The Oroville weekly gazette. [volume] (Oroville, Wash.) 1905-19??, 1912-03-22
RAILROAD RUMBLINGS.

he report has gone forth and is
beling up and down the line that
contract for the construction of
oville-Wenatchee branch from
hatchee to PaterOs has been let to
herie & Co., the lucky railway con-
tting firm that has done much
ding on the main and branch lines
he Great Northern. This infOrma-
is cheering and encouraging just
his time when everybody is anxious
something to happen promising a
hge for the better, yet the same re-
was current at this end of the
hch a month ago, and is not ac-
ted as being fresh as ranch laid
b. Everybody hopes 1t may be so,
ause everybody has so long hoped
HOuld be so some time in the early
Ing. The construction and opera
of this branch is matter of the
bt vital Importance to the residents
Dkanogan county. 1t will provide
Eater grade outlet east and west,
without an outlet there is little
producing on scale larger than
sufficient to provide for home con-
bption. A very small area will do
/, and surplus under existing
ditiOns means a loss to the pro-
Ter. Moreover, if the completion
the road is postponed so long as
years more there are many land
Hers along the line that will 60 to
wall. This is not guess work, but
Rinful fact. Much fruit land in the
Idle valley was sold on represen-
on and honest expectation that the
b would be speedily built, giving the
ers an opportunity to realize upon
den and small fruit products until
orchards would come in bearing by
)plying a means to reach a market.
ch of this land was purchased on
installment plan. a very straining
nod of buying when the buyer is
lending upon paying the balances
IN what he is able to grow. These
estors. where they have no reserve
Durces, or other means of income,
against it powerful nard. and they
the ones that are being ground un-
this failure of the railroad to re-
good news is authentic it is an oc-
lon for rejoicing, still there are
BE who have heretofore raised nim-
to such bait that have grown some
BIT skeptical and stand in with the
DsOurians. However. construction
mot be postponed much longer if
road is ever to be built at all, and
vill be just as well for the company
to strain the patience of the long
ering public beyond reasonable
Il, for it would create an antagon-
that would manifest itself should
other road invade the territory
leaving the G. N. to skid empty cars
hg the right-of-way.
following upon the heels of the ru-
of which mention is made above
les statement that appears in the
hrday issue of the SpOkesmanRe-
y, which in measure confirms said
hor. and goes into fuller particu-
From the nature of this state
1t 1t is fair to presume it has the
mp of genuineness, and it will have
Iecided tendency to set at rest the
nbts of those who were inclined to
3 the first report which seemed to
"a fatherless rumor. with grain of
n sweet in this long-looked for and
<iously expected announcement, and
q is the number of months work is
lhg to continue before the road is
IN for traffic. 1t naturally means
q it will be upwards of two years,
ere or thereabOuts, before trains
"a be running between Oroville and
enatchee, providing work is pushed
&h reasonable eXpeditiousness. How
er. the beginning OF work is a prom
that the branch will be completed
hetime in the future, and that will
comforting relief from the long
ptracted uncertainty. The announce
ent as it appears in the Spokesman
PNiew is as follows:
The Great Northern Railroad COM
|ny has awarded to the Guthrie, Nc
bugall & Co., of Portland, the con-
act for grading Sc miles of railroad
the Wenatchee north branch of the
reat Northern extending from We
lChee to PaterOs. Much of this is
,avy work and it is reported on good
that the construction of this
miles of road will cost the COM
Iny between $2,50O,000 and $3,000,000
Id that the work will last for at
asst Is months.
Charles Laffolliott. of st. Paul,
ember Of A. Gutherie & Co., of which
e utherie-McDougall & Co. is a
lbsidiary company. is expected to
rive in Spokane today to meet men,
.rs of the Portland firm who will
scuss the situation ana visit the
previous to awarding sub
)ntracts.
The contract for The grading alone
estimated to amount to more than
100000, as much of the work is
lirly heavy rock grading.
In connection with the construction
this line which will extend 140
lies. connecting Wenatchee with
rcville. "a miles, from Oroville to
ateros, is in readiness for receiving
he tracks.
The Guthrie -McDougall &: Co., or its
are to commence
'Crk about the middle of April or
arlier, and the work will be under
le direction of A. f. Whitcomb, en-
ineer in charge of new construction,
in Spokane.