Newspaper Items
San Pete Valley Railway
This page was last updated on March 21, 2004
7 February 1875
"Railroad into San Pete", having slight reference to the San Pete
Valley, to be built soon. (Pitchard, Salt
Lake Herald, 7 February 1875)
14 February 1875
Grading is in progress on the San Pete Valley Railroad. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Herald, 14 February 1875)
17 September 1878
"The Provo and San Pete railroad has one and a half miles of track laid,
and the first engine was put on yesterday." (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 17 September 1878)
4 November 1879
"Work on the narrow gauge road up Salt Creek Canyon was commenced on
Thursday last. The company intends pushing it right along." (Pitchard, Salt Lake Herald, 4 November 1879)
18 March 1880
"The Wales and Nephi railroad is graded four miles beyond Wales." (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 18 March
1880)
15 June 1880
An article by C. R. Savage in regard to San Pete Valley, and the new railroad.
He was down that way recently, and reports that 500 tons of 40-lb. rail is on
the way, engines and cars are ordered, and the grade to Wales (from Nephi),
some 30 miles, is to be completed by the 4th of July. Ties are now arriving
along the route of the railroad. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Herald, 15 June 1880)
23 June 1880
"San Pete Valley Railroad" item, says grade between Nephi and Wales
will be done next month; also, that the rails have been ordered. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 23 June
1880)
2 July 1880
The grade of the San Pete Valley railroad has been completed from Nephi to
Wales. (Pitchard, Salt Lake
Herald, 2 July 1880)
15 September 1880
Seven cars of rails passed over the Utah Southern on Monday, for the San Pete
Valley at Nephi. (Pitchard, The
Territorial Enquirer, Provo, 15 September 1880)
9 July 1881
Item from Provo Enquirer, regarding the San Pete Valley indicates that two
engines and some cars 'are said to be on the way'. (Pitchard, Ogden Herald, 9 July 1881)
6 September 1881
Iron is arriving daily for the San Pete Valley Railroad. (Pitchard, Ogden Herald, 6 September 1881)
21 September 1881
Two engines and a number of flats expected to arrive this week for San Pete
Valley; the track now being laid. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 21 September 1881)
25 September 1881
"San Pete Railroad"; an interview with Bamberger yesterday; rail is
40-pound; yard at Nephi is laid, and track easterly is started; "A
locomotive is expected next week…" and "Another locomotive is
expected in a month…" 30 coal and a number of flat and other cars also
supposedly on the way. (Pitchard, Salt
Lake Daily Tribune, 25 September 1881)
16 October 1881
"Mr. S. Bamberger … reports the work of imbedding the ties on the San
Pete Railroad is progressing well, and thinks they will be all laid before the
frost can interfere with the work. When they are down, the iron can be laid at
any time. The managers are impatiently waiting the arrival of their iron and
rolling stock, which have been on the road for an unreasonable length of
time." (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily
Tribune, 16 October 1881)
16 October 1881
San Pete Valley equipment has not yet arrived. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 16 October 1881)
22 October 1881
San Pete Valley iron has arrived, and three miles laid, and Simon Bamberger has
gone East to find the equipment. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 22 October 1881)
5 November 1881
"Track has been laid on the San Pete Valley Railroad for a distance of six
miles. The engines and cars ordered in the East some time ago have not
arrived." (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily
Tribune, 5 November 1881)
9 November 1881
Simon Bamberger getting married, in Cincinnati, Ohio! (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 9 November 1881)
1 January 1882
"Big Coal Enterprise" "The Progress of the San Pete Valley
Railway" Item discusses at some length the operations of the Central
Pacific Coal & Coke Company, the mines of which are located in Big Canyon,
near Wales; the railroad is owned by the coal company. "Much delay has
been experienced during the past three months, through the impossibility of
procuring the necessary cars and locomotives -- a significant comment, by the
