30 March 1903

Sumpter Smelter Blows in Soon

Sumpter Oregon USA - All the machinery for the Sumpter smelter has been received, and is now being rapidly put in place and should be running in a few weeks. The smelter company is now purchasing bullion, and it is expected will soon be in the market for smelting ores. The lime quarry has been opened up. A reservoir, to be located on the hill just above the smelter, will also be finished in a short time.
 
General Passenger and Freight Agent Barton of the Sumpter Valley Railway states that five new engines have been order for the road. Two will be received in April. The business of the railway is growing so rapidly that additional rolling stock is being required constantly. When the Whitney branch was completed, over a year ago, several moguls were purchased. These are now employed in hauling freight and logging trains. The logs go to the mills at South Baker. The Sumpter Valley Railway has constructed innumerable spurs to tap the many bodies of timber owned by the Oregon Lumber Company.
 
Near the smelter being erected here the railway company owns several acres of land. Upon this is to be established the yards and switches. Alongside the smelter building a roadbed has been graded, upon which is to be built a spur for the cars carrying ore to the smelter. The arrangement is such that these cars can be unloaded into the ore bins, thus greatly facilitating the handling of the ore.