USA > Utah > Salt Lake County > Salt Lake > The Salt Lake City Directory and Business Guide for 1869 > Part 12
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CASH BUYERS WILL DO WELL TO CALL ON DUNFORD & SONS.,
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SHOE FINDINGS AND LEATHER FOR SALE. WH SLOAN & CO.
SALT LAKE CITY DIRECTORY.
interests! The discovery of gold in the Occident State; the rush of peo- ple to the suriferous shores laved by the mighty Pacific; the vast travel overland, following in the track of the pioneer Mormons; the thousands of nameless graves studding the prairie billows of the great plains, or marking at brief intervals, through the Black Hills and Rocky Moun- tains, the last earthly resting places of eastern-born brave and adventurous spirits; the shining gold brought from California, awakening interest and cupidity ; with fresh discoveries of the precious metals in other regions, turned the attention of eastern capitalists and the people of the Republic to this land of dangers and desert, as it had been described; and not the feasibility but the necessity of an overland railroad now claimed and re- osived serious consideration. The discovery of rich mines in the regions A now composing Nevada, Montana and Idaho; with the rapidly growing settlements and increasing prosperity of Utah --- which was a base of sup- plies for the surrounding mining regions-hastened the inception of the work. While the rich discoveries of the precious metals in the Pike's Peak region, now Colorado, and the up-springing of numerous towns and cities which soon claimed an importance in the great centres of com- merce of the country, undoubtedly stimulated to the early commence- ment of the Union Pacific line ; the development of the vast mineral re- sources of Nevada, Montana and Idaho, causing a great and growing commerce between those points and the east and west, as surely stimu- lated to the commencement of the Central Pacific, and to the putting forth of energies by each company which have challenged and obtained the admiration of the world, for the un paralleled progress made in a work of such magnitude.
GOVERNMENT GRANTS.
The proposed undertaking, however, was so great that private capi- tal was doubtful of being able to accomplish it, and hesitated to enter upon the organization of a company for the construction of the line. But the necessity of having such a road daily assumed graver propor- tions ; and finally the government, while having a terrible and unparal- leledly expensive war on its hands, agreed to lend the national aid to the undertaking .! The grants given to the Union Pacific and Central Pacific lines were alike; that to the former including, in government six per cent. currency interest thirty-year bonds, $16,000 per mile, for 517 miles from the Missouri river to the base of the Rocky Mountains; $48,000 per mile, for 150 miles westward from the eastern base of the Rocky Mountains ; and $32,000 per mile for the rest of the distance until it should meet with the Central Pacific. To this government added, as a grant, every alternate section of land for twenty miles on each side of the railroad, or 12,800 acres for each mile, worth at the government price of $1,25 per acre, $16,000 a mile; but as an act of congress, signed March
THE TRAVELING PUBLIC CAN FIND BOOTS AND SHOES AT DUNFORD & SONS.
BOOTS AND SHOES, EVERY STYLE, BY HELLMAN & CO.
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SALT LAKE CITY DIRECTORY.
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7th, 1868, provides that the government alternate sections shall not be sold for less than $2,50 per acre, it is but fair to estimate the sections granted to the railroad at the same price. Government also granted the companies the right to issue their own mortgage bonds to an amount equal to the bonds issued by the United States to the company; with the rights of way and material, including the necessary public lands for . track, stations, depots, etc.
DIFFICULTIES IN THE WAY. .
A charter for the construction of the road was granted in July of 1862; and in October of 1863 a preliminary organization was made, fol- lowed soon after by a formal organization with a board of fifteen direc- tors to which was added five government directors. In the following August the first contract for construction was let ; and the work proceed- ed slowly till January 1866, at which time but forty miles of track were laid. Difficulties of no ordinary character had to be encountered . from the outset. Among these financial difficulties that would have disheart- ened men less energetic and and persevering than those who had the work in hand, had to be met and overcome. These conquered, others presented themselves. On this subject, a correspondent of the Boston Journal treating upon it has said :.
