ncorailfan Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Greetings:
>
> In regards to your comments about the Edward Hines
> Lumber Company's operations in the Eastern Oregon
> areas of Hines/Burns and Bear Valley (Harney and
> Grant Counties), I add these comments.
>
> While the sawmill at Camp One may have cut ties,
> the railroad did not go east to Summit Prairie
> for a numbef of years. The ties would have been
> used on the early logging spurs around the south
> and west of Bear Valley.
>
> Also, I believe Camp One was established before
> the Edward Hines company was involved in the
> operations at Hines and Bear Valley. Fred Herrick
> was the lumber operator who started the show.
>
> Tom Armstrong
Tom, You are certainly right about Herrick starting the whole show. However, Herrick went bankrupt as you know, and Hines took over and completed the operation. Herrick did complete Camp 1 and some logging spurs. He was producing ties, but from what I have been able to determine Herrick did not produce lumber, only ties, because the main mill at Hines was not yet complete. Perhaps you have some information on this. He did not get the main mill at Hines operational. Edward Hines got the mill operating after they took over.
I have read conflicting reports indicating Herrick's Malheur Railroad was operational, others say Hines completed the road and of course renamed it Oregon and NorthWestern. It would seem logical that the Malheur must have been operational, otherwise how would Herrick have gotten the ties to the woods?
I know you have a lot of info on the whole story of Fred Herrick and the subsequent Hines operation. Do you plan to ever publish your findings in a book. It would prove most interesting.
dan (former Seneca resident)