SPRAGUE RIVER - 97639
OREGON, CALIFORNIA & EASTERN RAILROAD
1915
October 8, 1915: "Revival of railway construction on a considerable scale in the northwest is indicated by the organization of the Oregon, California and Eastern Railway company, designed to supply four hundred miles of standard gauge line in Central Oregon and adjacent territory. It is estimated the expenditure will amount to $7,000,000. Forty bankers and merchants inaugurated the enterprise and engaged Robert Strahorn, a builder, and former present of the various Harriman lines, in the northwest, to head the company by assurances of support." (Arizona Republic)
1916
November 3, 1916: "The announcement from Robert E. Strahorn, that he will construct his proposed railroad from Klamath Falls through to Bend in Crook county, provided the city of Klamath Falls will vote $300,000 bonds for stock in the enterprise, reached here through Charles R. Miller, a local business man who just returned from consultation with Strahorn at Bend.
Many of the local men who are anxious to see the road started, have heretofore withheld their support because they feared that under the plan as first submitted, Strahorn might stop construction after reaching Sprague River, forty miles northeast of Klamath Falls.
The announcement through Miller that he has been misunderstood by the people here and that the road will not stop at Sprague River, is most welcome and greatly increases the prospects for carrying the bond election which is to be held November 14. Strahorn expects to be in Klamath Falls within the next week." (Sacramento Union)
December 27, 1916: "Railroad construction---$300,000, Klamath Falls, Ore. Engineer's name not given. Owners, City of Klamath Falls. Bids are being received by the City Clerk for construction of 10.6 miles of railroad from Klamath Falls to a point near Dairy, where a Junction is to be made with the proposed Oregon, California and Eastern Railroad. Estimated cost is $300,000. Bids are also being received for purchase of bond issue for that amount to provide funds for construction of railroad." (Building and Engineering News)
1917
April 18, 1917: "A resolution has been passed by the City Council calling for bids for the construction of the Klamath Falls Municipal Railway. The road will extend from Second street and Klamath avenue to a point near Dairy Station, twenty miles east, and will form a link in the Oregon, California and Eastern Railroad." (Building and Engineering News)
April 25, 1917: "Work is expected to begin within 30 days on the first twenty-mile unit from Klamath Falls to Dairy of the Oregon, California and Eastern railroad. It is believed that the line may ultimately be a link between the Northern Pacific railroad terminus in central Oregon and either the Western Pacific or the Southern Pacific at some point in Lassen county, Cal." (The Eugene Guard)
July 11, 1917: "Equipment consisting of one locomotive, one passenger coach, five box cars and ten flat cars has been ordered from Eastern manufacturers for the Klamath Falls Municipal Railroad to Dairy, Ore., according to the Portland office of the Oregon, California and Eastern Railroad, whose President, Robert E. Strahorn of Spokane, has the contract for construction of the unit.
The Strahorn railway system was appropriately dedicated here with ground-breaking ceremonies." (Building and Engineering News)
September 28, 1917: "Headquarters of the Oregon-California and Eastern Railroad Company, the Strahorn system have been moved to Klamath Falls from Portland. Steel for 16 miles of the first unit of the road from Klamath Falls to Dairy, Oregon, is on the ground ready for laying." (The Sutherlin Sun)
1918
April 7, 1918: "Rails on the new Klamath Falls municipal railroad being constructed from this city to Dairy, 20 miles east, by Robert E. Strahorn, have now reached Pine Grove, seven miles east of here, and are being laid at the rate of a quarter mile a day, according to Chief Engineer Bogue, who is now in charge of the operations here.
The grading is practically completed at Olene and the roadbed is ready for the rails at most points to the Dairy terminus.
Inability to procure steel at any price under the abnormal war conditions will prevent the contemplated immediate extension of the line by Robert E. Strahorn from Dairy on to Sprague river, but it is the intention now to go ahead with the roadbed and other preliminaries as soon as the link to Dairy is completed and be ready for the rails as soon as they can be secured." (Sacramento Union)
June 9, 1918: "The rails of the new municipal railroad from Klamath Falls to Dairy, 20 miles east, and the first link of the great Strahorn system which is destined to develop the great inland empire of Oregon, have now reached Olene, 10 miles east, and it is expected that active operations over that part of the line will be instituted at an early date, according to information given out today at the Strahorn headquarters.
While some work remains to be done in the big rock cuts and fills, the greater portion of the route between Olene and Dairy is ready, and is now waiting for the rails, which will be laid as soon as the grade is entirely completed. Officials assert that the Klamath-Dairy link is now about 80 per cent completed. When Dairy is reached, Strahorn plans to complete his grades to the Sprague river, 20 miles north.
It is expected that considerable tonnage will be available as soon as the road is in operation." (Sacramento Union)
1919
October 21, 1919: "The Oregon, California and Eastern railway has let contracts for four miles of grading extending from it present terminus at Dairy to Hildebrand. Culvert contracts have been let to cover the distance to Sprague river, 13 miles from Hildebrand, which will serve a vast timber area, development of which waits only on transportation. The railway company has rails and ties to lay the four miles to Hildebrand and expects to have the work completed early next year.
