Herald, of September 30, that year, in giving the news of his expected arrival referred to him as "Harry Olmstead, well known in this state as the Jack of Clubs." D. H. Olmstead, a brother of Harrison Olmstead, was connected with the Oregon Portage Railroad, but whether as partner in ownership or as an employee, does not appear. He was left.in charge of the portage when the property was sold to the Oregon Steam Navigation Company, and it may. be inferred that he was previously engaged in the same capacity. The* only account of D. H . Olmstead the writer has found follows. It was published at his death across the state line from Walla Walla:
(He) came to this coast at an early day and for a number of years was engaged with his brother in transporting freight over the portage at the Cascades. Subsequently he removed to Walla Walla, coming here in the spring of 1862 [1863?] and remaining down to the date of his death. A quiet, unobtrusive man, he had many excellent qualities, and was greatly esteemed by all who came within the circle of his acquaintance. * * * *[1]
The survey and detailed plans of the Oregon Portage Railroad were made by John W. Brazee,[2] a civil engineer of Portland afterward for twenty years in the service of the Oregon Steam Navigation Company, and who located the first twenty miles of the line now owned by the Southern Pacific Company extending southward, via Fourth Street, Portland to Hillsboro, Forest Grove and McMinnville. Brazee superintended the construction of the Railroad, a necessary part of which was the Eagle Creek sawmill operated by water power drawn through a flume from that stream. Close by the sawmill a headquarters building, used as a residence by the superintendent but accommodating the employees of the mill and the railroad, was built, and other structures were erected for housing the horses and mules that drew the little four-
- ↑ Walla Walla Statesman, April 1, 1876.
- ↑ Bancroft, History of Oregon.