"The Company commenced operations at Omaha, then a small town, destitute alike of the skill necessary for the practical construction of such a public work, and destitute even of the mere manual force necessary. Mechanics were needed, laborers were needed ; if they were summoned from abroad, boarding places must be found, and some kind of homes extemporized. There were no shops in which, and no tools with which, to labor. Shovels, spades, picks, plows, axes and other implements were to be purchased in Chicago, Buffalo, Boston, New York or Philadelphia, wherever they could be found best in quality and cheapest in price, and transported to this new point of departure. And here again was another obstacle to be contended with, for as yet no rail track had been laid near- er than about 150 miles of the east bank of the Missouri river. Over this distance, therefore, all men and materials had to be transported by the slow and expensive process of wagon trains. The engine of 70 horse power, now propelling the Company's works at Omaha, was thus carried in wagons from Des Moines, on the river of that name, that at the time being the only available means of getting it through. Again, west of the Missouri river the country is almost entirely destitute of trees, and excepting a limited supply of cottonwood, similar in fibre and strength to the old Lombardy poplar of the east, there was nothing from which railroad ties could be obtained. East of the Missouri the forest condi- tions were quite similar, so that in a short time it came to pass that the
CHILDREN'S SHOES, FROM 25 CENTS AND UPWARDS, AT DUNFORD & SONS.
THE IDAHO BAKERY, SECOND SOUTH STREET, IS THE PLACE TO 09 20.
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SALT LAKE CITY DIRECTORY.
very ties on which the railroad has been constructed had to be cut in Michigan, Ohio, Pennsylvania and New York, and teamed over the 'country at an expense sometimes of two dollars and seventy-five cents per tie. Then it should be added that the supplies necessary for the support, clothing and maintenance of the laborers were also to be pur- chased far east and transported as before. In less than a year these dif- ficulties were confronted and conquered, and the great work begun in serious earnest."
« CONSTRUCTION OF THE. BOAD ..
The forty miles laid in January, 1866, had stretched into 305 in the January of 1867; and in January, 1868, 540 miles were completed. In March, 1869, the cars had reached and passed Ogden, 1,032 miles west of the Missouri River, about 500 miles of track having been laid in the later fourteen months. The astonishing triumph of railroad building on the great overland line so far exceeds anything previously accom- plished of a similar work that no sival parallel ean be drawn. The Union Pacific Company now runs their ears diroot to Ogden, within a short dis- tance of Salt Lake, with a schedule time of thirty hours from Ogden to . Cheyenne, fifty hours to Omaha, seventy-eight hours to Chicago and five days to New York.
ALONG THE LINE.
A number of towns have sprung up along the line and others have grown to be places of importance with a rapidity commensurate with the prosecution of the work of construction. Omaha, which a few years ago, was but a small outfitting point for emigrant and freighters' wagon trains starting westward, has now some fifteen thousand inhabitants, with energetic, pushing business men who are in full sympathy with the growth of the city, ambitious to see it rise in importance, and already stretching out to secure a full share of the trade of the western territo- ries. Its position'on the western bank of the Missouri river; the con- verging lines of railroad which meet on the opposite side of the river at Council Bluffs and which carry to the great Union Pacific the commerce and traffic of the south and east; and the broad Missouri bearing on its bosom from St. Louis and other points almost a nation's ransom of freight, give to Omaha natural advantages which can not fail to make it a city of great importance and size in a very few years.
Fremont, North Platte, Cheyenne, and other towns along the line have natural advantages and central positions which cannot fail to make them places of much importance as the country around them becomes settled and developed.
One interesting feature connected with travel on the line of the Union Pacific Railroad, and one, too, as novel as it is interesting, is found in the herds of antelope and buffalo which are offten passed
HATS, CAPS, BOSTS, SHOES AND LADIES' HOODS, AT DUNTORS # SONS'.
Flows of Echo Kanyon, at Carter's Gallery, adjoining Wells, Farge & Co.'s. SALT LAKE CITY DIRECTORY.
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through. The lithe and graceful antelopes, startled with the snorting of the locomotive, erect their heads as if in astonishment, and seeing the strange looking monster speeding away from them often start out in full career to outrun the huge thing that rashes along so swiftly and steadily in a direct line. They will sometimes run thus for two or three miles, keeping pace with the train of cars and gracefully flinging back their heads as if in proud defiance of the tireless engine with which they vainly try to compete. Large herds of buffaloes are occasionally seen, scattered in wild confusion, cross the track, toss up the earth on either side of the line, shake their shaggy manes, and wildly dash serons the prairie.