Under a covenant with the city of Klamath Falls the promoter of the road. R. E. Strahorn, is entitled to yardage and station site here when the road reaches Sprague River. It id Strahorn's plan to link his railway to Southern Pacific at Bend, push east into Idaho, and en route connect with the Lakeview-Alturas road into California and Nevada." (Sacramento Union)
1920
August 31, 1920: "A crew of 18 men is working east of Dairy laying steel toward Sprague river. It is expected that about 14 miles of this extension will be completed this year. As soon as material, which is on the road, arrives the track-laying crew will be increased and the work rushed." (The Evening Herald)
1921
April 22, 1921: "Robert E. Strahorn, president of the Oregon, California & Eastern railroad, has applied to the Interstate commerce commission for permission for the road to issue $385,000 in bonds to complete construction work between Dairy and Sprague river.
Strahorn, who has been east several weeks to complete arrangements for financing, says that upon completion of formalities he will be able to market the bonds.
Building of this link will also enable the railroad to fill its contract with Klamath Falls to take over the municipal road from Klamath Falls to Dairy, which involves a transfer of bonds, for which approval is also asked.
Authority is also sought to complete the transfer of $600,000 worth of stock to Strahorn in return for Strahorn's conveyance to the company of rights of way, franchises and terminal arrangements with Klamath Falls, Bend and Lakeview. By inadvertence, it is stated, transfer was not completed before last June, when the transportation act made approval by the commission necessary.
Strahorn expresses confidence that the situation is brightening and that further construction will be possible when the first unit is built." (The Bend Bulletin)
1922
April 27, 1922: "An extension for one year of the contract between the city of Klamath Falls and the Oregon, California and Eastern Railway company was granted R. E. Strahorn Monday night by the city council, with the provision that construction work be resumed within 60 days and the road be completed to Sprague River by May 29, 1923. Mayor Wiley was authorized to enter into a contract with Mr. Strahorn.
It was provided that Mr. Strahorn shall give the city a $300,000 income bond, to cover the city's interest in the railroad. Mr. Strahorn's superintendent said ties were on hand, rails had been ordered and work would begin immediately." (Morning Oregonian)
October 15, 1922: "The Strahorn activities continue in Klamath county. Strahorn reported last week that his line has been extended from Dairy to Hildebrand since August 1 and that more than six miles of track will be laid yet this year. Another six miles next spring will carry the rail line to the Sprague river." (The Oregon Daily Journal)
November 21, 1922: "Contract for construction of 12 miles of the Strahorn railroad from the present terminus near Hildebrand to Sprague river has been let to the Nettleton-Bruce-Echbach company of Seattle, it was announced here this morning by Ben Bond, local superintendent. Bond said construction would start immediately, with camps established at both ends and between 200 and 300 men employed.
The contract price is approximately $175,000. The work consists of grading and one tunnel of 1500 feet, contract for which will be let to same firm later. A temporary grade will be built around the tunnel.
Completion of the railroad to Sprague river by May 29, 1923, is stipulated in a contract between Robert E. Strahorn and the city of Klamath Falls. The city floated bonds of $300,000 for completion of a road to Dairy, agreeing in turn to take the same amount in bonds and turn the completed portion over to Strahorn upon completion of the line to Sprague river." (The Oregon Daily Journal)
November 22, 1922: "A contract for grading an extension of the Oregon, California and Eastern railway, the 'Strahorn line,' from its present terminus at Hildebrand to Sprague river has been let to a Seattle firm, it was announced today by the superintendent of the road.
This is the first large activity in pushing the road since the war stopped railway building. The project was begun in 1916." (Sacramento Union)
December 21, 1922: "Construction camps are being established with all possible speed, the main camp at Squaw flat and ones on each side of the summit between Squaw flat and Sprague river being in readiness, according to Bond. There will be five camps in all.
Some contracts have been let for grading. Rock work which comprises about 49 percent of the work, is already under way. This work, said Bond, will progress rapidly, with little regard for weather conditions. None of the rock cuts is very deep. A steam shovel will be used in the cuts and between 200 and 300 men will be employed when the work is proceeding at full blast." (The Evening Herald)
December 22, 1922: "Robert E. Strahorn has telegraphed W.F. Bond, superintendent of the Oregon, California and Eastern railroad, that no plans are being made to sell the line. Strahorn stated that the road would be built according to its original purpose, 'being headed straight for Bend, and designed consistently to develop all of central Oregon.'
Strahorn, promoter of the Oregon, California and Eastern railroad, is well known throughout the northwest as a railroad builder." (Medford Mail Tribune)
1923
April 17, 1923: "Activity along the line of the Strahorn railroad indicates that the road will be in operation to Sprague river within the date set by the city council of Klamath Falls, July 28.
