RAILROADS INTO KLAMATH

KLAMATH ECHOES

-~ .... - .

Sanctioned by Klamath County Historical Society

Number 16 :

First train into Klamath Falls, Oregon, May 20, 1909. Maude Baldwin Photo

The Railroad's coming to our town, Take off your hats and cheer it! For nearer, nearer comes the sound. 0, good it is to hear it!

The rocks arise from out their beds, What tho' the ages bound them! The Right of Way is o'er their heads, And Progress all around them!

We've always held our head up high, Regardless of the weather; For Pride will make our Klamath Falls. 'Tis " Pride and Falls" together!

So when we drive the Golden Spike. That makes Hope's consummation, May all our ex and im-ports be The best that's in the nation.

To Mr. Harriman our thanks! We ·n not oppose his wishes; We ·u let him breathe our finest air. And catch our biggest fishes; Roland may shoot another Bear. When 'er the times propitious!

Copied from the Evening Herald, Thursday. August 27. 1908. Author Unknown. I L

Southern Pacific engine number 2251 with the first train Into Klamath Falls, Oregon, May 20, 1909.

Arrival of a Southern Pacific passenger train ot the Klamath Falls depot in the early days. Miller Co. Photo

II Klamath Echoes Staff

DEVERE HELFRICH ...... Managing Editor HELE HELFRICH ...... Assistant Editor

OFFICERS Klamath County Historical Society

OSCAR ANDERSON ...... President BEVERLY CHEYNE ...... Vice President JIM PETERS ...... Secretary-Treasurer NORMA UEHLING, JIM COLEMAN, LEONA ANGEL AND ART MILLARD ...... Directors BEVE RLY CHEYNE ...... Programme Chairman

Address all communications to: Klamath Echoes, P .0. Box 1552, Klamath Falls, Oregon 97601

THE COVER: Our cover was drawn by Deborah Runnels, formerly Art Teacher at Klamath Union High School. III Editor's Page T he publication of Railroads into of Worden; the far flung Weyer­ Klamath was made possible by the haeuser system which tapped the area Herald & News newspaper files, the west and north of Keno, to and newspaper !iles of the Klamath beyond the Jackson County line; Peli­ Cmmty Museum, and the microfilm can Bay and Lamm Lumber Company files of the Klamaili County Library. mills, which earlv bad railroads in the In addition Ben Cornell. engineer of H arriman Lodge-Pelican Bay area the Oregon-California & Eastern Rail­ west of Upper Klamath Lake. road has been of great assistance Pelican Bay, Lamm and Forrest through information given and pic­ (Williamson River Lumber Co. I Lum­ tures loaned. Otherwise the Edjtor's ber Companies had railroads which own library, picture files and personal tapped the area west of present High­ research over many years have sup­ way #97, from Spring Creek and Sun plied the necessary information for Mountain to and north of Diamond this historical book. Lake State H ighway #138. Farther Commencing during the 1940's, iliis nortJ1, Shaw-Bertram had a railroad writer interviewed many old timers, which extended west into the timber but does not have one reminiscence from present Chemult. that touches on ilie old Weed Logging East of Highway #97. a network Railroad or the California-Northeastern of railroads covered most of the which replaced it into Klamath Falls. Klamath Indian Reservation timber at This history perhaps should have one time or another. T hese belonged been published at a much earlier date. to Ewauna, Shaw-Bertram, Lamm, but the necessary research for infor­ Algoma, Williamson River, Cfliloquin. mation had not been completed to a Pelican Bay. Kesterson a nd Weyer­ satisfactory degree. T he first two and haeuser Lumber Companies. one hall chapters, although not Norili of the KJamath Indian Reser­ directly connected with the rustory of vation lay the railroads of Shevlin­ the Klamath Country, do give. in Hixon out of Bend. which served ilie brief detail, events leading up to the areas east of Highway #97. from both arrival of our first railroads. Crescent and Chemult. Presentlv ilie It is hoped that R ailroads into Gilchrist Lumber Company with its Klamath will finally dispose of the twelve-mile railroad leading from t11e mysteries of why the KJamath Coun­ main Southern P acific Railroad. try suffered through two long delays in northward to the town of Gilchrist is railroad bwlding. which set back the the only Line in operation. The town of development of the area for many Shevlin was ilie subject many times, of years. romantic writings. due to its moving There remains another segment of logging camp and post office, at differ­ the railroad history of the Klamath ent times located in both Deschutes Country which is touched upon but and Klamaili Counties. briefly in iliis history. the logging rail­ Perhaps the most advertised and roads which began in the late teens historically written about local rail­ and still continue in two instances. road was the Oregon-California and Logging railroads long since discon­ Eastern (the Strahorn Line). extending tinued, include the Kesterson roads in eastward from Klamaili Falls. which the area northwest of D orris. and west (Continued on page VI) IV Union Pacific "Big Bay" 11•019 pulling a freight train up Echo Canyon In Utah.

Union Pacific passenger train 11949 In El Cajon Pon, north of Son Bernardino, California. v TABLE OF CONTENTS

Editor's Page ...... IV Chapter I Evolution of Pacific Railroads ...... 1 II The hasta Route ...... 8 Ill Next Came Harriman...... 17 IV Klamath's First Three Railways...... 25 V Linkville Tro!Jey ...... 33 VI The Weed Railroad (California-Northeastern) ...... 42 VII Grass Lake to Holland (Ady) ...... 49 VIII To Klamath Fa!Js and on to Kirk ...... 55 IX All New Construction Halted ...... 65 X New Construction Resumes ...... 74 XI Recapitulation of the Twelve Year Delay ...... 84 X II Progress of Transportation by B.E. Hayden ...... 91

(continued from page I V) several miles in length. They were is still in existence and very much in Ewauna, which operated in the Quartz use by the Weyerhaeuser Timber Mountain area in Lake County; Peli­ Company, which has recently bought can Bay, south of Bly; Lorenz (Crater the line and is rebuilding it to its ter­ Lake Lumber Co.) Lumber Company. minus at the town of Bly. Joining the south of Sprague River; Shaw­ 0. C. & E. is Weyerhaeuser's private Bertram and Big Lakes, in the Squaw logging railroad which extends into the Flats vicinity, west of Bly Mountain. Sycan Marsh territory with its large and the Ackley Brothers, with a short adjoining timber lands. spur into Swan Lake Valley. A number of lumber companies Today, fleets of logging trucks have had lines which led from the main replaced the logging railroads in the 0. C. & E. R. R ., from a few to Klamath Country woods. VI -<

Southern Pacific engine 114251 thought ta be pulling up a stiH grode betw-n Weed and Gran lake, California. Chapter I Evolution of Pacific Railroads

. Approximately 86 years have passed petitioned two state legislatnres for smce the Klamath Country was in­ exclusive rights to use what he called formed that its first railway, a tiny "improvements in steam carriages." four mile in length logging road high By 1804 he had invented the first atop the north Klamath River Rim in American steam locomotive. extreme Southwestern Klamath Others became interested and a County had been completed. This rail­ John Stevens, of Hoboken, New Jer­ road led from the rim (barely inside sey built a miniature locomotive California) northward to the logging which he ran around on a track' in the' camp of Snow. I ts rolling stock con­ yard at his home. The states of New sisted of four tiny Russell logging cars Jersey in 1821, and Pennsylvania in which were motivated from the woods 1823, granted him charters '~hich pro­ by gravity and returned, at first by posed to build a railroad across the horse power, and later by a small former and to the Susquehanna River locomotive. in the latter. Very little seems to have During part of that 86 year span, become of these plans. many delays, changes of plans, law­ But, by 1826, Boston had built a suits and relocations hindered the railr oad of sorts, three miles of completion of the railway system into wooden rails on stone ties, to move this area. To understand these various granite from Quincy to the Neponset ramifications it is deemed necessary to River. and thence by water to Charles­ first give a short synopsis of railroad­ town, to construct the Bunker Hill ing in the United States, especially the Monument. Western portion, prior to 1926 when By 1827, a group of citizens in­ the first main line through the corporated the Baltimore & Ohio Rail Klamath Country connected us to the Road Company. Shortly thereafter east and coastal shipping points both other railroads were organized in New north and south. York, Philadelphia and Charleston, Therefore, according to historical South Carolina. In the beginning, the records we find that in England, Baltimore & Ohio experimented with around 1698, a man named Savery sail cars and horse power, both in its invented the first crude steam engine. direct and treadmill form. Then after many years of experiments Shortly thereafter in Charleston, a and improvements, one James Watt group of railroad builders secured a came up with the first improved steam steam locomotive, the first ever built engine in the 1760-69 period. More in New York, and transported it to experiments and adaptations followed Charleston. In December, 1830 it and England came up with her first pulled the first train of cars ever railroads. moved by steam in the United States, Learning of these advancements, a over a six-mile track. The formal few visionaries in America tried to opening, however, was not until Jan­ interest their fellow man in their own uary, 1831. ideas and prophesies but had little The success of the South Carolina success. However, soon after the enterprise spawned a rash of railroad Revolutionary War, Oliver Evans incorporations in aU the settled regions 1 except New England where "com· sippi River bad one or more railroads. merce was tied to the sea and alway and the total mileage in the United would be.'' It eemed for a time as if tates was ''about" 5.000. every state. city. and one-horse village Next it is recorded that by 1851. the in the United States was bound to be first railroad had reached Lake Erie. on a railroad, even though it had to Further in this same year the State of build one at home and with home Illinois "granted a charter to a new capital. By 1837 some two hundred corporation, the Illinois Central Rail­ railroads were being talked about, road Company; and with it, if its projected. built, or operated. Millions charter terms were met, went a land of dollars changed hands for the paper grant of 2,595.000 federal acres, the of stock and bonds. many of which first large land grant to a railroad in were worthless. A large percent of our history.·· That railroad i reported these incorporators were indeed un­ to have reached Chicago in 1852. scrupulous and it is a known fact that In the meantime the great overland incorporators are not necessarily treks to Oregon and California had builders. Many were for the sole pur­ commenced and continued for many pose of obtaining easy money from the years; to Oregon by the "great" migra· sale of stock in companies to build tion of 1843, seeking the free lands for plank roads, canals and more rail· homes, and to California in 1849, bv roads. Most of these were never built. the hordes seeking riches in the newly However. as time passed. the pre­ discovered gold fields. Both territories ferred method of financing railroads had received some settlement prior to was the Land grant. Probably the first those dates and continued to receive Land grant made by Congress for "in­ more until long after the arrival of the ternal improvements" was the act of first transcontinental railroads. 1796. authorizing Ebenezer Zane, an Who first thought of an overland ancestor of the Western author Zane railroad is unknown. It was. however, Grey, to locate certain lands in the suggested in print as early as 1832 that " territory west of the R iver Ohio in a steam railroad be built from New such situations as should best promote York City by way of the Great Lakes utility of a road to be opened by him and the Platte Valley to the Oregon on the most eligible route between Country. Wheeling and Limestone." Twelve Years passed and fin ally in March. and more years elapsed before Con· 1853, Congress authorized the Pacific gress made a number of land grants to Railroad Surveys. These surveys oc­ canal companies. Then. in 1835. Con­ cupied another three years and it is gress made the first grant of land to a with two of them that the Klamath railroad, the Tallahassee Railroad Country became associated. When Company, which set the style for later completed the survey reports were grants. This one gave the company a government printed and consisted of right of way of 30 feet on each side of 13 volumes. They covered £our major the Line, and also the privilege of using routes by which a railroad could reach timber from public lands, on either or the Pacific Coast. In addition. hun· both sides. for 100 feet, and " ten acre dreds of additional page covered the for a terminal where the St. Mark's flora and fauna or the regions sur­ and Wocolla River join." veyed. Also. the various Indian dia· It has been estimated that by 1850, lects encountered were recorded in nearly every state east of the Missis· much detail. All this added up to a

2 very expensive production. Turning our attention soutb\\ard Preceeding the survey of Lt. E. G. into Central California. we will brit>fh Beckwith. during 1854. in orth­ trace the development of railroadin~ eastern California. and the Lts. R. W. history in that area. We find that in Williamson-H. L. Abbott urvevs of 1852, the first railroad incorporated in 1855 through the Klamath Co~ntry California. the Sacramento. Auburn and northward east of the Cascades to and Nevada (City) wa never built. the Columbia River. were several ex­ Instead. a Colonei Charles L. Wilson plorations. either secretly sanctioned, reorganized tl1is abandoned compan~ or openly ordered by different govern­ as the 'acramento Vallev Railroad ment agencies which became more or Company. and Article" of .Association le s connected with our local historv. were filed in October. 1853. The lint> First of these was the Capt. Joh~ C. was to run to egro Bar I Folsom I. Fremont 1843-44 exploration south and thence to Mary villt>. through Oregon east of the Cascades. The man chose r~ bv Col. Wilson to then through Northwestern Nevada to be his engineer in tl~ e projected rail­ cross the Sierra Nevada M ountains road was Theodore D. Judah. tht> into Central California. young engineer who had just built a Second, Capt. John C. Fremont's railroad bridge across the Ni~lgara junket from California Hrom which he Falls Gorge. had been ordered by the Mexican Actual construction did not com­ Government) into . the Klamath mence in the Citv of acramento until Country in May. 1846. circling Upper February 12. Hi55. After numl:'rOtl'• Klamath Lake. prior to the Bear Flag short journe) on the rails from a ft>w Revolution in California which re­ blocks to t\\ O miles. in Sacramento leased that territory from MPxican City itself. the rails continued east· rule. ward until Februar) 16. 1856. when Third, the 1849 explorations of the Line was officially opened to Fol­ Capt. W. H. Warner backtracking the som some 22 miles away. by hatding a Lassen Trail from California, thence large free excursion for ma'lly Cali­ passing Goose Lake to enter Warner fornians. Valley where he was killed by Indians This little railroad enjoy~>d uch near the Oregon-California State Line phenominal succe s as it advanced north of Fort Bidwell. The purpose of toward the ierra foothills that it his exploration was .. to open a sure attracted the attention of other oppor­ and easy communication by land tunists. Another railroad. the Califor­ (from California I with the Atlantic nia Ceutral. later in part to become States." the Sacramento. Plact>r & Nevada Fourth, Lt. R. S. Williamson. who Railroad. was commt>nced on June I. had been second in command under 1858. to run to Auburn. I t was com­ Capt. Warner, and was in 1855 to pleted by October 16 . .1862. command the official railroad survey It was the above mentioned Judah through Central Oregon. returned to who during these years conceived the this area in 1851-52. Arriving in Butte idea of the western portion of a trans­ Valley. Northern California by way of continental railroad. By August. 1860. Sheep Rock he seems to have pene­ he had found a route over the ~ ierra trated northeast as far a the Apple­ ~evada Mountains. closely approxi­ gate Trail near later day Laird's mating tht> present highway. Inter­ Landing. state 80. Judah's findings displeased his as­ signed the Pacific Railroad Act, as a sociates to such an extent that his military measure of the Civil War to connections wi th the Sacramento assure California becoming a Union Valley Railroad were severed. Judah State. The Act called for construction then turned to other sources to secure of a railroad by two companies, one backing for his grandeous scheme. and building westward from the M issouri so came into contact wi th certain River , the other building eastward Sacramento capitalists who were later from the Pacific Ocean, at or near to become known as the Big Four of San Francisco "or the navigable Central Pacific Railroad Company waters of the Sacramento River." fame. According to Southern Pacific, by About the time the first forty miles Wilson and Taylor, page 13, the Act of railroad were completed, a disagree­ gave each company "a 400-foot right­ ment arose between Judah and the Big of-way across all government lands, Four. Judah was compelled to sell his and such areas as were needed for interests in the Central Pacific, and stations, switch yards, shops, and later returning east by steamer , he quarries. It also gave the companies contracted yellow fever in Panama, alternate square-mile sections of pub­ and died soon afterwards. lic lands on both sides of the tracks, The Big Four, through Judah's and provided for loans of United representations, had become interested States bonds to bolster the credit of in a railroad across the Sierras to tap the builders. These bonds required an the lucrative trade of the Virginia interest payment of 6 per cent by the City, Nevada mining industry that two railroad companies, but Hunting­ was being funneled into the cofers of ton saw to it that a provision in the the Sacramento Valley Railroad. Con­ Act delayed payment of interest until sequently, the Central Pacific Rail­ the bonds matured." road Company was incorporated June These loans ranged in amounts from 28, 1861, under the laws of California. $16,000 to $48,000 per mile depending Leland Stanford was named President; on the terrain. In the case of the C. P. H untington, Vice-President; Central Pacific they added up to James Bailey, Secretary; Mark Hop­ $24,000 per mile for construction in kins, Treasurer: and Theodore Judah, the Sacramento Valley foothills. How­ Chief Engineer. ever , through Huntington 's efforts Little time elapsed before Stanford, they " removed the base of the Sierra Huntington and Hopkins, together Nevada to within seven miles of the with Charles Crocker became known City of Sacramento." as the " Big Four" and assumed the " The Act further incorporated a full direction of the organization. Union Pacific Railroad Company, Stanford raised the Western money authorizing a capital of $100,000,000." and was the local contact man; Hunt­ The Central Pacific Railroad Com­ ington raised the Eastern money, and pany had previously been incorporated was the general contact man along as shown above. The westward build­ Wall Street and in the United States ing company, the Union Pacific, was Congress where he twisted many organized at Chicago on September 2, arms ; Hopkins, the inside man, 1862. handled the books; while Crocker, the The Central Pacific was given the outside man. handled all construction. right to build, specifically, only from On July 1, 1862, President Lincoln the navigable waters of the Pacific to

4 the California line; but Huntington and built most of the Union Pacific later got this provision changed to line. It is credited with siphoning mil­ place the junction 150 miles eastward lions of dollars worth of funds into the in Nevada (near Mill City). Still Later, promoters' pockets ($43.929,828.34 in 1866, it was changed again-to according to the Encyclopedia Ameri­ wherever the eastward-and westward cana, Vol. 8, page 1731 during 1867- pushing lines should meet. This loca­ 1868. Connected with the scandal was tion eventually became known as the Vice-President of the United Promontory, Utah, reached on May States; the Vice-President elect; the 10, 1869. The Central Pacific was Speaker of the House, Congressmen given two years in which to build its and many other prominent names. In first SO miles of railroad, after which the process of securing favors. un­ the builders were required to complete limited stocks in the concern were 50 miles per year. The whole task had handed out to iniLuential people con­ to be finished by July 1, 1876. Thus nected with the Government. Another by a two year margin, the Central means employed was that during the Pacific was first to start actual con­ construction of the first 100 miles, the struction. chief engineer's estimate of $30,000 The Union Pacific was, according per mile was overruled and the actual to the Act, to build an Iowa branch to contract let for $60,000 per mile. The the main line, and to construct the difference was sheer profit to the main line from the lOOth meridian in Credit Mobilier contract firm. the Territory of Nebraska to the It has been reported (American California line. The Central Pacific Railroads, by Stewart Holbrook, Page was to build that portion of the road 172 I that Central Pacific contracts which Lay within the state of Califor­ were almost as scandalous as the nia, but as we have seen, built to Credit Mobilier and were used "to this Promontory, Utah. very day (1947} to harass the Central The Central Pacific, Stanford offi­ Pacific's heir. the Southern Pacific; ciating, broke their first ground on the but at the time. the United States was levee at Sacramento on January 8, not equal to the scandals of such mag­ 1863. At the eastern terminus (the nitude as Credit Mobilier." Missouri River) it was almost a year In the West, the Big Four and their before the Union Pacific held their Central Pacific Railroad reached the first ground breaking ceremony at Donner Summit in November, 1867; Omaha on December 2, 1863, but a the Nevada State Line, 138 miles from year and a hali later not a foot of Sacramento, on December 13, 1867; grade had been opened. The Union Reno by June 19, 1868; Winnemucca Pacific ran into financial trouble and by October 1, 1868; Elko by January it was not until November 5, 1865, 25, 1869: and finally, Promontory. after a reorganization in their person­ Utah where they met the Union Paci­ ' nel, that they held their second ground fic and the Golden Spike ceremony breaking ceremony at Omaha. took place on May 10. 1869. Actually, Construction of the Union Pacific the Central Pacific had reached Railroad spawned one of the most Promontory on May 1st, but there had serious scandals this nation has ever to await the union Pacific at the known. It was called Credit Mobilier, agreed upon meeting location. but the story is too long to be told Construction on the Union Pacific here. The concern was formed in 1863 had proved much easier due to the

5 Golden Spike Ceremony, Promontory Point, Utah on May 10, 1869, when the Central Pacific (left) and Union Pacific (right) engines met to complete the first trans-continental railroad. Library of Congress prairie country through which the line Bay. San Francisco itself could be ran. After breaking ground at Omaha, reached by land only from the south, only 40 miles of railroad had been but this route was controlled bv a local constructed by J anuary, 1866; then by line, the San Jose and San F-rancisco the end of 1867 they were 550 miles R ailroad Company. This company from Omaha. There remained some was formed in J u1y, 1860 after first 534 miles of railroad to be built to having been incorporated under a dif­ connect with the Central Pacific at ferent name on September 6, 1851. that time. wbkb was accomplished in The road was opened to traffic on fifteen months, at the rate of better January 16. 1864. than one mile per day. It will be remembered that accord­ Farther east. with Chicago as the ing to the Pacific Railroad Act of terminus, the Chicago and North­ 1862, the Central Pacific had been western had reached the Mississippi authorized to build overland eastward R iver by 1864. Continuing onward from San Francisco. However, they across Iowa, the M issouri River at became so thoroughly involved during Council Bluffs. across from Omaha. the next few years with pushing over was reached on February 8, 1867, at the Sierras from Sacramento that they about the time the Central Pacific was assigned the western branch from conquering the Summit of the Sierras. Sacramento to an affiliate, the Western From the beginning, the Big Four Pacific (not the present day Western of the Central Pacific had plans which Pacificl. This affiliate in time became included a terminal on San Francisco associated with the San Jose & San

6 Francisco Railroad. In the meantime. also the owner or a company which on December 2. 1865 a outhern Paci­ bad built south to and past Gilroy fic Railroad Company had been incor­ some 20 mile . porated by certain member of the San On September 5. 1876 the Southern J ose & San Francisco Railroad. to Pacific reached Los Angeles whert> build south to San Diego. thence east­ ''Last spike" ceremonies were held. ward to the Colorado. On March 20. 1880. Tucson. Arizona Awakening to the threat of a new was reached. Three years later. on overland line entering the bay area, Januarv 12. 1883. construction forces and not wishing to share profits with from '~es t and east met on the we t anyone else, the Big Four repossessed bank of the Pecos River in Texas. the entire new line through a eries of 227 mile we t of an Antonio. Shortly consolidations and bond purchases. thereafter. on February 5. 1883. Therefore. by mid-1868 all the e var­ through trains commenced running ious lines had come under the control over the Sun et Route between New of the Central Pacific which included Orleans and an Francisco. the closely affiliated paper projected With the passing of years the ''Southern Pacific Railroad. " $24.000,000 loan and mounting Therefore, by September 6, 1869, interest to the Central Pacific began to the Central Pacific owned and con­ occupy the attention of the United trolled an unbroken line of rails from States Government. Consequently. Promontory. Utah to San Francisco they began to question what arrange­ Bay. ments were being made for repay­ Although there were still some San ment. Then in 1878 Congress passed Francisco men on the directoriate of the Thurman Act, which required the Southern Pacific. there were also the Central Pacific and Union Pacific familiar names of the Big Four in the Railroads to set up sinking funds into drivers seat. Huntington was Presi­ which they were to put 25 per cent of dent of the Southern Pacific and Stan­ their annual net earnings toward ford of the Central Pacific; Hunting­ liquidation of thPir debt to the United ton was Vice-President of the Central States. Pacific and Stanford of the outhern It further eems that b, 1884 the Pacific. Hopkins was Treasurer of Central Pacific Railroad ·had taken each. in more than 271.300.000 and ex· On September 25. 1868. Hunting­ pended 8239.600.000 leaving around ton. as Vice-President of the Central $37,000.000 a urplus and profit. Pacific, had transmitted a report to American Railroads, page 157. the Secretary of Interior indicating a records that ''The total length of rail­ close relationship between the Central roads built on or with land grants was Pacifi c and Southern Pacific Rail­ 18,738 miles * * *. Nor was the I roads. Two years later, on October 12, federal government of so much aid in 1870, the record became oilicial that direct financing of railroads as is the Central Pacilic and Southern Paci­ generally suppo ed. It did make loans fic were owned and controlled by the to six of the companies chartered to arne men. the Big Four of the Central build tbe Pacific railroads. These Pacific. loans totaled 846.623.512. For manv This same vear the Southern Pacilic years. or during the period when th~ became the iegal owner of the San sparsely settled country could supply Joe & San Francisco Railroad. and but little traffic. the roads were unable

-I to pay the six per cent interest called fortunes of $10.000.000 or more in for by these loans: but when final the United States. lt rated Huntington settlement was made. in 1898-99, the with $40.000.000, placing him after government collected no less than John D. Rockefeller. William Astor, $63.023.512 of principal. and a Jay Gould, Cornelius Vanderbilt and thumping $104,722,978 in interest. In William Vanderbilt. It gave Stanford other words, the government loaned $30.000,000. and the estates of Mark approximately $65 million and col­ Hopkins and Charles Crocker lected approximately $167 million ('a $25,000.000 each." brilliant transaction. for the govern­ Following the Golden Spike cere­ ment'}.·· mony of 1869, at Promontory, Utah. The Central Pacific had repaid the linking the Central Pacific and Union government, principal and interest, Pacific Railroads, the original man­ $58,813,000 by 1908-09, the date of agers of the Union Pacific got out of final payment. the company as fast as they could. On February 17. 1885 the Central Their money had been made in con­ Pacific executed a lease to the South­ struction, and they wanted no part of ern Pacific Company. Leland Stanford the grief of running the road. To the signed it as President of the Central credit of the Central Pacific's Big Pacific and next day was elected Presi­ Four. it must be sajd they continued dent of the Southern Pacific Com­ running their various rail.roads to the pany. The lease was for 99 years from end of their lives. April 1, 1885: other leases to the Mark Hopkins was the first to pass Southern Pacific Company of various away. on March 29. 1878, "slipping Central Pacific railroads and affiliates off to sleep" on a couch in his private were effective as of March 1, 1885. car at a siding in Yuma, Arizona. Therefore, on April 1, 1885, the Charles Crocker was the ne::>.:t to pass Southern Pacific Company took over away. on August 14, 1888, at the Del operation of all companies of common Monte Hotel on the Monterey Penin­ ownership, including the Central sula. Leland Stanford passed away Pacific. five years later on June 21, 1893. and According to Southern Pacific, page Collis P. Huntington. the last of the 104: "The New York World estimated Big Four, passed away on August 13, in 1890, that there were thirty-five 1900.

