Newspaper Items
Dates, 1869 to 1879
This page was last updated on March 21, 2004
6 October 1869
News received from Mr. Little, assistant superintendent of the Utah Central
Railroad, is that the track has been laid across the Weber River bridge in
Ogden. The crossing, for the U. C. track across that bf the U. P., arrived.
yesterday, as did two small cars, horse-drawn, intended for the carrying of
rail in the tracklaying work. (Pitchard, Deseret Evening News, 6 October 1869)
14 October 1869
Brigham returned from Ogden last evening; while up there, he saw "…the
first locomotive on the first railroad built and owned by the people of this
territory…" for which purpose he apparently went up in the first place.
Item reports that track is laid for about three miles beyond (i.e., south) of
the Weber bridge, and is progressing at about half a mile per day. (Pitchard, Deseret Evening News, 14 October
1869)
20 November 1869
Item by telegraph, says Utah Central rails laid to Kaysville last evening. (Pitchard, Deseret Evening News, 20 November
1869)
3 December 1869
Excursion on the Utah Central - Brigham Young, George A. Smith, Daniel H.
Wells, John Taylor, George Q. Cannon, John Sharp, John H. Smith and others -
took buggy to Farmington, and thence to Ogden by rail, "…in a fine new
passenger car belonging to the Utah Central Company." This trip was on
Wednesday, December 1, 1869. (Pitchard, Deseret Evening News, 3 December 1869)
23 December 1869
Utah Central tracklaying south from Farmington began yesterday. (Pitchard, Deseret Evening News, 23 December
1869)
3 January 1870
The Utah Central desires to hire an engine from the U.P., to assist with the
work at present. The Utah Central timetable/ad from 6 December 1869, first
regular schedule. From a summary of 1869 events, the following: Tracklaying on
U.C. began on 22 September 1869; Completed to Kaysville on 13 November 1869;
First excursion over the Utah Central was on 21 November 1869. (Pitchard, Deseret Evening News, 3 January
1870)
8 January 1870
Utah Central track is all completed, except for the ceremonial last rail, and
some yard tracks; the last rail to be laid with much to-do on Monday, 10 January 1870. (Pitchard, Deseret Evening
News, 8 January 1870)
12 January 1870
New Utah Central timetable, on and after 12 January 1870, service Salt Lake
City to Ogden, fare one way is $2.00. (Pitchard, Deseret Evening News, 12 January 1870)
15 January 1870
Item shows that there are two engines in service on the Utah Central, but it
does not say that they are both U. C. Engines; one may be U.P. (Pitchard, Deseret Evening News, 15 January
1870)
26 January 1870
On Monday the 24th the editor went down to the Utah Central depot - two new
passenger cars, just in from the east, built expressly for the Utah Central by
the New Haven Car Co., New Haven, Connecticut. Interiors are paneled in
polished bird's-eye maple and black walnut; head liners ('tapestry') are
brightly colored; seats covered in crimson plush, backs in green. Cars came via
Chicago. (Pitchard, Ogden Junction, 26 January 1870)
31 January 1870
J. A. Ursenbach has painted a picture of Utah Central No. 1 on the Weber River
bridge in Ogden. (Pitchard, Deseret
Evening News, 31 January 1870)
8 February 1870
Item on the excursion, of Monday the 7th, mentions that the Utah Central
excursion left Ogden at about 3 o'clock in the afternoon, but makes no mention
of the [new] engines arriving. (Pitchard, Deseret Evening News, 8 February 1870)
9 February 1870
Paper says the new Utah Central engines, 3 and 4, cost $12,000 each. Reference
is made later in the item to "the two new locomotives"; if there was
a new number 2 received, neither paper mentions it. (Pitchard, Ogden Junction, 9 February 1870)
10 February 1870
"New Engines for the U.C. -- We learn from the Ogden Junction, that just
as the excursion train was starting on its return trip on Monday afternoon, a
Union Pacific freight train hove in sight, with two new engines attached; which
proved to be No's. 3 and 4, for the Utah Central Railroad. They were built at
the locomotive Works of McQueen & Co., of Schenectady, N.Y., at a cost of
$12,000." (Pitchard, Deseret Evening
News, 10 February 1870)
17 February 1870
Utah Central Railroad Timetable #4, in effect 21 February 1870 (Pitchard, Deseret Evening News, 17 February
1870)
19 February 1871
"Snow Plow. -- A snow plow, the invention of C. L. Ericson, civil engineer
of this city, patent applied for, and manufactured by P. W. Gates, of the
Chicago Eagle Works, has arrived at the U. C. depot. We saw the first plow made
of this pattern nearly two years ago in Chicago. And the curious in such
matters will enjoy an inspection of it. The plow weighs about 20,000 lbs."
(Pitchard, Salt Lake Herald, 19 February
1871)
13 May 1871
In an item on the Utah Southern, it is indicated that it was originally thought
to make that road a three-foot narrow gauge road; and when it was decided to
build it to match the Utah Central, some changes had to be made in the Utah
Southern's location. (Pitchard, Deseret
Evening News, 13 May 1871)
6 June 1871
Yesterday afternoon Brigham Young drove the first spike on the Utah Southern
Railroad; John Sharp, the second; Wm. Jennings, the third; and Feramorz Little,
the fourth. Afterwards, tracklaying began. (Pitchard, Deseret Evening News, 6 June 1871)
20 June 1871
An engine was put on the Utah Southern yesterday. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Herald, 20 June 1871)
23 June 1871
Judge Clinton already has a hotel out at Lake Point, and bath houses and the
like to be put up soon. Also, a fellow named Parkhurst has a lumber yard out
there. (Pitchard, Deseret Evening News,
23 June 1871)
13 July 1871
The Utah Southern is completed for 7-1/2 miles, to Little Cottonwood. (Pitchard, Deseret Evening News, 13 July
1871) (ed. note: Little Cottonwood was the location of what today is Murray, at
about 50th South, where the UP line (today's UTA TRAX line) crosses Little Cottonwood
Creek.)
25 August 1871
On August 23rd, "the Utah Northern Railroad Company was organized at Logan
city, Cache Co., with the following officers: John W. Young, President and
General Superintendent; W. B. Preston, Vice President; Moses Thatcher, Secretary
and Treasurer; Franklin D. Richards, Lorenzo Snow, Wm. B. Preston, Joseph
Richardson, Legrand Lockwood, Wm. Maughan, 0. N. Liljenquist, Gin. Hyde, Sam'1.
Roskelly, M. W. Merrill, Lorenzo H. Hatch, Hezekiah Thatcher and John W. Young,
Directors. The road is to be built from some point on the Central Pacific
Railroad, in Box Elder Co., probably at or near Willard city, to Soda Springs,
and it will be a three feet track." (Pitchard, Deseret Evening News, 25 August 1871)
28 August 1871
"Ground Broken for the Utah Northern Railroad."
Brigham City, Aug. 26.
"Editor News -- Ground was broken for the Utah Northern Railroad, this evening, by moonlight. The dedication prayer was offered by Lorenzo Snow. John W. Young broke ground, and a portion of the grade was begun and completed, by shovel, pick, plow and scraper, amid the firing of cannon and ringing of bells. A great number of people were present to witness the ceremony. The brass band and Professor Fishburn's choir were present." (Pitchard, Deseret Evening News, 28 August 1871)
4 September 1871
"Utah Southern. -- Track laying on this line has been temporarily
suspended for a few days on account of the non-arrival of iron. The work of
grading between a point six miles south of Dry Creek Bridge and the point of
the mountain is being pushed vigorously forward, and, it is expected, will be
completed within about three weeks." A timetable-advertisement appears,
showing that on and after Wednesday, 6 September 1871, the Utah Southern will
run to Sandy station. (Pitchard, Deseret
Evening News, 4 September 1871)
9 September 1871
Utah Central and Utah Southern have entered into contract to haul ore on a
through rate of $35.00 per car load between Sandy station and Ogden,
northbound. (Pitchard, Deseret Evening
News, 9 September 1871)
9 September 1871
Utah Central and Utah Southern have entered into contract to haul ore on a
through rate of $35.00 per car load between Sandy station and Ogden,
northbound. (Pitchard, Deseret Evening
News, 9 September 1871)
11 September 1871
"Ogden Items.-The following items are from the "Junction," of
Saturday: "Two miles of the Utah Northern Railroad have already been
graded, near Brigham City, by the people of that place." (Pitchard, Deseret Evening News, 11 September 1871)
14 September 1871
Boat 'Lady of the Lake', owned by John W. Young, currently running up and down
the Jordan River. (Pitchard, Deseret
Evening News, 14 September 1871)
22 September 1871
"Railroad Mass Meeting at Ogden. We learn from the 'Junction,' of Wednesday,
that on Saturday last, a mass meeting was held in the Ogden Tabernacle, at
which representatives were present from all the districts in Weber County, the
object of the meeting being to take into consideration the building of the U.
N. Railroad.
"Hon. F. D. Richards delivered an address…
"John W. Young, Esq., President of the Company, stated that he had -for some time past seen the importance of building a railroad from Ogden to Soda Springs, and had introduced the matter to gentlemen of capital in the East, who had, after personal inspection of the route, undertaken-to furnish means for the iron and rolling stock, if the people would do the grading and furnish the ties. A company had been organized, work had commenced, and four miles of the road was ready for the rails, and five miles of rails would be here in a few days. Mr. Young then showed the advantage of building the line on the narrow gauge principle, proving that it would be a saving of over 40 per cent., taking its construction and running expenses into consideration.
"Hon. L. Farr and L. J. Herrick each made appropriate remarks,…" "The meeting is described as having been an animated, earnest and enthusiastic assemblage."
14 October 1871
"For the Utah Northern. -- A dispatch received this morning, from John W.
Young, Esq., who is now in the East, states that an engine and seven cars for
the Utah Northern Railroad, have been shipped. That gentleman has also
succeeded excellently in procuring iron and rolling stock." (Pitchard, Deseret Evening News, 14 October
1871)
31 October 1871
"First Engine.- The first engine for the Utah Northern railroad arrived at
Ogden last night. It is named the 'John W. Young,' after the president and
general superintendent of the road. Iron and cars are expected daily, when
track laying will commence."
(Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Herald, 31 October 1871)
4 November 1871
The Utah Southern railroad has been opened for service to Draper, which is five
miles south of Sandy; one way fare is $1.25.
(Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Herald, 4 November 1871)
4 November 1871
"The Utah Northern is progressing rapidly. A great number of men and teams
are pushing the work ahead in Cache Valley, and all the officers of the road
are energetic and sanguine of success. A handsome little narrow gauge
locomotive, the 'John W. Young', arrived at Ogden the beginning of the present
week, and a telegram from Chicago announces that a complete construction train
is on the way for the new line." (Pitchard, Ogden Junction, 4 November 1871)
23 December 1871
"Mormon Railroad Enterprise" - excerpts from a long letter written by
some 'E.N.F.-' to the Newark (N.J.) 'Daily Advertiser', and lifted from that
paper by the Herald: "The Utah Northern railroad company is already
organized under the presidency of John W. Young, one of the prolific family of
the great prophet. It starts at Willard City, a few miles north of Ogden…
"This is a narrow gauge road, a small portion of which is already
constructed from Willard City, and Mr. Young is quite sanguine that he will be
able to bring sufficient capital to his aid for its construction. There is
already a locomotive upon the tracks, and with the opening of the next spring
the work will undoubtedly be pushed rapidly." (Pitchard, Salt Lake Herald, 23 December 1871)
22 January 1872
"Utah Northern Railroad. -- There are now at the depot two flat cars, two
trucks, and a combined mail car and caboose for the Utah Northern. As soon as
the iron arrives, which is on the way, track-laying will commence, and it will
not be long before the Loganites will hear the shrill whistle of the little
locomotive. Bring on the iron." Item from the Ogden Junction of the 20th. (Pitchard, Deseret Evening News, 22 January
1872)
6 March 1872
Two cars for the new Salt Lake City street railroad arrived yesterday from the
East, where purchased by John W. Young. Iron to arrive shortly. (Pitchard, Deseret Evening News, 6 March
1872)
25 March 1872
"Utah Northern Railroad. -- the following was received by Deseret
Telegraph this afternoon: "Utah Northern RR Junction, March 25 - the first
spike on the Utah Northern RR. was driven at 11 a.m. today. Half a mile of
track will be laid this afternoon." (Pitchard, Deseret Evening News, 25 March 1872)
28 March 1872
About a mile of track is laid on the Utah Northern. (Pitchard, Deseret Evening News, 28 March 1872)
30 March 1872
"Utah Northern. -- 'A.C.' of Brigham City, writing under date of March
29th, says: "Little progress has yet been made in tracklaying on the U.N.
line, which commenced last Monday four miles from Brigham City, the tracklayers
being engaged most of their time unloading the iron which is now pouring in
from the East. We are informed that forty additional car loads of rail are now
at Ogden." (Pitchard, Deseret
Evening News, 30 March 1872)
30 March 1872
The Utah Southern is now grading, making cuts and fills and so forth, around
and through the Point of the Mountain south. (Pitchard, Deseret Evening News, 30 March 1872)
5 April 1872
March earnings, Utah Central:
March 1870 - $6,518.89
March 1871 - 418,740.96
March 1872 - $26,832.21 (Pitchard, Salt Lake Herald, 5 April 1872)
5 July 1872
"The Miller Mining and Smelting Company has been organized by the election
of the following officers: Francis Skiddy, of New York, President; Gen. Lloyd
Aspinwall, New York, Chairman of the Executive Committee; Messrs. Howland and
Aspinwall, commercial agents; Henry Horner, New York, Secretary and Treasurer;
Edmund Wilkes, Salt Lake City, General Manager. The Company is in a flourishing
condition. Its property in American Fork is unquestionably of great value and
must prove under Major Wilkes' management a great financial success. There is
no such mass of ore in the Territory, if we except the Emma, as is developed in
the Miller. One furnace was started June 30th and is running splendidly and on
the 8th another furnace will be fired up. The ore smelts with extraordinary
ease. The Miller will have out a heap of bullion this year." (Pitchard, Utah Mining Journal, 5 July 1872)
6 April 1872
J. W. Young informs the Deseret Evening News that the Utah Northern Railroad
will run trains to meet the Central Pacific trains, for conference visitors. (Pitchard, Deseret Evening News, 6 April
1872)
12 April 1872
"Utah Northern Railroad. -- Bro. W. J. Silver, master mechanic of this road
informs us that he was on the line from Tuesday until Friday of last week, and
was engaged in running the engine, which, he says, works splendidly. It has a
nine-inch cylinder, with a sixteen-inch stroke, and forty-eight inch driving
wheels. Besides the engine, the line has one passenger car, two dump, one box
and two flat cars." "The line is narrow gauge, being three feet wide.
