Newspaper Items
Utah Southern Railroad
Utah Southern Railroad Extension
This page was last updated on March 21, 2004
13 May 1871
In an item on the Utah Southern, it is indicated that it was originally thought
to make that road a three-foot narrow gauge road; and when it was decided to
build it to match the Utah Central, some changes had to be made in the Utah
Southern's location. (Pitchard, Deseret
Evening News, 13 May 1871)
6 June 1871
Yesterday afternoon Brigham Young drove the first spike on the Utah Southern
Railroad; John Sharp, the second; Wm. Jennings, the third; and Feramorz Little,
the fourth. Afterwards, tracklaying began. (Pitchard, Deseret Evening News, 6 June 1871)
20 June 1871
An engine was put on the Utah Southern yesterday. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Herald, 20 June 1871)
13 July 1871
The Utah Southern is completed for 7-1/2 miles, to Little Cottonwood. (Pitchard, Deseret Evening News, 13 July
1871) (ed. note: Little Cottonwood was the location of what today is Murray, at
about 50th South, where the UP line (today's UTA TRAX line) crosses Little
Cottonwood Creek.)
4 September 1871
"Utah Southern. -- Track laying on this line has been temporarily
suspended for a few days on account of the non-arrival of iron. The work of
grading between a point six miles south of Dry Creek Bridge and the point of
the mountain is being pushed vigorously forward, and, it is expected, will be
completed within about three weeks." A timetable-advertisement appears,
showing that on and after Wednesday, 6 September 1871, the Utah Southern will
run to Sandy station. (Pitchard, Deseret
Evening News, 4 September 1871)
9 September 1871
Utah Central and Utah Southern have entered into contract to haul ore on a
through rate of $35.00 per car load between Sandy station and Ogden,
northbound. (Pitchard, Deseret Evening
News, 9 September 1871)
4 November 1871
The Utah Southern railroad has been opened for service to Draper, which is five
miles south of Sandy; one way fare is $1.25.
(Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Herald, 4 November 1871)
30 March 1872
The Utah Southern is now grading, making cuts and fills and so forth, around
and through the Point of the Mountain south. (Pitchard, Deseret Evening News, 30 March 1872)
4 August 1872
Although the Utah Southern had not yet reached American Fork, track of the
American Fork Railroad had been laid from the future connection point with the
Utah Southern in American Fork, to the mouth of the canyon. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Herald, 4 August 1872)
6 August 1872
Item on the Utah Southern says the standard gauge road is laid to a point about
3,000 feet shy of the summit, on the north side, and the road hopes to be past
the Point in 10 days. (Pitchard, Salt
Lake Herald, 6 August 1872)
9 August 1872
The Utah Southern started this morning running regular trains to Point of the
Mountain; paper of 10th says end of the track is about 3,000 feet short of the
actual summit, on the north side. (Pitchard, Deseret Evening News, 9 August 1872)
13 August 1872
"Railway Progress in Utah." "The Union Pacific railroad appears
to be thoroughly aroused to the value and necessity of building feeders to the
main line,… It is largely interested in the Utah Central and Southern roads,
and will undoubtedly sooner or later own them entirely." (Pitchard, Utah Mining Journal, 13 August
1872)
20 August 1872
In item on U.S.R.R., several officials, including T. E. Sickles, have been over
the U.S., and "…at the U.C. depot they inspected the model of a recent
patent for running trains up a heavy incline, which is in the Utah Central
machine shops." (Pitchard, Salt Lake
Herald, 20 August 1872)
17 September 1872
"Local Intelligence." "Two handsome passenger cars for the
American Fork railway have arrived at the Utah Central station and will be sent
forward as soon as the Utah Southern track is laid to American Fork. The cars
are about the size of the city street cars, will accommodate sixteen persons
and are very comfortably fitted up. Other cars have been ordered and will soon
be here, together with a new locomotive. Work on the road is being pushed with
great vigor." (Pitchard, Utah Mining
Journal,17 September 1872)
18 September 1872