Chapter II The Shasta Route

Although historically concerned rate railroads, the California and I with the Overland Route completed in Oregon from the south , and the 1869, the Klamath Basin is more Oregon and California from the north. closely connected with the north-south It was begun on both ends during the railroad later known as the ''Shasta 1860's, and extended more or less R oute" between P ortland on the steadily. both north and south until north, and Sacramento on the south. Redding. California and Roseburg, The Southern Pacific's "Shasta Oregon were reached in 1872. Route'' is a combination of two sepa- Turning our attention to the south-

8 ern terminu in Sacramento we will recently a participant in the Ci, il backtrack in time to February 16, War. At lea t one section of thP sun'PY 1856. when the Sacramento Valley party seem to have reached Portland Railroad reached newly founded Fol­ before thP end of the vear. som immediately above Negro Bar on The California and. Oregon Railroad the American River. Originally, this Company was organized on December little railroad had set out to build as 1. 1863. but was not incorporated far north a Marvsville. but lack of until June 29. 1865. Nevertheless. finances and new· ownership brought work wa begun immediately. about a halt at Folsom. By January 16, 1864, the Shasta However. the first owners were Courier wrote that they had learned determined to build onward to Marys­ " ... iron necessary for the comple­ ville. so incorporated the California tion of the track from Ro es station Central Railroad. Ground was broken (Roseville) to Oroville had been re­ for this last railroad on June I. 1858. ceived. and about 30 days will put it which ran through what later became down." Roseville and on toward Lincoln Actually, the railroad wa opened to which was reached by October 13. Oroville on Monday. February 15th. 1861, when the first passenger train as reported by the Courier of Febru­ arrived at that place. ary 20. 1864. A great deal of railroad bujJding In the meantime. as we have seen, enthusiasm was created by the activi­ the Central Pacific began at acra­ ties of Theodore Judah. High in this mento on Januarv 8. 1863. on its wa\ group were the citizens of Mary ville. to the Sierra N~vadas. It reached ~ situated on Feather River some 52 junction with the California Central at miles north of Sacramento, and at the Grider's Ranch (present Rosevillel on time third largest city in California. April 26. 1864 and killed that lines These citizens decided they wanted to reason for existence. The Central enter the railroad game. Pacific took the California Central Consequently, following the ground over on a forced sale. tore up the breaking ceremonies of the Central stretch between Ro eville and Folsom, Pacific Railroad on J anuary 8, 1863. and added the Lincoln branch to their at Sacramento. the California legisla­ business. Later still, they used the ture on April 6, 1863, granted a group little California Central as a start for of about 70 Marysville citizens certain their California and Oregon Railroad. privileges toward builrung a railroad The men of Marysville wished to northward toward Portland, Oregon. benefit by the Fed~ral land grants Among this group was an engineer then being ha nded out. o began named Simon G. Elliott. H e was laying their first requisite 20 miles of thoroughly indoctrinated with the track as soon as possible. They pur­ ideas and enthusiasm of Theodore sued their railroad construction tmtil Judah. their money ran out. then the Big Sometime in May, 1863, E lliot, Four stepped in, and by a series of together with George Belding, a civil their familiar incorporatjon and con­ engineer of Portland. began a survey solidation . took over the California northward from Marysville. on their and Oregon for the Central Pacific in joint account, reaching Jacksonville, 1870. The little California and Oregon Oregon, in October. Also included in then consisted of about 90 miles of the party was a Col. Chas. Barry. patched together track. far short of the

9 Oregon State Line. both sides of the Columbia River. The Central Pacific then com­ We have touched on a few of the menced the task of cautiously continu· many railroads which sprang up in ing the line northward. Chico was California in the preceeding pages. At reached by }ttly 4th, 1870: Red Bluff the same time, in Oregon there were bv December 6, 1871: and finally on plans for railroads. but none matured. August 3. 1872 the rails were laid into The first steps to build a railroad in R edding. although the first regular the State of Oregon followed by organ­ pas enger train did not arrive until izations and concrete efforts were September 1. 1872. taken at Jacksonville on October 13. Meanwhile. far to the north in 1863, when the California and Colum· Oregon Territory. a tiny railroad. if bia River Railroad Company was such it can be called. was begun in incorporated. True, meetings had 1851. as a portage railway on the been held and corporations formed in Columbia River around the Cascade var ious places in the Will amette R apids. Built on the north (now Valley prior to that time, however, Washington) side of the river between nothing had resulted but " hot-air," steamboat landings, it consisted of not worth recording. wooden rails over which one car was The 1acksonville incorporation was pulled by a single mule. By 1856 the the direct result of the Elliott-Belding trackage was extended to six miles. survey mentioned above. As surveyed and the rolling stock increased. but by them, the distance covered was wa still pulled by mule power. It was 635 miles from Marysville to Portland. wa hed out in the flood of 1861 and Their survey differed from the line when rebuilt was named the Cascade later developed in that it entered Ore· Railroad . gon over the Siskiyou Mountains, An opposition line was started in turned east to the head of Emigrant 1858 on the south (now Oregon} side Creek which was followed northward and was called the Oregon Portage alpng " the west slope of the ridge Railway. It survived the 1861 flood to east of Bear Creek" in the Rogue remain in service for many years. River Valley. On May 10, 1862, the Oregon From 1ackson ville north to the Portage Railway put into operation Columbia, or Portland, two separate the first steam locomotive in the surveys were run, that of Elliott and Northwest. the tiny engine kno\>\'11 as the other by Col. Chas. Barry. Both the "Oregon Pony." In size it some· more or less coincided until the Wil· what resembled Klamath County's lamette Valley was reached. There, ''Old Blue" of Pokegama fame. The the Elliott survey, via Eugene, eros ed "Oregon Pony" still exists and is on the Willamette River at Corvallis, permanent display in the plaza front· passed through Albany and Salem, to ing the Portland Union Station. recross the river near Oregon City on Rebuilt after the 1861 flood, the its way to "Portland or some point on Cascade Railroad and The Dalles to the Columbia River ... Celilo portage railroad built by the Barry's survey by-passed Eugene to Oregon Steam Navigation Company enter the Willamette Valley farther began operation in conjunction with north and keep to the west side of the each other on April 20. 1863, and re· Willamette River at aU times, crossing mained in service until replaced by Tualatin Plains to enter Portland by later day, through railroad systems on one of three different routes.

10 The California and Columbia River Central Railroad Company on April Railroad Company ceased their opera­ 22, 1867 to later become ~own as the tions in 1865 when Barry ceased his ''East Siders." while Gaston's com­ activities and returned e~st. He. to­ pany became known as the "West gether with Joseph Gaston. originally Siders ... from Jacksonville, had fought for a Finally. according to Bancroft's land grant which they failed to secure History of Oregon, on April 14, 1867. due to an oversight in their appli- was begun the fir t railroad in Oregon cation. · (other than the portage roads above On July 25. 1866, Congress passed mentioned I when the West Siders an Act providing that the California broke their fir t ground in Caruther 's and Oregon Railroad Company, and Addition to Portland. Two days later. uch other company as the legislature on April 16. 1867. the East Siders of Oregon should designate should re­ broke their fir t ground in East P ort­ ceive " . . . every alternate section of land. land . . . of twenty section per mile. A struggle for control now took ten on each side of said ra ilroad place which was extremely damaging line ..., " the first twenty miles to be to both enterprises. Capitalists, fear­ completed two years thereafter. ing litigation and delay, withdrew In order to obtain the grant, Joseph their fin ancial support to both projects Gaston began to organize the Oregon so that extreme retrenchments Central Railroad Company and al­ followed. though not completed. filed it with the Both partie thereafter pursued an Secretary of the State of Oregon on agressive war upon the other even October 6. 1866. Four days later. on though fin ancially di tressed. Then in October lOth. the legislature desig­ August. 1868. Ben Holladay. former nated this company as the compan}' to Overland Stagecoach king, arrived in receive the grant provided by the Act Oregon and immediately entered the of Congress. Actually, Gaston did not picture. Aligning himsell and his sup­ file the completed articles (and those posed millions with the East Siders he filed were d ifferent papers) until was soon able to gain control of th at November 21. 1866. company, forcing Elliott out of the M eanwhile, some of the arne men organization. together with others . learning o£ Alter becoming connected with the Gaston 's delay in filing completed Oregon Central lEa t Side) Holladay articles of incorporation. themselves continued con truction of the line and. filed articles o£ incorporation for a it is charged. subsidized newspaper different Oregon Central Railroad for favorable publicity. bought politi­ Company on November 17. 1866, four cians and entertained members of the d ays before Gaston 's comp leted legislature. all to the tune of some articles. $30,000 or more. T his latter company was not organ­ As a result or these activities, the ized for the purpose of building a rail­ legislature pas ed a joint resolution on road. but to beat out Gaston. Then. October 20. 1868. rescinding the Act through the intervention of S. G. of October 10. 1866. Thus. the East Elliott, the MarysviJie promoter and Siders became the recipients of the other Californians promising financial land grant instead of the West Siders. aid, this November 17th company re­ On March 31. 1869. construction work organized and formed a new Oregon stopped on the West Side line. How- 11 ever, later in the season Gaston was Again, Holladay arose to the chal­ able to raise enough money to con­ lenge, barged a locomotive across the tinue grading to Hillsboro. river to continue laying rails south­ Then on April 16, 1869, Congress ward to Parrot Creek, the twenty mile passed an act extending the time for terminus. The bridge was rebuilt in filing acceptance of the land grant act time, and the last spike was driven at and provided that whichever of the 4:30 in the afternoon of December 23, two companies should first complete 1869. The next day (December 24th) a and put into operation twenty miles of locomotive crossed the bridge and railroad should be entitled to Iile such continued to the end of tracks and the acceptance of grant. Federal subsidy. It pulled a baggage The East Siders' company filed car and two coaches which had been assent with the Department of Interior constructed in Oregon of Oregon in June, 1869, and in October, 1869, timber. filed maps of the survey for the first By September 29, 1870 the rails had sixty miles of road. The West Sider reached Salem in time for the Oregon company then waived all claims to the State Fair. Eugene was reached and land grant. They did, however, suc­ passed in late 1871, with the line ceed in retaining the name of Oregon finished to Creswell by December 9th Central Railroad Company. There­ of that year. By March 30. 1872, the fore, Holladay, who had come into California and Oregon Mail and pas­ complete control of the Oregon senger stages were connecting with Central (East Side) on September 7, Red Bluff in the south and Eugene 1869, was compelled to incorporate in the north. under a new name, the Oregon and Rails reached Oakland July 7, 1872, California Railroad Company. Next, and Roseburg before the end of the after gaining control of the Oregon year. By that time Holladay was out and California, Holladay floated a of money. bond issue of $10,500,000 which was When Holladay defaulted on interest sold principally to German investors at payments, the bondholders took over seventy per cent. in 1874, placing Henry Villard in Then, around March 28, 1870, charge of the Oregon and California Holladay seems to have gained control Railroad. Grading was not resumed of the Oregon Central (West Side), south of Roseburg until the fall of 1881. and at that time owned everything in A series of reorganizations, financial Oregon. skirmishes and other strategems com­ The Oregon and California Railroad mon to railroad building of the day Company laid its first rails on October then took place while the end of rails 26, 1869. Twelve miles southward languished at Roseburg approximately they were confronted by a formidable ten years. On May 25, 1882, the Ore­ barrier, a 370 foot bridge to be erected goo and Caliiornia Railroad resumed across the Clackamas River. It was laying their rails southward. By then mid-November and the deadline January 19, 1883, fifty-two miles of for completion of the first twenty miles rails had been laid (to a location was Christmas day. Holladay was somewhere west of Glendale in Cow equal to the challenge and the task Creek Canyon). Villard in turn be­ was accomplished, then disaster came practically insolvent by D e­ struck. High waters .struck and the cember, 1883. bridge was washed out. Ashland was reached on April 19,

12 1884, and there the terminus remained there were several factors included: for some three and one hall years. l. The panic of 1873. in part During this period of time (in 1885). brought on by completion of the Suez Villard defaulted and Richard Koeh· Canal. slump in Virginia City. ler was appointed receiver. Nevada mining stock. and by building On August 30. 1884, the Jackson­ too manv railroads with too little cash. ville Times rep,orted that it was The Union Pacific's Credit Mobilier thought the Central Pacific had ob­ and other scandals led to a cautious tained control of the Oregon and do-nothing attitude on the part of California Railroad. In addition. the Congress. It was prior to this that Redding Republican of July 31, 1885. C. P. Huntington wrote to his col­ announced that the Central Pacific legues: ''I think we had better go slow had purchased the Oregon and Cali­ for some time and build (on the Cali­ fornia Railroad. fornia and Oregon road I only when the Whatever actually transpired be­ government compels us, unless you tween the Central Pacific and the know where the money is coming Oregon and California at this time. from. I certainly do not.·· one thing is known, the Central Paci­ Yet at the same time Charles fic's interests were transferred to the Crocker, Mark Hopkins, Leland Southern Pacific Company on April 1, Stanford and David Colton, a lesser 1885. It further seems that the Cen­ partner of the Big Four, all built tral Pacific-Southern Pacific combina­ fabulous mansions on Nob Hill in San tion may have been laying back , Francisco which the California news­ awaiting the rime when Holladay and papers alleged cost approximately Villard would meet with failure, at $7,000.000 at a time when the rail­ which time they could step in and take roads were pleading starvation. advantage of construction then Huntington was quite dissatisfied with completed. these developments. Whatever moves may have been 2. Finalizing the route to be fol­ made by the Central Pacific-Southern Lowed to the Oregon Line which would Pacific combination in the interim. the afford the best construction route, and latter did take over the Oregon and also secure the best possible choice of California by July l. 1887. to im­ land grant lands. mediately begin construction of the 3. The building of the Southern roadbed between AsWand and the Route from Sao Francisco to New California-Oregon State Line. The Orleans by the Southern Pacific Com­ golden spike ceremony took place at pany was begun at Lathrop, Cali­ Ashland on December 17. 1887 with fornia on December 31, 1869, by the Charles Crocker driving the last spike. Central Pacific. predecessor of the It will be noted that all railroad Southern Pacific and continued until construction on the lines connecting February 5, 1883, when trains began Portland and Sacramento had come to regular schedules between Sao Fran­ a halt by late 1872. There were several cisco and New Orleans. It will be reasons for the long delay of approxi­ noted this time period coincides quite mately ten years that ensued. This closely with the time construction of long delay was directly instrumental in the California and Oregon was halted holding back development of the at Redding. which then became the Klamath Country. terminus for approximately ten years. At the south~rn (California) end Evidently, Southern Pacific considered

13 the threat of competing Overland In the preceeding pages, Federal railroads more pressing than the CaU­ land grants, as an aid to various fornia and Oregon route where at the canal, wagon road, and railroad con­ time there was no competition for the struction projects, have been men­ north-south route. tioned frequently. The Oregon and 4. Probably, the Southern Pacific California Railroad land grant was anticipated and were awaiting the first given to the Oregon Central (West ultimate failure of the various Oregon Side) Railroad Company as of October and California corporations which at 10, 1866. Later, on October 20. 1869, the same time were constructing their the legislature rescinded the first act railroad southward to Ashland where and made the Oregon and California they finally threw in their chips in the Railroad (East Side ) the recipients railroad game and Southern Pacific of the grant. was enabled to gobble them up. Oswald West, ex-Governor of At the Oregon end of the north­ Oregon, writing for the Oregon His­ south railroad between Portland and torical Quarterly of September, 1952, Sacramento, we find that finances in part states: "Under the terms of the hindered the first incorporators, Congressional act the lands were to be causing them to step aside and let Ben sold to actual settlers in tracts not Holladay take over. He in turn, was exceeding 160 acres and at $2.50 per hindered by the depression of the 70's, acre. As most of the lands were heavily the lack of business along the line, and timbered or rough and mountainous, failure of the land grants to be of and a comparatively small acreage much value. For the most part the adaptable to agriculture, sales were land was not suitable for agricultural not great, and expected cash did not purposes, being mountainous and reach the 0. & C. Company's coffers; heavily timbered. At that time the the grant did, however, help to timber was of little value, as a sale strengthen its credit. The Southern price limit of $2.50 had been set by Pacific, its successor. did not encour­ the Government. Further, Holladay is age sales; nor did it press for patents, accused of being dishonest, with no which could only invite taxation. more than 57% of the German bond "The Congressional grant covered money being applied to railroad every odd section, not otherwise ap­ construction. propriated, through a strip forty miles When Henry Villard took over, the wide; and the company was to be railroad still lacked many miles of indemnified for any losses, through connecting with the northward prior appropriations, by selections building California and Oregon Rail­ made from a ten-mile strip on either road. Then, too, cost of construction side of the primary grant ... between Roseburg and Grants Pass "In 1907, a suit had been filed in was underestimated and the expected the U. S. District Court at Port­ business with the mining districts had land . . . to compel the Southern failed to hold up. Villard, too, ran out Pacific Company to comply with the of money and the railroad was com­ terms of the grant-sell to settlers in pelled to halt at Ashland until the 160-acre tracts at $2.50 per acre ... Southern Pacific saw their way clear " . . . when the matter reached the to take over. Again, it points out the U. S. Supreme Court, . . . It was superior experience, ability, and con­ wilHng that the government recover nections of the Big Four. the grant lands, but insisted that the 14 Mount Shasta from the Southern Pacific yards south of Dunsmuir, California. Several of these tracks have now been dismantled.

Southern Pacific ponenger train twisting up the Sacramento River Canyon ot Cantara loop, north of Ounamulr, California. S.P. Photo

15 railroad company be paid its $2.50 per November 18, 1977, Klamath County acre . . . Thus Congressional action alone for the "Fiscal year 1977, 0 & became necessary. C. receipts totaled $2,481,462. "The revestment act of 1916 ...... Other 0 & C payments were made brought about a check of the titles of to Benton, Clackamas, Columbia, the railroad grant lands, and the de· Coos, Curry, Douglas, Jackson, Jose· Linquent tax claims of the counties. phine, Lane, Lincoln, Linn, Marion, Both claims were satisfied with Multnomah, Polk, Tillamook, Wash· moneys advanced by the Treasurer of ington and Yamhill Counties." Not all the United States, to be recovered of these counties received railroad land from future grant land sales. grant money, some were wagon road "Under the Chamberlain Act, the land grants revested. State of Oregon was to received After languishing for better than ten twenty-five per cent of the net land years with Redding as the "End of sale revenues and the land grant Tracks," the Central Pacific Railroad counties twenty-five per cent. The on June 17, 1883, again commenced State, however, was in time to be laying track up the Sacramento River gyped out of its twenty-five per cent Canyon. The Central Pacific Railroad by the fast working counties. Company began this new extension, "Due to slack timber sales, low but before it was completed, owner· prices and prior claims, neither the ship was transferred to the Southern State nor the counties received any Pacific Company. However, the line revenue in the 1917·1926 period. So, remained under control of the same in 1926, the Stanfield Act was passed, people, the Big Four. carrying an appropriation of $7,000,000 Delta was reached August 30, 1884, to be paid to the land grant counties and for a time became the point where as an advance on their claims for frei,ght to Scott, Shasta and the alleged accumulated tax losses. Klamath Country received their ship· "The Chamberlain Act gave control ments. Then in turn followed Duns· and management of the recovered muir on August 23, 1906; McCloud lands to the Commissioner of the (two miles south of Sisson, now Mount General Land Office, where it re· Shasta) on October 13, 1886; Edge· mained until July, 1946, when the wood (Weed) on January l. 1887: present Bureau of Land Management Montague on March 10, 1887; Ager was organized and took over. around April 9. 1887. which remained "The moneys advanced the land Klamath Country's shipping point grant counties, under the Stanfield until 1903; Hornbrook on May 1, Act, did not meet the amounts claimed 1887; Cole's at the southern base of by them and in 1937, the counties are the Siskiyous about June 8th, 1887, t~ receive fifty per cent of the total and finally the north end of the timber sale receipts in lieu of taxes, Siskiyou Mountain Summit tunnel, and twenty-live per cent additional where the stage road was crossed at after all delinquencies have been the new station of Siskiyou, on Octo· cleaned up, and certain claims of the her 10, 1887. Connections were made U. S. Treasury have been satisfied. with the previously built Oregon and "The revested lands have been well California Railroad at Ashland on managed; and the land grant counties December 17. 1877. where the Golden (18) have been receiving revenues Spike Ceremonies were held with never dreamed of when the Chamber· Charles Crocker. one o£ the Big Four, lain Act of 1916 was passed . . . '' driving the last spike. According to the Herald & News. of 16 Chapter III Next Came Harriman

The Oregon and California Railroad Pengra biU by providing that the Win­ was not the only available route or line nemucca road should connect with proposed. B. J. Pengra, Surveyor Holladay's Oregon and California in General of Oregon, was the promoter the Rogue River VaUey. He had been and organizer in April, 1864, of the quick to see the threat to his own line Oregon Central Military Wagon Road if Central Pacific interests were from Eugene through the Klamath brought to Oregon. With this change Country to the southeastern corner of in the Winnemucca bill, Huntington Oregon. It was another of those promptly withdrew his offer to aid corporations to receive a land grant, Pengra. three miles on both sides of the road If the reader will stop for a moment for every mile built. Very little actual and think what this Winnemucca to road was built but the grant was al­ Eugene railroad would have meant to lowed for the entire distance. Part of the Klamath Country he will realize this road had been surveyed in 1864 the loss to this community. It would and construction work was in progress have meant railroad service from 30 to by June, 1865. The road was to be 40 years in advance of what we did suitable for pack trains, wagons and receive, together with a far shorter other conveyances, and for military distance to a transcontinental line. transportation. Looking into the Eugene would have been the junction future, the incorporators had stipu­ of two great lines and might have lated that a railroad could be con­ rivaled Portland. structed along the same route. In 1869 there occurred a bit of The "West Siders," beaten out by Klamath Country history as re­ the "East Siders," on May 4, 1870, corded by the History of Central had secured a land grant for a railroad Oregon (1905) which was related to from the end of their line at Forest early proposed railroad projections in Grove to Astoria at the mouth of the Oregon. It is unknown to this writer Columbia River. They also petitioned just who was back of this survey. but for a grant from McMinnville to it appears likely that Holladay's Eugene. Pengra, representing the Oregon and California Railroad may " Oregon Branch Pacific Railroad" have been the instigator in as much as from Eugene, via the Klamath Pengra 's Oregon Branch Pacific Rail­ Country, to Winnemucca, Nevada road proposed crossing the Cascade connecting with the Central Pacific Mountains at the present Willamette there, also sought a land grant for that Pass, or the one immediately south of section. Further, it seems C. P. Diamond Peak. Following is the Huntington of the Central Pacific History of Central Oregon's article: agreed to furnish the capital and build "Another event of this year (1869) from Winnemucca to Eugene. was the survey of a railway route This scheme was defeated by Ben across the county. In the Klamath Holladay, who was by then in full Falls Expres$ of April 20, 1893, Mr. control of the "East Side" Oregon and D. B . Worthington, who was a California Railroad. He induced member of the surveying party, said of Oregon Senator Williams to amend the this incident:

17 "We call attention to the fact, though sulliix copa Boston" (angry at the forgotten no doubt by many, that whites) and he would not hold himself Hon. Jesse D. Applegate made a pre­ responsible for any loss of life or liminary survey across the Cascades in property which we might suffer at 1869, which penetrated Klamath their hands. As the redoubtable cap­ county. tain looked very much in earnest while "Applegate's line commenced near he was saying this, we were not in­ the old James Miller place on Little clined to doubt him in the least. On Butte, following the same toward its the following day we connected with head in the Cascades to Fish lake; the state line and returned at "double thence on nearly the same course quick" to Linkville with feelings of across the main summit to Buck lake; ·considerable relief that we were well thence in a more easterly direction to out of a bad scrape. Aspen lake; thence easterly to the "To the best of our recollection this Klamath river, and crossing the same survey was made at the instigation of at the old Nus ferry, about three miles a party of wealthy and prominent men below Klamath Falls (then Linkvilie­ of Oregon, to test the feasibility of a Editorl; thence in a southwesterly railroad line from Rogue river valley (southeasterly-Editor) course to the across the Cascades to the Klamath Oregon and California line. basin. The route following the Apple­ "Our information in this matter is gate survey is altogether practicable, not borrowed, as ye scribe was one of though exceedingly rough in the the chain bearers . . . from the neigh­ vicinity of Little Butte; but a rough borhood of Lost Prairie . . . we had surface in building railroads does not plain sailing until we suddenly and cut any very great figure so long as a unexpectedly ran into Captain Jack's sufficiently easy grade can be ob­ camp on Lost River, near the Bybee & tained." Colwell stock ranch. Here our further Another abortive railroad projection progress was questioned by his high­ of a slightly later period of time that ness, Captain Jack, who informed us might be considered to touch Klamath through his interpreter, Scarface Country history was the Oregon Paci­ Charley, that he did not desire his fic Railroad intended to be a trans­ dominion should be surveyed, as he continental line crossing Central had no intention of joining the Oregon to connect with lines already "Bostons" in agricultural pursuits. in existence. Originated by a Col. T . "When made to understand that the Edgerton Hogg, its promoter, it began survey was not being made for that at Yaquina Bay on the Pacific Ocean particular purpose, but for a line of in 1878, was completed to Corvallis railroad, he was still obstinate {one of in 1885; to Albany by 1887; thence up his noted peculiarities) and said that the North Santiam River to present he did not want a railroad; his ponies Idanha by 1890. Rails lacked some being good enough for him and his twelve miles of ever reaching the people. After a talk which lasted Summit of the Cascades when the nearly through the night, costing the project was abandoned. outfit all the tobacco it possessed and Some construction work was done nearly everything eatable, he told us at Hogg Rock on the Santiam Pass we had his permission to proceed in and beyond for a few miles. Remains our objective point, the state line, but of the old construction camp near the not to linger, as his people were "Hiyu present Hoodoo ski area were in evi-

18 dence a few years ago and may still be. as is some of the old railroad bed in that vicinity. The part connected with Klamath Country history concerns two short sections of right-of-way clearing once pointed out to this writer as being cleared by the "Hogg Pass people to hold their survey rights." One section parallels the present Highway 97 immediately north of Lapine in Deschutes County. It borders the highway for more than a mile on its west side. but is now becoming covered by a new growth of lodgepole pine. The other section lies some three miles north of Gilchrist in Klamath E. H. Harriman, 1848·1909. County on Highway 97. It too, is on S.P. Photo the west side of the highway, and has practically disappeared due to a gravel near Aspen Lake and west of Upper pit and new tree growth. Further, it Klamath Lake. Information as to the lies just beyond and across the high­ route from the Fort Klamath Valley way from what was once the "Little area northward is unknown to this River'' station. writer, but it must have been more One more early railroad survey or less the route later followed bv the remains, the Hood sorvPy of 1880. It, Southern Pacific in crossing the.Cas­ more than any other affects the cades to Eugene. Klamath Country's railroad history. Next there appeared in the railroad William Hood was assistant chief picture the figure of E. H. (Edward engineer under Sam Montague of the Henry) Harriman. During the earlier Central Pacific-Southern Pacific years of his life Harriman seems to combine. He is the man whose survey have been active along Wall Street up the Tehachapi Mountains east of where he was known to C. P. Bakersfield, California conquered that Huntington of the Big Four. pass in 1876 for the southward Harriman first became connected building Southern Pacific. He also with railroading in 1884. at about the projected the five mile curve and 4 7 age of 36, when he picked up a little mile straightaway in Southern Arizona New York State railroad, which he between Yuma and Tucson. repaired and later sold to the Penn­ Hood's 1880 preliminary survey sylvania. Next he became linked with north from Redding, via what later the affairs of the Illinois Central, became Weed, was the route followed handling the interests of Dutch inves· more or less by the first railroad to tors. In 1887 he secured control of the enter Klamath Falls in 1909. It dif­ I owa Central. a line leased by the fered some from the final line adopted Illinois Central. Finally, he gave a in that it passed west of Lower report on the financial outlook of the Klamath Lake and its marshes at all nation, which enabled the Illinois times, to cross Klamath River near Central to retrench and avoid the Keno. Thence it passed northward financial crash of 1893.

