Newspaper Items
Utah & Pleasant Valley Railway
This page was last updated on March 21, 2004
19 August 1875
Fifty-five men went south yesterday morning to start work on the grade of the
narrow gauge line up Spanish Fork Canyon. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Herald, 19 August 1875)
20 March 1877
"U. & P. V. R. Co." "At a recent meeting of the stockholders
of the Utah and Pleasant Valley railway company, arrangements were made for
immediately completing the first twenty mile section of grade from
Springville." (Pitchard, Salt Lake
Herald, 20 March 1877)
21 March 1877
"Utah and Pleasant Valley Railroad. -- A meeting of the stockholders of
the company was held recently in Salt Lake City, and arrangements were made to
begin the first twenty miles of grading for the rails from Springville to
Pleasant Valley, and it is proposed to complete that much as soon as
practicable." (Pitchard, The Utah
County Enquirer, Provo, 21 March 1877)
9 May 1877
Crandall Brothers have a grading contract on the U&PV line and are at work;
they were apparently using some sort of small tramway, with a steam locomotive,
to move dirt around, as E. Crandall, being unfamiliar with the thing, managed
to wreck it on the 5th. (Pitchard, The
Utah County Enquirer, Provo, 9 May 1877)
23 May 1877
"Utah and Pleasant Valley Railroad Company. -- This company is fully
organized with M. Packard, President; M. P. Crandall, Superintendent; and
George A. Poage, Secretary. The grade is now completed a distance of seven
miles and a half, and the remainder of the road to take it to Springville is
contracted for, and men busily working at it." (Pitchard, The Utah County Enquirer, Provo, 23 May 1877)
30 May 1877
Utah & Pleasant Valley -- M. P. Crandall, superintendent, and S. F.
Pritchard, one of the owners, called on the editor on the 28th Monday; say that
from a point 9-1/2 miles from Springville, to the other side of the Warm
Springs, is already graded, and the space in between, to Springville, is being
done now. Packard's first name is Mylan (or Milan). (Pitchard, The Utah County Enquirer, Provo, 30 May 1877)
11 July 1877
Twelve miles of grading now done on the U. & P.V. (Pitchard, The Utah County Enquirer, Provo, 11 July 1877)
29 August 1878
"Tracklaying on the Utah & Pleasant Valley Railroad is to be commenced
today at Springville. Superintendent Goss, who is just up from there, says the rails
are being sent down from American Fork, and that the construction train will
start out with horses, doing the transporting in that manner until the track is
laid a distance of three or four miles, after which an engine will be put on
the road to complete the work thirty miles the present season. The ties are
being rapidly delivered, and work on the new road is being pushed
generally." (Pitchard, Salt Lake
Daily Tribune, 29 August 1878)
18 September 1878
"The citizens of Springville had a grand time yesterday riding on the new
narrow gauge rail." (Pitchard, Salt
Lake Daily Tribune, 18 September 1878)
9 November 1878
"The first car load of new rails for the Utah and Pleasant Valley Railroad
has arrived and is the first of a consignment sufficient to finish the road a
distance of about thirty miles." (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 9 November 1878)
4 December 1878
"The Provo Enquirer says that nine car loads of iron for the Pleasant
Valley Railroad passed over the Utah Southern one day last week." (Pitchard, Ogden Junction, 4 December 1878)
4 December 1878
Nine cars of iron for the Utah & Pleasant Valley went south over the Utah
Southern one day last week. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 4 December 1878)
15 March 1879
"We are informed that the work on the Pleasant Valley railroad has
commenced again; only a few hands are employed at present. More men will be put
on when the weather gets warmer and the frost is out of the ground in the
canyon." (Pitchard, The Territorial
Enquirer, Provo, 15 March 1879)
26 March 1879
"Work on the narrow gauge in Spanish Fork Canyon is being vigorously
prosecuted." (Pitchard, The
Territorial Enquirer, Provo, 26 March 1879)
2 April 1879
"Over seventeen miles of the Utah & Pleasant Valley railway are now