Up to Thursday night about five miles of track were laid, and it was being put
down at the rate of half a mile a day. There is a large amount of iron on the
ground and Brother Silver passed seven car loads on his way back to this City.
The grading is nearly completed to Cache Valley." (Pitchard, Deseret Evening News, 12 April 1872)
16 April 1872
The 'City of Corinne' sold a few days ago to H. S. Jacobs & Company of Salt
Lake City, and the Lehigh & Utah Mining Co., of Mauch Chunk, Penn., and
possession was given yesterday. The mining company is building a reduction
works at Stockton. (Pitchard, Salt Lake
Herald, 16 April 1872)
27 April 1872
"American Fork Railroad." "The announcement of this railroad
enterprise will take the general public by surprise, and yet so far have the
arrangements progressed for constructing the line, that the iron, engines and
rolling stock have been purchased, and will soon arrive from the east. Major E.
Wilkes, who got back on Thursday night after three weeks absence during which
he visited New York and Washington, proceeds at once with the work of letting
contracts for grading, and is desirous that the labor of Utah county and that
region should build the line. It will be twenty-two miles is length, twelve
miles of it being in the canyon, from the Sultana smelting works to the mouth
of the canyon, and ten miles further down into the valley to connect with the
Utah Southern road. It will be of three feet gauge, and designed principally
for the transportation of bullion and ores from the Miller mine and Sultana
smelting works; but it will also afford an excellent facility for parties
visiting the beautiful scenery in that canyon, one of the finest in the west.
The grading will be easily done, and the calculation is to have the road in
running order by the first of August. The new enterprise has our best wishes
for its speedy completion." (Pitchard, Salt Lake Herald, 27 April 1872)
27 April 1872
Notice to Contractors
American Fork Railroad
Proposals will be received at this office until May 25, 1872 for grading and bridging the road from the Utah Southern RR up to the Sultana Smelting Works.
E. Wilkes, managing director
Office of Sultana Smelting Works, Kimball Block (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 27 April 1872)
27 April 1872
"American Fork Railroad", an item of no especial importance, so early
in the road's history, except it says, quite clearly, that "It will be of
three feet gauge,…" (Pitchard, Salt Lake Herald, 27 April 1872)
30 April 1872
Col. E. F. Gray, chief engineer of the AFRR, is now locating the line; grading
to commence in two weeks. (Pitchard, Salt
Lake Daily Tribune, 30 April 1872)
7 May 1872
April earnings, Utah Central:
April 1871 - $25,675.58
April 1872 - $29,479.59 (Pitchard, Salt Lake Herald, 7 May 1872)
19 May 1872
"On The Lake" item gives some details of the steamboat "City of
Corinne." It is 138 feet long, stem to stern, and 28 feet in the beam. Two
engines, of 125 horsepower each, drive the stern wheel. Built mostly of Oregon
fir, the ribs are eight inches apart, and the hull is planked inside and out
with three-inch thick fir. The Captain is a Mr. Evans, the engineer is John
Edgecomb, the chief clerk is G. B. Adams, and the steward is Samuel Lancaster.
H. S. Jacobs, as part owner, seems to be on hand as the host. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Herald, 19 May 1872)
20 May 1872
The steamboat 'City of Corinne' is owned by H. S. Jacobs & Co. (Pitchard, Deseret Evening News, 20 May
1872)
3 June 1872
300 men at work on the grade of the AFRR, and about two miles now completed. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 3 June 1872)
4 June 1872
Clinton's hotel is called 'Lake House'. (Pitchard, Deseret Evening News, 4 June 1872)
5 June 1872
The Utah Northern is to open officially, as far as Hampton's, on the 18th. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Herald, 5 June
1872)
12 June 1872
"The Utah Northern R.R. -- The first train for the accommodation of
passengers on this line, was run on Sunday last, when about five hundred
persons from Cache county were landed in Brigham City by it. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Herald, 12 June 1872)
("Sunday last" was June 9, 1872)
18 June 1872
The Utah Northern officially opened today; line runs from CPRR Junction, below
Brigham City, to Hampton's, or Bear River Bridge, a distance of some 23 miles. (Pitchard, Deseret Evening News, 18 June
1872)
June 18, 1872 was announced as being the planned official first day of operation in the June 5, 1872 issue of the Salt Lake Herald. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Herald, 5 June 1872)
28 June 1872
"Miller Mine.--This extensive mine, situated in American Fork, has been
sold by R. N. Baskin and Lloyd Aspinwall to the Miller Mining Company of New
York for $2,700,000. This company is incorporated under the laws of the State
of New-York. The American Fork Railroad is now disconnected from the Miller
Mining Company." (This item also appeared in one of the Salt Lake papers;
no explanation) (Pitchard, Utah Mining
Journal, 28 June 1872)
29 June 1872
"Sale of the Miller Mine" for some $3,000,000, apparently a
reorganizing move, the mine and the Sultana smelter now belonging to the Miller
Mining and Smelting Company, same officers as before. The American Fork
Railroad is held separately from the mine, &c., but has all the same
officers as the M. M. & S., with Major Wilkes the manager of both. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Herald, 29 June 1872)
1 July 1872
Two trains a day on the U.N.R.R.; item says two more engines and a number of
passenger cars. (Pitchard, Deseret
Evening News, 1 July 1872)
12 July 1872
"American Fork Notes - The work on the narrow gauge is progressing
rapidly. The grade is completed to within five miles of the Miller mine, and
the iron will soon be laid." (Pitchard, Utah Mining Journal, 12 July 1872)
14 July 1872
On the American Fork Railroad, about 11 miles of grade are done; 10 flat cars
have already been received, and also rail for seven miles of track; at present
about 550 men at work; tracklaying will start in 10 days or less. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Herald, 14 July 1872)
16 July 1872
Durant & Cutting have received 17 car loads of rail for the American Fork
Railroad, in Salt Lake City, and it will be forwarded at once. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Herald, 16 July 1872)
17 July 1872
"American Fork Narrow Gauge -- No. l Narrow Gauge Locomotive, 'American
Fork', built by Wm. Mason, Taunton, Mass., arrived this morning by U.C.RR. Two
more locomotives are on the way. Twenty flats and twenty-five car loads of iron
have been received. The railroad will be three feet gauge, and E. Wilkes, who
exhibits untiring energy in its superintendence, says running will commence on
it by the 15th of August. It is expected the Utah Southern will be completed to
American Fork before that time." (Pitchard, Deseret Evening News, 17 July 1872)
18 July 1872
"A locomotive for the American Fork Railroad and a large quantity of iron
have been received by Durant & Cutting, and will go forward immediately,
after which track-laying will commence." "A number of flat cars have
been received for use on the American Fork Railroad." (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 18 July 1872)
18 July 1872
"A locomotive for the American Fork Railroad and a large quantity of iron
have been received by Durant & Cutting, and will go forward immediately,
after which track-laying will commence." "A number of flat cars have
been received for use on the American Fork Railroad." (Pitchard, Salt Lake Tribune,
18 July 1872)
21 July 1872
"American Fork R.R. -- We saw at the U.C. depot yesterday the 'American
Fork', No. 1, arrived for the American Fork railroad. It is a handsome
locomotive, constructed on the Fairlie principle,' and the second of the kind
built in the United States. People who talk of the rolling stock of narrow
gauge railroads disparagingly should go to the trouble of examining some of it
before exposing their ignorance, and a sight of this locomotive for a
three-foot narrow gauge would be a lesson to them. Major Wilkes informs us that
the 'American Fork' will be moved down tomorrow. Spikes and iron for the track
are arriving at the rate of thirty to forty tons a day; the flat cars have all
been received, and the tracklaying will commence tomorrow. The road is being
pushed forward with energy." (Pitchard, Salt Lake Herald, 21 July 1872)
26 July 1872
"American Fork -- Dr. Spoerry…dropped in to see us yesterday, and tells
us this camp is becoming very lively. At present the Narrow Gauge is being
graded by different gangs clear to the Sultana works, and the iron is already
being laid, commencing at the mouth of the canyon, it being the purpose of
Major Wilkes to have the road from that point to the smelter in working order
first." (Pitchard, Utah Mining
Journal, 26 July 1872)
4 August 1872
Item reports that track is laid on the American Fork Railroad from the
connection with the Utah Southern to the mouth of the canyon, and "the
first locomotive for the road, … left this city several days ago…" (Pitchard, Salt Lake Herald, 4 August 1872)
4 August 1872
Although the Utah Southern had not yet reached American Fork, track of the
American Fork Railroad had been laid from the future connection point with the
Utah Southern in American Fork, to the mouth of the canyon. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Herald, 4 August 1872)
6 August 1872
"The narrow gauge locomotive for the American fork railroad is now being
propelled around the point of the Big Mountain south. It was taken down by rail
on the U.S.R.R. as far as the track on that road was completed, and from there
it is being run on a temporary track laid down in sections for the purpose. The
progress is rather slow, but it keeps moving towards its destination." (Pitchard, Salt Lake Herald, 6 August 1872)
6 August 1872
"The locomotive for the American Fork narrow gauge railroad is now being
taken around the point of Big Mountain." (Pitchard, Utah Mining Journal, 6 August 1872)
6 August 1872
Item on the Utah Southern says the standard gauge road is laid to a point about
3,000 feet shy of the summit, on the north side, and the road hopes to be past
the Point in 10 days. (Pitchard, Salt
Lake Herald, 6 August 1872)
9 August 1872
The Utah Southern started this morning running regular trains to Point of the
Mountain; paper of 10th says end of the track is about 3,000 feet short of the
actual summit, on the north side. (Pitchard, Deseret Evening News, 9 August 1872)
11 August 1872
An item, column long, written by editor E. L. Sloan, on the trip recently made
by C. R. Savage over the line of the Utah Northern, and mentioning some of the
pictures that Savage made that day. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Herald, 11 August 1872)
13 August 1872
"Railway Progress in Utah." "The Union Pacific railroad appears
to be thoroughly aroused to the value and necessity of building feeders to the
main line,… It is largely interested in the Utah Central and Southern roads,
and will undoubtedly sooner or later own them entirely." (Pitchard, Utah Mining Journal, 13 August
1872)
13 August 1872
"Local Brevities." "Toohy calls the Young-Hooper pet Northern
narrow gauge, 'that scrap-iron affair!' Ta-ta!" (Pitchard, Utah Mining Journal, 13 August 1872)
13 August 1872
"Railway Progress in Utah." "The Union Pacific railroad appears
to be thoroughly aroused to the value and necessity of building feeders to the
main line,… It is largely interested in the Utah Central and Southern roads,
and will undoubtedly sooner or later own them entirely." (Pitchard, Utah Mining Journal, 13 August
1872)
15 August 1872
"Local Brevities." "A track is to be laid from the depot to the
Temple block strong enough to permit a locomotive to haul the cars of rock upon
it. The horse railroad is found to be not sufficiently strong." (Pitchard, Utah Mining Journal, 15 August
1872)
15 August 1872
"Local Brevities." "A carload of tents for the Utah, Idaho and
Montana Railroad company arrived in Corinne yesterday. This looks like
business." (Pitchard, Utah Mining
Journal, 15 August 1872)
16 August 1872
The first shipment of rail for the Summit County Railroad is expected to arrive
in about three weeks. (Pitchard, Salt
Lake Herald, 16 August 1872)
19 August 1872
Letter to the editor, from J. B. Wilson, dated August 12, 1872 at Alta City:
"Traveled by railroad to Sandy station, and then took the stage here
[Alta]… I started for Forest City, American Fork, on Friday morning… The
track is laid within four miles of Forest City, and they are grading both
ways… I started back again the same day." signed J. B. Wilson. He
commented somewhat on the various businesses at Forest City; the Forest City
Hotel, run by C. A. Washington, has been enlarged; the Railroad House has been
started up by B. F. Whittemore; T. Osborn will open a saloon and billiards
parlor in a few days; Burnet & Co. run a butcher's shop. The smelter is
running one furnace at present; the Miller mine employs about 40 men; at Forest
City there are 12 charcoal kilns in use, with three more to be put in use soon.