19 The Union Pacific Railroad went Pacific, the Southern Pacific, the into receivership during the 1893 crash Ore.gon Railway and Navigation Rail­ just as Harriman had forseen many road, the Oregon Shortline and a new businesses would. Three years later line from Salt Lake to Los Angeles. the Union Pacific was still in receiver­ He also had control of important sec­ ship, its physical plant in an ex­ tions of the New York Central, Balti­ tremely deteriorated condition, and its more and Ohio, Chicago and Alton, debt to the government, incurred and the Santa Fe. How far he might when building during the 1860's, now have gone can only be left to the amounting to about $53,000,000. imagination for whatever his plans The Union Pacific needed were, they ended with his sudden $100,000,000 the put it on its feet. So death on September 9. 1909. Harriman, through a loan from the * * * Illinois Central, raised the money, Among some of Klamath's early day formed a syndicate and took over the visitors were two famous railroad line in 1897. magnets, who at one time or another Harriman, who was buying all the controlled the destiny of much of the Union Pacific stock he could, then West Coast; C. P. Huntington of the made a survey of the physical aspects Big Four, and E. H. Harriman. of the line, asked for and received Information on Huntington's visit is $25,000,000 with which he repaired confined to one brief mention by the the entire system. By 1900 he was able Klamath Republican of June 29, to declare a dividend. 1905. In writing about the intended Then C. P. Huntington of the route of the California-Northeastern Southern Pacific died on August 13, Railroad (the Weed Railroad) the 1900. Harriman shortly thereafter paper in part reported: " . . . To mortgaged the restored Union Pacific follow the Hood Survey, made by Mr. for $100,000,000 and began buying Hood, now Chief Engineer of the Southern Pacific stock. By the sum­ Southern Pacific about 25 years ago. mer of 1901 he owned better than At that time C. P. Huntington made a 45% of the Southern Pacific, and in personal reconnaisance through this April of that year was made chairman country (the Klamath Country) and of the Southern Pacific's executive considers it the best route to Portland. committee. In September, he took The railroad would have come this over the presidency and immediately way had not the railroad (Oregon and began repairing and realining what California Railroad) already have had once been the Central P acific. been built south from Portland to One of the largest projects of this Roseburg." undertaking was the Lucio Cutoff Concerning Harriman in the across the Great Salt Lake in Utah. Klamath Country, we have consider­ This real.inement alone saved some 44 able information. It seems that he had miles of the former Central Pacific never been in this vicinity before his railroad north of the lake via the visit of 1907. The Klamath Repub­ Promontory Point where the rails of lican of April 18, 1907 wrote that the Union Pacific and Southern Paci­ W. H . Holabird of the Klamath fic had met in 1869. Begun in 1902, Development Company (both closely this task was completed in 1904. connected to the Harriman interests, By 1907, Harriman was in control although not officially known at that of the Illinois Central, the Union time) had purchased the Pel.ican Bay

20 Lodge on the western side of Upper was quite fatigued when he reached Klamath Lake. Teeters' Landing. This was forgotten Next, on August 15th. the Klamath for the time in his surprise in seeing R epublican announced that E. H. such a fin e boat as the Klamath, and Harriman was the real owner of the plied Colonel Wilkins with many ques­ Weed Railroad. tions as to how the boat was brought Following this announcement, the here, and the demand for its services Republican of August 22, wrote: and many other things connected with "Like the Arab that quietly folded his its operation. tent and silently stole away did the "On board the boat to welcome the Harriman party enter the city last distinguished financier were Colonel Saturday evening (August 17th). William H . Holabird, whose guest twenty four hours ahead of time. Mr. Harriman will he during his Composing the party were E. H . Har­ sojourn at Pelican Bay, A. H. Naltz­ riman, his two sons (Averill and Ro­ ger, ]. D. Church. engineer in charge land ), H. P. Hoey. construction engi­ of the work for the California North­ neer of the California Northeastern, eastern at this end, and W. S. Wor­ W. V. Hill, Mr. Harriman's private den, right of way agent. secretary, Dr. Lyle, his physician. "The man who reached this city to J. A. Taylor, the boys' tutor and hide himseU away from the cares of valet. They were driven to the home of finance and railroads was not the Mr. and Mrs. A. H. Naftzger, where Harriman of Wall Street ... the man they had dinner. The night was spent who is the mainspring of the greatest at the home of Mr. and Mrs. W. S. railroad enterprise in histor y. He Worden (The House of Seven Gables comes here for the rest he much needs. at 31 PinP. Street), from where, after and though he will be in close touch breakfasting the party proceeded to with the outside world through the the Upper Lake where they boarded special telegraph line that was erected the Buena Vista and went to Pelican for his private use. he is not going to Bay. let business cares interfere with enjoy­ " Mr. Harriman entered the ment of his vacation. Klamath Basin by way of the Cali­ " It is the intention of Mr. Harriman fornia Northeastern, being desirous of and party to indulge in all the sports inspecting the line that is to play such and pastimes that the wealth of an important part in the through traf­ Northern Klamath offers. It will be a fic between Portland and San Fran­ season of hunting and fishing and cisco. He was highly pleased with the sightseeing. Bear, deer and mountain manner in which the work was being Lion will be hunted, with possibly a done. and several times complimented few parting shots at the ducks for it Mr. Hoey on the manner in which he is quite likely they will remain until was executing his instructions. after the duck season opens. Crater "On reaching Bray's, the present Lake and the beautiful canyons of the terminus of the road, the party was northern part of the county will be driven in carriages to Teeters' Land­ visited. and Mr. Harriman will be ing where they hoarded the Steamer given an opportunity to see why Klamath and came to this city. Mr. Klamath County lays claim to being Harriman seemed to realize the hard­ the Switzerland of America." ships encountered by passengers in The special telegraph line ordered reaching the Klamath Basin. for he by Harriman. some 31 miles in length

21 "The House of Seven Gobles," built by Will Worden at 31 Pine Street (still In use). It was In this­ house that E. H. Harriman spent the night of August 17, 1907.

Identified as E. H. Harriman and w ife ( left) at Harriman Lodge, Pelican Boy on Upper Klamath Lake during August , 1901. Maude Baldwin Photo

22 benveen Klamath Falls and Pelican Mary and Carol, did not arrive until Bay. was put in place by 0. B. Gates the following Tuesday (August 11th). of the Midland Telephone and Tele· having remained in San Francisco. graph Company of Klamath Falls. sight seeing. Installation of the line took slightly Two days later, on August 13th. over one month. Governor Geo. E. Chamberlain of The Klamath Republican of August Oregon,]. P. O'Brien, manager of the 29th, reported that on Tuesday Harriman lines in the Northwest, and (August 27th) Harriman left for Crater F. S. Stanley. Secretary-Treasurer of Lake ... "where, aher viewing na· the Deschutes Irrigation Company of ture's greatest wonder, he will start on Bend, arrived at Fort Klamath. They a cross country trip by automobile that had come from Shaniko, Oregon ~ will take him through Central Oregon Stanley's automobile, and the next . . . to Shaniko, . . . ,. southern day continued on to Pelican Bay. terminus of the Columbia Southern where they were guests of Harriman. Railroad. Later thev went on to Klamath Falls. Further, while vacationing at Peli· where th~y arrived at noon. to dine at can Bay, Harriman spent considerable the famous old Lakeside Inn. time hunting bear, but was unsuccess· During this time, hunting licenses ful in his efforts. Also, it was reported were bought in Klamath Falls for he had purchased Pelican Bay Lodge Harriman, his four children and Hola· (which henceforth became known bird. Guides were hired and some or locally as "Harriman Lodge.,. all spent considerable time hunting Harriman's second visit to the bear. Roland Harriman was the only Klamath Country, during 1908. is one to kill a bear. quite thoroughly covered by the Writing of these activities of the Klamath Evening Herald files. That Harrimans brought on memories of paper's issue of August 8th, reported this writer's youth. During late August that the Harriman party arrived in our family and a few friends were Klamath Falls at 1:30 P.M. again by vacationing (fishing and huckleberry· the Steamer Klamath. Almost the ingl on the Metolius River in Central entire population of the little city, 447 Oregon. One day my father made a people, met him at the dock. His fabulous catch of fish (751 in one of party was then conveyed by carriages the canyons of the Metolius. That to the Southern Pacific headquarters evening a neighboring camp at the old and later to the home of J. D. Church. Reising Ra~ch Resort visited our From there he returned to the park camp to view \he catch. It was the two (on the present Court House block) Harriman boys, their guide, Bob where he met the citizens to shake Jordan, and other camp attendants. their hands. The boys were hunting bear in the The Harriman party, including neighborhood, aided by the guide and E. H., his two sons (Averill and several bearhounds. The guide told Roland), Dr. Lyle, Major Burnham of my father the boys were very fool· the English Army, Messrs. Pierce and hardy and reckless, jumping their Hill, private secretaries, left on the horses over logs and crashing through Winema about 4:00 o'clock for Pelican thickets on the dead run. Several Bay. times their horses bad fallen, but no The ladies of the party. including serious accidents had occurred. Mrs. Harriman and two daughters, The Harrimans were so in1pressed 23 with my father 's catch of fish that he built by the State of Oregon, to they asked the guide to buy them. It Crater Lake from several dilferent was left to my aunt, whether to sell or directions. not. She loved to eat fish and was Then. on September 4th, the Har­ seldom in a position to enjoy such a riman party, including his wife and repast, so refused the offer. two colored cooks, arrived in Klamath Returning now to the history of the Falls from Pelican Bay by private E. H. Harriman party at Pelican Bay launch. From Klamath Falls to we find that on August 25th, Julius Teeter 's Landing, the Harriman bag­ Krutschnitt, Managing Director of the gage was sent by the Ewauna., while Harriman system, Wm. Hood, Chief the party itself was conveyed by the Engineer of the Southern Pacific, launch Lucetta. Carriages then con­ Wm. E. Herrin, Chief Council, H. P. veyed the party to Calor, where Har­ Schwaren. Vice President and General r iman's private railroad car. the Manager of Pacific Mail Steamship .. Arden," awaited them. From Weed, Company. and three others arrived for Harriman was to travel northward to a meeting with Harriman. They ar­ Portland in his private car. rived at 11:00 A.M. and left im­ Nearly one year later, on July 29, mediately by the Southern Pacific 1909, the Klamath R epublican re­ launch for Pelican Bay. ported: " According to the Portland Unknown to most. it was at this Telegram the statement that Harri­ meeting at Harriman Lodge on Peli­ man is not coming west this fall will can Bay that several railroad decisions not down. It has been learned here were made that greatly affected that E. H. Harriman. in his effort to Oregon and the Pacific Coast, railroad regain his health, expects to come to wise. ]. P. O' Brien, another high Oregon and milk cows instead of Wall Southern Pacific official, had re­ Street. Arrangements have been made mained at Harriman Lodge to attend at Pelican Bay Lodge which indicate the meeting. He later said that the pretty clearly that the " wizzard of the meeting was to decide which of several Pacifies" will spend some time at his routes the Southern Pacilic would Pelican Bay country place early this follow to tie in with the Klamath fall. The conjecture is that he will Route. The three routes leading into come to Oregon shortly after his ar­ Central Oregon were: the Corvallis rival home from Europe in September. and Eastern (Santiam R oute), the " The plans for preparing his Columbia Southern (south from the southern Oregon retreat includes the Columbia Southern at Shanikol. and construction of a small model dairy on the De chutes River Route. The latter the place. in which Mr. Harriman was chosen and work would com­ will keep a cow or two to supply him mence about December 1st. with fresh milk, which is the principle Further. there was little chance of article of his diet prescribed by Euro­ anything new or renewed being done pean specialists attending him. on any Harriman project of the North­ Whether he will add the exercise of west other than the extension into milking the cows to his frugal diet is Central Oregon which would even­ a mooted question, but he will have tually connect with the Klamath Falls the opportunity of so doing should he road. It had also been agreed by be so inclined. Governor Chamberlain. while he had ·'Mr. Harriman's reason for having been at Pelican Bay, that roads would the dairy erected at Pelican Bay is

24 that when he was here a year ago he August 8th. How long they stayed is was unable to get a daily supply of unknown. fresh milk and cream and now that Next came the news of the death of this has become an essential part of E. H. Harriman on September 9th, his daily sustenance he is preparing to 1909. equip his lodge with a pair of gentle Finally, May 9, 1912 it was an­ moolie cows." nounced that the Pelican Bay proper­ Then two weeks later, August 13th, ty, including some 562 acres of land, it was reported that "Averill Harriman would be sold to W. P. Johnson of the and the rest" had arrived on Saturday. Klamath Development Company.

Chapter IV Klamath's First Three Railways

Klamath County's first railroad Ashland on December 111 16671 the came into being as a direct result of last of the land grants could legally the completion of the Southern Pacific be assigned. Exactly when this final Railroad between Sacramento and assignment was made, and it seems to Portland on December 17, 1877, when have been before this latter date, is the Golden Spike Ceremony was held unknown to this writer. However, on in Ashland, Oregon. It has been July 1, 1887, the Oregon and Califor­ shown in previous pages how land nia Railroad Company gave a trust grants were given by the Government deed to the Union Trust Company of to aid in railroad construction. These New York in behalf of the Pokegama grants differed in amounts and in loca­ Sugar Pine Lumber Company for tions from the center line of the var­ 10,022.95 acres in Jackson and ious railroads. Only odd sections of Klamath Counties, Oregon for land not already filed upon were $65,149.17 (or approximately $6.50 granted, and then supposedly only in per acre). sections where twenty or more miles It therefore appears that the Oregon had been completed. However, this and California Railroad Company procedure seems not always to have knew for some time what lands they been followed. were to receive if not already received. T his writer has been unable to find Likewise, lumber interests seem to when and where each allotment was have been cognisant of the lands they made as construction advanced. It is could purchase from the Oregon and known that the Oregon and California California (and remember the limit of Railroad line was completed to Ash­ purchase per purchaser was supposed land by April 19, 1884, so it is as­ to have been 160 acres, and not to sumed the land grants that far, at exceed $2.50 per acre). least, were allowed by the State at These lumber firms mostly had their approximately that time. origin in the east, Michigan and Wis­ Then with construction of the Cali­ consin, where the timber by this time fornia and Oregon Railroad north was fast becoming depleted. With the from Redding, commencing there on opening of Oregon and California's June 17, 1883, and connecting at untouched timber lands, they were

25 quick to move in and secure all avail­ October 19, 1892, Yreka Journal able timber lands at a very early date. quoting from the Klamath Star: Coincident with the rails approach " . . . iron to construct the railroad to the Klamath River Crossing in ... expected every day." Siskivon County, about May 1, 1887, Ibid. " . . . iron now being hauled a ne~ lumber town, later to be known " as Klamathon, was projected and December 21, 1892, Yreka Journal: plans drawn up for a sawmill, side "The railroad on the Klamath River tracks and a log storage dam and above Bogus, from the river back into pond. the timber belt . .. has been com­ Work on the project continued pleted, and logs are now being hauled through 1888, but was held up during ... " (It will be noted that this first the early part of 1889. Upstream, railroad was a gravity run from the however, work seems to have con­ woods to the head of the chute, fol­ tinued in the timber area, and on the lowed by the car or cars being pulled Klamath River some five miles west of back by horse-power-Editor). Keno where a water storage dam to be February 1, 1893. Yreka Journal used in floating logs downstream to quoting from the Klamath Express: Klamathon, was built. To add to the Three cars are now running to the Klamathon project difficulties, high chute and 300 logs per day are shot waters washed out their dam and into the river." bridge in mid-Februa.ry, which was May 17, 1893. Yreka Journal not rebuilt until the late winter of "They . . . now have an engine which 1892. they will take up for duty soon." This By July, 1892, a log chute was was Klamath County's first steam completed on the north rim of locomotive, a Baldwin Locomotive Klamath River Canyon down which Works, Philadelphia, engine #9081, logs were sent into the Klamath River, later affectionately known as "Blue," thence floated some twenty miles "Little Blue," or "Old Blue." downstream to Klamathon. At first, June 28, 1893, Yreka Journal: according to the Yreka Journal of July " . .. from 70,000 to 80,000 feet of 20, 1892, large logging carts with logs are dumped into the Klamath wheels ten feet in diameter were used river every day, the engine making to haul the logs to the head of the five and six trips daily over the road. " chute. But " ... as soon as the timber Therefore, it figures that "Old is cut away from the edge of the Blue" went into use sometime between mountain plateau nearest the river, a May 17, and June 28, 1893, quite railroad will be built back from four probably near June 15th to 20th. This to ten miles for speedy hauling to the small engine never pulled more than river bank. " four cars, loaded or unloaded, ac­ On October 5, 1892, the Yreka cording to contemporary pictures. Journal, quoting from the Ashland As finally constructed, "Old Blue's" Tidings, wrote: " . . . The surveyors logging railroad never extended having completed a survey, are farther back from the log chute than locating a railroad from the upper end eight or ten miles. The need for this of the chute, for a distance of four and logging line ended on the night of a half miles, and the work of grading October 13-14, 1902, when the sawmill is now under way (to the later site of and town of Klamathon burned. With Snow)." this terrible destruction, so also ended

26 I . ,..- .. . ,- ~ - - r . - ~- · -.. Klamath County'• flrlt railroad, with "Old Blue" and Ita four lagging cora aomewhere In the neighborhood of the Callfornla·Oregan State Line. Left to right: Bud Inman, engineer, Walter Inman, Ed Way, brakeman. Soule Photo the usefulness and life of "Old Blue." the next activity in Klamath County The final disposition of "Old Blue" railroading history came on November is unknown, although there are several 4, 1899 when the Oregon Midland tales in existance as to its eventual Railroad was organized and incorpo· end , but these do not correspond in rated. Their plans called for a railroad any way. However, some of the rails from some point on the main Southern of this tiny railroad are definitely Pacific line near Klamathon to known to have been used on the old Klamath Falls more than sixty five " Linkville Trolley" tracks on Main miles distant. Street in Klamath Falls during the The incorporators were George T. 1906-1909 period. Also, rails from Baldwin and R. S. Moore of Klamath "Old Blue's" railroad seem to have Falls; David Horn of Siskiyou been used on a logging railroad owned County; L. W. Van Horn, W. J. by the Algoma Lumber Company. Woods and J. A. McCall of Jackson T his short spur ran southeast from County. The amount of capital stock their sawmill on Upper Klamath Lake was fixed at $1,000,000 to be divided to the valley through which the Old into 10,000 shares of par value of Fort Road runs. This road was once $100 per share, non-assessable. part of the original wagon road be· On December 4th, the survey was tween Linkville and Fort Klamath. commenced by a Eugene Schiller, an experienced railroad surveyor. The Oregon Midland Railroad survey commenced four miles north· Following the Pokegama Sugar Pine east of Buck Mountain on the divide Lumber Company's tiny logging road, between the drainage of Spencer 27 Creek and Johnson Creek, the latter a Klamath Lake Railroad. In mid· tributary of Jenny Creek. February of 1901, a delegation from On August 23, 1900 a contract was the Pokegama Sugar Pine Lumber made with the Midland Construction Company met with President Hayes of Company, represented by Thompson the Southern Pacific Company, in San and Lyman of Chicago, with work to Francisco, in regard to building a commence on or before October 1, railroad from Klamathon to the 1900. The Midland Construction Klamath Lakes. Company then sublet 66 miles of the Their reason for wanting this rail­ total 84 miles of proposed road (from road was to improve their system of Klamathon to Spencer Creek) to the transporting logs to the Klamathon firm of Smith and Hyde of Portland, sawmill. At the time, the only means Oregon. of transporting logs to the mill was The proposed route was to start at hauling them by "Old Blue's" tiny Klamathon, follow up Klamath River railroad to the north rim of the Klam· some 17 miles, thence up Jenny Creek ath river, sending them down the old and through the divide northeast of gravity log chute and trusting to luck Buck Mountain. Following down that they drifted downstream with the Spencer Creek to its junction with the current. The plan had proven highly Klamath River, thence up the Klam· unsatisfactory. ath to Keno, the survey then led By March 21st, "railroad magnets, northeastward to Klamath Falls. As bridge builders, surveyors and officials estimated by the engineers, the cost of high and low degree" had arrived would be "somewhat under at Klamathon, reportedly included $2,150,000." among them were a number of promi· The Midland Construction Com· nent Southern Pacific Company pany agreed to finance the enterprise officials. and the bonds were sold to them. By the end of May, surveying However, the sub-contractors, Smith parties were in the field, and it is and Hyde (or Hale) refused to com· interesting to note, the first surveys mence work without the payment of followed the original Oregon Midland money down and a guarantee of the Railroad surveys of 1899 up Jenny balance from the Chicago firm. For Creek. Construction work began on some reason, the Midland Construe· November 13, at Thrall, two miles tion Company was unable to come up south of Klamathon on the Southern with the money and the construction Pacific Railroad. 1500 acres of land work was never begun. (the old Virginia Ranch, owned by Does this course of events strike the Wm. T. Laird), were secured at the reader as resembling those covered in new site and plans were made for a preceeding pages? Such as the powers sawmill and town to be established that be, by pulling strings in the back· there. ground being able to eliminate any By November 21st, one hundred " Johnny-come-latelies" who might men were employed constructing the interfere with their own future plans. new road bed, and by the end of One cannot help but wonder who gob· January, 1902, one mile of track had bled whom, where and when? been laid. By April, 1902. from 300 to 400 men were at work and construe· Klamath Lake Railroad tion of a steel bridge across the Klam­ Next in order of time came the ath River had been commenced.

28 Then, on July lOth, the Klamath entire town of Klamathon burned. Republican gave the first faint hint This was a severe blow to construc­ that in the future aU might not end so tion of the new railroad and newly fabulously for Thrall and Pokegama planned sawmill at Laird's Ranch as prophesied. In fact, it might be (Thrall). However. work did not called the first note of the death knell cease, rather the work force was in­ of Pokegama. "The timber-cruisers creased by some two hundred men and and would be purchasers continue to the construction crews soon reached arrive in crowds, and government Oregon soil. timber is in active demand. The ap­ Early in 1903 came another note in proaching railroads from several direc­ the death knell of the Klamath Lake tions, thereby giving assurance that Railroad of the future, when the this country will soon have a first Republican of January 4th, reported: class market for lumber, is probably " . . . the Weed logging road 4 miles the principal cause of the excitement north from Weed, is now commencing and rush. The building of several to push an additional 10 miles further. large sawmills are being talked of, and It is eventually planned to reach it would not be surprising if they were Keno ... . " to materialize this season at Klamath By that time construction had Falls and Keno, and perhaps also at reached its peak, as the following Spencer Creek." indicates: "The grading on the Klam· One month later (October 7th) it ath Lake Railroad has been completed was reported that a new railroad route 18 miles out from Laird's to a point to reach the timbered table land op­ on the summit; that is, on the Cas· posite Shovel Creek was being sur­ cade plateau and beyond all the heavy veyed. This, in fact, became the route grades. It is just in the edge of the actually followed, and became the timber belt. The cars are now running famous switch-backs by which the from Laird's to Fall Creek, a distance railroad climbed the Klamath River of 12 miles. Work is being pushed on Canyon rim. two trestles, one of 800 feet over Fall By September 18th, 400 men, in­ Creek and another of 250 feet over an cluding 50 Chinese, were working at adjoining gulch (Long Prairie grading and track laying. By that Creek) .... time, the tracks had been laid to and "The construction crews number in across the Klamath River. Further­ all over 600 men and more men are more, according to rumors heard by being added to the force daily. These the Republican, it was thought the laborers are chiefly Greeks, Italians, Southern Pacific Company was behind Turks, Hungarians, Chinese and a this new branch line to the Klamath few Mexicans. Country. "The bridge crew is unique in its It was while extending the road bed aristocratic exclusiveness as being all up the switch-backs and on to Long white men and numbering about 40. Prairie Creek that the famous Greek "The Chinese are paid $1.35 a day, baking ovens were built, a few of Italians and white men $2 and the which can still be located intact to this Greeks and other aliens named, $1.50. day. They were used by the Greek They pay the company $18 per month workers for baking their bread. for hoard. Pay day comes on the 25th On the night of October 13-14, of the month. 1902, the sawmill and almost the "The road is standard gauge and 55

29 pound steel rails are used. tion coach went into service sometime ·· . . . the railroad is costing about after the above date and before May $25.000 per mile. The silly whim that 15th, 1904. the road is to be merely a timber road, From Pokegama to Klamath Falls, is thus shown to be baseless by the stages and freight teams took over, cost of the construction." and aided by boats much of the time, On April 16th, 1903, the Republi­ from Keno to Klamath Falls, con­ can wrote: "The first excursion was veyed aU the various freight items and scheduled to run up the new railroad passengers into the Klamath Country. from Laird last Sunday to a point Two items of particular interest thus where the Snow post office used to be conveyed were the two boats, Ewauna located. Between two or three more and Tule, shipped in from Portland, miles of track have to be laid to finish and the so called " Linkville Trolley" the line to the new station this side shipped in from San Francisco. (southeastl of Pokegama, which will There is evidence that Hervey be the temporary terminus." This new Lindley, General Manager of th~ station became known as "New Pokegama Sugar Pine Lumber Com­ Pokegama." pany, began a campaign to sell his The first train reached Pokegama holdings, shortly after fire destroyed on May lst, 1903, as reported in the the sawmill and town of Klamathon R epublican of May 7th. J. H. "Joe" in October, 1902. Added to this Frizzell was the engineer and presum­ disaster, came the cost of building the ably Ed Way the conductor, both Klamath Lake Railroad, now with no formerly employed on "Old Blue." place to deliver its logs. Early in Judge Henry L. Benson of Klamath March, 1904 he spent some time in Falls, and his daughter Gail, were Klamath Falls and agreed to extend "The first passengers over the new the railroad to that place by not later scenic railroad." Judge Geo. T. Bald­ than January 1, 1906 if the people of win, also of Klamath Falls, and his the county would supply a subsidy of daughter Maude, came in the follow­ $150,000. Nothing came of this pro· ing day from San Francisco, on the posal as the citizens of Klamath Falls second train to make the trip. had probably heard that " the Weed With the arrival of the railroad at Railroad was laying one-fourth mile Pokegama, all passenger, mail and of track daily toward Grass Lake, no freight traffic formerly arriving in the grades, no switch backs and prac­ KJamath Country by way of the Topsy tically level to KJamath Falls.·· It may Grade and the Ashland road (Green­ have been that previous reports had springs) now came by way of Poke­ represented this road would continue gama. At first, an open flat car with to Klamath Falls, therefore the benches succeeded by a box car with citizens were not receptive to Lindley's benches was used to accommodate the proposal. passengers. Then, on December 3rd, In the meantime Lindley seems to the Republican wrote that " the open have induced, or have become asso­ cars which have been in service on the ciated with a Mr. Potter, who owned road from Laird to Pokegama since some timber on Long Prairie Creek the trains began to run, will be super­ near Old Pokegama. ceded in a few days by a cornlortable By April, 1903 it was reported that combination passenger and baggage a crew of men were cutting out a road coach." It is known that this combina- to extend a branch line railroad north 30 Klamath Lake Railroad hauling lumber from either the Potter or Algoma sawmills near Poke· gama to the main Southern Pacific line. from the Klamath Lake Railroad into years but seems to have steamed up in Section 16. By May, ground was being the early summer of 1911, just prior to broken for Potter & Sons new sawmiJl being dismantled and shipped out to some four miles south of Parker Sta· the main Southern Pacific line at tion on the Ashland-Klamath Falls Thrall. The branch line was also dis­ wagon road. Failure to secure suffi­ mantled that year. cient water caused much delav until a During some of this time, (New) new mill site was developed u; Section Pokegama as a terminus of freight, 28. The machinery bad been on hand mail and passenger service into the for some time by then. Klamath Country also came to an Old timers agree the mill was a end. The Klamath Lake Railroad was double-cut affair, and seems to have replaced as the main entry line by the shi pped out about two carloads of steadily approaching branch railroad lumber per week. The branch line coming into the Klamath Country "railroad ran alongside the miiJ where from Weed , Caliiornia. This latter line they could dump the logs into the will be the main subject of this years pond or right onto the log deck." The Klamath Echoes in the following mill had a capacity of about 60,000 pages. feet in ten hours but seldom ever cut Also, during some of this same that amount. A horse pasture for the period of time, 1908-1911 , another logging teams extended northward branch line of the Klamath Lake Rail­ along Long Prairie Creek to "Old road was constructed and later dis­ Pokegama." mantled. The Republican of May 21, The mill lay idle for a number of 1908 reported: "A large sawmill is 31 being built at ( ew) Pokegama and 1905. The railroad was used occa­ will be in operation by July 1st. " This sionally thereafter, until about early mill Lay three fourths of a mile south 1934, and was finally taken up in of Pokegama, and was served by its February, 1942. own branch line. plus another short As a sidelight it is interesting to note logging spur extending southward. that according to the Republican of Another source gives April 6, 1908 as November 16, 1905: "The Weyer­ the starting date of the sawmill. haeuser syndicate have completed the This mill was known as the Algoma purchase of the Pelton-Reid Com­ Lumber Company and was owned by pany's interest in the John R. Cook & the Faye Fruit Company and E. J . Son's holdings, consisting of 16.000 Grant. who had bought cutting rights acres of timber in the Jenny Creek to several million feet of timber. It district, and 15 miles of logging rail­ had fo rmerly been located in the road (probably " Old Blue's" Poke­ Montague, Siskiyou County, Califor­ gama Sugar Pine Lumber Company nia area. Some of its product was logging road), mill site and townsite at shipped by rail to the company's box Klamathon and exclusive franchises factory at Montague for box shook. for logging Klamath river at $1 per The mill ran for three seasons and 1000 feet from Topsy to Klamathon. shut down in 1911. running the last ... The consideration was $400.000 log through the sawmill on August 8. and the money has been paid out. 191 l. The mill was also dismantled ''The Weyerhaeusers have an option during the latter part of 1911. or early on Hervey Lindley's holdings. 20.000 1912. It was then shipped to Algoma acres of railroad contract lands and on Upper Klamath Lake where it went the Klamath Lake Railroad." into operation in mid-August 1912. A man named Richardson seems to With the elimination of Pokegama have been the first Weyerhaeuser as the main shipping point for the representative at Pokegama to be Klamath Country by the end of 1908. followed shortly after November 16. and the dismanteling of the P otter 1905 (Republican) by E. T . Abbott and Algoma sawmills. all usefulness of who took over management of the the Klamath Lake Railroad on the Klamath Lake Railroad at that time Pokegama P lateau came to an end. and ran it for some six years, or until Trackage, therefore, was tom up to dismantled. the lower end of the switch-backs. a More recently still. during the late distance of approximately 12 miles, 1940's and early 1950's, Weyerhaeuser where in 1912, the California-Oregon Timber Company extended their rail­ Power Company had started construc­ road logging system from Klamath tion on Plant # 1 above Fall Creek. Falls to and southwest of Camp 4 near Some of the Pokegama rails were used Long Prairie Creek into the area once in this new spur to the dam then served by the Pokegama Sugar Pine under construction. Lumber Company's tiny logging In August, 1921, the California­ engine " Old Blue." and the later Oregon Power Company acquired Potter & Son's sawmill. Thus, it might title to the old Klamath Lake Rail­ be said that Pokegama finally realized road from Thrall to the state line, its dream-a railroad connection which it had been leasing since 1914 with the Klamath Basin. Now, how­ from the /1 eyerhaeuser Timber Com­ ever. that railroad system itself has pany which had acquired the Lindley been dismantled and replaced by fleets timber and railroad interests in late of logging trucks. 32 Chapter V "Linkville Trolley"