way, on the activity of the country. At length, last month, a sufficient supply
of flat and box cars for construction, about thirty coal cars and a new Baldwin
locomotive of the Mogul pattern, weighing 48,000 pounds, were procured -and
delivered; and another locomotive, together with a full supply of passenger and
mail coaches, as well as additional box and flat cars, is expected daily." (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 1 January 1882)
26 May 1882
"Central Pacific Coal and Coke Company Railroad." "The Sanpete
Valley narrow-gauge railway has passed into the hands of the above new company,
and is being successfully managed. This little road runs from Nephi to the coal
fields near to the settlement of Wales, in Sanpete Valley, a distance of some
twenty-eight miles,…" (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Herald, 26 May 1882)
30 May 1882
"SANPETE VALLEY R. R." timetable, as of 1 June 1882: lv. Wales at
9:05 a.m., arr. Nephi at 11:20 a.m. Iv. Nephi at 2:05 p.m., arr. Wales at 4:20
p.m. dated 28 May 1882, over the signature of F. S. Cahill, Sup't. This ad was
published daily for some weeks. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Herald, 30 May 1882)
13 June 1882
"Another Railroad" filed its articles of Incorporation on the 12th,
this being the "California Short Line Railway Company," some of whose
incorporators were the Bambergers, J. E. and Simon, and Geo. A. Lowe. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Herald, 13 June
1882)
1 January 1883
The Central Pacific Coal and Coke Company is the name of the English
organization that owns the San Pete Valley Railway, which in 1882 built some 20
miles of track, and "A new passenger coach has lately been added." (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 1 January 1883)
17 July 1883
"Superintendency Abolished." "Office of the Sanpete Valley
Railway. "F. C. Hand having resigned as Superintendent, the office of
Superintendent at Wales is abolished, and all business hereafter will be
transacted by the undersigned at the general office in Salt Lake City."
"S. Bamberger, Manager "F. R. Morris, Secretary "Salt Lake City, July 16th, 1883." (Pitchard, Salt
Lake Daily Herald, 17 July 1883)
21 August 1883
"Accident on the Sanpete Valley R. R." "An accident on the
Sanpete Valley railroad occurred on Friday, fortunately not doing any fatal
harm. The mixed train was coming north, and at the summit between Fountain
Green and Nephi, the conductor had orders to leave freight cars. The cars were
switched off as per orders, and a man instructed to drop one at a point a short
distance below the summit. The man got on the car and started down grade, but
discovering that the brake was faulty and that he could not manage the car, he
jumped off and let the car go. The mixed train had gone on at a lively rate
with the passenger car in the rear. The conductor had noticed the car and feared
it might get away from the man, but was forced to let it go. However, he kept a
close watch. At the mouth of Salt Creek canyon, the runaway car overtook the
passenger, just as it was rounding a curve, and crashed into it. The passenger
coach was broken and several cars were damaged. There were four passengers in
the coach, one a lady, and all were somewhat bruised, the lady being injured
most, but not seriously. Had it not been for the apprehension and care of the
conductor in sending his train forward at a lively rate, thus materially
weakening the force of the concussion, the whole train would have been wrecked
and the passengers and crew probably killed." (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Herald, 21 August 1883)
27 April 1884
"Railroad Racket" "Superintendent Bamberger, of the San Pete
Valley road, informs us that it is the intention to extend this road from Wales
to Manti, a distance of twenty miles, this season, and that it is probable
other extensions to the road may be made before winter, but in which direction
Mr. Bamberger does not state." (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Herald, 27 April 1884)
11 May 1884
The San Pete Valley is quite seriously washed out, some several thousand
dollars worth of grade and bridges gone. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 11 May 1884)
8 May 1885
Mr. Kerr says there is enough rail at Moroni for four or five miles of San Pete