One cord of wood will yield 45 bushels of charcoal." (Pitchard, Utah Mining Journal, 19 August 1872)
20 August 1872
In item on U.S.R.R., several officials, including T. E. Sickles, have been over
the U.S., and "…at the U.C. depot they inspected the model of a recent
patent for running trains up a heavy incline, which is in the Utah Central
machine shops." (Pitchard, Salt Lake
Herald, 20 August 1872)
21 August 1872
"Local Brevities." "Temple street is well cut with railroad
tracks, the new one being put down by the Church. These tracks leave no room on
that side of the street for teams to pass, and the draymen complain bitterly of
the situation of affairs. They are compelled to pay license, and yet the
streets are practically closed to them. That street will be almost impassable
in the winter to loaded drays." (Pitchard, Utah Mining Journal, 21 August 1872)
21 August 1872
"American Fork RR -- Eight miles of rails of this line are now laid, and
the locomotive was expected to be on the track yesterday doing duty. The work
is progressing rapidly, and the Utah Southern company is pushing ahead to make
a junction with it." (Pitchard, Salt
Lake Herald, 21 August 1872)
23 August 1872
Letter to the Editor, dated 21 August, from American Fork: "News in our
little town is, under the best of circumstances, rather scarce; hence it is
almost impossible to get together sufficient to predicate an article for a
paper upon. We have at this time, however, that which attracts our attention,
in the immense amount of railroad iron and other material for the American Fork
railroad. The sight of the locomotive, as it majestically moved up our main
street, excited a great deal of curiosity, especially among the hundreds who
had never before seen a locomotive. The superintendent put it on the track
yesterday, and made the first trip under the immediate superintendence of Mr.
Parrott. The building of this road is certainly a praiseworthy enterprise…"
(Pitchard, Salt Lake Herald, 23 August
1872)
23 August 1872
"Local Brevities." "John Young's opinion of the Utah, Idaho and
Montana railroad is not flattering. He says the road will never be built, but
it is raising h--1 with the bonds of the Utah Northern in the New York market!
Which, it is not too much to say, is bad enough for the narrow gauge." (Pitchard, Salt Lake Herald, 23 August 1872)
23 August 1872
"Local Brevities." "John Young's opinion of the Utah, Idaho and
Montana railroad is not flattering. He says the road will never be built, but
it is raising h--1 with the bonds of the Utah Northern in the New York market!
Which, it is not too much to say, is bad enough for the narrow gauge." (Pitchard, Salt Lake Herald, 23 August 1872)
24 August 1872
"The American Fork Narrow Gauge Railroad, under the management of Major
Wilkes, will probably be in operation next week. The construction of this great
enterprise is being pushed forward rapidly by the chief engineer, Col.
Gray." (Pitchard, Utah Mining Journal,
24 August 1872)
26 August 1872
A telegraph office opened at Hampton's, with Charles Nibley as operator. (Pitchard, Deseret Evening News, 26 August
1872)
26 August 1872
"American Fork Railway." "We learn from Major Wilkes that the
new locomotive, American Fork, is on the track and running about two miles and
a half up the canyon. The little trooper is a diminutive Goliath in pulling
heavy loads and ascends steep grades apparently with ease, while it winds
around the curves like a snake. The work on the road is progressing finely. In
a couple of weeks the locomotive will awaken the echoes of Deer Creek with its
shrill whistle." (Pitchard, Deseret
Evening News, 26 August 1872)
29 August 1872
Article on Coalville mentions grading being done on line from Echo to
Coalville, and some of the branches-to-be; most of the ties are on hand, iron
and equipment is not. (Pitchard, Salt
Lake Herald, 29 August 1872)
30 August 1872
"…the cars on the American Fork Railroad are making three trips per day
from the town to the terminus of the track, just above the mouth of the canyon,
freighting iron, ties, &c." (Pitchard, Deseret Evening News, 30 August 1872)
30 August 1872
"New views of the Utah Northern,…, at the Pioneer Art Gallery" of
C. R. Savage. (Pitchard, Salt Lake
Herald, 30 August 1872)
1 September 1872
In an interview with Major Wilkes yesterday morning, he noted that ten miles of
track had been laid, and eight miles of grade was or would soon be completed.
The item goes on to say: "The locomotive has been successfully run over
the heaviest grade on the road, 296 feet to the mile, at the rate of twelve
miles per hour and carrying forty tons. This is accomplishing more than the
projectors of the road anticipated. On the down grade, they can hold the
locomotive under perfect control." "The iron for the balance of the
road is already here, and the passenger equipments were shipped from the East
on the 17th ult., and may be expected to arrive now any day." "The
American Fork Railroad company are very anxious for the Utah Southern to make
connection with them at American Fork, as there is a large pile of bullion
accumulating in the canyon awaiting shipment. Success to the American
Fork." (Pitchard, Salt Lake Herald,
1 September 1872)
3 September 1872
American Fork City is six miles from the mouth of the canyon, grade between is
relatively easy; track is laid on it, Greatest grade in the canyon is 296 feet
per mile. (5.6 percent) "From the mouth of the canyon the track is
now laid nearly three miles up the narrow valley, to the site of an old shingle
mill, recently destroyed by fire. The grade on this portion of the road is very
steep. It includes in fact some of the heaviest grades on the whole work, 296
feet to the mile being the greatest." "We are indebted to Col. Gray,
the chief engineer, and Mr. Parrott, the engineer in charge of the
track-laying, for a ride on the infant monster, the 'American Fork.' Five
loaded cars are drawn up easily, though of course not at lightning speed, and
on the down trip the train was stopped several times at the very foot of the
heaviest grades, fully showing the power of the brake to control the train at
any point. The grade is about completed as far as Deer Creek, nine miles up the
canyon,…" "It is expected that the railroad will be completed to
Deer Creek by the end of the present month,…" (Pitchard, Utah Mining Journal, 3 September 1872)
5 September 1872
Article on the American Fork Railroad -- says the engine can pull six to eight
loaded cars up the hill -- the stream is crossed 16 times in the first five
miles of the canyon, some of them 30 feet above the water. Col. Gray ran five
lines from Deer Creek to the smelter before finding one he liked, and it will
have a bridge requiring 500,000 board feet of timber! The item further states
that "a branch to Little Cottonwood is determined upon", which will
have to cross the divide between the two canyons. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Herald, 5 September 1872)
(The proposed American Fork line to Little Cottonwood may have been in response to the Utah Southern's grading of a line that summer from Sandy to the mouth of Little Cottonwood Canyon, and the organization of the Wasatch & Jordan Valley line from Sandy to Alta on October 24, 1872.)
5 September 1872
Utah Northern timetable and fare schedule appear in the newspaper for the first
time. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Herald, 5 September 1872)
6 September 1872
A correction to an item yesterday, neither one of any particular importance,
does say that E. Fairfax Grey, Colonel, now with the American Fork Railroad,
was in command of one of the regiments in Hood's division. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Herald, 6 September 1872)
8 September 1872
A letter from Deer Creek City, dated 5 Sept 1872, says that track has been laid
for a total distance of 12-1/2 miles from American Fork city, grade is all done
to Deer Creek, and track will be laid this week. Letter signed E. H., who is
likely E. Humphrey, who "built over four miles of the road." (Pitchard, Salt Lake Herald, 8 September
1872)
10 September 1872
Item from Council Bluffs 'Non Pariel' of 5 September, 1872: "Two narrow
gauge passenger cars intended for use on the Utah Northern arrived here
yesterday. They came via the Chicago & Northwestern, and will probably be
shipped west today." (Pitchard, Salt
Lake Herald, 10 September 1872)
11 September 1872
"Cars for the Utah Northern. -- We had a pleasant visit this morning from
Albert Dutton, Esq., who reached this city on Monday evening, having in his
charge two new passenger cars - the 'Ogden' and the 'soda Springs' - for the Utah
Northern line, direct from the Jackson & Sharp Company's Works, Delaware.
Mr. Dutton started for Salt Lake on the 25th of last month, and had a very
pleasant trip." "These cars are capable of seating 46 persons each;
they are constructed with the latest improvements, having the Miller coupling
platform, patent ventilators, improved water tanks, etc. They are handsomely
finished, the inside being black walnut, ash and chestnut, and cost, we are
informed, somewhere in the neighborhood of five thousand dollars each." (Pitchard, Deseret Evening News, 11 September 1872)
12 September 1872
"Ogden Items - We take the following from the 'Junction' of yesterday:
"last Monday evening two handsome palace cars arrived here, and were
forwarded northward, for the Utah Northern railroad, named respectively 'Ogden'
and 'soda Springs'. They were constructed by Jackson and Sharp, Wilmington, Delaware, and are as
beautifully finished as any standard gauge cars that run. They each contain
twenty-two double and two single seats, with patent bowed ends, which give more
room than the ordinary kind, and are fitted with the Miller platform, with
self-acting couplings. Two hand cars for the little road were also forwarded
with them." (Monday was the 9th of September 1872) (Pitchard, Salt Lake Herald, 12 September 1872) ("last
Monday" was September 9, 1872)
17 September 1872
"Local Intelligence." "Two handsome passenger cars for the
American Fork railway have arrived at the Utah Central station and will be sent
forward as soon as the Utah Southern track is laid to American Fork. The cars
are about the size of the city street cars, will accommodate sixteen persons
and are very comfortably fitted up. Other cars have been ordered and will soon
be here, together with a new locomotive. Work on the road is being pushed with
great vigor." (Pitchard, Utah Mining
Journal,17 September 1872)
18 September 1872
"The Utah Southern railroad will reach Lehi in a day or two, and the
terminus of the road, for passengers and traffic, is expected to be moved from
Point of Mountain to Lehi on Monday next." (Pitchard, Salt Lake Herald, 18 September 1872)
19 September 1872
"Central City, Little Cottonwood, is to be known hereafter as Alta,
according to the orders of the Postmaster General." (Pitchard, Utah Mining Journal, 19 September 1872)
21 September 1872
"Gen. P. Edward Connor arrived this morning from the West. He says the
Utah, Idaho and Montana road is to be built. That means the death knell of the
Northern narrow gauge, run under Mormon auspices. Well, it is time that the
roads in this country are in liberal hands." (Pitchard, Utah Mining Journal, 21 Seotember 1872)
22 September 1872
"Stock Car. -- The first stock car built in Utah is at the Utah Central
depot, where it is just about finished. We hope, by and by, to see all the
rolling stock of our railroads home-made. That is an object to be reached in
internal development." (Pitchard, Salt Lake Herald, 22 September 1872)
22 September 1872
The freight forwarding outfits moving to Lehi tomorrow. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Herald, 22 September 1872)
23 September 1872
"Accident on the Utah Northern -- Last Thursday evening a slight accident
occurred on the Utah Northern. The engine ran over a steer, cutting him in two,
the collision causing the engine to run off the track and tip over. Slight
damage was done, and by Friday noon the engine was running again, the accident
causing the omission of one round trip." (Pitchard, Deseret Evening News, 23 September 1872)
24 September 1872
The Utah Southern began running passenger trains to Lehi as of yesterday. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Herald, 24 September
1872) Gordon & Murray, a
freighting firm, advertised for mule teams and ox teams, and teamsters to haul
freight between the Utah Southern terminus at Lehi and Pioche. (Pitchard, Utah Mining Journal, 23 September 1872)
24 September 1872
"American Fork Railroad." "This road is now completed as far as
Deer Creek, and the locomotive whistle is now heard in that romantic spot.