THE DENVER BRANCH LINE,
¡
Running from Cheyenne to Denver, will connect Colorado with the Union Pacific Railroad, and open up rapid communication between that point and the east and west. A system of wooden railroads, proposed and chartered some time ago by enterprising citizens of Colorado, is rapidly growing in favor there, and their construction will probably be commenced at an early day. When completed, they will place the rich mineral and timber lands of the principal parts of the Territory in close . communication with Denver, aid in the development of the whole Ter. ritory, and centralize its wealth at a point in close connection with the great overland route.
THE SCENERY
Along portions of the Union Pacific is most attractive, and in places sublime. Reaching the Wasatch range, and passing down the wild gorges known as Echo aud Weber Canons, a constant successions of bold, beautiful and magnificently picturesque scenery opens to view. The towering, rocky sides, fashioned by the hand of time in wierd looking and, fantastic shapes, astonish and awe the beholder. Tourists and trav. elers will find in the scenery through which the great overland railroad passes, enough to turn the attention of those who love and seek the sublime, picturesque and beautiful from the oft-trodden scenes of Europe to the "back bone " of the American Continent. Passing through the Wasatch Range, Salt Lake Valley is entered, and the
GREAT SALT LAKE
Stretches away to the north and south, with islands rising out of its bed which have the proportions of lofty mountains. The waters of the Lake hold in solution an extraordinary amount of saline matter, varying at different points, according to their contiguity to the rivers emptying into it or distance from them, from fifteen per cent. to twenty-six per cent .. An abundance of salt is consequently obtained from it, an article of a coarse quality being got in such quantities at times on the shores that it can be shoveled into wagons ; while by boiling an excellent table salt is
INFANTS' SHOES OF ALL KINDS AND STYLES AT DUNFORD & SONS'.
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Best Bread, Yies and Crackers, by Olive & Hold. S South St., Salt Lake City.
SALT LAKE CITY DIRECTORY. 187
procured. The line of railway passes up the eastern side of the Lake, northward, with .the giant peaks of the grand Wasatch range to the right; and after crossing Bear river, stretches away to the west towards Promontory Point.
THE CENTRAL PACIFIC.
The western portion of the line has been constructed with a rapidity, engineering skill and energy in overcoming difficulties which challenges admiration no less than the Union Pacific. Cutting a roadway and lay- ing a line of track across the Sierras, along the side of mountain deelit- ities where yawning precipices drop down into frightful depths, and through passes seemingly impassable is an engeering triumph which cannot well be appreciated by those who have not passed over the line. The two great companies have fairly won the honors which socrue to them in having built the greatest railroad line in the world, bringing the connecting points together, from a distance of about seventeen hundred miles in a little over three years from time the work was fairly entered upon ; for the short distance laid, up till the January of 1868, can scarely be taken into account.
The developement of the great west consequent upon the completion of this work ; the vast traffic which will pass over it ; the closer linking of the old nations of Eastern Asia with those of Western Europe; the growth of a power in the west that will speedily rival in all the essentials of greatness the older and eastern States of the Union; and the impor- tant results growing out of this truly national work, in which the Republic may justly take pride, are points which the most sanguine can scarcely overestimate.
DIRECT ROUTE EAST.
The travel from the Pacific coast and the Great Basin, when they reach the terminus of the Union Pacific Railroad at Omaha, can travel eastward by a direct line on the
CHICAGO AND NORTHWESTERN
Railroad, the distance between Chicago and Omaha by it being 493 miles. This line is in excellent condition, with splendid cars, Pallman's palace sleeping coaches, and every requisite .convenience and comfort. By it, too, they can make connections, at COUNCIL BLUFFS, with the Council Bluffs and St. Jo Railroad for Plattsmouth, Nebraska City, St. Jo, etc .; at BOONE, with stages to Des Moines and Fort Dodge; and at DIXON with the Illinois Central Railroad for points north and south. The line passes through the flourishing towns of Council Bluffs, Dun lap, Boone, Cedar Rapids, Clinton, and Dixon.
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H. W. AUSTIN.
CHAS. T. BOAL.
AUSTIN & BOAL,
TEEN AGENTS FOR
Downs & Co. Manufacturing Company. .
JOBBERS IN
Farming Tools
--- OVES
AND HOLLOW-WARE,
WAGON
AND
CARRIAGE STOCK.
221 and 223 South Water Street,
CHICAGO, ELLINOES.
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CHICAGO.
ITS GROWTH AND TRADE.
