Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1906-06-13
DRAIN
COOS BAY
ROUTE
CONSTRUCTION WORK
SOON TO BEGIN ON
NEW COAST ROAD
Interview With Delegate to
Farmers and Shippers
Congress

Actual construction work on the
railroad line from Drain to Coos Bay
has been commenced. Gangs of men
are clearing the right Of way westward
from Drain said Jefferson Myers,
who has just returned via the Drain
stage route from North Bend and
Marshfeld.
Mr.. Myers declared the proposed
route Of the Hartman road down the
Umpqua river would be as great
scenic route as the Columbia river.
The road will follow the Umpqua fot
miles, and that stream is said to be
one Of the most beautiful in Oregon.
There are magnificent heights, senti.
mel rocks and gorges. Nature has
here been most extravagant with her
foliage. The river is about the size Of
the Willamette.
"on Coos Bay will be the second
city in Oregon, said Mr.. Myers,
"North Bend ond Marshfeld will be.
come one city / predict that in 10
years from this date they will have
10000 people. The combined cities
should be called 'Coos City, or some
similar title by which the term Coos
may be preserved in the municipal
directory. / know that the people of
the east regard them simply as Coos
bay towns, and have no recollection
of their separate entities When they
write to ME making inquiries con.
earning something they saw at ihe
exposition they refer simply to Coos. '
and no particular town is eve' men
toned. My prediction is that the
growth of these cities will be greater
than any Oregon city ever saw. They
have the right kind of men to start
with--men who are strictly up to
date, liberal. and who do things The
railroad that will be built along the
bay connecting North Bend and
Marshfeld eventually will run
through the water front of one com.
ibined, solid city.
"The trip from Coos Bay to Gar.
dinm, town of 900 people, on the
Umpqua river, is 22 miles, and is a
fine wagon road across the beach.
Gardiner is called the white ci'y.'
Every house. is painted white. The
late Senator Reed, who founded the
place, inserted in every deed pro
vision that the purchaser should
paint his house white. The people
have become welded to the custom,
and now take a pride in II. The Of.
feet is remarkable, and with the green
background Of Oregon coast forest
and foliage 1t makes one Of the most
beautiful sights l ever witnessed. The
mouth Of the Umpqua has IS feet Of
waler, and has never had the expendi'
ture of dollar Of government money.
The Southern Pacifc's Coos Bay ex
tension will cross the river at the bay,
eight miles east Of Gardiner. The bay
has 20 feet Of water TO the point Of the
crossing, where there will probably be
built a new town.
"Fifteen miles up the river Is
Scott. burg, at the head Of tho present
steam navigation This place is the
, oldest commercial center in Oregon.
/, II was the first place where wholesale
houses were established in the state,
and is said to have once been the point
, of the largest customs receipts in Or
egou 1t was the early home Of Judge
Deady and other Oregon pioneers. The
railroad viii pass through II, and the
residents believe the former CONNER
eial greatness OF the town is to be res
Sored. It now has about 200 people
The old town Is practically deeayed
and new town Is being built. A"
Elkton is 20 miles farther up the
river. About 200 people reside here
II was founded by ghe late Senator
Beckley, whose widow still lives IN
' the old home place on the banks OF
the Umpqua. The town is named by
the junction Of the Elk and Umpqua
rivers. The railroad will here leave
the Umpqua and follow tho Elk river
10 Drain, about 10 miles. The country
Is rich In farming and stock raising
besides timber and coal. There are
4 now piled up at Drain steel rail'
!. wnieiept TO build SO miles Of track
' Engineers employed on the survey
J, who were interviewed at Drain saif
J, that the route had been definitely 10
!. Gated and right Of way secured t'o'i
, nj, 20 the eroasing Of the UmPqnl