completed and the track-laying progresses at the rate of half a mile a
day." (Pitchard, The Territorial
Enquirer, Provo, 2 April 1879)
4 April 1879
"The Provo Times says that over seventeen miles of the Utah and Pleasant
Valley Railway are now completed and the track-laying progresses at the rate of
half a mile a day." (Pitchard, Salt
Lake Daily Tribune, 4 April 1879)
1 May 1879
"The Utah & Pleasant Valley Railroad has received several car loads of
iron and will immediately commence laying track from the point where they left
off last fall, about eight miles from Springville. The iron now on hand will
build about twenty miles, and the company design completing the road to the
coal beds of San Pete by September." (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 1 May 1879)
3 May 1879
"The Narrow Gauge. -- Thirty-five miles of grading and twenty miles of
track-laying are now done on the route of the Utah & Pleasant Valley
narrow-gauge railroad. The ties are bedded some thirty miles on the grading,
and it is anticipated that the whole of the track - about 52 miles in length -
will be laid by the 1st of July next. Then we shall have an abundance of good
and cheap coal." "Five car loads of rails were received at
Springville, on Thursday, for the Utah & Pleasant Valley narrow-gauge
railroad." (Pitchard, The
Territorial Enquirer, Provo, 3 May 1879)
1 June 1879
"The Pleasant Valley Railroad received twelve cars the other day." (Pitchard, Salt Lake Herald, 1 June 1879)
7 June 1879
"Fifteen car loads of rails went over the Utah Southern on Wednesday for
the Pleasant Valley railroad." (Pitchard, The Territorial Enquirer, Provo, 7 June 1879)
10 June 1879
"The Provo & Springville road is completed a distance of thirty miles,
and will reach the San Pete coal fields this fall." (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 10 June 1879)
13 June 1879
"The Enquirer says, about thirty miles of the Pleasant Valley railroad is
completed; it will reach the coal fields by fall." (Pitchard, Ogden Junction, 13 June 1879)
10 July 1879
"The Pleasant Valley R.R. is within about fifteen miles of the
coalfields." (Pitchard, The
Territorial Enquirer, Provo, 10 July 1879)
29 July 1879
"The narrow gauge road is completed forty miles from Springville, and will
strike the coal fields about the middle of September." (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 29 July
1879)
27 August 1879
Nephi Packard, of Springville, called yesterday, and says that the narrow gauge
is within eight miles of the Pleasant Valley coal beds; they are not now laying
track, because have no spikes.--Herald, 26th. (Pitchard, Ogden Junction, 27 August 1879)
8 October 1879
"Pleasant Valley Railroad. -- Parties just in from Pleasant Valley report
that the railroad is completed within one mile of the coal beds, but will
proceed no farther this season." (Pitchard, The Territorial Enquirer, Provo, 8 October 1879)
9 October 1879
"The Pleasant Valley road is expected to reach its coal field terminus
tomorrow." (Pitchard, Salt Lake
Daily Tribune, 9 October 1879)
18 October 1879
"The first installment of rails for the extension of the Utah and Pleasant
Valley railroad was deposited at Provo yesterday. Soon the line will be laid
between this city and Springville." (Pitchard, The Territorial Enquirer, Provo, 18 October 1879)
26 October 1879
"The Pleasant Valley road, which has been pushing ahead in a quiet manner
all summer, is now completed to the great coal fields." (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 26 October 1879)
30 October 1879
In an article on "Railroad Projects," the U.& P.V. is mentioned
as being "…in operation between Pleasant Valley and Springville, where
connection is made with the Southern. It is contemplated building the road to
Provo, which point is expected to be reached this winter. During this season
some forty miles of rail have been laid, making the line fifty-six miles
long." (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily
Tribune, 30 October 1879)
5 November 1879
President Scofield of U&PV has petitioned Provo City Council .for
rights-of-way into Provo, to include use of parts of streets. (Pitchard, The Territorial Enquirer, Provo,
5 November 1879)
7 November 1879