Valley track -- to build towards Ephraim. (Pitchard, The Home Sentinel, Manti, 8 May 1885)
15 May 1885
San Pete Valley Timetable of 8 December 1884, shows service from Nephi to
Moroni, leaves Moroni at 9:00am, arrives at Nephi 11:00am, leaves there at
12:09pm and arrives back at Moroni at 2:00pm; no Sunday service; S. Bamberger,
mgr., and H. S. Kerr, agent. (Pitchard, The Home Sentinel, Manti, 15 May 1885)
29 May 1885
"News from Moroni" "The S. P. V. Railroad employees are putting
in a 'Y', or main, and they promise ere July smiles her heated smile that
Chester, her future coal yard., shall greet her engine No 2." (Pitchard, The Home Sentinel, Manti, 29 May
1885)
15 June 1885
Track is about one mile south, beyond Moroni; the old track to Wales mines is
being taken up and relaid on the extension beyond Moroni; H. S. Kerr is the
agent of San Pete Valley as well as Construction Engineer. (Pitchard, The Home Sentinel, Manti, 15 June 1885)
21 August 1885
New Timetable on the S. P. V. as of 17 August 1885:
| lv. | 8:25am | Chester | 2:00pm | arr. |
| arr | 8:40 | Moroni | 1:50 | lv. |
| lv. | 9:00 | Moroni | 1:30 | arr. |
| 9:15 | Draper | 1:20 | ||
| 9:40 | Fountain Green | 1:00 | ||
| 9:50 | Pleasant Hill | 12:45 | ||
| 10:13 | Hollaway | 12:25pm | ||
| arr | 10:40am | Nephi | 11:55am | lv. |
Note: "nothing but car load lots will be received at Chester until completion of Station House." S. Bamberger, Manager
18 September 1885
More than a column, largely editorial, based upon a few remarks by Bamberger --
the road is "scarcely paying expenses"; the road will extend to
Manti, if the people in the county will grade the route. (Pitchard, The Home Sentinel, Manti, 18 September 1885)
13 November 1885
Reference made to an accident on the San Pete Valley, by way of a wheel, 'under
the passenger coach' breaking, near Divide on the down run. (Pitchard, The Home Sentinel, Manti, 13 November 1885)
5 February 1886
San Pete Valley taxes for 1885 in county were $227.50. (Pitchard, The Home Sentinel, Manti, 5 February 1886)
30 April 1886
Flatcars being fitted out as excursion cars for May Day trip. (Pitchard, The Home Sentinel, Manti, 30 April 1886)
16 December 1887
Another interview with Bamberger; only item of note is that most San Pete
Valley shop work and the like is now being done in Salt Lake City. (Pitchard, The Home Sentinel, Manti, 16 December 1887)
16 December 1887
San Pete Valley timetable of 17 August 1887 is finally printed in paper -- one
train a day from Nephi to Chester. (Pitchard, The Home Sentinel, Manti, 16 December 1887)
13 January 1888
"The people of this vicinity will be glad when friend Bamberger gets a new
engine on the road…" in reference to the numerous delays.
"Moroni Items" "The S.P.V.Ry. failed to make mail connections at Moroni yesterday; cause: an unusual deposit of snow on the Divide. An engine as helper had to be sent. This morning the train consisted of two engines and one coach." (Pitchard, The Home Sentinel, Manti, 13 January 1888)
20 January 1888
San Pete Valley 'completely snowed up' the past week -- no trains, and had to
use teams to pull cars and an engine back to Moroni. (Pitchard, The Home Sentinel, Manti, 20 January 1888)
1 February 1888
San Pete Valley is running 'on time' again; and "Mr. Walter Stringham, of
the Temple Bazaar…", Manti, is out taking pictures once again. (Pitchard, The Home Sentinel, Manti, 1 February 1888)
21 March 1888
$285 raised yesterday towards purchase of depot grounds in Manti. (Pitchard, The Home Sentinel, Manti, 21 March 1888)
4 April 1888
On the San Pete Valley, Simon Bamberger has been replaced as the general
manager by Theodore Bruback, by order of the English owners, done at a meeting
held over in England on the 25th of February. To that point, Bruback had been
secretary of the company. (Pitchard, Salt
Lake Daily Tribune, 4 April 1888)
4 April 1888
Iron is piling up at Junction [Nephi] for the extension to Manti; Bamberger
replaced as manager and Superintendent; all passes issued to date are recalled;
Theodore Bruback is new manager, and Kerr is superintendent, by order of the
English owners. (Pitchard, The Home Sentinel, Manti, 4 April 1888)
31 August 1888
"The S.P.V.Ry. received a first-class engine yesterday from the Utah &
Northern Ry. Company. It made its pioneer trip into San Pete last evening."