Track is already laid two miles beyond Hildebrand and beyond the present end of the steel and river are four camps of about 50 men each. Grading is finished three miles farther than the rails are laid and the steel gangs are working ahead rapidly." (Statesman Journal)
July 31, 1923: "The O.C. & E. is advertising that stock shipments will be received by the railroad at Sprague river in August, indicating that the line will be completed to that point within the next month." (The Evening Herald)
August 12, 1923: "Robert E. Strahorn, president of the Oregon, California & Eastern railroad, who is building a short section of track to Sprague river, is in Portland and upon arrival yesterday declared reports of his troubles with contractors have been magnified and have created a somewhat incorrect idea of the situation on the new line.
He said the work will go ahead, the railroad company doing its own construction after the contractors quit. He expects the grade to be completed to Sprague river next week and the track laid the week after." (The Sunday Oregonian)
August 17, 1923: "The Oregon California & Eastern Railway Company
Announces its readiness to receive livestock and other shipments
From Sprague River Valley in August, 1923" (The Evening Herald)
August 18, 1923: "The failure of the Oregon, California and Eastern Railway, being built by Robert E. Strahorn from Klamath Falls, Ore., to Sprague River, to advance sufficient funds to the contractors, Nettleton, Bruce, Eschbach Company, was the reason for the contracting firm withdrew from the job, and not because the company saw it was losing money and abandoned the contract, is the statement made by Clark Nettleton, one of the contractors.
The statement says the railway company has not lived up to its agreement to furnish funds and pay all claims as against the equipment men and supervision furnished by the contractors.
No settlement has been made by the wage claims of seventy men, some of whom are penniless as a result of being thrown out of work. Nettleton said he was certain they would be paid, but was uncertain as to by whom. The bonding company has not committed itself.
Investigation of the claims of the men was made by the Oregon State department of labor, which appealed to the city for aid for the men. Aid was not granted, the city holding that it was in no way responsible for the situation." (Building and Engineering News)
August 29, 1923: "The Strahorn railway is substantially completed to Sprague river, and rails will probably be laid to that point this week, according to Mayor Arthur R. Wilson.
Although the railway company's contract with the city expired today, no extension was asked. Three previous extensions has been granted by the city. Wilson said the work was being rushed to completion, and that it was hoped by the railroad company to complete the work today, but that it was certain of completion this week." (The Evening Herald)
September 26, 1923: "Strahorn railway starts passenger motor car service on its newly built line to Sprague river." (The News-Review)
September 29, 1923: "Many carloads of lambs are being shipped in from the Sprague River valley, which is now being tapped by the California, Oregon & Eastern railway. Three ranchers shipped 1,000 lambs last Saturday and today 40 cars more, which will contain 2,000 lambs, will be shipped. The large shipments today will be from both Swan lake and the Sprague River valley. The Southern Pacific furnished the cars for the Strahorn railway if the shipments brought into Klamath Falls are shipped on to San Francisco, Portland or other points via S.P. lines. These shipments have been consigned to San Francisco.
The railroad has just completed new stockyards at the present terminus of the line. They are located about 200 yards from the end of the track, on the south side of Sprague river. The yards are 150 feet square and there are special devices for the separation of the lambs from the ewes. A loading platform also was constructed and a track laid from the end of the main line to yards.
The yards, which are 150 feet square, can handle both cattle and sheep. They were completed last Saturday and have been in active use ever since." (The Evening Herald)
October 15, 1923: "Citizens of many parts of California and Oregon, including prominent railway officials, took part part Friday afternoon in the ceremony marking the formal completion of the first link of the Oregon California and Eastern railway system, the Sprague River division. A golden spike, presented by the Klamath Kiwanis club, was driven, attended by appropriate exercises." (The Evening Herald)
1924
May 16, 1924: "A ballasted roadbed and a passenger service between Klamath Falls and Sprague river are the two things which Robert E. Strahorn says we may expect by about July 1.
Strahorn, president of the Oregon, California & Eastern railway, who arrived here Tuesday of this week, spent yesterday going over the line on an inspection trip and while quite weary from the day's work, he was nevertheless quite pleased last evening with what he saw of the line and its prospects.
Of the 16 miles of road rushed to completion last year, 12 are ballasted and the other four will be by July 1, was the statement of Strahorn in an interview yesterday evening.
The passenger service to be inaugurated about July 1 will be maintained by a motor car with a capacity for about 24 passengers, and having an apartment for baggage, mail and express." (The Klamath News)
August 7, 1924: "With six cars of sheep arriving here from Sprague river, the new town at the terminus of the Strahorn railroad in the Sprague river country, the latter part of last week, eleven more cars coming in Monday of this week, and other shipments in sight for immediate transportation, would indicate that the elaborate stockyards established by the Strahorn company at that point for the convenience of shippers are appreciated by the stock raisers of that section.
