Newspaper Items
Wasatch & Jordan Valley Railroad
This page was last updated on March 21, 2004
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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
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)
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)
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
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)
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)
8 October 1873
A W&JV carload of charcoal burns up at Sandy. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Tribune, 8 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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
24 January 1874
A Utah Southern baggage car, loaded with charcoal (of all things), tipped over
yesterday afternoon, "in crossing the narrow gauge track of the Wasatch
& Jordan Valley Railroad." (Pitchard, Deseret Evening News, 24 January 1874)
21 March 1874
Resources of Utah - Statistics for 1873: "Narrow Gauge Railroads."
"Wasatch & Jordan Valley Railroad: "The heaviest stockholders in
this road are officers of the Emma Mining Company, Little Cottonwood." (Pitchard, Utah Mining Gazette, 21 March
1874)
28 July 1874
A new timetable for the W&JV as of the 28th, today: leaves Sandy at 8:40am
and 5:30pm; leaves Fairfield at 7:00am and 3:45pm. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Herald, 28 July 1874)
27 April 1875
Public sale of railroad stock, by the W&JVRR, to satisfy unpaid and long
overdue assessments on same. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Herald, 27 April 1875)
24 June 1875
"The Wasatch and Jordan Valley railroad has changed hands, the owners of
the Bingham Canyon and Camp Floyd road having purchased the stock and taken
possession of the former line. The new owners have already put a force of
graders at work on the proposed tramway from the terminus of the road,
Fairfield Flat, to Alta; and the order for the rolling stock for the extension
has been given." (Pitchard, Salt
Lake Herald, 24 June 1875)
26 June 1875
"The Wasatch & Jordan Valley railroad has been purchased by the
Bingham Canyon railroad company, which is now engaged in constructing a tramway
or horse railroad from the end of the Wasatch and Jordan Valley railroad to
[Alta]. It will be pushed to a speedy completion,…" (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 26 June 1875)
18 August 1875
Tracklaying on the W. & J. V. tramway has reached Tannersville, and there
is enough iron on hand to reach Alta. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Herald, 18 August 1875)
4 September 1875
"Little Cottonwood Tramway" Item reports that it is rapidly nearing
completion to end at Alta; the grade is complete to Central, and track is but
1-1/2 miles from Alta, and will likely be completed by the end of next week. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Herald, 4 September
1875)
14 September 1875
"Alta by Rail", completion of the tramway that joins Alta with the
terminus of the W&JV, opened on Sunday last, the 12th. "Several
passenger cars for the tramway are now on the way from the east, and it is
expected will soon be put upon the road." C. W. Scofield plans to put a
shed over the entire eight miles, at an estimated cost of 60 or 70 thousand
dollars. "It is not many weeks ago that he became the owner of the W.
& J. V. …" (Pitchard, Salt
Lake Herald, 14 September 1875)
25 October 1875
A report of a considerable wreck on "the tramway of the Wasatch and Jordan
Valley Railroad, which extends from Fairfield Flat to Alta." It seems that
a brakeman on a descending car thought that his brakes would not hold, so he
jumped off the car, which promptly took off like a shot, crashing into other
cars, mules (killing four of them) and finally ending by pushing the remains of
cars, mules and freight out the side of the snowshed. The brakeman took up work
elsewhere. (Pitchard, Deseret Evening
News, 25 October 1875)
8 April 1876
The Alta tramway opened up, partially, on the 6th, as far as Tannersville. The
first passengers of the season rode up on the 7th. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Herald, 8 April 1876)
6 June 1876
The Alta Tramway is cleared of snow and in use to Central City, or about 1/4
mile from (below) Alta depot. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Herald, 6 June 1876)
17 August 1876
The Alta Tramway is being covered with a snowshed. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Herald, 17 August 1876)
10 January 1877
"The horse tramway to Alta is again clear, and the cars running." (Pitchard, The Utah County Enquirer, Provo,
10 January 1877)
10 March 1877
The Alta tramway is blocked by snow again; is the only road to Alta. (Pitchard, The Utah County Enquirer, Provo,
10 March 1877)
7 October 1877
An item on "Little Cottonwood" refers in passing to "…the box
cars of the W. & J. V. R. R." (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Herald, 7 October 1877)
21 February 1878
"About two hundred feet of the Alta tramway shed was swept away by a snow
slide on Tuesday morning. Trains ran through from Wasatch yesterday, the passengers