Grading is being done between Deer Creek and the Sultana works,… Passenger
trains will be running in a few days." (Pitchard, Utah Mining Journal, 24 September 1872)
24 September 1872
"Local Brevities." "The Utah Southern railroad is now carrying
passengers to Lehi, seven miles beyond the point of the mountain. On Wednesday
freight will be delivered there." (Pitchard, Utah Mining Journal, 24 September 1872)
25 September 1872
Freight trains on Utah Southern will run to Lehi today and after. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Herald, 25 September
1872)
26 September 1872
The Salt Lake City street railroad has added a third car, larger than other
two. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Herald, 26 September 1872)
28 September 1872
"Railroad Progress." excerpt: "[Another] enterprise, which will
soon be under way and completed probably before snow flies, will be the Bingham
Canyon narrow gauge road, about 17 miles in length." (Pitchard, Utah Mining Journal, 28 September 1872)
28 September 1872
"Railroad Progress." excerpt: "The American Fork narrow gauge
will be completed in a few days from Lehi, its junction with the Utah Southern,
to Deer Creek, American Fork canyon, nearly twenty miles in length." (Pitchard, Utah Mining Journal, 28 September
1872)
28 September 1872
"Local Intelligence." "The American Fork Railroad is swinging
along in fine style. The grading is completed-to Lehi and by Wednesday next the
track will be laid and a close connection made with the Utah Southern
Railroad." "Passengers will then be able to go by rail as far as Deer
Creek, American Fork canyon. The road promises to have all the work it can
attend to for some time to come. We hope to enjoy a glimpse of canyon scenery
some of these days with Major Wilkes and Col. Gray." (Pitchard, Utah Mining Journal, 28 September 1872)
28 September 1872
"Local Brevities." "We learn that the Utah Southern will not be
built any further than Lehi this winter. The company propose erecting a large
warehouse at that point for the storing of goods." (Pitchard, Utah Mining Journal, 28 September 1872)
28 September 1872
"Local Brevities." "The Bingham Narrow Gauge Railway is a new
enterprise fairly under way. We understand that the company has already
organized and the surveyors will be put on the line next week. Work will at
once be inaugurated, and by winter it is expected the road will be completed.
It is in energetic hands." (Pitchard, Utah Mining Journal, 28 September 1872)
29 September 1872
"American Fork R.R. -- Major Wilkes informs us that the A.F.RR. is
completed to Deer Creek, up the canyon, and that he is running his line to
connect with the Utah Southern at Lehi. He hopes to make the connection on
Wednesday." (Pitchard, Salt Lake
Herald, 29 September 1872) ("Wednesday" would have been October 2,
1872)
12 October 1872
Letter from Jacobs City, Dry Canyon, dated October 9, 1872, shows the town to
have been named, the day before, for 'Commodore' Jacobs, the same as H. S.
Jacobs, of S.L., S.V. & P.R.R. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Herald, 12 October 1872) (Dry Canyon is the location of the Ophir mining camp.)
13 October 1872
"A Connection Made.-The connection between the Utah Southern and American
Fork railroads is made at Lehi, and trains will be running on the latter to
Deer Creek, in American Fork canyon, early in the week." (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Herald, 13 October 1872)
14 October 1872
"American Fork." excerpt: "Deer Creek is the terminus of the
railroad at present,… The narrow-gauge rattles down the canyon in a famous
way, more than surpassing the company's anticipations. Connection has been made
at Lehi with the Utah Southern." (Pitchard, Utah Mining Journal, 14 October 1872)
15 October 1872
Article on 'Long Tramway' to be built from the mouth of the canyon to Alta, by
Hallidie & Co., San Francisco, apparently a rope or cable tram, with some
sort of bucket. The ore traffic warrants it; one gentleman, coming down from
Alta, met 81 teams going up, in the space of 14 hours! (Pitchard, Salt Lake Herald, 15 October 1872)
16 October 1872
An excursion over the American Fork RR, with Brigham Young, D. H. Wells, and
sundry others; the train was a flat car with chairs on it, went up the canyon
about 12 miles. (Pitchard, Salt Lake
Herald, 16 October 1872)
16 October 1872
"Local Intelligence." "Quite a large party, consisting of
Brigham Young, …, and others indulged in a pleasant excursion over the
American Fork narrow gauge railway yesterday. They greatly enjoyed the
magnificent scenery of that grand canyon, and were much pleased with the road
and the engineering skill developed in overcoming so many natural difficulties.
Major Wilkes, manager of the road, accompanied the party and made their trip as
pleasant as possible. The new caboose cars were run on the occasion for the
first time. Trains for passengers and freight are now running daily in
connection with the trains on the Utah Southern." (Pitchard, Utah Mining Journal, 16 October 1872)
20 October 1872
The building of the tram referred to on the 15th was begun on Friday, 18 Oct. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Herald, 20 October
1872)
23 October 1872
"Utah Northern. -- Two more engines, more powerful and more suited to the
service than the others employed, are running on the Utah Northern R.R., one
commenced on Friday morning and the other on Sunday. Each has six wheels
coupled, three feet six inches in diameter, with cylinders 10 x 16 inches. The
big fill is within six feet of the top and its completion is all that there is
any waiting for on the way to Logan, to finish the road to which point there is
sufficient iron already on hand." (Pitchard, Deseret Evening News, 23 October 1872)
(Friday was the October 18th, and Sunday was October 20th; the two engines referred to were Utah Northern's first 2-6-0 Mogul locomotives, UNRR No. 2 "Utah" and No. 3 "Idaho".)
24 October 1872
"Local Intelligence." "We learn that the locomotive American
Fork, on the railroad of that name, will be repaired and in running order
tomorrow. The other engines ordered for the road are expected daily, and when
they arrive the road will be busily occupied in transporting bullion, of which
there are more than six hundred tons, to Sandy, and in carrying ores to the
smelters at the head of the canyon. The road will be run as long as
possible." (Pitchard, Utah Mining
Journal, 24 October 1872)
25 October 1872
Utah Northern: "The two new passenger cars, handsomely upholstered and
elegantly painted, and the two new locomotives that have lately been added to
the rolling stock command enconmiums." (Pitchard, Salt Lake Herald, 25 October 1872)
26 October 1872
A letter, dated 24 October, says that ground was broken today (24th) on the
Bingham Canyon railroad. Hugh White is the Superintendent of the railroad, and
the 24th was his 27th birthday. The survey of the route was done by a Mr.
Smith, who with his crew came over from the American Fork railroad, and the
survey is now about completed. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Herald, 26 October 1872)
28 October 1872
In an item headed "The Utah Southern," …the American Fork Railroad
… had a misfortune with the engine on Friday, in the bursting of the exhaust
pipe, in consequence of which trains have not run on the American Fork RR
since, but it was expected that the engine would be repaired and at work
tomorrow. Portions of the American Fork grade up to and in the canyon are very
steep, and heavy work has been put upon the present small engine. One of
greater power appears to be requisite, and there is some talk of such a one
being obtained." (Pitchard, Deseret
Evening News, 28 October 1872)
5 November 1872
A report on the groundbreaking, yesterday, of the Wasatch & Jordan Valley,
and some remarks on plans for the future. The road is to be a three-foot gauge;
the W&JV has secured from the Utah Southern RR some 3-1/2 miles of grade
made 'last summer' from Sandy towards the mouth of Little Cottonwood Canyon;
'The point selected for commencing the work yesterday, was at the eastern end
of the grade heretofore made by the Utah Southern, three and a half miles from
Sandy.' Seven miles of iron have been ordered. Mention is made, for some four
column inches, of Colonel French's wonderful invention, to be used on at least
one locomotive for the W&JV. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Herald, 5 November 1872)
5 November 1872
Much the same as the Herald article, above. (Pitchard, Deseret Evening News, 5 November 1872)
6 November 1872
Short item reports that grading the W&JV began yesterday. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Tribune, 6 November
1872)
7 November 1872
"A Splendid Locomotive. -- A very fine locomotive, weighing thirty-one
tons, has just been received by the U. C. R. R. Company, from the manufactory
of Hinkley and Williams, Boston, Mass. It has a cylinder of 16 x 24 inches. The
engineer's cab is of beautifully polished black walnut, and on the whole it
presents to the view as fine a looking piece of mechanism as a person need wish
to see. It is engine number six of the Utah Central company, and Hinkley &
Williams' number on it is 1120. This magnificent engine cost, at the factory in
Boston, $14,000. The new steam horse makes its first trip under the auspices of
the U. C. company on their line tomorrow." (Pitchard, Deseret Evening News, 7 November 1872")
9 November 1872
An item repeating one in the Deseret News, regarding the recently arrived Utah
Central Railroad engine No. 6, from Hinkley & Williams, which also repeats
the builder's number of the engine, 1120. This item notes the engine weighs 31
tons, or five tons more than any of the other engines of the U. C. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Herald, 9 November
1872)
11 November 1872
"Local Brevities." "The first five miles grading on the Bingham
Canyon narrow gauge R.R. was completed to-day." (Pitchard, Utah Mining Journal, 11 November 1872)
14 November 1872
"Sail Boat.--The 'Kate Connor,' owned by Bishop Layton, which was lately
damaged by a severe storm on Salt Lake, is to be converted into a sail boat.
Her engine will be transferred to the grist mill at Kaysville." (Pitchard, Utah Mining Journal, 14 November
1872)
14 November 1872
"American Fork Railroad -- through the courtesy of Colonel E. Fairfax Gray
we have examined a profile map of the American Fork railroad,… The road is
constructed about sixteen miles from the terminus at American Fork to Deer
Creek, in the canyon, and within six miles of the smelter works; while they are
within a mile and three-quarters of the famous Miller mine. The elevation of
the smelting works above the junction of the road with the U.S.RR. is 2,684
feet, which has to be attained in 19 miles. Of this altitude, the heaviest
grade occurs within the first four miles, where it reaches 297 feet to the
mile. As this is something new in railroading, we commend the fact to
engineers." (Pitchard, Salt Lake
Herald, 14 November 1872)
19 November 1872
A very long letter dated Monday 18 November, split into three sections on three
days, November 19, 20, and 21, 1872, all on American Fork Canyon, etc -- the
Sultana Smelter is in Forest City, the Miller mine being about 2-3/4 miles
north of Forest City, and about two miles south of the divide; the part of the
letter in the November 21st issue is mostly AFRR -- preliminary survey ordered
by Major Wilkes, then with mine, in early spring of 1872, was done by J. C.
Cameron, Jun., who wrote this letter; following the survey, AFRR was organized
by Wilkes and others, and E. F. Gray began the final location. Cameron says in
his letter that the grade in some spots reaches 316 feet to the mile; north end
of track is presently at Deer Creek, a.k.a. Silver Lake City, but grade is
almost complete to Sultana Smelter, and in some areas switchbacks are required.
"The work of laying the track and completion of the road to that point
will be accomplished early next spring." Most of the road will be 'easily'
kept open in winter, but "the upper portion will be subject to some
expense during three months of the winter season." Some of the officers
are: Major Edmund Wilkes, general manager; E. M. Parrott, superintendent; J. F.
Lowell, paymaster; J. Van Dyke, superintendent of construction; C. F. Basino,
agent at Lehi; T. M. Smith, agent at American Fork; and J. H. Smails, agent at
Deer Creek. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Tribune,
19, 21 & 22 November 1872)
25 November 1872
"The American Fork Railroad's little engine runs along on weekdays with
passengers between Lehi and American Fork, which is an accommodation to be
thankful for." (Pitchard, Deseret
Evening News, 25 November 1872)
(Utah Southern reached Lehi on September 24th, but had not yet reached American Fork. Apparently, the AFRR was operating on narrow gauge trackage laid on the USRR right of way.)
29 November 1872
Six and one-half miles of the B. C. & C. F. line have been graded, the ties
are all contracted for, and are now being delivered. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Herald, 29 November 1872)
30 November 1872
Item headed "Little Cottonwood RR", which is of course the W&JV;
Jennings is arranging the contracts, and grading is to start on Monday the 2nd.
All the rail to build to Granite has been shipped; no greater distance to be
attempted at the present. (Pitchard, Salt
Lake Herald, 30 November 1872)
2 December 1872
"Local Intelligence." "The grading on the railroad from Sandy up
to Little Cottonwood commenced this morning." (Pitchard, Utah Mining Journal, 2 December 1872)
2 December 1872
"American Fork." excerpts "One of our reporters, who has been
airing himself in American Fork Canyon for a few days, gleans the following in
relation to the business and prospects generally of the camp: "…The
railroad is a great feature,… From Mr. Church, conductor on the road, we
learn that Major Wilkes is now on a trip to New York to increase the rolling
stock, and two or three new engines, and passenger coaches are expected daily.
