THE QUARTERLY
OF THE
OREGON HISTORICAL SOCIETY.
THE OREGON CENTRAL RAILROAD.
BEGINNING OF OREGON RAILROAD DEVELOPMENT.
The March Quarterly contained two references to this subject, in treating of other questions. Both Professor Robertson and Mr. W. D. Fenton give accounts of the contest between the "East Side Line" and the "West Side Line" for the possession of the first grant of land to Oregon in aid of the construction of railroads. That contention between the two companies makes a memorable chapter in the history of the state.
Being now the only survivor of the twenty-two men who made up the boards of directors of the two companies contending for the land grant, I am impelled, at the risk of being thought governed by personal and controversial feeling (of which I am unconscious), and by the interest I have in historical accuracy on this subject, to make the following additions to, and corrections in the articles referred to:
The contest referred to by Professor Robertson grew out of the desire to get possession of the land grant made by Congress on July 25, 1866. That grant, so far as it related to Oregon, was, more than to any other person, due to the labors of Joseph Gaston, who, at Jacksonville, in