Less than forty years ago the place where Chicago now stands was a prairie, bordering on Lake Michigan, on which a log fort garrisoned by two companies of United States troops ; a fur agency ; three taverns; two stores; a blacksmith's shop ; a house for the interpreter of the sta- tion ; and one occupied by Indian Chiefs, were the only habitations and evidences of the white man's having selected it for an abiding place. To-day it has probably 350,000 inhabitants. The history of growth to greatness contained in this single statement places the "Garden City" above all competitors in rapid developement and progressive prosperity. Its miles of stately avenues, where palatial residences present most varied and artistic architectural beauties; its streets stretching miles on miles in length ; the broad and noble boulevards which will soon wind along its magnificent parks ; its long lines of wharves, where hundreds of large vessels, lake steamers and smaller craft, discharge their freight cr receive their loading, all mark a young but giant municipality whose inhabi- tants are filled with a laudable ambition to make their city not merely the metropolis of the great States to which it is a naturally geographical and central mart, but one of the leading cities of the world.
To notice in detail and describe all the points of interest which Chi- cago presents to a visitor, would require much more space than can be devoted to it here ; indeed it would fill a volume of respectable size to do them justice.
PLACES OF INTEREST.
THE LAKE TUNNEL
Is a work which, did any other one not exist to prove it, would be suf- ficient evidence of the enterprise and energy which have made Chicago what it is. The turbid waters near the shore of Lake Michigan, as the city grew in extent and population, were mixed with the contents of the miles of sewerage which traversed the city limits. The " villainous com- pound " could not be endured for drinking, culinary purposes and ablu- tions. Yet the lake was the only available source for any abundant supply, and to obtain pure water it was determined to work a tunnel under the bed of the lake to a distance where it could be obtained, and thus bring it clear and sparkling from the body of the lake into the city. Ground was broken for the tunnel on the 17th of March, 1864. A shaft nine' feet in diameter was sunk, at a point selected close to the lake, to a depth
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CHICAGO, ITS TRADE AND GROWTH.
of sixty-five feet. The tunnel was then commenced and carried for a distance of two miles beneath the bed of the lake to a point determined upon ; where an immense " crib," constructed at an expense of over one hundred thousand dollars, and built like a ship, was taken and securely weighted down and moored. In the centre of this crib was a well open at bottom and top, down which another shaft was run into the bed of the lake, and the work of tunneling was carried on from both ends. On the 24th of November, 1866, the tunnel was completed; and since then Chicago has enjoyed an abundance of pure water.
At the water works are three powerful engines, the largest of which is capable of pumping from the tunnel eighteen million gallons of water in twenty-four hours; and a building is erected and being finished in which will be placed two more very large and powerful engines.
THE WASHINGTON STREET TUNNEL,
Which passes underneath an arm of the Chicago river is another engi- neering triumph and an object of interest. The immense traffic over the bridges which are thrown across the river was so much impeded by the passage of vessels up and down, causing the bridges to be kept open often for a length of time, that the arrangements of business men were largely interfered with, and it became so great an inconvenience, that it was determined to tunnel under the river. This has been successfully done, and there is now a passage way under the water, arched with brick, floored with timber, lighted with gas, which will greatly facilitate business communications between the two sides of the river. The Washington Street Tunnel is well worthy the attention of visitors to the "Garden City."
At the corner of Western and Chicago Avenues are two artesian wells, which will well repay a visit from those who have the time at their dis- posal. One is about a thousand feet deep, and the other about seven hundred. They were bored by oil speculators, who expected to obtain petroleum but found water instead. A million gallons a day of water is discharged from them. They are near together, with a bore of about six inches each.
The large Court House, to which extensive additions were being made in April; the Chamber of Commerce building; the Post Office; the Dearborn Observatory; the parks; the various buildings devoted to benevolent and charitable purposes, etc .; and the stock yards, four miles south of the city, are objects of interest, and evidences of the spirit and enterprise of the citizens.
THEATRES.
Chicago may congratulate itself upon its theatres. Besides numer- .ous. other places of amusement and entertainment, it possesses four ex- cellent temples of the drama, in which varied tastes can be gratified.
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CHICAGO, ITS TRADE AND GROWTH.
