Source: The Mining Journal
Marquette, Mie
December 31, 1892 Saturday

Strongly Entrenched Now

In response to an inquiry from the Mining Journal General
Manager Fitch of the DSS&A on Saturday confirmed the rumor-
ed purchase of the MR by his company in the following words:
"Our people in New York have, within the past few days bought
a large majority of the stock of the MR, thereby getting con-
trol of that property.' When questioned as to whether or not
the South Shore would assume the immediate management of the
new purchase, Mr. Fitch was entirely non-commital, stating
that such questions were for the Board of Directors to deter-
mine. As the next meeting of the Board of Directors is in
June, it is possible that it is the intention to leave the
MR under its present management for the time being.

The position of the South Shore is strengthened immeasur-
ably by the new purchase. The purchase of the MR carries
with it the H&C, which has been operated with the MR since
the famous Ives-Stayner fiasco. The MR extends from Hough-
ton to Red Jacket, a distance of 15% miles. The H&C has two
divisions, the "Shore Line! running from Hancock to Lake Lin-
den, 10.2 miles and the "Allouez Line" from the junctions,
77 miles out of Hancock to Osceola, Tamarack, Calumet, Kear-
sarge and Allouez, 11 miles. This gives a total mileage of
36% miles and in the form of a triangle.

Both roads are narrow gauge and are undoubtedly the best
equipped roads of the kind in the country. The track is
principally 65-1b. steel and is surfaced with copper tailings,
giving a road bed which cannot be excelled. In renewing ties
it the last few years, ties of standard length have been put
in and both roads are almost ready for a change to standard
gauge or else for the laying of a third rail. Between Hough-
ton and Calumet a third rail is already in place. The equip-
ment is first class in every particular, the engines, though
for a 3 foot six inch gauge, being Baldwins, are as heavy as
the heaviest on the South Shore. The shops at Hancock, while
not large.are well equipped for the requirements of the sys-
tem.

By this purchase the South Shore not only obtains direct
access to all the principal cities and mines of the copper
country and the sold control of the splendid traffic of that
region, but also heads off the St. Paul, which is reaching
out toward that country and will now have to get in by a very
expensive piece of bridge work at Portage Entry. At various
times during the past few years the South Shore has cast long-
ing eyes upon those vigorous copper country narrow gauges, and
once went so far as to bluff the MR by projecting a rival line
from Houghton to Calumet. It is undoubtedly better for all
concerned that the change announced Saturday by Manager Fitch
and also C. A. Wright of the MR, who passed through the city
enroute from New York where he was called for the negotiations
pe 2 Strongly Entrenched Now - 12/31/1892

for the transfer has been brought about. It is certain at the
earliest and possible date the gauges of both roads will be
changed to standard and an expensive traffic of freight, pass
sengers, mails, etc., will thus be done away with and Calumet,
Red Jacket and Lake Linden will ‘be given direct rail communica-
tions with the south and east, the properties being operated as
one road.

Whatever benefits the South Shore is a direct benefit to Mar-
quette and as this move will be regarded every where as a ten-
strike for the DSS&A Marquette has cause for rejoicing at its
consummation.

WBSRA
FRG

MR
CM&StP