Wednesday, August 01, 2007

Grandfather Heman Coltrin and his brother John Graham Coltrin

From: "Dorothy Coltrin" dmcoltrin@comcast.net

I have been told that my grandfather Heman Coltrin and his brother John Graham Coltrin worked on the railroad and possibly are included in the photo of the laying of the spike at Promontory Point on May 10, 1869. My grandfather would have been 15 years and his brother was 26 years. Can you tell me how I might verify this information?

—Dorothy Coltrin

SF&SJ 4-4-0 San Jose - #1 or 32

From: KyleKWyatt@gmail.com

Attached is a large scan of Norris-built 4-4-0 Southern Pacific "San Jose."  Note the SP logo on the tender.  My question is whether that is a "1" or "2" on the sand box.

This photo has often been presented as being on Peter Donahue's new San Francisco & North Pacific, but I wonder if it is actually taken while still on the San Francisco & San Jose/Southern Pacific. 

I'm guessing that the building in the background says:

SANTA ROSA
PLANING MILL

but unless we know that the mill is located in Santa Rosa, I think it possible that such a mill might be in, say, San Jose.

In favor of the photo being in Santa Rosa, I note the following:

Historical And Descriptive Sketch Of Sonoma County, California Sonoma County CA Archives History - Books .....Manufactures 1877

HISTORICAL AND DESCRIPTIVE SKETCH OF SONOMA COUNTY, CALIFORNIA, BY ROBERT A. THOMPSON, EDITOR OF "THE SONOMA DEMOCRAT." PHILADELPHIA: L. H. EVERTS & CO. 1877.
Santa Rosa planing mill is situated on Wilson street, and was built in 1870 by H. T. Hewitt. It was afterwards sold to Mr. Arnold, and by him to F. Korbel & Brothers, who still own it. The engine is twenty horse power, and the daily capacity of the mill is from seven to twelve thousand feet of ordinary planing work. From eight to ten hands are usually employed about the mill.

What do you think?

—Kyle


SF&SJ 4-4-0 San Jose - #1 or 32

SF&SJ 4-4-0 San Jose - #1 or 32

SF&SJ 4-4-0 San Jose - #1 or 32

SF&SJ 4-4-0 San Jose - #1 or 32

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