… The passenger coaches are very complete for a narrow gauge. Passengers
desiring views of the most superb canyon scenery Utah affords, can do so with
as much ease as on any railroad line." (Pitchard, Utah Mining Journal, 2 December 1872)
11 December 1872
As of today, the Utah Northern Railroad runs to a terminus six miles from
Logan; Charles Nibley is appointed General Freight & Traffic Agent of the
U.N.R.R. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Herald, 11 December 1872)
14 December 1872
Hugh White, superintendent of the Bingham Canyon railroad, says that two miles
more of the grading done, making 7-1/2 miles at present; ties are being
delivered, timbers for the Jordan River bridge are on the ground, and he is
about to head East in search of iron and rolling stock. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Herald, 14 December 1872)
14 December 1872
Iron for the W&JV is arriving, 19 cars so far, and another 11 are on the
road between Salt Lake City and Omaha. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Herald, 14 December 1872)
17 December 1872
Several cars of rail at Sandy for the W&JV, and ties are 'strewn along the
line'. Three inches of snow fell Sunday the 15th. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Herald, 17 December 1872)
19 December 1872
Grading on the W&JV is done nearly to the Davenport Reduction Works, or
about one mile below Granite, and the surveyors have gone on beyond Granite
some little ways. (Pitchard, Salt Lake
Herald, 19 December 1872)
20 December 1872
A shortage of spikes on the Utah Northern has halted tracklaying. (Pitchard, Deseret Evening News, 20 December
1872)
3 January 1873
"New Railroad.-- We learn from Mr. W. L. Payne, who is foreman for the
Holt Bros. [of Ogden], that tracklaying on the Wasatch and Jordan Valley
Railroad will commence on Thursday next. This line commences at Sandy station,
on the Utah Southern, [and] will run to Granite, Alta and Flagstaff mine. The
Holt Bros. have fifty men at work four miles from Sandy, where they have two
heavy fills; one is forty-seven feet, and the other will take 70,000 yards of
dirt. Mr. W. F. Fisher, of Richmond, is ahead plowing and scraping with a large
number of men and teams, and everything is favorable for the speedy completion
of the road. Messrs. Jennings, Hooper and Eldridge are particularly interested
in this road,…" -- Ogden Junction of 31 December 1872. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 3 January 1873)
6 January 1873
"Land Slide.--Four charcoal kilns of the American Fork Wood and Fuel
company, at the mouth of Deer Creek, were badly damaged by the late storm. The
late heavy rains caused a slide near the foundations of the kilns. The American
Fork railroad is uninjured, and is running on time. Two feet of snow is
reported in the canyon with an open road to the Miller mine." (Pitchard, Utah Mining Journal, 6 January
1873)
15 January 1873
"Local Intelligence." "The Bingham Canyon narrow gauge railroad
is expected to be in running order by the 10th of next month." (Pitchard, Utah Mining Journal, 15 January
1873)
15 January 1873
"Local Intelligence." "American Fork Canyon is open and trains
are running on time." (Pitchard, Utah
Mining Journal, 15 January 1873)
16 January 1873
"American Fork R.R. -- …Major Wilkes has deemed it advisable to tie up
the railroad for the season."
"…the work of transporting freight by rail to and from the canyon
is suspended." (Pitchard, Salt Lake
Herald, 16 January 1873)
16 January 1873
The U.N.RR. is about four miles from Logan. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Herald, 16 January 1873)
16 January 1873
"Local Intelligence." "Closed for the Season. -- The American
Fork Railroad Company have suspended operations for the present and excepting
their own transportation will carry no freight over the road until further
notice. The heavy fall of snow and continued storms of the last month greatly
increased the expenses of running the road and there is not sufficient business
at this season to justify the outlay. The road will be kept free from snow
however, and communication with the Sultana smelters uninterrupted." (Pitchard, Utah Mining Journal, 16 January
1873)
17 January 1873
"The American Fork Railroad is laid up for the winter. We are also
informed the Sultana Smelting Works have closed for the winter, and Major
Wilkes, superintendent and manager of both railroad and furnace, has gone East.
The cause of this is said to be the snows are so deep the ores cannot be got to
the furnace, and hence the furnace cannot run, and hence there is no business
for the railroad, and hence the railroad 'shuts down', and hence American Fork
Mining District becomes inaccessible, and hence all hands that can get out of
it, and hence it is a rough joke on that section of the country and all
enterprises therein. All of which we very much regret, as we were in hopes
that, by the aid of, and facilities afforded by the railroad, every enterprise
in this district would be kept moving all winter." (Pitchard, Salt Lake Tribune, 17 January 1873)
18 January 1873
"Not Gone.--We were yesterday misinformed as to the departure of Major
Wilkes for the East, as we learn he is still in the city and has no intention
of making such a trip at present. We learn also that the A.F. R.R. Co.'s engine
has been only temporarily withdrawn from service in order to make some
necessary repairs. Mules, however, will be used for hauling the cars in the
interim and will be found sufficient for the business, as the severe weather in
the canyon has caused almost a suspension of operations." (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 18 January 1873)
19 January 1873
The Utah Northern is now about one mile from Logan. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Herald, 19 January 1873)
31 January 1873
"Local Intelligence." "American Fork Canyon is virtually closed.
The Miller mine is working about forty men, but all other operations have been
suspended on account of snow. The rolling stock of the railroad is all
housed." (Pitchard, Utah Mining
Journal, 31 January 1873)
1 February 1873
The Utah Northern has been completed to Logan. (Pitchard, Deseret Evening News, 1 February 1873)
3 February 1873
"Local Intelligence." "Resigned.--Major E. Wilkes has resigned
his position as General Manager of the American Fork Railroad Company." (Pitchard, Utah Mining Journal, 3 February
1873)
3 February 1873
"Completed.--The Northern Railroad is completed to Logan City, and there
is to be a blow-out there to-day on account of it. The Utah Northern is a
narrow-gauge, and is forty miles long." (Pitchard, Utah Mining Journal, 3 February 1873)
4 February 1873
Celebration of completion of the Utah Northern to Logan was to have been
yesterday, but snow interfered. New timetable for service to Logan was in this
paper for the first time; 'On and after February 1st 1873…'. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Herald, 4 February
1873)
5 February 1873
The Utah Northern suffering yet from snow blockade. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Herald, 5 February 1873)
21 February 1873
"The American Fork railroad is not running,…" "It is tied up
for the winter,…" (Pitchard, Salt
Lake Herald, 21 February 1873)
21 February 1873
The W. & J. V. has three miles of track down, in spite of the weather;
"Their locomotive is 'en route' and may be expected any day." (Pitchard, Salt Lake Herald, 21 February
1873)
26 February 1873
Major Edmond Wilkes has resigned from the Miller Mining and Smelting Co., and
from the American Fork Railroad; had been manager of both. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Herald, 26 February 1873)
27 February 1873
Maj. Edmund Wilkes, General Manager of the Miller mine and the American Fork
Railroad, and John F. Lowell, secretary of the Railroad, have both resigned.
The new General Manager will be Stephen DeWolfe, and the new secretary will be
John McNamee. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily
Tribune, 27 February 1873)
28 February 1873
"Appointed. -- The Miller mine and the American Fork railroad which we
spoke of recently suspended operations on account of the snow. The place left
vacant by the resignation of Major Wilkes is now filled by S. DeWolfe. … The
company were very fortunate in the selection of Mr. McNamee as Secretary. As
head book-keeper of the firm of Walker Bros., …" (Pitchard, Utah Mining Journal, 28 February 1873)
1 March 1873
"Wasatch and Jordan Valley Railroad.
"The first locomotive for this road has been snow-bound at Evanston for a few days, and reached here yesterday. It was run out on the track in front of Mr. Jennings' residence, where it was inspected by a good many people. It is named the 'Chamois' and weighs seventeen tons. It was built by Messrs. Dawson and Baily, at the National Locomotive Works, Connellsville, Penna. Mr. Lantz, superintendent of the works, accompanied the locomotive through, having been four weeks on the journey.
"This locomotive is known as a 'Miniature Mogul,' has six three-foot driving wheels connected, and pony truck. The boiler is thirty-six inches in diameter, and eighty-nine inches long, and has 105 one and one-half inch tubes. The firebox is five feet long and eighteen inches wide, thus affording ample steam-generating capacity. The firebox is constructed entirely of steel, and the flue sheets are a half inch thick. The cab is a fine piece of workmanship, being made of solid black walnut. The crank-pins are of steel, as are the tires of the drivers. The cylinder is 11 x 16 inches. The tank is constructed of heavy iron, and has a capacity of 600 gallons. The ornamental work is of brass, and the engine presents an elegant appearance. Mr. Lantz accompanied it to Sandy yesterday afternoon, for the purpose of running it out on the track for which it is designed. He will remain at the Townsend House for several days and will receive orders for broad and narrow gauge engines. The National works are by far the largest builders of narrow gauge engines in the United States, and their great facilities enable them to compete successfully with all other makers. They adopt a principle in business which is sure to win; viz, to guarantee the perfect working of every locomotive sent out. Mr. Lantz hopes to secure the locomotive trade of Utah for the house which he represents, and it will repay those who think of ordering such machines to talk with this thoroughly practical mechanic during his stay in town.
"We are pleased to learn that the Wasatch and Jordan Valley road is nearly completed to Granite, and will shortly be running over about .ten miles of track. The enterprise has been pushed with vigor in spite of the severity of the season." (Pitchard, Salt Lake Herald, 1 March 1873)
1 March 1873
Item on the 'Chamois', as copied, and a copy of the item presented below: (Pitchard, Salt Lake Herald, 1 March 1873)
Salt Lake Herald, 1 March 1873
WASATCH AND JORDAN VALLEY RAILROAD.
The first locomotive for this road has been snow-bound at Evanston for a few days, and reached here yesterday. It was run out in the track in front of Mr. Jennings' residence; where it was inspected by a good many people. It is named the "Chamois," and weighs seventeen tons. It was built by Messrs. Dawson and Bailey, at the National Locomotive Works, Connellsville, Penn. Mr. Lantz, superintendent of the works, accompanied the locomotive through, having been four- weeks on the journey.
This locomotive is known as a "Miniature Mogul" has six three inch driving wheels connected, and pony truck. The boiler is thirty-six inches in diameter, and eighty-nine inches long, and has 105 one and one an half inch tubes. The fire-box is five feet long and eighteen inches wide, thus affording ample steam generating capacity. The fire-box is constructed entirely of steel, and the flue sheets area half inch thick. The cab is a fine piece of workmanship, being made of solid black walnut. The crank-pins are of steel, as are the tires of the divers. The cylinder is 11x18 inches. The tank is constructed of heavy iron, and has a capacity of 600 gallons. The ornamental work is of brass, and the engine presents an elegant appearance. Mr. Lantz accompanied it to Sandy yesterday afternoon, for the purpose of running it out on the track for which it is designed. He will remain at the Townsend house for several days and will receive orders for road and narrow gauge engines. The National works are by far the largest builders of narrow gauge engines in the United States, and their great facilities enable them to compete successfully with all other makers. They adopt a principle in business which is sure to win; viz, to guarantee the perfect working of every locomotive sent out. Mr. Lantz hopes to secure the locomotive trade of Utah for the house which he represents, and it-will repay those who think of ordering such machines to talk with this thoroughly practical mechanic during his stay in town.
We are pleased to learn that the Wasatch and Jordan Valley road is nearly completed to Granite, and will shortly be running over about ten miles of track. The enterprise has been pushed with vigor in spite of the severity of the season.
