The White Pine News

COLE-RYAN MAY BUILD OWN RAILROAD FROM GARFIELD TO EAST ELY VIA CHERRY CREEK

Reported To Be Behind Project on Which Work May Start by May 1 On All Ore Route.

WOULD PROBABLY MEAN EASTERN OUTLET FOR ELY & TONOPAH FROM THIS POINT—SERVE DEEP CREEK COUNTRY
SALT LAKE, Feb. 12.—The Inter-Mountain Republican says: An independent railroad from Garfield to Cherry Creek, Ely and Eureka, Nevada, by way of Deep Creek, Utah, with possibly the Cole-Ryan interests behind it, is the latest railway project in process of incubation. W. C. Scofield, a New York promoter, succeeded something more than a year ago in getting such a railway project partially under way, but the financial depression held his plans in abeyance. Scofield is in the city at this time, and with him are two railroad and mining experts named Van Bibber and Andrews. They are talking no more than is necessary, it is said, but where it seemed unavoidable to do so Scofield has given out the information that the experts represent a syndicate of French capitalists who have promised to finance the proposed railroad in the event that the report to be made by the experts is favorable.

That Cole-Ryan, or the International Smelting interests, are in reality the 'French syndicate' is believed by some who are in close touch with the situation. That it would be impossible to select a route for a railroad that with a like outlay would better serve the new smelting company's plants, now being built and in contemplation, near Garfield and at Ely, is apparent.

The route selected by Mr. Scofield as far as Deep Creek would follow the most of the way the line surveyed 20 years ago by the Rio Grande Co., upon which about 40 miles of grading was done. The course from Garfield would be by way of Grantsville, around the point of the range into Skull valley, pursuing a southwesterly course across Skull valley, crossing the southern end of the Cedar range through an easy pass, thence across the desert into the Deep Creek country, touching the camps of Dugway, Granite Mountain, Fish Springs and Erickson. From Deep Creek, it is believed, the line will be extended to Eureka, Nev., by way of Cherry Creek, with a branch line down the valley to East Ely.

The proposed line would be one cheaply constructed, and that would open a number of districts rich in minerals, which are now dormant on account of lack of transportation facilities, can not be questioned. While Garfield, which is already a common point, for a time, at least, would be the eastern terminus of the new railroad, it is not unlikely that eventually an entrance to Salt Lake would be sought. But, as it would be primarily an ore-hauling line, intended to serve the new smelting company, the need for getting into the city would not be pressing.

Word has been given that work is likely to be started on the new road by May 1.