Page:Oregon Historical Quarterly vol. 7.pdf/111



]

It is not intended in this first paper to present a complete history of the railroad development of the State, but rather to outline the events which, following each other in a natural and evolutionary way have in spite of the opposition and mismanagement of men in control, resulted in a railroad system which is entitled to the name of "The Oregon System." And if it may appear to some readers that small details are treated of in the beginning of the great work, yet that possibly may be excused as being quite as interesting to the student of history as the much larger events of a later day. And although this system, now apparently divided by the line of the great river of the West, the work of many opposing interests and diverse minds is yet forced by the decrees of nature to work towards one general end and purpose, and so promoting the vast interest of commerce and transportation, that the welfare of the teeming millions that are to fill up the great Northwest will be benefited thereby.

The first steps to build a railroad in the State of Oregon, followed up by connected and continuous efforts and organization, were taken at Jacksonville in Jackson County in October, 1863. Sporadic meetings had been held and