walking over the slide were taken to Alta on cars run down for that
purpose." (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily
Tribune, 21 February 1878)
26 May 1878
The rails of the defunct American Fork Railroad sold to Wasatch & Jordan
Valley. Trains to dismantle the AFRR were to begin removing the rails
"tomorrow," with the work to continue for about 10 days. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Tribune, 26 May 1878)
1 June 1878
"Sandy" items - "There is a likelihood that the track taken from
the American Fork Railroad will be laid from some point on the Wasatch and
Jordan Valley road to Big Cottonwood. Major Humphrey, the superintendent, has
an eye to making business and money for the company." (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 1 June 1878)
2 August 1878
"Alta in Ashes," as it burned yesterday. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 2 August 1878)
2 August 1878
Alta has burned again. (Pitchard, Ogden
Junction, 2 August 1878)
14 December 1878
"The Tax Cases", brought by the W&JV and the BC&CF, to obtain
an injunction restraining the tax collector from selling railroad property for
the payment of delinquent taxes. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Herald, 14 December 1878)
6 February 1879
Decision yesterday in the tax W&JV and BC&CF case; taxes for 1878 are
to be paid, but the taxes for earlier years may be passed; injunction stopping
the collector stands. (Pitchard, Salt
Lake Herald, 6 February 1879)
1 January 1880
A long letter on "Little Cottonwood," written from Alta, 30 December
1879; comments upon the quarries "…along the Wasatch and Jordan Valley
Railroad. Passing onward, we soon come to a hotel and outbuildings designated
as Wasatch. This is the terminus of steam navigation and here we change cars
for Alta via the Tramway. This latter is a continuation of the narrow-gauge,
and is a well-built and thoroughly ballasted road with steel rails and
comfortable open seat cars, requiring for the upward trip a propelling force of
almost three mule-power. For the downward passage, however, gravitation has to
be held in check to keep the speed within the limit of safety. We soon enter
the snow sheds, and are consequently debarred from viewing some of the most
pleasing scenery in Utah." "Once within the snow sheds we wrap our
patience as a mantle about us and imagine ourselves comfortable during our
two-hours ride to Alta…" (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 1 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. (Pitchard, The Territorial
Enquirer, Provo, 7 January 1880)
23 July 1880
"C. W. Scofield's Creditors" - Scofield owes some $95,000 to Clark, Post & Martin for rails; $11,050 owed to Howland & Aspinwall, on what not stated, but they owned the American Fork Railroad, etc.; and many others. Scofield's reported assets included the physical property of the various railroads, and sundry stocks and bonds, but the list did not go into any details. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 23 July 1880)
17 October 1880
An article of one and one-half columns on the decision in the Aspinwall vs.
Scofield suit (Aspinwall was the president/owner of the American Fork Railroad,
and Scofield the president/owner of the W.& J.V./B.C.& C.F. as well as
the Utah & Pleasant Valley; the suit was over the non payment of some
$11,000 for railroad materials Scofield obtained of Aspinwall); as the original
judgment against Scofield was obtained by the plaintiff in the New York Supreme
Court, and not made a part of the current (Utah) proceeding, decision is
against plaintiff. This is said to be an important precedent. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Herald, 17 October
1880)
21 April 1881
The tramway to Alta is now open and doing business, the snow blockade being
raised. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily
Tribune, 21 April 1881)
5 April 1882
The Alta tramway, which has been closed all winter, will be opened again soon. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 5 April
1882)
14 October 1882
Considerable problem on the Alta Tramway - wind is repeatedly blowing down
various parts of the snowshed. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 14 October 1882)
29 December 1882
"The Alta Tramway." "The Tribune this morning states that
"the mining men and citizens of Alta complain because the railroad company
have shut them off from civilization" by closing down the tramway between
that camp and Wasatch. In conversation with a Chronicle representative this
morning, Mr. Lamborn, assistant general passenger and freight agent of the
D.& R. G. road, said he knew of no good reason for complaint on the part of
anyone at Alta. It is usual to close down the tramway during the winter months,
and the mining and business men of Alta fully expected that the road would be
shut down this season. At present there is no ore to be sent down … and …,
it is hard to see how any reasonable person could expect the tramway to be kept
open. Besides, experience has fully demonstrated the danger of running cars up