During 1967 two issues of Klamath railway, these new facts will be used Echoes were published to com­ in recording a new. and we hope more memorate the centennial of the correct. version of what actually hap­ founding of the City of Klamath Falls. pened in the beginning history of this The first issue. Klamath Echoes nostalgic old "trolly line. " Due to lack No. 4, recorded our community's his­ of space this history will only concern tory from its founding to about 1900. itsell with correcting former stories The second issue. Klamath Echoes written about the "trolley's founding." No. 5. began around 1900 and carried To under tand some of the reasons through to about 1967 in some in­ for the propo ed "electric street rail­ stances. In issue No. 5. pages 76-85. a way,., the reader must realize there rather extended history of the "Link­ were two newly organized sub­ ville T rolley" was given. Sources for divisions to the old and settled town of this history were: 1. An article written Klamath Falls (formerly Linkville) by by Doris Palmer Payne. sometime late 1905. Also, two new and diiJerent between 1938 and l 940; 2. The enterprises were being promoted in the History of Klamath County. by Klamath Basin. a Government Recla­ Rachael Applegate Good. 1941; 3. An mation system for irrigation. and a article by Edith Rutenic McLeod. through railroad line from California 1954: 4. An article by Floyd L. to Portland. Wynne in the Herald & News, 1963 : On the one hand. Government 5. Numerous articles in the old Reclamation began on June 17. 1902 Klamath R epublican and Evening when President Theodore Roosevelt Herald newspaper fil es as researched signed the Reclamation Act. Im­ by the present editor of Klamath mediately after passage of the Act, the Echoes, Devere Hellrich. Bureau of Reclamation was organized. There was one weakness to the However, it was not until November, article. Considerable amounts of the 1904 that prominent Government original articles were based on the engineer made a horseback survey of reminiscences of old timers. as re­ the Klamath Country. peated and handed down through the During this arne period of time. years. This, coupled together with the and possibly controlled by these fact that the Republican newspaper events, the Klamath Canal Company files between April l , and November was incorporated May 18. 1904 by 30, 1906 had become lost, compelled C. N. Hawkins and W. K. Brown. this writer to accept and use the According to later scuttle-butt, they stories previously written. had recognized an opportunity to get A few years hiter micro-film copies in on the ground floor before the of the missing Republican newspapers slower moving Bureau of Reclamation were located at the University of commenced any operations. The Oregon Library in Eugene. Oregon. Klamath Canal Company also secured T hese were copied and shed a some­ land northwest of and adjoining what different light on the history of Klamath Fall which reached to Klamath Falls' "electric railwav... As Upper Klamath Lake. On this land a history of Klamath County's ·fourth they laid out the Buena Vista sub- 33 division. Work was also commenced franchise was made July 13, 1905. on the canal and first tunnel leading to The street car line was to lead from the Klamath Basin proper. By gaining Payne Alley (immediately west of the ownership of the old Ankeny Canal, present Baldwin Hotel) eastward however, the Government in the long along Main Street and extended into run was able to force the Klamath the Hot Springs Addition. In part it Canal Company to sell their irrigation called for a double car line down Main rights. which they (the company) may Street, probably to hinder any other have planned all along. would-be car line who might wish to On the other hand, a through rail­ travel a like course. road to tap the Klamath Basin had Next, around the first part of Janu­ been in the air since the 1880 period ary, 1906. the Klamath Canal Com­ when the Hood railroad survey first pany under the incorporated name of entered this territory. It was not until The Klamath Land and Transporta­ January, 1905 that a new organiza­ tion Company. received a franchise for tion, The Klamath Development an electric street car line of their own. Company (hereinafter called the KD It commenced on Prospect Street in Company) was incorporated, which by Fairview Addition, followed down April of the same year superceded the T enth to Washington, across to Ninth, Weed Lumber Company Railroad down Ninth to Pine, along Pine to then building toward Klamath Falls. Seventh. down Seventh to Walnut, At approximately the same time, along Walnut to Third, up Third to June 1, 1905, the Hot Springs Main, and along Main to Conger, property, owned by W. E. Wright and thence along Conger to near the junc­ C. E. Worden, lying northeast of old tion with California Avenue. From Klamath Falls, was purchased by the that point, along California out to Hot Springs Improvement Company, Front. the line was on their own land, a close associate of the KD Company. the Buena Vista Addition. The only Both of these organizations had as place where the two franchises con­ their main officials several of the same flicted was between Payne Alley and men, chiefly A. H. Naftzger and Third Street. A large percentage of W. H. Holabird. Naftzger was also both these street car line franchises the president of the soon to be in­ were never built. This also included a corporated California-Northeastern few other branch lines granted in the Railroad, closelv connected with the franchises but which were never built Harriman inter~sts (Southern Pacific and have no connection with this Company). history. Thus, it will be seen, these KD Company officials, with their inside Then followed charges and counter­ information and connections with the charges as both factions sought to approaching railroad. were able to harass the other. Certain ordinances secure many of the choice real estate were changed, and others passed to sites in the soon to be developed try and iron out a difficult situation in Klamath Basin. To promote their Hot which the City Council found itself Springs Addition. the KD Company embroiled. sought a franchise for an electric street Finally, on May 24, 1906 the car line from the newly awakened City Republican printed the following of Klamath Falls. The third and last telegram: reading of the ordinance granting this

34 Hollister. May 21 cipal factors will be speed. as the W. K. Brown. company i anxious to have the rails Klamath Falls. Ore. on the ground at the earliest date Two miles rails at Pokegama next possible... Friday. Arrange freight. The following week. the Republican of May 31st reported: "The peaceful C. N. Hawkins. quiet of the Sabbath morning that usually prevails in Klamath Falls was The Republican then continued: buried in the rush and bustle of three " ... The fact that the street railway gangs of men busily engaged in tearing is to be built shows two things; first. up Main Street last Sunday (May that the confidence which the mem­ 27th) morning. The early riser could bers of this company have at all times hardly believe his eyes. and stood in shown in Klamath Fall is still un­ utter amazement and gazed at the broken: that they have maintained a operations. Could it be possible that reputation of doing just as they say Klamath Falls was in the throes of a they will. and assu.res the public that contest for the rights of way for elec­ they intend to carry to a successful tric lines I Yes, that was just the completion the great scheme of im­ situation. provement heretofore outlined by the "Two contests were being carried on Republican. at once. One the mad rush of freight "Secondh· it means the rapid teams, one set from Pokegama. the growth and. extension of Klamath terminus of the Klamath Lake Rail­ Falls. That we no longer remain in the road. and the other set from the termi­ ranks of a village, but. step. in one nus of the Weed road. One crew was mighty bound into the fir t ranks of managed by Mr. Mcintyre. Jr.; the an expanding city. Truly it will be a other bv Mr. Mcintyre. Sr.: and the greater Klamath Falls. with the slogan young ~an won. The other contest 'watch us grow from lake to lake.' was the laying of ties on Main street. "Everv citizen should shine in the D. B. Campbell the personal represen­ great wo'rk. Every man should put his tative of A. H. Na!tzger and head of shoulder to the wheel. and with one the Klamath Development Company. united. mighty effort. start the ball a was busily engaged in superintending rolling and never let it stop until we the labors of fiftv men who were have reached the 20.000 mark. putting forth every. energy to put in "Grading work on the streets and place as many ties as possible before boulevards of the Buena Vista tract is midnight Sunday. The operations being pushed with vigor. Every energy were in charge of Engineer Williams. is being exerted to place it in a state "The sudden and unexpected move of completion. The ties for the five was precipitated by the publication in mile belt line. are being sawed by the last weeks Republican of the informa· Odessa mill, and soon as the rails tion that the Klamath Canal Company reach here, track laying will be com­ would have two cars of rails at Poke­ menced at once. Bids have been asked gama on last Friday morning. These for. transferring the rails from Poke­ rails were to be used in the construc­ gama to Klamath Falls. and already tion of their electric belt line. which is several have been hauled in. They will to traverse Main street for three be opened Friday night (May 25t? I. blocks. Klamath avenue and the and the award made. One of the pnn- Buena Vista addition. Three blocks on 35 Main street are the ones in contro­ " Immediately on convening, Mr. versy. Three weeks ago rails for the Bishop introduced an ordinance, re­ electric road for which A. H. Naftzger pealing that part of the franchise holds the franchise were delivered at granted Mr. N aftzger giving him the the end of the California-Northeastern right to construct a double track on Railroad. The contract for the trans­ Main street, confining him to a single portation of these rails was made last line and that to be placed far enough Friday, and it was proposed, as soon on one side of the center line of the as they reached here to begin the con­ street to admit the construction and struction of the road, which begins at safe operation of a parallel line.... " Payne Alley and traverses all oi Main Lengthy arguments both for and street, and on out to the Hot Springs against each contestants rights were Addition. This franchise was given expounded, before it was decided that Mr. Naftzger in July, 1905. The fran­ the meeting be adjourned, in order to chise to the Klamath Canal Company give the council's attorneys time to was given January 10, 1906. Believing Iorm an opinion on the points at issue, that he had the prior right and that and prepare an ordinance along those the interests of Mr. Naftzger could lines. The matter was held over until best be protected, thereby Mr. Camp­ the following Thursday night. bell decided to begin the immediate The Republican story again con­ construction of a double track line, so tinues: "In the meantime, Campbell at 7:00 o'clock Sunday morning put was pushing the work of laying ties men to work at the corner of Payne and rails with all the energy he Alley and Main street, another gang possesses. On Tuesday morning (May opposite Lewis jewelery store (corner 29th) at 7:00 o'clock the first rail was Main & CP.ntP.r) and a third gang at laid and Mr. Campbell, in the the corner of Third and Main streets. presence of a few friends drove the " It was this sudden move that first spike. Since that time rails have caused so much consternation through­ been put in place at each end of the out the city, and brought hundreds of works .... people to the scene of operations all " Statement of Mr. Brown: 'We day. At first speculation and rumor want to put in a street railway con­ ran high, and as the day wore on and necting both ends of the town with the the citizens began to realize that it was Upper Lake, running down Main a struggle begun by the two corpora­ street. We have no desire no monopo­ tions for the right of way, the fol­ lize this thoroughfare. All we desire is lowers of each began to line up and equal rights on Main street and given heated arguments pro and con were same will take care of all future elec­ to be heard on every hand. Injunction tric railway companies to come . . . suits and other legal paraphrases were 'There is projected an electric road frequently heard, as nothing could be to Bonanza and Merrill from Klamath done on Sunday it was conceeded Falls and before many years there will Campbell had the best of the ar­ be a line to Fort Klamath and Crater gument. Lake and several other points through­ "Sunday night a meeting of the city out the county. . . . council was held, and it was decided "The Hot Springs Company claim to hold a special session Monday they have the right and intend to night. Both factions were notified and double track the entire length of Main were on hand with their council ... street. This of course will have the

36 effect of excluding all other roads .... ' some ill advised people to the effect "Statement of Mr. Campbell: ' .. . that Mr. Naftzger, who is President of According to the franchise given A. H. the California-Northeastern, Klamath Naitzger of the city council of Klam­ Development Company, and the Hot ath Falls, July 10, 1905: Personally I Springs Improvement Company, is cannot see why only this should cause not pursuing the work in these dif­ surprise to anyone, for the reason we ferent enterprises in such a way as to had every reason to believe that the convince them that we mean franchise was given us in good faith, business .... and we had taken steps to fulfill our " 'The work that has been com­ part of the contract. The franchise menced on the street railway will be granted us until the spring of 1907 pursued until it is finished. We have to commence operations . . . sufficient rails on the streets to lay " 'They decided some months ago to three blocks, and have 17~ tons on commence operations ·with the view of wagons enroute, which will be de­ completing the street railway system at livered in Klamath Falls at the end of or about the same time that they this week. We hope to be able to com­ hoped to be able to finish the building plete both tracks to the end of Main of the California-Northeastern Rail­ street by the middle of June, and by road to Klamath Falls. Therefore rails fall hope to finish the complete sys­ for the street railway were purchased tem, according to the franchise .... ' " two months ago, and about one-fourth The Republican further wrote that of the rails and other supplies neces­ it was rumored a compromise was sary to lay the track were delivered at eminent, and would be reached the present terminus of the California­ through an ordinance to be introduced Northeastern some three or four weeks in the council that evening. The rumor ago and the writer was instructed to further claimed that the new ordi­ enter into a contract with some reli­ nance would allow a double track line able freighter to have the rails, plates, to be laid on Main Street, but that it bolts, etc., hauled to Klamath Falls should be open to all competing com­ without delay. panies, both local and suburban. on " 'We acted upon these instructions their paying their pro-rate expense of and let out the contract for hauling, construction, maintenance, etc. Mr. which contract includes the delivery of Campbell, Mr. Brown, and the 12~ to 15 tons of rails every five City Council's advisors, Mr. Holgate days . ... and Kuykendall, all denied knowledge " 'I was informed there was a fran­ of any such compromise. The Repub­ chise of some kind given W. K. lican however. believed that the Brown and others, some two or three " remarkable unanimity with which months ago, who were interested in these denials were made and the the Klamath Canal Company. Which apparent effort to evade a discussion franchise covered part of Main street of the proposition would lead to the to Klamath Falls, and they bad belief that the rumor has some founda­ wagered considerable coin of the realm tion.·· In fact it was thought to be that they would have iron on the almost certain some basis of agree­ ground ready for business before ment had been reached that would A. H. N aftzger, or the Klamath resolve in all parties being satisfied. Development Company .... The Republican then went on to " 'Some criticism bas been made by relate the race with steel as follows: 37 "The race ·with the railroad steel is Worden was given instructions to get another story and introduces one of the rails here, and every move to the most unique and original chapters expedite the delivery was made. Both to be found in the annals of street parties had the elements to contend railway building. A party of citizens, with, and the H ot Springs Company among whom were Major (C. E.) had the rougher road to hoe, and Worden and Rufus Moore, who were between mud and accidents failed to discussing the railway situation last make the finish. Had the roads been Friday (May 25th), when the Major in fairly good shape, and no serious offered to bet R ufus $150 that the Hot accidents occurred, this city would Springs Company would have 10 tons have witnessed one of the most excit­ of steel on the ground first. Mr. Moore ing episodes in its history, for both accepted the wager and immediately parties would have reached here very things got busy. The Hot Springs nearly together. Company had already let the contract "The wagons arrived in the follow­ for the freighting of their rails from ing order: 1st. Lum Lowden, six-mule the end of the Weed road; The team; 2nd. Lee Metcalf, six-mule Klamath Canal Company had adver­ team; 3rd. Fred Merrill, six-mule tised for bids for the transportation of team; 4th. H enry Stout, six-mule their material from Pokegama. team. " As soon as word of the wager "Mr. Mcintyre and J. Wheeler reached the offices of the two com­ brought up the rear accompanied by panies, they began immediate prepar­ Charles Lowe with the spikes. T he ations to hurry things up. J . A. Buell former was a ight to behold. He (an official of the Klamath Land & looked more like a mud-pit on legs Transportation Company) went post than the winner of a race. In conse· haste to Pokegama, and on reaching quence of the damage to his wearing there, found that their material had apparel, and his success in crossing not yet arrived. Buell is a fellow who the line first. Mr. Mcintyre is wearing does not know the meaning of the a new suit of clothes, the gift of W. K. word failure, so he just proceeded to Brown of the K lamath Canal pull up the rails of one of the switches Company." of the Klamath Lake R ailway (the On June 7, 1906 the Republican abandoned line to Old Snow), and had reported: " Railway Companies Effect sufficient for his needs. gave orders for Compromise. The flag of truce has their immediate transportation to been raised in the street railway con­ Klamath Falls. This work was under­ trovercy and operations between taken by A. F. Mcintyre, who was on Payne Alley and Seventh street are hand with four six-mole teams. The suspended until July 15th. On or freighters entered into the spirit of the about this date President A. H . contest, and once the start was made Naftzger will be here and he and every effort was put forth to win out. Messrs. Brown and Hawkins will get Buell stayed with the boys until together and arrange matters. A tacit Klamath Falls was in sight, when he understanding exists which only needs drove ahead to report. the approval of Mr. aftzger to make " In the meantime Mr. Campbell it effective. T his agreement provides was not idle. He threw himself into for the use of the tracks between the affair with all of his characteristic Payne and Seventh streets, either on energy and enthusiasm. W. C. part ownership or rental basis. 38 "The city council met last Thursday the Klamath Development Company, and passed an ordinance which pro­ and our other enterprises. has resulted vides for laying of double tracks on in an arrangement whereby the Klam­ Main street. regulating construction ath Development Company completes of same and providing that the tracks the work now open on M.ain street, be open to all competing companies on putting said street west of Seventh their paying their share of main­ street in good serviceable condition. tenance, etc. between Seventh street and Payne " After the passage of this ordinance Alley. thereafter and up to July 15, another was placed on third reading our work will be pushed forward on and final passage, extending the fran­ Main street east of Seventh street." chise of the Klamath Canal Company The Republican at the same time from Third to Seventh streets. This interviewed Mr. Brown who in part ordinance was also passed. This came said: " From Lake to Lake with the as a surprise to the Hot Springs addition of from River to Springs will people, and they at once placed a be the slogan. " . . . force of men at work extending their In addition, Mr. Campbell said: tracks to Seventh street. "The work on our road from Seventh " Thursday, vice President E. X. street toward the Hot Springs addition Wendling (of the KD Company) ap­ will be pushed with the same vigor as peared on the scene and maintained was that part of the work from Payne the same attitude taken by Mr. Camp­ Alley to Seventh street. . . . " (The bell (the local managed .... He amount of work done by the KD maintained a desire, however, for an Company, however. seems only to amicable adjustment and negotiations have reached Sixth Street on Main.) were at once opened by the Klamath The Republican next wrote on Canal Company for a compromise. September 13, 1906 as follows: "Com­ These efforts resulted in reaching the promise. At 2:30 this afternoon an agreement referred to.. .. " agreement was reached between the In his interview with the Repub­ Klamath Development Company. lican, Mr. Wendling stated that the A. H. Naftzger representing, and the main line of the California­ Klamath Falls Land & Transportation Northeastern could onlv be built Company, J. G. Pierce representing, where there was room ior a large whereby the street railway controversy freight yard. Further, this yard must has been adjusted .... Mr. Pierce in be on a flat surface, and on the water part stated: 'The Klamath Falls Land level. In addition, cuts and fills at & Transportation Company takes over stations were never tolerated except the portion of the street railway be­ where they could not be avoided. To tween Payne Alley and Seventh street, reach the City of Klamath Falls from heretofore constructed by the Klamath the only logical place (the present Development Company, paying the Southern Pacific yards of Klamath expense incurred in its construction. Falls), a street railway was deemed That the Klamath Falls Land & necessary, therefore an early applica­ Transportation Company will con­ tion had been made for a franchise. struct, and operate, and use a new line He then continued: " ... The inter­ with the Klamath Development view between Mr. W. K. Brown, Company, a double track line from representing the Klamath Canal Conger Avenue to Seventh Street. Company, and myself, representing From these points the respective 39 " Linkville Trolley" along Link River slightly downstream from present Fremont Bridge.

"linkville Trolley" on Conger Avenue.

40 "Link ville Trolley" traveling east an Main StrHt at Fourth.

Companies will build and operate the street car to reach this city was line already planned independently.' " brought in Saturday Uune 15th) by Republican, November 1, 1906: "A R. E. Hunsaker ... " large force of men and teams com­ Republican, June 27th: "Fourth of menced work on the street car line this July will see the inauguration of the week ... until the track is completed first street car service in this city ... through the entire Hot Springs will issue souvenir tickets which will Addition." be sold for $1.50 each .... R. M. Republican, January 10, 1907: Richardson will act as motorman, Street car line is built to the addition engineer, pilot or something of the (Buena Vista) and will soon be sort (the car was pulled by one or two operated." horses) .... Republican, April 18th: "The first Republican, July 18th: "The street street car to be operated in this city car now runs to the junction of Conger was run from the corner of Main and California avenues. . . . running street and Conger avenue last Satur­ on a fifteen minute schedule ... " day afternoon (April 13th) under the Republican, August 8th: "Street car direction o£ Mr. Buell of the Klamath service to the Upper Lake was in­ Land and Transportaion Company. augurated Tuesday (August 6th) . .. " While it was an improvised affair it Service through the remainder of sufficed to carry nearly twenty guests 1907 and 1908 remained on a fairly of Mr. Buell to the Upper lake ... " even keel. It seems to have been Republican, June 20th: "The first steady but slow, and never kept to any

41 particular schedule. The only driver would cancel the franchise and take during the life of the "trolley" seems over." Thus the city found itself in the to have been Charley Adams. Tales street car business. This lasted but a have been told how he would stop short time before the city fathers along the way to refresh himself at junked the system. various bars, as service was not too Republican, May 10, 1911: "Work demanding. Sometimes a prospective was started yesterday on tearing up passenger was compelled to roust him the old street car rails and ties on out of one of the several bars along Conger avenue ... As soon as the Main Street. They always knew where tracks are removed the city will put on to locate him by the location of the its big grader and the street will be street car and dozing horse. leveled and put in good shape." Republican, March 4, 1909: As finally completed, the street car " . . . street car line to be extended tracks of the Klamath Falls Land & to the depot from Main at Sixth Transportation Company did not street.... " follow the line as set down in the Republican, July 29th: "There original franchises. They led from the seems to be a hitch in the electrifying Southern Pacific Railroad depot, of the street car system . . . the north along Spring Street to Main company may be forced to build a Street, west the full length of Main power plant of its own in order to to Conger Avenue, north on Conger to secure power at a price it can California Avenue, thence continuing afford . ... " northerly along California to Front Finally in 1910, the city administra­ Street, and along Front to the boat tion issued an ultimatum "to electrify docks at approximately the Pelican and modernize the line well, or they Marina of today.

Chapter VI The Weed Railroad (California-Northeastern)

It will be remembered that the Cen­ 1887. Rails were then pushed across tral Pacific Railroad reached Redding, Shasta Valley and over the Siskiyou California on August 3, 1872. Then Mountains to join up with the Oregon­ after remaining stationary there for California Railroad at Ashland on better than ten years, they again com­ December 17, 1887 where the Golden menced laying their track northward Spike ceremony took place. Thus on June 17, 1883. The railroad, by Edgewood was established approxi­ now controlled by the Southern Pacific mately 13 years before the town of Company, was steadily pushed up the Weed came into existance. Sacramento River Canyon, reaching Abner Weed, for whom the later McCloud (now Mount Shasta City) by town of Weed was named, was born October 13, 1886. From there the September 18. 1842 in Dixmont, going became easier and Edgewood Maine. He came to California in 1869, (immediately below present day settling in the Truckee region where Weed), was reached on January 1, he spent the next 20 years in the lum-

42 Weed Lumber Company log train near Grass Lake. her business. In 1889 he moved to miles in length and it was planned to Sisson (Mount Shasta City) where he extend it another ten miles to Grass began his first lumbering venture in Lake. Jesse McCall was the engineer Siskiyou County. Next he purchased a in charge. and the contrar.tor"' were sawmill south of present Weed, on the Brooks and Biglin, with 200 men north slope of Black Butte. employed. The ultimate destination Then in 1900, he moved a few miles was reported to be Keno, Oregon. north and built sawmill No. 1 and A letter of June 25th, 1904, printed other buildings, thus founding the city in the Klamath Republican, stated the of Weed. After Mill No. 1 was com­ Weed Lumber Company and Railroad pleted and ready to cut lumber, Weed was quietly building a road to Klam­ cut on a smaiJ scale only until he re­ ath Falls. At the time, they had three ceived a contract from the Southern four-wheel drive engines and 86 cars Pacific Company to furnish them with in service. A carload of spikes was on ties. His connection with the Southern band and ties on the ground to lay to Pacific proved to be the turning point Grass Lake. then on to Klamath in his financial success, for soon after, Lake. he began to expand. About 1902 or Ahner Weed was the President; 1903 he built Mill No. 2, and a box Directors were G. X. Wendling of factory which later was expanded to San Francisco, G. F. Bittinger of the include a sash and door manufactur­ Los Angeles National Bank, E. S. ing department. Moulton of Riverside, a Mr. Martin During this same period of time and others. B. F. Brooks was Secre­ Weed began the construction of a tary. A Mr. Ambrose had charge of logging railroad to the northeast the survey. They over enthusiastically around the slopes of Mount Shasta. expected to he handling freight and By January 1, 1903 this road was four cattle by November from near the Ball

