Cottonwood chronicle. [volume] (Cottonwood, Idaho) 1917-current, 1923-10-26
HAD FAITH
IN PRAIRIE
ELLIOTT PREDICTED A
BRIGHT FUTURE-NOT
DISAPPOINTED

Howard ElllOCC, chairman OF
the board Of directors Of the
Northern Pacific railroad sys-
tenn, with headquarters in New
York City, who with a large
number of other high railroad
officials of that line made a trip
of inspection over the Camas
Prairie line, travelling in spe-
cial train of six modern coaches
consisting of a diner, sleepers,
and observation car passed thru
Cottonwood Friday evening re-
turning to Lewiston the follow
ing morning. In a speech made
by Mr.. Elliott in Lewiston he
said that they built the road on
Camas Prairie because they had
faith in the country.
His Lewiston speech in full as
reported by the Tribune is both
interesting and instructive.
'When, for ten years, I was
president of the Northern Paci-
fic, one Of the pleasant part OF
my duties was to visit the Clear
water valley and meet the people
of this place. l well remember
two of your citizens, who were
prominent at that time in your
community affairs; John P. Voll-
mer and w. ]. Jordan, both of
whom have since passed away.
Men 60, but others take their
place and the world goes on.
Now Mr.. Shirley comes in the
place of MIR. Jordan; Mr.. Hanra-
han has for some years served
you well in the place of Mr..
Finch; | can say that the Nor
thern Pacific staff always has a
deep interest in your welfare.
Zone of my most important
trips was made here in. 1905,
with Thos. Cooper, when we
spent several days driving over
the Camas prairie; and, as the
result of that visit it came about
that we completed an arrange
ment by which the Camas praf-
rie road and connections was
built, thus giving to Lewiston
better access to Camas prairie
and better outlet to Puget
Sound, looking to the future
development Of this region.
"Those improvements were
made because we believed in the
great possibilities Of this region,
and because we than had money
with which to do it. We spent
large sums and we built the road
because we thought that it
would make money. We built a
fine station here and a good
roundhouse, both for your in
terest and for ours. Great
changes have since come and
there has been a wonderful
growth in Idaho.
"Jay Cooke was the father OF
the Northern Pacific. He be-
came interested in 1869, anC
made it possible to make it 8
transcontinental line. July 2I
1869, he sent an engineer tc
Walla Walla to investigate con
ditions. In September, 1882
the golden spike was driven
Stormy days came in 1873. AT
terwards, Henry Willard came
He failed financially. Morgan
then organized the road on the
soundest financial basis of any
transcontinental line, it hav1n,
the lowest rate Of interest
Many persons think that Wal
Street rules the company, bu
that is not so. All Of Wal
Streets capital would be smal
in comparison with that of tn
Northern Pacific.
"In 1870, Idaho has less thar
$4,000 population; Oregon hat
about $4,000, and Washington
10000. Mr.. Hannaford ha
been here often since 1872 an
has seen the growth, which tn
Northern Pacific has prompted
| am one who believes that tn
United States is going to have
wonderful future, and that l
this the Pacific northwest is &C
ing to have the most importan
part; that is, if certain cond
tions and tendencies can be ovel
come.
"You have developed only bt
cause you have had transports
I, ton. One of the ifs, as to tn
future, is if you have an adt
quate system of transportation
you will develop. You now hay
great transportation system
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