(Pitchard, Ensign, Nephi, 31 August 1888)
12 September 1888
Bamberger and Morris are suing the San Pete Valley for $70,000.00. (Pitchard, The Home Sentinel, Manti, 12 September 1888)
16 November 1888
San Pete Valley timetable #3, in effect Monday 22 October 1888, is printed in
the paper, replacing one effective 17 August 1887 that had appeared up through
9 November 1888. (Pitchard, Ensign, Nephi, 16 November 1888)
18 April 1890
"S.P.V.R.R. SOLD" "The Union Pacific Co. being the
Purchasers" "It will be Extended" "…the bargain was
completed last week, when the first installment was paid over,…"
"The price is stated to be $120,000.00." (Pitchard, The Home Sentinel,
Manti, 18 April 1890)
30 May 1890
H. S. Kerr tells paper that the Union Pacific will take possession of San Pete
Valley on 1 June 1890. (Pitchard, The Home Sentinel, Manti, 30 May 1890)
20 June 1890
The San Pete Valley to go into UP hands. (Pitchard, The Home Sentinel, Manti, 20 June 1890)
11 July 1890
"The transfer of the S P V Railway was made last Tuesday. We may now
expect to hear of the extension of the road at some time in the near
future." (Pitchard, The Home Sentinel, Manti, 11 July 1890)
15 July 1890
Ownership of the San Pete Valley transferred to the Union Pacific yesterday (Pitchard, Salt Lake Evening Times, 15 July
1890.)
1 January 1891
In April of 1890 the U.P. took over the San Pete Valley Railroad. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 1 January 1891)
24 December 1891
It is reported that the San Pete Valley Railway will cease operations on and
after January 1, 1892. (Pitchard, Salt
Lake Daily Tribune, 24 December 1891)
11 January 1893
"A San Pete Raise." "Since the San Pete railroad went into
winter quarters, … the Rio Grande Western has taken advantage of the
situation and slapped-up rates several notches. …President Bruback … is now
in London trying to negotiate for money to operate and extend the
line,…" (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily
Herald, 11 January 1893)
26 March 1893
"Rumbles of the Railroads." "Temporary operations on the San
Pete Valley Railroad will be resumed April 1st,… The rolling stock of the
road has been lying idle in the shops at Moroni since the first of the year.
…Parry, Watson and several other old employees … will operate the
trains." (ed. note: At the time, the San Pete Valley road shut down
every year from December to April.) (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 26 March 1893)
12 April 1893
The San Pete Valley railway, closed down in December of 1892, reopened about April 1st, primarily for conference traffic, and will continue running for the
foreseeable future. (Pitchard, Salt Lake
Daily Tribune, 12 April 1893)
3 June 1893
Bruback says he has paid off every dollar of the San Pete Valley's debts since
his return from London. (Pitchard, Salt
Lake Daily Tribune, 3 June 1893)
23 June 1893
"The Union Pacific sent down a narrow gauge engine to Nephi yesterday for
use on the San Pete Valley branch." (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 23 June 1893)
14 August 1893
"One of the San Pete Valley engines was turned out of the Union Pacific
shops yesterday, having been entirely overhauled and repaired. It was tried on
the Garfield run and proved satisfactory to Master Mechanic Patterson." (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 14 August 1893)
6 September 1893
Big celebration in Ephraim on the 5th to welcome the San Pete Valley to town.
Theodore Bruback is the president and General manager. Regular trains are now
running and expect to be in Manti in two weeks. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 6 September 1893)
9 September 1893
UP and San Pete Valley versus the RGW in Ephraim, regarding the San Pete Valley
crossing the Rio Grande Western. The UP is still 'interested' in the San Pete
Valley, as Clinton & Kerr of San Pete Valley are huddled with Eccles of UP
in Manti. (Pitchard, The Home Sentinel, Manti, 9 September
1893)
13 September 1893
San Pete Valley Timetable No. 11 effective Monday 11 September 1893. Two daily
trains, one freight (in am) and one passenger (in pm), with timing so arranged
that one engine could do it all. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 13 September 1893)
13 September 1893
The RGW does not want the San Pete Valley to get to Manti. San Pete Valley
right-of-way is to the west of RGW all the way to Manti, so the RGW built a
spur at Ephraim across the San Pete Valley route, and parked several empty
boxcars thereupon, with a loco standing by. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 13 September 1893)
2 November 1893
The San Pete Valley is negotiating for more cars and locomotives. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 2 November 1893)
3 November 1893
Dallas & Hedges, architects, have drawn up plans for the new San Pete
Valley depots at Ephraim and Manti, which are about to be built. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 3 November 1893)
3 November 1893
Rails for 10 miles of track are en route, and "Some new locomotives and
passenger coaches are being purchased…" (Pitchard, Manti Messenger, 3 November 1893)
11 November 1893
Eighteen cars of rails for the San Pete Valley have arrived from the Carnegie
works, Pittsburgh, and were sent on to Ephraim yesterday. The grade to Manti
completed, and ties nearly all laid. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 11 November 1893)
17 November 1893
