The Broken Promise of the Rail

Pursuant to call, the people of Titusville and vicinity met and organized by electing E. Green chairman and N. H. Martin secretary. The chairman, being called upon to state the object of the meeting, said the meeting was called for the purpose of taking action in reference to the immediate operation of the railroad between Tacoma and Seattle. It has been alleged by some of the farmers who were present, and through whose lands the road runs, that at the time of giving and granting the right of way for the road, the owners gave the right of way in consideration that the road should be built and operated in a first-class manner without unnecessary delays between Tacoma and Seattle, and that the said owners did accept this in part in full consideration for all damages they might sustain. Pledges and guarantees were given that if the railroad company or companies failed to build and operate a first-class railroad, then the contract for the right of way should be void and the lands revert to the original owners. Two years have passed since said railroad was completed ready for the cars, and it has never been operated in a first-class manner, and but a few days in a very unsatisfactory manner. Upon motion of Mr. K. Ramsay, it was decided by a unanimous vote to call a convention of the citizens of King and Pierce counties at the Good Templars' hall in Titusville, King county, on Saturday, the 26th day of September, 1885, at 10 o'clock a.m., that a general invitation be extended to all, and that we especially invite our members elect to the next Legislature to be present and lend us a helping hand.