The sheep being shipped at this time are unloaded here for feeding, and will be held here until the market conditions are such that they can be disposed of to advantage." (The Klamath News)
September 27, 1924: "With the daily advent of the Strahorn train the Sprague Riverites are feeling quite citified. The O.C.& E. have been using an S. P. engine lately and the whistle sounds just about right." (The Klamath News)
1925
January 8, 1925: "A powerful and large locomotive was delivered this morning to the Oregon California & Eastern railroad, to be used for heavy tonnage hauls along the 40 miles of company railroad extending eastward from Klamath Falls to Sprague river. The engine weighs 140,000 pounds on the drivers and is equipped with five pairs of drivers. It was built by the American Locomotive company and was shipped here from Montana. It is planned to put the locomotive into active use when hauls over the line increase in the spring." (The Evening Herald)
April 4, 1925: "Oregon, California and Eastern Railway has applied to Interstate Commerce Commission for authorization to construct 143 miles of new railroad in Central and Southern Oregon. The estimated cost of construction is $4,500,000." (Building and Engineering News)
May 20, 1925: "Following is a telegram released yesterday by President Sproule of the Southern Pacific railroad, laying its cards on the table, and ready to go ahead with its proposed plans as soon as the interstate commerce commission grants them:
'San Francisco, May 19, 1925.
'Mr. Sproule announces that the Southern Pacific company has completed negotiations with Mr. R.E. Strahorn, president of Oregon, California and Eastern railway company, under which funds will be advanced to Mr. Strahorn to aid in the construction of the line of his company from Klamath Falls, Oregon, to connection with the Nevada-California-Oregon railway.
'This will require the approval of the interstate commerce commission and, if approved, will give the Southern Pacific a substantial stock interest in the Oregon, California and Eastern railway, which now extends 40 miles from point of connection with Southern Pacific at Klamath Falls easterly to Sprague River, Oregon.
'The completion of the Oregon, California and Eastern, which is a standard gauge line, will provide a new artery through southern and central Oregon for through traffic between Oregon and the eastern states.
'Application will be made in due course for permission and authority to put these plans into effect." (The Klamath News)
May 27, 1925: "R.M. Strahorn was in town one day last week, and tells us that we will soon have a daily train." (The Klamath News)
1926
May 11, 1926: "The Inter-state commerce commission today dismissed the petition of the public service commission of Oregon which sought construction of various lines of railroad in interior Oregon, but conditionally authorized the Oregon, California & Eastern railway to construct certain lines in Klamath and Lake counties.
The commission also approved conditionally the acquisition of the Oregon, California and Eastern by purchase of its capital stock and likewise conditionally authorize the Oregon Trunk Railway to construct a line in Deschutes and Klamath counties." (Medford Mail Tribune)
September 14, 1926: "Passage of an emergency ordinance which would authorize the city attorney to ask for a receivership for the Oregon, California and Eastern railroad in which the city has $300,000 invested was blocked here last night by the city council.
The move was sponsored by Mayor F.R. Goddard, who stated that the road owed the city $24,000 in delinquent taxes, that it was paying no dividends, and that supervision of a competent receiver was necessary to safeguard investment of the city.
The Oregon, California and Eastern railroad is controlled and was built by R.E. Strahorn, pioneer rail operator of the northwest, prominent in rail development in the Spokane territory.
It extends from Klamath Falls to Sprague river, a distance of about 45 miles, tapping a belt of virgin pine, and when its construction was begun, was slated to extend northward to Bend, giving this section a more direct eastern outlet than was possessed at that time.
Application for permission to purchase the road was made by the Southern Pacific when the northern lines announced their intention to enter this territory, but consummation of the sale has been delayed and no final action taken.
Mr. Strahorn today said he had no statement to make as he was not familiar with the claims set forth by Goddard as reason for desiring a receivership." (The Eugene Guard)
1927
April 28, 1927: "In connection with the plan the Great Northern said it desired to obtain from the Oregon, California and Eastern, which the Southern Pacific controls, trackage rights to operate into Sprague River, Ore. In case the Oregon, California and Eastern is unwilling to allow this joint use of its line, and joint use of its extensions in Oregon, the Great Northern desires to build through the same territory and asked the commission to consider the alternative involved." (Morning Register)
May 9, 1927: "The Interstate Commerce Commission today extended until June 17 the time in which the Oregon, California and Eastern railroad must begin the new construction project it desires to undertake in Oregon. The company will be given three years after the date in which to complete its work.
The construction of the Oregon, California and Eastern is involved in the general controversy over extensions in Oregon. The company last week asked for a delay in the time of beginning work to allow a decision to be made as to what construction trunk lines may be permitted to undertake." (The News-Review)
June 3, 1927: "Construction crews and equipment were moved last night from Klamath Falls, forty miles east over the Oregon, California and Eastern to Sprague Landing, the dispatch says, and today a camp was being established three miles east of Sprague River.
'Actual work will be initiated tomorrow morning,' the article says. 'N.H. Bogue, chief engineer of the Oregon, California and Eastern railroad, announced that the first contract, presumed to be for seven miles, has been let to the Morgan Contracting company of Klamath Falls.
