Newport Gets a Railroad Office—and a Deadline for Freight

R. F. Blackwell, of the Idaho & Washington Northern Railroad, accompanied by J. H. C. Reynolds, right of way agent, was a Newport visitor Thursday. Mr. Reynolds informed The Miner that the road will accept freight for Newport at Spokane beginning Nov. 23rd and accept freight out of Newport on Nov. 26th. Freight tariffs have been published and are effective Nov. 15th. The gentlemen were also accompanied by J. T. Gibbs, of Coeur d'Alene, who will be the agent of the new road at Newport. Mr. Gibbs has been with the Spokane & Coeur d'Alene electric line as agent at Coeur d'Alene for several years and previous to that had considerable experience in railroad work. Mr. Gibbs has opened an office in the building formerly occupied by Attorney Branigin, on the company's property, and is now engaged in meeting our business people and otherwise getting ready for business. He will soon move his family to this city. Application has been made to the postal authorities to grant mail service on the new line and will doubtless be granted. This will give Newport additional mail service and will also give mail service to quite a territory which has heretofore depended on stages. The opening of passenger service has been temporarily delayed by the failure of equipment to arrive. It will be started as soon as possible and every attempt made to give good service. Trains will doubtless be routed into Spokane over the Spokane International from Clagstone Junction. The road continues to employ a number of workmen in this vicinity cutting down the grade leading into town and filling the trestle west of town. A steam shovel has been working in the city limits the past week and is rapidly getting the track down to grade. In regard to the suit of H. M. Lund against the company, a hearing will be held at Colville on Monday before Judge Chapman, of Tacoma. The question of damages will not be heard at this time but the question of the right to issue an injunction will be heard. At present the road has a right to run its trains across the street contested between the hours of 6 a.m. and 8 p.m.