and each man would then only need
to pay one-half the amount sub.
scribed.
bAANNAAH AAAN A'llblN VI T. IL
Harth, attorney Robert G.. Smith was
called upon and made a very pleasing
address. Mr. Smith spoke at some
length on the good to be derived by
the connecting Of Grants Pass with
Del Norte and Humbolt counties,
Cal, by rail, which would surely be
done if the Oregon g. Pacific Railroad
is built The great lumber shipments
Of that region, which will last for 30
or 40 years yet will be turned this
way. That district has been clamor.
ing for an outlet for many years past
and will eagerly grasp this opror.
tunity. This in itself, aside from
the opening up Of the southern por.
tion Of our own county, with its cop
per mines sud farms is enough to as
sure the road a great and constant
traffic. The proposition as made by