CROSBY'S OPERA HOUSE
Is the largest, having a seating capacity to accommodate about 2,400 per- sons .. It is the building which was made famous throughant the United . States by the Crosby Opera House lottery scheme. It is situated on Washington street, between State and Dearborn, with a frontage of 143 feet on Washington. On the main floor is the parquette and orchestra stalls ; on the second floor is the dress circle, the centre being divided into fifty boxes. The family circle is on the third floor, which conveys a covert insinuation that families must climb considerably to obtain op- eratic and theatrical enjoyment. The stage is not quite so large as that of the Salt Lake City Theatre. The auditorium is 86x95 feet, with a ceiling 65 feet hign, the latter being decorated with portraits of leading composers. The style of drama produced partakes more of the sensa- tional and "leg " character than of the legitimate.
M'VICKER'S THEATRE,
On Madison street, between Dearborn and State, is the next largest the- atre in the city. It is managed by Messrs. McVicker & Myers, the for- mer named gentleman owning the theatre and Mr. Myers principally managing it, besides occupying with his lady the leading position among the company. The building is 80 feet between the walls and 160 feet deep. It is capable of seating some 1,800 persons. It is tastefully fin- ished and well arranged, and has a very pleasing appearance inside. On the main floor are the parquette and reserved seats; on the second floor the dress circle and balcony reserved seats; while the third floor is devoted more particularly to those who aspire to the dignity of theat- rical deities. In this theatre the sensational and legitimate drama find place for exposition, and all the leading stars of the country are secured that their specialties may be presented to the public. Mr. Myers is a courteous and affable gentleman who plays with much ability and mana- ges the theatre most admirably.
COL. WOOD'S MUSEUM,
Situated on Randolph street, between Clark and Dearborn, combines natural history with the drama, and presents the visitor with an excellent collection of mineralogical, orinthelogical, animal and collected speci- mens illustrative of the natural world and of savage and civilized art. The catalogue of birds, reptiles, quadrupeds and insects comprises some twelve hundred specimens, from all parts of the world, to which addi- tions are being constantly made. Geological and relic rooms contain most interesting geological and mineralogical specimens. The funeral bier and memorable relics of Lincoln; wax work figures of the last sup- per and trial before Pontius Pilate of our Savior Jesus Christ, which are made to move by machinery ; a model of the Capitol at Washington ; one of the Parthenon ; a grotto of Antiparos; illustrated views of Oal-
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CHICAGO, ITS TRADE AND GROWTH.
ifornia ; two cosmoramio saloons ; and the mummies around which the papyrus was rolled on which the Book of Abraham-published in the Pearl of Great Price-was inscribed, form a collection of specimens worthy the attention of all and the admiration of the student of nature. The mummies were sold by those who had them in charge after the death of the Prophet, Joseph Smith, and were afterwards obtained for the Museum-so the printed catalogue states.
Besides the attractions named is another, which cannot be overlook- ed, in the reproduction of a denizen of primeval days, which has received the name of Zeuglodon Macrospondylus, one of an extinct species to which the generic name of Hydrachen has been given. The skeleton of this monster was found in the state of Arkansas; and its length, as it sported in the wilds of primitive earth, was minety-six feet.
With the museum is a fine, large, roomy theatre, under the manage ment of J. W. Blaisdell, Esq., where the sensational and standard drama finds correct interpretation. The company is a very good one; the pieces produced are mounted and put upon the stage with much careand taste ; and the patronage bestowed upon the Museum and theatre is most liberal and well deserved.
THE DEARBORN THEATRE,
Or "Aiken's Dearborn Theatre," is a perfect bijou of a place, principally devoted to the intellectual and refining of the standard modern come- dies. The company at this theatre is most excellent, the actors and actresses being conversant with their business and manifesting an appre- ciation of the higher requirements of their profession instead of seeking the silly and vain clap-trap applause of the ignorant and uncultivated. Mr. Aiken is a gentleman of culture, who is devoted to his profession, and who is not governed alone by the mere mercenary objects of gather- ing "dollars and dimes" into the treasury. He is doing more to elevate the tastes of the people to an appreciation of refined and intellectual dra- matic representations than, perhaps, any other manager in the eastern states. A good actor, a popular manager, and a general favorite, he has surrounded himself with ladies and gentlemen of congenial tastes'; and the consequence is that at all times a treat may be anticipated in witness- ing a performance at the "Dearborn." From a lengthy article in a Chi- cago paper, reviewing Mr. Aiken's career as "manager, actor and man," we make the following extract-premising that it is not near so eulogis- tic as other paragraphs in the article :
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