A Town Builds Its Own Ferry to Reach the New Mill

The free public ferry built by the citizens of Newport and the Fidelity Lumber Co. — to connect the town with the new plant of the mill company across the river and to give ranchers on that side access to the town — was completed and placed in operation this week.

Work on the ferry proposition was started last fall. Subscription papers were circulated to raise funds, and about $1,000 was subscribed by business men and citizens of the town and surrounding country. This sum was turned over to the company, and the work of installing the ferry was placed in their hands also.

The old Jones dock and an approach on this side of the river were secured by lease from the I. W. N. The old dock was repaired and replanked, and a new dock built on the opposite bank. A new ferry boat was also built and a new cable bought. It is estimated that the subscriptions covered about one-half the cost of the ferry.

The first trip across the river was made Tuesday with some hitch in the performance, but it is now working better and the crossing is made in three minutes. The cable is suspended overhead from towers built on either side of the river. Bonner County has agreed to operate and maintain the ferry free of charge to the public. It is operated by Carl Wall and is kept running from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m.