7 March 1873
"Gone East. -- Mr. J. A. Lantz, superintendent of the National Locomotive
Works, Connellsville, Penna., leaves this morning for the east, having seen the
new narrow gauge locomotive brought west by him for the Wasatch and Jordan
Valley railroad successfully running on the track. It has been running now for
three days, with ease on their maximum grade, and gives the utmost
satisfaction. Mr. Lantz expects to return to Salt Lake in a couple of months,
or less, bringing with him another locomotive. Steam to Granite will be the
mode of traveling there in a short time." (Pitchard, Salt Lake Herald, 7 March 1873)
12 March 1873
"Tracklaying recommenced yesterday on the Wasatch & Jordan Valley
Railroad, the iron being already down for three miles; and they expect to reach
Granite in ten days. The grading is done up to the Davenport Smelter; the ties
and iron are on hand; and the new locomotive, which is spoken of in the highest
terms, is running finely. Railroading to Little Cottonwood will soon be in
order." (Pitchard, Salt Lake Herald,
12 March 1873)
13 March 1873
The American Fork Railroad is still shut down. DeWolfe is the manager, and
McNamee is the secretary, having been earlier head bookkeeper for Walker
Brothers bank. (Pitchard, Salt Lake
Tribune, 13 March 1873)
28 March 1873
Mr. John Boyden in from Coalville yesterday, reports that tracklaying has been
recommenced on the SCRR, and as all the iron necessary is on hand, line will be
completed between Echo and Coalville by conference time, or about 6 April. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Herald, 28 March 1873)
29 March 1873
Gen. Connor, president of the S. L., S. V. & P. R. R., received a telegram
from New York, yesterday, with the information that contracts had been closed
for 50 miles of iron, two locomotives and five cars, the iron to be shipped by May 1st. (Pitchard, Salt Lake
Herald, 29 March 1873)
30 March 1873
Summit County R.R.-a correspondent, writing from Echo, 29 March, says that the
railroad will soon be completed, under the superintendence of W. W. Cluff, who
has a large force at work. "The engine 'John W. Young' will doubtless do
same whistling at Coalville next week,…" (Pitchard, Salt Lake Herald, 30 March 1873)
1 April 1873
"The Wasatch and Jordan Valley Company have laid about five miles of
track, and are now running construction trains from Sandy that distance
eastward, as far as the quarry from which the Temple rock is obtained and close
to the Davenport Smelter." (Pitchard, Deseret Evening News, 1 April 1873)
3 April 1873
Track on the W&JV is now laid to the first granite quarry, opposite the
Davenport smelter, and about 3/4ths of a mile below Granite. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Herald, 3 April 1873)
5 April 1873
The first granite rock for the temple to be carried out via the railroad was
done "yesterday," on the excursion at which Brigham Young was
present. The item mentions that the line has one locomotive, one mail and
baggage car, and ten flat cars; under construction at Connellsville are two
first class passenger cars, ten more flat cars, "…and another engine,
which will possess Colonel French's invention to aid in climbing very steep
grades." 30-pound iron rails are used on the road; the present engine has
six drivers and weighs 17 tons. (Pitchard, Deseret Evening News, 5 April 1873)
7 April 1873
The Summit County Railroad is now complete between Echo and Coalville, and by
next Saturday is expected to be completed from Coalville to the Crismon,
Wasatch and Robinson coal mines, east of town. (Pitchard, Deseret Evening News, 7 April 1873)
13 April 1873
Grading for Utah Northern extension to Corinne is nearly completed, and
tomorrow work on the bridge over the Bear River is to commence, all the
materials being on hand. Also, all the ties are on hand for the line to
Franklin. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Herald, 13 April 1873)
15 April 1873
Groundbreaking ceremony yesterday for the SLSV&P; paper says that there was
about seven miles already graded. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Herald, 15 April 1873)
17 April 1873
"To Narrow Gauge RR Men -- Mr. DeWolfe, manager for the American Fork
Railroad company, offers a fourteen ton narrow gauge locomotive for sale, built
for that company, and only disposed of because too light for the road. See
advertised notice." (Pitchard, Salt
Lake Herald, 17 April 1873)
(this notice elsewhere in same issue):
"Locomotive For Sale." "A narrow gauge fourteen ton Locomotive, in complete running order, built for the American Fork Railroad Company, and offered for sale only because too light for that road. Apply to
S. DeWolfe,
Manager, 92-1/2 Main Street
17 April 1873
A special excursion yesterday the 16th, by invite only, to see the new W&JV
railroad; final grading and tracklaying is approaching Granite; the necessary
timbers for the bridge across the creek are on hand, and the sills for same
were being put in on the 16th. There are places on the line where the grade
reaches 224 feet per mile. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Herald, 17 April 1873)
24 April 1873
Baskin and DeWolfe came down from Deer Creek on a flat car, on the 22nd, making
a speed in places of 30 miles per hour, says the paper. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Herald, 24 April 1873)
24 April 1873
Another item on C. L. Ericson's snowplow. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Herald, 24 April 1873)
26 April 1873
Extracts from a 'Letter from Coalville', dated at Coalville on the 23rd of April, 1873, Wednesday: "Yesterday the company's new locomotive and tender
arrived, and today they put her on the track,… The engine and tender were
built by the Baldwin Locomotive Works, of Philadelphia,…so I am informed by
the gentlemanly engineer, Mr. Nathan Pettys, whom the Baldwin company sent on
to put the 'Weber' together. Mr. Pettys is the pioneer of the narrow gauge
locomotives, having put the first one, that was used in this country, on the
Denver and Rio Grande road. He says he will have the 'Weber' -- the name
selected for the new locomotive,… -- in good running order by Monday
next." (Monday was the 28th.) (Pitchard, Salt Lake Herald, 26 April 1873)
27 April 1873
"Passenger Cars. -- Two passenger cars for the Wasatch and Jordan Valley
railroad arrived last night, but without the trucks, which are expected on
Monday." "Railroad Running. -- The Wasatch and Jordan Valley railroad
will commence carrying passengers and freight tomorrow, between Sandy and
Granite; trains connecting with those of the Utah Southern. The fare and
freight tariff will be found advertised in the local columns." (and so it
was; passengers 75¢, and freight at $1.00 per ton) (Pitchard, Salt Lake Herald, 27 April 1873)
1 May 1873
The first shipment of bullion out of the Davenport smelter, by rail over the
W&JV was "yesterday," value of $1,100.00. The passenger cars,
referred to as 'Juvenile Pullman cars', are in service, so I guess the trucks
arrived as scheduled. (Pitchard, Salt
Lake Herald, 1 May 1873)
4 May 1873
"New Narrow Gauge Locomotive" "We had the pleasure of a call
from Mr. Nathan Pettys the gentleman sent out by the Baldwin Locomotive Works
of Messrs. M. Baird & Co., 500 North Broad Street, Philadelphia, to start
the new narrow gauge locomotive for the Summit County railroad. The engine is
what is termed a 'Mogul', and weighs, with the tender, twenty tons. It has an 11
x 16 inch cylinder; and has three-foot driving wheels, three pairs connected.
This locomotive is the same design as those first introduced on narrow gauge
railroads, and is the kind used on the Denver and Rio Grande line. It is a very
handsome engine, and reflects great credit upon its builders." (Pitchard, Salt Lake Herald, 4 May 1873)
11 May 1873
"American Fork.-- Arrangements are being made by Mr. DeWolfe…to run a
mule train in the canyon until a heavier locomotive is obtained, the present
one, which is for sale, being too light for the work on so heavy a grade."
(Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Herald, 11 May
1873)
18 May 1873
Article on the W&JVRR, which is mostly the usual, but it also has this:
"…the traveler steps into the handsome little car - one of the
handsomest imaginable - named the 'Granite', behind a lively little locomotive,
for a dash up the Narrow Gauge." In addition, the W&JV "…will
have another locomotive and more rolling stock here shortly…" (Pitchard, Salt Lake Herald, 18 May 1873)
31 May 1873
"American Fork. -- Arrangements are being made by Mr. DeWolfe,…, to run
a mule train in the canyon until a heavier locomotive is obtained, the present
one, which is for sale, being too light for the work on so heavy a grade."
(Pitchard, Salt Lake Herald, 31 May 1873)
5 June 1873
Item on the sale of the Bingham Canyon Railroad to 'Eastern parties', and some
others, including Morgan, of Salt Lake City. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Herald, 5 June 1873)
7 June 1873
Utah Northern track completed yesterday to the Bear River Bridge. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Herald, 7 June 1873)
11 June 1873
The last spike on the connection of the UNRR to Corinne was driven at 4:00pm on
the 10th of June, 1873. (Pitchard, Corinne Reporter, 11 June 1873)
11 June 1873
On and after 12 June 1873, the Utah Northern will run regular trains to and
from Corinne. (Pitchard, Salt Lake
Herald, 11 June 1873)
12 June 1873
The Utah Northern branch to Corinne has lately been finished, and "The
first regular train to Corinne, by this line, ran today." (Pitchard, Deseret Evening News, 12 June
1873)
28 June 1873
An item in greater detail on the sale of the Bingham Canyon & Camp Floyd
Railroad by Hugh White and his associates, to Charles W. Scofield, William B.
Welles, B. W. Morgan and their associates. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Herald, 28 June 1873)
3 July 1873
"Bingham Canyon Railroad." "Mr. Scofield, president, and Mr. Wm.
B. Welles, secretary and treasurer of the Bingham Canyon and Camp Floyd
railroad company, left on Tuesday for the east to complete the purchase of iron
and rolling stock for their road. A portion of the iron is already on the way,
and the road will be fully equipped and running from Sandy to Bingham within
sixty days." (Pitchard, Salt Lake
Daily Herald, 3 July 1873)
7 July 1873
"Salt Lake, Sevier Valley & Pioche RR -- we are informed that
three-fourths of the grading of this line between this city and Lake Point is
now completed, and that a locomotive and two flat cars are on the way for the
use of the company,…" (Pitchard, Deseret Evening News, 7 July 1873)
7 July 1873
Registered at the Pulaski House, in Ogden, on 6 July 1873, Sunday, were D. N.
Pasho and E. Harmon, of Dunkirk, New York. (Pitchard, Daily Ogden Junction, 7 July 1873) (These genlemen were making delivery of
SL,SV&P's new locomotive.)
7 July 1873
"There is now coming out from the east a large amount of iron, and a
number of passenger and freight cars for the Utah Northern Railroad."
"In six weeks the narrow gauge will be open from Corinne to
Franklin." (Pitchard, Corinne Reporter, 7 July 1873)
8 July 1873
"The American Fork Railroad is now open, and trains are running daily,
Sundays excepted, between Lehi and Deer Creek." "Trains leave Lehi at
9:30am on the arrival of the Utah Southern train, and returning leave Deer
Creek at 2:30pm, in time to connect at Lehi with the 5 o'clock train for this
city." (Pitchard, Salt Lake Herald,
8 July 1873)
8 July 1873
"A locomotive for the-Salt Lake, Sevier Valley & Pioche Railroad
arrived yesterday." "Hurrah for the Narrow Gauge." "General
Connor informed us last night that the 'Kate Connor' locomotive arrived
yesterday from the East… The 'engine is named after the General's daughter,
and … will undoubtedly be a success,…" (Pitchard, Salt Lake Tribune, 8 July 1873)
10 July 1873
A new locomotive has arrived for the Salt Lake, Sevier Valley and Pioche
Railroad. It is from the Brooks Locomotive Works of Dunkirk, N.Y. Mr. Pasho,
from the company, has accompanied the engine, which is named 'Kate Connor'.
also, a couple of flat cars arrived. (Pitchard, Deseret Evening News, 10 July 1873)
11 July 1873
"Locomotive 'Kate Connor'." "The narrow gauge locomotive, 'Kate
Connor', which arrived on Monday last for the Salt Lake, Sevier Valley and
Pioche Railroad, is said by engineers to be one of the best narrow gauge
locomotives they have seen. "It was manufactured by the Brooks Locomotive
Works, Dunkirk, New York, and weighs, when charged with coal and water, sixteen
tons, six hundred and thirty pounds. The feature of this locomotive, which commends
it for effective service, is its great steam generating capacity, which is a
desideratum in narrow gauge engines. "The 'Kate Connor' is intended, in
the first place, to be used as a construction engine and afterwards for
freight. It was brought on to this city by Mr. D. N. Pasho, an engineer and
traveling agent connected with the Brooks works." (Pitchard, Salt Lake Herald, 11 July 1873)
11 July 1873
"The New Locomotive 'Kate Connor'." "Yesterday we paid a visit
to the Utah Central depot, for the purpose of inspecting the new locomotive for
the Salt Lake, Sevier Valley and Pioche Railroad, and on arriving found Gen.
Barnum, Supt. Kimball, and a number of men making preparations to unload her.
An introduction to Mr. D. N. Pasho, who accompanied the engine from the works,
afforded us the opportunity of more closely examining it than we otherwise
could. It appears to be of excellent workmanship throughout, furnished with all
the appliances of first class engines, and elegantly painted. On inquiring, we
learned that it is from the Brooks Locomotive Works, Dunkirk, New York, the
president and superintendent of which is expected in the city shortly. "At
the depot we noticed also two box cars, one construction car, and two hand
cars, all for the Salt Lake, Sevier Valley & Pioche Railroad. Success to
it." (Pitchard, Salt Lake Tribune,
11 July 1873)
12 July 1873
"New Locomotive. -- We inspected, yesterday, at Salt Lake, in company with
General Barnum, the first locomotive of the Salt Lake, Sevier Valley and Pioche
R.R., which arrived last Monday. It is a very handsome engine, weighing sixteen
tons, six hundred and thirty pounds, with six driving wheels of three feet
diameter. It is artistically ornamented, symmetrically proportioned, and will
look very beautiful on the new narrow gauge road, which is graded to lake
Point, the bridge over Jordan being completed. The locomotive was manufactured
by the Brooks Engine Manufacturing Company at Dunkirk, Ohio, and came through
in nine days in charge of Mr. D. N. Pasho, who so managed that there was no
delay in its passage. Mr. Pasho, regarded the engine with pride, and being 'au
fait' in all matters connected with the manufacture of locomotives, would like
to set her in trim and run her out on her first trip. But, the road is not quite
ready." (Pitchard, Daily Ogden
Junction, 12 July 1873)
14 July 1873
"Engine Builder." "Mr. D. N. Pasho, representative of the Brooks
Locomotive Works, at Dunkirk, New York, will leave this evening for the east.
Mr. Pasho has but lately returned from Salt Lake whither he went to superintend
the putting up, and on the line, of the narrow gauge locomotive Kate Connor.
This sixteen-ton engine will be used at first in the construction of the Salt
Lake, Sevier Valley & Pioche railroad." (Pitchard, Daily Denver Times,
14 July 1873)
19 July 1873
On the 18th, the editor looked over the grade and such of the SL, SV&P,
with W. C. Rydalch; at the depot, looked over the 'Kate Connor', "…a
shed has been built over the locomotive to protect it from the weather."
Also at the depot, for the company, are "two box cars." The bridge
over the Jordan was built by Rushton and Winters; piles were driven in 14 feet
by a steam pile driver, and the stringers are of heavy red pine. H. P. Kimball
and W. C. Rydalch were grading and tracklaying contractors for the SLSV&P.
