Polk County observer. (Monmouth, Polk County, Or.) 1888-1927, 1903-05-29
TRACK is COMPLETED
Trains Are Now Running Between
Dallas and Fails CITY.

The track-laylng crew Oh the DdlldS
and Falls City railroad is at work in
the edge Of the latter town this morn
ing. and the first train will run into
the depot tonight. The turntable is
ready for use, and the depot building
is nearing completion. The road is
now ready for business, and active
freight and passenger traffic will be-
gin next Monday.
General Manager George T. Gerl-
niger informs us that the new pass
enger coach is expected to arrive next
Monday night, and he hopes to be
able to begin passenger service in
time for the Dallas Street Fair and
Carnival. The new coach is roomy
and comfortable. and will accommo-
date large number of people.
A steam-shovel having capacity
sufficient to load SO cars Of gravel
daily has been ordered, and will be
put in operation at once. Every foot
Of the track will be thoroughly ballast
ed, and the road will be made model
one in every respect. The gravel will
be taken from the bed Of the Luckia-
mute near the bridge and the work of
ballasting the track will last about 30
days.
The completion Of this road marks
an important epoch in the history Of
Polk county, and its influence will be
powerfully felt in all succeeding time.
The people of Dallas and Falls City
have worked long and earnestly to es-
tablish rail connection between the
two points and to open up the vast
forests Of the Lucklamute and Siletz.
The benefits that will be derived can
not be overestimated. Both towns
will eventually become sawmill
centers Of great Importance, and all
the country lying between will be
brought to high state of development.
Louis Gerlinger, the enterprising
Portland capitalist, who has built and
equipped the road with his own money,
is entitled to the loyal support and
hearty cooperation Of every citizen in
his endeavor to build up Polk county
and develop it's vast resources. The
influence and friendship Of such a
man is worth having, for, while it has
meant much in the past, it means in
flnitely more in the future. The peo-
pie of Dallas who subscribed to the
small subsidy asked-whioh was a
mere fraction Of the cost Of the road
are rejoiced that Mr.. Gerlinger was
enabled to complete his road within
the time named in the contract, and
will pay their subscriptions promptly
and cheerfully, knowing full well that
every dollar paid to the road will be
returned to them an hundred-fold in
the benefits that will accrue.
George 7. Gerlinger, the resident
manager of the road, is q young
gentleman Of splendid business quail
flcations and is courteous and obliging
in his relations with all. In addition
to his Office duties, he had active
charge OF all the construction work,
and his workmen found him a kind
and reasonable employer With Mr..
Gerlinger at the General Managers
desk, the road will be in good hands.
No better testimonial to the skill and
efficiency Of Chief Engineer J. w.
Coovert is needed than the road itself.
Constructed on strictly modern lines
and in the most substantial manner,
1t is excelled by no railroad in the
West Mr.. Cooyert had charge of all
the field work, and his duties were per-
formed faithfully and well.
And while the people of Dallas are
rejoicing over the completion Of the
railroad and are congratulating Mr..
Gerlinger on the successful termina-
ton of his work, they do not forget
John Talbot, whose years of untiring
effort finally resulted in bringing the
project to the attention of men of
capital, No man ever worked more
unselfshly and increasingly than did
Mr.. Talbot for the building of this
road, and he will always be remem-
bered for his energy and enterprise.
Now, that the railroad is completed,
the people of Dallas will take few
days off and enjoy the Carnival
Then they will turn their attention to
water-works and never rest until a
part of Canyon Greek is brought to
the city and every home is supplied
with pure, cold, mountain water. That
is the kind of people they are.
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