43 Ranch in Butte Valley. Actually, this Klamath Falls businessmen by W. H. did not come to pass for nearly four Holabird, representing the Klamath years. Development Company. As early as July 7, 1904 a Mr. Idol Immediately, a campaign was com· (?) of the Western Stage Company menced to raise the bonus but the was trying to secure a contract be· response was slow; however, the time tween the end of the rails and Laird's was extended. $84,590 was pledged by Landing. However, no contract was May 4th, with Moore Bros. pledging made. Trains were then crossing the $5,000; W. A. Wright, E. R. Reames newly completed trestle south of Sheep and C, E. Worden $4,000 each, and Rock, therefore another prediction many others lesser amounts. By June was plucked from the air, that cattle 8th, $97,045 had been pledged, with could be shipped from the Boyce San Francisco and Sacramento busi· Ranch, in Butte Valley, by October. nessmen chipping in some $10,500. Here again, it was practically four Finally, on June 22nd, it was an· years before that event actually took nounced that the required sum had place, and then from Mt. Hebron. been pledged, in fact $100,100. By September I, 1904 it was re· In the meantime, on April 6th, the ported that B. F. Brooks, Secretary of Republican reported " . .. the Weed the Weed Railroad Company, and a Lumber Company was sold last week Mr. Miller were guests of Major C. E. toR. A. Long, millionaire lumberman Worden of Klamath Falls. This was from Kansas City, and a number of evidently approximately the time that officers and directors of the Klamath the Wordens, C. E. and Wm. S., Development Company." Geo. X. became associated wi th Southern Wendling was the President of the Pacific interests as that company new organization. seems to have been in the background By June lst, yet another letter from of every concern later connected with W. H. Holabird announced that a the railroad approaching Klamath newly formed corporation, The Hot Falls. These several concerns under Springs Improvement Company, had various names played a leading part in on May 29th, purchased 540 acres, much of our early 1900 history. adjoining Klamath Falls on the north· east, from W. A. Wright and Major 1905 C. E. Worden. Another letter, dated Thursday, On J une 15th, a new face appeared January 25th, recorded that the Klam· on the scene, the McCloud River ath Development Company which was Lumber Company Railroad, S. 0. " incorporated in San Francisco this Johnson, lumberman, the owner. This week (January 22-23 or 24) is to snc· company at that time announced that ceed the Weed Railroad Company. " they were building a logging railroad Further, this new company asked for a east from Upton near Sisson (present right-of-way, and a $100,000 cash or Mount Shasta City); that it had land bonus to extend the Weed Rail­ reached and passed a site (the present road line to Klamath Falls. The boons city of McCloud) and had extended was to be placed in escrow on or their tracks eastward to Algomah (im­ before March 31st, and delivered on mediately west of present Bartle). or before completion of the railroad to Further, they were building north· Klamath Falls by March 31, 1907. ward, having reached Red Mountain, The latter was read to a group of and would soon continue their line 44 into the Klamath Basin, the end of McCloud River Railroad guaranteed their tracks being then but 37 mjles they would reach Laird's Landing by from Laird's Landing on Lower July l. 1906. Therefore. speculation Klamath Lake. was rife in the Klamath Country as to At the same time it was reported which railroad would first reach that Mr. Davis, partner of Laird. Klamath Falls; the California­ would have a connecting wagon road Northeastern or the M cCloud River finished by June 18th. It was over this Railroad. railroad, wagon road and Steamer From the north, at Eugene, came Klamath that some freight and word on September 7th that seven passengers did at one time pass to and surveyors of the recently incorporated from Klamath Falls. Oregon-Eastern Railway Company A few days later it was learned that had arrived there. They were to begin W. H. Holabird and Major Worden a survey from Natron, the railroad had recently purchased the 1800 acre extension from Springfield on the Reames Ranch, south of Klamath Southern Pacific, over the Cascades Falls, upon which the present Radio and across Central Oregon to Ontario Station KLAD is located. They in­ on the Idaho line. tended to establish a stock yard, load­ Rumors flew thick and fast, quickly ing chutes, and feeding pens on one two more were added to a long and piece (which they eventually did, and growing list; one being that the Mid­ which is still in existence), and divjde land Telephone and T elegraph line, the remainder into 40 acre tracts owned and being constructed from except "that reserved for a depot. " Ashland to Klamath Falls by H. V. On June 25th, A. H . Naftzger, Gates would soon reach the latter President of the Klamath Develop· place; the other being reported by ment Company. sent the foUowing S. 0. Johnson that the McCloud Rail­ telegram to W. H. Holabird: '"The road. whose survey was nearing White Railroad will be incorporated at once Lake City. was in fact headed for and active work begun." Merrill. The Republican of June 29th, Klamath Republican. October 19th. stated that of the three possible routes ··Greatest Building Boom In History through the Klamath Country, the Of The Town. Nearly a Quarter Mjl­ railroad would definitely foUow the lion Dollars Have Been Spent in Hood survey of 25 years before. Thls Klamath Falls During tJ1e Summer for survey was approximately that of the New Buildings Alone-Many More present Southern Pacific line from Contemplated. Grass Lake to near Teeter's Landing. "Ninety new buildings at an esti· "Thence crossing Klamath River to mated cost of $225.000 or an average the East Side some five miles above of over $200 for every man, woman Keno near Wild Horse Butte." and chlld in the city, is the record ol On July 13th, it was reported the building improvements during the California-Northeastern Railroad past summer. that the little town of Company had been incorporated with Klamath Falls cao present to the a capitalized stock of over $5,000,000. world. It must, however, be remembered that "The carpenters. masons and brick­ this new corporation was still owned layers have been busy {rom daylight by officials of the Klamath Develop­ until dark in Klamath Fall this sum­ ment Company. At the same time. the mer. buildings have been going up on 45 all sides, the number only limited by buildings in course of construction on the lack of material and workmen. A Main street between Fourth and Fifth. list of the new buildings has been com­ They are on opposite sides of the piled, which is as near correct as street. They are both two-story busi· possible, but no doubt some have been ness houses with office rooms on the omitted. Many new structures were second floor. The cost of the two will built last fall and in fact nearly every be $9,000. business house in the city was e~larged Fred Malhase is having the finish­ and the stock increased to supply the ing work done on his two-story build· demand. Many more buildings are ing on the east corner of Main and contemplated. Plans have already Second streets. The building is 30 x 50 been submitted for some, which will feet and will cost $5,000. It will be he commenced during the winter or occupied by Meiss & Armand Meat the first thing in the spring. It is ex­ Market, and the Library and offices pected that eight or ten brick and will be located on the second floor. stone business houses will he built during the early part of next year. Frame Buildings This article however, has nothing to do with prospective buildings but with The Klamath Lake Navigation improvements that have actually been Company are spending $30,000 in new made this summer. Following is the buildings and improvements in this list as has been compiled: city. The new steamer Klamath which was built at the company's dock, cost BRICK AND STONE between $15,000 and $20,000. The Klamath High School building will Company have their dock completed he completed January 1st. Cost which is 60 feet wide by 235 feet long. $32,000. Basement and three floors. Their old office is being moved and a The building is constructed of brick modern three story store building 40 x and the roof covered with metal 80 is being erected in its place. The shingles. The entire basement is of new two-story office building is about concrete. completed and also their 60 x 80 ware· Klamath Falls Public School. In house. Besides their steamer the Navi· course of construction. Cost $20,000. gation company are equipped with Basement and three stories. The base· launches, two row boats and two large ment is built of native rock and the barges which cost $600 each. walls of sandstone. Mrs. E. E. Heidrich, two story The third most important building business block 40 x 65, Main street being constructed in the city is the between First and Second Streets. four story brick being built by George This building is now occupied by L. T. Baldwin, the hardware merchant. Jacobs & Co .. proprietors of the Bos· This is located on Main street one ton Store. block east of the bridge. It is the F. T. Sanderson, two story business largest building in Klamath Falls and building 24 x 90, on the east corner of is estimated to cost between $15.000 Main and Seventh. General store and and $20,000. It has a 65 foot Iront hall. and is 80 feet deep with four stories. George Biehn, Monarch saloon The entire building is constructed of building, Main street between Seventh Klamath County brick. and Eighth. Chas. E. Worden has two brick George Biehn. Palace restaurant, 46 Main street between Seventh and Grizzle Bros. Marble Works. Main Eighth. street near Eleventh. Klamath Falls Steam Laundry. Lewis & Peil, addition to black­ D. B. Campbell Proprietor. building smith and wagon shop on Main street. and plant, cost between $6,000 and J. V. Houston. Oliice building and $7,000. Main street between lOth and shooting gallery. Main street near llth. Second. R. E. Dyer. Tin and Plumbing The following persons have built shop. 20 x 40. corner Klamath avenue residences in Fairview addition: W. J. and Seventh street. Wallace, C. M. Adams, A. J. God­ Dan Gordon, Soda Water Works, frey, W. Frank Petett, H. ]. Miller Seventh street between Main and and Fred Heilbonner. Klamath avenue. Occupied by Epsy & Chas. Shattuck. residence on Fifth Son. street near High. George Pan Company. two story Col. V. L. Beebe near High school. saloon and rooming house. Main 0. B. Gates, modem residence on street between First and Second. Oc­ Fifth street near High in First cupied by the Log Cabin Saloon. addition. ]. A. Houston, 10 room addition to E. C. Smith. Jl room residence his Lodging house on west corner of corner Eleventh and Worden avenue Main and Second streets. in Fairview addition. Mrs. H. F. Schallock, addition to Thos. Willsie residence in Shives the Oregon, two stories. 15 rooms. addition. Klamath avenue and Fifth streets. S. Chappel. residence on lOth W. W. Pritchett & Son. ash and street. near High. door factory, comer II th and Canal W. W. Scott, residence corner Pine streets. and Seventh. Frank Sellers. saloon building Dr. F. M. White, two story resi­ corner Seventh and Main streets. dence on Pine Street between Fourth Dr. G. W. Maston, sanitarium and and Fifth. office, Main and Eighth streets. Silas Obenchain, residence on W. H. Barnes, 20 rooms, two story second lot west of the High School in addition to the American Hotel. on First addition. Main street. W. H. North, residence near High J. E. Sullivan. saloon and rooming school in First addition. house. Main street between First and Dr. Demorest, residence near High Second. Occupied by Harry Allen. school in First addition. Geo. R. Hum. building on Main R. M. and W. A. Phelps, residence street between Fifth and Sixth. occu· on Jefferson near High school. pied by Mongold & Campbell. Elmer Applegate, residence comer barbers. First and Washington streets, EwatLDa Catholic Church. on Worden Heights. avenue in Fairview addition. Walter Lennox, residence south R. P. Breitenstein, addition to comer First and Washington streets, Farm & ·Implement store. Main occupied by J. D. Williams. street. George Chastain. residence south Chas. Woodard. blacksmith shop, corner Third and High streets in Main street between Eighth and Ewauna Heights addition. Ninth. Mary E. Swingle, residence corner

47 Ninth and High streets. nut avenue between Sixth and Seventh Will Humphrey, residence Pine streets. street between Seventh and Eighth. H. W. Keesee, residence on Walnut F'. T. Sanderson. residence on Pine avenue between Sixth and Seventh street between Seventh and E ighth. streets. Chas. E. Worden, modem cottage Mrs. Melhase. residence on Walnut on High street on Ewauna Heights. avenue between Sixth and Seventh H. ewhan, residence on High streets. street between Second and Third. C L. Reed. residence corner Klam­ Annie Hutchinson, cottage on Pine ath Avenue and Second street. street near First. Mrs. A. L. Sargent. residence on M. E. Hutchinson , residence on Main street near 11th. Occupied by Pine street near First. Neil Campbell. J . E. Sullivan, residence corner L. Biehn, residence on Main be­ Walnut avenue and Fifth. tween Ninth and Tenth streets. Owen McGuire, residence corner F. M. Barnum, residence on Main Walnut avenue and Fourth street. near Eleventh street. occupied by A. Ritzenthaler. M. H. Beebe. residence on Main A. L. Sherman, residence corner near Eleventh street. Klamath avenue and Tenth street. C. H. Daggett, residence on Third D. F. North, residence corner street between Pine and High. Tenth and Canal streets. A. J. Santa mew. residence on C. B. Clendenning, residence Washington street near Ninth. Klamath avenue between Ninth and C. E. Hadley. residence on North Tenth. corner Eighth and Washington streets. J. H. Hamilton, residence corner Bert Childers, residence on J efler­ Klamath avenue and Ninth street. son street near Ninth. Mrs. M. S. Nelson, residence Chas. Nelson, residence corner corner Walnut avenue and Fifth Ninth and Washington streets. street. Chas. E. Worden. boat house and Jasper Bennett. residence Walnut dock on water front, in rear of Lake­ avenue, occupied by E. Ridenour. side Inn Hotel. " A. E. Crance, residence corner Steamer Winema launched on Link Walnut avenue and Sixth street. River, outside city limits, near present Mrs. E. Wakefield, residence Wal­ Fremont Bridge on the West side. nut avenue between SLxth and Seventh From Republican, February 2, 1905. street . Klamath Republican. October 26th: W. 0. Webb. residence on Klamath '' . . . the California-Northeastern avenue between Sixth and Seventh. was purchased recently by the E. B. Henry, 8 room residence, Southern Pacific Company ... •· It Klamath avenue, between Fourth and was further reported. they had re­ Fifth streets. ported, they had recently acquired the Fred Biehn, dwelling between Klamath Development Company's Seventl1 and Eighth streets on Walnut rights and land adjacent to Klamath avenue. Falls. and it was aid the Hot Springs Bert Hall. cottage on Walnut Improvement Company was another avenue between N inth and Tenth auxiliary. streets. Also under the date of October 26th, H. E. Hansberry, residence, Wal- the R epublican reported. in part:

48 construction work has com­ of the track." menced on the California-Northeastern By November 2nd. the McCloud R ailroad. E. H. & L. Stone, the con­ River Railroad had established their tractors, have two steam shovels, two terminus at Bartle, southeast of machine drills, one locomotive and Mount Shasta. 20 dump cars at work. There are also Finally on December 14th, it was 80 head of horses and carts and 400 reported that Chief Engineer Griffith men employed. Another engineering of the California-Northeastern's outfit has started out from Weed. and final survey crew was within 12 miles the steel rails are being hauled to the of Klamath Falls. end of the main line for the ex'tension

Chapter VII Grass Lake to Holland (Ady)

1906 freight and passenger agent for the Southern Pacific Company, arrived in The winter of 1906 seems to have town to view the situation for those been quite severe with little or no enterprises. He later became an offi­ railroad construction news extant. cial of the Klamath Land and Trans­ However, the surveys continued. The portation Company of ' 'Linkville Republican of February 22nd, noted Trolley" fame. that "Chief Engineer Griffith and May 3rd: "Engineer I. H. Graham twenty men are in town, having been of the Oregon & Eastern at this time, in camp all winter. Some of the men is surveying between Ontario and will remain in town to survey a depot Vale. It is stated the line will connect site." with the Natron Cutoff near Ft. On March 1st, it was reported that Klamath." A. H . Naftzger, President and N. P . To the north, surveyors were work­ Hoey, Construction Engineer, of the ing south from Madras, in Central California-Northeastern arrived in Oregon , and had reached the Lenz Klamath FaUs and that contracts had Ranch on Upper Klamath Marsh, en­ been Let for 19 miles of new railroad route to connecting with the Natron bed, with the first seven practically survey. done despite the severity of the winter. At the same time, A. H. Naftzger This construction will bring the line to informed the citizens of Klamath the Boyce Ranch or Mt. Hebron, Falls that the San Francisco earth­ where a new town will be platted. quake of April 16th would delay but It was announced on March 22nd. very little the construction of the that work on the Oregon & Eastern California-Northeastern Railroad. He Railroad would start in 90 days from also reported his home and effects had Natron near Springfield. Also, that been destroyed by the earthquake in W. H . Holabird of the Klamath San Francisco. Development Company was laying out June 28th: " ... the Natron survey the new town of Mt. Hebron. is being made along the Old Military A week later J. L. BueU, traveling road up the Middle Fork of the Wil-

49 lamette by 100 men, in four parties.·· from the southeastern (Arizona, New ''Construction Engineer H. P . Hoey Mexico and T exasl section of the is in the city to let a construction con· country to be brought in ...., tract to 1. Frank Adams to grade At this same time. local Klamath through the tulies (eastern shore of Falls officials and businessmen denied Lake Ewaunal, using the Adams that the bonus pledges would be re· Dredge." Previous to this date the pudiated. but paid after the railroad location of the Adams Dredge is un· reached Klamath Falls bv the known after completing the channel to promised date. next March 31st: Laird's Landing about the middle of Finally, on November 29th, it was October. 1905. reported that construction of the first July 5th. " Reconstruction of the 100 miles north of Klamath Falls "bas former Weed Logging Railroad to been let to Mason & Davis.·· Thus, it Grass Lake will be completed by 1ul y would seem, that at this time the 15th.'' It was further announced that, intention of the Southern Pacific from Grass Lake, a new 32 mile Company was to continue building wagon road to Laird ·s Landing had until a connection was made with the just been completed. Frieght from Natron Cutoff building southeast from Weed to Grass Lake by train would be the Eugene-Springfield area. $1.50 per ton. and would not exceed $1.00 per ton to Laird's. with the co t 1907 $1.25 more per ton by boat to Klam· Railroad construction work in the ath Falls. It was expected that freight Klamath Basin seems to have been and passenger service would be com­ confined to that done by the Adams menced by August 20th. Dredge during the winter of 1906-07. Davis and Laird were the propri· Adams' contract was for a mile and etors of the new stage line. Lakeshore one-half dike across the eastern bed of Stage Company, with 1. F. Gibson the Lake Ewauna, from Reames Hill driver. Sam Hummel's, 12 miles from {southeast of KLAD Radio Station) to Laird's, would be a horse change sta· approximately the South Sixth Street tion and a passenger stop for dinner. Overpass. After another drive of 15 miles, horses Republican, March 14th: " Con· would again be changed {at Bray) for struction work on the California­ the last lap to Grass Lake. Northeastern R. R. wiU be pushed as The stage schedule left Laird's at fast as men and monev will do it. This 10:00 A.M., nooned at Hummels, and was the statement m~de by Construe· arrived at Grass Lake at 4:00 P.M. tion Engineer Hoey when he was here Returning, the stage left Grass Lake this week. He came up for the purpose at 8:00 A.M. nooned at Hummels. of examining the work done by J. and arrived at Laird's Landing at 2:00 Frank Adams and submitting to him P.M. where the Steamer Klamath was a proposition for further operations ... boarded for the final distance by water The Adams dredger will finish its to Klamath Falls. present contract in filteen days and August 23rd: It was formally an· will then move south .. , nounced on this date by A. H. March 28th: In the beginning it had Naftzer that the Southern Pacific been claimed that Lower Klamath Company had purchased the Lake would be reached by fall. How· California· N ortheastem Railroad. ever, actual construction of the road September 13th: ·• ... 2000 men proved to be much more difficult than

50 anticipated. The Stone Brothers Con­ months extension. due to the severe struction Company's contract on the winter just pas ed. Their original first four miles northeast £rom Grass contract had called for a finish date of Lake proved so difficult they were April 20th. forced to give up. The Northwest By July 11th, Mason & Davis were Construction Company then took over preparing to commence the marsh the unfinished road. At the same time, grading for the railroad by July 20th. the Erickson & Peterson Company They purchased a new dredger in was offered a bonus if they completed addition to the clam-digger they al­ the road to Orr take. IS miles from ready owned. They also purchased a Grass Lake by June lst. Orr Lake 40 H.P. motor boat to use in connec­ (later known as Bray's or Bray) would tion with the dredges. then become railroad headquarters. July 18th: " . . . Another evidence May 2nd: .. Negotiations for a right­ of the desire of the railroad company of-way between the Southern Pacific to reach here at an early date is the Company and Abel Ady. owner of a movement now on foot to secure the large tract of swamp land on Lower right-of-way for a 'shoo-IIy' track Klamath Lake, have come to naught.'' across the hill this side of Dorris . . . " Southern Pacific wanted a 300 foot August lst: " 110,000 yards of earth strip, 26,200 feet in length (approx_i­ to be moved this coming winter ... It mately 180 acres, for which they is to be taken from the cut that is to o!fered $30 per acre. Ady held out for be made through the hill just as the other concessions which the Southern road leaves the Hot Springs addition Pacific Company thought unreason­ and is to be used in building up the able. therefore they started a con­ grade from the point where the demnation suit. Adams' dredger finished its work ..... On the same date it was announced At the same time, piers for the "Orr Lake (Bray) will be reached bridge across the Government Canal by July 4th.'' At the time, there were were being install ed. Also, Picard, 700 men working on the line. Further, some four miles west of Dorris. was it was thought. Mt. Hebron would be sitting up and Laking notice. They reached by September lst, but it was were soon to move to the new site. not yet decided whether the hill at though some were already doing this. Dorris would be crossed by a tem­ August 22nd: ·'The Mason & Davis porary track or tunneled. Construction Company are moving the June 6th: The suit between outh­ big barge from the Upper Lake. where ern Pacific and Abel Ady was settled it has been used on Government canal and the condemnation suit by the construction. The machinery has been former, withdrawn. ll was further placed on two smaller barges to take agreed that Southern Pacific would south for marsh construction. Another pay $30 per acre, build five crossings large dredger is expected soon. also and a hog-tight fence along the righ1t­ two smaller ones, ... 1100 cords of of-wav. slab wood have been ordered by In ·the meantime. Mason & Davis Mason & Davis." Construction Company. who were to August 29th: "The clam-digger transfer from their Government Canal arrived at the scene of operations Ia t construction to the railroad's marsh Sat urd a) noon 124 th I. Construction is fill when the former was completed. three weeks late. o 2000 yards must had been granted an additional three be moved ever)' 24 hours. Soon there

51 will be two dredgers at work." conveniences; a large general store, September 19th: "Construction post oflice, livery stable, three saloons, crews rushing to complete marsh work a large warehouse and lumber sheds early in October, or before the winter belonging to the Weed Lumber freezes set in . . . long grade stakes Company, some good houses and a are driven into the mud for solid few other minor improvements. " footing . . . the big barge being moved December 5th: " The railroad by Contractor Jacobson, has now terminus is not to go beyond Bray for reached Main on lOth . . . The new several months. The big fill at Coyote dredger coming in by way of Weed Point (near Kegg Cinder Pit between and Bray will be put together at Bray and Mt. Hebron) is the cause. It Laird's Landing." is the largest piece of work outside the September 26th: " ... a new stage tunnels on the line. It is thought Mt. line from Teeter's Landing to the end Hebron will be the terminus. not of the line {at Bray), and the older line Dorris, when work is continued. from Bray to Laird's which has been "The Natron cutoff is not aban· extended to Merrill and Tule doned. The survey will continue as Lake ... " soon as winter is over, Carl Rankin, October lOth: "The Adams dredge Chief Engineer reports." is being moved from the railroad Finally, on December 19th, came grades to the Moore Mill site, then to the word: " Work on the cut north of dredge a channel through the east side Hot Springs addition to start this of the reef (near present day D & G week." Shelter Company Sawmill), then to Teeter's Landing to do some work for 1908 Ackley Brothers. Republican January 9th: "E. W. "The deeds, contracts and agree· Smith arrived this week with his com· ments are to be reconveyed to the plete outfit ... to begin active opera· subscribers to the $100,000 railroad tions on the railroad cut out of the Hot bonus fund by the Klamath Develop· Springs addition. The contract is a big ment Company. one ... 100,000 yards of dirt to be " ... A. H. Naftzger, President of removed from the cut and the making the Klamath Development Company of the grade from the terminus of the is silent. refusing to affirm." cut through the tule land to the south· November 7th: " . . . Dorris ern boundary of the Hot Springs land. booming ... work between Bray and "Mr. Smith will be straightening Mt. Hebron . . . have all the men the curve in the canal where the rail· needed . . . The new dredger should road crosses it, at railroad expense, be on hand this week . . . A. H. but under supervision of the Reclama· Naftzger has issued a formal state· tion Service." ment that the bonus will be returned.'' January 16th: " ... Erickson & November 28th: "Oregon & Cali· Peterson have established a camp at fornia stage company erecting a large Dorris." stage barn and eating house at Mt. February 27th: "Rushing work ... Hebron . . . seven steam shovels be· on curve in the canal ... Would have tween Bray and Mt. Hebron. been a 180 foot bridge. but with the "Mt. Hebron booming. Hotel being new curve won't be over 85 feet. The built by Weed Lumber Company, 22 crew consists of 30 men and 38 rooms. baths, toilets and all modern horses .. .

52 =---.. Box ca rs •uch a• thl• were- u•ed o• fre ig ht wa rehouses at Dorris-- and Worden as the railroad approa ched Kla math Falls. F. M. Priest Photo

"Erickson & Peterson are establish­ freight into Dorris arrived on the ing camps to work on the 'Shoo-fly' 22nd . . . Dorris officially became the over Dorris bill. A commissary is terminus the following day. April already built on the hill this side of 23rd." Dorris ... May 7th: •· .. . Marsh giving March 5th: " .. . railroad will be trouble . . . Clam-digger broke in Klamath Falls by spring of 1909." down ... a new dredge is coming. March 26th: " The people of the "Teeter's to be next terminus, now City and County are now relieved of under advisement, !actually, Teeter's the $100,000 bonus. " Landing was by-passed some two April 2nd: "The steel gang on the miles to the eastl ... Abel Ady plans California-Northeastern arrived at Mt. to run a spur to Teeter's Landing Hebron Monday evening . . . The along Dowase Butte ... this spur will terminus will soon be at this point ... be a little over two miles long.... A remarkable progress being made on movement is on foot to build a sawmill the 'Shoo-fly.' " at Teeter's and the Southern Pacific April 9th: ''The railroad is com­ will run the spur . . . Rock from the pleted a few miles beyond McDoel tunnel to be used in the dike." and will reach Dorris by the 20th ac· May 21st: "Hoey has moved his cording to H. P. Hoey who arrived in headquarters to Dorris, had previously this city Monda y. Side tracks are been at Bray. The advance camp is being put in at Mt. Hebron at working on the side hiU at the Down­ McDoel. Wells are also being drilled ing ranch. Hoey is planning to bring at Mt. Hebron and McDoel." the bridge crew to this side of the April 23rd: ''The railroad was marsh to build the bridge.,. finished to Dorris on the 20th as pre· May 28th: "AU express now comes dieted. A freight agent i stationed by way of Dorris ... Put into effect there in a box car. He arrived at his Sunday 125th). Express now reaches station Tuesday. 21st ... The first here from San Francisco in twenty-

53 four hours. Faster than the mail as it shifts of 45 men, or a total of 180 still comes by Pokegama." men. will be employed. The smaller June 18th: " Will rush railroad to tunnel will be mostly hand work. State Line. Chief Engineer Wm. Hood "The Southern Pacific is not satis­ ordered the line to be built to Calor fied with work of contractors on the as soon as possible . . . ties and rails big marsh at Blidel (near Teeter's to be layed this week. Two dredges at Landing). The many break downs and work on the marsh and work is delays of the dredges blamed. progressing better . . . 'Shoo-fly' is "Erickson & Peterson have estab· practicall y finished. " lished their camp near the new fair­ July 30th: "Railroad branch line to grounds, known as the Enterprise Klamath. Articles of incorporation Tract. two miles from the depot." filed at Sao Francisco to construct a October l st: "Thirty or forty head railroad from Alturas to near Klamath of mules and horses driven through Falls to join the Southern Pacific. town, followed by Contractor Sears Capital is $3,000,000 with $100,000 outfit of wagons, scrapers, tents. etc .. subscribed." (Actual work on this and wagons. He will establish camp extension did not begin in Klamath seven miles below here at 'Midland.' Falls until October 14, 1928. It was "Engineer Knowlton's survey party finished July 13, 1929 when connected is running lines to Alturas for the line at Hackamore with the line being ex· to connect at Midland. (Sears estab· tended from Alturas). lished his camp at Midland which had August 20th: "Passenger service will been platted December 4. 1906. The be extended to Calor in a few days .... Midland Townsite Company was The Frank Adams dredge has been owned by A. H. Naftzer. President of leased to begin work at once, making the Klamath Development Company three dredges at work." and D. G. Campbell. Assistant Sec· September 3rd: " Work has been retary, and local manager of the commenced on driving piles for the Klamath Development Company)." bridge across the straits .... mile and October 8th: ''The railroad schedule one-half of dike thrown up by the may be changed ... to connect at Adams' dredge between here and the Weed with No. 14 instead of No. 16. new race track (near present KLAD This would enable passengers to arrive Radio Station) and is now ready for at 3 or 4 PM, instead of in the night rails. Tents for a construction camp from 10 PM to 2 AM ... considering are being put up on Arthur Lewis' adding a regular passenger train. " place four miles from town." October 15th: "The cut and fill near September 24th: "Tunnels north of the Downing ranch is near comple· Dorris ... 2100 feet. length of first tion . . . steel gang to start laying and 1000 feet the second. The tunnels next week ... big dredge ordered." are to be 23 feet in heighth and 17 feet October 22nd: " . . . 57 cars of in width. At present . . . two shifts cattle from the ZX ranch in Lake of 25 men are working at each end of County. were shipped to Bakersfield the big tunnel doing the preliminary from Mt. Hebron in two special excavation leading to the solid trains . . . also 14 cars Sunday and rock .... a steam shovel, dinky two Monday.'' engine and large dump cars are being October 29th: "Pa senger Schedule: used on both ends of the big tunnel. ... Leave Klamath Falls at 7:30 A. M. bv After the end of preliminary work, two boat. arrive at Calor by stage at 11:00

54 A. M., leave Calor by train at 12:30 foot of Oak to be taken to Hot P.M.• arrive at Weed 5:00 P.M.,. Springs . . . Began work on Reames November 5th: ''Three hundred Hill (south of KLAD Radio Station) men £rom Adams' dike transferred to yesterday. the Hot Springs cut . . . Barge "C. B. Rankin and 14 men arrive loaded at Teater's Landing ... in Klamath FRIIs . . . to commence another will follow in a few days." survey on the Natron cutoff ... will November lith: Evening Herald: start three miles above city . . . pre­ "The big barge was launched at Hol­ liminary survey was made two years land (Ady) Wednesday ... 40 x 80 ago." with dredge recently taken in sec­ December 3rd: " ... Southern tions . . . to grade east of straits . . . Pacific is building a large warehouse two small dredges have started at Holland lAdy) ... steel gang began dredging. laying track across the swamp this "Passengers have been carried to morning ... rail and water connection Worden for some time now. but to Klamath Falls to begin January Wednesday the dining car and office 1st . . . all stage runs will be aban­ cars were hauled £rom Calor and that doned at that time." station will be abandoned. " December 31st: " The first train November 12th: " ... 12 dump reached Holland lAdy) yesterday . cars and two engines unloaded at the to be the terminus thereafter."

Chapter VIII Klamath Falls to Kirk 1909 January 14th: It was found there was another Holland, in Josephine Klamath Republican. January 7th: County. Oregon. established in April, ''A. H. Naftzger is convinced the rail­ 1899. Therefore it became necessary to road will be here in 90 days . . . the change the name due to mail foul-ups. mall dredge throws up a third of the so the name Ady came into use, fill . . . The big dredge which has named for Abel Ady. owner of the been christened the Klamath Queen swamp land through which the rail­ began work yesterday ... will follow road crossed the Klamath Straits. the small dredge and finish the fill. January 28th: "The steam shovel The Mason Company dredge bas finished the cut through Reames Hill made \12 mile of cut across the marsh Tuesday. and is in view of the city. and has 21h miles to make ... Tom One more small cut ... shovel then Sawyers, sub contractor, is finishing to move to grade near Upper Lake." the fill from the marsh to Reames February 4th: "Marsh Grade Half Hill. Done. Three dredges working across "No more stages. All rail and boat the marsh . . . Starting point at service to this city begun ew Years Holland ... Big dredge brings up rear Day. Fair to Weed which was $5.90 and fi nishes the grade ready for rail . reduced to $5.00. Passengers allowed It has worked 30 day and the work is 150 lbs. baggage." half fin ished.

