Newspaper Clippings - Nevada County Narrow Gauge Railroad

Febuary 5th 1875 The Railroad.-Affairs on the railroad are getting along well. Mr. Turton is at Colfax and was yesterday engaged, with a team of men, in errecting the nexessary boarding houses for the employes of the subcontractors. A large number of carts and scrapers have already been sent to Colfax, and in a few days horses and mules will be forwarded to that place. It is now the enlation to break ground on next Thursday, the 11th of this month. We are not informed, from any authentic sources, as to how many men will be employed on the work, but we understand that wherever there may be room for a man to work to advantage, on the whole of the road, he will be given work. In two or three weeks after making start of the work of grading, at least 500 men will be employed. The road will be quickly graded and will be ready for track laying by the time the iron can be placed on the ground, and the iron will be there just as soon as possible under all the circumstances.

Feburary 7th 1875 Railroad.- To-morrow the fourth assessment on the capital stock of the Nevada County Narrow Gauge Railroad Company becomes delinquent. Of course there will be but few, if any, of th stockholders who will fail to make payment. The road should be hindered a moment, in its construction, for the want of backing by the shareholders. See Secretary Fletcher at an early hour to-morrow and give him the funds to square up that assessment. The stock will be worth the money and the road will be of great advantage to this part of the country.

Feburary 9th 1875 Railroad.-Yesterday the assessment on the stock of the Nevada County narrow Gauge Railroad Company ----- stockholders have --- generally paid up. We understand that at Nevada City, the assessments were, also, promptly paid. That is as it should be, The road will be quickly built and will therefore, quickly give new life to this part of the county. At the office of Chief Engineer --- there was considerable activity yesteday. Numbers of persons were there looking at specifications for the depot buildings and for tunnel and bridge work. Engineer Kidder who has charge of location of the road, was in town yesterday he says that the work of final ---- is progressing most favorably. The weather has been very favorable to Mr. Kidder and his party-just such weather as just men --- when during a good work. On tomorrow or the next day it is expected that Knox and Turton will commence the work of grading.

Feburary 11th 1875 Ground Broken.-Yesterday afternoon, at 2 o'clock, as we understand, ground was broken on the Nevada County Narrow Gauge Railroad. This was done about a half mile out from Colfax. There were no ceremonies observed on the occasion, but the workmen simply went to sober work of shoveling dirt. There will be no hilariousness over the road business until the last spike is driven and then you can bet that the boys will have a time.

Directors Meeting.-The Directors of the N.C.N.G.R.R. Company held a meeting yesterday. I twas reported to the meeting that almost all the assessments which became due on last MOnday were paid in. Only three or four shares all deliquent as we understand and these will not remain so very long.

Feburary 12th 1875 Breaking Ground.- We announced yesterday that ground had been broke, the day before, near Colfax, on the Nevada County Narrow Gauge Railroad. The breaking did not occur on Wednesday, as was announced from headquarters, but the ceremonies were postponed until yesterday afternoon, at the hour of 2 o'clock. At last Col. Clarke telegraphed us on Wednesday evening that on Thursday (yesterday) at the hour named, the aforesaid breaking of ground would occur. We did not recieve the telegram in time to notify the boys here, and so no delegation from this place attended the ceremonies. We know that Dennis McCarty's speech was an eloquent one.

October 26th, 1875. A Railroad Ride.- Last Sunday two of our most enterprising young men, who were brought up in the fond hope that they would turn out to be Sunday School Superintendents, went out to see how the railroad was getting along. They had a buggy and a span and they rode down to Greenhorn bridge. They there saw a little car on the track, one that is used in front of the construction engine. The little car is a nice little "flat" and just the one to tempt young men in comfort. Our adventures tied up their horses, and then board the little flat car. They started that car down toward Bear River. At first the thing moved slowly, but at every turn of the wheels speed was gained. They went into the Greenhorn tunnel, and in that they stuck still more of a down grade. That little car gathered motion as it went down hill. It got to make a speed of about sixty miles an hour, and it turned curves at the rate of a flash of lightning. There were no brakes on the car and no way to stop her. The two passengers began to get excited with the ride. The speed of the little car caused their hats to blow off and came very to taking their hair out by the roots. They were nearing Bear River bridge which is ninety-eight feet high, and such a bridge is not good looking to cross over on a small car. There happened to be a piece of scantling, or a tie on the car, and they concluded to stop their speed. One of the young gentlemen took that tie and dropped it in front of the car. The result was that the car and the two young men went off the track each taking a flight in a different direction. The car was not hurt and the two young men only felt sore yesterday morning. They put the car again on the track and pushed her up to where they began their ride. It took and hour and a half to do the uphill work. They made the down grade in less than five minutes. The moral is to go to church on Sunday and let the railroad alone. P.S. Next sunday Johnny Judd and Billy Johnston are going down to show how easy it is ride down the road.