'Mr. Bogue could not give definite information as to how far the Oregon, California and Eastern line will be built this year or what the plans are of the parent line, the Southern Pacific.
'Oregon, California and Eastern representatives for the past month have been busily taking up options for rights of way in Sprague River valley in Klamath and in Quartz, Drews and Goose lake valleys in Lake county. It is understood that the road will swing up Sprague River valley, will cross the south fork of the Sprague river, swinging east through Quartz, and Drews valleys and thus into the huge Goose lake valley." (Morning Register)
June 11, 1927: "John Morgan, Klamath Falls, awarded contract by Oregon, California and Eastern Railroad, a Southern Pacific subsidiary, to construct 70 mile extension from Sprague River Landing east to Lake View to connect with the Nevada, California and Oregon R. R., also controlled by the Southern Pacific." (Building and Engineering News)
June 11, 1927: "Terms have been agreed upon by the Great Northern for the purchase by the Great Northern of half interest in the Oregon, California and Eastern Railway Company. This will avoid duplication of railroad facilities in the Klamath basin and will afford the public a maximum of railway service with the least possible expense, that ultimately will be borne by the public , through minimizing railway capital investment and operating cost." (The Eugene Guard)
June 27, 1927: "Inauguration of passenger service between Klamath Falls and Sprague River by the O. C. & E. railroad is now under consideration, officials of the O. C. & E. admitted today.
Frequent pleas from districts served by the 40 mile railroad have met with success and investigation is now being made to determine what type of equipment would be feasible.
It is planned to include several combination passenger and baggage coaches, thus making up for inevitable light passenger traffic by light baggage hauls.
The service, it was pointed out, would be a boon to Sprague River, prosperous and fast growing lumber community, at the terminus of the O. C. & E. railroad. So far as roads were concerned, the community last winter was actually cut off from outside communication and was forced to depend on infrequent arrivals of the O. C. & E. logging train.
With the railroad developments of the Klamath basin more or less centering on the Sprague River territory, the settlement is assuming added importance and in planning passenger service the O. C. & E. railroad is believed to be anticipating the development of that section in the next few years." (The Evening Herald)
August 3, 1927: "Construction work on the Lakeview extension of the Oregon, California & Eastern railway, east of Sprague River, was halted Monday and the John Morgan crew employed on the project was temporarily assigned to building spur trackage for the O. C. & E., N. H. Bogue, chief engineer, announced yesterday.
More than a half mile of grading for the proposed line had been completed when the construction crew was called off the job, the work having been finished on two sectors of the extension." (The Klamath News)
September 9, 1927: "The Great Northern expects to pay the Southern Pacific between $900,000 and $1,000,000 for one-half of its total capital stock ownership in the Oregon, California & Eastern railroad, which the two trunk lines propose to operate jointly under an independent organization, the interstate commerce commission was told today at a hearing on the Great Northern's application to purchase this stock.
W.B. Kinney of St. Paul, vice president of the Great Northern, testified that lumber interests of the territory served by the Oregon, California and Eastern, a forty-mile line from Klamath Falls to Sprague River, in southern Oregon, demanded such joint operation in order that large unworked timber areas may be served, even though small profits were in prospect for the operators.
If the commission refused to sanction the stock purchase, Mr. Kenney said, the Great Northern either would have to construct a line from Klamath Falls, one from Sprague River, or a line parallel to the Oregon, California & Eastern from Klamath Falls to a point near the terminus." (Salt Lake Telegram)
November 18, 1927: "Agreement under the terms of which the Great Northern Railway Company will acquire an equal interest with the Southern Pacific in the Oregon, California and Eastern Railway Company, by the purchase from Southern Pacific of one-half of the issued and outstanding capital stock of the Oregon, California and Eastern, and by the performance of other payments and agreements provided for; the cost of such acquisitions to the Great Northern to be the same as it would have been if said company had joined originally on equal terms with the Southern Pacific in the purchase of stock of the Oregon, California and Eastern from Robert E. Strahorn, and had shared equally in performing the obligations in respect thereof or incidental thereto. The agreement further provided for the Oregon, California and Eastern to be operated independently for the joint benefit of the Southern Pacific and the Great Northern." (An agreement , subject to approval by the Interstate Commerce Commission, between the Southern Pacific and Great Northern.) (Railway Age - Vol. 84, No. 13 - Page 781)
1928
January 27, 1928: "The Great Northern will purchase from the Southern Pacific a one-half interest in the Oregon, California and Eastern at a cost of $830,000. This line thereafter will be operated jointly by the two roads." (The News-Review)
March 5, 1928: "Although no announcements have been made, this paper has been informed that plans are under way for the reconstruction of the Strahorn line --- jointly owned by the Southern Pacific and the Great Northern railroads --- and the building of an extension from the present terminus at Sprague River which will tap contiguous timber in eastern Klamath and western Lake counties." (The Evening Herald)
May 5, 1928: "Decision to extend the Oregon, California and Eastern railroad from its terminus at Sprague River to Bly, 20 miles east, has been reached by the Great Northern and Southern Pacific railroad companies, it was reported today, and this is expected to result in argumented development of large timber resources in the northeastern part of Klamath county.
