Page:Oregon Historical Quarterly volume 25.djvu/245

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OREGON'S FIRST RAILWAY 213 worth to come in. "Mr. Olmstead," said he, "has made a proposition to sell the railroad, etc., at Cascades to the company; the company have authorized me to enter into negotiations for the purchase. I should like to see you very much as soon as you can come down." 49 The result of Ainsworth's meeting with Olmstead and Ruckel was an offer to sell out for $175,000, and this was rejected upon its presentation to the Directors, Nov- ember 3, but the next day the two last named gentlemen appeared before the board, offering to take $155,000, and at this price the sale was carried out. Harrison Olmstead, as a part of the understanding then reached with the Ore- gon Steam Navigation Company for their purchase of the Oregon Portage, now wrote to Bradford & Co., telling them that the agreement he had negotiated with them in 1860 for a division of the portage earnings was no longer operative, but null and void. It was not recognized by the purchasers. The deeds conveying the title to the Oregon Portage property were made on November 6, 1862, one for Mult- nomah County, and one for Wasco County, as it then was, though now Hood River County. These deeds indicate that there were besides the fixed property,and other things grouped under a general description the following: 1 locomotive 12 mules 1 passenger car 5 horses 20 freight cars 3 wagons with double harness 1 steam hoisting engine at the lower landing, evi- dently to haul the freight cars up a steeper grade than the "Pony" would surmount. 60 tons of flat iron with spikes for the same, tools for the railroad harness for car animals 3 wharfboats blacksmith tools, etc. 49 Letter J. C . Ainsworth to J. S . Ruckel, October 28, 1862. ijy

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