Polk County observer. (Monmouth, Polk County, Or.) 1888-1927, 1910-08-23
Credit Due to One Man.

| STCUAt DuC W OhC
To l.. Gerllnger, the well-known
Portland capitalist, is due the credit
of opening up this valuable country.
Had it not been for his enterprise
some seven years ago, all this country
would still be almost inaccessible, on
account of the tremendous difficulties
of getting in and out of it. Day after
day, and year after year. The work of
removing timber from these hills has
been going on, until every hill has a
ragged appearance like a huge face
that needs shaving.
In spite of this appearance, caused
by the removal of the timber and by
the many fires incident to dry wealth
err this country has a rare beauty,
which is hard to describe. There Is
something about these great hills. in
spite of the absence of the trees,
which seems to say, you little peo-
Pile have not tanned me yet, if you
have dragged out lot of trees"
AS rapidly as the supply of timber
has given out, the road has been
pushed farther into the mountains;
advancing, as is the common custom,
always toward the ocean. At present
the most western limit of the road is
four miles west of Black Rock in the
direction of the Siletz country. Here
about SO Greek laborers are kept
busy working on the track, all of
dow this road
will reach the ocean. At what point,
it would be difficult to determine.
Probably even the managers of the
road have very faint idea of where
the road will end, as the surveyors
have been at work most of the sum-
mer, surveying routes and endeavor-
ing to find the easiest way through
rough country.
Another route, which is called the
Willamette Branch" has been work.
ing its way to the northwest, and now
reaches three miles from Black Rock.
A large force of men is also at work
on this line. The outlook for the ex-
tension of this branch to the ocean
does not seem to be good. The only
purpose seems to be merely to get
timber from the great forest beyond. |
The track on either branch is not yet
in shape for general railroad traffic. |
being in places very rough, and it is
possible for the SHAY engine only
to climb the great hills which must 4
be passed over.
The Observer reporter talked with /
a number of men who live in Falls
City about the town of Black Rock,
and the future outlook of the place,
and all seem to have the most op-
timistic views. about the future OF
this and other towns along the line
Of this road. without an exception,
the men in the employ of the railroad
are well satisfied and pleased with
their employment, and especially with
the considerate treatment accorded
them by the manager, Mr.. Louis Ger
IInger. Jr. they are treated well sni
are well paid. They do their work
as men always do when
treated kindly by their employers
all of which is in marked contrast
with the spirit shown by men working
for some roads. which seem to always
want all they can get from the men.
with the feast possible outlay Of
Merchants Report Lively Trade.
Black Rock has a new drugstore.
something which has been needed
very much. It has just opened for
business. The proprietor is W. H. {,
whyte. of Portland. who has an expe-
renee Of Is years in this line. He
has a complete stock Of drugs. toilet
articles. and everything Necessary In
regular drug store. Personally. Mr.. {
Hhyte is a pleasant. courteous gentle
nan. and he will be well liked in
Black Rock The Observer predicts
! good business for his store. d
The general merchandise store Of
selig a Hughes f. second 10 none In
Black Rock in volume Of business and
aze OF stock carried This store was
IecenfIy purchased By the above firm /
rom walter L Tooze. who had
pIendid business of fso.oeo yearly.
ne new firm has had charge only
bout a month. but the outlook is {
hat the amount of bushes viii be
= great az under the former manage
aent Nr. Hughes has charge q the