Co-operation of the two companies in constructing this extension is brought about by the common user privileges which were granted by the Interstate commerce commission in entry into the Klamath territory.
It is also reported that the Weyerhaueser timber company which has large holding in the territory, will now build fifty miles of road where they had originally contemplated building 25 miles." (Morning Register)
May 9, 1928: "Formal announcement of the expenditure of approximately one million dollars in the rebuilding and extension of the O. C. & E. (Strahorn) line and of installation of new equipment, was made this morning by Thomas Ahern, Sacramento, assistant general manager of the Southern Pacific railroad, and the new president of the O. C. & E.
On the rebuilding and reconstruction project a total of $700,000 will be expended: $300 will be invested in new equipment. The O. C. & E. line is jointly owned by the Great Northern railroad and the Southern Pacific who will together undertake the financing of the project." (The Evening Herald)
May 12, 1928: "Plans for extension to Oregon, California and Eastern Railroad from Sprague River to Bly, Ore., a distance of 26 1/2 miles are announced by N. H. Bogue, general manager and chief engineer for the company. The road is jointly owned by the Southern Pacific and the Great Northern Railroads. The line now runs from Klamath Falls, Ore., to Sprague River." (Building and Engineering News)
May 18, 1928: "In line with the promise of T. Ahern, Southern Pacific official recently named president of the Oregon, California & Eastern, construction work on the Bly extension of the Strahorn railroad will commence the first of next weak, according to N. H. Bogue, general manager of the short line owned jointly by the S. P. and Great Northern.
Word of the beginning of operations came following the awarding of two contracts for building of grade on the O. C. & E. by Bogue.
Johnson Brothers, who have been doing railroad construction work here for the past few months, were awarded a contract for 19 miles of grade, beginning at Sprague River and extending east toward Bly. Morgan & Victory, local construction firm, were awarded a contract to build 7 1/2 miles on grade, starting at the eastern terminus of the Johnson Brothers sector and advancing toward the reservation city which is the goal of the Strahorn in the present plan." (The Klamath News)
July 20, 1928: "The Southern Pacific company doing construction work between Sprague River and Bly are starting a camp about two miles from Beatty. They are placing the rails from Sprague River at this time." (The Evening Herald)
November 11, 1928: "The Oregon - California and Eastern railroad is now running three trains, laying the new track between Sprague River and Klamath Falls. The track is laid within three miles of Bly. The Johnson Brothers, contractors, who are building the grade, have moved their outfit from Sprague River out onto Squaw Flat district, where they are now operating." (The Klamath News)
November 14, 1928: "The Oregon, California and Eastern Railroad has filed application for permission to establish several grade crossings between Sprague River and Bly." (Statesnan Journal)
December 31, 1928: "The O. C. & E. railroad, jointly owned by the Southern Pacific and Great Northern, was extended 26 miles from Sprague River to Bly. From the latter point, two logging railroads are being constructed into heavy stands of timber; one by the Ewauna Box company and the other by the Pelican Bay Lumber company." (The Evening Herald)
1929
January 24, 1929: "Oregon-California and Eastern Railroad will lay new steel tracks between this city (Klamath Falls) and Sprague River, distance of 40 miles." (Corvallis Gazette-Times)
February 5, 1929: "The railroad, which was extended this year 26 miles from Sprague River to Bly, anticipates the best year in its history during 1929." (The Evening Herald)
May 21, 1929: "The Oregon, California and Eastern railroad, owned jointly by the Great Northern and Southern Pacific railroads, last night submitted two bids for the city's $300,000 interest in the line. One offer provided for a straight cash payment of $150,000. The other offer was for $72,895 and the line's city property.
The city has held income bonds on the line for more than ten years and has yet to realize a profit on the investment. At the same time $18,000 was lost annually in interest payments.
Dissatisfaction over this situation led Mayor T.B. Watters to enter into negotiations with the joint owners of the line. The Oregon, California and Eastern was originally constructed to Sprague River by R.E. Strahorn. It later went into joint ownership and was extended 26 miles to Bly." (The News-Review)
June 20, 1929: "Keeping step with various development projects along the line, the O.C. & E. railroad--jointly owned by the S.P. and G.N.--is continuing its construction program in order to be ready to handle anticipated increased freight tonnage, it was revealed today by N. H. Bogue, general manager of the 66 mile branch line.
Ballasting of the Sprague River - Bly section of the line, 26 miles, will be completed the latter part of this month. The Bly depot of bungalow type has been completed by the Williams Lumber company and the McGrath Brothers Construction company will have a similar depot at Sprague River completed in the near future.
A modern bridge is being constructed at Sprague River for the O.C. & E. railroad by the Sawmill Engineering and Construction company which desires to effect a logging line crossing at that point.
