Citizens Rally Behind the Aberdeen-Victoria Railroad
Local business leaders pack the chamber of commerce to endorse a major rail project, seeing it as the city’s economic salvation.
The story, cleaned up
A cleaned-up reading of the newspaper page: spelling and layout repaired, one story lifted off a crowded page. It follows the original closely but it is not a transcription. The original page is below; read it if a detail matters.
Last Thursday evening a citizens' meeting was held at the rooms of the chamber of commerce for the purpose of discussing the franchise granted the Aberdeen-Victoria Railroad company. A large percentage of the businessmen of the city were present and took part in the meeting. There was no discussion, as everyone was of one mind—that the franchise was all right and the railroad the most important enterprise for the city that could be undertaken at this time. Enthusiastic and earnest speeches endorsing the project were made by Messrs. J. G. Lewis, E. France, D. Allen, M. J. Cochran, J. B. Maling, G. D. Allen, W. B. McGerry, C. B. Douglas, J. Weatherwax, E. C. Finch, G. S. Thomas, R. T. Dabney and others. Many signified their willingness and intention to take stock in the new company.
“everyone was of one mind—that the franchise was all right and the railroad the most important enterprise for the city that could be undertaken at this time.”
The boosterism of the 1890s, where rail lines were viewed as the singular key to municipal prosperity, mirrors today's debates about infrastructure and economic development in Grays Harbor.
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