55 ··. . . evident that the railroad will is completed from terminus on across extend north. Work is now being done the channel and is progressing across along the water front of Upper Lake. the marsh. " Clearing of sagebrush beyond the April 15th: ·'Steel gang i busy lay­ Hanks (Pelican City) farm ... 100 ing rail across the marsh. They should men working the fill already made to reach Midland within a week." near the Steam laundry. 3 to 11 cars April 22nd: " ... Railroad Day are used to keep up with the steam committee heads: D. B. Campbell, shovel. " grounds; W. H. Dolbeer, commissary; February lith: "The survey crew of Harry Stilts, barbecue; Judge Noland, IS men have finished the survey from law and order; H . C. Telford. water Klamath Marsh (near present Mid­ carnival; Alex Martin and Frank Ira land) a distance of 40 miles to north­ White. finances; J. Frank Adams. ern end of lake . . . too much snow to Marshal of the Day. make much progress. " A mail clerk is to be placed on the "Survey crew of 20 finish the pre­ train Monday." liminary survey from Alturas to April 29th: "0. B. Gates of the Klamath Falls .. , Light & Water Company has been February 18th: " Saturday was the told to be ready to furnish water at biggest day for freight, 12 carloads the depot grounds for engines of the unloaded at the dock at Holland, then construction crew on next Monday on to Klamath Falls by barge. Will evening. Now they have to run to average two carloads a day this Dorris every day. The first train will week ... Business booming .. , reach here Monday, May 3rd. Gates is March 4th: " Dredge reaches putting in a temporary line from Main Midland on Thursdav (first one), the near the laundry. mammoth dredge which is finishing is "Railroad Day will be June 7th ... 3000 feet behind. It will take about Everyone is coming. We suggest farm­ two weeks to finish. ,. ers bring camping equipment ... The March 18th: " .. . 19 surveyors railroad reached Midland at noon complete survey to south of Carr Tuesday with its rails. Two engines Ranch (Malin). They will move camp with ballasting crew followed the steel from this city to the south end of Tule gang across the marsh." Lake ... Merrill will be on the main May 6th: "Mr. and Mrs. Laurence line." Ainsworth, merchant of Paisley. is at March 25th: ·'Get Ready for Rail­ the Lakeside Inn, having returned road. The time has arrived to make !rom San Francisco where he had his plans for a celebration. This is usu­ summer stock of goods shipped via ally done by driving a golden spike. Klamath Falls ... 7000 pounds. the "The Marsh Grade is practically first large shipment for Paisley has completed ... All low spots are filled arrived here." between Ady and Midland . . . grade May 13th: " Passenger service finished this side of the marsh and begins on Wednesday May 19th. Also equipment is being moved to the grade the first passenger train to leave between Hot Springs and Upper Klamath Falls will be on May 19th ... Lake." Office cars are to be moved from Ady April 8th: " A large crew started lay­ to Klamath Falls on Tuesday . . . ing rails at Ady Saturday night . . . ballast to be used is cinders from the Worked all night and today the track hill near McDoel (Kegg Pit), the finest

56 Klamath Country citizens debarking from the Steamer Klamath ot Ady landing on her lost trip. This group was also the first possengen to meet and ride the first passenger troln Into Klamath Foils on May 20. 1909. Maude Baldwin Photo on the Pacific Coast . . . Celebration Martin, Sr. to be held June 2nd. The railroad is "First Train Accident. E. J. Com­ within a mile and a haU of Klamath stock. the nephew of Superintendent Falls. People are out with their glasses of Construction on the Western looking at the train as it is in view of Union was run down by a work train the city. and sustained a broken knee joint . .. A mass meeting was held at The engine came up behind him and the Court House about the celebra­ he was compelled to jump into a tion. A committee raised $287 bring­ ditch. ing the fund for the celebration to "Big Force at Work. Over 200 men $788.00 cash received. In addition are working on the depot grounds. some people subscribed an amount of employed by Hoey, Chief of Construc­ $2287 to be paid in monthly install­ tion. Erickson & Peterson employ 175. ments over a period of one year.·· Hot Springs Improvement Company May 20th: "Railroad Day has been has 15 men and several teams macad­ changed to June 14th. as requested by amizing Spring Street to the depot Southern Pacific. The earlier date grounds. Also constructing sidewalks coniLicted with the Rose Festival in along Old Fort Road and down Spring Portland." Street. Engineer Zumwalt has a crew May 27th: ·· ... The entire City platting some property. The Street welcomed the first train. More than Car Company is employing 12 to 15 100 people went b y the Steamer men extending the street car line. The Klamath last T hursday (20thl to Adv Light & Water Company is working where they met the tr~in and rode t~ 15 to 20 men and a half dozen teams Klamath Falls on the first train. They on improvement work. All because of took their lunches and ate in the shade the railroads arrival. Some time ago of box cars on piles of ties. Some the town would have been excited but excursionists from Dorris were on the now takes all the activity as a matter train besides the regular passengers. of course. A band accompanying Peterson "Plans are going big for the Cele­ Brothers theatrical troupe played, bration, Bald win & Baldwin, the adding to the excitement. All business plumbers. completed a coffee pot that was suspended in the City. School was holds 85 gallons. M.J.B. Coffe·e house closed ... the Klamath Military Band will supply 250 pounds of coffee ... played at the depot. About 1200 June 3rd: "The Railroad Day pa­ greeted the train. People who have rade will have Indians in war togs, resided here for 20 years or more who Cowboys in typical costume, stage rode on the first train were Mr. and coaches, wagon trains and automo­ Mrs. A. L. Leavitt, J. M. Fountain. biles in that order. Miss Laurinda Sauber, Mrs. Amanda "Train henceforth will leave Weed Hamaker, Mamie Boyd , Mr. a nd on a new schedule which went into Mrs. J. G. Schallock. Mr. and Mrs. effect May 29th. Leaves Weed 1:15 Fred Melhase, Mr. and Mrs. C. R. PM. arrives in Klamath Falls 5:35 Dunlap, Mr. & Mrs. Wm. A. Wright, PM. Leaves Klamath Falls at 7:40 Mr. and Mrs. W. F. Arant, Mrs. AM. reaches Weed 12:01 PM." R. A. Oliver, Miss Maude Baldwin, June 17th: "Railroad Day was fitly R. S. Moore, J. A. Uerlings, Mr. & celebrated. The weather was good. Mrs. J. V. Houston. Merle Houston. All parts of the county were well Ky Taylor, C. I. Roberts and Alec represented. Many people from the

58 Bay area also attended, two special starting the Natron Branch in the trains coming from that area . . . future ... Weighs 300 ton ... Hen­ Mayor Sanderson gave the welcoming derson Company of Oakland, Cali­ address to nearly 2000 people. Judge fornia has the contract to move. H. H. Griffith on behaU of Klamath County Henderson arrived in the city last also gave a speech. 3000 enjoyed the night . . . Will take six weeks to barbecue, devouring 21 quarters of move . . . will be moved on rollers . . . beef ... Chairman Dolbeer and Ed si.x carloads of equipment will be used McCornack with 300 assisting were to move the dredge. It will eventually busy every minute. The evening water be moved to Klamath Marsh to throw carnival was a great success. All up embankment for the railroad. hotels were full and many homes (According to Frank McCornack, Jr., opened their rooms to visitors, and the Klamath Queen was eventually everyone was accommodated." bought by his father Frank McCor­ J~e 24th: "Railroad work is stead­ nack. Sr., for use in diking the Cale­ ily progressing north from the City. It donia Marsh on the West Side of is reported that the railroad will go to Upper Klamath Lake and to seal off Sprague River (approximately present the land later known as the Geary day Chiloquin). More work is to be Ranch).'' done on the railroad grounds here ... September 23rd: " The Klamath and soon work will commence on a Queen is now at or near the Winema depot and freight depot. Landing on Upper Lake, where it will "It is reported on authority but not be re-caulked. Several houses were officially, that the contract has been moved after the dredge had dredged let for a 25 mile extension to Sprague her way from her morrage in Lake River (Chiloquin) ... along Upper Ewauna to solid ground. The houses Lake, around Modoc Point, crossing were later replaced by the contractor.,. the Reservation and Williamson September 28th: "The Klamath River, thence to Sprague River ... Queen was launched and christened The cut above Klamath Falls will be on Upper Lake ... Captain Totten completed in July. The roadbed is took the public to the affair on the ready for the sidetracks along the Winema. " water front. ,. October 28th: " A. H. May of San July 29th: "Paisley. Plush, Bly and Francisco is here to open negotiations Bonanza are among the towns now to bring the Western Union into this shipping through this city. Manager city. He held a conference with Mayor Kenyon. manager of the transporta­ Sanderson and some of the council for tion system reports they loaded out permission to place poles on the streets. two eight-horse teams for Plush, He hopes to have the line into town by Oregon with 26,000 pounds of freight; December.·· two six-horse teams for Paisley with December 16th: " At a special meet­ 21,000 pounds; two four-horse teams ing of the City Dads, it was decided for Bly with 16.000 pounds and one to give Western Union the right to four-horse team to Bonanza. In addi­ place poles on Klamath Avenue and tion, eight carloads of wool have gone not on Main Street, as there would out with 40 more to go." be too many wires on Main when the August 5th: " ... Moving the trolley is electrified. (However, as we Klamath Queen from Lake Ewauna to have seen. the trolley was never Upper Lake in preparation toward eleclrified, but soon abandoned I."

59 Construction of the railroad cut north of Hot Springs Addition to Klomoth Foils In 1909.

Barrels of spikes ond roils stored south of Pelican City awaiting continuance of roll rood exten· sion north from Klamath Foils. First Shlppington sawmill on Upper Klomoth Loke in background. F. M. Priest Photo

60 Dynamite stared, awaiting the big shot ot Rattle Snoke Point (Algoma) on April 16th, 1910. F. M. Priest Photo

Construction crew preparing the railroad bed ot Rattle Snake Point (Algoma). Part of Upper Klamath lake in background. F. M. Priest Photo

61 December 30th: " ... 14 ship build­ of the railroad which has been under ers from Oakland have arrived to construction for some time (near build the hull for the huge dredge for Algoma) ... the Southern Pacific on Upper Lake. " The Steamer Klamath is to be The machinery is being manufactured moved to the Upper Lake by Mr. R. at Stockton. California ... the hull is Doty on two railroad flat cars." to be 50 x 100 feet and will nearly May 19th: ". . . three big trucks for double the Klamath Queen. Meadow Lake Lumber Company were ·•. . . Erickson & Peterson are unloaded Thursday (19th). They will engaged in clearing the right of way be used for hauling lumber from the beyond Modoc Point ... " mill near S~\'an Lake to their plant on South Sa:th Street. They weigh 10,000 pounds each and will be pulled 1910 by a traction engine. Thev cost $950 Republican. January 6th: "The big a piece. and the freight a~ounted to steam shovels are slowly making head­ $500 more for the three." way on the railroad cut a mile or so J une 2nd: "The 20 H. P. tug-boat above Shippington." A. C. McNeil arrived by rail from San January 27th: "The railroad con­ Francisco and was unloaded at Hanks tractor are putting in a monster blast Landing (Pelican City). It was former­ at Rattlesnake Point. We are informed ly used by the Southern Pacific at that two carloads of powder will be Great Salt Lake and around San used to lilt a va t area of earth and Francisco Bay." rock. The blasting in the vicinity of June 9th: ''The Steamer Klamath Terminal City, (near present Pelican was launched on the Upper Lake on Citv) i o heavv as to shake the Tuesday (7th) ... hou"ses in the northern additions and ". . . The Eastern Oregon Land make the windows rattle." Company, owners of the Willamette March 24th: " ... fini hing touches Valley and Cascade Mountain Wagon have finally been put on the depot ... Road lands, has Iiled a suit to stop the final cost was nearly $40.000 construction on the Oregon & Eastern instead of the estimated cost of Railroad out of Vale (headed west $20.000 ....• across Central Oregon to join the March 31st: "The loading of the big proposed Natron Cutoff)."' shot at Rattlesnake Point starts today Evening Herald. July 8th: "G. S. and will continue for about a week. As Allen arrived last night, says will start there are about 360 feet of tunneling a stage line between Klamath Falls to be filled with powder, about 50 tons and Bend Saturday morning. Will will be used in the shot." make two round trips each week . . . April 7th ..... the new depot was distance 152 miles will take l 2 hours. used for the first time on Monday Has five-passenger machine. brought 14th) ..... two passengers with him this time. April 14th: ". . . a 5. 000 pound shot Route will take in Rosland (La Pine), was fi red near Brooks construction Crescent and the new townsite of camp at Modoc Point on Monday Crater Citv which has just been laid (11 th). The Rattlesnake Point shot out at Bea~er Marsh. Allen. who came will be fired on Saturday (16th) ... " from Portland, bought property at April 21st: ..... the machinery has Crescent and will build a garage there. arrived for the big 100 foot barge east Headquarters here will be the Liver- 62 more Hotel and Baldwin Garage. He of town . . . Erickson & Peterson are says work on the railroad between now laying one mile per day . . . to Bend and Crescent is going day and be within one mile of Sprague River night (a very confusing statement, (Chiloquin) by December lOth ... since the first train did not arrive in there is considerable steam shovel Redmond, Oregon until September ll, work one-hall mile south of Sprague 1911 and the Golden Spike ceremony River which will be reached by did not take place in Bend, Oregon January 1st . . . when the new steel until October 5, 1911. Further the bridge will be erected. the abutments Oregon Trunk did not start south from for which are already in. It is 30 miles Bend until 1927). Southern Pacific to Sprague River. where the rails put on a new force of engineers on the will be within one mile or the head· Natron Cutoff between Springfield quarters on the new contract.·· and Crescent this week.'' July 14th: "The new townsites of 1911 Corral Springs and Wakefield are being platted on the Oregon Trunk Evening Herald. May 1st: "The big line. Lots to be on sale in six weeks. dredge moved down from terminal late The new townsites are owned by the Saturday afternoon and took a posi· Central Oregon I mprovement Com· tion where the new milling plant (Peli· pany which also owns the town of can Bay Lumber Company) is to be Crescent. Corral Springs is 18 miles located 1;2 mile above Shippington. south of Crescent. Wakefield is named (This indicates that all railroad filling after the company's general agent between Rattlesnake Point and Bar· L. F. Wakefield, and is 28 miles south clay Springs had been completed).·· (near Beaver Marsh). Wakefield is on May 30th: "Within 30 days work the Oregon Trunk about 300 yards will commence on the construction of east of the Southern Pacific and will the first logging road to operate in be a rival o£ Crater City. recently the timber on the shores of the upper platted by a Mr. Killenger of Seattle. Klamath Lake. The road is to be built Crater is % of a mile west of the and operated by the Pelican Bay Oregon Trunk line and one mile west Lumber Company. They have pur· of the Southern Pacific on the former chased 103,000,000 feet and will begin L. Pool ranch who conducted a stop­ logging this summer . . . will build ping place here a nunilier of years.·· about three miles of track. A dredge July 25th: " J . H . Wenandy (of will soon begin work on a big ditch Bend) brought stock to be used by the about Y2 mile long in which logs wiU Oregon Trunk engineers working at be dumped ... before November three different camps near Odessa. 21st. A 28 ton Shay locomotive and 10 Indian Church near Fort Klamath Russell 60,000 pound capacity logging and Rocky Ford on Williamson River. cars will soon be barged across the A sounding party is at work on the lake. Next year more cars will be lake also." added." R epublican. September 22nd: " ... August 22nd: " Although the South· 100 yards left on the fill between ern Pacific line between Weed and Rattlesnake Point and Barkley this city has been open two years, the Springs .. , company has already renewed the November 24th: " .... rails are now track, replacing the 60-pound steel laid for a distance of 12 miles north rails first laid with 80-pound rails ...

63 Traffic on the branch from Weed kept custody of the new part comes tomor­ up very well from the time of the row. The station at the end of the line opening of the line. and has been has been named Kirk, although there especially heavy during the warm is no building at that point. There is seasons. With the extension of the line 12 miles of new line involved in the to Chiloquin there was an added transfer. demand on the facilities and strength "It could not be ascertained whether of the Weed-Klamath Falls line, so the work on this end of the cutoff, in that it has been kept pretty busy meet­ the neighborhood of the Williamson ing the demands of the traffic. It is in river would be resumed this year. It is prime condition now. with its rock known that a construction train. with ballast and 60-pound rails, and trains about 40 men for work, has been coming over it ride as smoothly as located at Wocus, the first station they do on the main line. In fact, the above Klamath Falls, and that mate­ line from Weed will be a part of the rial has been loaded by the crew, but ultimate main line when the cut-ofl via for what purpose in view, could not be Klamath Falls and Natron is com­ ascertained" pleted. Republican. September 5th: "T hir­ " Much of the 60-pound steel teen and one half more miles to the removed from the local division has Natron-Klamath branch of the South­ been sold, and last night at 8:25 ern Pacific, in Oregon, will be open to o'clock there arrived a work train the traveling public next Friday, with a consignment of rails which it September 6th. This new piece of had picked up during the day along track to be opened runs from Chilo­ the road to be delivered to the Algoma quin to Kirk, and will be under the Lumber company on its extension jurisdiction of the Shasta division. from the mill at Algoma to the woodlS "A weekly mixed service will be (along Old Fort Road). Part of the established in the beginning, a better rails for this work were brought by and more frequent service to be given the lumber company from Pokegama from time to time as the business war­ off the old Pokegama logging road, rants. The fare from Klamath Falls to when the mill was removed from Kirk. the end of the line, will be Pokegama to Algoma. $1.65; to Sprague (now located north " All told, the lumber company has of M eva a few miles) and Meva (north bought nearly three miles of 56-pound of Chiloquin), intermediate stations rails from the Southern Pacific com­ $1.45 and $1.35 respectively." pany, the purchase to date aggregating September 19th: " The railroad 14,000 feet." construction camp of Erickson & August 22nd, also: "On Sunday Peterson has been taken over by the (18th) the extension of the Southern new sawmill company. the first pri­ Pacific's Klamath Falls-Natron cutoff vate owned mill on the Indian Reser­ between Chiloquin and Williamson vation. The new mill is located about river was officially turned over to the 3 miles north of Chiloquin on the rail­ operating department of the railroad road. W. I. Clark's Chiloquin Lumber by the engineering department. Ass 't Company. ]. W. Newhart, General engineer H. P. Hoey has notified Manager.'' Chief engineer Wm. Hood of the read­ Evening Herald. October 9th: "The iness of the new stretch of track for railroad is completed from the lake at use, and the formal transfer of the Pelican Bay into the timber. About

64 one million feet of logs are now decked pump are already here. and will be ready to be hauled by the cars as soon installed soon. as they arrive, which will probably be "It is reported here as soon as the this week." water tank is ready for use that the October 25th: "Chiloquin-A crew work train will make their stop at of Southern Pacific men began work Chiloquin. instead of having to run on Mondav on the foundation for the into Klamath Falls every night. new depot. The building is to he a "Another railroad camp is being combination passenger and freight established two miles bevond the old depot, and will be two stories. camps. The new camp will be 12 miles "The water tank has been com­ north of Chiloquin (Kirk ? ). This pleted, the men are now finishing the would indicate that work is to con­ laying of pipe to carry the water from tinue this winter on the extension of the river to the tank. The engine and the line. "

Chapter IX All New Construction Halted

1912 rushing their work at Vale ... 3.000 men to be put to work by about July Republican. February 29th: " ... lst. 15 miles of roadbed are now com­ 25 workmen have arrived from pleted west of Vale.·· Dunsmuir. They are to be engaged in July 4th: " . . . Four new towns are enlarging the Southern Pacific freight contemplated by the Southern Pacific depot. Company north of Kirk. Several high "Erickson and Peterson, the con­ railroad officials left Portland recently tractors who built to Williamson river in a Pope-Hartford roadster to view (Kirk) are packing up their belong­ the country around Fish, Odell and ings. It looks as ii there will be no Crescent Lakes. They are now in the work on this end of the Natron cutoff vicinity of Lonroth (Beaver Marsh). this summer." "Loruoth is the first town north of March 28th: The Oregon & Eastern the Klamath Indian Reservation, and Railway Company under whose name is 75 miles north of Klamath Falls. the northern end of the Natron Cut­ "There are now 1500 men employed off was being constructed by the clearing right-of-way between Hazel­ Southern Pacific Company was dell (below Oakridgel and the summit. reported to have deeded this line to "There are 60 men now working at the Centra] Pacific for $250,000 "only the Williamson river bridge crossing a small part of its value . . . " The above Kirk, near a small swamp Modoc Northern was also deeded to which will require a Y2 mile fill to the Central Pacific. This line leads reach solid ground." from the Central Pacific Railroad at August 22nd: " Chiloquin's new Fernley, Nevada. via Pyramid and $5000 depot was opened Tuesday Honey Lakes to Susanville and it was (20th) . . . hi-daily trains will be run planned to extend it northward to between Chiloquin a nd Klamath connect with the Natron. Falls." May 9th: "The Oregon & Eastern is November 21st: "Trains to Chiloquin

65 Scene at Kirk , Oregon, some twelve miles north of Chiloquin, during its boom days around the 1920 period. Shown are the Kirk Store (left) and Hotel Kirk. Nothing remains today.

Unidentified (possibly Algomo) logging camp near Kirk in the 1920 period.

66 Algoma's camp cookhouse neor Kirk in 1924.

An Ohio Crone moving Algomo Comp o t Kirk in 19U.

67 will run on Mondays and Friday . railroad south of Keno i now being H eretofore thev have also run ·on torn up and the rails will be trans­ Wedne day . ." . Kirk. the pre ent ferred to another location ... terminal of the railroad. is served onlv on Fridays." . 1915 1913 Evening Herald. January 16: "The "Squaw Limited.' as som ~ stvle the R epublican. September 5th: " The train operating between h e~e and first carload of fi sh for Klamath Kirk. met with a mishap at Chiloquin stream arrived thi week.·· yesterday. The engine jumped the eptember 16th: .. . . . ince the track. and it wa not until a late hour outhern Pacific's lease of the Oregon­ last night that it reached Klamath California Railroad has but l 3 year Falls. to run ... Engineer H. L. Randall i .. orne say the snow wa responsible scanning the mountains about Odell for the misha p. Other say that the for a temporary line to connect the mogul became disgusted over the fail­ Natron cutoff to Klamath Falls ... ure of the Southern Pacific to extend October 23rd: .. Julius Kruttschnilt, the line on to Natron, but at any rate, Chairman of the Southern Pacific it jumped. and it took much perstta­ Company. and successor to E. H. sion and cussing to get it back in its Harriman . . . here from an Fran­ proper place." cisco . . . tates the railroad north 'to Ap~il l4th-: "The Gilchri t Tirnher connect with Bend ... The Klamath Company is in the proce of concen­ Falls- atron is not probable within trating their timber to the north in this the next three vears. · ., countv. and Shevlin to the south from December 30th: ''The afternoon Bend:" train from Weed which arrived at 4:45 April 21st: "Shevlin thinks possibly PM and left at 5:30 has been sus­ they will build a railroad outh to their pended . . . Passengers must now timber holdings ... leave on the morning train to Weed ... Jul v 17th: ''The Ewauna Box Company shipped 10 cars of box shooks thi morning. Their payroll at 1914 present amounts to S6000 ... Evening Herald. November 14th: 1916 "' A large crew of men is at work on the grade (the Algoma Incline) for the E vening Herald. January 24th: new logging road of the Algoma Lum­ ''For the past two days snow has ber Company. This railway climbs the blockaded the Weed Railroad near the mountain back of Algoma. near the town of Weed . .. Two Ita lian old Hagelstein place. and wi ll range laborers were standing on top of the from thirty to sixty degrees in incline. snow cut when it collapsed, propelling William Uhrman is in charge of the them into the rotary blades of the construction work. A cable system will snow plow. They were killed be u ed in logging: switche . etc .. in tantl~. ·· being provided for. A large body of July 15th: "There will be two timber will be tapped b~ the new passenger trains daily from Weed. line... beginning the 18th. One will leave December 1st: '"The Ackley logging Klamath Falls at 8:00 AM and arrive

68 at Weed at ll :2;) AM. The ne" Shippington. a\\aiting removal of the train will leaw Klamath Falls at 12:00 ice on the canal before they can be noon and arrive at Weed at :3 :15 PM. dumped.·· Trains will leave Weed at 12:50 after May 1':": ··1 :300 head of cattle noon and arrive at Klamath Falls at unload ed at the local ~ard s from 3:35 PM. The other will leave Weed Southern California, sine(' it costs too at 4:1 5 PM and arrive at Klamath much to unload at Chiloquin. Some of Falls at 7:45 PM.·· these cattle had originallv b een July 20th: "Work is to commence shipped from here. Lack of feed neces­ soon on the strel bridge over Sprague sitated their being shipped to this river at Chiloquin. It is to replace the vicinity. old one built five years ago. The new Auf!ust 24th: "'The engine of the bridge is to cost in the neighborhood Klamath Logging and Timber Com­ of $3000. ·· pany Ia P elican Bay Lumber Com­ J ulv 26th: "The first automobile to pany subsidiary! was wrecked near reach. Crater Lake this season was the Odessa. T he only injury wa!' a sprained stage from Kirk, with six passengers ankle su.Ifered by the engineer . . . from Klamath Falls. Several cars from The brakes on the engine gave way on Medford. thinking they would be first. a steep wade ... arrived shortly after the stage. Trains October :31st: ·· ... the new logging now run to Kirk on Monday. Wednes­ railroad nortl1 of Kirk toward Crescent dav and Frida\.·· for about 2;) miles Ito Bear Creek) October 21~t: ""Beginning October will be constructed by the Pelican Bay 23rd. trains will run to Chiloquin and Lumber Company with a branch (near return on M ondav. Tuesda,·. Wednes­ Scott Creek I for the Algoma Lumber day. Thursday. Friday and Saturday. Company ... leaving here at 9:00 AM and returning at 12:50 PM. On friday each week they will trave l to Kirk. leaving 1918 Klamath Falls at 9:00AM and return­ Evening Herald. May 8th: ·· ... ing at 1:30 PM. 00 train leaves Klamath Falls 10:45 December lst: "J oe Ringo and fam­ AM. Chelsea 10:45. Wocus 11:06. il y of Crescent were recently com­ Algoma 11 : ~0. Om:y lJ :33, Harriman pelled to travel to Bencl. thence to Lodge l 1 :45. M odoc P oint 11:48. Portland. south to Weed. then back to Lobert l~:OL Chiloquin 12:1 : . Pine Klamath Falls. Ordinarily the stage Ridge 12:30. M eva 12:33. Sprague runs between F o rt Klamath and 12:42, Kirk 1:00 PM. Lea ves Kirk Crescent . . . the only habitation in I: 10. arrives Klamath Falls 3:20. ·· between being at the ] ohn Knott Jnlv 31st: ·· ... forest fires near ranch at Beaver Marsh. This road is Kirk ·. . . Sand Creek most serious ... blocked as soon as snow flies. unless threatening holdings of the P elican the wayfarer wishes to break trail <>4 Bay Lu mber Company. The entire miles. Ringo has a homestead and ran crews of Pelican Bay. Algoma and the tbe hotel which recently burned at train crews fighting ... Spink's camp Crescent. 00 out fighting . . . fires are in an area 1917 25 miles long by 20 miles wide." August lOth: .. Commissary building Evening Herald. March 27th: ·· ... and office of the Kirk Lumber Com­ train load of logs on the siding at pany at Kirk burns. according to