A switch connecting the Lorenz Lumber company line with the O.C. & E. at Sprague River was being installed today." (The Evening Herald)
November 1, 1929: "Large crews of men are at work near here replacing the former light rails on the O.C. & E. with 90-pound steel, giving a more solid roadbed for the heavy cars of logs being hauled daily into the big mills at Klamath Falls." (The Klamath News)
1930
February 4, 1930: "Harvey Drew, Klamath Indian, yesterday filed suit for $225 alleged damages against the Oregon, California and Eastern railway.
Drew alleges that because the company did not maintain adequate cattle guards along its line that two horses belonging to him were killed in November, 1929." (The Evening Herald)
July 27, 1930: "The Oregon, California and Eastern railway will discontinue its passenger service between Klamath Falls and Bly on August 1, according to notice filed with the Oregon Public Service commission today." (Eugene Register)
1931
1932
1933
March 26, 1933: "Offices for the Oregon California and Eastern railroad maintained in the Klamath Development company building of this city, have been discontinued, according to announcements from railroad officials.
The road, which is owned jointly by the Southern Pacific and Great Northern railroads, will be operated by the former.
This line, known as the old Strahorn railroad, runs from Klamath Falls to Bly, approximately 60 miles." (The Klamath News)
October 7, 1933: "Eight cars of logs were derailed and 500 feet of track torn up in an Oregon, California and Eastern logging train wreck near Dairy at 6 p.m. Thursday. Damage is expected to run over $10,000.
At a point two miles east of Dairy, the logging train ran into trouble as the tenth car behind the engine jumped the rails. The cars behind this one either piled up or plowed along the tracks.
The cause of the mishap was not certain. At the local Southern Pacific offices it was said a log may have fallen off one of the cars and rolled back on the tracks to cause derailment.
Wrecking equipment was called out immediately after the accident, the sirens screeching at dusk Thursday night. It was expected the damage would be repaired and the tracks cleared by dusk tonight (Saturday).
Several of the flat cars were badly wrecked. No one was hurt and the engine proceeded into Klamath Falls with what was left of the trainload of logs, consigned to local lumber mills." (The Klamath News)
1934
1935
August 1, 1935: "Mrs. C. W. Tooker of Klamath Falls is spending several days in Sprague River visiting her husband. Tooker is agent for the O. C. & E. Railway Co." (The Evening Herald)
November 13, 1935: "C. W. Tooker, local agent for the O. C. & E. railway, has moved his family to Sprague River from Klamath Falls. Ruth and Wayne Tooker will continue to attend school in Klamath Falls." (The Evening Herald)
December 17, 1935: "Involving the intriguing legal question as to whether the Oregon, California and Eastern railroad is a branch or main line, trial will start in circuit court here Wednesday morning in the equity case brought by the railroad to enjoin the district attorney's office from enforcing the full crew train law on that line.
The law provides that when a branch line includes over 40 cars, it must have a full crew of six men. On main lines full crews must be provided for all trains, regardless of the number of cars.
The O. C. and E., which extends eastward from Klamath Falls, is now owned jointly by the Southern Pacific and Great Northern, which might indicate a branch line status. On the other hand, it operates as a separate corporation, which provides basis for argument that it qualifies as a main line. It is understood these details represent a major issue in the case.
The office of District Attorney Hardin C. Blackmer will oppose the railroad in the suit. Deputy District Attorney William Kuykendall will appear in court, and will be assisted by Attorney Harry Bolvin. The case developed originally when W. E. Regan filed a complaint in the district attorney's office claiming the O. C. and E. was not obeying the full crew train law.
Charles Hart of Portland and local attorneys will represent the O. C. and E." (The Evening Herald)
December 23, 1935: "Oregon, California and Eastern Railway company versus H. C. Blackmer. Operation by the railway of any freight train irrespective of the number of cars therein without a six-man crew declared to be a violation of the Oregon full crew law. Each party ordered to pay own costs." (The Evening Herald)
1936
July 14, 1936: "The Oregon, California and Eastern railroad, running between here (K.F.) and Bly, is not a 'main line' under definition of the law, and therefore does not come under the full crew enactment.
That was the opinion handed down Tuesday by Chief Justice Campbell of the Oregon supreme court, in connection with a suit that was fought out here in circuit court several months ago.
Justice Campbell held that one freight train a day on a line does not constitute hazard sufficient to require employment of an additional flagman as provided by law for main lines.
The suit was brought by the O. C. and E. against the district attorney's office here, for a declaratory judgment to interpret the full crew act providing for a minimum of six men on a freight train on a main line. The crux of the legal controversy before Circuit Judge E. B. Ashurst was whether the O. C. and E. owned jointly by the Southern Pacific and Great Northern, is a main line.