"Eight flat cars for the U. & P. V. R. R. passed through the city
yesterday for Springville." (Pitchard, Salt Lake Herald, 7 November 1879)
12 November 1879
"Pleasant Valley Railroad", item is mostly puffery; "Up to the
present, the road has been unable to supply the demand for coal. The company is
now going to run an extra train of twenty new cars, so that within a very short
time coal will be delivered in any required amount." (Pitchard, The Territorial Enquirer, Provo, 12 November 1879)
13 November 1879
"The Pleasant Valley Railroad," from the Provo Times of the
12th-mostly a puff piece--the line is to be extended to Provo 'at once;'
"Up to the present, the road has been unable to supply the demand for
coal. The company is now going to run an extra train of twenty cars, so that
within a very short time coal will be delivered in any required amount." (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 13 November 1879)
19 November 1879
Spanish Fork town, 2-1/2 miles from the U&PV, wants a branch built. (Pitchard, The Territorial Enquirer, Provo,
19 November 1879)
19 November 1879
"The Utah and Pleasant Valley Railroad have received more flat cars. This
company is continually receiving new cars…" (Pitchard, Salt Lake Herald, 19 November 1879)
26 November 1879
"The grading of the roadbed of the U. & P. V. R. R. is being pushed
along as rapidly as the weather will permit." Steel rails are en route
from the East. (Pitchard, The Territorial
Enquirer, Provo, 26 November 1879)
6 December 1879
"The grade of the U. & P. V. R. R. is nearly half constructed between
Provo and Springville. The work will be prosecuted as rapidly as the weather
will permit." (Pitchard, The
Territorial Enquirer, Provo, 6 December 1879)
10 December 1879
"Snowed In. -- We received information Monday that the coal train on the
Utah & Pleasant Valley Railway was snow-bound in Spanish Fork Canyon. We
are informed, however, that such will not happen again, as the company intends
putting on snow plows, and the road is to be kept open all winter." (Pitchard, The Territorial Enquirer, Provo,
10 December 1879)
10 December 1879
"The Pleasant Valley-road is experiencing some trouble by reason of the
snow piling up on the track." (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 10 December 1879)
13 December 1879
"Snow Bound. -- Both coal trains, on the U.& P.V. Railway, were
snowbound in Spanish Fork Canyon, on Thursday. Men were sent from Springville
to clear the track." (Pitchard, The
Territorial Enquirer, Provo, 13 December 1879)
17 December 1879
"To Clear The Way. -- The Utah and Pleasant Valley Railway company started
two engines with snow plows attached, up Spanish Fork Canyon on Monday. It will
probably take a couple of days to clear the track from snow, after which coal
will be supplied equal to the demand." (Pitchard, The Territorial Enquirer, Provo, 17 December 1879)
7 January 1880
"Our Railroads," The Utah & Pleasant Valley is in operation,
Springville to Pleasant Valley, some 66 miles, it says; equipment not
mentioned. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily
Tribune, 7 January 1880)
7 January 1880
Article on "The Coal Outlook"; the railroad still stuck in the snow;
the U&PV is 'connected', as the paper puts it, with the W&JV and
BC&CF lines, and supplies all of their coal, somewhat to the irritation of
the locals. The only good item in this puffy piece is that "Supt. Goss
intends having a new engine shortly, weighing nine tons more than either of
those now on the road, and it is thought that with it and the snow plows the
road can be kept open." (Pitchard, The Territorial Enquirer, Provo, 7 January 1880)
10 January 1880
"The Utah and Pleasant Valley coal trains have at last got through the
blockade, and on Wednesday night two car loads were shipped here. But two car
loads wouldn't fill a gnat's eye, figuratively speaking." (Pitchard, The Territorial Enquirer, Provo,
10 January 1880)
13 January 1880
"The Pleasant Valley Railroad is expecting two new locomotives from the
Baldwin works, Philadelphia." (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 13 January 1880)
16 January 1880
"The Pleasant Valley road is free from obstruction, but is behind with its