69 H. L. Swift of that concern ... with only the tracks cleared off . . . groceries and supplies lost, at an esti­ train came up behind ... they tried mated value of $1000 . .. happened at to out run the train which tried to slow breakfast time yesterday ... thought down . . . they got off their horses, to have been caused by an overheated and scrambled up the sides of the stove." cut . . . the horses were run down and so injured they were compelled to be 1919 killed. " Evening Herald. April lOth: ''The Southern Pacific is to build a new 1920 round house, size unknown . . . the first carload to arrive consisted of win­ Evening Herald. March 27th: " Af­ dows. frames and shingles. •· ter April lst, the Southern Pacific will May 2nd: ''A new industry ... four resume passenger train service to carloads of block wood went out to­ Kirk . .. at present one mixed train day. plus a number yesterday. In all, daily." 28 cars have now been shipped this season. " 1921 May 8th: "The Natron cutoff or any other line will not be considered 1922 until the government lets the Hoes Evening Herald. January 21st: " It revert to the railroads after the take­ is uncertain whether a telephone over during the war." service between Klamath Falls and May 9th: "Logging on the West side Bend will be constructed this of Upper Klamath Lake will be com­ year ... " pleted at the end of this season ... January 23rd: " ... 40° below zero Pelican Bay Lumber Company has 12 at Martin near Kirk on the 19th." miles of logging road built from Kirk January 28th: ''The logging road and will build another eight miles being built to Calimus Butte has five more this year . . . in addition to the to six miles completed out of a total of main line. a number of spurs are to be 19 miles ... " constructed . . . The company owns July 7th: " Completion of Cutoff 1f2 billion feet in that neighborhood, seems to be Certain. The completion which will take 10 years to log at the of the so-called Natron cutoff, making present rate." the Klamath Falls district tributary to October 1st: '"A car shortage has Portland, and giving western Oregon a existed for several weeks, made worse new and more direct line to Sao Fran­ by the tunnel blockade at Kennet. Big cisco and other California towns, is Lakes, Ewauna, Klamath Manufac­ apparently assured for the state, no tltring Company box factories were matter what may be the ultimate out­ compelled to shut down. Chelsea has come of the present fight between the enough cars for a day or two . . . Southern Pacific and the Union Pacific Southern Pacific says cars are starting systems for the control of the Central to move." Pacific lines, says the Oregonian. December 16th: " ... Walter " Officials of both the Southern Campbell and Gene Childers, Langell Pacific and the Union Pacific systems Valley cattlemen, were riding their have pledged themselves to the com­ horses in the railroad cut this side of pletion of the cutoff in case they Kirk. which was drifted fuJI of snow, should gain possession of the Central 70 ...... ~ I

logging train headed for Kirk. At least six diHerent firms had logging rullroads into Kirk during the 1920s. This line has been identified as belonging to Pelican Bay, leading from the Pot Hole, Bear Creek, or Diamond lake Highway jj138 vici nity. Paciiic. At the same time it was de­ miles of the line to be constructed in clared b' railroad men that. if the order to complet t> tht> cutoff. which Central i>acific should be made inde­ avoids the iskivou mounta ins a nd pendent or the other two lines. it could gives an easy grade route between the not operate in Oregon territory suc­ Willa mette valley and California cessfully without the completion of points. the cutoff. ''Tht> work so far completed on the " As a consequence the expenditures cutoff cost in the neighborhood of o£ at least $12.000.000 in railroad S1 1. 500.000. and the Southern Pacific construction in Oregon. the amount officials estimate that it would require required to complete the cutoff. is an additional $12.000.000 to complete apparently assured. In addition to a it. pled ge to complete the Natron cutoff. " The line which the o utht>rn Southern Pacific offi cials have likewise Pacific proposes to put in from K hu~\­ declared that. if they should be given ath Falls outhward. connecting up the control of the Central Pacific line • with the line between an Francisco they would also complete a stretch of and Ogden. has a link of about 70 line between Klamath Falls and West­ miles still uncompleted. This uncom­ wood Juncti on. California. thus pleted portion lies between Klamath linking up with the Central Pacific Falls and Westwood Junction. The line leading to Ogden. Utah. completion of that a nd the cutoff " On the other hand. the Union would give a new route for ending Pacific ha declared that. in ca e it freight originating in western Ort>gon should receive the control of the lines points eastward via Ogden. in controver y. in addition to the com­ ":--.lo action can be expected on any pletion of the cutoff. it would extend of this construction work until the lines through Central Oregon. J ust matter of a rehearing in the United what thi latter would mean i not tates Supreme Court has been ettled definitely known. and the Interstate Commerce Com­ ·'The Natron cutoff is a portion or mission has had a chance to act on its the Central Pacific system the posses­ plan for the grouping of railways of sion of which is now contested. and its the country. construction was originally started in ''The United States Supreme Court 1905. a line being extended at that recently found that the merger of the time through Weed. California north­ Southern Pacific and the Central ward to Klamath Falls and later to Pacific lines was contrary to the anti­ Kirk. in Klama th county. I n 1907 trust law and issued a n order for work was started on the northern end divorcing those two lines. This order of the proposed line. whjch extended has been held in abeyance for 60 days through atron as far as Oakridge. to give the Southern Pacific system Oregon, thus connecting up with opportunity to file a petition for a Springfield and the Southern Pacific rehearing. lines operating in the Willame tte "In the meantime the Union Pacific Valley. svstem has announced its intention of " l n 1913. when the suit was started combating the right of the Southern to dissolve the merger existing between Pacific to the control of the Central the outhern Pacific and the Central Pacific lines. P acific. work on the cutoff wa "The controversy over the control of stopped. There still remains about 90 the Central Pacific will come up at a -,_., hearing before the Interstate Com­ and down the San J oaquin Vallies. the merce Commission. probably in Union Pacific will completely dom­ October. The transportation act of inate the transportation situation of 1920 gave that body authority to the Pacific Coast. group the major railroad of tbe " 'With the Union Pacific at Los country into a series of systems. Angeles. the Union Pacific at San Whether that body would have a right Francisco and the Northern Pacific at to go contrary to a ruling of the Portland. tl1e Santa Fe. the Western United States Supreme Court is a Pacific and what wonld be left of the matter for legal controversy." Southern Pacific would be completely. January 17th: ''T wo Railroads Give overshadowed. We would have a situ­ Views. San Francisco. July 17th-The ation not merely against the public public interest is the test by which the interest of the P acific coast but also Sou thern Pacific-Central Pacific directly in the fa ce of the Transporta­ problem will ultimately b e solved. tion act of 1920. which provides Ior a Max Thelan. former president of the Limited number of strong railroad sys­ railroad commission of California told tems competing with one another on members of the San Francisco Elec­ terms of snbstantial equality. trical Development League at a " 'While it is easy for a railroad luncheon here recently. which is trying to break into a terri­ ·' 'The railroad commission of Cali­ tory to make promises to spend mil­ fornia decided in 1913 under the lions of dollars. we must remember presidency of John M. Eshteman. that that at the present time n o such the tearing of the Central Pacific expenditures can be made without the properties from the Southern P acific consent of the Interstate Commerce would clearly be against the interests Commission; that the commission ·s of the people of California.' said Mr. policy is against wasteful duplication Thelan. 'Such dismemberment. the of expenditures and that in the long commission found, would not merely run tbe pttblic pays (or every dollar have a tendency, to increase rates bu.t thus expended. also would cause delays. losses, incon­ ·· 'California is justly proud of her veniencies and serious deterioration of marvelous development. Let us not the service. both freight and passen­ forget the leading part which our ger. These conclusions were sound in existing railroads have taken and are 191 3 and they are equally sound taking in that development. When an today. outside railroad now makes its facile ·• 'The Union P acific's part in this promises and stands eagerly by but matter has heretofore received inade­ ready to pounce upon the dismem­ quate consideration. The Union Paci­ bered form of our pioneer railroad. let fic already has a line from Ogden to us Californians remember to protest Los Angeles a nd another line from and to be just to our own railroads Ogden to Portland with running rights which have helped so mightily to up­ into Seattle, and owns a steamship line build California.' ·· from Portland to San Francisco. U the San Francisco. J uly 17- ·'Senator Union Pacific now takes the Central Phipps o f Colorado and Senator Pacific-Ogd en line away from the Capper of Kansas introduced in the Southern P acific thus entering San United States senate several petitions Francisco, and also takes away Cen­ from their respective states favoring tral Pacific lines up the Sacramento the enforcement of the supreme court 73 decree in the Central Pacific-Southern sumer of the great agricultural states Pacific merger-unmerger case. accord­ of the middle-west have easv and effi­ ing to the annoucement here today by cient traffic relations with. Southern Fred G. Athern, western council for California. and with Oregon and the Union Pacific Railroad Company. Washington. but they are under harm­ h al restraint in their tra£ric dealings "The e petitions. Athern said his with central and northern California. telegraphic advices bowed. came "They would like to have their arti­ from widely separated points in Colo­ [icial and unnatural restraints elimi­ rado and Kansas. They urged the nated. restraints that at present are carrying out of the decree of the exercised for the purpo e o£ aiding the Supreme court on the ground that the Southern Pacific's long freight haul separation of the Central Pacilic from across the continent by way of its outhern Pacific control would make un et route. T hi. is why they are it po ible for the Central Pacific to be petitioning their repre Pntatives in joined to the Union Pacific and thus congress to stand for the upholding make certain improvement. following of the supreme court's interpretation greater volume of traffic of service on of the law and its findings as to the the Union P acific transcontinental line fact.·· traversing these states. December 11th: "The evening train ''The people of these middle-western to Kirk is to be stopped. and retttrned state who are supporting the supreme to the old schedule of last spring. court'' aid Athern. " give expression From Weed through to Kirk for the to another motive which mav interest last time Thursday . . . Beginning the people of California. lt is their Friday it leaves here at 8:00 and re­ hope, as it is their expressed wish, that turns at 12:30. The freight leaves at central and northern California will be H: 10 and returns in the afternoon. The drawn into closer interest with the local to Weed keeps it arne schedule. state ea t of the rockie . Under leaving here at 10: I0 AM and arrivi n ~r present conditions producer and con- at 6:4:> PM ...

Chapter X New Construction Resumes P aul. June 11 th: The decision ha 1923 been reached by the federal circuit Evening Herald. June 4th: ''South ­ court of appeals to approve the order ern Pacific engineer 's headquarters of the Interstate Commerce Commis­ will be at Kirk. according to H. W. sion giving the Southern Pacific con­ Young, Assistant Engineer, who made trol of the Central Pacific. and in pection of the proposed lin e " J udge Walter H. Sanborn. who from Kirk to Odell. He turned back aid cou nsel had b een notified to at the Cascade summit. due to the appear next Monday to argue the form great depth of snow there." of decision. announced the courts June 11th: " Interstate Ruling is decision in a statement to the Asso- Sustained. Ownership of Central Paci· ciated Press as follows: fie is Awarded by Federal Court.-St. " 'The United States circuit court of

74 appeals for the eighth jucHcial di trict dent OCCLLrred oppo ite the Midland has concluded to enter a decree to the depot. ~o delay OCClLrred a~ the siding efCect that the Inter tate Commerce could be used to by-pass the wreck ... Commi sion has authorih· to authorize . August 14th: " Immediate Building and approve the control. bv lease and •s Ordered.-In tructions have bet>n stock ownership of the Central Pacific. given to start work on the Natron cut­ by the Southern Pacific.· .. off at once .. . "The department of justice recentlv "This was the statement of Julius asked the circuit court for a fin~) Krutschnitt. Chairman of Lhe South· decree carrying out the decision of the ern Pacific board. in a telegram sent United States supreme court. which to the chamber of commerce thi~ held the Southern Pacific control of morning in a reply to a query folio"­ thf' Central Pacific to be in re traint of ing pre s report ye terday that Attor­ competition and in violation of the ney General Daugherty would not file herman anti·tn•st act. The upreme an appeal to the supreme cotLrt from court issued a mandate October 17 . the St. Paul court decision. 1922 to the circuit judges to enter a "A tPlegram to the chamber this final decree requiring the Southern morning from Paul Shoupe. vice presi­ Pacific company to divest it eli of any dent of the Southern Pacific. said: control. either bv lease or stock owner­ 'The government's decision not to ship. of the Central Pacific. appeal the decision of the district court .. After the court gave tht' decision in the Central Pacific; case removes the the Interstate Commerce Commission Last obstacle to OtLr constntction of the under the provisions of the Transpor­ Natron cutoff and actual constmction tation Act of 1920. authorized the work will begin at once. We already outhern Pacific to retain its pre ent have three engineering parties in the control of the Central Pacific by a new field.· .. lease and continued stock ownership. ·· 'That's tht> best news. I hav£> upon certain conditions. h£>ard in a long time.· said H. P. " J udge Sanborn said today that the Hoey. Southern Pacific construction circuit court of appeals did not believe superintendent. who built the line the u preme court had con ide red tbe from Weed to Kirk 12 years ago. tran portation act. Hoey has a ranch near Crescent lake .. o decision has been filt'd b~ the and has been vacationing there. He i;; circuit court of appeals. Judge an­ return :ng to San Francisco today. born said. but counsel for the govern­ "Hoev had rect>ivt>d no official word ment and for the railroads have been relative· to the company's plan~. ht> notified that arguments will be heard said. and did not know whether he Monday on the form of decree it is to would have chargt> of the work as he take.·· has two jobs in California to superin­ July 11th: " T wo trainmen were tend. He said that while it was regret­ injured and six cars and the locomo­ able that the decision came so late in tive derailed this morning at 3:45 the season. much work could be done when a train of empties traveling this vear on both sides of the divide. south. crashed ipto the regular freight. and ~ock and tunnel work go forward The injured men were in the caboose in the mountain during the winter of the regular train. They had failed months despite unfavorable weather to post a rear flagman. The locomo­ conditions. tive turned completely over. The acci- "One hundred and twelve miles of

75 railroad is necessary to link Kirk and matter will now proceed in fulfillment Oakridge. according to the original of whatever pledges we made.· survey. It is probable. however. that .. With respect to the building of the this distance will be lightly shortened Natron cutoff from Kirk to Oakridge, by surveyors. four parties of which are Oregon, Sproule pointed out that the now in the field. Two parties are company had already placed surveying working on this side and two on the parties in the field for the purpose of other side of the divide. Laying out and prospecting the work The construction cost was origi· without delay. proule referred to the nally estimated at $10,000,000 but this building of a new station fa cilities will probably be considerably in· appurtenant to it at Sacramento as one creased due to the higher cost of of the important items of con truction materials. to be undertaken and said much work " Hoey said it was his opinion that was cont emplated in Nevada and construction of the Modoc Northern Utah.·· would follow about the time the August 23rd: ·· ... contractors have atron cutoff was completed. been asked to submit bids ... ·• "Southern Pacific Company by August 24th: "According to Fred A. R. E. Kelley .-San Francisco. August Baker. superintendent of the Indian 14th: (Special to the Heraldl: R e ervation. permission to grade a .. Wm. Sproule. president of the railroad north from Kirk across outhern Pacific Company. said last Indian lands has been authorized by night that it was too early to receive the Department of Interior. A down official confirmation of yesterdays payment of $5000 was made to guar· announcement through the pres that antee payment of any damage that the government will not appeal from might occur to the lands in question. the recent unanimous decision of the Further the Southern Pacific agreed to United States court at St. Paul in pay for the crossing of the Williamson which it was held that the I nterstate River logging railroad." Commerce Commission acted with October 12th: A second great rail· full authority in consenting to the lease road celebration was held in Klamath and stock ownership of the Central Falls. The first ''Railroad Day" had Pacific railroad by the Southern been held on June 14, 1909. cele· Pacific company. hrating the arrival of the first train ·· 'It is fitting at this time,· said into Klamath Falls on May 20th. of Sproule, 'that full acknowledgment be that year. This second celebration given of the friendly attitude and featuring a pageant called ''Passing of hearty. spontaneous support of the the Covered Wagon., was to celebrate newspapers. organiud commercial the resumption of railroad constntc· bodies. business men. farmers and tion from Kirk, north on the Natron traveling public and railroad men. Cuto££ toward Eugene. including our own employees and the Visiting delegations from San brotherhoods, who realized that it was Francisco. 50 Chamber of Commerce the best interests of a ll concerned that members; Sacramento, 23 C. of C. our transportation system and the members; Portland. Eugene, Medford ervice it gives the public should not and Ashland began arriving in Klam· be disrupted. ath Falls on October 11th. They were •· 'Construction work and other accommodated in many city ·homes plans hinging upon the decision of this since hotel facilities lacked the room 76 to care for them. It was e timated Stewart and Welch have control of that 9.000 people gathered for the boring the 3700 foot tunnel at the festivities held on the 12th. summit." T hese bee;an with a giant parade at 11 :00 AM, followed by an excursion 1924 on the Oregon-California & Eastern Railway to Sprague River, where a E vening Herald. J anuary lOth : golden spike was driven. A second ''Some time ago the Southern Pacific excursion was conducted by automo· made application to the United States bile to Modoc Point. Then \~ ith every­ Forest Service for a pecial permit for one reassembled, the pageant was heid railroad construction from Corral between 8:30 and 10:30 PM. Springs to the Ca cade Summit. a On October 13th. a two train special distance of 35.05 mile ... permission conducted the celebrants to Kirk. end has now been granted ... work is of rails. for the final program. Co t of under way near Beaver Marsh. Some thi railroad trip was $2.75 per person crews are in the Odell Lake sector, but for the round trip. it is not known whether on the tunnel Miss Ruth Lindsay, ''Miss Klam· approaches or clearing right-of­ ath, ,. was first presented with a beau­ way . . . snow is quite deep at the tiful pearl necklace. following which a summit." mock wedding ceremony took place. February 11th: ··contracts have all Paul De H aas. of the Portland been let except 15 miles, from near Chamber of Commerce was the bride­ Oakridge to within even miles of the groom. A. J. Bale wa the minister. summit ... as presently planned. 22 Mavor Arthur R. Wilson of Klamath tunnels will be built . . . the contract Falis was the ''Daddy.·· The brides· from Corral prings to Odell Lake, 25 maids were Inez Jenkins and Jean miles have been let to the Utah Con· M cDonald. Carl G. Washburne of struction Company ... who have 18 Eugene was the best man. car loads of building machinery and a Edgar B. Piper, of the Portland 70 ton steam shovel at Sand Creek, Oregonian was the featured speaker. the present railhead. Stewart & Welch T he closing event was the driving of have the contract for the tunnel . . . the ilver spike, superintended by east and west approaches. in all seven George W. Boschke. Chief Engineer miles. They have a large barge under of the Southern Pacific Company. construction at OdeiJ Lake ... since December 4th: "A special frieght there is not enough snow to sled train backed into the work train at equipment ahead, and not enough Kirk. The engineer of the work train. frost to hold up heavy trucks. work is T. M. Brown, was killed. He left a held up.... 100 men are clearing wife and small child in Ashland. Seri­ right-of-way." ous injuries were suffered by C. C. February 20th: "Stewart & Welch Reno. fireman and slight injuries to camp at Kirkwood (Odell Lakel ... J. R. Lilly. conductor. Lilly is from to form a mall city of 1500 to 1100 Ashland and Reno from Red Bluff.·· men by Carleton & Fuller. sub­ December 29th: "The Utah Con­ contractors. At present they have 50 struction Company of Ogden and San men constructing camps and barges." Francisco has been awarded the con­ February 26th: " Tunnel work to tract to build 32 miles of roadbed, start after March 1st ... three camps. known as Unit #3. north of Kirk. lower. middle and tunnel and ... 100

7i An elevator grader loading wagons In the lent Siding area as railroad reconstruction resumed in 1923.

..&_ ~-- , ..,.. - ... The railroad grade was built through a pumice formation between Kirk and Chemult. Pumice Is a very light substance as Indicated In this photo. 78 men at each camp ... there are no predominant geological formation. camps on the other side . . . where Lonroth (now Diamond Lake at snow is about two feet deep. A river Beaver Marsh}. Townsite laid out tug has arrived by rail at Sand Creek by the H unter Land Company and where it will be transported to Odell named for an official of the com­ by trucks . . . tons more equipment pany. and supplies to be transported when Skookun1 (later Paunina. north of conditions permit. The tunnel is on a Chemult). Named for a butte six curve and is not one inch off. The mile east. tunnel through the Alps. the largest Warko {later Tonkin. but where? l. in the world was less than one inch an Indian word meaning small off. timber. " Otto Hanson has a sub-contract Yoran, named for a mountain north from the Utah Construction Company of Diamond Peak. one mile south of Odell Lake." Dellcrest, named for the h vo lakes, March 19th: " Potts' sawmill at Crescent and Odell. Odell Lake to cut timbers for summit Fitz. named for Superintendent tunnel." Fitzgerald of the Shasta Division. July 2nd: "The terminal is now at Castop, named for tile top of the Skookum. 37 l/2 miles north of Kirk, Cascade Range. {later renamed Paunina, several miles December 11th: "Construction on north of present Chemultl. There are Southern Pacific halted on account of presently 2800 men at work on the snow. Of the 900 men employed, 300 Natron Cutoff." have been laid off." Julv 28th: ·'F. M. Stratton of Carle­ December 20th: "Southern Pacific ton and Fetters construction camp denies a division site has been chosen north of Kirkford is seeking a school at Fuego." for the camp ... 10 children of school age in the camp. Twyla Ferguson is to look into the situation ... 1925 September 4th: ''H. P. Hoey. engi­ Evening Herald. January 19th: neer in charge of construction from "Depending on the weather, three Kirk to Eugene. died at midnight last months will £inish the Utah Construc­ night at the end of rails above Oak­ tion Company contract, 29 miles south ridge from a stroke apparently. He from Odell and 12 miles east from had originally built the road from Oakridge. Stewart & Welch have 3000 Weed to Kirk. He was 61 years of age men on both ends of the tunnel." and left a wife and two children in San April 8th: "To re-align the Southern Francisco.'' Pacific line between Grass Lake and September 8th: " Railroad sidings Dietz this summer." north of Kirk: Klamath News. April 25th: Fuego, named for an old settler. ''Natron Cutori Ready Ahead of Big Marsh (later Chinchalo, and Time. By Ben C. Day. Chief Southern now Silver Lake Turnoffl. Named Pacific Attorney in a speech at for the marsh on which located. Portland. Lenz. named for an old settler. " · ... Forty five miles of track has Baha (now Mazamal, named for a been laid and is being operated six mountain on the Reservation. miles out of Oakridge. in Lane county, Pumice (where? l, named for the and thirty-nine miles out of Kirk, in 79 Klamath county. Eighty-three miles of terminal is to be at or near Klamath grade has been completed. There are Falls. This will bring in a $100,000 but twenty-nine miles to be completed. payroll. H. A. Henshaw made the and the work on that is well under announcement at the Chamber of way. The tunnel at the summit of the Commerce meeting. No definite loca­ Cascades. 3700 feet long. the longest tion has yet been made. It could be six tunnel on the new line, is all com­ or eight miles from town. Local people pleted but 1200 feet. That means that hold the key to whether it is in town all the building operations will be on or out. .. this side (West) of the mountains by August 1st: "The Oregon Trunk has this fa ll. The most favorable progress bought land on South Riverside !rom on the work to date indicates that the R. Moore for $25,000 including his line will be completed early in 1926. home. The land runs along South ahead of our alloted time.' " Riverside. up Link River in West May 1st: •' . . . atron Cutoff Klamath Falls. A piece owned by 107.78 miles (from near Kirk to near Kip Van Riper is also under nego­ Oakridge ... 29 miles of siding ... tiation. " 62.7 miles still to be completed. All August 5th: ''40 trains per day pass right-of-way are now cleared ... 31 through Kirk. Six railroads are oper­ miles graded and ready for rails. The ating out of Kirk. A whistle a minute tunnel is in the remaining 31 miles. " is averaged all day. The residents May 11th: ·' ... 160 carloads of there scoff at Klamath Falls becoming log per day into Klamath Falls ... " the rail center (There are no buildings June 3rd: "Southern Pacific is to at Kirk today). The Southern Pacific put shops here says a conlidential and logging roads of Algoma, Pelican report. Charles Wood Eberlein holds Bay, Lamm Lumber, Modoc and the key to the situation as he holds Shaw-Bertram companies all join nearly aU the land available for the there. Daily shipments of around a expansion proposed by Southern million and a hall feet are made over Pacific. They need 45 additional acres the Southern Pacific which makes and Eberlein wants $1500 an acre. three shuttle trips per day to Klamath Southern Pacific has threatened to Falls and its mills." start condemnation proceedings." August 27th: "Station names are July 27th: "The Oregon Trunk changed: Warko to Tonkin; Baha to station is to be built on South River­ Mazama; Knott to Chemult and side. the Northern lines having pur­ Skookum to Paunina. •· chased $90.000 worth of property in September 16th: "City sold out to West Klamath Falls. The station is to Southern Pacific. The city council be built on city park property if overrode Mayor Goddards veto to let bought without trouble. The line will Southern Pacific build a spur along be built up Link river and recross the shore of Lake Ewauna to Payne above the California Oregon Power Alley on Klamath Avenue. " Company dam, thence on into Pelican October 21st: "Southern Pacific has City and Shippington districts. There in talled an agency at Pine Ridge for are to be three lines from the station the sawmill there. T he size of the mill above mentioned, one on the West warrants an agent to handle the side of Lake Ewauna to the mills and shipping. Pine Ridge was formerly one on the east side of Lake Ewauna.'' known as Aspgrove, the mill two miles July 31st: ''The Southern Pacific above Chiloquin. T he mill will start

80 December 1st, with capacity of 60.000 merce Commission rail hearing to feet per shift. It will ship 12 carloads begin in two days in Washington, per day by the end of December ... D. C. " "Work is to start on the Hlack february 7thi ·· n~p ou ~ raHr~;g Butte cuto£f near Sisson (Mt. Shasta decision soon, if the Great Northern Citv) ... " is to connect to the Oregon-California December 15th: " The Southern & Eastern." Pacific and Oregon Trunk are pre­ March 2nd: "Modoc Railway build­ senting arguments before the Inter­ ing near . . . as soon as the la ~t spike state Commerce Commission in Wash­ is driven on the Natron cutoff ... ington, over rights to build into Cen­ construction on the Modoc Northern tral Oregon . . . " to begin. " March 17th: "Natron Cutoff to be 1926 in use by July 31st, is the word from George W. Borschke, Chief Engineer Evening Herald. January 5th: of the Southern Pacific. "Final arguments on railroad hearing "All grading has been done, the to be held in Washington, D. C. on tunnels have been driven through solid January 15th. Following, a final dis­ rock in the main range of the Cascade position will be made within 30 mountains, and only 100 miles of days ... " track remains to be laid. January 6th: " . . . northern and "On the average 3,000 men have southern lines do not want the been employed on the railroad jobs Deschutes River Canyon situation to since the summer of 1924. The appear in the Klamath Country ... " projects will cost $16,000,000. (This refers to the struggle between "The completion of the cutoff wiU the Oregon Trunk, [Hill lines] and the be celebrated by Eugene. Klamath Oregon-Washington Railway & Navi­ Falls, P ortland and other com- gation Company [Harriman lines) for munities. control of the Deschutes River Canyon May 4th: "South bound Southern right-of-way into Central Oregon. The Pacific logging train wrecked north of two lines, on opposite sides of the Pine Ridge . . . six cars loaded "";th river, at times were in open conflict logs, smashed , four others dam­ and met in pitched battles. Unneces­ aged . . . out of train of 20 cars in sary construction costing several mil­ length. The south bound passengers lion dollars resulted in the two con­ from Kirk to Weed were held up for cerns battling for two lines of railroads some time." up the canyon instead of one.} May 5th: ·• ... 11,140 people January 9th: " ... northern and within the city limits of Klamath southern lines to accept common user Falls ... " rights . . . ·• May 11th: "The Interstate Com­ January 23rd: "Oregon Trunk to merce Commission today authorized inquire into two acre tract on South the California-Northeastern to con­ Riverside which has been o£fered to struct the Natron Cuto££ ... approved the northern lines." conditionally that the Southern Pacific February 3rd: "The Natron Cutoff purchase the California-Northeastern and the Grass Lake new low grade and also authorized the Oregon Trunk cutoff to be ready by August.'' to construct a line in Deschutes and February 4th: " Interstate Com- Klamath counties . . . the Central

81 Paciiic authorized to constuct a line in June 8th: "New York conference to Klamath and Modoc counties ... the agree on the Interstate Commerce Southern Pacific to purcha e the Commission ruling ... " evada. California & Oregon line June 15th: ''The pledge of the great approved ... The Oregon Trunk to E. H. Harriman. empire builder, was connect Ytith the Oregon-California & fulfilled last night when the rails on Eastern, subject to condition it be the completed Klamath Falls-Eugene granted trackage rights over the cutoff were joined just west of the Southern Pacific line between Paunina summit of the Cascade mountains and Klamath Falls. Permission given beyond Odell Lake. Oregon-California & Eastern to con­ " It will be remembered that on tinue construction on condhion it gives October 13, 1923, at the little town of the Oregon Trunk operating rights Kirk on the Klamath Indian reserva­ over its tracks ... Oregon-California tion. 3.000 people from Portland and & Eastern given permission to con­ San Francisco and the Klamath tinued !rom its terminus near Sprague country gathered to witness the driv­ River on to Lakeview. " ing of the silver spike, commemorating May 12th: "The Southern Paciiic the starting of construction on Harri­ will construct its terminal here if the man's 'Natron Cutoff.' " city will put up $62,000 (one haUl June 17th: "The Oregon Public toward construction of a viaduct on Service Commission asks the Inter­ South Sixth Street. 1106 feet long and state Commerce Commission to re­ 25 feet wide." consider the case recently decided ... May 13th: " The Oregon Trunk June 30th: "Southe~ Pacific asks pays $15.585 to the city for South permission to commence work on its Ri v~:rl> ide Park. In turn the city pays tcrmjnal . . . 15 carloads of material M oore $10,000. and Hammond ready ... 300 men to be employed.'' $3,000. In addition there were ap­ July 2nd: "State Public Service proximately $3,700 due the city for Commission raps lack of speed mani­ paving Ieins." fested . . . unless the railroad takes M av 18th: " outhern Pacific bas action, it will demand a new hearing. part ~f its equipment here for con­ ''Southern Pacific to request a struction of the $800,000 yard and $200.000 permit for a roundhouse terminal. The 100 ton turn-table is early next week ... " partly here." J llly 13th: " Automobile accident at June 2nd: "Southern Pacific buys Main across the railroad . . . Mrs. 31 acres from the Klamath Develop­ Scott KcKendree driver of the car hit ment Company for land paralleling by a train ... Mrs. H. C. Hastings a their main line for the new terminal. passenger . . . neither seriously They now own 80 acres in the city." hurt ... failed to see the approaching Jw1e 3rd: "From Center Street to train." Lake Ewauna on Klamath Avenue at July 22nd: "First through trains the foot of Payne Alley has been pur­ from Portland to Klamath Falls to chased bv the Southern Pacific which run on August 19-20 .. . to Eugene opens th~ way to the six acre River­ 'Trail to Rail' pageant ... then on to side Park recentl y bought from the Klamath Falls." city.·· August 6th: "Regular freight ervice June 5th: ''Oregon Trunk may build to begin September lst. other local own line here ..... trains between Klamath Fall and

82 Eugene shortly afterwards. will be about 75 less than when termi­ "Special eight car train in at noon nal in full operation." today, carrying high railroad officials.·· August 27th: "Contract let to the August 7th: "The golden spike was Utah Construction Company for con­ driven today at railhead (supposedly struction of the Modoc Northern at the west end of the Cascade Sum­ railroad." mit tunnel l . . . Josephine Stofield. September l st: "The first freight Miss Eugene, and Keith Kiggins, arrived at 5:45 AM. and leaves at representing Klamath Falls, were 6:45 AM. Francis McNeill, conduc­ present." tor. J. B. Hanratty. engineer from August 18th: "The first bona fide Dunsmuir ... #3679 decapod. passenger train will run tomorrow, "Left here with C. E. Vaughn, con­ the ' Klamath Special' carrying 125 ductor, and W. ]. Stevenson the passengers to Eugene. engineer. " Black Butte cutoff, 24 miles in "There were 71 cars in the train. length, costing $5.000,000 has been weighing 2709 tons. The maximum completed and traffic will be routed over the old line was 56 cars. Going over the new line starting September north two engines pull the train from 1st." Dunsmuir to Grass Lake. and one the August 19th: "The 'Shasta Limited' balance of the way. Going south. two will be routed over the new line . . . engines from Eugene to Oakridge. Ezra Meeker, famous Oregon Trail then three to the Summit of the Cas­ emigrant attended the Trail to Rail cades, one to Mount Hebron and two Pageant." to Grass Lake.,. August 21st: "The 'Klamath Spe­ September 2nd: ''From Second and cial' arrived one hour before the Oak to Payne Alley and Klamath Portland special, which was led by the Avenue a big fill is being put in by famous Kiltie Band. They will leave the Southern Pacific ... (Much of this tomorrow." fill became the Ackley Sawmill and August 26th: "The first of 75 fam­ lumber yard site, and presently the ilies will begin arriving September Modoc Lumber Company lumber 1st ... The men destined to operate yards and associated industries.) the new terminal will arrive with their . September lOth: "Through passen­ families by the lOth . . . all are to ger trains will start about September arrive by September 15th . . . will be 19th." in their permanent homes within ten September 18th: ''Local trains to days. They will arrive from Duns­ commence September 19th, Klamath muir. Medford, Hornbrook and Ash­ Falls to Eugene and Klamath Falls to land . . . most have families . . . this Weed.''

