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Aberdeen’s 1895 railroad triumph sparked by wreck rails
The Aberdeen Herald recounts how the wreck of the Abercorn near North Beach supplied rails for a bold plan to extend the Northern Pacific into Aberdeen. Citizens led by J. M. Weatherwax, Samuel Benn, W. B. Mack, and Eugene France raised funds and labor, overcoming landslides and legal fights, to complete the grade and open the line on April 1, 1895. The effort united local mills, landowners, and residents in a defining city-building moment.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Aberdeen
Abercorn
Grays Harbor
Portland
Oregon
North Beach
Chehalis River
Cosmopolis
Wm. P. Book
J. M. Weatherwax
Chas
R. Wilson
Northern Pacific
W. B. Mack
Mack
Dickinson
Taco
Wishkah River
Messrs. Book, Weatherwax
Wilson
Messrs
Samuel Benn
A. J. West
Aberdeen Herald
New
Weatherwax
Clyde B. Weatherwax
R. JT
Dabney
Benn
N. G. Kaufman
A. J. Kroenert
W. O. McKinlay
N. W. Bush
J. C. Cross
P. W. Anderson
France
Wilson's Mill
Jas. Beemer
Joseph Beaman
Chas Wooldridge
Eugene France
John Johnson
Alex Grant
A. M. Ballew
A. Y. Ross
Joseph Barker
Frank Payette
Frank Pratsch
John Boyer
Wm. Peasley
Elmer Scurlock
Percy McKinlay
R. H. Evans
Robi. Birmingham
S. D. Hembling
Rel. Weaver
Olof Pearson
Chas. Comstock
Jas. Beckey
E. Turati
Grant Wheeler
Bert Hyser
Archie Murray
Northern Pacific Railroad
Messrs. Benn
West
Book
United States Circuit Court of Appeals
Clark
W. B. McGerry
C. R. Wilson
W. P. Book
The
Herald
Chas. R. Wilson
Pacific Coast