H. S. Kerr, of S.P.V., is in Manti arranging for depot grounds, and so forth;
rail has arrived at Ephraim, and will likely have track into Manti by December
1st. The rail came by way of Nephi, about 20 cars in all. (Pitchard, Manti Messenger, 17 November 1893)
22 November 1893
#1 runs Nephi to Ephraim; #2 runs the other way, naturally enough. (Pitchard, Ephraim Enterprise, 22 November 1893)
22 November 1893
New depot at Ephraim, San Pete Valley, is nearly done, and then the crews will
go to Manti and build the one there. (Pitchard, Ephraim Enterprise, 22 November 1893)
24 November 1893
Plans for the depot at Manti are done, and the building will start soon; there
are about 80 men at work on the extension to Manti. (Pitchard, Manti Messenger, 24 November 1893)
28 November 1893
San Pete Valley to be completed to Manti today. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 28 November 1893)
1 December 1893
The San Pete Valley Railroad arrived in Manti on Wednesday the 29th of November
1893;at 4:00pm the first passenger train arrived, with conductor Charles Abbott
in charge; San Pete Valley president Theo Bruback, V.P. James Clinton,
secretary R. L. Scannell, director George Cullins and many others on board. The
depot will be completed in a few days, and the water tank, sidings, and such,
are being built now. (Pitchard, Manti Messenger, 1 December 1893)
2 December 1893
Item on celebration at Manti, on 29 November, when last spike was driven on the
San Pete Valley. Item indicates that depot was already finished. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 2 December 1893)
15 December 1893
Pacific Express opened an office in Manti. (Pitchard, Manti Messenger, 15 December 1893)
15 December 1893
Dr. E. T. Hosford is appointed surgeon for the S. P. V. RR. (Pitchard, Manti Messenger, 15 December 1893)
1 January 1894
The San Pete Valley added 17 miles in 1893, Chester to Manti. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 1 January 1894)
9 January 1894
The San Pete Valley has issued $75,000 in $1,000 bonds. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 9 January 1894)
10 January 1894
There was a meeting at Manti on the evening of the 9th, at which Bruback spoke,
and this is where he says what equipment he has recently purchased: a
locomotive, a passenger coach, ten box cars, six stock cars and four flat cars.
(Pitchard, Ephraim Enterprise, 10 January 1894)
11 January 1894
Bruback said yesterday that he has bought one locomotive, one passenger car and
10 box cars. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily
Tribune, 11 January 1894)
12 January 1894
The San Pete Valley has purchased, according to Pres. Bruback: one new
locomotive, one new coach car, 10 new box cars, and 'some' stock and flat cars.
(Pitchard, Manti Messenger, 12 January 1894)
16 January 1894
Secretary of San Pete Valley, Scannell, interviewed in SLC yesterday, 15th,
said the narrow gauge engine was purchased for cash. It was tested in SLC on
the 15th, and was to go down to Nephi this day via the Union Pacific. Also
purchased a combination coach and 10 boxcars, which have all been paid for. At
present, U. P. and RGW are in league with each other in trying to freeze out
the San Pete Valley, so all freight and passengers on the San Pete Valley,
going between Manti, Ephraim and Nephi, are carried free. Local rates remain. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 16 January 1894)
19 January 1894
The new San Pete Valley engine went down yesterday - will be used at once. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 19 January 1894)
26 January 1894
Letter from Manti, dated 25th, notes in passing that the new equipment is being
painted and lettered. (Pitchard, Salt
Lake Daily Tribune, 26 January 1894)
26 January 1894
"The San Pete Valley railway is now fitted up with new and complete
rolling stock. The new engine and combination coach make a fine appearance as
they glide over the little road with their loads of passengers." (Pitchard, Manti Messenger, 26 January 1894)
26 January 1894
Timetable #12, effective 14 December 1893, shows service to Manti. (Pitchard, Manti Messenger, 26 January 1894)
28 January 1894
"Railway Notes." "The Sanpete Valley Railway company have lately
received a new engine, a new passenger coach, ten new freight cars and a number
of cattle cars.-Ephraim Enterprise." (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Herald, 28 January 1894)
20 April 1894
C. V. Clinton resigns as agent of San Pete Valley at Manti and goes to U.P. at
Juab; Owen Taylor takes the Manti job. (Pitchard, Manti Messenger, 20 April 1894)
29 July 1894
San Pete Valley -- contracts let for extension to Morrison -- Henry Beal of
Ephraim to do grading, and ties for the eight mile line, 25,000 of them, are
contracted for. (Pitchard, Salt Lake
Daily Tribune, 29 July 1894)
31 August 1894
Grading on the S.P.V. -- contract to expire on Sept 15th. Tracklaying to begin
soon on line to Morrison; complete by 1 October 94. (Pitchard, Manti Messenger, 31 August 1894)
7 September 1894
From Timetable #13, effective 18 February
1894. (Pitchard, Manti Messenger, 7 September, 1894):
| South | Stations | North |
| 11:25am | Nephi | 10:40am |
| 11:30 | Gypsum | 10:35f |
| 12:10pm | Holloway | 10:00f |
| 12:25 | Phoenix | 9:53 |
| 12:27 | Fntn Grn | 9:48 |
| 12:40 | Draper | 9:30f |
| 12:55 | Moroni | 9:15 |
| 1:06 | Chester | 9:00 |
| 1:23 | Sand Ridge | 8:45f |
| 1:40 | Ephraim | 8:35 |
| RGW crossing | ||
| 2:05pm | Manti | 8:00am |
Train runs daily.
