Durango semi-weekly herald., 1905-08-28
RAILS
CONNECT
AZTEC
AZTEC, n. NJ, Aug. "a

AZTEC, n. NJ, Aug. "a.
At 12 O'Clock noon on Thursday, |
August "a, 1905, amid the cheers of
the entire population of Aztec. the
big D.. X. q. tracklaying machine
poked its iron nose Into this peace
ful village and opened an era of de
veIopment that win make the OLD
bones in the ancient ruins sit up AMI
notice. On February 15 1905. the
first dirt was thrown on the Durango
Pennington branch of the Denver a.
Rio Grande railroad. The late spring
retarded construction work to great
extent but the track Is now completed
far enough 10 move the fruit crop of
San Jnan county and the tedious, dusty
ride from Durango into the valley pt
Animas is thing of the past,
Many rumors are current as to the
future plans of the new railroad. bur
nothing absolutely authentic can be
learned. II is said that the track lay
ers will he sent back up the line
from Aztec to level and make the
track fit for trains that box car
Will be at once placed by the track
here for a temporary depot and the
construction work toward Farming
ton will continue in ten days No def
mite authority will verify the above.
The grading will be completed into
Pennington by September ] but 1t is
very doubtful II the rails will reach
there before October | The chances
for the railroad company carrying pas
10, ~ h. l.t fat bat t,1a
September ~, IA, Is and is are de
cidedly adverse. but promise of ex-
cursions for the Aztec fair September
10. 90 and 81 has been made and will
be fulfilled without doubt.
No construction work beyond Farm
ington will be done apparently. as the
grading contractors are moving away
as soon as they complete their con
tracts. The legal difficulties which
the Rio Grande Is having with the Ar
izona a. Colorado railroad company
over right of way between Farming
ton and Aztec Is also said to cause
n suspension of track laying beyond
this point at present.
The side tracks at the depot site In
Aztec are In and the plans for very
nice depot have been drawn Aztec
and Pennington will get similar depot
buildings. The depot site here is To-
Gated just above the big ditch on land
owned by Col. w. II. Williams. The
.-i.--------.. a@---.>>a to tho Rio Grand.
by enterprising citizens of Aztec, who
raised $1,000 for the purpose The
depot will he about five blocks from
the center of the town and will over
look the beautiful orchards and pro
ductive fields that surround Aztec the
most fertile land in all the Animas
valley. The railroad company plans
reservoir to pipe water for engine
and depot They have made state
ment that II the town will put in wat
er mains the railroad will do Its share
toward putting in pumping station
and large reservoir on the hills back
OF the depot. The matter is now III.
der advisement and II the company
decides to go ahead the progressiv We
citizens OF Aztec will do their share
II is fully realized mere that to make
city of homes the comforts Of n
home must be made possible, and ev,
cry effort looking to this end will re.
ceive the support of Aztec.
Preparations for the San Juan coun
~ fair and carnival will now go ahead
with renewed zeal under the stimu.
lus of the new roads arrival. Sep.
tember 10. 20 and 81 have been set.
tied on for the dates and big exhibit
OF fruit. grain, vegetables coal. culin.
airy products, etc, is being prepared.
Durango's fair takes place the week
Following and a number of exhibitors
may be induced to take their displays
to that point.
rousing welcome has been accord.
ed the new railroad and now II the
Rio Grande will give this country the
right schedule of trains. a feeling that
the Animas valley is in touch with
the outside world will put the last
drop In the cup OF happiness of the
people of San Juan county, New Mex.
leo.