"The Utah Southern railroad will reach Lehi in a day or two, and the
terminus of the road, for passengers and traffic, is expected to be moved from
Point of Mountain to Lehi on Monday next." (Pitchard, Salt Lake Herald, 18 September 1872)
22 September 1872
The freight forwarding outfits moving to Lehi tomorrow. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Herald, 22 September 1872)
24 September 1872
The Utah Southern began running passenger trains to Lehi as of yesterday. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Herald, 24 September
1872) Gordon & Murray, a
freighting firm, advertised for mule teams and ox teams, and teamsters to haul
freight between the Utah Southern terminus at Lehi and Pioche. (Pitchard, Utah Mining Journal, 23 September 1872)
24 September 1872
"Local Brevities." "The Utah Southern railroad is now carrying
passengers to Lehi, seven miles beyond the point of the mountain. On Wednesday
freight will be delivered there." (Pitchard, Utah Mining Journal, 24 September 1872)
25 September 1872
Freight trains on Utah Southern will run to Lehi today and after. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Herald, 25 September
1872)
28 September 1872
"Local Brevities." "We learn that the Utah Southern will not be
built any further than Lehi this winter. The company propose erecting a large
warehouse at that point for the storing of goods." (Pitchard, Utah Mining Journal, 28 September 1872)
13 October 1872
"A Connection Made.-The connection between the Utah Southern and American
Fork railroads is made at Lehi, and trains will be running on the latter to
Deer Creek, in American Fork canyon, early in the week." (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Herald, 13 October 1872)
12 September 1873
Utah Southern R.R. locomotive No. 2 has had a thorough overhauling at the U. C.
R. R. shops, which included the turning of the tires. It made its first run out
this morning. (Pitchard, Deseret Evening
News, 12 September 1873)
24 September 1873
The Utah Southern Railroad is now running to American Fork city. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Herald, 24 September
1873)
1 November 1873
"The Utah Southern railroad is nearly completed to Provo." "The
Utah Southern depot has been located at Provo. It is to be on the south side of
town, at the foot of Main Street." (Pitchard, Utah Mining Gazette, 1 November 1873)
16 November 1873
"City Jottings." "The Utah Southern will be completed to Provo
one week from Monday. The delay has been occasioned by scarcity of iron, but
enough has been procured from the American Fork road to finish it to Provo,
which will be the winter terminus of the Southern." (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 16 November 1873)
24 November 1873
Provo will celebrate the arrival of the Utah Southern tomorrow; the new
timetable, showing service to Provo "on & after Nov. 24th,
1873,…" is published in this issue of the paper. (Pitchard, Deseret Evening News, 24 November 1873)
29 November 1873
"The opening of the Utah Southern Railroad, to Provo, occurred on Tuesday
last, and was celebrated in the usual manner." (Pitchard, Utah Mining
Gazette, 29 November 1873)
24 January 1874
A Utah Southern baggage car, loaded with (its says) charcoal, tipped over
yesterday afternoon, "in crossing the narrow gauge track of the Wasatch
& Jordan Valley Railroad." (Pitchard, Deseret Evening News, 24 January 1874)
21 March 1874
During February, 1874, Utah Southern received 78,430 pounds railroad material
(locomotives, cars, rail, etc.). (Pitchard, Utah Mining Gazette, 21 March 1874)
11 April 1874
During March, 1874, Utah Southern received no railroad material, but forwarded
191,700 pounds railroad material. (Pitchard, Utah Mining Gazette, 11 April 1874)
16 May 1874
During April 1874, Utah Southern forwarded 44,900 pounds railroad material. (Pitchard, Utah Mining Gazette, 16 May 1874)
20 June 1874
During May 1874, Utah Southern forwarded 64,600 pounds railroad material. (Pitchard, Utah Mining Gazette, 20 June
1874)
18 July 1874
During June, 1874, Utah Southern forwarded 112,850 pounds railroad material. (Pitchard, Utah Mining Gazette, 18 July
1874)
29 January 1875
On and after 1 February 1875, the Utah Southern will run regular trains to Payson.