H. S. Kerr, Gen. Supt.
Theodore Bruback, President.
21 September 1894
Grading on line to Morrison about done, and tracklaying about to begin. Every
third tie is supposed to be a standard gauge one. (Pitchard, Manti Messenger, 21 September 1894)
19 October 1894
Robert L. Scannell, secretary of the San Pete Valley, while on a business trip
to London with Bruback on railroad matters, died in London on the 6th of October, and was buried there. (Pitchard, Manti Messenger, 19 October 1894)
2 November 1894
Five miles of the track to Morrison is laid, and now awaiting more rail. (Pitchard, Manti Messenger, 2 November 1894)
3 November 1894
The last rail on the San Pete Valley road's extension to Morrison was laid
yesterday. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily
Tribune, 3 November 1894)
8 November 1894
First passenger train over new line to Morrison was yesterday. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 8 November 1894)
9 November 1894
Line to Morrison is completed; the first train was on the 7th; there are at
least two locomotives in operation at this time. Walter Stringham took photos
of "The first train over the San Pete Valley to Morrison", one on
bridge over Six Mile Creek, another in the canyon, and others. (Pitchard, Manti Messenger, 9 November 1894)
Timetable #15 in effect 11 August 1895.
Timetable #16 in effect 17 November 1895.
1 January 1895
San Pete Valley -- 25 miles of track laid in 1893 and 1894, most of it,
according to the paper, on standard gauge ties; S. T. Pearson is now the
secretary, etc., to replace R. L. Scannell, who died in London in October 1894.
(Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 1 January 1895)
5 February 1895
Stringham & Stringham, Manti photographers, have put out an 1895 calendar,
illustrated with 'numerous' views of the San Pete Valley railroad, and some of
the Sterling coal mine operation (which, as I recall, the San Pete Valley
operated themselves.) (Pitchard, Salt
Lake Daily Tribune, 5 February 1895)
1 October 1895
"The Union Pacific sends down another narrow gauge passenger coach on No.
1 this morning for use on the conference specials an the San Pete Valley, which
start today." (Pitchard, Salt Lake
Daily Tribune, 1 October 1895)
2 July 1896
"Sanpete Engines Arrive" "Nephi, Utah, July 1.-- This
afternoon's freight brought in two new engines for the Sanpete Valley road from
the Baldwin Locomotive Works, Philadelphia. They are eight- wheelers, monsters,
and will do the work. A machinist from the Baldwin shops came through with
them, and will remain here to set the engines up. A big crowd came down to see
their arrival." The locomotives were standard gauge. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 2 July 1896)
3 July 1896
The two new standard gauge engines were shipped from Baldwin on 18 June 1896;
and this paper says that they arrived in Nephi yesterday. (Pitchard, Manti Messenger, 3 July 1896)
7 July 1896
Widening of the San Pete Valley to begin today and be done by Thursday night,
the 9th. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune,
7 July 1896)
10 July 1896
"Now a Broad-Gauge" is the San Pete Valley, the widening between
Nephi and Manti being completed yesterday. Crews are now at work lining and
straightening that section, reballasting, etc., and then will widen that part
of the road from Manti to Morrison, which remains narrow gauge at the moment.
