The silver state. [volume] (Winnemucca, Nev.) 1909-1925, 1912-05-28
IDAHO PEOPLE
WAITING FOR W.N.

M. J. Devers, director of the Ameri-
can National bank of Caldwell Idaho.
rancher, merchant and one of the sub
stantial citizens of the state, arrived
in Winnemucca on Sunday night 3
Southern Pacific Limited. Seen by a
Silver State representative Yesterday
and asked as to the significance of his
visit. Mr.. Devers replied:
81 took a run over to Winnemucca
for the express purpose of finding out
how my friend, COL Place, was getting
on with his railroad building When
he left Caldwell a few weeks ago to
come here, the people of that town
were ready to wager anv amount that
he would build the line, and while
many are eager to visit your town,
they prefer to wait until they can
come via the Winnemucca Northern.
For many years the people of
Southern Idaho have considered this
line a necessity In addition to the
great saving in time and expense to
people visiting San Francisco from
the northern tier of states, it will open
up a great and almost wholly unde-
veloped country of unlimited posi-
bilities and furnish happy homes to
thousands of families.
"Col. Place came to Caldwell about
six years ago and attempted to build
the line from that end, and in that
effort was assisted by many of our
citizens who purchased stock in his
company. But after getting the road
nicely started the panic of 1907 came
on, when the country was placed on
scrip basis, and he deemed it advis-
able to sell out to the Hartman peo-
pie to protect his stockholders. When
this was accomplished, every man who
had bought dollars worth of stock
received one hundred cents in return.
Though temporarily defeated in his
object, Col Place did not abandon the
idea, and he now proposes to construct
the line, beginning at this end, and in
his efforts he will be again assisted by
the people of Southern IDAHO"
"How far did Col. Place construct
his linefo inquired the reporter.
'fHe built out of Caldwell about
twelve miles and within two miles of
the Snake river. When the Hartman
people bought the road they gave us
a train service of one round trip
week, but that has now been increas-
ed to every other day. And you would
be surprised to see the great amount
of business the little line secures. If
extended to Winnemucca this would
undoubtedly prove to be one of the
finest properties in the country. In
addition to the share of transcontinen-
tai business it would be bound to get,
it would secure an immense tonnage
from its own territory. Why, last year
the Jordan valley produced 100000
pounds of wool alone, all of which was
shipped from Short Line points, and |
imagine as much more came to Winnie
mucca from Harvey county and the
northern portion of Humboldt. OF
course, 100000 pounds would not
maintain a railroad for any great
length of time, but this is but one
item. 1t is my judgment that this
line, when completed, will from the
day the first train is run pay operat-
mig expenses and at least five per
cent on the investment. What seems
TO be the sentiment here regarding the
venturel' asked Mr. Devers, changing
places with the interviewer.
"Why, the general sentiment seems
to be in its favor, although there are
few who seem to think the town would
lie as well on without lt, owing TO tne
fact that it would dispense with the
large freighting business now being
carried on by men and teams.
THAT idea is purely fallacious" re-
piled Mr.. Devers. give years ago,
when the electric line was commenced
building from Caldwell to Boise, there
were men in our town who predicted
that it would be our ruin, claiming
that majority of our people would
go to the larger town to do their trad
inr. However, it turned out entirely
different. In the five years that have
elapsed our city has grown from a
town of 1000 people to metropolis
cf 5,400, with fine buildings, parks
rev hanks and mercantile establish
r'ents of every sort, until the people
of Boise buy more from our merchants
than do our people from theirs.
'sWhen the Winnemucca Northern is
completed, there will be many new
towns spring up along the line, and
the business men of Caldwell will take
VI asnre in entering into friendly
competition with those of your town
for the new business.