(Pitchard, Salt Lake Herald, 29 January
1875)
7 February 1875
The Utah Southern is not yet to Nephi, but they are purchasing ties for that
extension. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Herald, 7 February 1875)
17 February 1875
Last evening, the last rail was laid on the Utah Southern to get it into York,
which will be the terminus for a while. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Herald, 17 February 1875)
23 February 1875
On and after 25th, regular trains will be run to York, end of Utah Southern. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Herald, 23 February
1875)
7 November 1875
An R.P.O. has been put on the Utah Southern, the car having been built in the
Utah Central shops in Salt Lake; J. A. Hiess is mail agent thereon. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Herald, 7 November
1875)
20 January 1878
"The Utah Central has ordered from McQueen, Schenectady, New York, a new
thirty-two ton freight engine, 16 x 24, with five-foot wheels." (Note: I
believe that this should say Utah Southern.) (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 20 January 1878)
19 March 1879
"Superintendent Sharp, of the Utah Southern Railroad, has purchased four
locomotives, 100 box and fifty flat cars for the new extension and forty flats
for the old road. The last of this week will see ten miles of the extension
graded and one mile of track laid." (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 19 March 1879)
21 March 1879
"Several car loads of rails pass through Provo daily for the extension of
the Utah Southern." (Pitchard, Ogden
Junction, 21 March 1879)
10 May 1879
The track of the Utah Southern is now complete beyond Nephi. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 10 May
1879)
10 May 1879
Track on the Utah Southern Extension reached Nephi ,yesterday. (Pitchard, The Territorial Enquirer, Provo,
10 May 1879)
15 May 1879
The Utah Southern Extension Company received ten flat ears yesterday, and two
engines 'a few days ago'. (Pitchard, Salt
Lake Herald, 15 May 1879)
31 May 1879
"Several new cars passed over the Utah Southern yesterday for the Utah and
Pleasant Valley narrow-gauge railroad." (Pitchard, The Territorial Enquirer, Provo, 31 May 1879)
21 June 1879
New flat cars and box cars for the Utah Southern and for the Extension company
are continually being received. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Herald, 21 June 1879)
24 June 1879
"A new locomotive purchased of the Union Pacific arrived last evening -for
use on the Utah Southern."--S. L. Herald, 22nd. (Pitchard, Ogden Junction, 24 June 1879)
8 July 1879
The Utah Southern is now completed about 13 miles beyond Juab, or 105 miles
south from Salt Lake City. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 8 July 1879)
21 August 1879
"A New Car," built at the Utah Central shops, is an officer's car for
the Utah Southern and the Extension line. Length over the end sills is 32 feet;
in half a column descriptive of the car's appointments, not a hint as to its
number! The car is presently being finished up. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Herald, 21 August 1879)
22 August 1879
Item taken from Salt Lake Herald, on an officers car built by the Utah Central,
body being 32 feet, without platforms. (Pitchard, Ogden Junction, 22 August 1879)
23 August 1879
The Utah Central shops in Salt Lake are building a car for the Utah Southern
Extension company, which from an item in paper of 17 September, appears to have
been a special officers car. (Pitchard, The Territorial Enquirer, Provo, 23 August 1879)
7 January 1880
"Our Railroads," The Utah Southern has four engines, as does the Utah
Southern Extension company. Another engine, for the Utah Southern, has been
ordered in the East, and is supposed to reach here in mid-February. The U.S.
