Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1917-03-21
TO JUMP
THE CITY'S LANDING
Skinner & Bushnell Started
to Plant Anchor In Ferry
Approach

The night was cold and dark and
dreary and the rain fell and the winds
were never weary.
This is not the opening of the first
chapter of a dramatic novel entitled
/" The Crossing of the Ferry" but just
70 preliminary remark to what happen
ed last evening in connection with the
dispute and difference between Skin
ner Bushnell, who would like to run
a ferry and the county of Marion and
the city of Salem, endeavoring to ar
range for free ferry.
Having refused an offer to buy their
ferry and not making terms satisfac-
tory to the city and county for the op-
Grafton Of free ferry, Skinner & Bush
nell, attempted at $3.50 o'clock last
night to dig large hole in the center
of the landing prepared by the county
between Court and Chemeketa streets,
whereby they could anchor cable by
which to operate ferry regardless Of
the wishes OF the authorities on this
side.
Watchnan Was There.
Beginning with about $3.50 last even
ing the story runs along as follows; An
tieipating that some such move might
be made in the darkness the city and
county had placed watchman at the
landing place on this side At $3.50
O'Clock last evening the watchman no.
tieed several men digging hole in the
center of the landing place. Said watch
man approached Mr.. Bushnell and his
men and suggested they weren It doing
exactly right He was informed that II
would take more than one man to make
them quit.
The watchman then got in quick com
munication with the city and county
officials and within short time there
appeared on the scene Dan J. Fry and
Fred Steusloff of the special commit
tee appointed by President Albert Of
the Commercial club; Judge Bushey Of
the Marion county court; James Culver,
county road supervisor; Walter l..
Spaulding, representing the SpauIding
interests, and j. A. Foland, Of the night
police force.
Told What Would Be Done.
MIR. Bushnell was informed that he
was digging without either the permis-
sion of the city authorities, which is
contrary to ordinance and that he had
no permit from Mr.. Spaulding.
What will you do about tiff we
don't quite" asked Mr. Skinner. He
was quickly informed that he would be
arrested and thrown in jail Then Mr..
skinner came from the other side and
after conference about midnight. they
picked up their tools and left for the
west side Of the river.
The city and county officials held
council and decided TO fill in the hole.
and station d policeman at the landing
to notify them if any further efforts
were made to secure a cable landing.
Would Stop Free Ferry.
The Spaulding Logging company
owns the land along the river bank and
1T has granted a franchise free To the
city and council for the purpose Of on.
Grafton of ferry for benefit Of the
public. The life of the franchise is
during thestime until new bridge shall
have been constructed.
As it now stands, no one can place a
cable support or land on this side OF
the river withoTt the permission Of the
Spaulding Logging company or the city,
as Water street adjoins the Spaulding
holdings.
As the ferry is to be operated free,
the general opinion is that it can cross
the river and land it's passengers on
The property on the west side owned ny
Joseph Fl. Albert and cross to the high
way over land owned by Pihskncy
Brothers
The county and city officials now are
desirous Of operating free ferry Skin
ner s Bushnell offer their ferry for $40
a day rent which is regarded as too
high price. An offer was made to
skinner 6 Bushnell to buy their ferry
at profit Of % per cent. This they
refused and the result was that last