83 Chapter XI Recapitulation of the Twelve Year Delay As previously written at the end of Pacific to oblige it to ell all its stock Chapter Vlll, railroad construction in the Central Pacific Railway Com­ reached Kirk, which then became the pany. end of rails, in late August. 1911. All By March 9. 191 7 the United States new construction then came to a halt District Court decided the dismember­ and remained that way for almost 12 ment suit (severence from the Central years. Pacific) in favor of the Southern All previou writings and historic Pacific Company. The government this writer has read. give 1913 as the then appealed to the Supreme Court. date Kirk was reached and construc­ In the meantime the government tion halted. This writer is unable to took over control of all American rail­ account for this discrepancy in dates. roads, including the Southern Pacific. Also. why new construction halted as a World War I measure. This was when it did cannot be ascertained, done in order to handle the mass con­ unless the companies concerned had trol of moving troops and military information, not available to this supplies. Federal control lasted from writer at this late date, of impending December 28, 191 7 until March actions to be taken by the United 1, 1920. States Government in accordance with Early in 1922 the United States the Sherman Anti-Trust Act. Supreme Court decided the Southern With this thought in mind, this Pacific-Central Pacific dismember­ chapter will be devoted to a recapitu­ ment suit against the Southern Pacific lation of events connected with the Company and decreed that it should various ramifications of the un-merger sell its stock, the subject going back cases which so long dela yed the to District Court to determine neces­ development of the Klamath Country. sary procedure. First actions were commenced on Briefly, this unmerger case. which February l, 1908 when the United delayed the completion of the Natron States Government instituted a suit to Cutoff. was started by the United force the Union Pacific Company to States Government against the South­ sell its interests in the Southern ern and Central Pacific companies Pacific Company. This action dragged under the Sherman Anti-Trust Law out until June 30, 1913 when a decree and as a result of that action the was entered under a Supreme Court two companies were divorced by order decision which obliged the Union of the court. The court gave the Pacific to sell all its Southern Pacific Southern Pacific 60 days in which to stock. The outcome of this suit and file a petition for a rehearing. Mean­ what might follow in other suits, while the Union Pacific entered the may have been the cause of the field declaring against the right of the Southern Pacific Company halting all Southern Pacific to hold the Central new con truction at the end of 191 1 Pacific. The Union Pacific claimed when Kirk wa reached. that the Central Pacific should be Little time elapsed before the independent and. if this was impos­ Government on February 11 , 1914 sible for financial reason , the Union began its suit against the Southern Pacific claimed that it had as good 84 a right to its control as did the South­ the Southern Pacific claimed the right ern Pacific. for the Union Pacific was to go before the Interstate Commerce the easterlv half of the transcontinen­ Commission and apply for permission tal line authorized by the original to remain together. Wl1en on October Pacific Railroad Act, while the Cen­ 9. 1922 the United States Supreme tral P acific was its westerly half. Court refused to allow a rehearing Besides the Central Pacific was jointly of the case the Southern Pacific filed owned by the Union and Southern a petition with the Interstate Com­ Pacific companies with equal rights. merce C ommission on October l 7. T he Southern Pacific fought the 1922 asking not to be separated from unmerger diligently, but failed to win. the Central Pacific. even though the It claimed the merger had existed Supreme Court had ordered it. since 1870. The Sherman Anti-Trust According to the petition the Law had been passed in 1890 while Interstate Commerce Commission had the case against the Southern Pacific­ the power under the Act of 1920 to Cen tral Pacific had not been filed sanction such a union, as the case had until 1914. been started before 1920, and since Since the case began, for it had started the government policy had dragged very slowly through the completely changed. courts, the war had come and passed. In the words of President Sproule the railroads had been in government of the Southern Pacific : '·Yet we hands and returned. and the Trans­ definitely feel that the Transportation portation Act of 1920 giving the Inter­ Act of 1920 under which the Interstate state Commerce Commission power to Commerce Commission wiiJ proceed, merge the railroads of the country had definitely in mind not the tearing according to the best public interest, apart of the system. but the furthering had been passed. The ~outhern of such large groupings as will achieve Pacific thought it should be judged by the efficiency oi transportation.·· The the Act of 1920, not that of 1890. question hinged on whether the Trans­ As both the Southern Pacific and portation Act of 1920 superceeded the Union Pacific desired to get control of Anti-Trust Act of 1890 in regard to th e Central Pacific . each made railroads. promises which they thought would The California Railroad Commis­ win the favor of the people of the sion invited the public utility commis­ Pacific States. The Southern Pacific sions of the states of Oregon. Wash­ promised the finishing of the Natron ington. Nevada. Utah, Arizona. New Cutoff line. which had been so sum­ Mexico and Texas to send delegates marily stopped by the opening of the to a conference at San Francisco, June government action, and the connection 19. 1922 to discuss possible joint of this road with Ogden, Utah, and no action if the case went to the Inter­ discriminations in routing. state Commerce Commission. When Carl S. Gray, President of the the conference met it showed a varying Union Pacific, made similar promises opmwn. Western and Southern except that the branch to be built Oregon favored continuation of the through Eastern Oregon to the main merger. while Portland and Eastern line bore no specified point of connec­ Oregon opposed it. so Oregon refused tion. to send delegates. The states that After the merger was declared agree (Arizona. California and New illegal and the roads told to separate. Mexico) sent a telegram urging the

85 Interstate Commerce Commission to Congress. the Interstate Commerce consolidate the Southern Pacific and Commission decided in favor of the Central Pacific. common ownership. control and H. H. Cory, member of the Oregon management a being in the public Public Service Commission, prepared interest. The Southern Pacific was to a complaint and filed it with the retain control of the Central Pacific Interstate Commerce Commission and was to build the Natron Cutoff. November 14, 1922 giving information While the Interstate Commerce as to what the state of Oregon needed Commission decision settled the case in regard to railroad extensions. The for most everyone. the Department of complaint was against the Central Justice wished a review of the case Pacific, Southern Pacific. Oregon­ before the Supreme Court in order Washington Railway and Navigation to settle definitely the question as to Company, the Oregon Short Line, the the relationship between the Anti­ Oregon Trunk Line and the Deschutes Trust Law and the Transportation Act Railroad Company. of 1920. The United States Court of The extensions proposed were: Appeals approved the Interstate Com· " Kirk to Odell-Central Pacific merce Commission 's decision in a route-49 miles; Oakridge to Odell­ verdict rendered June 11, 1923. Central Pacific route-39 miles; Crane Further appeal to the Supreme Court west to Odell- Oregon· Washington was not made, so the case wa consid­ Railway and Navigation route-163 ered definitely decided according to miles; Bend to Odell-Oregon Trunk the decision of the Interstate Com­ or Deschutes line-50 miles; Klamath merce Commission on Februarv Falls to Lakeview-Central Pacific or 10, 1923. . Crane to Odell to Lakevjew-Oregon On October 13, 1923 construction Washington Railway and Navigation on the Klamath Falls-Natron Cutoff Company." was renewed after 12 vears of inactiv­ The reasons given for these propos· ity with the Silver Spike ceremony als were that the distance between near Williamson River, a short dis­ Klamath Falls and Portland via Weed tance north of Kirk. At about the would be cut from 508 miles to 386 arne time. on the Oakridge end, the miles via Bend or 360 miles via We tern Lumber Company of Westfir. Klamath Falls-Odell-Eugene. The headed by George Kelly. Alfred and distance between Eugene and Ontario Frank Sullivan. received the contract via Portland, The Dalles, Pendelton for clearing the old right-of-way and Baker would be reduced from 555 graded before the work was stopped miles to 416 miles via Crane and around the 1911-1913 period. Odell. Other railroad extensions worthy of Finally on February 10, 1923 the mention as being in some manner con­ Interstate Commerce Commission nected with the Klamath Country decided the momentious question from time to time will be briefly listed raised by the government in 1914- at this time: whether the Southern P acific 1. The Nevada-Calilornia & Oregon Company should continue in control Railway which began at Reno on of the Central Pacific, or the two December 22, 1880 and built north­ intermeshed systems should be ward to Amadee. near Honey Lake, dismembered. In accordance with the where it remained stationery for some new 1920 Transportation Act of ten years. In turn. railhead was estab-

86 City of Yreka Railroad Engine 1119 hauling freight between Yreka and Montague an the main S. P. line. This engine was once fired upon by Poncha Villa near Columbus, New Mexico.

Heavy freight smoking It up as it enters an unidentified freight yard. 87 lished at Termo on June l. 1900; at up the Deschutes River in the 1909- Madeline on April 1, 1902; at Likely 1911 period. The road has now been on October l. 1907; Alturas on torn up and in places replaced by December l, 1908 and finally Lake­ modern Highway #97. view on January 10, 1912 when the 5. As mentioned above. the Hill rails reached that place. This line was (Oregon Trunk-Great Northernl and constructed as a narrow gauge railroad Harriman (Oregon-Washington Rail­ in the beginning. way & Navigation Companyi railroads The Nevada-California & Oregon paralleling each other up the Deschutes Railway was bought by the Southern River Canyon to Central Oregon re­ Pacific Company on October 19, 1926. placed the Columbia Southern by Work commenced at Wendel, near 1910. Begun at the mouth of the Honey Lake, on July 16, 1927 chang­ Deschutes River on the Columbia in ing from narrow gauge to standard. July. 1909 these lines after many legal 2. The Southern Pacific began its and physical battles arrived in Bend Modoc Northern extension from where the Golden Spike ceremonies Klamath Falls on October 14, 1928 took place on October 5, 1911 with when the first contract was let and James J. Hill wielding the spike connected to the line extending from hammer. Alturas on the Nevada-California & The Great Northern remained at Oregon at Hackamore on July 13, Bend until May 20, 1927 when they 1929. began extending southward, reaching 3. The Oregon Short Line which Klamath Falls on May 11, 1928. had begun at Ontario on Snake River Later, on August 23, 1930 they began around 1906, had reached Crane, in to extend farther south to join up with Harney County, by July 11, 1916. It the Western Pacific at Bieber on Sep­ was extended into Burns on May 1, tember 10-12, 1931, thus paving the 1924. It may be interesting to know way into the San Francisco Bay this line was ordered to be extended region. to Crescent Lake on the Natron Cut­ 6. There remains one more railroad off as late as December 14, 1929 by to briefly describe, the Oregon-Califor­ the Interstate Commerce Commission. nia & Eastern, commonly known as Nothing, however, developed from the Strahorn Line. The history of thls this order. railroad has been quite fully developed 4. On March 4, 1897 incorporation in Klamath Echoes #12, issued in papers were filed for the Columbia 1974. Southern Railway, which was to ex­ Robert E. Strahorn first appeared tend southward from Biggs on the in Klamath Falls on November 15, Columbia River to Prineville in Cen­ 1915. He represented himself as tral Oregon. At times "paper projec­ "wanting to build a railroad." The tions" o£ this Une proposed extending citizens of Klamath Falls welcomed it into Lake and Klamath Counties, him with open arms. After a two year and the Lord only knows where else. period of promotion, that is, securing Actually, construction began at a bonus, promise of right-of-ways, Biggs on June 19, 1897 with rails etc., construction was actually started reaching Shaniko by May 13, 1900. on May 3, 1917 when the first ground Here the road ended, being replaced was broken. On August 18, 1917 the as an entry line into Central Oregon first locomotive arrived and assisted by the Hill and Harriman lines south in laying the rails to Olene. The rail-

88 road progressed slowly and Hilde· May, 1926 for the 0. C. & E. to build brand was not reached until August its proposed extensions, and for the 25, 1922. Sprague River was reached Southern P acific to acquire its stock. on September 16. 1923 where the rai ls subject to certain conditions. the mo t end remained until June l-. 1928 important being that it should allow when the Interstate Commerce Com· the Great Northern to buv one half mission ordered the Oregon-California interest in the 0. C. & E. The South· & Eastern to extend onward to Bly. ern P acific acquired full control on which was reached on November 24. July 22. 1927 and the Great Northern 1928. acquired one half interest on March In the meantime the 0. C. & E. 23, 1928. The purchase price of the found itself in the middle of the 0. C. & E. seems to have been stuggle between the two giants of rail· $800.000. roading, the Southern Pacific and Lastly, on December 31, 1974 the Great Northern. The latter wished to Herald & News reported the follow· tap the Klamath Country on their way ing: "The Ore-California and Eastern into the San Franci co Bav area, while Railway. which has been jointly the former tried to keep them out, not operated by the Burlington Northern wanting to share the rich returns with (formerly Great Northern) and South· others. ern Pacific Railroad companies since At one time the Great Northern 1928. has been purchased by Weyer· sought entrance into the Klamath haeuser Company.·· Country from Bend, via the Silver Two days later, on January 2, 1975 Lake and 0. C. & E. lines known as Southern Pacific train order #1434 the "D " route as compared to that was issued: " Klamath Falls Yard, which they eventually followed. Effective 12:01 AM J anuary 1, 1975 At another time. in 1925, Strahorn operation of Oregon California & applied for the exclusive right to cross Eastern Railway is under control of Sixth Street in Klamath Falls and Weyerhaeuser Timber Company. when it became known that he was Trains operating on OC&E will be dis· expecting money from the Southern patched under jurisdiction of H H Pacific to finance hi further exten· Mayberry Chief Train Dispatcher sions. public confidence was shaken in Southern Pacific Transportation him locally. "Many have espoused his company. HHM by Watson.'' cause in the hope that he would 'break Returning now to our regular re· the monoply' of that railroad com· capitulation we find that on Septem· pany . and now he was apparen tly her l, 1926 the C ascade Line, 270 acting as its tool to k eep out the miles in length, was opened to freight Northern lines, which were beginning and local passenger trains; and to all to evince an interest in the Klamath traffic by April 17, 1927. . Country. Had ' Uncle Bob' sold us By 1929, the past decade had wit· out?" asked the History of Klamath nessed the completion of many miles County. of track in southea tern Oregon. At the same time the Southern northeastern California and Nevada. Pacific was seeking approval of its It was an era of high net income. contract dated February 3, 1925 to 1930 saw the completion of the acquire all stocks of the 0. C. & E. $10.000.000 double-track bridge from Strahorn. Interstate Commerce across uisun Bay. 35 miles from San Commission approval was granted in Francisco. This was the end of the 89 famous Benicia-Port Costa train Klamath County about 600 persons. ferries. The annual payroll is approximately In 1936, the completion oi the $3.6 million. bridges across San Francisco Bay " AI. G. Kusler, district freight and spelled the doom of most of the fer­ passenger agent here for SP, points ries, which had carried 40.000.000 out that these facts and figures on top passengers per year. of a $350,000 tax payment last year on During 1938 the roadbed was a $5.6 million assessment, represent moved to make way for the Shasta only some of the dimensions which Dam and Lake, a $15.000,000 re­ make up the shape of Southern Paci­ moval. The work was not completed fic in Klamath Falls and Southern until 1942. Oregon. January 14, 1939 witnessed the last "Through Southern Pacific yards at commuter Southern Pacific ferry to Klamath Falls pass the main stream of run on San Francisco Bay . north-south rail traffic on the Pacific July 26, 1941 saw the end of inter­ Coast. Also pass the cars in the two­ urban train service of the Southern way flow between the railroad's lines Pacific trains over the Bay Bridge. in Oregon and its transcontinental 1942 witnessed the end of Promon­ roads through Alturas and Ogden. tory, Utah as a location on a railroad, "While this has been the pattern of when the last rails were removed from SP rail operations since SP put Klam­ the historic site. ath Falls on its main lines with open­ I n 1947 the first Southern P acific ing of the Natron Cutoff in 1926 and diesel-electric freight locomotives took the Modoc Line in 1929, the picture of to the rails. railroading has been a changing one. In 1949 the Shasta Daylight, superb "Just after World War II, SP had coach streamliner, was placed in 2,000 steam locomotives. Nine years operation between San Francisco­ and 300 million dollars later SP was Oakland and Portland, operating dieselized, with most of its steam under an elapsed time of sixteen and engines scrapped or retired to grace one half hours. city parks and squares in communities The following statistics are taken in along SP tines. Engine #2579 on dis­ part from the Herald & News of Feb­ play here is one of 55 donated to vari­ ruary 26, 1961: "There are some 148 ous cities by the railroad. miles of Southern Pacific main line "Radio and electronics have become railroad in Klamath County. In and a part of everyday railroading and new out of the company's Kla~ath Falls operating techniques, such as the rail yards each month roll about Centralized Traffic Control system 40,000 freight cars in 450 trains- or between Klamath Falls and Crescent about 15 trains a day. Lake, completed in 1953, are per­ " Two st r eamlin~rs -th e Cascade mitting railroads to increase their and Shasta Daylight-provide pas­ efficiency, to help offset rising costs senger service to Portland and the San and to meet the growing competition Francisco Bay Area. from common and unregulated motor "SP 's subsidiary highway carrier, carriers. Pacific Motor Trucking Company, " . . . One of the most dramatic provides supplemental truck service to innovations, has been the transporta­ shippers in the Klamath Basin. tion of highway trailers on rail flat­ "Southern Pacific employs in cars, popularly known as piggyback.

90 Southern Pacific which pioneered cannot meet the speed advantage of piggybacking in the West, started the airplane or the flexibilitv and service to the Pacific Northwest in convenience of the automobile. · January, 1955. A piggyback ramp at " .. . At the end of World War II, Klamath Falls was built at that time five trains served Klamath Falls-now and completely modernized last year there are two streamliners and one to handle various types of piggyback mail train. equipment. " Passenger tralfic in the post war " . .. In the passenger field, where period declined, despite SP promo­ SP 's latest estimated annual loss tional efforts and expenditures of 40 amounted to $38.5 million, SP feels million dollars for new system passen­ that it must take a realistic position. ger equipment, including 10 million "While we wish it weren't so. we dollars for the new sets of Shasta must face the fact that rail service Daylights and Ca cades .. . ··

Chapter XII Progress of Transportation By B. E . Hayden R esident Engineer , U.S. Bureau of R eclamation From the Klamath News, February 26, 1933

(A considerable portion of this arti­ within the Klamath Basin were cle, although quite factual and excel­ 40.000,000,000 feet of fine timber lently written has been deleted. being mostly ripe for the harvest and waiting a repition of that already recorded to be sawed and transported to outside concerning the approach of the various markets, and travel was picking up in railroads into the Klamath Country­ spite of the crude methods o£ trans­ Editor.) portation. For four hours we bumped Early in the morning of May 28, and jostled over the worst kind of 1906, the writer with his Texas girl mountain roads imaginable to the bride, got off the Shasta limited at tinkle. tinkle of harness bells that the Thrall, California. and there trans­ famous Poe never had the good for­ ferred to a jerk-water logging railroad tune to hear, while covering a distance that twisted and turned and pulfed of 25 miles which brought us to the and switchbacked up t~ mountain­ little village of Keno where the Klam­ side a distance of about 26 miles to a ath river ceases to be a placid lake-like lumber camp called Pokegama. At stream and starts roaring down can­ that point we transferred to an old­ yons and tumbling over rapids on its fashioned stage coach and four-in way to the Pacific Ocean. fact two such conveyances were wait­ The day was about spent and dark­ ing to speed the travelers on their way ness was creeping over the tall pine • to Klamath FaUs, the new name for forests when our little caravan trans­ the old town of Linkville, for those ferred from the cramped coaches to were the days when the big lumber the spacious and locally famous interests were waking up to the fact "Canby," an old flat-bottomed stern­ that tributary to this town and lying wheeler that made daily trips between

91 Klamath Falls and Keno so that the run between Klamath Falls and road-weary travelers would have op­ Dorris, California. a distance of 23 portunity to massage the sore spots miles. to permit the old settlers to and rest their aching joints sufficiently enjoy the thrill of their first passenger before reaching the end of their train ride. journey to be willing to stay over a few The entrance of railway facilities days instead of taking the next boat into Klamath Falls marked the out. Such were the conveniences or beginning of a remarkable period of inconveniences of travel into and development in the Klamath Basin. within Klamath county a quarter of a Since that time the town of Klamath century ago. Materials and supplies Falls has grown from a mere village were brought in over the same roads of 2000 inhabitants to the proportions and by the same means as were used of an industrial city of 16.000 people for passengers travel. with outlying settlements of several In 1906 the United States Reclama­ thousand additional and the lumber­ tion Service decided to build the ing industry has increased from two Klamath Irrigation Project and work small sawmills with a daily capacity of on the tunnel and main canal was only a few thousand feet of sawed rushed during 1906 to permit delivery lumber to 26 modern plants capable of of water to some of the more acces­ turning out 1,500.000 feet board sible lands during 1907. Information measure every day working on a basis relative to the agricultural and indus­ of one eight-hour shift in eve.ry twenty­ trial possibilities of the district was four, besides 11 box factories and four being disseminated by the chamber of lumber manufacturing plants. commerce, the Klamath Development During the same year the Southern company, and interested citizens so Pacific company was organizing the that within a few years the large un­ California-Northeastern R ailway developed agricultural holdings were company to take over the Weed pretty well split up into units suitable logging road, the Oregon-Eastern in size for the farmer with average Railway company was incorporated capital and equipment. with the announced intention of build­ About this time considerable ing a line from Natron, near Eugene, interest was shown by the Southern Oregon, on the Southern Pacific main Pacific (and a few years later by the line in the Willamette valley east­ Great Northern) Railway companies wardly through the center of the state in the possibilities of trafiic that the to Ontario, Oregon, on the Snake district would afford when developed river, with branch lines, to Klamath both as an agricultural and timber Falls and Lakeview, Oregon .... area. The California-Northeastern During the three years following the Railway company, was incorporated arrival of the first train in Klamath in 1905 and immediately began recon­ Falls, the California-Northeastern struction and extension toward Klam­ Railway was extended to Kirk, ath Falls of the old Weed logging road Oregon, a distance of forty miles running around the north base of Mt. where work was stopped, thus leaving Shasta. Work progressed slowly from a gap of llO miles between Kirk and • this point northward and it was May Oakridge to complete the easy grade 20, 1909 before the first train pulled direct connection between San Fran­ into Klamath Falls, Oregon. During cisco, California, and Portland, Ore­ the day a number of excursions were gon. This link was destined to wait

92 many years before finally being Ogden line for the shortest and easiest welded into the Southern Pacific chain grade route from southern Oregon to from Mexico to the Columbia river. Ogden and Mississippi valley points. ... For more than a decade follow· This gap of 86 miles was completed ing the suspension of railroad work . . . and ready for traffic in the fall of the hopes of Klamath Falls to be 1929. On September 14th of that year located on a main line railroad with some 3,000 people, mostly citizens of through connections within a reason· northern California and southern able time had little of actual accom· Oregon, met at Hackamore, Califor· plishment to support them .... nia, to celebrate the breaking through ... In 1923 immediately after the of "the last barrier to the last fron· United States attorney general an· tier" which brought residents of that nounced the government would not section 210 miles nearer to the market contest Southern Pacific ownership of of the east. the Central Pacific, the Southern ... In 1928. a traffic agreement Pacific Company resumed work at with the Southern Pacific company for Oakridge and Kirk to finish building joint use of that company's line from the Natron Cutoff and completed the Chemult to Klamath Falls. was the connection in 1926 .... first step accomplished in forwarding Whether the revival of interest in their plan to extend south from 1925 by the Great Northern Railway Bend. . . . and the final outcome re· company in Central Oregon and its suited in the Great Northern building apparent desire to secure a San its own line from Klamath Falls to Francisco terminus influenced the Bieber. California, a distance of 92 Southern Pacific company to hasten miles to connect with a 112-mile line work on their more feasible east-west built northward by the Western Paci· route to the central states or whether fie Railway company from Keddie, the best minds of the organization California, a station on their main • realized the time was ripe for such line . development and were willing to pro· ... Excellent progress was made ceed on their own initiative regardless and the two roads were joined at of the activities of other concerns Bieber in 1931. Freight service was would be difficult to judge; neverthe· immediately established and although less, the Southern Pacific company. in regular passenger service has not yet 1926, secured control of the narrow been started, we expect soon to see the gauge Nevada-California-Oregon ''Empire Builder" stop every day in railway running from Wendel, Cali· Klamath Falls on its way to San Fran· fornia. to Lakeview, Oregon, a dis· cisco (to date. 1978, this event has tance of 155 miles, and soon began its not occurred-Editor). reconstruction as a standard gauge During the period of greatest de· line. The completion of this work was velopment in the Klamath basin, celebrated at Lakeview on September covering a span oi about 15 years, the 1. 1928, by an old-fashioned "Out writer was assigned to other work West" jubilee. under the Bureau of Reclamation, A few months later the Southern most of the time as superintendent of Pacific company began the construe· the Belle Fourche Project in South tion of their Klamath Falls-Alturas Dakota, and was away from the dis· line to effect connection at Fernley, trict. In October, 1929, orders were Nevada, with their San Francisco· issued for his return to Oregon to take

93 charge of the Klamath Project. On the modern highways and ample transpor· evening of November 5, 1929 accom· tation facilities and was inhabited bv panied by the same Texas girl who a contented population that would no"t came over the mountain with him on trade their birthright for the best the old stage coach, a little more than country in the land. Who wouldn't 23 years earlier. he drove his Stude· have been thrilled by such a home· baker over Green Springs highway coming? from Ashland to Klamath Falls in There remains yet in Oregon many less time than it takes to tell this storv undeveloped districts that should and and found at the end of the journey \'~>· ill eventually be given railroad con· a thriving modern city surrounded by nections with the outside world. hut, the best agricultural district in the looking back over the span of a State of Oregon, where the irrigated quarter oi a century and comparing area had grown during his absence conditions then and now, we feel grati· from 24,000 acres to more than 70,000 fied to note the progress and cannot acres with a total of 132.000 acres help wondering what the next twenty· under canals. The project was enjoy· five years has in store. ing the benefits of a network of

f

Pelican Bay lumbe r Company lag train pulled by a Shay e ngine In the Pe lican Bay , West Side, vicinity of Upper Klamath l a ke. F. M. Priest Photo

•

loa ding logs on a Pelican Bay flat car during the late teens. Aspe n Butte In the bac&.graund. Maude Baldwin Photo

94 Looking down the Algoma Incline. Note the loaded cor descending (left trodo:), and the empty cor oacendlng (both near the foot of the hill. Also Old Hlghwoy 1197 at the top of the photo.

'-

Algoma Incline, with Engine 11 In the fore· ground. Nate the loaded and empty cars paning near the top of the hill.

t •

95