coal orders. The new engines will help it out. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 16 January 1880)
21 January 1880
"Fifteen carloads of coal arrived from Pleasant Valley, yesterday morning,
at Springville. The road is now open and will continue so long as the good
weather lasts." (Pitchard, The
Territorial Enquirer, Provo, 21 January 1880)
10 March 1880
"Snowed in Again" U&PV coal trains have not made it through for
nearly two weeks now. (Pitchard, The
Territorial Enquirer, Provo, 10 March 1880)
20 March 1880
The U&PV is still having much trouble with ice and snow; some days the
train is moved but 1/2 mile, on account of ice having to be picked off the
rails. (Pitchard, The Territorial
Enquirer, Provo, 20 March 1880)
24 March 1880
A coal train of 11 carloads reached Springville on Monday, 22nd. (Pitchard, The Territorial Enquirer, Provo,
24 March 1880)
15 September 1880
"J. Fewson Smith, Esq., came to Provo on Saturday to finish the surveying
of the extension of the U. and P. V. railway, from Springville to this city. He
thinks that trains will be running into Provo from the coal mines inside of
three weeks." (Pitchard, The
Territorial Enquirer, Provo, 15 September 1880)
20 October 1880
"Completion." "The Utah and Pleasant Valley railroad is expected
to be completed to this city by tomorrow. The work of tracklaying has been
vigorously prosecuted between Springville and Provo for two or three weeks, and
the long expected termination of the road is now almost an established fact. It
is expected that all mail matter for Springville will hereafter be carried by
the U. and P. V. Railway Co., and that freight coming over the Utah Southern
for that place will likewise be transferred at Provo." "The track at
Springville, where it runs westward to the Utah Southern depot, from the
turning point to Provo, has been taken up and utilized in the extension." (Pitchard, The Territorial Enquirer, Provo,
20 October 1880)
23 October 1880
"Completed. -- The Utah and Pleasant Valley railway is now completed to
Provo, the locomotive having run into the depot for the first time on Thursday
night with several carloads of coal. Shipments have already begun, four
carloads of coal having yesterday been transferred over the Utah Southern to
Juab and two carloads to Salt Lake." (Pitchard, The Territorial Enquirer, Provo, 23 October 1880)
24 October 1880
"The narrow gauge railroad is now completed, and coal is being delivered
to Provo." This, of course, is the U. & P. V. Ry. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 24 October 1880)
20 November 1880
Paper thinks U&PV ought to be bringing in more coal than they do. (Pitchard, The Territorial Enquirer, Provo,
20 November 1880)
27 November 1880
Received five carloads in Provo on Thursday night; by 9:00am Friday not a pound
was left! U&PV says they will bring three cars a day. (Pitchard, The Territorial Enquirer, Provo, 27 November 1880)
10 December 1880
The Utah & Pleasant Valley are putting up an office and an enginehouse in
Provo; and the road is well supplied with snow plows, and hopes to be able to
keep the road open this winter. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Herald, 10 December 1880)
24 February 1881
G. M. Young, of the W. & J. V., is appointed manager of the Utah and
Pleasant Valley, account James Cochrane has resigned. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 24 February 1881)
26 February 1881
A new company has been organized in New York for the Utah & Pleasant
Valley; DeGraff has resigned the presidency and Cochrane the management.
Scofield assumes the president's spot, and G. M. Young the management of the
line. Young was the Superintendent of the W&JV. Scofield had been connected
with the company before, and got into financial troubles, but is back now, and
reportedly richer than ever. (Pitchard, The Territorial Enquirer, Provo, 26 February 1881)
15 June 1881
'In the case of Wm. M. Spackman vs. the Utah & Pleasant Valley Railway
Company, judgment entered for $147,715.40, apparently in favor of the
plaintiff. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily
Tribune, 15 June 1881)
3 August 1881
"On Monday one engine, one coach and some six freight cars were sent from
the Bingham Canyon Railroad to the Pleasant Valley line."