and down the canyon when the snow lies deep on the sides of the mountains,
…" (Pitchard, Salt Lake Evening
Chronicle, 29 December 1882)
16 May 1883
City: "the Alta tramway, running from Wasatch to Alta, will be open for
through traffic tomorrow. The tramway has been closed since December." (Pitchard, Salt Lake Evening Chronicle, 16 May 1883)
10 December 1883
"Stopped for the Winter." "The Alta branch of the Denver &
Rio Grande railroad, running up Little Cottonwood canyon from Wasatch to Alta,
closed down to-day for the winter. Travel in this canyon during the winter
months is attended by great danger from snow-slides, and the policy of the
D.& R.G. management seems to be to close down the road before the dreaded
avalanches can get a chance to bury people traveling over the tramway." (Pitchard, Salt Lake Evening Chronicle, 10 December 1883)
11 December 1883
The line from Wasatch to Alta was closed yesterday for the winter. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 11 December 1883)
11 March 1884
Alta was hit by a slide on Sunday, the 9th; "The new town of Alta is
situated … on a flat near the head of Little Cottonwood canyon. The old town
was destroyed by fire some years ago, and the present site was supposed to be a
safer place for the town." (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Herald, 11 March 1884)
9 April 1884
The London Bank of Utah, in the news of late owing to financial trouble,
provided this paper with a list of accounts receivable, now considered
uncollectable. Included are notes issued to Wasatch & Jordan Valley
Railroad, in the amount of $10,000.00; Overdrafts issued to Wasatch &
Jordan Valley Railroad, in the amount of 3,907.00; and other such, various
debtors, to a total of $76,998.53.
(Pitchard, Salt Lake Evening Chronicle, 9 April 1884)
12 July 1884
Two carloads of horses and mules were taken to Wasatch yesterday for the Alta
tramway. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily
Tribune, 12 July 1884)
29 July 1884
Article on ride to Alta on the tramway; two mules pull the car, which seats
nine, three to a seat. (Pitchard, Salt
Lake Daily Tribune, 29 July 1884)
13 February 1885
"The D. & R. G. is running double-headers to Wasatch and
Bingham." It seems this is necessary on account of snow. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Evening Chronicle, 13 February 1885)
16 February 1885
The Western's depot, snowsheds, etc., at Alta were destroyed in the slide at
that place on 13 February 1885.
(Pitchard, Salt Lake Evening Chronicle, 16 February 1885)
28 April 1885
Alta tramway to be opened by 10 May 1885. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 28 April 1885)
21 May 1885
Daily trains running to Alta 'via the mule power tramway'. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 21 May 1885)
15 August 1883
"Better Accommodations Wanted" "Passengers on the Wasatch and
Jordan Valley Railroad complain of the lack of accommodation. They say the cars
are very small, and are sometimes so crowded that people are forced to stand
all the way, while there are no accommodations for women with children. It is
said the road used to be sprinkled partially in former years, but now even that
is not done, and the dust is sometimes intolerable." (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Herald, 15 August 1883)
28 May 1887
The Alta tramway is now in process of being opened up for the season. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 28 May
1887)
30 October 1887
"Local Railway Notes." "The D. & R. G. W. has issued a
notice that the tramway between Wasatch and Alta will be closed November 10th,
after which no passengers or freight will be taken to Alta, and all freight and
passengers for Alta will be delivered at Wasatch." per J. H. Bennett,
General Freight and Passenger Agent of the D. & R. G. W. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 30 October 1887)
20 May 1888
"The Alta tramway opens today for the season." (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 20 May 1888)
10 November 1888
The Alta tramway was closed yesterday. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 10 November 1888)
20 June 1890
The tramway to Alta opened today, but not by the RGW, as the line from Wasatch
to Alta is leased to other parties. Fare one way is $1.15. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Evening Times, 20 June 1890)
7 March 1891
There was recently an avalanche at Alta, in which two men were killed. Their
bodies were taken by sled down to Wasatch, "at which point the railway was
taken for Sandy." (Pitchard, Salt
Lake Daily Herald, 7 March 1891)
3 June 1891
An advertisement item, on the RGW Alta Branch, "…which has now been made
broad gauge,…" "At Wasatch tramway connection is made for
Alta." (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily
Tribune, 3 June 1891)
9 August 1898
The tramway to Alta is now in its third summer of disuse. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 9 August 1898)
25 April 1900
An item on Alta in the mining section makes it clear that there is no
functioning railroad to Alta at this time.
(Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 25 April 1900)
23 June 1900
"The resort at Wasatch, in Little Cottonwood Canyon, near Granite, has
been opened to the public, and street cars commenced to operate between the
Oregon Short Line station at Sandy and the Wasatch hotel yesterday. The fare
from Sandy to Wasatch is 75 cents and round trip $1; …" "The hotel
at Wasatch has been renovated and placed in first class condition." (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 23 June
1900)
26 June 1900
An excerpt from an article entitled "Alta is Active" "At present
no less than 25 teams are operating between the camp and the Mingo smelter at
Sandy, while the tramway has finally started up and ores are being handled very
satisfactorily. From the tramway they are transferred to the RGW's Little
Cottonwood branch, which has been equipped with rolling stock formerly in use
upon the horse-car lines of this city, so that the trip between Sandy and the
diggings is made a very agreeable one. (see also item of 28 August 1900) (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 26 June
1900)
20 July 1900
"Cars on the Wasatch tram connect with all Short Line trains south of Salt
Lake. The cars run between Sandy and Wasatch and are taking many
passengers." (Pitchard, Salt Lake
Daily Tribune, 20 July 1900)
28 August 1900
"Doings at Wasatch" "Tramway rides to Alta are still very
popular, and these, with the regular traffic to Alta keeps the historic old
tram car pretty well filled, both going and coming." (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 28 August 1900)
8 September 1900
"The Alta Branch and tramway consists of 18 miles. As it is not operated,
the RGW is contemplating using the steel where it will bring in some
revenue." (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily
Tribune, 8 September 1900)
8 January 1901
Nathaniel W. Raphael vs. the Wasatch & Jordan Valley Railroad Co., the Rio
Grande Western Railway Co., and the Union Trust Co. of New York -- complaint
alleges that on May 1, 1879, the W. & J. V. RR. conveyed to said Trust
company (to secure $1,200,000 in mortgage bonds), all of the main line (33
miles) and tramway lines (11-1/2 miles) from Bingham to Alta via Sandy; further
alleges the property was foreclosed for default and came into possession of the
R.G.W. through collusion and fraud. Plaintiff asks that sale to D.& R.G.W.
Rwy. Co. and all subsequent actions be set aside! Paper comments that "The
line from Sandy to Wasatch and Alta, however, is worthless, and has been
abandoned by the company for a long time, as far as operation of it as a
railroad is concerned." (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 8 January 1901)
22 May 1901
A foreclosure suit Raphael vs. the W.& J.V., RGW, et al., wanting
foreclosure on the W.&J,V. second mortgage bonds, on the lines to Alta and
Bingham; wants RGW purchase of W&JV set aside and a receiver appointed
under the W&JV mortgage! (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 22 May 1901)
10 June 1913
"Little Cottonwood Granite Selected" for the new state capitol
building; as to the railroad - "Plans for early construction operations
are being taken up by the Alta & Jordan Railroad company, which owns the
old right-of-way from Jordan to Alta… This company, incorporated about two
years ago,… "The old roadbed from Jordan to the Wasatch resort near the
mouth of the canyon is still in such shape that the reconstruction would not be
very costly. From Wasatch to Alta, the old rails of the gravity tram way are
still intact much of the way, although now overgrown with brush. In some
places, the wagon road has appropriated the right-of same "Midvale to
Wasatch Railroad to be Completed at Once." J. G. Jacobs is to build a
railroad to the granite quarries at once, the work to start in a day or two;
nearly four miles is built now, and the grade for the 11 miles to Wasatch has
been established. "The roadbed and right-of-way has been leased from the
Denver & Rio Grande." (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Herald, 10 June 1913)
13 June 1913
"Work Starts on Road Which will Haul Rock…" "J. G. Jacobs,
lessee of the old right-of-way up Little Cottonwood Canyon, began active
construction work yesterday in building the line… The terminal with the Rio
Grande is at Midvale and the road now extends to a point 1-1/2 miles east of
Sandy. From that point on, the road must be practically rebuilt, though the
major portions of the grade for the old ore tramway up the canyon still remain,
making the grading work easier than would otherwise be the fact." The
distance between Sandy and Wasatch is stated to be eight miles; the road will
go 1i miles beyond Wasatch in order to reach the upper quarries. Jacobs thinks
that his road will be there by the first of August. He will have his own
locomotives and passenger cars, but will use D. & R. G. flat cars for the
hauling of the stone. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Herald, 13 June 1913)