also has 6 passenger cars, 2 baggage, mail & express cars, and 92 freight
cars. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune,
7 January 1880)
14 March 1880
"The new engine received here for the Utah Southern, a short time ago,
manufactured at Schenectady, N.Y., came up from the south, the other evening,
bringing fifty-two cars. This is believed to be the largest train ever brought
into Salt Lake by one engine." (Pitchard, Salt Lake Herald, 14 March 1880)
2 May 1880
Wreck on the Utah Southern last Friday evening, the 30th of April, in which an
engine hit the construction train, south of American Fork; one car was
destroyed and the engine damaged. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 2 May 1880)
9 May 1880
The terminus of the Utah Southern Extension is now at Milford, and regular
passenger trains are expected to start tomorrow. "The Utah Southern will
soon have a six-driver on the road. It has been christened the 'Mogul,' and
will be supplied with Westinghouse air brakes." (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily Tribune, 9 May 1880)
24 June 1880
"Through to Frisco." "The last rail on the Utah Southern
Extension was laid last evening, connecting Frisco with Salt Lake City, and the
train which leaves this morning will land passengers and mails in the Bonanza
City." (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily
Tribune, 24 June 1880)
25 June 1880
The Utah Southern Extension track was completed into Frisco at a few minutes
past 4:00pm, Wednesday the 23rd. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Herald, 25 June 1880)
26 June 1880
The Utah Southern Extension reached Frisco last Wednesday, the 23rd, and the
first passenger train was on Thursday. (Pitchard, The Territorial Enquirer, Provo, 26 June 1880)
19 May 1881
Letter from 'Railroader,' dated the 16th, in regard to unsafe condition of
several engines; Utah Southern #3 had a flue plugged, which plug blew out on
the 8th inst., severely scalding fireman Kimball - this engine has 28 or 30
such plugged flues! Similar conditions prevail on Utah Southern #2 and on Utah
Southern Ext. #123; some engineers have refused to run such engines, and have
been fired as a result. (Pitchard, Salt
Lake Daily Tribune, 19 May 1881)Also
mentioned in the May 22nd issue: Utah Southern 12.
21 May 1881
From the Salt Lake Herald, in reply to the letter in the Tribune of the 19th.:
Letter from W. B. Armstrong, Master Mechanic, dated the 20th: he claims his
character has been assailed through the Tribune by persons discharged for
incompetence and misdemeanor; says the comments regarding the engines are
'entirely untrue,' and that the engine whose flue burst and scalded the fireman
was coming in for work at the end of that trip anyhow; and that "flues of
locomotives frequently burst … with no more serious consequence than the
delay"!!! He further says that Utah Southern #2 was in the shops in April
of 1881 for boiler work, but admits that five defective flues were just found,
after the incident in question. Says that engine 123 was in the shop from April
to November of 1880, the boiler being 'entirely dissected' at that time,
installing a new firebox, front flue sheet, throat sheet, new strap around
firebox, new smokebox, and so forth. He claims that there are no safer engines
running. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Daily
Tribune, 21 May 1881)
22 May 1881
Letter from 'Railroader,' dated the 21st, in reply to the letter in the Herald
of 'this morning,' (above) over the signature of the master mechanic; reference
is made here to Utah Southern engine 12, which came into the shops three months
ago, had some $300 in work done, and came out worse than when it went in, and is
now in the shops again! (Pitchard, Salt
Lake Daily Tribune, 22 May 1881)
24 May 1881
Another letter from 'Railroader,' dated the 23rd, commenting upon the #123, and
Armstrong's remarks about it; here engine is noted as having come in from the
south 'this evening' leaking so badly that it would not hold even 10 pounds of
steam pressure. (Pitchard, Salt Lake
Daily Tribune, 24 May 1881)
8 June 1881
One of two new engines for the Utah Southern came through Ogden this date; a
'ten-wheeler', of 40 tons engine weight; built in 'the East'; made first run
out of SLC in morning of 11th. (Pitchard, Ogden Herald, 8 June 1881)
9 June 1881
Engine No. 6 has just arrived for the Utah Southern, and the Utah Central has
nearly completed building a new baggage car at the shops. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Herald, 9 June 1881)
12 June 1881
New engine No. 6 on USRR made a successful trial trip yesterday, Saturday. (Pitchard, Salt Lake Herald, 12 June 1881)