"On leaving the Jordan, the road swings west by south, until it reaches
Bassett & Robert's pasture, a distance of some 3 miles. This diversion from
a direct line was necessary in order to avoid, as far as possible, the big
salcratus lake. From this point the grade runs on an air line a distance of 11
miles, to Millstone Point. It then curves north-west, past the Little Cave, Big
Cave, Kesler's, and Black Rock, on the shore of the Great Salt Lake." (Pitchard, Salt Lake Herald, 19 July 1873)
19 July 1873
"Wasatch and Jordan Valley Railroad" "The grading. on this line
is done to about Fairfield Flats, some three miles above Granite,… Day before
yesterday the iron was shipped for this portion of the road, from Cleveland;
and two new locomotives are also on the way, one of which has French's patent
attachment for climbing. This invention has been tested at Connellsville, where
the locomotive was built, and advices from there received here are to the
effect that it is a great success. A large number of flats and other rolling
stock is now en route for the line…" (Pitchard, Salt Lake Herald, 19 July 1873)
10 August 1873
"Bingham Items." "The rolling stock for the Bingham narrow-gauge
has arrived, and the iron was expected yesterday." (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 10 August 1873)
12 August 1873
"Four hundred tons of iron and another locomotive are also to come on
immediately for the Salt Lake, Sevier Valley and Pioche railroad." (Pitchard, Salt Lake Herald, 12 August 1873)
17 August 1873
On the 14th, the editors of the Herald were shown over the Summit County
Railroad by Joseph A. Young, the president of the line. They rode the engine
from Echo to Coalville, at which place "a home-made caboose, and as
handsome as any imported one," was put on the train. Their trip continued
on up the Chalk Creek line, to the coal mines, same 2Z miles above Coalville,
on which line the gradient reaches 309 feet per mile in some places. (ed.
note: 309 feet per mile equals 5.8 percent grade.) This line has not yet
reached the Wasatch coal mines, but is expected to shortly. Additional rolling
stock has been ordered. At Coalville, there is a "well-built and
commodious engine house." (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Herald, 17 August 1873)
17 August 1873
Two cars of iron and one of fishplates and bolts have arrived for the W&JV,
with 12 more en route. Road is graded for 2-1/2 miles above the present
terminus, the ties are laid and ironing will commence on the 18th, or tomorrow.
(Pitchard, Salt Lake Herald, 17 August
1873)
19 August 1873
The aforementioned 12 cars of iron and such have arrived. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Herald, 19 August 1873)
20 August 1873
The W. & J. V. has received 12 car loads of iron. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 20 August 1873)
21 August 1873
"Five carloads of iron for the Salt Lake, Sevier Valley & Pioche
Railroad have arrived." "The grading on this road is being prosecuted
with vigor." (Pitchard, Salt Lake
Herald, 21 August 1873)
23 August 1873
Eight car loads of iron were received for the SLSV&PRR yesterday, making 17
car loads this week. (Pitchard, Salt Lake
Daily Tribune, 23 August 1873)
27 August 1873
"Twelve cars of iron, twelve flat cars, two passenger and one baggage
cars, and one locomotive have been shipped for the Bingham Canyon and Camp
Floyd Railroad; and, part of the iron having arrived, tracklaying will commence
immediately." (Pitchard, Salt Lake
Herald, 27 August 1873)
27 August 1873
The track of the W. & J. V. is laid 2-1/2 miles beyond (above) Granite, and
the winter terminus will be reached soon. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Herald, 27 August 1873)
27 August 1873
An article on the Utah Central machine shops, etc., on the depot block in Salt
Lake City, wherein at present 'an ordinary passenger car' is being rebuilt into
a 'saloon car.' On the next block north is located the carpenter's shop, a
building 40' x 120' in which at present a new baggage car, 45' long, is being
built. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Herald,
27 August 1873)
30 August 1873
"Our Bingham Letter." "Bingham Canyon, Aug. 26th, 1873"
"Your correspondent to-day enters upon his duties as chronicler of events
… in this flourishing mining camp. Upon my way up by coach, to Bingham, from
Sandy station, I had a fine view of the track of the Bingham Canyon branch of
the U. C. Railroad. Its length is fifteen miles; the grading is all done and
the ties laid on the track ready for the iron. There is a hitch somewhere, or
the directors of this road would not let the weeds grow on their fine grade,
until in some places they have nearly obscured the ties." (Pitchard, Utah Mining Gazette, 30 August
1873)
30 August 1873
"Local Summary" "Twelve car loads of iron, two passenger, one
baggage, twelve flat cars., and a locomotive for the Bingham Canyon and Camp
Floyd Railroad, have been shipped. Track laying will be commenced
immediately." (Pitchard, Utah Mining
Gazette, 30 August 1873)
30 August 1873
"Local Summary" "Eight car loads of iron arrived on Friday 22d,
at the depot, for ' the Salt Lake, Sevier Valley and Pioche Railroad." (Pitchard, Utah Mining Gazette, 30 August
1873)
2 September 1873
Lengthy extract from the Denver & Rio Grande's first annual report, which
notes that grading on that road began in March 1871, the track reached Colorado
Springs on 27 October 1871, and the road was opened for business on January 1,
1872. Track reached Pueblo on 15 June 1872. As of the date of the report, 1 April 1873, the road owned 12 locomotives, seven passenger cars, four baggage,
mail and express cars, four open excursion cars, 258 freight cars, 22 dump cars
and two snow plows, and had on hand the trucks for 22 freight cars and one
passenger car. During 1872, there had been built at the shops 150 freight cars
of the 8-wheel pattern, two baggage & mail cars and three observation cars.
Three additional locomotives had been ordered, as of the date of the report. (Pitchard, Deseret Evening News, 2 September
1873)
6 September 1873
"Resources of Utah." "Statistics of Progress during the Year
1873 -- Summary for Six Months ending June 30th."
February -- "The Wasatch and Jordan Valley Railroad Company completed three miles of track-laying."
March -- "The Wasatch and Jordan Valley Railroad, completed to Granite, a distance of six and one-half miles.
April -- "The Wasatch and Jordan Valley Railroad. This road commenced running passenger and freight trains between Sandy and Granite on Monday, April 28." (Pitchard, Utah Mining Gazette, 6 September 1873)
6 September 1873
"Resources of Utah." "Statistics of Progress during the Year
1873 -- Summary for Six Months ending June 30th." March -- The Summit
County railroad, completed from Echo to Coalville, six miles. (Pitchard, Utah Mining Gazette, 6 September
1873)
6 September 1873
"Resources of Utah." "Statistics of Progress during the Year
1873 -- Summary for Six Months ending June 30th."
March -- "The Bingham Canyon railroad, ten miles of grading completed and seventeen thousand ties laid down."
June -- "Bingham Canyon Railroad." "This railroad was sold by Hugh White & Company, to a body of capitalists in Detroit, Michigan, with a covenant to finish tieing, bridging and completing the road-bed, forthwith, ready for iron." (Pitchard, Utah Mining Gazette, 6 September 1873)
6 September 1873
"Resources of Utah." "Statistics of Progress during the Year
1873 -- Summary for Six Months ending June 30th." April -- "The Salt
Lake, Sevier Valley and Pioche Railroad. Ground was broken on the Salt Lake
section of this road on the 14th of April and grading towards the Lake
immediately commenced." (Pitchard, Utah Mining Gazette, 6 September 1873)
6 September 1873
"Resources of Utah." "Statistics of Progress during the Year
1873 -- Summary for Six Months ending June 30th." April -- "The Utah
Northern Railroad. Grading on the extension of this line to Corinne was
completed and work on the bridge over Bear River was progressing rapidly."
(Pitchard, Utah Mining Gazette, 6 September 1873)
12 September 1873
Utah Southern R.R. locomotive No. 2 has had a thorough overhauling at the U. C.
R. R. shops, which included the turning of the tires. It made its first run out
this morning. (Pitchard, Deseret Evening
News, 12 September 1873)
13 September 1873
"Resources of Utah." "Statistics of Progress during the Year
1873" July -- "The Salt Lake, Sevier Valley and Pioche Railroad
Company, had received five car loads of iron rails, and would commence laying
the track at once. Two hundred tons more was on the way, and 1,000 tons
additional contracted for. The locomotive engine, 'Kate Connor,' from the
Brooks works, Dunkirk, New York, had also arrived, likewise two box cars, one
construction car, and two hand cars. The road was graded and ready for the ties
for over ten miles from the city,…" (Pitchard, Utah Mining Gazette, 13 September 1873)
13 September 1873
"Resources of Utah." "Statistics of Progress during the Year
1873" July -- "The Wasatch and Jordan Valley Railroad, was in a very
prosperous condition, and doing a large and lucrative business. The grading to
Fairfield flats, three miles above granite, was completed. Twelve car loads of
iron rails had arrived from Cleveland, also a large number of 'flats,' and
other stock sufficient to complete and equip the road to the point at which the
grading is finished." (Pitchard, Utah Mining Gazette, 13 September 1873)
13 September 1873
A letter, dated at Salt Lake, 8 September 1873:
"Editors, Mining Gazette
"Can you tell me the reason why the American Fork Railroad is run by horse power, with the locomotive laid up? Is it owing to defects in the engine, or is there not sufficient trade for steam power? According to the published reports when the engine first arrived, it mounted the heaviest grades with ease; if so then, why not now? (s) Engineer.
"(We were not aware that such was the case; perhaps some one of the officials can reply to 'ngineer's' query.)" (Pitchard, Utah Mining Gazette, 13 September 1873)
13 September 1873
Passengers and freight carried over the W. & J. V. R.R., May 1st to August
31st, inclusive:
Passengers carried,…. 12,048 (average 98 per day!)
Ore & bullion, pounds,… 14,526,000
Miscellaneous, " … 2,842,000
17,366,000 (avg. 141,187#/day!) (or 70 tons a day.) (Pitchard, Utah Mining Gazette, 13 September 1873)
14 September 1873
"American Fork Canyon." "Salt Lake City, Sept. 13th, 1873."
"Editors Herald:" "For the benefit of health or pleasure-seeking
tourists, I think it well to 'do up,' in Murray's style, the American Fork
canyon… The ways of getting there are simple and not perilous, although they
involve six dollars worth of all the ancient and modern styles of traveling.
The broad-gauge U. S. R. R., thirty-six miles to Lehi, thence the narrow gauge
A. F. R. R., by steam eight miles to the mouth of the canyon, and thence by
patient, plodding mule power through a narrow, ever winding and ascending road,
eight miles to Deer Creek, the terminus of the railroad." DEER CREEK
"This place, notwithstanding its beauty of scenery, has no other celebrity
than that of being the terminus of the A. F. R. R. Its inhabitants dwell in the
fifteen or twenty cabins that make the village,. and peacefully follow the
pursuits of wood and tie hauling and charcoal burning. " FOREST CITY
"I only tarried one hour at Deer Creek and took passage on an ore wagon
for Forest City, four miles distant, where I arrived at 5 p.m.,… I registered
at the 'Railroad House,' well kept by Mr. E. J. Andrews." "At Forest
City are located the Sultana Smelting works (three furnaces), belonging to the
owners of the Miller mine, of the A. F. R. R., of the fifteen masonry charcoal
kilns and their 6,000 cords of wood, and of everything else in the long canyon
worth awning." "The principal imports of the canyon are supplies,
invalids, and superintendents; the exports are bullion, charcoal, lumber, lime
and railroad ties." (This is just a few items from a long letter, and all
of the railroad material therefrom, which letter is signed 'Heidelberg.') (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Herald, 14 September 1873)
17 September 1873
"The Wasatch and Jordan Valley R. R.," being an article about the
trip made yesterday over the aforesaid road by Brigham Young and others of the
local notables. At present the road ends at Fairfield Flat, one and one-half
miles above Granite. The extension to Alta is to be built in the coming year,
to climb which "…the Company have purchased, or ordered, a locomotive of
the patent improved climbing variety, manufactured by French, of Virginia,
which, it is said, is capable of making ascents of four hundred feet gradient
to the mile, the climbing apparatus acting as a brake on the down grade." (Pitchard, Deseret Evening News, 17 September 1873)
17 September 1873
In reporting on an excursion over the W.& J.V. on the 16th, the paper says
that the excursion party, on approaching Sandy, "noticed that track-laying
was being prosecuted on the Bingham Canyon & Camp Floyd Railroad, and saw a
locomotive, two passenger cars, and several flats already on the
track…". (Pitchard, Salt Lake
Herald, 17 September 1873)
21 September 1873
The W. & J. V. will open tomorrow for the transportation of freight and
passengers to Fairfield's Flat, which will be the terminus for the winter. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Herald, 21 September
1873)
23 September 1873
"Roundabout." "The depot was opened at American Fork on
Saturday. [20 September]" (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 23 September 1873)
23 September 1873
Letter from "Mathiot." "Little Cottonwood Canyon."
"Climbing the Rockies in Little Narrow Gauge Cars."