("Monday" would have been August 1, 1881.) (Pitchard, Salt Lake Herald, 3 August 1881)
4 August 1881
More rolling stock has been put on the Pleasant Valley railroad, which is very
busy at present. (Pitchard, Salt Lake
Daily Tribune, 4 August 1881)
5 August 1881
Another lot of rolling stock, in addition to that just sent, has been ordered
for the Pleasant Valley road. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 5 August 1881)
6 August 1881
"A new Pullman car was put on the Utah & Pleasant Valley railway
yesterday, which has just been received from the East. It's a daisy." (I
don't explain them, I just copy them!) (Pitchard, The Territorial Enquirer, Provo, 6 August 1881)
20 August 1881
Item descriptive of a ride over the U&PV to end of line - no equipment
data. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune,
20 August 1881)
20 September 1881
Item refers to Pleasant Valley branch of the D&RG. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 20 September 1881)
24 September 1881
A few days ago, recorder Daniels, Provo, copied some papers he received from
attorneys of the D&RGW Railway, wherein it is shown that Wm. M. Spackman of
Philadelphia, and William J. Palmer of Denver, own a majority of the bonds of
the Utah & Pleasant Valley, by reason of which fact-they removed H. P.
Graaf and Theo Wilkins as trustees of the bonds, and 'duly appointed' L. H.
Meyer of New York and George A. Lowe of Salt Lake City as trustees of the said
bonds. (Pitchard, The Territorial
Enquirer, Provo, 24 September 1881)
26 April 1882
"A Difficulty" between the Utah Central and the D. & R. G.;
"The Denver and Rio Grande purchased the Pleasant Valley railroad,…, and
it is proposed to make this a portion of the main line." The difficulty is
with the Utah Central, whose survey of their Pleasant Valley Branch infringes
upon that of the Utah & Pleasant Valley railroad in several places. The two
roads have been in court already over the matter. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Herald, 26 April 1882)
13 June 1882
"Railroad Sale" at Provo yesterday (Monday, the 12th), being the
public sale of the Utah & Pleasant Valley, as ordered by the Court.
"It is no secret that the purchase is made in the interest of the Denver
and Rio Grande Western Company, of which Mr. Spackman is the treasurer…"
The agent for Wm. M. Spackman was Charles S. Hinchman, who did the actual
buying at the sale. The sale was the result of foreclosure action. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Herald, 13 June
1882)
13 June 1882
Sale held yesterday at the courthouse in Provo, at 2:00pm, of the Utah &
Pleasant Valley; it was bid in by Wm. Spackman, in the interest of the Denver
& Rio Grande. The D & R G Western folks who went down to Provo
yesterday, for the sale of the U & P V., took the Utah Central in the
morning, but were able to come back up to Salt Lake in the afternoon on the
Western, which had just barely been connected. The line lacks but 1500 feet or
so of track in Salt Lake City to connect it with the depot grounds. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 13 June
1882)
28 July 1882
Coaches on the Pleasant Valley run go only to Clear Creek, where cabooses are
substituted. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily
Tribune, 28 July 1882)
29 November 1882
Railroad Racket: "C. W. Scofield, a railroad man well known to Salt Lake
people, arrived today from San Francisco, and is a guest at the Walker
House." (Pitchard, Salt Lake Evening
Chronicle, 29 November 1882)
1 January 1883
Clear Creek, former junction point for line to Pleasant Valley, was settled in May 1881 by James Tucker (Pitchard, Salt
Lake Daily Tribune, 1 January 1883) (ed. note: Clear Creek changed to Tucker in June 1899.)