Justice Campbell's opinion constitutes a reversal of Judge Ashurst." (The Evening Herald)
1937
February 27, 1937: "Sam Morrone, section foreman for the Oregon, California and Eastern railroad at Sprague River, has returned from San Francisco, where he has been receiving medical care for some time." (The Klamath News)
April 11, 1937: "Mr. Tooker who has been station agent here for several years, was recently transferred to Bieber, California. Mr. Brown from Sacramento, California, has been sent here to replace him." (The Klamath News)
1938
1939
1940
1941
January 27, 1941: "An extra crew of men is stationed in Sprague River to keep the O.C. & E. railroad free of snow during the present stormy spell." (The Evening Herald)
August 29, 1941: "Extensive improvements have been made in the Great Northern depot here during the last month. The building has been remodeled and repainted. The living quarters of Station Agent Joe Young and Mrs. Young have been refinished and modernized." (The Evening Herald)
1942
1943
May 21, 1943: "Joe Young, former depot operator here, has gone to Bend, Ore. Mrs. Young will be here for a short while until another operator can be sent here to work." (Herald and News)
1944
1945
February 26, 1945: "L.Z. Carter, chief clerk for the Klamath district freight and passenger office of the Southern Pacific railroad, has been assigned as agent for the Oregon-California and Eastern railroad at Sprague River, Ore. L.F. Alexander, former revising clerk in the Klamath freight office, will replace Carter." (Herald and News)
1946
1947
1948
1949
October 26, 1949: "Al B. Herwick, 53, who was shot in the neck six years ago while working on the Oregon, California and Eastern railroad, has filed a damage suit here against the OC&E and the Southern Pacific for $100,000.
Herwick received his injury October 30, 1943, when he was working as rear brakeman on the OC&E. While riding in the cupola of the freight caboose in the vicinity of the Summers lane crossing, a .22 calibre bullet fired from outside the car lodged in his neck.
It was determined the shot was fired at the train by a 17-year-old boy, who had taken at least two shots at the freight.
Herwick contends he has been in poor health since the time of the injury, has become partially paralyzed and is totally disabled. He charges the railroad companies with failing to furnish him with a safe place to work in view of asserted knowledge of the companies that youngsters of the neighborhood had frequently taken pot-shots at OC&E trains with rifles." (Herald and News)
1950
1951
1952
1953
March 6, 1953: "Harvey A. Teal, trainmaster on the Oregon, California and Eastern, operated by the Southern Pacific Company, reported a freight crew on a train rolling along at 25 miles an hour suddenly saw a 17 foot long trestle had been burned, leaving the rails suspended on nothing firmer than air.
Too late to stop, they rode the diesel out and to their amazement the 165-ton locomotive crossed over. However, a 20 ton log flat behind the locomotive failed to make it and plunged into the 10 feet deep gully, pulling three more flat cars into the ravine three miles east of the Sprague River." (The Fresno Bee The Republican)
1954
1955
August 7, 1955: "The Southern Oregon Construction Company, under contract to the OC&E Railroad, has started to build a 2,000-foot spur here. It will be used for loading logs by J.M. Fisher when he begins logging operations on Fuego Mountain about September 1.
The company has six men working here, all commuting from Klamath Falls. The crew expects to complete the job in about a week." (Herald and News)
1956
1957
1958
July 13, 1958: "The Public Utility Commissioner of Oregon has scheduled a hearing for Thursday, August 7, at 9:30 a.m. in the city council chambers for the reviewal of a request by the Oregon, California and Eastern Railway to abandon its agency at Sprague River station.
The company proposes to transfer accounting and services presently rendered at Sprague River station to its station at Klamath Falls, and continue maintenance of Sprague River station as a non-agent station.
All interested are invited to attend the public hearing on this petition." (Herald and News)
September 21, 1958: "Following structures for sale by Great Northern Railway Company, Sprague River, Oregon, on the OC&E Ry:
One frame building, one story, combination depot and dwelling, size 30 ft by 49 ft., with 10-ft. by 28-ft. addition on south side.
Depot office space 14 ft. by 18 ft., Freight warehouse 30 ft. by 16 ft. Dwelling portion of the building consists of five rooms, with sink in kitchen and bathroom with fixtures, involving 970 square feet.
One frame garage building 16 ft by 28 ft.
140 ft. 52 inch woven wire fencing and 15 steel posts.
Bidders may contact Superintendent G.N. Ry. Co., Klamath Falls, Oregon, for information. Sale will be made to highest suitable offer received by October 1, 1958. Structure must be removed from Railway right of way and site cleared to satisfaction of Railway Company within 30 days or shortly thereafter." (Herald and News)
1959
December 16, 1959: "The Oregon, California and Eastern Railway Co. may now abandon a station at Hildebrand, 22 miles east of Klamath Falls, and one at North Fork, four miles west of Bly, about 46 miles east of Klamath Falls.
The Oregon Public Utilities Commission gave its approval. OC&E said the stations have not been used for many years. The Hildebrand station formerly was a loading point for logs and the North Fork station a terminal for a mill which no longer exists. Neither has been used since 1952." (The News-Review)