The two new engines, consolidations, work quite well and are 'highly
satisfactory.' (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily
Tribune, 10 July 1896)
22 July 1896
The San Pete Valley is aligning and ballasting its new standard gauge track,
and they have just received a bunch of new standard gauge boxcars. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 22 July
1896)
1 August 1896
The San Pete Valley depot at Manti broken into and robbed of $125.00 sometime
on the night of July 30th or morning of 31st. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 1 August 1896)
1 January 1897
San Pete Valley widened itself, and got new equipment, leaving two narrow gauge
roads in Utah, the Utah Central and the Utah & Nevada line of the OSL&UN.
(Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 1 January 1897)
28 March 1897
San Pete Valley's H. S. Kerr's first name is Halbert (I wouldn't use it much,
either!). (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily
Tribune, 28 March 1897)
22 January 1898
The S.P.V. has its old narrow gauge equipment stored at Manti; the paper thinks
that both the Utah Central and the Garfield line will be widened this year, so
"Narrow gauge equipment will soon be cheap in Utah." (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 22 January 1898)
19 October 1898
"The Sanpete Valley is overhauling and refitting a passenger coach at its
Nephi shops. The old passenger schedule is to be resumed, and the new coach
will be placed in service."
(Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 19 October 1898)
14 April 1899
The San Pete Valley is to build a six-mile branch up Andrews canyon to stone
quarries. David Eccles (Oregon Lumber Co.) is to supply the ties and other
timber, and rail is to acme from the OSL.
(Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 14 April 1899)
15 April 1899
"San Pete Engines Sold" "The San Pete Valley railway yesterday
sold to the Sumpter Valley railway two narrow-gauge locomotives. They will be
shipped to Baker City early next week. These two engines are the 106 and 107,
and were in service on the road up to the time it was broad-gauged, since then
being in the sheds at Manti. Both are in good condition and are well adapted to
mountain work. They will be put in service at once on the Sumpter Valley line.
It will break the hearts of Billy Watson and Sam Parry to see old 107 go to
Oregon, for they declare her to be the best narrow-gauge that ever climbed a
mountain." (Pitchard, Salt Lake
Daily Tribune, 15 April 1899)
22 April 1899
"The S.P.V.Ry. have sold two of their narrow gauge locomotives. They will
be shipped to Oregon before long." (Pitchard, Manti Messenger, 22 April 1899)
24 April 1899
"The two San Pete Valley engines sold to the Sumpter Valley road will go
north in a day or two." (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 24 April 1899)
9 May 1899
"Ties & rails are being delivered to the Sanpete Valley at
Nephi." (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily
Tribune, 9 May 1899)
20 May 1899
Tracklaying on the San Pete Valley's Mt. Nebo Branch, up Andrews Canyon, began
yesterday. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily
Tribune, 20 May 1899)
25 May 1899
A mile of track has been laid on the SPV's new branch up Andrews Canyon. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 25 May
1899)
26 June 1899
The San Pete Valley's Mt. Nebo branch, up Andrews canyon, is nearing
completion. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily
Tribune, 26 June 1899)
18 September 1899
The San Pete Valley is doing a good business on its new Mt. Nebo branch to the
quarries in Andrews canyon. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 18 September 1899)
31 December 1899
S.P.V. have two engines and 26 cars. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 31 December 1899)
21 February 1900
The San Pete Valley road operates its own telegraph lines. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 21 February 1900)
20 March 1900
It is said that the San Pete Valley will build an 18-mile extension. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 20 March 1900)
4 April 1900
"New Stone Industry." "San Pete Valley Railway Creating Heavy
Traffic." "The San Pete Valley railway has been developing a good
traffic in building stone. Ever since constructing the Mount Nebo quarry spur
last year,… Its latest contract is for transporting the 1,200 tons of white
oolite stone to be used in the erection of Thomas Kearns' palatial residence.
This stone will be quarried by E. L. Parry & Sons, of Ephraim." (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 4 April
1900)
10 January 1901
In an item commenting upon the extension of the Sumpter Valley line: "The
Sumpter line is owned by David Eccles, C. W. Nibley and others of Utah, and
they have had the foresight to greatly add to their equipment by purchasing at
a reasonable figure all the rolling stock of the Sanpete Valley and Utah
Central roads as soon as they were broad gauged." (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 10 January 1901)
