Source: The Mining Journal
Marquette, Mie
January 3, 1891 Saturday

The South Shore and Gladstone

It was stated in the Iron Fort of Saturday that H. F. Balch,
the well kmown contractor, had been in Gladstone to go over the
line of the preliminary survey for a South Shore branch to that
port, indicating that its construction was soon to be commenced,
notwithstanding the Mining Journal's belief to the contrary.
The Delta noticing the frequent presence of Mr. Balch and his
subordinates in Marquette as proof positive that the road is to
be built at once. All right, gentlemen, all right - consider
the road built if you desire, but at the general offices of the
DSS&A in this city, it is stated authoritatively Mr. Balch has
not been over the line of the preliminary survey and that the
officers of the company itself do not know whether or not the
South Shore will build into Gladstone this year, some other
year, or not at all. Mr. Balch and Mr. Peppard were in Mar-
quette Monday closing up some matters connected with the build-
ing of No. 4 ore dock last spring. Mr. Balch is now building
the South Shore's Waiska Bay line and matters connected with
that contract often call him to Marquette. There you have the
situation.

The Mining Journal has never expressed the belief that the
South Shore would not build into Gladstone, but it has stated
that the officers of the company had caused a preliminary line
to be surveyed to obtain some idea of the probable cost of such
a branch and that they themselves did not know whether the min-
utes of that survey would ever be utilized or not. As far as
the Mining Journal is concerned this only need be said. If the
South Shore can gain any considerable business by building in-
to Gladstone, this paper would be glad to see it build there.
Marquette has nothing to fear in the matter; increased business
for the South Shore is directly to her advantage. Finally, the
Mining Journal is in a position to state to the gentlemen on
the anxious seat down in Delta county that when there is any
thing definite to be said about this South Shore-Gladstone
matter it will not only be able but willing to say it. Until
then let us have peace.

/DSSEA
MStP&SSM