"Improvements in Prospect on the Line…" "Alta, Sept. 20th,
1873." "I wonder if a majority of the citizens of Salt Lake are aware
of the facilities for getting to Alta,… I fancy not, or there would be more
tourists…" "From Salt Lake to Sandy in one hour, and you then take
the Wasatch and Jordan Valley Narrow Gauge Railroad to the mouth of Little
Cottonwood Canyon. This little road, eleven miles in length,… The gauge is
three feet, and the engine with a train of cars ascends the heavy grades on the
route with perfect ease. Soon after leaving Sandy there is a grade of 225 feet,
which increases to 287 feet. Granite is 1,100 feet higher than the starting
point at Sandy; the present end of the road is 1,500 feet higher,…"
"We are informed by Mr. A. Benson, Superintendent of the road, that it is
paying largely… The freight on ore over the eleven miles is one dollar per
ton,… There is near Granite a back switch of two miles in length, and
connections are likewise made with the Davenport Smelter, Flagstaff and other
reducing works at the mouth of the canyon." "A mountain engine of an
entirely new description is being constructed in Connellsville, Pa., with
supplementary driving wheels, which can be made to grip the rails and walk up a
grade of 1,000 feet to the mile. It will be tried for the first time on this
road, and the result will be looked for with interest by other narrow-gauge
railroad companies who propose constructing lines through the mountains. The
building of the W.& J.V.R.R., as well as originating the enterprise in the
first place, is due in a great measure to the energy and business management of
Hon. Frank Fuller." (item continues) (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 23 September 1873)
24 September 1873
The Utah Southern Railroad is now running to American Fork city. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Herald, 24 September
1873)
25 September 1873
"A full train of iron and material arrived yesterday for the Salt Lake,
Sevier Valley & Pioche R.R., which has been graded twenty miles already,
and the company intend laying the track in a few days and pushing the work
through to completion." (Pitchard, Salt Lake Tribune, 25 September 1873)
25 September 1873
Tracklaying began today on the SLSV&P, on the spur to the Utah Central
depot, but can't run the engine on the track, as no bolts on hand for the
fishplates! (Pitchard, Deseret Evening
News, 25 September 1873)
26 September 1873
"Nineteen kegs of fish-plate bolts for the S.L.,S.V.& P.R.R. were
received yesterday, also 260 tons of rails, making about 500 tons of materials
received to date. It requires 40 tons of rails per mile…" (Pitchard, Deseret Evening News, 26 September
1873)
27 September 1873
"Local Summary." "The Wasatch and Jordan Valley Railroad opened
for business as far as Fairfield Flat, Little Cottonwood, on Monday." (Pitchard, Utah Mining Gazette, 27 September
1873)("Monday" was 22 September 1873)
27 September 1873
"Local Summary." "Iron for seven miles more of the Utah Northern
Railroad has been received, and is now being laid north of Logan. Sufficient
iron for another twenty miles is on the way." (Pitchard, Utah Mining Gazette, 27 September 1873)
27 September 1873
"Salt Lake, Sevier Valley and Pioche Railroad." "Track laying on
this important road commenced on the west side of the Babbitt block on
Wednesday last, and will be continued without interruption until the road is
completed to Clinton's, west of the point of the mountain,… Mr. William F.
Tully,-, has charge of the track laying,… Ten flats, two box cars and one
locomotive, the Kate Connor, comprises the construction train." "The
freight depot, or point of transfer from the Utah Central, will be on the west
side of the present Utah Central freight warehouse, and the passenger depot, it
is thought, will be located one or two blocks west of the Utah Central
block." (Pitchard, Utah Mining
Gazette, 27 September 1873)
27 September 1873
A lull in tracklaying on Bingham Canyon & Camp Floyd on account of no rail.
(Pitchard, Salt Lake Tribune, 27 September 1873)
30 September 1873
"Unfortunate Suspension." "Work on the Salt Lake, Sevier Valley
& Pioche Railroad Discontinued." "No Funds Left to Carry on the
Great Enterprise." "Owing to the recent financial crisis in the East,
the Salt Lake, Sevier Valley & Pioche Railroad Co. have for the present
suspended operations." (Note: item continues, contains no useful
information, is largely an attempt to inspire the locals to come up with the
money to finish the road.) (Pitchard, Salt Lake Tribune, 30 September 1873)
1 October 1873
"The Idaho -- the Utah Northern engine 'Idaho', which for two months has
been laid up in the engine house at Logan for repairs, made its trial trip this
morning, and worked like a charm. It rendered material assistance to the
heavily loaded train which came in from Logan while it was coming up the heavy
grades." (Pitchard, Deseret Evening
News, 1 October 1873)
4 October 1873
"Local Summary." "The Salt Lake, Sevier Valley and Pioche
railroad has been obliged to suspend, temporarily, on account of the tightness
of the money market, caused by the financial difficulties east." (Pitchard, Utah Mining Gazette, 4 October
1873)
6 October 1873
"For the Bingham Railroad -- A gentleman just in from the East says that
on Thursday he passed, at Pine Bluffs, on the Platte, two passenger cars and
several trucks, on their way west for the Bingham Canyon Railroad." (Pitchard, Deseret Evening News, 6 October
1873)
8 October 1873
A W&JV carload of charcoal burns up at Sandy. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Tribune, 8 October 1873)
9 October 1873
Utah Northern track completed to Hyde Park. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Herald, 9 October 1873)
11 October 1873
From the Corinne Reporter of the 9th: "A snow plow is being built for the
Utah Northern. railroad." (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Herald, 11 October 1873)
11 October 1873
"On and after Monday, October 13th, the Wasatch and Jordan Valley Railroad
Company will run one train only, daily, from Sandy to its terminus, so as to
connect with Utah Southern trains from Salt Lake City in the morning and to the
City in the evening. Parlin & Thompson will run stages and saddle horses to
connect with these trains only. Passengers will govern themselves
accordingly." (Pitchard, Utah Mining
Gazette, 11 October 1873)
13 October 1873
"At a Standstill -- the Salt Lake, Sevier Valley & Pioche Railroad
enterprise is in 'status quo'." (Pitchard, Deseret Evening News, 13 October 1873)
14 October 1873
"At a Standstill" - General Connor tells the Tribune that the
SLSV&PRR "…has not as yet resumed operations, and it is uncertain
when work will be recommenced." (Pitchard, Salt Lake Tribune, 14 October 1873)
16 October 1873
Trains are to begin running on regular schedule on the Bingham Canyon &
Camp Floyd railroad 'this morning.' (Pitchard, Salt Lake Herald, 16 October 1873)
17 October 1873
There has occurred what the paper claims is the first accident on the W. &
J. V., in an engine running off the track above Granite. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Herald, 17 October 1873)
18 October 1873
"On Thursday morning trains commenced running on the Bingham Canyon
Railroad, and it is now running two trains daily, connecting with the Utah
Southern Railroad at Sandy." Thursday was the 16th. (Pitchard, Utah Mining Gazette, 18 October 1873)
19 October 1873
More iron is en route for the B. C. & C. F., and 40 passengers rode over
the road on the 17th. (Pitchard, Salt
Lake Herald, 19 October 1873)
20 October 1873
"The new plate for the steam chest of the narrow gauge engine of the
Coalville & Echo RR was cast by Davis & Sons on Friday, planed on the
big planing machine at the Depot Works on Saturday, and shipped this
morning." which was Monday. (Pitchard, Deseret Evening News, 20 October 1873)
22 October 1873
"Coalville & Echo Railroad -- we learn from Joseph A. Young, Esq.,
that six new cars for the C&ERR have just arrived, and others are expected
soon. A new engine is ordered, and the company is determined to have a full
complement of rolling stock…" (Pitchard, Deseret Evening News, 22 October 1873)
NOTE: The Deseret News quite often referred to the SCRR as the Coalville & Echo RR, perhaps because the SCRR had obtained the never used grade from 1869 of the C&E, which was to have been standard gauge.
23 October 1873
For the Summit County Railroad "A number of new freight cars have arrived
from the East, and others with another engine have been ordered." (Pitchard, Salt Lake Herald, 23 October
1873)
28 October 1873
Trains on the Summit County Railroad are running again after the suspension
caused by the damage to the locomotive; see Deseret Evening News, October 20,
1873. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Herald, 28 October 1873)
31 October 1873
"A locomotive was sent to Ogden today, to assist in laying the track the
Utah Northern at that place." from Corinne Reporter, 31 October 1873. (Pitchard, Deseret Evening News, 31 October
1873)
31 October 1873
A turntable has been made for the W&JV at the Utah Central shops, the
wheels for which were cast at Davis and Sons Foundry. (Pitchard, Deseret Evening News, 31 October 1873)
1 November 1873
"The Utah Southern railroad is nearly completed to Provo." "The
Utah Southern depot has been located at Provo. It is to be on the south side of
town, at the foot of Main Street." (Pitchard, Utah Mining Gazette, 1 November 1873)
3 November 1873
"Rails on the U. N. R. R. in placing the rails on this end of the U. N.
road was commenced Saturday and is now being pushed forward… The iron 'pony'
arrived here this morning and will be placed on the track some time
to-day." etcetera of no value. (Pitchard, Ogden Junction, 3 November 1873)
8 November 1873
Between 16 October and 1 November, some 643 passengers took passage on the
Bingham Canyon and Camp Floyd Railroad. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Tribune, 8 November 1873)
11 November 1873
"Accident to a Freight Train." "An accident happened to a
freight train between Granite and Sandy yesterday, occasioned by a cow on the
track, which threw the locomotive off. No one was hurt, but the passenger train
was delayed some time, and the passengers were compelled to alight and walk
half a mile to Sandy." (Pitchard, Salt Lake Tribune, 11 November 1873)
12 November 1873
The long-delayed iron for the B. C. & C. F. is finally arriving, and the
road will be completed as quickly as possible. More than 600 passengers have so
far ridden over the line, 60 of them on Saturday, the 8th. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Herald, 12 November 1873)
14 November 1873
The BC&CF track is completed to the mouth of Bingham Canyon, some 10 miles;
grade is complete for another six miles, to near the Winamuck works, and most
of the ties are down. Twenty cars of iron arrived yesterday and the day before.
(Pitchard, Salt Lake Herald, 14 November
1873)
15 November 1873
"The Bingham Railroad." "A week more of good weather will insure
the completion of the Bingham Canyon Railroad to its terminus for the winter.
The iron has arrived, and the work is being pushed forward with the utmost
diligence." (Pitchard, Salt Lake
Daily Tribune, 15 November 1873)
15 November 1873
"Iron for the completion of the Bingham Canyon Railroad is now arriving,
and it is expected that this much-needed road will be completed in a few
days." (Pitchard, Utah Mining
Gazette, 15 November 1873)
15 November 1873
Another 14 car loads of iron for the B. C. & C. F. are at Ogden, with five
or six more yet en route. (Pitchard, Salt
Lake Herald, 15 November 1873)
16 November 1873
"City Jottings." "The Utah Southern will be completed to Provo
one week from Monday. The delay has been occasioned by scarcity of iron, but
enough has been procured from the American Fork road to finish it to Provo,
which will be the winter terminus of the Southern." (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 16 November 1873)
19 November 1873
"The Wasatch and Jordan Valley road is building a large roundhouse at
Sandy, for the accommodation of their engines." (note use of plural in
engines) (Pitchard, Salt Lake Tribune, 19 November 1873)
20 November 1873
The Summit County Railroad "now has plenty of cars, but is in want of
another engine, and there is some talk about getting one." (Pitchard, Deseret Evening News, 20 November
1873)
23 November 1873
"Bingham Canyon Railroad. -- We are informed by Mr. Scofield, president of
the Bingham Canyon & Camp Floyd…". that 16 miles of the road are now
in operation, end of track at Winamuck being reached last night. Scofield
claims two engines, four passenger cars and 38 freight cars, but Engine No. 2
will not arrive until January. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Herald, 23 November 1873)
23 November 1873
"Completed." "Yesterday afternoon the last rail was laid and the
Salt Lake and Bingham Canyon railroad pronounced ready for through traffic. The
first train will leave this morning, and from this time forth will run on
schedule time in connection with the Utah Southern." (Pitchard, Salt Lake Tribune, 23 November 1873)
24 November 1873
Provo will celebrate the arrival of the Utah Southern tomorrow; the new
timetable, showing service to Provo "on & after Nov. 24th,
1873,…" is published in this issue of the paper. (Pitchard, Deseret Evening News, 24 November 1873)
29 November 1873
"Railway Building," being a half-column letter on the building by
Alex McClellan of the Bingham Canyon railroad; 16 miles of track, one mile of
which has a third rail for standard gauge cars; four bridges, the one over the
Jordan being about 300 feet long; a substantial station; an enginehouse; two
water tanks; a well, about 100 feet deep; and about 14 miles of sidings. All of
this he is said to have done for $7,000 for labor and materials, cost of ties
and iron excepted. (Pitchard, Salt Lake
Daily Tribune, 29 November 1873)
29 November 1873
"The opening of the Utah Southern Railroad, to Provo, occurred on Tuesday
last, and was celebrated in the usual manner." (Pitchard, Utah Mining
Gazette, 29 November 1873)
6 December 1873
"The Bingham Canyon narrow gauge railroad now being completed as far as
its terminus, near the Winamuck smelter,…" (Pitchard, Utah Mining Gazette, 6 December 1873)
11 December 1873
George Richard son is son of Joseph Richardson, money behind U.N.R.R. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Herald, 11 December
1873)
29 December 1873
Item lifted from the Eureka Sentinel of 24 December 1873, in regard to the
Eureka & Palisade Railroad, which notes that three miles of the